JP4775155B2 - Print data editing apparatus and print data editing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data editing apparatus and a print data editing program.

  In general, in a print data editing apparatus such as a word processor for inputting a character or a figure and obtaining a desired print result, data of the printed character or figure is appropriately arranged. In such a print data editing apparatus, from the viewpoint of resource and cost reduction, it is required to save printing media and efficiently print out.

Therefore, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, after the input data is discriminated for each object after the character, figure, and blank attributes are determined, the object to be moved is reduced and moved according to a preset priority. However, there has been proposed one that automatically deletes the generated blank area and automatically changes the print layout. According to such a print data editing apparatus, paper can be saved at the time of printing and copying, and printed out efficiently.
JP 2006-48520 A

  However, the print data editing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 automatically changes the print layout within a fixed range such as a specified sheet. For example, a print data editing device that does not fix the print range such as a tape is printed. A technique for adjusting the layout to save the print medium has not been proposed so far.

  For a printing medium whose printing range is not fixed, such as a tape, the tape length may be determined from the created layout, and depending on the layout arrangement, the printing medium is more wasted than when printing on a prescribed sheet. Consumption is likely to occur. Further, since tapes and the like are more expensive than prescribed papers, there has been a further demand for saving print media.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and provides a print data editing apparatus and a print data editing program that prevent a medium to be printed such as a tape from being unnecessarily consumed where the user does not intend. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above problems, a print data editing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a print data editing apparatus for editing print data for printing on a printing medium by a printing apparatus, and is a printing target. Based on the object information stored in the object information storage means, object information storage means for storing object information including at least any of the position, size, content, type and attribute for each type of object, Blank area determination means for determining where a blank area exists in the print medium; print data creation means for creating the print data based on the object information stored in the object information storage means; The object information so that the blank area determined by the blank area determination unit is eliminated. The print data processing the object information stored in憶unit, and a print data generation control means for creating the print data creating means, the said object information storage unit, at least the position of an object, size, Object information including the type is stored, and when the type of the object is a character, object information including the position and size of the character in the object as an attribute of the object is stored, and the blank area determination unit When the type of the object stored in the object information storage means is a character, where the character is located in the object based on the position and size of the object and the position and size of the character in the object. It is determined whether there is a blank area where no column exists, and the print data The creation control unit moves the character string to the most downstream side of the blank area when the blank area determination unit determines that the blank area is downstream of the character string in the transport direction. When the print data creating unit creates the print data and the blank area determining unit determines that the blank area is upstream of the character string in the transport direction, an upstream end, is moved to the upstream end of the string, and wherein the Rukoto to create the print data to the print data creating means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print data editing apparatus of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object, Minimum margin value storage means for storing a minimum margin value that is a predetermined distance from the downstream end in the transport direction of the medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the printable area; and the object stored in the object information storage means Printing that calculates a printing margin value that is a distance from the downstream end in the transport direction of the print medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the object when the print data is printed on the print medium based on the information A blank margin value calculating means, wherein the blank area determining means has a minimum print margin value calculated by the blank margin value calculating means. When the blank value is larger than the minimum margin value stored in the white value storage means, it is determined that there is a blank area downstream in the conveyance direction of the object, and the print data creation control means uses the blank area determination means to determine the blank area. When it is determined that there is an area, the print data creation unit moves the object to create print data with the print margin value as the minimum margin value.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, the object information storage means includes object information including at least the position of the object in a plurality of objects. The minimum interval value of the object that is stored and is a preset minimum value of the interval in the transport direction between the downstream end of the object upstream in the transport direction and the upstream end of the object downstream in the transport direction Based on the positions of the plurality of objects stored in the object information storage means, the downstream end of the object upstream in the transport direction, and the downstream object in the transport direction An object that calculates the distance value of the object that is the distance in the transport direction from the upstream end An interval value calculating means, wherein the blank area determining means is configured such that the object interval value calculated by the object interval value calculating means is greater than the object minimum interval value stored in the object minimum interval value storage means. If it is larger, it is determined that there is a blank area between the downstream end of the object upstream in the transport direction and the upstream end of the object downstream in the transport direction, and the print data creation control unit determines the blank area determination If it is determined by the means that the blank area exists, the print data creation means moves the object to create print data with the object interval value as the minimum interval value of the object. Features.

The print data editing apparatus of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the object information storage unit, the object information including the position of at least the object storage And based on the object information stored in the object information storage means, based on the position of the object stored in the object information storage means, the display means for displaying the printing medium and the object, A cutting position calculation unit that calculates a cutting position when cutting the print medium; and a cutting position display control unit that displays the cutting position calculated by the cutting position calculation unit on the display unit. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data editing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in addition to a print instruction means for issuing a print instruction for printing the object, and the object. Based on the object information stored in the information storage means, when receiving a print instruction for printing the object from the display means for displaying the print medium and the object, and the print instruction means, And a preview display control unit that always displays a print preview of the object on the display unit.

Further, the print data editing apparatus of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, whether to save mode to reduce the amount of the printing medium Saving mode selection means selected by the user, saving mode storage means for storing whether or not the saving mode is selected by the saving mode selection means, and storing the saving mode in the saving mode storage means. A saving mode determination unit that determines that the saving mode is selected, and the printing data creation control unit operates when the saving mode determination unit determines that the saving mode is selected. Features.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the invention, the object information storage means includes at least an object size, a type, and an attribute for each type. When object information is stored and the type of the object is a character, it is possible to arrange whether or not all character strings input to the object can be arranged in the object area based on the object information A determination means; an object size change selection storage means for storing whether or not to fix the size of the object when it is determined that the object cannot be placed by the placement enable judgment means; and the saving mode judgment means in the saving mode. If it is determined that there is a large object, it is stored in the object size change selection storage means. In a case where stored to change the is also characterized by comprising a object size change control means does not change the size of the object.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data editing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the cut position command means adds a cut position of the printing medium to the print data. Auto cut setting storage means for storing whether or not the printing apparatus automatically cuts the printing medium, and the auto cut setting storage means has the auto cut setting. If it is stored in the print data, the most upstream cut control means for not cutting the cut position at the most upstream in the transport direction in the print data is provided.

A print data editing program according to a ninth aspect of the invention causes a computer to function as various processing means of the print data editing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

In the print data editing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the object information storage means stores object information including at least one of position, size, content, type, and type for the object to be printed, and a blank area The determining means determines where in the print medium there is a blank area based on the object information stored in the object information storing means, and the print data creating means is the object stored in the object information storing means. Print data is created based on the information, and the print data creation control means generates print data obtained by processing the object information stored in the object information storage means so that the blank area determined by the blank area determination means disappears. Then, the print data creation means is made to create. Therefore, it is possible to prevent useless use of the printing medium by preventing an area where information is not printed from being generated on the printing medium.
In this print data editing apparatus, the object information storage means stores object information including at least the position, size, and type of the object. When the object type is a character, the object information storage means stores the object information in the object as an attribute of the object. The object information including the position and size of the character is stored, and the blank area determination unit, when the type of the object stored in the object information storage unit is a character, the position and size of the object, and in the object Based on the position and size of the character, it is determined where in the object there is a blank area where no character string exists, and the print data creation control means uses the blank area judgment means to move downstream of the character string in the transport direction. If it is determined that there is a blank area on the side, move the character string to the most downstream of the blank area The print data creating means creates the print data, and if the blank area judging means determines that there is a blank area upstream in the transport direction from the character string, the upstream end of the object is By moving to the upstream end of the character string, the print data creation means can create print data. Therefore, print data having a useless blank area in which no character string exists in the object is not printed on the printing medium. Thereby, the printing medium can be efficiently used and the printing medium can be saved.

  In the print data editing apparatus according to the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object, and the minimum margin value storage means. Stores a minimum margin value, which is a predetermined distance from the downstream end in the transport direction of the print medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the printable area, and the print margin value calculation means stores in the object information storage means Based on the object information that has been printed, a printing margin value that is the distance from the downstream end in the transport direction of the print medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the object when the print data is printed on the print medium is calculated. The blank area determination means has a printing margin value calculated by the printing margin value calculation means greater than the minimum margin value stored in the minimum margin value storage means. The print data creation control means determines that there is a blank area on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the object, and the print data creation control means determines that the blank area is present by the blank area judgment means. Then, the object is moved to create print data with the printing margin value as the minimum margin value. As described above, since the printing margin value of the created print data becomes equal to the minimum margin value, it is possible to prevent the printing margin value on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing medium from being unnecessarily increased. it can. Thereby, the printing medium can be efficiently used and the printing medium can be saved.

According to a third aspect of the print data editing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect of the invention, the object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object for a plurality of objects. The object minimum interval value storage means stores a preset minimum value of the interval in the transport direction between the downstream end of the object upstream in the transport direction and the upstream end of the object downstream in the transport direction. The minimum interval value of a certain object is stored, and the object interval value calculating unit is configured to determine the downstream end of the object on the upstream side in the transport direction and the downstream side in the transport direction based on the positions of the plurality of objects stored in the object information storage unit. The distance value of the object, which is the distance between the upstream end of the object and the transport direction, is calculated. The blank area determination unit is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction when the object interval value calculated by the object interval value calculation unit is larger than the minimum object interval value stored in the object minimum interval value storage unit. It is determined that there is a blank area between the downstream end of the object and the upstream end of the object downstream in the transport direction, and the print data creation control unit determines that the blank area exists by the blank area determination unit. In this case, the print data creation means moves the object to create print data having the object interval value as the minimum interval value of the object. In this way, since the object interval value becomes the minimum interval value in the generated print data, it is possible to prevent the object interval value from being unnecessarily widened. Thereby, the printing medium can be efficiently used and the printing medium can be saved.

