JP4779902B2 - Image editing apparatus and image editing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus and an image editing program for editing an image composed of text by laying out the text, and relates to an image editing apparatus and image for designating a range in which the text is laid out by performing a drag and drop operation with a pointing device. It relates to editing programs.

  Conventionally, a technique for arranging a predetermined pattern on a predetermined line is known. As such an example, a technique is known in which a pattern is selected, a line is drawn or selected, and the pattern is arranged on the electronic document along the line according to a predetermined rule. According to this, the pattern can be arranged at the corners constituting the line, or the pattern can be evenly arranged at the side parts other than the corners. Further, when the pattern is arranged, the pattern itself is deformed or the line is deformed so that the pattern is appropriately arranged with respect to the line (see cited document 1).

  Some drawing software that arranges a predetermined pattern on a predetermined line is known. As a function of modifying text and arranging it in a predetermined shape, there is a function called an on-path letter tool in the Illustrator (registered trademark) of Adobe Systems. In addition, there is a function called word art in Microsoft Word (registered trademark) which is a word processing software of Microsoft Corporation.

  Although the software is different from the above, according to one of the drawing software that arranges a predetermined pattern on a predetermined line, a dialog screen is displayed separately from a drawing screen on which a drawn figure is displayed. On the dialog screen, the operator selects a line from a plurality of lines, and the operator inputs text. An image in which the input text is arranged on the selected line is displayed on the dialog screen, and the image can be confirmed. In the dialog screen, the operator also specifies a range on the line where the text is arranged. When specifying the range, the start position and end position of the range are specified from the spin boxes.

  In the spin box, it is displayed by incrementing the displayed value by clicking the upper button, decrementing the displayed value by clicking the lower button, or by directly entering a key from the keyboard. You can change the value that is.

In addition, the dialog screen also has an indicator near the spin box indicating the start position of the range and the spin box indicating the end position, so that the setting range for the entire predetermined line is shown and can be grasped intuitively. ing.
When the input is completed on the dialog screen, an image in which text is arranged on a predetermined line is displayed on the drawing screen. Note that when text is placed on a predetermined line, the characters constituting the text are subjected to a predetermined modification depending on the position on the line, in addition to the predetermined modification regardless of the position on the line. Sometimes. For example, it may be that the character is placed perpendicular to the line (ie, the orientation of the character changes) or the height of the character changes. Also, when text is placed on a predetermined line, if the range in which the text is placed is narrower than the number of characters that make up the text, the characters do not overlap and the width of each character is reduced. It is configured.
JP 9-282479 A

  However, in the above-described drawing software, when setting the range in which the text is arranged, the input is performed from the spin box. In addition, when the range in which the text is arranged is narrower than the number of characters constituting the text, the width of each character is narrowed, so that the arranged text may not be read depending on the set range.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in setting the range in which text is arranged, the number of operations can be reduced, and the width of characters becomes too narrow. The purpose is to be able to set a range where the text can be read.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image editing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a display unit that displays characters and images, an input unit that includes a pointing device, a reference line that connects the first start point and the first end point, Character string arrangement pattern storage means for storing a character string arrangement pattern having a modification pattern in which a character arranged on the reference line is modified according to a position where the character is arranged; and the character string arrangement pattern storage A second start point designating unit for designating a second start point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the means, a second end point designating unit for designating a second end point on the reference line, A character string image creating means for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section sandwiched between the second start point and the second end point, and provided in the display means, An image editing apparatus comprising: a character string image display area for displaying a character string image; and display control means for controlling the character string image to be displayed in the character string image display area. A third start point acquisition means for determining a position of a third start point corresponding to the second start point in the corresponding line, a third end point acquisition means for determining a position of a third end point corresponding to the second end point in the corresponding line; An index image creating means for creating an index image having the corresponding line, a third start point, and a third end point; and an index image display area provided in the display means for displaying the index image; The starting point designating means drags the third starting point of the index image displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line by the pointing device. A third starting point moving means for moving the second starting point acquiring means for obtaining a position of a second starting point corresponding to the third starting point moved by the third starting point moving means, and the second end point specifying means comprises: Corresponding to the third end point moved by dragging the third end point of the index image displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line by the pointing device, and corresponding to the third end point moved by the third end point moving unit Second end point obtaining means for obtaining the position of the second end point to be moved, wherein the display control means moves the third start point by the third start point moving means or moves the third end point by the third end point moving means. The display of the character string image in the character string image display area is updated as described above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image editing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image editing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible. The display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means. In such a case, the display of the character string image is not updated.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 3 is the image editing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit is configured to specify the second start point by the second start point specifying unit or the second end point. When the determination unit determines that the character string image is not readable when the second end point is specified by the specifying unit, an error display is performed.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 4 is the image editing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the error display includes a third start point and a third start point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. The section between the third end points is displayed in a blinking manner.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 5 is the image editing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the error display includes a third start point and a third start point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. The display color of the section sandwiched between the third end points is different from the normal color.

  An image editing apparatus according to claim 6 is the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a third starting point of the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area and An operation point drag means for dragging an arbitrary operation point on the section between the third end points on the corresponding line by a pointing device, a third start point before the operation point is moved by the operation point drag means, and a third before the movement. The third start point is such that the path length on the corresponding line with the end point is equal to the path length on the corresponding line between the third start point after the operation point is moved by the operation point drag means and the third end point after the movement. And a third start point / end point moving means for moving the third end point, and the display control means, by the movement of the third start point and the third end point in accordance with the drag of the operation point by the operation point drag means, the character string icon. Characterized by the display update of the character string image in the over-di display area.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 7 is the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the third start point is the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area. And the third end point is arranged in a section between the start point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first start point and the end point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first end point.

  An image editing apparatus according to claim 8 is the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point. In this case, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area corresponds to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus connected to the image editing apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image editing apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays characters and images; an input unit that includes a pointing device; a reference line that connects a first start point and a first end point; A character string arrangement pattern storage means for storing a character string arrangement pattern having a modification pattern applied to the character arranged at the position corresponding to the position where the character is arranged, and stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means A second start point designating unit for designating a second start point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern, a second end point designating unit for designating a second end point on the reference line, A character string image creating means for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section sandwiched between a second start point and the second end point; and the character string image provided in the display means. An image editing apparatus comprising: a character string image display area to be displayed; and display control means for controlling the character string image to be displayed in the character string image display area. The display control means includes the character string image display area. The second start point and the second end point are displayed on the display screen, and the second start point designating means moves by dragging the second start point displayed in the character string image display area on the reference line with a pointing device. The second end point specifying unit includes a second end point moving unit that moves by dragging the second end point displayed in the character string image display area on a reference line with a pointing device. The control means moves the second start point by the second start point moving means or the second end point moving means by the second end point moving means. Wherein the by the movement of the end point to the display update of the character string image in the character string image display area.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 10 includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible in the image editing apparatus according to claim 9. The display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means. In such a case, the display of the character string image is not updated.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 11 is the image editing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display control unit is configured to designate the second start point by the second start point designating unit or the second end point. When the determination unit determines that the character string image is not readable when the second end point is specified by the specifying unit, an error display is performed.

  An image editing apparatus according to claim 12 is the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display area is the first image editing apparatus. The second start point and the second end point are arranged in a section between the first start point and the first end point.

  An image editing apparatus according to claim 13 is the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point. In this case, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area corresponds to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus connected to the image editing apparatus.

  An image editing program according to claim 14 is an image editing program for causing a computer to execute creation and editing of a character string image, a reference line connecting a first start point and a first end point, and a reference line on the reference line. The reference of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means for storing a character string arrangement pattern having a modification pattern applied to the arranged character according to the position where the character is arranged A second start point designating step for designating a second start point on the line, a second end point designating step for designating a second end point on the reference line, and the second start point and the second end point of the reference line. A character string image creating step for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section to be created, and the character string image created by the character string image creating step And a display step of displaying in a character string image display area provided in the display means for obtaining a position of a third start point corresponding to the second start point on a predetermined corresponding line corresponding to the reference line. A third start point obtaining step, a third end point obtaining step for obtaining a position of a third end point corresponding to the second end point in the corresponding line, and an index image having the corresponding line, the third start point, and the third end point. An index image creating step to create, wherein the second start point designating step includes dragging the third start point of the index image displayed in the index image display area provided in the display means on the corresponding line by a pointing device. A third starting point moving step for moving, and a second starting point for obtaining a position of the second starting point corresponding to the third starting point moved by the third starting point moving step A second end point specifying step, wherein the second end point specifying step moves by dragging the third end point of the index image displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line with a pointing device; And a second end point obtaining step for obtaining a position of the second end point corresponding to the third end point moved by the third end point moving step, wherein the display step has the third start point moved by the third start point moving step. In the case, or when the third end point is moved by the third end point moving step, the character string image display is updated in the character string image display area.

  The image editing program according to claim 15 includes a determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible in the image editing program according to claim 14. In the display step, the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination step when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying step. In this case, the display of the character string image is not updated.

  The image editing program according to claim 16 is the image editing program according to claim 15, wherein the display step is performed when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying step or when the second end point is specified. When the second end point is designated by the process and the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination process, an error is displayed.

  The image editing program according to claim 17 is the image editing program according to claim 16, wherein the error display includes a third start point and a third start point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. The section between the third end points is displayed in a blinking manner.

  The image editing program according to claim 18 is the image editing program according to claim 16, wherein the error display includes a third start point and a third starting point of the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. The display color of the section sandwiched between the third end points is different from the normal color.

  The image editing program according to claim 19 is the image editing program according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein a third start point and a third starting point of the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area An operation point drag step of dragging an arbitrary operation point on a section sandwiched between the third end points on a corresponding line by a pointing device, a third start point before movement of the operation point by the operation point drag step, and a third end point before movement The third start point and the third length are set such that the path length on the corresponding line between the third start point after movement of the operation point by the operation point drag process and the third end point after movement is equal. In the third start point end point moving step for moving the end point and the display step, the character string is obtained by moving the third start point and the third end point in accordance with the drag of the operation point in the operation point drag step. Characterized by the display update of the character string image in the image display area.

