JP6844567B2 - Editing method, editing program and editing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an editing method, an editing program, and an editing device for editing the arrangement of characters and the like on a label created by a printing device.

A printing device that prints on a long printing tape to create a label is known. The label can be attached to an object to be attached having a curved surface having various diameters, such as a columnar pipe. Patent Document 1 discloses a display technique for a display panel having a curved surface. The above display technology displays an image that does not give a sense of discomfort to the user by displaying the image data prepared on the condition that it is displayed on a flat surface based on the corrected image data that has been subjected to a predetermined correction. .. In order to properly correct such data, it is necessary to acquire the three-dimensional features of the object to which the label is attached. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for calculating the contour line of a measurement object based on the point cloud data of the measurement object.

JP-A-2002-6797 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-13660

Since a lot of data processing is required to acquire the three-dimensional characteristics of the object to be labeled based on the above calculation technique, the above calculation is performed, for example, when a printing device having limited functions is used. There is a problem that it may not be suitable for mounting the technology.

An object of the present invention is to provide an editing method, an editing program, and an editing device capable of improving the visibility of printed contents of a label without requiring complicated processing.

The editing method according to the first aspect of the present invention is a method for editing the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters, the diameter of the object to be attached, and the label. Width, text information indicating text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, text size at which the text is printed on the label, and lines of the text lined up in the extending direction of the width of the label. The acquisition step for acquiring the first information including the number of lines of text indicating the number of lines of text and each of the lines of text are described so that the width of the label extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the object to be attached. When the label is affixed to the affixed object, the front area of the label corresponding to the front position of the side surface of the affixed object, or the back side of the affixed object with respect to the front position. Which of the separated areas corresponding to the separated positions is to be arranged is based on at least one of the width of the label, the text size and the number of lines of the text, and the diameter of the object to be attached, among the first information. A determination step for determining the shape of the text, a correction step for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region in the determination step, and an arrangement in the front region of the label. It includes a display step for displaying a print image of the label including the text, which is arranged in the separation region of the text and the label and whose shape has been corrected in the correction step, on a display unit for displaying information.

The editing method according to the first aspect of the present invention determines whether each of the lines of text printed on the label is arranged in the front area or the separation area of the label based on the first information acquired in the acquisition step. decide. In the correction step, the shape of the text constituting the line of text arranged in the separated area of the label is corrected. Therefore, when the object to be affixed with the label is viewed from the front, not only the visibility of the text arranged in the front area of the label but also the visibility of the text arranged in the separated area of the label is sufficiently high. It becomes a thing. Therefore, the editing method according to the first aspect of the present invention can improve the visibility of the printed content of the label without requiring complicated processing.

The editing program according to the second aspect of the present invention is an editing program for editing the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters, and is an editing program for editing the printed content of the object to be attached. The diameter, the width of the label, the text information indicating the text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, the text size in which the text is printed on the label, and the line of the text is the width of the label. The width of the label extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the sticking object in each of the acquisition step for acquiring the first information including the number of text lines indicating the number of lines of text arranged in the extending direction and the lines of the text. When the label is affixed to the affixed object in this way, the front area of the label corresponding to the front position of the side surface of the affixed object, or the affixed object rather than the front position. Of the first information, at least one of the width of the label, the text size, and the number of lines of the text, and the object to be attached are determined in which of the separation regions correspond to the positions separated on the back side of the label. A determination step determined based on the diameter, a correction step for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region in the determination step, and the front region of the label. A display step for displaying a print image of the label including the text arranged in the text and the text arranged in the separation region of the label and having the shape corrected in the correction step on a display unit displaying information. , Let the computer do it.

By executing the editing program according to the second aspect of the present invention by a computer, the visibility of the printed content of the label is improved without requiring complicated processing.