Further, in the print data editing apparatus according to the invention according to claim 4 , in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , the object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object, The display means displays the printing medium and the object based on the object information stored in the object information storage means, and the cut position calculation means is based on the position of the object stored in the object information storage means. Then, the cut position for cutting the printing medium is calculated, and the cut position display control means displays the cut position calculated by the cut position calculation means on the display means. Therefore, the user can visually confirm where the cut position is calculated, that is, where the print medium is cut, before printing. As a result, the user can know in advance if there is a portion where information is not printed on the printing medium, and can prevent the printing medium from being consumed unnecessarily without the user's knowledge. .

In the print data editing apparatus of the invention according to claim 5 , in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , the print instruction means issues a print instruction for printing the object, and the display means Displays the medium to be printed and the object based on the object information stored in the object information storage unit, and the preview display control unit prints the print instruction from the print instruction unit to print the object. When the image is received, a print preview of the object is always displayed on the display means. As described above, since the user can always see the print preview when printing is performed on the printing medium, the printing state of the printing medium can be visually confirmed before printing. As a result, the user can know in advance if there is a portion where information is not printed on the printing medium, and can prevent the printing medium from being consumed unnecessarily without the user's knowledge. .

Further, according to the print data editing apparatus of the invention according to claim 6 , in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 5 , the save mode selection means saves to reduce the usage amount of the printing medium. The user can select whether or not to enter the mode, the saving mode storage means stores whether or not the saving mode is selected by the saving mode selection means, and the saving mode determination means stores the saving mode storage means in the saving mode storage means When the saving mode is stored, it is determined that the saving mode is selected, and when the saving mode determination unit determines that the saving mode is selected, the print data creation control unit operates. Accordingly, the user can determine whether or not to save the printing medium as necessary. For example, the user who wants to freely arrange the layout can make a selection not to save the printing medium. . For this reason, user convenience is not deteriorated.

According to the print data editing apparatus of the invention of claim 7 , in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 6 , the object information storage means includes at least the size, type, and attribute of each type of object. The object information is stored, and when the type of the object is a character, the arrangement possibility determining means determines whether all the character strings input to the object can be arranged in the object area based on the object information. The object size change selection storage means stores whether or not to fix the size of the object when it is determined that the object cannot be arranged by the arrangement possibility determination means, and the object size change control means uses the saving mode determination means to save the saving mode. If the object size is determined, the object size is changed in the object size change selection storage means. Then even when stored, it does not change the size of the object. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the size of the object from being changed without the intention of the user, and to prevent the consumption amount of the printing medium from increasing.

According to the print data editing apparatus of the eighth aspect , in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the cut position command means converts the cut position of the printing medium into the print data. In addition, the auto cut setting storage means stores whether or not the printing apparatus automatically cuts the printing medium, and the most upstream cut control means stores the auto cut setting storage. When it is stored in the means that the auto-cut setting has been made, it is possible not to perform cutting at the cut position at the most upstream in the transport direction in the print data. Usually, in a printing apparatus, the printing head and the tape cutter are arranged at a predetermined distance apart for reasons of mechanical structure. Therefore, when the conventional print data editing apparatus is used in the auto cut setting state, the tape cutter is operated after the printing medium is conveyed until the cut position reaches the tape cutter position. In this case, when the next printing is performed, the position of the tape cutter becomes the downstream end of the printing medium and the position of the printing head becomes the downstream end of the printing area. In the meantime, a useless blank area is generated. In the print data editing apparatus according to the present invention, the cut is not performed at the most upstream cut position, and therefore it is not necessary to transport the printing medium without printing to the tape cutter position after printing the most upstream object. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful use of the printing medium.

According to the print data editing program described in claim 9 , the computer is caused to function as various processing means of the print data editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . Therefore, the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 can be achieved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a personal computer 2 on which the printing apparatus 1 and the “print data editing program” according to the present invention are installed will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing the printing apparatus 1 and the personal computer 2, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the personal computer 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the HDD 60, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the RAM 80. The personal computer 2 corresponds to a “print data editing apparatus” according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 2 and the printing apparatus 1 are connected by a USB cable 10 based on a standard such as USB, for example, and exchange data via the USB cable 10. The personal computer 2 is a well-known personal computer, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a main body 21 having a CPU 50 and the like (see FIG. 2), a monitor 31, a keyboard 41, and a mouse 42. The keyboard 41 and the mouse 42 are connected to the main body 21 by connection cables. The personal computer 2 creates print data based on image data created by an application in which the print data editing program according to the present invention is incorporated, and transmits the created print data to the printing apparatus 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer as the printing apparatus 1 is casing in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 12, and the tape 17 is discharged to the front surface (the surface in the right front direction in FIG. 1). A discharge port 13 is provided. In addition, a tape cassette housing portion 14 is provided inside the left side surface of the housing 12, and a cover 15 provided on the left side surface of the housing 12 is opened to detachably mount a tape cassette (not shown). can do. Tape 17 is accommodated in this tape cassette. The tape cassette housing section 14 is provided with a printing mechanism for printing the tape 17 by running the tape 17 between a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements and a platen roller in contact with the thermal head. The tape 17 of the mounted tape cassette is printed by the printing mechanism, cut by the tape cutter of the printing mechanism, and discharged from the discharge port 13. The printing apparatus 1 connected to the personal computer 2 is not limited to the tape printer having such a shape, but may be a tape printer having another shape, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, or a dot printer.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the personal computer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 2 is provided with a CPU 50 that controls the personal computer 2. The CPU 50 includes a ROM 51 that stores a program such as a BIOS executed by the CPU 50, a RAM 80 that temporarily stores data, and a CD-ROM 54 that is a data storage medium, and a CD-ROM that reads data. A drive 53 and an HDD 60 that is a data storage device are connected via a bus 55.

  Further, the CPU 50 displays the screen of the USB interface 70 for communicating with external devices (devices) including the printing apparatus 1 via the bus 55 and the monitor 31 for displaying an operation screen to the user. A display control unit 30 that performs processing, and an input detection unit 40 that is connected to a keyboard 41 and a mouse 42 on which a user inputs operations and detects those inputs are connected. The personal computer 2 may be provided with a flexible disk drive (not shown), an input / output unit for voice, various interfaces, and the like.

The CD-ROM 54 stores a print data editing program, settings and data used when the print data editing program is executed, and a program storage area 610 provided in the HDD 60 from the CD-ROM 54 at the time of introduction. And the program-related information storage area 620. The print data editing program of the personal computer 2 and the method for acquiring the use data are not limited to those using the CD-ROM 54, but may be another recording medium such as a flexible disk or MO. May be acquired from another terminal on the network.

  Next, a storage area provided in the HDD 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The HDD 60 is provided with a program storage area 610 for storing various programs executed by the personal computer 2 and a program related information storage area 620 for storing information necessary for executing the programs. Further, the HDD 60 includes a printing apparatus information storage area 630 that stores information related to the printing apparatus 1, a layout information storage area 640 that stores information related to a layout edited on a layout editing screen (see FIG. 5) described later, and a user A setting information storage area 650 for storing the set setting information is provided.

  The program-related information storage area 620 is provided with at least a minimum interval value storage area 621 for storing a minimum interval value Smin that is the minimum value of intervals between a plurality of objects arranged in the layout. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, 1 mm is stored as the minimum interval value Smin.

  The printing apparatus information storage area 630 stores a minimum margin value storage area 631 that stores a minimum margin value Bmin that is a distance from the downstream end in the tape transport direction determined for each printing apparatus 1 to the downstream end of the printable area. At least provided. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, 1 mm is stored as the minimum margin value Bmin.

  Further, the setting information storage area 650 includes a print option information storage area 651 for storing a printing method selected by the user, a saving mode information storage area 652 for storing information related to a saving mode, which will be described later, and information relating to text control. And a text control information storage area 653 for storing. The print option information storage area 651 includes an auto cut flag storage area 6511 for storing whether or not the tape 17 after printing is automatically cut, and whether or not the cut is actually performed with respect to the cut position at the most upstream in the tape transport direction. And a print flag storage area 6512 is provided. The text control information storage area 653 is provided with a frame size fixing flag storage area 6531 for storing whether or not the frame size of the text object is fixed.

  In the saving mode information storage area 652, a medium saving mode valid flag storage area 6521 for storing whether or not “media saving mode” described later is set to be valid, and printing with the margin value of the tape 17 minimized. Paper margin minimization flag storage area 6522 for storing whether or not the setting is performed, and the minimum object interval value for storing whether or not the setting is set to minimize the interval between a plurality of objects arranged in the layout. And an enable flag storage area 6523 are provided. Further, the saving mode information storage area 652 includes a text object blank area deletion flag storage area 6524 for storing whether or not a blank is set in the object when the object type is text, A frame size fixing flag storage area 6525 for storing whether or not the size is set is provided. The saving mode information storage area 652 further includes a print preview display flag storage area 6526 for storing whether or not preview display is always set when the tape 17 is printed, and a cut position on the layout screen. When the cut position display flag storage area 6527 for storing whether or not it is set to be displayed and the setting for automatically cutting the tape 17 after printing, the cut is always made at the most upstream cut position. A print option fixed flag storage area 6528 for storing whether or not the setting is made so as not to be performed.

  Next, the storage area provided in the RAM 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The information stored in the storage area of the HDD 60 described above does not disappear even when the power is turned off, while the information stored in the storage area provided in the RAM 80 disappears when the power is turned off. For this reason, the storage area of the RAM 80 stores information that only needs to be temporarily stored while any input is performed.

  The RAM 80 temporarily stores a layout information temporary storage area 810 for temporarily storing information relating to a layout edited on the layout editing screen (see FIG. 5), information relating to a saving mode described later, and information relating to a text control method. A setting information temporary storage area 820 to be stored and a print data storage area 830 to store information related to print data are provided.

  The layout information temporary storage area 810 is provided with an object information storage area 811 for storing information of objects arranged in the layout. The setting information temporary storage area 820 includes a saving mode information temporary storage area 821 for temporarily storing information related to the saving mode set on the media saving mode setting screen 300 (see FIG. 7) only during the setting process. Provided. The information stored in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 is stored in the “saving mode information storage area 652” of the HDD 60 when the user gives a predetermined instruction.