  The image editing program according to claim 20 is the image editing program according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the third start point is the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area. And the third end point is arranged in a section between the start point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first start point and the end point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first end point.

  The image editing program according to claim 21 is the image editing program according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point. In this case, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area corresponds to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed.

  An image editing program according to claim 22 is an image editing program for causing a computer to execute creation and editing of a character string image, and a reference line connecting a first start point and a first end point, and the reference line The reference of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means for storing a character string arrangement pattern having a modification pattern applied to the arranged character according to the position where the character is arranged A second start point designating step for designating a second start point on the line, a second end point designating step for designating a second end point on the reference line, and the second start point and the second end point of the reference line. A character string image creating step for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section to be created, and the character string image created by the character string image creating step And a display step of displaying in a character string image display area provided in the display means, wherein the second start point designating step uses the pointing device as a reference for the second start point displayed in the character string image display area. A second start point moving step of moving by dragging on the line, wherein the second end point specifying step moves by dragging the second end point displayed in the character string image display area on the reference line with a pointing device A second end point moving step, wherein the display step includes the character string when the second start point is moved by the second start point moving step, or when the second end point is moved by the second end point moving step. The display of the character string image is updated in the image display area.

  The image editing program according to claim 23 includes a determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible in the image editing program according to claim 22. In the display step, the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination step when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying step. In this case, the display of the character string image is not updated.

  The image editing program according to claim 24 is the image editing program according to claim 23, wherein the display step is performed when the second start point is designated by the second start point designation step or when the second end point is designated. When the second end point is designated by the process and the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination process, an error is displayed.

  An image editing program according to claim 25 is the image editing program according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display region is the first image editing program. The second start point and the second end point are arranged in a section between the first start point and the first end point.

  An image editing program according to a twenty-sixth aspect is the image editing program according to any one of the twenty-second to twenty-fifth aspects, wherein the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point. In this case, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area corresponds to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed.

  3. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index image display area is a third start point moving means for moving the index image displayed in the index image display area by dragging the third start point of the index image on the corresponding line with a pointing device. And a third end point moving means for moving by dragging the third end point of the index image displayed on the corresponding line with a pointing device. The display control means moves the third start point by the third start point moving means. Alternatively, the display of the character string image in the character string image display area is updated by moving the third end point by the third end point moving means.

  Thereby, since the range in which the character string is arranged is set by dragging the third start point and the third end point on the corresponding line, the range in which the character string is arranged can be set by reducing the number of operations from the input means. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible, wherein the display control unit is configured by the second start point specifying unit. If the determination unit determines that the character string image is not readable when the second start point is specified or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying unit, the display of the character string image is not updated. It is configured.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  4. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control means is a character string by a determination means when the second start point is designated by the second start point designation means or when the second end point is designated by the second end point designation means. If it is determined that the image is not legible, an error display is performed.

  As a result, the operator can know that the operation has been performed so that the character string becomes unreadable.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the error display is configured to blink and display a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Has been.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 5, the error display is different from a normal display color of a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Configured to be colored.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 6, an arbitrary operation point on a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area is displayed on the corresponding line by a pointing device. The display control means includes an operation point drag means for dragging, and the display control means moves the third start point and the third end point associated with the operation point drag by the operation point drag means to move the character string image in the character string image display area. It is configured to update the display.

  Thereby, the position which arrange | positions a character string can be shifted, maintaining the length of the range which arrange | positions a character string. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 7, in the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area, the third start point and the third end point are start points of the corresponding lines corresponding to the first start point. And it is comprised so that it may arrange | position in the area pinched | interposed into the end point of the corresponding line corresponding to a 1st end point.

  Thereby, the character string image can be enlarged along the reference line.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 8, when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is: It is configured corresponding to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus connected to the image editing apparatus.

  This makes it easy to create a character string image corresponding to the size of the print medium.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second start point designating means includes second start point moving means for moving the second start point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on the reference line with a pointing device. The second end point specifying means comprises second end point moving means for moving the second end point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on a reference line with a pointing device, and the display control means comprises: The display of the character string image in the character string image display area is updated by moving the second start point by the second start point moving means or by moving the second end point by the second end point moving means. .

  Thereby, since the range in which the character string is arranged is set by dragging the second start point and the second end point on the reference line, it is possible to set the range in which the character string is arranged by reducing the number of operations from the input means. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  The image editing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising determination means for determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible, wherein the display control means is based on the second start point specifying means. If the determination unit determines that the character string image is not readable when the second start point is specified or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying unit, the display of the character string image is not updated. It is configured.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  12. The image editing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control means uses the determination means to specify a character string when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means. If it is determined that the image is not legible, an error display is performed.

  As a result, the operator can know that the operation has been performed so that the character string becomes unreadable.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 12, in the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display area, the second start point and the second end point are the first start point and the first end point. It is comprised so that it may be arrange | positioned in the area | region pinched | interposed.

  Thereby, the character string image can be enlarged along the reference line.

  In the image editing apparatus according to claim 13, when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is: The printing apparatus is configured to correspond to the size of the printing medium stored in the printing apparatus connected to the image editing apparatus.

  This makes it easy to create a character string image corresponding to the size of the print medium.

  In the image editing program according to claim 14, a third start point moving step of moving by dragging the third start point of the index image displayed in the index image display area provided in the display means on the corresponding line with a pointing device; A third end point moving step of moving the third end point of the index image displayed in the indicator image display area by dragging on the corresponding line with a pointing device, wherein the display step is performed by the third start point moving step. When the third start point is moved, or when the third end point is moved by the third end point moving step, the character string image is updated in the character string image display area.

  Thereby, since the range in which the character string is arranged is set by dragging the third start point and the third end point on the corresponding line, the range in which the character string is arranged can be set by reducing the number of operations from the input means. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  The image editing program according to claim 15 includes a determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible, wherein the display step is a second start point specifying step. When the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination step when the second start point is designated or when the second end point is designated by the second end point designation step, the display of the character string image is not updated. Has been.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  In the image editing program according to claim 16, the display step includes a character string image by a determination step when a second start point is specified by the second start point specifying step or when a second end point is specified by the second end point specifying step. Is determined to be unreadable, an error is displayed.

  As a result, the operator can know that the operation has been performed so that the character string becomes unreadable.

  The image editing program according to claim 17, wherein the error display is configured to blink and display a section sandwiched between a third start point and a third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Has been.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  In the image editing program according to claim 18, the error display is different from a normal display color of a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Configured to be colored.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  In the image editing program according to claim 19, an arbitrary operation point on a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point among the corresponding lines of the index image displayed in the index image display area is displayed on the corresponding line by a pointing device. And the display step displays the character string image in the character string image display region by moving the third start point and the third end point associated with the dragging of the operation point by the operation point drag step. It is configured to update.

  Thereby, the position which arrange | positions a character string can be shifted, maintaining the length of the range which arrange | positions a character string. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  In the image editing program according to claim 20, in the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area, the third start point and the third end point are start points of the corresponding lines corresponding to the first start point. And it is comprised so that it may arrange | position in the area pinched | interposed into the end point of the corresponding line corresponding to a 1st end point.

  Thereby, the character string image can be enlarged along the reference line.

  In the image editing program according to claim 21, when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is: The character string image is configured to correspond to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed.

  This makes it easy to create a character string image corresponding to the size of the print medium.

  In the image editing program according to claim 22, the second start point designating step includes a second start point moving step of moving by dragging the second start point displayed in the character string image display area on a reference line with a pointing device. The second end point designating step includes a second end point moving step of moving the second end point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on a reference line with a pointing device, and the display step includes When the second start point is moved by the second start point moving step, or when the second end point is moved by the second end point moving step, the character string image is updated in the character string image display area. It is configured.

  Thereby, since the range in which the character string is arranged is set by dragging the second start point and the second end point on the reference line, it is possible to set the range in which the character string is arranged by reducing the number of operations from the input means. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  The image editing program according to claim 23, further comprising a determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible, wherein the display step is a second start point specifying step. When the character string image is determined to be unreadable by the determination step when the second start point is designated or when the second end point is designated by the second end point designation step, the display of the character string image is not updated. Has been.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  25. The image editing program according to claim 24, wherein the display step includes a character string image by a determination step when a second start point is designated by the second start point designation step or when a second end point is designated by the second end point designation step. Is determined to be unreadable, an error is displayed.

  As a result, the operator can know that the operation has been performed so that the character string becomes unreadable.

  In the image editing program according to claim 25, in the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display area, the second start point and the second end point are set to the first start point and the first end point, respectively. It is comprised so that it may be arrange | positioned in the area | region pinched | interposed.

  Thereby, the character string image can be enlarged along the reference line.

  In the image editing program according to claim 26, when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is: The character string image is configured to correspond to the size of the print medium stored in the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed.

  This makes it easy to create a character string image corresponding to the size of the print medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image editing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on embodiments embodying a printing system using the image editing apparatus according to the present invention.

  First, a printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting a label creating apparatus 2 for creating a label and a PC 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the label producing apparatus 2 and the PC 3 are connected by a USB cable 4 based on a standard such as USB, for example, and exchange data via the USB cable 4.

  The label producing apparatus 2 is provided with a keyboard 5 having various character keys, numeric keys, print keys, power keys, and the like on the upper front side (right front side in FIG. 1). In addition, the label producing apparatus 2 is provided with an LCD 6 for displaying various information on the upper surface thereof and on the back side of the keyboard 5. Further, the label producing apparatus 2 is provided with a discharge port 7 for discharging the label on the left side surface (the surface in the left front direction in FIG. 1). Further, a tape cassette housing portion is provided inside the upper surface of the label producing apparatus 2, and the cover 8 provided on the inner surface of the label producing apparatus 2 is opened to detachably mount the tape cassette. be able to. This tape cassette storage unit is equipped with a printing mechanism that runs on the tape between a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements and a platen roller in contact with the thermal head to print on the tape. The tape in the tape cassette is printed by the printing mechanism, cut by the tape cutter of the printing mechanism, becomes a label, and is discharged from the discharge port 7.

  The label producing apparatus 2 can both print a label based on an operation input from the keyboard 5 and print a label based on a print command sent from the PC 3 via the USB cable 4. is there.