The editing device according to the third aspect of the present invention is an editing device that edits the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters, and has the diameter of the object to be attached. The width of the label, text information indicating text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, the text size at which the text is printed on the label, and the direction in which the lines of the text extend the width of the label. The acquisition means for acquiring the first information including the number of lines of text indicating the number of lines of text lined up in, and each of the lines of text so that the width of the label extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the object to be attached. When the label is affixed to the affixed object, the front area of the label corresponding to the front position of the side surface of the affixed object, or the back surface of the affixed object rather than the front position. In the first information, at least one of the width of the label, the text size, and the number of lines of text, and the diameter of the object to be attached are determined as to which of the separation regions corresponds to the positions separated on the side. A determination means determined based on the above, a correction means for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region by the determination means, and an arrangement in the separation region of the label. It is provided with a display means for displaying a print image of the label including the text and the text which is arranged in the front area of the label and whose shape is corrected by the correction means on a display unit for displaying information.

By editing the printed content of the label by the editing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the visibility of the printed content of the label is improved without requiring complicated processing.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the printing system 1. It is a figure which shows the window 6A. It is a figure which shows the window 6A and the sub-window 6B. It is a figure which shows the window 6A and the preview window 6C. It is a figure which shows the definition table 80. It is a figure which shows the print image 67A-67C. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of the arrangement determination process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the arrangement determination process of 2nd Embodiment.

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The outline of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1 includes a printing device 4 and a PC 5. The printing device 4 is a tape printer that prints on a tape that is a printing medium. The tape has a long shape, and the thermal paper is attached to the release paper by an adhesive. A roll around which the tape is wound is attached to the printing apparatus 4. The printing device 4 feeds out the tape from the mounted roll, forms a plurality of dots on the tape by the thermal head 48, and executes printing. Further, the printing device 4 cuts the printed tape by the cutting portion 50. As a result, the printing device 4 can create a label on which characters, symbols, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as "text") are printed on the tape. Hereinafter, the text to be printed on the label is referred to as "print text". The PC 5 is a general-purpose personal computer. The printing device 4 and the PC 5 are connected via a cable 3 and can communicate with each other.

The PC 5 can execute the editing / displaying program described later. When the edit / display program is executed, the PC5 can edit the print text. Further, the PC 5 displays a print image 67 (see FIG. 4) of the label created by the printing device 4 based on the editing result on the display screen of the display unit 57. Further, the PC 5 can create print data for causing the printing device 4 to execute printing and transmit the print data to the printing device 4 via the cable 3. The printing device 4 creates a label corresponding to the print image 67 by executing printing based on the print data transmitted from the PC 5.

The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 4 will be described. The printing device 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a flash memory 43, an EEPROM 44, a communication unit 45, an input unit 46, a display unit 47, a thermal head 48, a roller 49, and a cutting unit 50. The CPU 41 controls the printing device 4. The CPU 41 is electrically connected to a RAM 42, a flash memory 43, an EEPROM 44, a communication unit 45, an input unit 46, a display unit 47, a thermal head 48, a roller 49, and a cutting unit 50. The RAM 42 stores various temporary data. The flash memory 43 stores a program executed by the CPU 41 to control the printing device 4 and print data received from the PC 5. In the EEPROM 44, print dot pattern data for printing print text is classified and stored for each typeface and size. The communication unit 45 is a controller for executing communication with the PC 5. The input unit 46 is a keyboard. The display unit 47 is an LCD. The thermal head 48 generates heat in response to a signal from the CPU 41 and prints on the tape. The roller 49 is a tape feed roller that feeds tape.

The cutting portion 50 includes a cutter provided in a movable cutter holder, and cuts a tape on which print text is printed by the cutter. The cutting portion 50 is a full cut that completely divides the tape by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the cutter with respect to the cutter holder, or divides the thermal paper in the tape and does not divide a part or all of the release paper without making a cut. Cut the tape using one of the half-cut methods.

The electrical configuration of the PC 5 will be described. The PC 5 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, an HDD 54, a communication unit 55, an input unit 56, a display unit 57, and a drive device 58. The CPU 51 controls the PC 5. The CPU 51 is electrically connected to the RAM 52, the ROM 53, the HDD 54, the communication unit 55, the input unit 56, the display unit 57, and the drive device 58. The RAM 52 stores various temporary data. The ROM 53 stores the BIOS and the like. The HDD 54 stores an edit / display program executed by the CPU 51 to control the PC 5, a definition table 80 (see FIG. 5) described later, and an OS. The communication unit 55 is a controller for executing communication with the printing device 4. Although not shown in detail, the input unit 56 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch pad. The display unit 57 is an LCD. The drive device 58 can read information stored in a computer-readable storage medium 58A such as a semiconductor memory or an optical disk. The CPU 51 can read the edit / display program and the definition table 80 stored in the storage medium 58A by the drive device 58 and store them in the HDD 54.