  In the saving mode information temporary storage area 821, a medium saving mode valid flag storage area 8211 for storing whether or not a setting for enabling a medium saving mode to be described later is set, and printing with the margin value of the tape 17 minimized. Paper margin minimization flag storage area 8212 for storing whether or not the setting is to be performed, and object interval value minimization for storing whether or not the setting is to minimize the interval between a plurality of objects arranged in the layout A flag storage area 8213 is provided. Further, the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 has a text object blank area deletion flag storage area 8214 for storing whether or not a blank in the object is set when the object type is text, and an object A frame size fixing flag storage area 8215 for storing whether or not the setting is fixed is provided. Further, the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 further includes a print preview display flag storage area 8216 for storing whether or not the preview display is always set when the tape 17 is printed, and a layout editing screen ( The cut position display flag storage area 8217 for storing whether or not it is set to display the cut position 145 in the work area 150 of FIG. 5) and the print for storing whether or not the setting is to fix the print option. An option fixed flag storage area 8218 is provided.

  The setting information temporary storage area 820 is provided with a text control information temporary storage area 822 for storing information related to text control. The text control information temporary storage area 822 is provided with a frame size fixing flag storage area 8221 for storing whether or not the frame size of the text object is fixed.

  The print data storage area 830 is provided with a print processed object information storage area 831 for storing object information processed for printing. Then, in the processed object information storage area 831 for printing, an object type field 8311 for storing object types, an object position field 8312 for storing object positions, an object content field 8313 for storing object contents, and text objects Only an object attribute column 8314 is provided for storing information related to object attributes. In the object attribute column 8314, a position column 8315 for storing character positions as attributes, a size column 8316 for storing character sizes, a font column 8317 for storing character fonts, and contents for storing character contents. A column 8318 is provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the editor 100 that is activated on the personal computer 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the editor 100 for inputting characters to be printed on the printing apparatus 1. The editor 100 is displayed on the monitor 31 of the personal computer 2 by the operation of the print data editing program, and data input and instructions are performed by operating the keyboard 41 and the mouse 42.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a menu bar 110 and a tool bar 120 for performing operation instructions are provided at the top of the editor 100. The toolbar 120 is provided with a print button 121 for the user to issue a print instruction. A work area 150 for editing characters and the like to be printed by the printing apparatus 1 is provided in the lower half of the editor 100. The work area 150 includes object images (text objects 141, 143, image objects). 142) and a paper shape image (paper image 149). The arrow in the work area 150 is a mouse cursor 155. On the left side of the work area 150, a tool box 132 for designating (selecting an input mode) the type of tool (character, line, square, curve, etc.) input in the work area 150 is provided. By operating such an editor 100 with the keyboard 41 and the mouse 42, information to be printed by the printing apparatus 1 can be edited.

  Here, the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an object information temporary storage area in which object information displayed in the work area 150 of FIG. 5 is stored. The object information storage area 811 is an area for storing information related to objects arranged in the layout while the layout 140 is edited in the work area 150. As shown in FIG. 6, the object number field, the type information field, A position information column, a content information column, and an attribute information column are provided. A number for identifying the object is stored in the object number column, and the type of the object is stored in the type information column. In the position information column, the distance from the upper left of the sheet to the top, bottom, left and right of the object is stored. In the content information column, character information to be displayed is stored if the object is a character object, and image data is stored if the object is an image object. Has been. Furthermore, an attribute corresponding to the type of object is stored in the attribute information column. That is, if the object is a text object, attributes such as the vertical and horizontal distances, character size, and font from the upper left of the object are stored, and if the object is an image object, attributes such as resolution are stored.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, information about two text objects and one image object is stored in the object information storage area. The text object with object number 1 has a distance (Top value) from the top left of the paper to the top of the object of 5 mm, a distance to the left end (Left value) of 30 mm, a distance to the bottom (Bottom value) of 28 mm, and a distance to the right end. (Right value) is arranged at a position of 70 mm. The difference between the Top value and the Bottom value is 23 mm, which represents the height of the text object with the object number 1, and the difference between the Left value and the Right value is 40 mm. In addition, a text string “ABC” is stored in the text object of object number 1, and this text string “ABC” has a distance (Top value) from the upper left of the paper to the upper end of the text string of 5 mm to the left end. Distance (Left value) is 30 mm, the distance to the lower end (Bottom value) is 28 mm, and the distance to the right end (Right value) is 70 mm. Here, since the position information of the object matches the position information of the character string, in the text object with the object number 1, information is displayed between the object frame and the character string “ABC”. There is no blank area that does not exist.

  When the text object of object number 1 is arranged in the layout in the work area 150, it is displayed like the text object 141 of the layout 140 in FIG. Here, since the text object 141 has “Left value: 30 mm” as the position information stored in the object information storage area, the width x1 is 30 mm on the left side of the text object 141 on the layout 140 shown in FIG. A blank area 161 exists.

  Further, the image object of object number 2 has a distance (Top value) from the upper left of the paper to the upper end of the object of 15 mm, a distance to the left end (Left value) of 100 mm, a distance to the lower end (Bottom value) of 32 mm, and to the right end. The distance (Right value) is 110 mm, and a flower-shaped image is stored. When this image object is arranged in a layout in which no object exists, it is displayed like an image object 142 in the layout 140 of FIG. Here, there is a difference of 30 mm between “Right value: 70” of the text object 141 and “Left value: 100” of the image object 142. That is, on the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5, a blank area 162 having a width x2 of 30 mm exists between the right end of the text object 141 and the left end of the image object 142.

  The text object of object number 3 has a distance (Top value) from the upper left of the paper to the upper end of the object of 5 mm, a distance to the left end (Left value) of 150 mm, a distance to the lower end (Bottom value) of 15 mm, and to the right end. Distance (Right value) is arranged at a position of 210 mm, and a character string “abc” is stored. The character string “abc” has a distance (Top value) from the upper left of the paper to the upper end of the character string of 5 mm, a distance to the left end (Left value) of 170 mm, and a distance to the lower end (Bottom value) of 15 mm. The distance to the right end (Right value) is disposed at a position of 190 mm.

  When the text object of object number 3 is arranged in the layout in the work area 150, it is displayed like the text object 143 of the layout 140 in FIG. Here, since there is a difference of 20 mm between the Left value of the text object 143: 150 mm and the Left value of the text string “abc” of the text object 143: 170 mm, the text object is displayed on the layout 140. A blank area 164 having a width x32 of 20 mm exists between the left end of 143 and the left end of the character string abc. Further, since there is a difference of 20 mm between the Right value of the text object 143: 210 mm and the Right value of the text string “abc” of the text object 143: 190 mm, the text object 143 is displayed on the layout 140. A blank area 165 having a width x4 of 20 mm exists between the left end of the character string abc and the left end of the character string abc.

  Further, since there is a difference of 40 mm between the Right value 110 that the image object 142 has and the Left value 150 that the text object 143 has, on the layout 140 shown in FIG. And a blank area 163 having a width x31 of 40 mm exists between the text object 143 and the left end of the text object 143. As a result, on the layout 140, between the right end of the image object 142 and the left end of the character string “abc” in the text object 143, that is, blank areas 163 and 164 having a width x31 + x32 (40 mm + 20 mm = 60 mm). Will exist.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, an outline of the “media saving mode” that is a main part of the present invention and a media saving mode setting screen 300 for inputting settings relating to the “media saving mode” will be described. To do. FIG. 7 is a media saving mode setting screen 300 for setting the “media saving mode”, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in a state where the media saving mode is not valid. . The “media saving mode” is a mode for preventing the tape 17 from being consumed in an unintended manner by the user. Here, a case where the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed is taken as an example. explain.

  The setting regarding the “media saving mode” is input on the media saving mode setting screen 300 shown in FIG. In order to display the media saving mode setting screen 300, the following operation is performed. First, when “Option” is selected from the menu displayed by selecting the “Tool” menu on the menu bar 110 in FIG. 5, an option screen is displayed. By selecting the “Print” tab from the option screen, the media saving mode setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the media saving mode setting screen 300 displays a detailed setting screen 310 in which check boxes 311 to 318 in which explanatory texts of settable saving modes are described are displayed. Further, an OK button 320 and a cancel button 330 are displayed at the lower right of the detailed setting screen 310.

  The detailed setting screen 310 has a media saving mode enable check box 311 with an explanation “Enable media saving mode” and a paper margin with an explanation “Minimize paper margin”. Value minimization check box 312, object interval value minimization check box 313 with the description “automatically adjust object spacing during printing”, “fill if there is a blank in the paper feed direction in the text object "In-text-object-space-blank-deletion check box 314 with description" and "Fix frame size of text object" with frame size fixing check box 315 with description, "Be sure to preview when printing" Print preview display check box with the description "Display" 16. A cut position display check box 317 with an explanatory statement “Display cut position on layout”, “When“ Auto cut ON ”is selected,“ Connect and print ON ”always” And a print option fixing check box 318 described in FIG.

  When these check boxes 311 to 318 are checked, “1” is stored in each flag storage area 8211 to 8218 in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 shown in FIG. " On the other hand, when the check boxes 311 to 318 are unchecked, “0” is stored in the flag storage areas 8211 to 8218, and the “media saving mode valid flag is set to“ OFF ”. Details of specific processing by inputting to the media saving mode setting screen 300 will be described later.

  The “media saving mode” input on the media saving mode setting screen 300 will be described below. The user can first select “whether or not to save the tape”, that is, whether or not to enable the “media saving mode” depending on whether or not the media saving mode enable check box 311 is checked. .

  When the media saving mode valid flag is “ON”, the other check boxes 312 to 318 can be input. Thus, the user can further select “how to save the tape”. In this case, the explanatory text described on the right side of the check boxes 312 to 318 is black so that “how to save the tape” is easily selected.

  On the other hand, when the media saving mode valid flag is “OFF”, the check boxes 312 to 318 cannot be input. In this case, the user has selected “Do not save the tape”, and the explanatory texts on the right side of the check boxes 312 to 318 are gray.