  Next, the PC 3 is a well-known PC, and as shown in FIG. 1, the PC 3 includes a main body 12 including a CPU 11 (see FIG. 2), a monitor 13, a keyboard 14, and a mouse 15. 14 and the mouse 15 are each connected to the main body 12 by a connection cable.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the PC 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the PC 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 3 is provided with a CPU 11 that controls the PC 3. The CPU 11 includes a ROM 21 that stores a program such as a BIOS executed by the CPU 11, a RAM 22 that temporarily stores data, and a CD-ROM 23 that is a data storage medium, and a CD-ROM that reads data. A drive 24 and an HDD 25 serving as a data storage device are connected via a bus 26.

  The HDD 25 has an OS storage area 27 for storing an OS executed on the PC 3, and a label editing program storage area for storing a label editing program for providing a label editing function by operating on the OS executed on the PC 3. 28, a program-related information storage area 29 for storing information such as settings, initial values, and data necessary for program execution is provided.

  The program-related information storage area 59 stores information on the type of tape (width, presence / absence of die cut, die cut shape, etc.), which will be described later. Further, the program related information storage area 59 stores a character string arrangement pattern having a guideline described later and a modification pattern in which a modification is performed on a character arranged on the guideline according to a position where the character is arranged. Is done. In the present embodiment, since there are six types of guidelines (linear, circular, wavy, etc.), there are also six types of character string arrangement patterns.

  The CPU 11 has a USB interface 30 for communicating with external devices including the label producing device 2 via the bus 26 and a display control unit for displaying a screen on the monitor 13 for displaying an operation screen to the operator. 31 and an input detection unit 32 that is connected to a keyboard 14 and a mouse 15 where an operator inputs operations and detects those inputs are connected. Note that the PC 3 may be provided with a flexible disk drive (not shown), an input / output unit for audio, various interfaces, and the like.

  The CD-ROM 23 stores a label editing program, settings and data used when the program is executed, and the label editing program storage area 28 provided from the CD-ROM 23 to the HDD 25 when installed. It is stored in the program related information storage area 29. Note that the method for acquiring the label editing program of the PC 3 and its use data is not limited to the one using the CD-ROM 23, but may be another storage medium such as a flexible disk or MO. You may acquire from other terminals above.

  The tape used in the label producing apparatus 2 and provided by the tape cassette includes a difference between various printing methods such as a tape that is formed of a thermal tape and directly develops color, and a tape that is thermally transferred using an ink ribbon, There are various types, such as the color of the tape, the color of the letters, and whether or not it is laminated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a label editing application that is activated by executing a label editing program in the PC 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of a label editing screen of the label editing application.

  The label editing screen 51 of the label editing application 50 is a screen for editing label data that is a source of a label.

  The label editing application 50 is displayed on the monitor 13 of the PC 3, and inputs and instructions are performed by operating the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a menu bar 52 for performing an operation instruction is provided at the top of the label editing screen 51 of the label editing application 50. The menu bar 52 includes a file menu, an edit menu, a display menu, an insert menu, a format menu, a tool menu, a layout menu, a window menu, and a help menu. In addition, a work area 53 for editing characters and the like printed by the label creating apparatus 2 is provided at the bottom of the menu bar 52 of the label editing screen 51, and an arrange text object 54 is an object to be printed. An arranged label image 55 is shown.

  In the label image 55, a label frame 56 indicating the edge of the label and a print frame 57 indicating the print range are displayed, and an arrange text object 54 is arranged in them. In the arrange text object 54, text “12345567890” is arranged in a circle. The label frame 56 corresponds to the size of a tape that can be printed by the label producing apparatus 2. In the label frame 56 shown in FIG. 3, a tape having a width of 36 mm (hereinafter referred to as a 36 mm tape) has a longitudinal direction of the tape. It shows a state of being placed sideways and cut to a length of 44 mm. The print frame 57 corresponds to the actually printable range of the tape that can be printed by the label producing apparatus 2. The arrange text object 54 shows a state in which the arrange text object 54 having the maximum size that can be accommodated in the print frame 57 is arranged.

  The various menus arranged in the menu bar 52 are provided with lower menus. For example, the file menu includes menus related to the creation and editing of labels created by the label creation device 2. A new label creation menu for creating a new label image 55, a label save menu for saving a label file corresponding to the label image 55, and a label file from the existing label file for editing. A label file open menu for displaying a label image 55 as a target, a print menu for sending label data corresponding to the label image 55 to the label creating apparatus 2 to perform label printing, and causing the operator to select a tape to be created. There is a media type selection menu, etc. To.

  The file menu includes an end menu of the label creation application 50 and the like.

  In the layout menu, when creating a label image 55 on the work area 53 of the label creation application 50, one reduced image is operated from a screen displaying a list of a plurality of reduced images of the label image created using the template. There is a template menu or the like that allows the user to select a template by selecting it.

  In addition, the insertion menu includes a bar code menu for selecting a bar code standard or inputting bar code data meaning a bar code in order to place a bar code as an object in the label image 55, and a text to the present. There are a special character string selection menu for adding / inserting special character strings such as date and time, and an illustration menu for adding an illustration as an object to the label image 55. The insertion menu includes an arrange text menu for arranging text on a predetermined line according to the present invention. Details of the arrange text will be described later.

  In addition, the edit menu includes a character input menu for switching to a character input mode for inputting characters at a position specified by the cursor, an object selection menu for switching to an object selection mode for selecting an object with the cursor, and an object attribute change for changing an object attribute. There are menus, a tape length setting menu for setting the tape length, and the like. The format menu includes various menus for modifying text in the text object.

  Next, an arrangement text setting screen that is displayed when the arrangement text menu is selected from the label editing screen 51 of the label editing application 50 in the PC 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an image diagram of an arrangement text attribute setting screen, and FIG. 5 is an image diagram of an arrangement text text input screen. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing a part of an arrangement text attribute setting screen.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the arrange text setting screen 60 of the label editing application 50 has a title bar 61 with “Arrange Text Properties” at the top. Below the title bar 61, an input tab 62, a setting tab 63, a font tab, and a drawing tab are displayed. 4 shows a state where the setting tab 63 of the arrange text setting screen 60 is selected. The text input screen of the arrange text shown in FIG. 5 is an input tab 62 of the arrange text setting screen 60. Represents the selected state. The tab can be selected by clicking with the mouse 15.

  In the arrangement text attribute setting screen (arrangement text setting screen 60), as shown in FIG. 4, a category setting field 64 exists at the lower right of various tabs. In the upper part of the category setting field 64, there are characters “Category (C):”, and there are six buttons arranged below. The leftmost button of the category setting field 64 displays a straight arrow from the lower left to the upper right (hereinafter referred to as a straight line arrangement button). An arrow from the lower left to the upper right and from the middle to the lower right is displayed on the right button of the linear arrangement button (hereinafter referred to as a refraction arrangement button). A circular arrow is displayed on the button to the right of the refraction placement button (hereinafter referred to as a circle placement button). A square arrow is displayed on the button to the right of the circle placement button (hereinafter referred to as a square placement button). An arc-shaped arrow is displayed on the right button of the square arrangement button (hereinafter referred to as an arc arrangement button). A wavy arrow is displayed on the button to the right of the arc arrangement button (hereinafter referred to as a wave line arrangement button). In the arrangement text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, the circle arrangement button in the category selection field 64 is selected.

  By selecting these buttons in the category selection column 64, it is possible to select a line (referred to as a guideline) that serves as a reference for arranging predetermined text. That is, when the straight line arrangement button in the category setting field 64 is selected, the guideline is a straight line and the predetermined text is arranged in a straight line. Specifically, the guideline is a straight line from the lower left to the upper right. When the refraction placement button is selected, the guideline is a refracted straight line, and the predetermined text is arranged in a refracted line. Specifically, the guideline is a refracted straight line that extends from the lower left to the upper right and then bends and extends to the lower right.

  When the circle arrangement button is selected, the guideline is a circle, and the predetermined text is arranged in a circle. Specifically, it is a circular curve extending clockwise from the top point on the circumference and reaching the top point on the circumference again. When the square arrangement button is selected, the guideline is a square, and the predetermined text is arranged in a square shape. Specifically, it is a straight line refracted in a square shape extending clockwise from the midpoint of the lower side of the square and reaching the midpoint of the lower side of the square again.

  When the arc arrangement button is selected, the guideline is an arc, and the predetermined text is arranged in an arc shape. Specifically, it is a curve that bulges upward from the left side to the right side. When the wavy line arrangement button is selected, the guideline is a wavy line, and the predetermined text is arranged in a wavy line. Specifically, it is a curve extending from the left side to the right side and bulging upward and then bulging downward.

  In the category selection field 64, in addition to selecting the guideline by selecting the above-described button, the height of the character is selected at the same time as a combination with the guideline. When a character is placed on the guideline corresponding to the refraction button, the character is the lowest when the character is placed at the point where the guideline bends, and the character is at the right and left points of the guideline. When the character is placed, the height of the character is the highest, and when the character is placed with respect to a point in the middle of the guideline, the height of the placed character is the right or left edge of the guideline from the point where the guideline is refracted. Characters for points closer to the point are higher. When a character is arranged on a guideline corresponding to a button other than the refraction placement button, the height of the corresponding character is not changed depending on a point on the guideline.

  Below the category setting field 64 is a rotation selection field 65. In the upper part of the rotation selection column 65, there is a character “Rotation (O):”, and below that, six buttons are arranged. The button at the left end of the rotation selection field 65 displays a state in which the letter “A” is placed on the arc (hereinafter referred to as an “up button”). On the right button of the upper arrangement button, a state where an arc is placed on the letter “A” is displayed (hereinafter referred to as a lower arrangement button). On the button on the right of the down button, a normal letter “A” pointing upward is displayed (hereinafter referred to as the “upward button”). On the right button of the up button, the letter “A” lying on the right side is displayed (hereinafter referred to as the right button). On the right button of the right-pointing button, an inverted character “A” is displayed (hereinafter referred to as a downward button). On the right button of the down button, the letter “A” lying on the left side is displayed (hereinafter referred to as the left button). In the arrange text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, the upper arrangement button at the left end of the rotation selection field 65 is in a selected state.