An outline of the editing / displaying application executed by the PC 5 (see FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. When an instruction to start editing the print text is input via the input unit 56 (see FIG. 1), the edit / display application uses the CPU 51 to store the edit / display program stored in the HDD 54 (see FIG. 1). (See FIG. 1) is started by executing. FIG. 2 shows a window 6A displayed on the display screen of the display unit 57 (see FIG. 1) when the edit / display application is started. Window 6A has regions 61, 62, 63, 64.

The area 61 is an area for setting the printing apparatus and the label to be created. The area 61 is provided with selection fields 61A, 61B, 61C and the like. In the selection field 61A, the type of the printing device 4 (see FIG. 1) connected to the PC 5 can be selected. In the selection field 61B, the label width and label length of the label to be created can be selected. The label length corresponds to the length of the tape in the longitudinal direction. The label width corresponds to the length in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the length direction of the tape. For example, the label width may be selected to have the same dimension as the width of the tape attached to the printing device 4, and the label length may be selected according to the length of the printed text. The selection field 61C is selected when information such as the width of the tape attached to the printing device 4 is acquired from the printing device 4.

The area 62 is an area for inputting the diameter of the object to be attached when creating a label for attaching to a columnar object to be attached such as a pipe. An input field 62A is provided in the area 62. In the input field 62A, the diameter of the object to be attached can be input.

The area 63 is an area for editing the layout of the printed text on the label. A label image 63A showing the outer shape of the label is displayed in the area 63. An editing area frame 63B is arranged in the label image 63A. The print text is inserted into the editing area frame 63B via the input unit 56. The printing device 4 creates a label by printing the print text inserted in the editing area frame 63B on the tape.

In the editing area frame 63B, print text arranged horizontally in the left-right direction along the label length can be arranged in a plurality of lines from one side (upper side of the label) to the other side (lower side of the label) of the label width. In the following, each line of printed text lined up in the label width is referred to as "text line", and the number of text lines lined up in the label width is referred to as "number of text lines". The lines of text are centered (centered) in the label width. In the present embodiment, when the label on which the printed text is printed is attached to the side surface of the columnar object to be attached, the label length is arranged along the extending direction of the object to be attached with respect to the side surface of the object to be attached. However, it is assumed that the label width is arranged along the circumferential direction of the object to be attached. Therefore, with the label attached to the side surface of the object to be attached, the printed text is arranged so as to extend in the extending direction of the object to be attached, and the text lines are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the object to be attached. Further, in the editing area frame 63B, there are a plurality of text sizes, which are the sizes of characters and symbols of the printed text printed on the label (in the present embodiment, "large", "medium", and "small". You can specify any of the streets). The text size "large" is, for example, a font size of 11 points or more. The text size "medium" is, for example, a font size larger than 5 points and smaller than 11 points. The text size "small" is, for example, a font size of 5 points or less.

In the area 64, a plurality of operation buttons for giving various instructions regarding the window 6A are displayed. The plurality of operation buttons include a print button 64A that is selected when instructing the start of printing by the printing device 4.

FIG. 3 shows a sub-window 6B displayed on the display screen when the print button 64A is selected in the window 6A. Subwindow 6B has regions 65,66. In the area 65, setting fields 65A to 65C in which setting information when printing is executed by the printing device 4 can be set are displayed. The setting fields 65A to 65C correspond to each setting item of the number of copies to be printed (setting field 65A), cut setting (half cut) (setting field 65B), and cut setting (full cut) (setting field 65C), respectively. The setting field 65A (number of copies to print) defines the number of copies of the label created by the printing device 4. The setting field 65B (half cut) specifies whether or not to cut the tape by half cut for each label when creating the label. The setting field 65C (full cut) specifies whether or not to cut the created label in full cut in order to separate it from the tape.