  If the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed in a state where the media saving mode valid flag is “OFF”, the layout 140 is displayed from the left end as shown in the work area 150 as shown in FIG. 17 is printed and output. That is, the distance between the downstream end of the tape 17 and the downstream end of the text object 141 (the width x1 of the blank area 161) and the distance between the upstream end of the tape 17 and the upstream end of the text object 143 are determined to be equal positions. On the upstream side of the most upstream text object 143, a blank area 166 having the same area as the blank area 161 on the downstream side is provided. That is, in the blank areas 161 to 166, the tape 17 is conveyed in a state where information is not printed. In the present embodiment, the upstream end of the tape 17 is determined so that the upstream margin value is equal to the downstream margin value.

  Next, how the tape 17 is saved when the media saving mode valid flag is in the “ON” state will be described. First, how the tape 17 is saved when the paper margin minimization flag of the media saving mode setting screen 300 is “ON” will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. FIG. 9 shows the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed with the paper margin minimization flag set to “ON”. The “paper margin” here refers to the distance from the downstream end in the tape transport direction to the downstream end of the object on the most downstream side, that is, x1 which is the width of the blank area 161 in FIG.

  When the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed in a state where the paper margin minimization flag is “ON”, as shown in FIG. 9, the width x1 of the blank area 161 is printed with the minimum margin value Bmin changed. The On the other hand, when the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed in a state where the paper margin minimization flag is “OFF”, the value of the width x1 of the blank area 161 is not changed and is maintained as it is.

  Next, how the tape 17 is saved when the object interval value minimization flag is “ON” will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10. FIG. 10 shows the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed with the object interval value minimizing flag set to “ON”. The “object interval value” here is the distance from the downstream end of the upstream object in the tape transport direction to the upstream end of the downstream object, that is, the widths x2 and x31 of the blank area 162 and the blank area 163 in FIG. I point to.

  When the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed in a state where the object interval value minimization flag is “ON”, as shown in FIG. 10, x2 which is the width of the blank area 162 and x31 which is the width of the blank area 163 are Printing is performed in a state where each is changed to a value equal to the minimum interval value Smin. On the other hand, when the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed while the object interval value minimization flag is “OFF”, the values of the widths x2 and x31 of the blank areas 162 and 163 are not changed and are maintained as they are. .

  Next, how the tape 17 is saved when the blank deletion flag in the text object is “ON” will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 11. FIG. 11 shows the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed with the blank deletion flag in the text object set to “ON”. The “blank in text object” here refers to a blank area existing in the frame of the text object, that is, a blank area 164 and a blank area 165 in FIG.

  When the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed while the blank deletion flag in the text object is “ON”, the width x32 of the blank area 164 and the width x4 of the blank area 165 are respectively deleted as shown in FIG. Processed into a state and printed. At this time, the values of the widths x1, x2, and x31 of the other blank areas 161, 162, and 163 are maintained as they are. On the other hand, when the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed with the blank deletion flag in the text object set to “OFF”, the values of the widths x2 and x31 of the blank areas 162 and 163 are not changed and are maintained as they are. .

  In the above, the case where each of the paper margin minimization flag, the object interval value minimization flag, and the text object blank deletion flag is “ON” has been described, but here, all of these flags are “ON”. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, all of the paper margin minimization flag, the object interval value minimization flag, and the text object blank space deletion flag are all "ON". Is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in the state of "."

  When the paper margin minimization flag, the object interval value minimization flag, and the text object blank deletion flag are all “ON” and the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 is printed, a blank is obtained as shown in FIG. The width 161 of the area 161 is the minimum margin value Bmin, the widths x2 and x3 of the blank area 162 and the blank area 163 are the minimum interval values Smin, and the widths x32 and x4 of the blank areas 164 and 165 are processed to be deleted. And printed.

  Next, the case where the frame size fixing flag is “ON” will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 shows the editor 100 when character information is added to the text object 143 in a state where the frame size fixing flag is “ON”. FIG. 14 shows the editor 100 when character information is added to the text object 143 in a state where the frame size fixing flag is “OFF”.

  Here, a method for controlling characters including “frame size fixed” will be described. The user can use a “frame size free” control that determines the size of an object based on the amount of character information as a character control method in advance, or can fix the size of an object regardless of the amount of character information. Either “fix frame size” control can be selected. When the user instructs “frame size fixing control” on the option screen for inputting the character control method, “1” is stored in the frame size fixing flag storage area 6531 of the text control information storage area 653 shown in FIG. Then, “the frame size fixing flag of the text control information storage area 653 is set to“ ON ””. On the other hand, if no input is made, “the frame size fixing flag of the text control information storage area 653 is set to“ OFF ””.

  Next, a state where the frame size fixing flag in the saving mode information storage area 652 is “ON” will be described. In this state, when the character information “defg” is added to the text object 143 shown in FIG. 5, the character information is arranged using the blank areas 164 and 165 when the character information “de” is input. That is, while the size of the text object 143 remains unchanged, the character “de” is additionally input with the same size as “abc”. After that, when “fg” is added, the size of the text object 143 does not change as shown in FIG. 13, and the characters “abcdef” including the added “fg” are within the area of the text object 143. Reduced placement. That is, the width y of the text object 143 has not changed.

  On the other hand, when the frame size fixing flag in the saving mode information storage area 652 is “OFF”, the width y of the text object 143 is not fixed. For example, when “defg” character information is added to the text object 143 shown in FIG. 5 in a state where the frame size fixing flag of the text control information storage area 653 is “OFF”, the character string “abc” has the same size. In addition to being input, the width of the text object 143 extends to the left and right by the area used for the character information of “fg” and becomes x5.

  Next, a case where the print preview display flag is “ON” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a preview screen 700 when the user issues a print instruction in a state where the print preview display flag is “ON”.

  When the user selects the print button 121 from the toolbar 120 of the editor 100 shown in FIG. 5 in a state where the print preview display flag is “ON”, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the tape 17 (preview screen 700). On the other hand, when the user selects the print button 121 while the print preview display flag is “OFF”, the layout 140 is printed on the tape 17 without displaying the print preview.

  Next, the case where the cut position display flag is “ON” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows a preview screen 700 when the user issues a print instruction in a state where the cut position display flag is “ON”.

  When the editor 100 for editing the layout 140 is displayed with the cut position display flag set to “ON”, an image of the cut position 145 that is cut when actually printed is displayed on the layout 140. The In the present embodiment, the cut position 145 is determined so that the upstream margin value is equal to the downstream margin value. On the other hand, when the cut position display flag is “OFF”, the cut position is not displayed on the layout 140.

  Next, a case where the print option fixing flag is “ON” will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows the tape 17 when two copies of the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 are printed in a state where the print option fixing flag is “ON”. FIG. 18 shows the tape 17 when two copies of the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 are printed in a state where the print option fixing flag is “OFF”.

  Here, before explaining the case where the print option fixing flag is “ON”, when the explanation sentence ““ Auto Cut ON ”is set to the right of the print option fixing check box 318 in FIG. “Auto cut ON” and “Connect and print ON” in “Connect and print ON” will be described.

  “Auto cut” is one of options that can be set by the user when printing. When the user inputs “auto cut” on the print option setting screen, that is, when “auto cut ON” is input, the printing apparatus 1 prints a plurality of tapes 17 when each of the tapes 17 is printed. After printing, the tape 17 is cut at a predetermined position. The predetermined position can be arbitrarily set by the user, and if it is not set, as described above, the upstream margin value and the downstream margin value are determined to be equal. .

  “Connect and print” is one of options that can be set by the user when printing. When the user inputs “connect and print”, that is, inputs “connect and print ON”, the printing apparatus 1 does not cut the cut position at the most upstream in the transport direction of the tape 17.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given of a case where the print option fixing flag is “ON” on the assumption that “auto cut ON” is input in advance and “connect and print ON” is not input.

  When the user gives an instruction to print two copies of the layout 140 in a state where the print option fixing flag is “ON”, the first tape 17 is cut at the upstream end of the layout 140 after being printed. . On the other hand, the second tape 17 remains in the printing apparatus 1 without being conveyed after the layout 140 is printed. Then, when the tape 17 is conveyed by the next printing operation (for example, when the layout 140 is further printed or when another layout is printed), the upstream end of the layout 140 comes below the tape cutter 18. The tape cutter 18 operates.

  On the other hand, when the user gives an instruction to print two copies of the layout 140 in a state where the print option fixing flag is “OFF”, both the first tape 17 and the second tape are printed and then the layout 140 is printed. Is cut at the upstream end.

  Next, main processes of the print data editing apparatus and the print data editing program of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the main process, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the “media saving mode setting process” performed in the main process. FIGS. 21 and 22 are flowcharts of the “media saving mode detailed setting process” performed in the “media saving mode setting process”. FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the “layout editing process” performed in the main process, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are flowcharts of the “print process” performed in the main process. FIG. 26 is a flowchart of “paper margin minimization processing” performed in “print processing”, and FIG. 27 is “object interval value minimization processing” performed in “print processing”. It is a flowchart of. FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a “text object blank area deletion process” performed in the “printing process”.

  First, the main process will be described. The main process is started when the print data editing apparatus is instructed to start the print data editing program. In the main process, as shown in FIG. 19, first, each storage area of the RAM 80 is initialized (S1). Then, “media saving mode” setting instruction (“option” is selected from the menu displayed by selecting the “tool” menu in the menu bar 110 in FIG. 5, and the “print” tab is selected from the “option” screen Is selected (S2). If it is determined that an instruction for setting the “media saving mode” is made (S2: YES), “media saving mode setting process” described later with reference to FIG. Is performed (S3). When S3 ends, it is determined whether an end instruction has been issued (S9).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction for setting the “media saving mode” has not been made (S2: NO), it is determined whether or not a layout editing instruction (such as moving or deleting an object in the layout 140 in FIG. 5) has been made ( S4). If it is determined that a layout editing instruction has been issued (S4: YES), a “layout editing process” described later with reference to FIG. 23 is performed (S5), and it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been issued. (S9).