  By selecting these buttons in the rotation selection column 65, the direction of each character constituting a predetermined text is set. Regardless of which button of the rotation selection field 65 is selected, the characters constituting the predetermined text have a corresponding point on the guideline when being arranged along the guideline, and the normal upward direction with respect to that point It is not changed that the lower part of the character placed in is placed so as to face each other.

  Assuming that, when the uppermost button at the left end of the rotation selection field 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is placed on the left side in the direction toward the guideline with respect to the corresponding point of the guideline. It is arranged in a state inclined by 90 degrees. In that case, the character is always arranged on the left side along the extending direction of the guideline. In addition, when the lower arrangement button of the rotation selection column 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is inclined 90 degrees to the right in the direction of the guideline with respect to the corresponding point of the guideline. Placed in. In that case, the character is always arranged on the right side along the extending direction of the guideline.

  Further, when the upward button of the rotation selection field 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is arranged upward at a corresponding point of the guideline. When the right button of the rotation selection column 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is arranged in a state inclined 90 degrees to the right at a corresponding point of the guideline. Further, when the downward button of the rotation selection field 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is arranged in a state inclined 180 degrees to the right at a corresponding point of the guideline. When the left button of the rotation selection field 65 is selected, each character constituting the predetermined text is arranged in a state inclined 90 degrees to the left at a corresponding point of the guideline.

  When the upper arrangement button or the lower arrangement button is selected, the direction of characters arranged along the guideline changes depending on the direction of the guideline. On the other hand, when any one of the up button, the down button, the right button, and the left button is selected, the direction of the characters arranged along the guideline is not affected by the direction of the guideline, and all face the same direction.

  Below the rotation setting field 65 is a character alignment setting field 66. In the upper part of the character alignment setting column 66, there is a character “character alignment (A):”, and four buttons are arranged below it. The button at the left end of the character alignment setting field 66 is a button for arranging predetermined text in accordance with the start position of the predetermined range of the guideline when arranging the predetermined text along the predetermined range of the guideline. Since this function corresponds to left justification in ordinary word processing software, it is called a left justification button. Further, a range in which predetermined text is arranged along the guideline is hereinafter referred to as a text arrangement range.

  To the right of the left alignment button, there is a button for arranging the predetermined text in accordance with the center of the text arrangement range when arranging the predetermined text along the text arrangement range of the guideline. Since this function corresponds to the center alignment in ordinary word processing software, it is referred to as a center alignment button. To the right of the center alignment button, there is a button for arranging the predetermined text in accordance with the end position of the text arrangement range when arranging the predetermined text along the text arrangement range of the guideline. This function corresponds to right alignment in normal word processing software, and is therefore referred to as a right alignment button.

  To the right of the right alignment button, there is a button for arranging predetermined text evenly over the entire text arrangement range when arranging predetermined text along the text arrangement range of the guideline. Since this function is equivalent to equalizing in normal word processing software, it is referred to as an equalizing button. In the arrange text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, the right justification button at the right end of the character alignment setting field 66 is selected.

  There is a character direction setting column 67 at the lower left of the character alignment setting column 66. In the upper part of the character direction setting field 66, there is a character “character direction (D):”, and two buttons are arranged below it. The button on the left side of the character direction setting column 66 is a forward button that arranges a predetermined text in the order of characters constituting the text when the predetermined text is arranged according to the guideline. To the right of the normal order button, there is a reverse order button for arranging the predetermined text in reverse to the order of the characters constituting the text when the predetermined text is arranged according to the guideline.

  To the right of the character direction setting column 67 is a guideline / text interval setting column 68. In the upper part of the guideline / text setting field 68, there is a character “Between Guideline (B):”, and below that there is a spin box for setting the interval between the guideline and the predetermined text.

  Below the character direction setting field 67 is a character width setting field 69. There is a character “character width (W):” in the upper part of the character width setting field 69, and when a predetermined text is arranged along the guideline below the character width setting field 69, the width of the characters constituting the predetermined text is set. There is a spin box for.

  To the right of the character width setting field 69 is a character spacing setting field 70. In the upper part of the character spacing setting field 70, there is a character “character spacing (S):”, and when a predetermined text is arranged along the guideline below it, the distance between the characters constituting the predetermined text is set. There is a spin box to do. In the arrange text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, since the rightmost uniform button is selected in the character alignment setting field 66, the spin box in the character interval setting field 70 is displayed in gray and the character interval setting field 70. The setting is disabled. The setting in the character spacing setting field 70 is effective when any of the left-justified left-justified button, its right-centered button, and its right-right-justified button is selected in the character alignment setting field 66.

  To the left of the category setting field 64, the rotation setting field 65, the character alignment setting field 66, and the character direction setting field 68, there is an indicator display field 71. The indicator display column 71 displays an indicator 72 that displays the text arrangement range visually and clearly when a predetermined text is arranged along the text arrangement range of the guideline. In the arrange text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, there are double concentric circles, and the inner circle is a clockwise arrow with the top of the circle starting and ending. Further, the outer circle is a thin line circle, and the scale is oscillated clockwise every 90 degrees starting from the top, and in order “0 °”, “90 °”, “180 °”, “270”. “°” is written. The thin line (in this case, the outer circle) with the scales will be referred to as the scale 73. On the scale 73, an arc-shaped arrow having a start point of 0 degree and an end point of 180 degrees is displayed by a thick line. The thick line arrow indicates the text arrangement range in the guideline. This thick line is referred to as a range setting line 74.

  The shape of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 changes according to the type of guideline selected in the category setting field 64. When a circular guideline is set in the category setting field 64, a circular indicator 72 is displayed. When other guidelines are set in the category setting column 64, a linear indicator 72 as shown in the image diagram of FIG. In FIG. 6, only the indicator display column 71, the start position setting column 75, and the end position setting column 76 are extracted from the arrange text attribute setting screen (the arrange text setting screen 60, see FIG. 4). It is an image.

  In the linear indicator 72 shown in FIG. 6, the text arrangement range can be set in the range of −50% to 150%. This is because the category setting column 64 (see FIG. This is a display when any one of the linear guideline, the refracted linear guideline, the arc-shaped guideline, and the wavy guideline is set.

  When the square guideline is set, the linear indicator 72 as shown in FIG. 6 is used, but the text arrangement range is set only in the range of 0% to 100%. This is based on whether or not the guideline graphic is closed, that is, whether the guideline graphic is closed or not, and if the guideline graphic is closed, the text is placed only in the range of 0% to 100%. The range is set, and when the guideline is open, the text arrangement range is set in the range of -50% to 150%. In the linear indicator 72, there is a thin straight line (scale 73) connecting the upper limit and the lower limit of the indicator 72, and a scale is swayed thereon. In the indicator 72 which can be set only in the range of 0% to 100%, there are scales at the positions of 0%, 50% and 100%, and the scales of 0% and 100% have “0%” and “100%” respectively. Is displayed.

  On the other hand, the indicator 72 that can be set in the range of −50% to 150% has a scale at the positions of −50%, 0%, 50%, 100%, and 150%, and −50%, 0%, and 100%. , “−50%”, “0%”, “100%”, and “150%” are respectively displayed on the scale of 150%.

  The text arrangement range in the guideline is displayed as a thick straight line (range setting line 74) overlapping with a thin straight line (scale 73) indicating the guideline.

  In the arrange text setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 4, since the third circle arrangement button from the left is selected in the category setting field 64, a circular indicator 72 is displayed.

  In the arrange text setting screen 60 of FIG. 4, there is a start position setting field 75 at the lower left of the indicator display field 71. The start position setting column 75 is a column for setting the start position of the text arrangement range when a predetermined text is arranged along the text arrangement range of the guideline. In the upper part of the start position setting column 75, there is a character “start position (I):”, and below that, a spin box for setting the start position is displayed. When a circular guideline is selected in the category setting column 64, the start position is indicated by an angle when viewed clockwise from the topmost part that is the starting point of the circle representing the guideline. Therefore, the unit is degrees. In the arrange text setting screen 60 of FIG. 4, “0 °” is displayed in the spin box of the start position setting field 75.

  The display of the spin box is incremented by clicking the upper triangle button of the spin box with the mouse 15, and the display of the spin box is decremented by clicking the lower triangle button of the spin box. Further, the display of the spin box can be directly changed by the keyboard 14.

  As described above, when a guideline other than the circular guideline is selected in the category setting field 64, a linear indicator is displayed in the indicator display field 71 (see FIG. 6). When a guideline other than a circle is selected, the start position is indicated by the percentage when the start position is determined with the start point set to 0% and the end point set to 100% in the path from the start point to the end point of the graphic representing the guideline. . When the start position can be set from -50% to 150%, setting a range exceeding 0% to 100% means that the guideline is expanded before or after the extending direction, and the start position is set thereon. Indicates to do.

  In actual processing, the guideline data has large data in the range of −50% to 150%, and the 0% to 100% guideline data uses data cut out therefrom.

  By changing the setting of the start position setting column 75, the start position of the thick line (range setting line 74) indicating the text arrangement range in the indicator display column 71 is also changed in conjunction with it.

  In the arrange text setting screen 60 of FIG. 4, there is an end position setting field 76 to the right of the start position setting field 75. The end position setting column 76 is a column for setting the end position of the text arrangement range when a predetermined text is arranged along the text arrangement range of the guideline. In the upper part of the end position setting column 76, there is a character “end position (E):”, and below that, a spin box for setting the end position is displayed. When a circular guideline is selected in the category setting field 64, the end position is indicated by an angle when viewed clockwise from the top of the circle representing the guideline. Therefore, the unit is degrees. In the arrange text setting screen 60 of FIG. 4, “180 °” is displayed in the spin box of the end position setting field 76.

  The display of the spin box is incremented by clicking the upper triangle button of the spin box with the mouse 15, and the display of the spin box is decremented by clicking the lower triangle button of the spin box. Further, the display of the spin box can be directly changed by the keyboard 14.

  As described above, when a guideline other than the circular guideline is selected in the category setting field 64, the linear indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display field 71 (see FIG. 6). When a guideline other than a circle is selected, the end position is indicated by the percentage when the end position is determined with the start point being 0% and the end point being 100% in the path from the start point to the end point of the graphic representing the guideline. . When the end position can be set from -50% to 150%, setting a range exceeding 0% to 100% means that the guideline is expanded before or after the extending direction, and the end position is set thereon. Indicates to do.