In the area 66, a plurality of operation buttons for giving various instructions regarding the sub window 6B are displayed. The plurality of display buttons include a preview button 66A selected when instructing the display of the print preview, and a print button 66B selected when instructing the start of printing by the printing device 4.

FIG. 4 shows a preview window 6C displayed on the display screen instead of the sub window 6B when the preview button 66A (see FIG. 3) is selected in the sub window 6B. In the preview window 6C, by displaying the print image 67 of the label, the user is made to recognize how the print text is printed on the tape by the printing device 4 to create the label. The print image 67 is identified based on the print text inserted in the editing area frame 63B (see FIG. 2) of the label image 63A (see FIG. 2) in the window 6A (see FIG. 2). The print image 67 includes a frame line F1 having a rectangular shape. The size of the border F1 is determined according to the label width and the label length selected in the selection field 61B of the window 6A (see FIG. 2). The preview window 6C further includes an OK button 70 that is selected when the display is terminated.

The definition table 80 stored in the HDD 54 of the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The definition table 80 is a data table that defines a plurality of patterns of input information and text line arrangement information in association with each other. The input information includes the object diameter, label width, text size, and number of lines of text. The object diameter is the diameter of the object to which the label to be created is to be attached, and is input to the PC 5 via the input field 62A in the area 62 of the editing / display application. The label width, text size, and number of lines of text are input to the PC 5 via the edit area frame 63B in the area 63 of the edit / display application. The definition table 80 defines a pattern P1 in which the object diameter is "24 mm", the label width is "24 mm", the text size is "large", and the number of text lines is "3 lines" as the input information pattern. Further, the definition table 80 defines a pattern P2 in which the object diameter is "24 mm", the label width is "24 mm", the text size is "small", and the number of text lines is "3 lines". Further, the definition table 80 defines a pattern P3 in which the object diameter is "24 mm", the label width is "24 mm", the text size is "medium", and the number of text lines is "4 lines". Although not shown, it is assumed that the definition table 80 defines the corresponding text line arrangement information for a plurality of input information patterns other than the patterns P1, P2, and P3.

The text line arrangement information is information indicating in which area of the label each of the text lines of the printed text is arranged. The position of the object to be attached may be fixed in a state where the side surface of the columnar object to be attached is stretched toward an operator or the like who attaches the label to the object to be attached. In this case, among the fixed side surfaces of the object to be attached, the worker is located on the front position, which is the position closest to the operator and facing the front of the operator, and on the back side of the object to be attached with respect to the front position. There is a separated position, which is a position where the worker is arranged so as to be separated from the above and curved from the front position toward the back side of the object to be attached. In the present embodiment, the operator arranges the central portion of the label width at the front position on the side surface of the object to be affixed, arranges the upper and lower end portions of the label width at separate positions, and attaches the label to the object to be affixed. It is supposed to be attached to the side of.

As shown in FIG. 6, the editing / displaying application defines a region of the label extending along the longitudinal direction of the label at the center of the label width as the "front region 671" of the label. Further, the editing / display application defines an area extending on the upper and lower end sides of the label width from the front area 671 as a "separation area 672,673" of the label. That is, the front area 671 of the label is an area of the label to be attached corresponding to the front position of the object to be attached. The separation areas 672 and 673 of the label are areas of the label to be attached corresponding to the separation positions of the objects to be attached. Each of the separation area 672, the front area 671 and the separation area 673 is arranged in this order so as to divide the area in the label into substantially three equal parts from the upper side to the lower side of the label width.

The definition table 80 defines in the text line arrangement information whether each of the text lines of the printed text is arranged in the front area 671 or the separated area 672, 673. Specifically, the text line arrangement information associated with the input information of the pattern P1 includes the text line of the "2" line in the front area 671 and the text line of the "1" line in the separation area 672. It is defined that the text line of the "3rd" line is arranged in the separation area 673. In the text line arrangement information corresponding to the pattern P1, the text lines arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673 are defined as "1,3". This is done by arranging the text line of the "1" line with the smaller number in the upper separation area 672 and the text line of the "3" line with the larger number on the lower side with the "," as the boundary. It means that it is arranged in the separation region 673 of. FIG. 6A shows a print image 67A of the label in the case of the pattern P1 among the print images 67.