  If it is determined that no layout editing instruction has been issued (S4: NO), a printing instruction ("File" in the menu bar 110 in FIG. 5 is selected and "Print" is selected from the menu box) is issued. It is determined whether or not it has been made (S6). If it is determined that a print instruction has been issued (S6: YES), “print processing” described later with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25 is performed (S7), and it is determined whether an end instruction has been issued. (S9).

  If it is determined that no print instruction has been issued (S6: NO), other print data editing processing is performed (S8), and it is determined whether an end instruction has been issued (S9). Then, when an end instruction is given (S9: YES), the main process ends. On the other hand, if the end instruction has not been issued (S9: NO), the process returns to S2, and it is determined again whether or not the “media saving mode” setting instruction has been issued. Until the end instruction is given (S9: YES), the processes from S2 to S9 are repeatedly executed, and the process according to the user's instruction is performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, the process performed by the CPU 50 for the “media saving mode setting process” executed in S3 of the main process will be described.

  In the “media saving mode setting process”, first, saving mode information stored in the saving mode information storage area 652 of the HDD 60 is stored in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 (S11), as shown in FIG. The media saving mode setting screen 300 is displayed (S12).

  When the media saving mode setting screen 300 is opened (S12), whether or not an instruction to enable the “media saving mode” is given on the media saving mode setting screen 300, that is, in FIG. It is determined whether or not 311 is checked (S13). If the media saving mode valid check box 311 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to validate the “media saving mode” is given (S13: YES), and the saving mode information temporary storage in the RAM 80 is performed. “1” is stored in the medium saving mode valid flag storage area 8211 in the area 821, and the “media saving mode valid flag is set to“ ON ”(S14). When the “media saving mode valid flag is set to“ ON ”, the detailed setting of“ media saving mode ”on the media saving mode setting screen 300 can be accepted (S15). In this case, the other check boxes 312 to 318 can be input, and the explanatory text written on the right side of the check boxes 312 to 318 is black, and the user can select “How to save tape. "Do you do?" Is displayed. Thereafter, a “media saving mode detailed setting process” for performing detailed setting of the media saving mode is performed (S16) (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

  On the other hand, if the media saving mode valid check box 311 is not checked in S13, it is determined that an instruction to validate the “media saving mode” has not been made (S13: NO), and the media saving mode valid flag is set. “0” is stored in the storage area 8211, the media saving mode valid flag is turned OFF (S17), and the input of the detailed setting of “media saving mode” in the media saving mode setting screen 300 is invalidated (S17). S18). In this case, the explanatory text written on the right side of the check boxes 312 to 318 shown in FIG. 7 is gray, and the check boxes 312 to 318 are in a display state incapable of input.

  When the processes from S11 to S18 are completed, it is determined whether or not the OK button 320 in FIG. 7 has been selected (S19). If it is determined that the OK button 320 is selected (S19: YES), the saving mode information stored in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 is stored in the saving mode information storage area 652 of the HDD 60. Thus, the setting contents are reflected (S20), the “media saving mode setting process” is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 19).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the OK button 320 has not been selected (S19: NO), it is determined whether or not the cancel button 330 has been selected (S21). If it is determined that the cancel button 330 has been selected (S21: YES), the saving mode information stored in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 is stored in the saving mode information storage area 652 of the HDD 60. Without doing so, the “media saving mode setting process” is terminated and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 19). In this case, the information stored in the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 is discarded without being saved. If it is determined that the cancel button 330 is not selected (S21: NO), the process returns to S13, and S13 to S21 are repeated until either the OK button 320 or the cancel button 330 is selected. .

  Next, the “media saving mode detailed setting process” for performing the detailed setting process of the media saving mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. The “media saving mode detailed setting process” is started after the input of the media saving mode detailed setting is validated in the “media saving mode setting process” shown in FIG. 20 (S15).

  In the “media saving mode detailed setting process”, first, whether or not an instruction to minimize the paper margin is issued, that is, the paper margin value minimizing check box 312 is checked in the media saving mode setting screen 300 of FIG. A determination is made as to whether or not (S31). If the paper margin value minimization check box 312 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to minimize the paper margin is made (S31: YES), and the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 is determined. “1” is stored in the middle paper margin minimization flag storage area 8212, and the “paper margin minimization flag is set to“ ON ”” (S32). On the other hand, if it is determined in S31 that there is no instruction to minimize the paper margin (S31: NO), “0” is stored in the paper margin minimization flag storage area 8212 to minimize the paper margin. The flag is turned off (S33).

  If the paper margin minimization flag is set in S32 or S33, it is next determined whether or not an instruction for automatically adjusting the object interval at the time of printing is given, that is, the object interval value minimization check box 313 in FIG. It is determined whether or not the check box is checked (S34). If the object interval value minimization check box 313 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to automatically adjust the object interval at the time of printing is given (S34: YES), and the object interval value minimization flag is stored. “1” is stored in the area 8213, and the object interval value minimization flag is turned ON (S35). On the other hand, if it is determined in S34 that there is no instruction to automatically adjust the object interval (S34: NO), “0” is stored in the object interval value minimization flag storage area 8213, and the object interval value is set. The minimization flag is turned off (S36).

  When the object interval value minimization flag is set in S35 or S36, whether or not there is an instruction for closing if there is a blank in the paper feed direction in the text, that is, in the media saving mode setting screen 300 Then, it is determined whether or not the delete in text object blank check box 314 is checked (S37). If the check box 314 for deleting the blank area in the text object is checked, it is determined that an instruction to eliminate the blank area in the text is given at the time of printing (S37: YES), and the blank area deletion flag in the text object is set. “1” is stored in the storage area 8214, and the blank area deletion flag in the text is turned ON (S38). On the other hand, if it is determined in S37 that there is no instruction to eliminate the blank area in the text (S37: NO), “0” is stored in the blank area deletion flag storage area 8214 in the text object, and the text The inner blank area deletion flag is turned OFF (S39).

  If the blank deletion flag in the text object is set in S38 or S39, it is next determined whether or not an instruction to fix the frame size of the text is issued, that is, the frame size fixing check box in the media saving mode setting screen 300 A determination is made as to whether or not a check is made at 315 (S40). If the frame size fixing check box 315 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to fix the frame size of the text has been issued (S40: YES), and “1” is stored in the frame size fixing flag storage area 8215. Is stored and the frame size fixing flag is turned ON (S41). On the other hand, if it is determined in S40 that the frame size fixing check box is not checked (S40: NO), “0” is stored in the frame size fixing flag storage area 8215, and the frame size fixing flag is set. It is turned off (S42).

  When the frame size fixed flag is set in S44 or S45, next, it is checked whether or not an instruction to always display a preview is given at the time of printing, that is, the print preview display check box 316 in the media saving mode setting screen 300 is checked. It is determined whether or not there is (S43). If the print preview display check box 316 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to display a preview is always given during printing (S43: YES), and “1” is displayed in the print preview display flag storage area 8216. Is stored and the print preview display flag is turned ON (S44). On the other hand, if it is determined in S43 that the print preview display check box 316 is not checked (S43: NO), “0” is stored in the print preview display flag storage area 8216, and the print preview display flag is displayed. Is turned off (S45).

  When the print preview display flag is set in S44 or S45, next, whether or not an instruction to display the cut position in the layout is instructed, that is, the cut position display check box 317 in the media saving mode setting screen 300 is checked. A determination is made as to whether or not there is (S46). If the cut position display check box 317 is checked, it is determined that an instruction to display the cut position in the layout is given (S46: YES), and “1” is stored in the cut position display flag storage area 8217. Is stored and the cut position display flag is turned ON (S47). On the other hand, if it is determined in S46 that there is no instruction to display the cut position on the layout (S46: NO), “0” is stored in the cut position display flag storage area 8217, and the cut position display flag is displayed. Is turned off (S48).

  When the cut position display flag is set in S47 or S48, next, when “Auto Cut” is input to ON as a print option, an instruction to always fix “Connect and print” to ON is input. Is determined, that is, whether or not the fixed print option check box 318 in the media saving mode setting screen 300 is checked (S49). When the print option fixing check box 318 is checked, when auto cut ON is set as the print option, an instruction to fix the print option is made by always connecting and setting the print ON. (S49: YES), “1” is stored in the print option fixed flag storage area 8218, and the print option fixed flag is turned ON (S50). On the other hand, if it is determined in S49 that there is no instruction to display the cut position in the layout (S49: NO), “0” is stored in the print option fixed flag storage area 8218, and the print option fixed flag is displayed. Is turned off (S51).

  When the processes from S31 to S51 described above are completed, the “media saving mode detailed setting process” ends and the process returns to the “media saving mode setting process”.

  Next, the “layout editing process” executed in S5 of the “main process” will be described with reference to FIG. In the “layout editing process”, it is first determined whether or not text has been input (S61). If it is determined that no text is input (S61: NO), layout editing other than text input is performed (S62). Specifically, in FIG. 5, when the image object 142 is arranged, it is determined in S61 that no text is input, and the image object 142 is edited in S62.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the text has been input (S61: YES), it is first determined with reference to the media saving mode valid flag storage area 8211 whether or not the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S63). If it is determined that the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S63: YES), it is determined whether or not the frame size fixing flag is ON with reference to the frame size fixing flag storage area 8215 (S64). . Specifically, when the text object 143 shown in FIG. 5 has been edited, it is determined in S61 that text has been input, and the processing in S63 and S64 is performed.

  If it is determined that the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S63: YES) and the frame size fixing flag is ON (S64: YES), the input character string is further displayed on the current layout. It is determined whether or not it can be arranged in the object area arranged at (S65). If it is determined that the input character string can be placed in the currently selected object area (S65: YES), information about the input character string is added to the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80. (S66).