  In actual processing, the guideline data has large data in the range of −50% to 150%, and the 0% to 100% guideline data uses data cut out therefrom.

  By changing the setting of the end position setting column 76, the end position of the range setting line 74 indicating the text arrangement range in the indicator display column 71 is also changed in conjunction with it.

  For the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71, the start point of the range setting line 74 can be moved by dragging the start point of the range setting line 74 indicating the text arrangement range with the mouse 15. Similarly, the end point of the range setting line 74 can be moved by dragging the end point of the range setting line 74 indicating the text arrangement range with the mouse 15. In addition, by dragging an intermediate portion other than the start point and the end point of the range setting line 74 with the mouse 15, the start point and the end point can be moved while maintaining the difference between the start point and the end point. In this way, in the indicator display column 71, when the start point / end point is changed by the mouse 15, the display of the start position setting column 75 and the end position setting column 76 is also changed in conjunction with it. Note that the mouse cursor 77 is generally in the shape of an arrow, but when it is over the range setting line 74, it changes to a hand shape.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at the bottom of the arrange text setting screen 60, an OK button 78 for closing the arrange text setting screen 60 while enabling the setting and a cancel button 79 for closing the arrange text setting screen 60 while disabling the setting are provided. is there.

  In the text input screen for arrange text (arrange text setting screen 60), there is a sample display field 80 under the input tab 62, setting tab 63, font tab, and drawing tab as shown in FIG. In the upper part of the sample display field 80, there is a character “sample”. Below that, there is a double concentric circle, and there is an image in which the letters “Oeiia” are arranged from the top to the bottom between the inner circle and the outer circle. This is a sample image of arrange text.

  There is a text input field 81 at the upper right side of the sample display field 80. There is a character “text (T):” at the top of the text input field 81 and a text box below it. In the text box, there is a character “Aiueo”, and a cursor is behind the character “O”. The operator can directly input characters to the text box using the keyboard 14.

  Below the text input field 81 is a guideline display / non-display switching setting field 82. The guideline display / non-display switching setting field 82 includes a character “Display guideline (G)” and a check box. Every time this check box is clicked with the mouse 15, the display / non-display of the check is switched. When the check is displayed in this check box, the guideline is displayed in the sample display column 80, and when the check is not displayed, the guideline is not displayed in the sample display column 80.

  The arrangement text sample image displayed in the sample display column 80 reflects the content of the character string input in the text input column 81 and the setting content of the guideline display / non-display switching setting column 82. The contents set on the arrange text setting screen 60 of FIG. 4 are also reflected.

  That is, the arrangement text sample image displayed in the sample display field 80 of FIG. 5 is arranged in the circle setting button 64 in the category setting field 64 shown in FIG. The reverse button is selected in the button and character direction setting field 67, 0% in the guideline / text setting field 68, 100% in the character width setting field 69, 0 degree in the start position setting field 75, and 180 in the end position setting field 76. The degree is set, “Aiueo” is input in the text input field 81 shown in FIG. 5, and the check box is reflected in the guideline display / non-display switching setting field 82.

  For example, when the straight line placement button is selected in the category setting field 64 of FIG. 4, a sample image in which the characters “Ouia” are arranged in a straight line is displayed in the sample display field 80 of FIG. In addition, when the forward button is selected in the character direction setting field 67 of FIG. 4, a sample image in which characters “Aiueo” are arranged in a semicircular shape from top to bottom in the sample display field 80 of FIG. Is displayed. In the end position setting field 76 of FIG. 4, when it is set to 0 degrees, the sample display field 80 of FIG. 5 displays a sample image in which the characters “Oueia” are evenly arranged on the circumference.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the text arrangement range and the text arrangement result will be described in comparison. FIG. 7 is a comparison diagram of the text arrangement range and the text arrangement result when the guideline is a straight line, and FIG. 8 is a comparison diagram of the text arrangement range and the text arrangement result when the guideline is a circle.

  The comparison diagram of FIG. 7 is a table of 3 rows and 4 columns, and the text arrangement range is divided into three conditions and displayed in each column of the first row. That is, there is a blank at the left end, and “from 0% to 100%”, “from 25% to 75%”, and “from −50% to 150%” are written in order from the left.

  In the second line, only the indicator display column 71, the start position setting column 75, and the end position setting column 76 are extracted from the above-described arrange text attribute setting screen (the arrange text setting screen 60, see FIG. 4). Each column corresponds to three conditions of the text arrangement range on the first line.

  That is, in the column corresponding to “set from 0% to 100%” on the second line, the linear indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71, and the range setting line 74 is arranged in the range of 0% to 100%. Has been. The start position setting column 75 displays 0% and the end position setting column 76 displays 100%. Further, in the column corresponding to “set from 25% to 75%” in the comparison diagram of FIG. 7, a linear indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71, and the range setting line 74 is in the range of 25% to 75%. Is arranged. The start position setting column 75 displays 25%, and the end position setting column 76 displays 75%. In a column corresponding to “set from −50% to 150%”, a linear indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71, and a range setting line 74 is arranged in a range from −50% to 150%. Yes. The start position setting column 75 displays -50%, and the end position setting column 76 displays 150%.

  The third line is an image in which only the sample display column 80 is extracted from the above-described arrange text text input screen (see the arrange text setting screen 60, see FIG. 5), and each column indicates the text arrangement range of the first line. Each of the three conditions corresponds.

  That is, in the column corresponding to “set from 0% to 100%” on the third line, there are two parallel straight lines extending upward to the right, and the characters “12345” are arranged so as to be sandwiched between them. In the image, a character “12345” is displayed with a predetermined character width over a text arrangement range of 0% to 100%. In the column corresponding to “set from 25% to 75%”, there are two parallel straight lines extending upward to the right, and the image “12345” is arranged so as to be sandwiched between them. Is the same as the column corresponding to “set from 0% to 100%”, but the characters “12345” span the text arrangement range from 25% to 75%, and “set from 0% to 100%”. The character width is displayed narrower than the character displayed in the column corresponding to. However, characters do not overlap.

  In the column corresponding to “set from −50% to 150%”, there are two parallel straight lines extending to the right, and an image in which the characters “12345” are arranged so as to be sandwiched therebetween. This is the same as the column corresponding to “set from 0% to 100%”, but the characters “12345” span the text arrangement range from −50% to 150%, and “from 0% to 100%”. The space between characters is displayed wider than the space between characters in the text displayed in the column corresponding to “SETTING”. The character width is the same as the character width of the character displayed in the column corresponding to “set from 0% to 100%”.

  Next, FIG. 8 will be described. The comparison diagram of FIG. 8 is a table of 3 rows and 3 columns, and the text arrangement range is divided into two conditions and displayed in each column of the first row. That is, there is a blank at the left end, and “Set from 0 ° to 0 °” and “Set from 0 ° to 180 °” are entered in order from the left.

  The second line is an image in which only the indicator display column 71, the start position setting column 75, and the end position setting column 76 are extracted as in FIG. Each column corresponds to two conditions of the text arrangement range on the first line.

  That is, in the column corresponding to “set from 0 ° to 0 °” in the second row, a circular indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71, and a range starting from 0 ° and ending at 0 ° is indicated by a thick line ( The image is displayed on the range setting line 74). The start position setting column 75 displays 0 °, and the end position setting column 76 displays 0 °. Also, in the column corresponding to “set from 0 ° to 180 °”, a circular indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71, and a range starting from 0 ° and ending at 180 ° after a half turn is indicated by a thick line (range setting line 74). ) Is the image displayed. The start position setting column 75 displays 0 °, and the end position setting column 76 displays 180 °.

  The third line is an image obtained by taking out only the sample display column 80, as in FIG. Each column corresponds to two conditions of the text arrangement range on the first line.

  That is, in the column corresponding to “set from 0 ° to 0 °” in the third row, there is an image in which double concentric circles are arranged and characters “12345” are arranged so as to be sandwiched between them. The characters “12345” are displayed evenly arranged on the circumference. In addition, in the column corresponding to “set from 0 ° to 180 °”, there is a double concentric circle, and it is the same as an image in which the characters “12345” are arranged so as to be sandwiched between them. The characters “12345” are displayed evenly arranged in a semicircular shape.

  Next, direct editing of the arrange text object on the label editing screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an image diagram of the arrange text object on the label editing screen.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the arranged text object 90 has two parallel straight lines (guideline 91) from the lower left to the upper right and a text 92 of “12345” so as to be sandwiched between the two parallel straight lines. . The lower guideline 91 has a handle 93 at a position corresponding to the left end and a position corresponding to the right end of the text 92. Thus, the arrange text object 90 on which the guideline 91 and the handle 93 are displayed is an arrange text object when it is selected as an editing target. Normally, only text 92 is displayed. There are two stages in the selection state, and the arrangement text object 90 is first brought into the first stage selection state when clicked with the mouse 15. The selection state of the first stage is not shown, but a square image surrounding the text 92 is displayed. At that time, handles are displayed at the four vertices of the rectangle and the midpoint of each side. By operating the handle with the mouse 15, the arranged text object can be enlarged or reduced.

  An arrange text object 90 shown in FIG. 9 shows the arrange text object in the second stage selected state. When the arranged text object in the first stage selected state is clicked with the mouse 15, the second stage selected state is obtained. In this state, the operator can move the handle 93 on the lower guideline 91 by operating the handle 93 with the mouse 15. Thereby, the arrangement text object 90 can enlarge / reduce the arrangement range of the text 92. At this time, the enlargement / reduction of the arrangement range of the text 92 by the operation of the handle 93 and the setting of the start point / end point of the range setting line 74 on the arrange text setting screen 60 are linked to each other.

  In order to create a new arrangement text object on the label editing screen 51 (see FIG. 3), first, an insertion menu in the menu bar 52 is clicked. Then, a drop-down menu (not shown) is displayed. Select the arrange text menu. Thereby, the arrange text setting screen 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is displayed. After making various settings on the arrange text setting screen 60, clicking the OK button 78 closes the arrange text setting screen 60, and an arrange text object set on the arrange text setting screen 60 is newly created on the label editing screen 51. Displayed.

  An arrange text object 90 shown in FIG. 9 is an arrange text object created as described above. Further, a menu (context menu) can be displayed by right-clicking on the arrange text object 90 shown in FIG. 9, and a property menu can be selected therefrom. At that time, the arrange text setting screen 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is displayed, and the setting of the arrange text object can be changed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14, an arrange text object when the text arrangement range is set narrow will be described. FIG. 14 is an image of an arrange text object when the text arrangement range is set narrow.

  The arrange text object shown in FIG. 14 includes the same text “12345” as the arrange text object shown in FIG. 9, and the guideline is a straight line. However, since the text arrangement range is narrow, the text is crushed, and it is understood that the content “12345” cannot be visually recognized. Simply configuring the text layout range to be settable on the label editing screen 51 causes a situation as shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, label editing is performed so that the text layout range does not become too narrow. The screen 51 is configured. That is, an operation for setting the range setting line 74 to be narrow beyond a predetermined range is treated as invalid. When such an operation is performed on the indicator 72 of the attribute setting screen (arrange text setting screen 60, see FIG. 4) of the arrange text, the range setting line 74 blinks as an error display. Note that this error display may change to a color different from the normal color instead of blinking the range setting line 74. For example, when the normal color of the range setting line 74 is blue, it may be changed to red.

  Next, processing in the CPU 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the arrangement text setting process according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the arrangement text change process. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing character readable / unreadable determination processing. The following processing is all executed by the CPU 11.

  First, the power of the PC 3 is turned on, and the OS stored in the OS storage area 27 of the HDD 25 is executed by the CPU 11. In this case, when the label editing program stored in the label editing program storage area 28 is executed on the OS, that is, in an environment where the OS is executed by the CPU 11, the label editing program is also executed by the CPU 11. Then, an initialization process is performed.

  As an initialization process, first, various variables in the RAM 22 are initialized. Further, a label editing screen 51 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor 13 via the display control unit 31. In addition, various initialization processes are performed. As a result, the label editing application 50 is activated.

  In the label editing screen 51 (see FIG. 3), an insertion menu in the menu bar 52 is clicked. Then, a drop-down menu (not shown) is displayed. Select the arrange text menu. At that time, the CPU 11 executes an arrange text setting process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the arrange text setting process, an arrange text setting screen 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is first displayed in S1. When the input tab 62, the setting tab 63, the font tab, and the drawing tab are clicked, the setting items of the arrange text setting screen 60 are switched. Immediately after the arrangement text setting screen 60 is displayed, the text input screen shown in FIG. It is. An area for storing various setting values of the arrange text object is newly reserved on the RAM 22. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2.

  In S <b> 2, it is determined whether or not text has been input in the text input field 81 on the text input screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. When it is determined that text has been input (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3, and when it is determined that text has not been input (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S4.

  In S3, the text input in the text input field 81 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 as the text of the arrange text object. In addition, the sample image of the arrange text in the sample display column 80 is displayed and updated. When the sample image of the arrange text in the sample display field 80 is updated, an arrange text image reflecting various setting values set in the arrange text setting screen 60 is created, and the image is displayed in the sample display field. Displayed after adjusting to 80 size. Further, when creating the arranged text image, a character readable / unreadable determination process described later is also executed. When it is determined that the text cannot be read, the character input at that time is invalidated. After the process of S3, the process proceeds to S2 and the above process is repeated.

  In S4, it is determined whether or not the category has been switched in the category setting field 64 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. If it is determined that the category has been switched (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S5. If it is determined that the category has not been switched (S4: NO), the process proceeds to S6.

  In S5, the category input in the category setting field 64 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 as the category of the arrange text object. In addition, the indicator 72 in the indicator display column 71 is updated. When the display of the indicator 72 in the indicator display column 71 is updated, the indicator 72 reflecting various setting values set on the arrange text setting screen 60 is created. When the conversion between the circular indicator 72 and the linear indicator 72 is performed, the units of the start position and end position of the range setting line 74 change, and the values of the start position and end position are also converted.

  For example, when the circular indicator 72 is changed to the linear indicator 72, when the text layout range is “0 degree to 0 degree (360 degrees)”, it is converted to “0% to 100%”. When it is “90 degrees to 270 degrees”, it is converted to “25% to 75%”. Thus, it has a proportional relationship. Further, even when the same linear indicator 72 is changed to the linear indicator 72, an indicator in which the text arrangement range is only “0% to 100%” from the indicator 72 capable of “−50% to 150%”. In the case of changing to 72, it is cut down to the range of “0% to 100%”. In accordance with this, the display of the start position setting field 75 and the end position setting field 76 is also switched.

  Further, when the image of the indicator 72 is created, a character readable / unreadable determination process described later is also executed, and when it is determined that the text cannot be read, the text layout range is expanded to a readable level. However, when the text layout range is at the upper and lower limits, the input text is deleted so that the text can be read. After the process of S5, the process proceeds to S2 and the above process is repeated.

  In S6, it is determined whether or not the spin box in the start position setting field 75 has been operated on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. When it is determined that it has been operated (S6: YES), the process proceeds to S12, and when it is determined that it has not been operated (S6: NO), the process proceeds to S7.

  In S7, it is determined whether or not the spin box in the end position setting field 76 has been operated on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. If it is determined that it has been operated (S7: YES), the process proceeds to S12, and if it is determined that it has not been operated (S7: NO), the process proceeds to S8.

  In S8, it is determined whether or not the start point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator display column 71 has been operated on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. If it is determined that it has been operated (S8: YES), the process proceeds to S12 after the position of the start point after the operation is acquired. If it is determined that it has not been operated (S8: NO), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S9, it is determined whether or not the end point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator display column 71 has been operated on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. If it is determined that it has been operated (S9: YES), the process proceeds to S12 after the position of the end point after the operation is acquired. If it is determined that it has not been operated (S9: NO), the process proceeds to S10.

  In S10, it is determined whether or not the central portion excluding the start point and end point of the range setting line 74 in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60 has been operated. If it is determined that it has been operated (S10: YES), the process proceeds to S11. If it is determined that it has not been operated (S10: NO), the process proceeds to S13.

  In S11, the start point and the end point of the range setting line 74 move in conjunction with the operation of the center of the range setting line 74. The positions of the start point and end point after operation are acquired by conversion from the amount of movement of the operated point in the center. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S12.

  In S12, a character readable / unreadable determination process is performed. Here, the description of the arrangement text setting process with reference to FIG. 10 is temporarily interrupted, and the character readable / unreadable determination process is described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in S30, an image in which the text input in the text input field 81 is arranged based on various setting values set in the arrange text setting screen 60 is created. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S31.

  In S31, the width and height of each character constituting the text are obtained. The width of each character is configured to be equal. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S32.

  In S32, it is determined whether all characters constituting the text are legible. For this purpose, “character height / character width” is obtained for each character, and it is determined whether or not “character height / character width” is smaller than a predetermined threshold value for all characters. If it is determined that “character height / character width” is smaller than a predetermined threshold for all characters, this means that all characters can be read. The predetermined threshold value may be set to 20, for example. If all characters constituting the text are readable (S32: YES), the process proceeds to S33, and if not all characters constituting the text are readable (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S34. To do.

  In S33, a value indicating legibility is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 22. Thereafter, the character readable / unreadable determination process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S14 of the arrange text setting process shown in FIG. In S34, a value indicating unreadable is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 22. Thereafter, the character readable / unreadable determination process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S14 of the arrange text setting process shown in FIG. In the flowchart for explaining the present embodiment, the character readable / unreadable determination process shown in FIG. 12 is called from processes other than S12 in FIG. It goes without saying that after the character readable / unreadable determination process is completed, the process returns to the original process that called the character readable / unreadable determination process.

  Returning to the arrangement text setting process of FIG.

  In S14, it is determined whether or not the arranged text in which the text input in the text input field 81 is arranged can be read. This is determined by referring to a value indicating whether or not legibility is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 in S33 or S34 of the character legibility judgment processing of FIG. As a result, if it is determined that it is readable (S14: YES), the process proceeds to S15, and if it is determined that it is not readable (S14: NO), the process proceeds to S16.

  In S15, an image of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display column 71 of the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60 is created and the display is updated according to the value set in each setting column of the arrange text setting screen 60. The Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In S16, the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 of the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60 is set to blink as an error display indicating that an invalid operation has been performed, and the display is made. Updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In S10, when it is determined that the central portion of the range setting line 74 has not been operated (S10: NO), it is determined whether or not the OK button 78 of the arrange text setting screen 60 has been operated in S13. If it is determined that the OK button 78 has been operated (S13: YES), the process proceeds to S17, and if it is determined that the OK button 78 has not been operated (S13: NO), the process proceeds to S18.

  In S <b> 17, an image of the arrange text object in which the text input in the text input field 81 is arranged based on various setting values set on the arrange text setting screen 60 is created in a predetermined area of the RAM 22. At that time, the character string arrangement pattern stored in the program related information storage area 59 is referred to.

  Note that the size of the image created at this time corresponds to the size of the label frame 56 displayed in the work area 53 of the label editing screen 51, and is a size that can be accommodated in the label frame 56. When the label frame 56 corresponding to is displayed, a large image is created, and a small image is created with the label frame corresponding to a narrow tape. Since the program related information storage area 59 has only one guideline for each shape, the guideline enlarged / reduced according to the type of tape stored in the program related information storage area 59 is used. .

  Then, the created image of the arrange text object is newly displayed on the label image 55 in the work area 53 of the label editing screen 51. Thereafter, the arrangement text setting process in FIG. 10 is terminated.

  In S18, it is determined whether or not the cancel button 79 on the arrange text setting screen 60 has been operated. If it is determined that the cancel button 79 has been operated (S18: YES), the arrange text setting process in FIG. 10 is terminated. At that time, an area in which various setting values of the arrange text object newly secured on the RAM 22 in S1 are stored is deleted. When it is determined that the cancel button 79 has not been operated (S18: NO), the process proceeds to S19.

  In S19, other processing is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S2 to repeat the above-described processing.