  Specifically, in a state where it is determined in S63 that the media saving mode valid flag is ON, and in S64 that the frame size fixing flag is determined to be ON, the user sets the character string “ When “de” is added, the following processing is performed. First, in S65, the character string “abcde” including the character string “de” can be arranged in the area of the text object 143 from the object position information stored in the object information storage area 811 and the character position information as an attribute. It is determined whether or not there is.

  In S65, the character string “abcde” including the input character string “de” can be arranged in the width y of the area of the text object 143 by using, for example, the blank areas 164 and 165 in FIG. In S66, the character string “de” is added to the content information of the object number 3 shown in FIG. 6 and stored as the character string “abcde” in S66. At this time, the character size as the attribute information is not changed.

  On the other hand, when the input character string cannot be arranged in the current object (S65: NO), the maximum character size for arranging the inputted character string in the object area is calculated (S67). Then, information about the character string including the input character string is additionally stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 in a state where the character size is changed to the calculated character size (S68).

  Specifically, in a state where it is determined in S63 that the media saving mode valid flag is ON, and in S64 that the frame size fixing flag is determined to be ON, the user sets the character string “ When “defg” is added, the following processing is performed. First, in S65, the character string “abcdefg” including the character string “defg” can be arranged in the area of the text object 143 from the object position information stored in the object information storage area 811 and the character position information as an attribute. It is determined whether or not there is.

  When it is determined in S65 that the character string “abcdefg” including the input character string “defg” cannot be arranged in the width y of the area of the text object 143, the following processing is performed. First, in S67, from the object position information stored in the object information storage area 811, the maximum character size that allows the character string “abcdefg” including the character string “defg” to be arranged in the width y (see FIG. 13) of the object area. Is calculated. In S68, “abcdefg” is stored in the content information of the object number 3 in the object information storage area 811 shown in FIG. 6, and the character size of the calculated value is included in the character size as the attribute information. Remembered.

  As a result of this processing, when the information of the character string “defg” is additionally input to the text object 143 of FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 13, the character string “defg” A character string “abcdefg” including “is reduced and arranged in the area of the text object 143.

  If it is determined in S63 or S64 that the media saving mode valid flag is not ON (S63: NO), or if it is determined that the frame size fixing flag is not ON (S64: NO), S65 to S68. The process up to is not performed, and the process proceeds to S65.

  Specifically, when the frame size fixing flag of the text control information storage area 653 is “OFF” and it is determined in S63 that the media saving mode valid flag is not ON, or the frame size fixing flag is determined in S64. If the character string “defg” is additionally input to the text object 143 when it is determined that is not ON, the object information storage area 811 in FIG. “Abcdefg” is stored, and the size at which the character string “abcdefg” can be arranged is stored as position information.

  With this processing, when the information of the character string “defg” is additionally input to the text object 143 in FIG. 5, the width y of the text object 143 is changed to x5 as shown in FIG.

  When the processing from S61 to S68 is completed, it is determined again whether or not the media saving mode valid flag is ON by referring to the media saving mode valid flag storage area 8211 (S69). If it is determined that the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S69: YES), it is further determined with reference to the cut position display flag storage area 8217 whether or not the cut position display flag is ON. (S70). If it is determined that the cut position display flag is ON (S70: YES), the cut position at the time of printing is calculated (S71).

  In addition, the calculation method of the cut position in S71 is as follows. First, from the object information stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80, an object (here, object number 1) arranged on the most downstream side is selected, and the “Left value” is read from the position information. Then, an object (here, object number 3) arranged on the most upstream side is selected, and the “Left value” of the most downstream object is added to the “Right value” in the position information. The value obtained by adding the “Left value” of the most downstream object and the “Right value” of the most upstream object is the distance from the downstream end of the cutting position in the tape transport direction.

When the cut position is calculated in S71, the cut position 145 is displayed on the layout 140 displayed in the work area 150 as shown in FIG. 16 (S72). If it is determined in S69 that the media saving mode valid flag is not ON (S69: NO), or if it is determined in S70 that the cut position display flag is not ON (S70: NO), the cut position No calculation or display of the cut position is performed. When the processes from S61 to S72 are finished, the “layout editing process” is finished and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, the “printing process” executed in the “main process” of FIG. 19 will be described. In the “printing process”, first, the object information stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 is stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 (S81). Then, referring to the media saving mode valid flag storage area 8211, it is determined whether or not the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S82), and if it is determined that the media saving mode valid flag is not ON (S82: NO). Then, print data is created based on the object information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 (S83), and the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 (S95).

  That is, if it is determined in S82 that the media saving mode valid flag is not ON, the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is not edited and stored in the object information storage area 811 shown in FIG. This information is used as it is when creating print data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S82 that the media saving mode valid flag is ON (S82: YES), the paper margin minimization flag storage area 8212 is referred to and the paper margin minimization flag is ON. It is determined whether or not (S84).

  If it is determined that the paper margin minimization flag is ON (S84: YES), a paper margin minimization process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 26, is performed (S85). It is determined by referring to the area deletion flag storage area 8214 whether or not the blank deletion flag in the text object is ON (S86). If it is determined in S84 that the paper margin minimization flag is not ON (S84: NO), it is determined whether the blank deletion flag in the text object is ON without performing the paper margin minimization process. (S86).

  When it is determined in S86 that the text object blank space deletion flag is ON (S86: YES), the text object blank space deletion process described later with reference to FIG. 28 is performed (S87). It is determined whether or not the object interval value minimization flag is ON with reference to the object interval value minimization flag storage area 8213 (S88). On the other hand, if it is determined that the text object blank space deletion flag is not ON (S86: NO), the text object blank space deletion process is not performed, and it is determined whether the object interval value minimization flag is ON or not ( S88).

  If it is determined in S88 that the object interval value minimization flag is ON (S88: YES), an object interval value minimization process which will be described later with reference to FIG. 27 is performed (S89), and further printing is performed. Data creation processing is performed (S90). On the other hand, if it is determined that the object interval value minimization flag is not ON (S88: NO), the object interval value minimization process is not performed, and the process proceeds to the print data creation process (S90).

  When the processes from S84 to S87 are completed, print data is created based on the object information stored in the print processed object information storage area 831 of the RAM 80 (S90). Then, referring to the print preview display flag storage area 8216, it is determined whether or not the print preview display flag is ON (S91). If the print preview display flag is ON (S91: YES), as shown in FIG. After the print preview is displayed (S94), it is determined whether or not the print option fixed flag is ON with reference to the print option fixed flag storage area 8218 (S93). On the other hand, if it is determined in S91 that the print preview display flag is not ON (S91: NO), the print preview is not displayed and the process proceeds to S93.

  If it is determined in S93 that the print option fixing flag is ON (S93: YES), processing for fixing the print option is performed (S94). Specifically, when “1” is stored in the auto cut flag storage area of the print option information storage area 651 shown in FIG. 3, that is, when it is determined that the “auto cut flag is“ ON ””. Are connected and “1” is stored in the print flag storage area. In other words, when it is determined that the “auto cut flag is“ ON ””, the “forcibly connect and print flag is set to“ ON ””.

  When the user gives an instruction to print two copies of the layout 140 after the processing for fixing the print options is performed in S94, as shown in FIG. 17, the first tape 17 is printed after printing. Cut at the upstream end of the layout 140. On the other hand, the second tape 17 remains in the printing apparatus 1 without being conveyed after the layout 140 is printed. Then, when the tape 17 is conveyed by the next printing operation (for example, when the layout 140 is further printed or when another layout is printed), the upstream end of the layout 140 comes below the tape cutter 18. The tape cutter 18 operates.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S93 that the print option fixing flag is OFF (S93: NO), when two copies of the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5 are printed, the layout 140 is displayed from the discharge port 13 of the printing apparatus 1. Two copies are printed and each cut by the tape cutter 18 at the upstream end of the layout 140. At this time, after the uppermost character is printed, the tape 17 is conveyed by x7 without printing until it passes through the tape cutter 18. Therefore, when printing is performed next time, a margin of width x 7 is generated on the downstream side of the tape 17 from the printing ink head 19.

  When the processes of S81 to S94 described above are completed, print data based on the object information stored in the print processing object information is transmitted to the printing apparatus. Then, the “printing process” is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  Next, the “paper margin minimization process” performed in the “print process” will be described with reference to FIG. The paper margin minimization process is started when it is determined in the “printing process” that the paper margin minimization flag is ON. In this paper margin minimization process, first, an object having the smallest Left value is detected based on the object position field 8312 stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 (S101). That is, in the layout, an object arranged at the most downstream side in the tape transport direction is detected, and the text object 141 corresponds to the layout 140 shown in FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether the Left value of the detected object is larger than the minimum margin value Bmin stored in the minimum margin value storage area 641 of the HDD 60 (S102). Specifically, when the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is the same as the information stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 in FIG. 6, in the layout 140 in FIG. It is determined whether the left value 30 mm of the text object 141 is larger than 1 mm, which is the minimum margin value Bmin stored in the printing apparatus information storage area 630 of the HDD 60.

  If it is determined that the Left value of the object is larger than the minimum margin value Bmin (S102: YES), the Left value of the object in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is the minimum margin value Bmin. They are stored as equal values (S103), and the “paper margin minimization process” is terminated. Specifically, the Left value of the text object 141 stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is stored as 1 mm. As a result, when the layout 140 having the blank area 161 whose width x1 is 30 mm is printed on the work area 150 in FIG. 5, the width of the blank area 161 is changed to 1 mm equal to Bmin as shown in FIG. Is output. On the other hand, if it is determined that the Left value of the object is not larger than the minimum margin value Bmin (S102: NO), the object information is not changed, and the “paper margin minimization process” ends.

  Next, the “object interval value minimizing process” performed in the “printing process” will be described with reference to FIG. The “object interval value minimizing process” is started when it is determined in the “printing process” that the object interval value minimizing flag is ON. The “object interval value minimizing process” is a process of selecting two objects in order from the objects arranged on the downstream side in the tape transport direction and setting the two object interval values to the minimum values.