  As described above, the arrange text setting process described with reference to FIG. 10 is centered on the process for the arrange text setting screen 60. On the label editing screen 51 (see FIG. 3), the arrangement text setting screen 60 is displayed by clicking the insertion menu in the menu bar 52. By setting on the arrangement text setting screen 60, the label editing screen 51 is arranged. Explained that new text objects can be added.

  On the other hand, if an arrange text object already exists on the label editing screen 51 (see FIG. 3), when the arrange text object is right-clicked with the mouse 15, a pop-up displaying a list of menus effective for the object called a context menu is displayed. A menu is displayed. The arrange text setting screen 60 is also displayed when the property menu is selected from the context menu.

  Arrangement text objects already exist on the label editing screen 51, and the processing executed when the property menu is selected from the context menu of the arrangement text is almost the same as the arrangement text setting processing described with reference to FIG. The same. The difference is that the arrangement text object is not newly added to the label editing screen 51, but the attribute of the existing arrangement text object is changed. Therefore, in this case, in the arrangement text setting process, the various setting values are not stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 22, but are set in a predetermined area corresponding to the existing arrangement text. The value is changed. When the cancel button is operated, the setting value of the existing arrangement text object is restored. The arrange text setting process of FIG. 10 needs to be read as such.

  Next, the arrangement text change process will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process of changing the setting of the arrange text object by directly operating the arrange text object when the arrange text object already exists in the label editing (see FIG. 3).

  As described above, the selection state of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 has two stages of selection states. Clicking a non-selected arrangement text object that does not follow the handle etc. once with the mouse 15 will result in the first stage selection state with the handle on the top, bottom, left, right, upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left of the arrangement text object. When the arranged text object in the selected state in the first stage is further clicked once, the selected state is in the second stage with the guideline and the handles at the beginning and end of the arranged text object.

  The arrangement text change process shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the CPU 11 when the arrangement text object in the selected state in the first stage is clicked.

  As shown in FIG. 11, first in S20, in the label editing screen 51, a handle (text) provided in the arranged text object in the second stage selected state displayed in the work area 53 is displayed at the head of the arranged text object. It is determined whether or not (corresponding to the start position of the arrangement range) has been operated. If it is determined that there is an operation on the top handle (S20: YES), the process proceeds to S22, and if it is determined that there is no operation on the top handle (S20: NO), the process proceeds to S21.

  In S21, on the label editing screen 51, a handle that is provided in the arranged text object in the second stage selected state displayed in the work area 53 and displayed at the end of the arranged text object (corresponding to the end position of the text arrangement range) Whether or not is operated is determined. If it is determined that there is an operation on the tail handle (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S22, and if it is determined that there is no operation on the tail handle (S21: NO), the process proceeds to S23.

  In S23, it is determined whether or not other operations such as clicking other than the head handle and the tail handle have been performed. If it is determined that another operation has been performed (S23: YES), the arrangement text change process is ended after the selection state of the arrangement text object is changed to the non-selection state.

  In S22, a character readable / unreadable determination process is performed. Since the character readable / unreadable determination processing is as described above with reference to FIG. 12, the description thereof is omitted here. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S24.

  In S24, it is determined whether or not the text included in the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 is legible. This is determined by referring to a value indicating whether or not legibility is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 in S33 or S34 of the character legibility judgment processing of FIG. As a result, when it is determined that it is legible (S24: YES), the process proceeds to S25, and when it is determined that legibility is not possible (S25: NO), the process proceeds to S26.

  In S25, an image of the arrange text object on the label editing screen 51 is created according to the position of the handle after the operation, and the display is updated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S20 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In S26, an error display indicating that an invalid operation has been performed is briefly displayed as "Operation is invalid. Text cannot be read." Thereafter, the process proceeds to S20 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In the PC 3 according to this embodiment, the start point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen 60 of the arrange text setting screen 60 is moved by dragging on the scale 73 with the mouse 15, The end point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display column 71 is moved by dragging on the scale 73 with the mouse 15, and the CPU 11 moves the start point of the range setting line 74 or the range setting line 74. The display of the image of the arrange text object on the label editing screen 51 is updated by the movement of the end point.

  As a result, the range in which the text constituting the arrange text object is arranged by dragging the start point and end point of the range setting line 74 on the scale 73, so that the text can be input while reducing the number of operations of the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15. The range to be arranged can be set. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  Further, the PC 3 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the image of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 is legible, and the PC 3 displays the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. When the start point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed on the screen is specified, or when the end point of the range setting line 74 is specified, it is determined that the image of the arrange text object is not readable, the display update of the image of the arrange text object is performed. It is configured not to do.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  Further, the PC 3 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the image of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 is legible, and the PC 3 displays the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60. When the start point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed on the screen is designated, or when the end point of the range setting line 74 is designated, it is determined that the image of the arrange text object is not readable, and an error is displayed. Yes.

  As a result, the operator can know that the operation has been performed such that the image of the arrange text object becomes unreadable.

  In the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the error display is configured to blink the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  In the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the error display is performed so that the display color of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60 is different from the normal color. It is configured.

  This eliminates the need for a place for displaying an error.

  Further, in the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, a portion between the start point and the end point of the range setting line 74 of the indicator 72 displayed in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen 60 is scaled by the mouse 15. 73, the PC 3 updates the display of the image of the arrange text object on the label editing screen 51 by moving the start point and the end point of the range setting line 74 in accordance with the drag between the start point and the end point of the range setting line 74. Is configured to do.

  Thereby, the position where the text is arranged can be shifted while maintaining the length of the area where the text is arranged (the start point and the end point of the range where the text is arranged can be changed all at once). Therefore, the operability is improved.

  Further, in the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, in the indicator 72 displayed as an initial state in the indicator display field 71 on the attribute setting screen 60 of the arrange text setting screen 60, the start point and end point of the range setting line 74 correspond to the start point of the guideline. The scale 73 is arranged in a section between the start point of the scale 73 and the end point of the scale 73 corresponding to the end point of the guideline.

  Thereby, the image of the arrange text object can be enlarged according to the guideline.

  In the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the handle 93 indicating the start position of the text arrangement range constituting the arrange text object is designated as the start point of the guideline, and the handle 93 indicating the end position of the text arrangement range is set as the end point of the guideline. When designated, the size of the image of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 is configured to correspond to the size of the tape stored in the label producing apparatus 2 connected to the PC 3.

  This makes it easy to create an image of the arrange text object corresponding to the size of the tape.

  Further, in the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the handle 93 indicating the start position of the text arrangement range that is displayed on the label editing screen 51 and that constitutes the arranged text object is moved by dragging on the guide line with the mouse 15 to edit the label. The handle 93 indicating the end position of the text arrangement range that is displayed on the screen 51 and constituting the arrange text object is moved by dragging the guide line with the mouse 15 on the guide line, and the PC 3 moves the text arrangement range that constitutes the arrange text object. The display of the image of the arrange text object on the label editing screen 51 is updated by moving the handle 93 indicating the start position or moving the handle 93 indicating the end position.

  As a result, by dragging the handle 93 on the guideline, the range in which the text constituting the arranged text is arranged is set, so that the range in which the text is arranged can be set by reducing the number of operations of the keyboard 14 and the mouse 15. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  Further, the PC 3 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the image of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 is legible, and the PC 3 determines the start position of the arrangement range of the text constituting the arrange text object. When it is determined that the image of the arrange text object is not readable when the handle 93 indicated is moved or when the handle 93 indicating the end position of the arrangement range of the text constituting the arrange text object is determined, the image of the arrange text object The display is not updated.

  As a result, it is possible to eliminate the situation in which the width of each character becomes too narrow and cannot be read.

  Further, in the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the PC 3 determines the end position of the text arrangement range constituting the arrange text object when the handle 93 indicating the start position of the text arrangement range constituting the arrange text object is moved. When it is determined that the image of the arrange text object is not legible when the handle 93 shown is moved, an error is displayed.

  Thus, the operator can know that the operation has been performed so that the text becomes unreadable.

  Further, in the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, in the image of the arrange text object displayed as the initial state on the label editing screen 51, the handle 93 indicating the start position of the arrangement range of the text constituting the arrange text object and the end of the arrangement range The handle 93 indicating the position is configured to be disposed in a section between the start point and the end point of the guideline.

  Thereby, the image of the arrange text object can be enlarged according to the guideline.

  In the PC 3 according to the present embodiment, the handle 93 indicating the start position of the text arrangement range constituting the arrange text object is designated as the starting point of the guideline, and the end position of the text arrangement range constituting the arrange text object is indicated. The size of the image of the arrange text object displayed on the label editing screen 51 when the handle 93 is designated as the end point of the guideline is configured to correspond to the size of the tape stored in the label creating apparatus 2 connected to the PC 3. Has been.

  This makes it easy to create an image of the arrange text object corresponding to the size of the tape.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an indicator display column included in the attribute setting screen of the arrange text setting screen according to another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the indicator 72 is displayed in the indicator display column 71. However, in the case of a linear indicator, a slider as shown in FIG. 13 may be used instead of the indicator. The start position and end position of the range setting line 74 in the indicator 72 correspond to the left and right knobs 101 and 101 in the slider 100, respectively. The operation method does not change, and the start position of the text arrangement range can be changed by dragging and dropping the left knob 101 with the mouse 15, and the end position of the text arrangement range can be changed by dragging and dropping the right knob 101. .

  In addition, by dragging and dropping a portion between the left and right knobs 101, 101 (filled portion in FIG. 13), the positions of the left and right knobs 101, 101 are simultaneously moved while maintaining the distance between the left and right knobs 101, 101. Can be made. When the left and right knobs 101 are operated to set the range of the text of the arrangement text to be unreadable, the portion between the left and right knobs 101 and 101 (the filled portion in FIG. 13) blinks. It is configured. Or you may change to the color different from usual instead of the blink of the part.

  When an operation is performed on an arrange text object so that the image becomes unreadable, it may be determined that the operation has been performed up to the barely legible position, and the image of the arrange text object may be displayed and updated. .