  In order to perform this processing, in the “object interval value minimization processing”, each object information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is first rearranged in the order in which it is arranged on the downstream side in the tape transport direction. Here, based on the object position column 8312 stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831, the objects are sorted in ascending order of the Left value (S 111).

  Then, the first object of the sorted result is set as i = 1, and the second object is set as j = 2 (S112). As a result, the object arranged at the most downstream side in the tape transport direction and the object arranged second from the most downstream side are selected. That is, in the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5, the text object 141 and the image object 142 are selected.

  Next, it is determined whether or not j is larger than the number of objects stored in the object information storage area (S113). If j is determined to be larger than the number of stored objects (S113: YES), the “object interval value minimization process” ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that j is less than or equal to the number of stored objects (S113), the difference between “Right value of i” and “Left value of j” is the minimum stored in the minimum interval value storage area. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the interval value Smin (S114). If it is determined that the difference between the “Right value of i” and the “Left value of j” is larger than the minimum interval value Smin stored in the minimum interval value storage area (S114: YES), the print processing object The “j Left value” stored in the information storage area 831 is changed to a value obtained by adding the “Right value of i” and the “minimum interval value Smin” (S115).

  That is, in S114, it is determined whether or not the width x2 of the blank area 162 between the text object 141 and the image object 142 in the layout 140 of FIG. 5 is larger than the minimum interval value Smin. Specifically, when the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is the same as the information stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 in FIG. The difference of 30 mm between the “Right value of 70 mm” and the “Left value of 100 mm of the image object 142” is determined to be larger than 1 mm of the minimum interval value Smin. In S115, the left value 100 mm of the image object 142 is changed to a value 71 mm obtained by adding 70 mm which is the right value of the text object 141 and 1 mm which is the minimum interval value.

  As a result, in the work area 150 of FIG. 5, when the text object 141 and the image object 142 arranged on the layout 140 at intervals of 162 are printed, as shown in FIG. It will be arranged at intervals of. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference between the “Right value of i” and the “Left value of j” is equal to or smaller than the minimum interval value Smin (S114: NO), the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is stored. No changes are made.

  When the processes of S113 to S115 are completed, the second sorted object is reset to i = i + 1, and the third sorted object is reset to j = j + 1 (S116). As a result, the object arranged second from the most downstream side and the object arranged third are selected. That is, in the layout 140, the image object 142 and the text object 143 are selected. Then, the process returns to S113, and S113 to S115 are repeated until j becomes larger than the number of stored objects (S113: YES).

  Finally, with reference to FIG. 28, the “blank area deletion process in text object” performed in the “printing process” will be described. The “text object blank area deletion process” is started when it is determined in the “print process” that the text object blank area deletion flag is ON. In this “blank area deletion process in text object”, first, an arbitrary object is set as i = 1 from the object information stored in the processed object information storage area 831 for printing (S131). Then, it is determined whether i is larger than the number of objects stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 (S132). If it is determined that i is larger (S132: YES), the text object blank is determined. The area deletion process is terminated, and the process returns to the “print process”. On the other hand, when it is determined that i is equal to or less than the number of objects stored in the print processed object information storage area 831 (S132: NO), it is determined whether or not the type of the selected object is text. (S133).

  If it is determined in S133 that the object type is text (S133: YES), the object position field 8312 stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 and the position field 8315 as the object attribute are used to determine the object. It is determined whether or not the Left value is smaller than the Left value of the character string (S134). If it is determined that the Left value of the object is smaller than the Left value of the character string (S134: YES), the value stored as the Left value of the character string is changed to a value equal to the Left value of the object. Stored (S135).

  Specifically, in the layout 140 shown in FIG. 5, when the arbitrary object selected in S131 is the text object 143, it is determined in S133 that the type is text. If the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is the same as the information stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80 in FIG. 6, in S134, the Left value of the object is 150 mm. Is smaller than 170 mm which is the Left value of the text, and in S135, the value 170 mm stored as the Left value of the character string is stored as 150 mm which is the Left value of the object (S135).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the Left value of the object is greater than or equal to the Left value of the character string (S134: NO), the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is not edited as it is and the next Proceed to step. Specifically, in the text object 141 of FIG. 5, it is determined in S134 that the object left value of 30 mm is equal to the character string “ABC” left value of 30 mm, and the processed object information for printing is stored. Information stored in area 831 is not changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, even when the layout 140 is printed on the tape 17, the arrangement of the text objects 141 is not changed.

  If the Left value of the character string is edited (S135), it is next determined whether or not the Right value of the object is larger than the Right value of the character string (S136). If it is determined that the right value of the object is larger than the right value of the character string (S136: YES), the value stored as the right value of the object is changed to a value equal to the right value of the character string. Store (S137).

  Specifically, in the text object 143 of FIG. 5, it is determined in S136 that the Right value of 210 mm of the object is larger than 190 mm that is the Right value of the character string “abc”. The value 210 mm stored as the right value is stored as 190 mm which is the right value of the character string.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the right value of the object is equal to or lower than the right value of the character string (S136: NO), the information stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 is not edited as it is, but the next Proceed to step. That is, in the text object 141 in FIG. 5, the upstream end of the object and the upstream end of the character string “ABC” are at the same position, so that the layout 140 is printed on the tape 17 as shown in FIG. However, the arrangement of the text object 141 is not changed.

  When the text object 143 of FIG. 5 is printed by the processing of S134 to S137, the downstream end of the character string “abc” is moved to the downstream end of the object and the upstream end of the object is the character as shown in FIG. The state moved to the upstream end of the column “abc” is printed.

  When the processes of S134 to S137 are completed, objects other than the object selected in S131 are further selected (S138). If it is determined that the object selected in S131 is not a text object in S133, the processing in S138 is performed without performing the processing in S134 to S137. And the process of S132-S137 is repeated about all the objects memorize | stored in the process object information storage area 831 for printing.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 2 of this embodiment, the user can easily save the tape 17 by simply inputting a check on the media saving mode setting screen 300 shown in FIG. Even if the object is not moved on 140, the tape 17 can be saved easily. In addition, since the user can determine whether or not to save the tape on the media saving mode setting screen 300, even the user who wants to freely arrange the layout does not impair usability.

  When the user selects to delete a blank area existing on the tape 17, the user can select which blank area to delete among the margin value, the object interval value, and the blank area in the text object. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the layout 140 can be increased. Further, since the position of the object is changed only on the print data, the position of the object is not changed on the editor 100, and the usability for the user who wants to freely arrange the object is not impaired.

  Further, when the user selects to fix the size of the text object in advance, the usage amount of the tape 17 can be fixed in advance. Thereby, wasteful use of the tape 17 where the user does not intend can be suppressed. In addition, since the user can determine whether or not to fix the size of the text object, the degree of freedom of the layout 140 can be increased.

  In addition, when the user selects in advance a print preview or a cut position 145 to be displayed on the editor 100 before actually printing, the user visually determines whether or not the image can be printed according to the image. Can be judged. Therefore, wasteful use of the tape 17 due to a printing mistake can be prevented, and it can be visually determined whether or not there is a useless blank area on the tape 17.

  Furthermore, when the user inputs a fixed printing option, waste of the tape 17 due to the mechanical structure of the printing apparatus 1 can be prevented. Further, since the printing option is fixed using the “media saving mode setting screen 300” shown in FIG. 7, even a general user who is not familiar with the mechanical structure of the printing apparatus 1 The tape 17 can be saved easily.

  In the above embodiment, the object information storage area 811 provided in the RAM 80 of FIG. 4 corresponds to “object information storage means”. The CPU 50 performs the processing of S102 in the paper margin minimization processing of FIG. 26, the processing of S114 in the object interval value minimization processing of FIG. 27, and the processing of S134 and S136 in the text object blank area deletion processing of FIG. Corresponds to “blank area determination means”. In addition, the CPU 50 that performs the processes of S83 and S90 in the printing process of FIG. 24 corresponds to the “print data creating unit”. Also, the process of S103 in the paper margin minimization process of FIG. 26, the process of S115 in the object interval value minimization process of FIG. 27, and the processes of S135 and S137 in the text object blank area deletion process of FIG. The CPU 50 corresponds to “print data creation control means”.

  Further, the minimum margin value storage area 641 of the HDD 60 corresponds to “minimum margin value storage means”, and the minimum interval value storage area 642 corresponds to “object minimum interval value storage means”. Also, the CPU 50 that executes the processing of S101 and S102 in the paper margin minimization processing of FIG. 26 corresponds to “printing margin value calculation means”, and performs the processing of S112 to S114 in the object interval value minimization processing of FIG. The CPU 50 that corresponds to the “object interval value calculation means”.

  Further, the editor 100 corresponds to “display means”, the CPU 50 that performs the process of S71 in the layout editing process shown in FIG. 23 corresponds to “cut position calculation means”, and the CPU 50 that performs the process of S72 performs “cut position display control”. It corresponds to “means”. Further, the CPU 50 that performs the process of S92 in the printing process shown in FIG. 25 corresponds to a “preview display control unit”.

  Further, the media saving mode setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to “saving mode selection means”, and the saving mode information storage area 652 of the HDD 60 and the saving mode information temporary storage area 821 of the RAM 80 are “saving mode storage means”. It corresponds to. Further, the CPU 50 that performs the processes of S63, S64, S69, and S70 in the layout editing process of FIG. 23, and the CPU 50 that performs the processes of S82, S84, S86, S88, S91, and S93 in the print processes of FIGS. This corresponds to “saving mode determination means”.

  Further, the CPU 50 that performs the processing of S65 on the layout editing screen shown in FIG. 23 corresponds to “placement determining means”, and the CPU 50 that performs the processing of S67 and S68 corresponds to “object size change control means”. The frame size fixed flag storage area 6531 provided in the text control information storage area 653 of the HDD 60 and the frame size fixed flag storage area 8221 provided in the text control information temporary storage area 822 of the RAM 80 are “object size change selection”. It corresponds to “memory means”.

  Further, the auto cut flag storage area 6511 of the HDD 60 corresponds to “auto cut setting storage means”, and the CPU 50 that performs the processing of S94 in the print processing of FIG. 25 corresponds to “upstream cut control means”.

  Note that the print data editing apparatus and print data editing program of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, a printing apparatus that prints a tape as the printing apparatus 1 is taken as an example, and a tape is taken as an example of a medium that is a printing medium. However, the printing medium is not a tape, but a cut sheet, Needless to say, a tape with a die-cut seal may be used, and the printing apparatus 1 may be a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a thermal transfer printer, a dot printer, or the like that prints other types of media.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the process of saving the tape 17 is performed only when the user inputs the media saving mode valid check box 311 on the media saving mode setting screen 300, but when the user sets it. It does not need to be limited to. In this case, even if the user forgets to enter the saving mode, the tape 17 is always used efficiently, so that resources can be effectively used. The setting of the media saving mode is not limited to that performed on the screen, and may be performed on the keyboard 41 or the printing apparatus 1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the object information 83111-8318 stored in the printing processed object information storage area 831 of the RAM 80 is used only for creating print data and displayed in the work area 150. Although not reflected in the layout 140, the configuration may be reflected. For example, when a button for reflecting the saved state of the tape 17 in the layout 140 displayed in the work area 150 is provided on the editor 100 and the user selects the button, the processing object information for printing is displayed. The information stored in the storage area 831 may be stored in the object information storage area 811 of the RAM 80. In this case, the user can visually confirm the state of the saved tape 17, and the usability can be further improved.

1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a printing apparatus 1 and a personal computer 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a personal computer 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an HDD 60. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a RAM 80. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an editor 100 for inputting characters to be printed on the printing apparatus 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the object information storage area in which the information of the object displayed on the work area 150 of FIG. 5 is memorize | stored. It is a media saving mode setting screen 300. This is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in a state where the media saving mode valid check box 311 is not checked. This is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in a state where the paper margin value minimization check box 312 is checked. This is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed with the object interval value minimizing check box 313 checked. Is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in a state where the blank deletion check box 314 in the text object is checked. This is the tape 17 when the layout 140 is printed in a state where all of the paper margin value minimization check box 312, the object interval value minimization check box 313 and the text object blank space deletion check box 314 are checked. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a layout when character information is added to a text object 143 in a state where a check is input to a frame size fixing check box 315. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a layout when character information is added to a text object 143 in a state where a frame size fixing check box 315 is not checked. This is a preview screen 700 when the user issues a print instruction in a state where a check is input in the print preview display check box 316. This is a layout editing screen 900 in a state where a check is input to the cut position display check box 317. This is the tape 17 when two copies of the layout 140 are printed in a state where a check is entered in the print option fixing check box 318. This is the tape 17 when two copies of the layout 140 are printed in a state where the print option fixing check box 318 is not checked. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of "media saving mode setting process" implemented in the main process. It is a flowchart of a “media saving mode detailed setting process” performed in the “media saving mode setting process”. It is a flowchart of a “media saving mode detailed setting process” performed in the “media saving mode setting process”. It is a flowchart of a “layout editing process” performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of a “print process” performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of a “print process” performed in the main process. 10 is a flowchart of “paper margin minimization processing” performed in “print processing”. 10 is a flowchart of “object interval value minimization processing” performed in “print processing”. 12 is a flowchart of “text object blank area deletion processing” performed in “print processing”.

1 Printing Device 2 Personal Computer (Print Data Editing Device 17 Tape (Printed Medium)
50 CPU
60 HDD
100 Editor 121 Print button 140 Layout 145 Cut position 149 Paper image 150 Work area 161 Blank area 162 Blank area 163 Blank area 164 Blank area 165 Blank area 166 Blank area 300 Media saving mode setting screen 310 Detailed setting screen 311 Media saving mode valid check Box 312 Paper margin value minimization check box 313 Object interval value minimization check box 314 Blank deletion in text object check box 315 Frame size fixing check box 316 Print preview display check box 317 Cut position display check box 318 Print option fixing check box 630 Layout information storage area 631 Object information storage area 640 Printing device information storage area 6 41 Minimum margin value storage area 642 Minimum interval value storage area 650 Setting information storage area 651 Print option information storage area 652 Saving mode information storage area 700 Preview screen 810 Layout information temporary storage area 811 Object information temporary storage area 820 Setting information temporary storage area 821 Saving mode information temporary storage area 830 Print data storage area 831 Print processing object information storage area 6511 Auto cut flag storage area 6512 Print flag storage area 6521 Media saving mode valid flag storage area 6522 Paper margin minimization flag storage area 6523 Object interval Value minimization flag storage area 6524 Text object blank area deletion flag storage area 6525 Frame size fixed flag storage area 652 6 Print preview display flag storage area 6527 Cut position display flag storage area 6528 Print option fixed flag storage area 8211 Media saving mode valid flag storage area 8212 Paper margin minimization flag storage area −
8213 Object interval value minimization flag storage area 8214 Text object blank area deletion flag storage area 8215 Frame size fixed flag storage area 8216 Print preview display flag storage area 8217 Cut position display flag storage area 8218 Print option fixed flag storage area

Claims (9)

A print data editing device for editing print data for printing on a printing medium with a printing device,
Object information storage means for storing object information including at least any of the position, size, content, type, and attribute for each type related to the object to be printed;
A blank area determination unit that determines where in the print medium a blank area is based on the object information stored in the object information storage unit;
Print data creation means for creating the print data based on the object information stored in the object information storage means;
Print data creation control means for causing the print data creation means to create print data obtained by processing the object information stored in the object information storage means so that the blank area determined by the blank area determination means disappears It equipped with a door,
The object information storage means stores object information including at least the position, size, and type of the object,
When the type of the object is a character, object information including the position and size of the character in the object as an attribute of the object is stored,
When the type of the object stored in the object information storage unit is a character, the blank area determination unit, based on the position and size of the object, and the position and size of the character in the object, Determine where in the object there is a blank area where no string exists,
The print data creation control unit, when the blank area determination unit determines that the blank area is downstream of the character string in the transport direction, the character string at the most downstream of the blank area. When the print data creating means creates print data and the blank area judging means determines that the blank area is upstream in the transport direction from the character string, the upstream end of the object, the move to the upstream end of the string, the print data editing apparatus according to claim Rukoto to create the print data to the print data creating means. The object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object,
Minimum margin value storage means for storing a minimum margin value that is a predetermined distance from the downstream end in the transport direction of the printing medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the printable area;
Based on the object information stored in the object information storage means, from the downstream end in the transport direction of the print medium to the downstream end in the transport direction of the object when the print data is printed on the print medium Printing margin value calculating means for calculating a printing margin value which is a distance, and
The blank area determination unit is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the object when the printing margin value calculated by the printing margin value calculation unit is larger than the minimum margin value stored in the minimum margin value storage unit. Is determined to have a blank area,
The print data creation control means moves the object to the print data creation means when the blank area judgment means determines that the blank area exists, and sets the print margin value to the minimum margin. The print data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data is generated as a value. In the object information storage means, object information including at least the position of the object is stored for a plurality of objects,
An object that stores a minimum interval value of an object that is a preset minimum value of an interval in the conveyance direction between the downstream end of the object upstream in the conveyance direction and the upstream end of the object downstream in the conveyance direction A minimum interval value storage means;
Based on the positions of the plurality of objects stored in the object information storage means, the downstream end of the object upstream in the transport direction and the upstream end of the object downstream in the transport direction in the transport direction An object interval value calculating means for calculating an interval value of an object that is an interval, and
The blank area determination unit is configured to perform upstream of the conveyance direction when the object interval value calculated by the object interval value calculation unit is larger than the minimum object interval value stored in the object minimum interval value storage unit. It is determined that there is a blank area between the downstream end of the object on the side and the upstream end of the object on the downstream side in the transport direction,
The print data creation control means moves the object to the print data creation means and determines the interval value of the object when the blank area judgment means judges that the blank area exists. The print data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data having a minimum interval value is created. The object information storage means stores object information including at least the position of the object,
Display means for displaying the printing medium and the object based on the object information stored in the object information storage means;
Cut position calculating means for calculating a cut position when cutting the print medium based on the position of the object stored in the object information storage means;
The print data editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising: a cut position display control unit that displays the cut position calculated by the cut position calculation unit on the display unit. Print instruction means for issuing a print instruction for printing the object;
Display means for displaying the printing medium and the object based on the object information stored in the object information storage means;
2. A preview display control means for always displaying a print preview of the object on the display means when a print instruction for printing the object is received from the print instruction means. 5. The print data editing apparatus according to any one of 4 to 4 . A saving mode selection means for the user to select whether or not to enter a saving mode for reducing the amount of print medium used;
Saving mode storage means for storing whether or not the saving mode is selected by the saving mode selection means;
A saving mode determining means for determining that the saving mode is stored when the saving mode storage means stores the saving mode;
Wherein when it is determined that the saving mode by saving mode determining means, the print data editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the print data generation control means is characterized in that work. The object information storage means stores at least object size, type, and object information including attributes for each type,
When the type of the object is a character, an arrangement possibility determination unit that determines whether or not all the character strings input to the object can be arranged in the area of the object based on the object information;
Object size change selection storage means for storing whether or not the size of the object is fixed when it is determined by the arrangement possibility determination means that the object cannot be arranged;
When the saving mode determination unit determines that the saving mode is selected, the object size change selection storage unit stores the size of the object even if the object size is changed and stored. The print data editing apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising: an object size change control unit that does not change the size. A cut position command means for adding a cut position of the printing medium to the print data;
Auto-cut setting storage means for storing whether or not auto-cut setting for automatically cutting the printing medium by the printing apparatus is performed;
If it is stored in the auto cut setting storage means that the auto cut setting has been made, the cut position at the most upstream cut position in the transport direction in the print data is not to be cut. print data editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an upstream cutting control means. As various processing means of the print data editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the print data editing program for causing a computer to function.

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