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of PC3. It is an image figure of the label edit screen of a label edit application. It is an image figure of the attribute setting screen of arrange text. It is an image figure of the text input screen of arrangement text. It is an image figure which shows a part of attribute setting screen of an arrangement text. It is a contrast diagram of the text arrangement | positioning range in case a guideline is a straight line, and the arrangement result of a text. It is a contrast diagram of the text arrangement | positioning range in case a guideline is a circle, and the arrangement result of a text. It is an image figure of the arrange text object in a label edit screen. It is a flowchart which shows an arrangement text setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an arrangement text change process. It is a flowchart which shows a character readable / unreadable determination process. It is an image figure of the indicator display column with which the attribute text setting screen of arrange text in other embodiments is provided. This is an image of an arrange text object when the text layout range is set narrow.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing System 2 Label Making Device 3 PC
11 CPU
13 Monitor 15 Mouse 21 ROM
22 RAM
25 HDD
28 Label editing program storage area 29 Program related information storage area 51 Label editing screen 54, 90 Arrange text object 60 Arrange text setting screen 71 Indicator display field 72 Indicator 73 Scale 74 Range setting line 80 Sample display field 91 Guideline 93 Handle

Claims (26)

Display means for displaying characters and images;
Input means with a pointing device;
A character string arrangement pattern having a reference line connecting the first start point and the first end point, and a modification pattern in which the character arranged on the reference line is modified according to the position where the character is arranged is stored. Character string arrangement pattern storage means for
Second start point specifying means for specifying a second start point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means;
Second end point specifying means for specifying a second end point on the reference line;
A character string image creating means for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section between the second start point and the second end point in the reference line;
A character string image display area provided in the display means for displaying the character string image;
In an image editing apparatus comprising display control means for controlling the character string image to be displayed in the character string image display area,
Third starting point acquisition means for obtaining a position of a third starting point corresponding to the second starting point on a predetermined corresponding line corresponding to the reference line;
Third end point acquisition means for obtaining a position of a third end point corresponding to the second end point in the corresponding line;
Index image creating means for creating an index image having the corresponding line, the third start point, and the third end point;
An indicator image display area provided on the display means for displaying the indicator image;
The second starting point designating means is
Third start point moving means for moving the third start point of the index image displayed in the index image display area by dragging on the corresponding line with a pointing device;
Second starting point acquisition means for obtaining a position of a second starting point corresponding to the third starting point moved by the third starting point moving means;
The second end point designating means is
Third end point moving means for moving the third end point of the index image displayed in the index image display area by dragging on the corresponding line with a pointing device;
Second end point obtaining means for obtaining a position of a second end point corresponding to the third end point moved by the third end point moving means;
The display control means updates the display of the character string image in the character string image display area by moving the third start point by the third start point moving means or by moving the third end point by the third end point moving means. An image editing apparatus characterized by that. Determination means for determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible,
The display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display update of the character string image is not performed.   When the display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means 3. The image editing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an error display is performed.   4. The error display is a blinking display of a section between a third start point and a third end point in a corresponding line of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Image editing device.   The error display is characterized in that a display color of a section sandwiched between a third start point and a third end point in a corresponding line of the index image displayed in the index image display area is set to a color different from a normal color. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3. An operation point drag means for dragging an arbitrary operation point on a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point of the index image corresponding line displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line by a pointing device;
The path length on the corresponding line between the third start point before movement of the operation point by the operation point drag means and the third end point before movement, and the third start point and the movement after movement of the operation point by the operation point drag means Third start point end point moving means for moving the third start point and the third end point so that the path length on the corresponding line with the subsequent third end point becomes equal;
The display control means updates the display of the character string image in the character string image display area by moving the third start point and the third end point accompanying the dragging of the operation point by the operation point drag means. Item 6. The image editing device according to any one of Items 1 to 5.   In the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area, the third start point and the third end point are the start point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first start point and the corresponding line corresponding to the first end point. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image editing apparatus is arranged in a section between end points.   The size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point is the printing device connected to the image editing device. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image editing apparatus corresponds to a size of a print medium stored in the printer. Display means for displaying characters and images;
Input means with a pointing device;
A character string arrangement pattern having a reference line connecting the first start point and the first end point, and a modification pattern in which the character arranged on the reference line is modified according to the position where the character is arranged is stored. Character string arrangement pattern storage means for
Second start point specifying means for specifying a second start point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means;
Second end point specifying means for specifying a second end point on the reference line;
A character string image creating means for creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section between the second start point and the second end point in the reference line;
A character string image display area provided in the display means for displaying the character string image;
In an image editing apparatus comprising display control means for controlling the character string image to be displayed in the character string image display area,
The display control means displays the second start point and the second end point in the character string image display area,
The second start point specifying means includes second start point moving means for moving the second start point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on the reference line with a pointing device,
The second end point specifying means includes second end point moving means for moving the second end point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on the reference line with a pointing device,
The display control means updates the display of the character string image in the character string image display area by moving the second start point by the second start point moving means or by moving the second end point by the second end point moving means. An image editing apparatus characterized by that. Determination means for determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible,
The display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display of the character string image is not updated.   When the display control means determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination means when the second start point is specified by the second start point specifying means or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying means 11. The image editing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an error display is performed.   In the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display area, the second start point and the second end point are arranged in a section between the first start point and the first end point. An image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11.   The size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area when the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point is the printing device connected to the image editing device. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image editing apparatus corresponds to a size of a print medium stored in the printer. In an image editing program that causes a computer to create and edit a character string image,
A character string arrangement pattern having a reference line connecting the first start point and the first end point, and a modification pattern in which the character arranged on the reference line is modified according to the position where the character is arranged is stored. A second starting point designating step of designating a second starting point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means
A second end point specifying step of specifying a second end point on the reference line;
A character string image creating step of creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section between the second start point and the second end point in the reference line;
In an image editing program comprising: a display step of displaying the character string image created by the character string image creation step in a character string image display area provided in a display means;
A third starting point acquisition step of obtaining a position of a third starting point corresponding to the second starting point on a predetermined corresponding line corresponding to the reference line;
A third end point obtaining step of obtaining a position of a third end point corresponding to the second end point in the corresponding line;
An index image creating step of creating an index image having the corresponding line, the third start point, and the third end point;
The second starting point designation step includes
A third start point moving step of moving the third start point of the index image displayed in the index image display area provided in the display means by dragging on the corresponding line with a pointing device;
A second start point obtaining step for obtaining a position of a second start point corresponding to the third start point moved by the third start point moving step;
The second end point designation step includes:
A third end point moving step of moving by dragging the third end point of the index image displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line with a pointing device;
A second end point obtaining step for obtaining a position of a second end point corresponding to the third end point moved by the third end point moving step;
In the display step, when the third start point is moved by the third start point moving step, or when the third end point is moved by the third end point moving step, the character string image is displayed in the character string image display area. An image editing program characterized by updating the display. A determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible,
When the display step determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination step when the second start point is specified by the second start point specification step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specification step 15. The image editing program according to claim 14, wherein display update of the character string image is not performed.   When the display step determines that the character string image is not readable by the determining step when the second starting point is specified by the second starting point specifying step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying step, 16. The image editing program according to claim 15, wherein an error display is performed.   The error display is a blinking display of a section between a third start point and a third end point in a corresponding line of the index image displayed in the index image display area. Image editing program.   The error display is characterized in that a display color of a section sandwiched between a third start point and a third end point in a corresponding line of the index image displayed in the index image display area is set to a color different from a normal color. The image editing program according to claim 16. An operation point drag step of dragging an arbitrary operation point on a section sandwiched between the third start point and the third end point of the index image corresponding lines displayed in the index image display area on the corresponding line by a pointing device;
The path length on the corresponding line between the third start point before movement of the operation point by the operation point drag step and the third end point before movement, the third start point after movement of the operation point by the operation point drag step, and the third point after movement. A third start point end point moving step of moving the third start point and the third end point so that the path length on the corresponding line with the three end points becomes equal;
The display step includes updating the display of the character string image in the character string image display region by moving a third start point and a third end point associated with dragging the operation point in the operation point drag step. The image editing program according to any one of 14 to 18.   In the index image displayed as an initial state in the index image display area, the third start point and the third end point are the start point of the corresponding line corresponding to the first start point and the corresponding line corresponding to the first end point. The image editing program according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the image editing program is arranged in a section between end points.   When the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed. 21. The image editing program according to claim 14, wherein the image editing program corresponds to a size of a print medium stored in the storage medium. In an image editing program that causes a computer to create and edit a character string image,
A character string arrangement pattern having a reference line connecting the first start point and the first end point, and a modification pattern in which the character arranged on the reference line is modified according to the position where the character is arranged is stored. A second starting point designating step of designating a second starting point on the reference line of the character string arrangement pattern stored in the character string arrangement pattern storage means
A second end point specifying step of specifying a second end point on the reference line;
A character string image creating step of creating a character string image when a predetermined character string is arranged in a section between the second start point and the second end point in the reference line;
In an image editing program comprising: a display step of displaying the character string image created by the character string image creation step in a character string image display area provided in a display means;
The second start point designating step includes a second start point moving step of moving the second start point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on the reference line with a pointing device,
The second end point specifying step includes a second end point moving step of moving the second end point displayed in the character string image display area by dragging on the reference line with a pointing device,
In the display step, when the second start point is moved by the second start point moving step, or when the second end point is moved by the second end point moving step, the character string image is displayed in the character string image display area. An image editing program characterized by updating the display. A determination step of determining whether or not the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is legible,
When the display step determines that the character string image is not readable by the determination step when the second start point is specified by the second start point specification step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specification step The image editing program according to claim 22, wherein display update of the character string image is not performed.   When the display step determines that the character string image is not readable by the determining step when the second starting point is specified by the second starting point specifying step or when the second end point is specified by the second end point specifying step, 24. The image editing program according to claim 23, wherein an error is displayed.   In the character string image displayed as an initial state in the character string image display area, the second start point and the second end point are arranged in a section between the first start point and the first end point. An image editing program according to any one of claims 22 to 24.   When the second start point is designated as the first start point and the second end point is designated as the first end point, the size of the character string image displayed in the character string image display area is the printing apparatus on which the character string image is printed. The image editing program according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the image editing program corresponds to a size of a print medium stored in the storage medium.