In the definition table 80, the text line arrangement information associated with the input information of the pattern P2 is such that all the text lines of the first to third lines are arranged in the front area 671 and the text lines are arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673. Is not placed (indicated by "-"). FIG. 6B shows a print image 67B of the label in the case of the pattern P2 among the print images 67. The text line arrangement information associated with the input information of the pattern P3 includes the text lines of the "2" line and the "3" line in the front area 671 and the text line of the "1" line in the separation area 672. , It is defined that the text line of the "4th" line is arranged in the separation area 673. FIG. 6C shows a print image 67C of the label in the case of the pattern P3 among the print images 67.

Since the printed text arranged in the front area 671 is arranged at the front position of the object to be attached, the visibility of the characters and the like of the printed text is unlikely to deteriorate when the label is attached to the object to be attached. On the other hand, the printed texts arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 are arranged at the separation positions of the attachment object with the label attached to the attachment object. When the label attached to the object to be attached is viewed from the front position of the object to be attached, the printed text arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 is curved and distorted from the front position toward the back side of the object to be attached. , The visibility may be reduced. Specifically, the printed text arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 appears to be shrunk when the label is viewed from the front position of the object to be affixed. The editing / display application corrects the shape of the text constituting the printed text arranged in the separated regions 672 and 673, thereby suppressing a decrease in the visibility of the printed text in the separated regions 672 and 673. In the present embodiment, correction is performed to change the shape of the text in the printed text arranged in the separation regions 672 and 673 from the original shape to a shape extended by a predetermined amount in a direction parallel to the label width (orthogonal direction of the tape). (See FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (C)).

The main process executed by the CPU 51 of the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the main process, when the preview button 66A (see FIG. 3) is selected while the sub window 6B (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 57, the CPU 51 executes the edit / display program stored in the HDD 54. Started by running.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the main process is started, the CPU 51 acquires the input information (S11). Specifically, the CPU 51 acquires the label width set in the selection field 61B (see FIG. 2) in the area 61 (see FIG. 2) of the window 6A (see FIG. 2). Further, the CPU 51 acquires the object diameter input in the input field 62A (see FIG. 2) in the area 62 (see FIG. 2) of the window 6A. Further, the CPU 51 acquires the text information, the text size, and the number of text lines based on the print text inserted in the edit area frame 63B (see FIG. 2) in the area 63 (see FIG. 2) of the window 6A. The text information is information indicating which character or symbol the text constituting the printed text is.

The CPU 51 performs an arrangement determination process (S12). The arrangement determination process is a process for determining the arrangement of text lines on the label. The details of the arrangement determination process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 51 determines whether the number of text lines is more than 2 (whether the number of text lines is more than 2 lines) based on the input information (S21). When the number of text lines is more than 2 (S21: YES), the CPU 51 refers to the definition table 80 (S22). The CPU 51 determines whether the pattern of the input information corresponding to the combination of the object diameter, the label width, the text size, and the number of text lines included in the input information is in the definition table 80 (S23). When the input information pattern corresponding to the combination of the object diameter, the label width, the text size, and the number of text lines is in the definition table 80 (S23: YES), the CPU 51 is associated with the corresponding input information pattern. Acquire text line arrangement information (S25). The CPU 51 returns the process to the main process (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, when the number of text lines is 2 or less (S21: NO), the CPU 51 arranges the printed text based on the text information on the label according to the text size and the number of text lines indicated by the input information (S26). At this time, the CPU 51 evenly arranges the printed text in the center, regardless of the front area 671 and the separation area 672, 673 of the label. Further, the CPU 51 also processes S26 when the definition table 80 does not have a pattern of input information corresponding to the combination of the object diameter, the label width, the text size, and the number of text lines included in the input information (S23: NO). I do. The CPU 51 shifts the processing to S16 (see FIG. 7). By specifying and defining the case where the correction of the text shape is necessary in the definition table 80, the processing of S13 and S15 (see FIG. 7) described later when the correction of the text shape is not necessary is reduced. However, the processing load of the CPU 51 is reduced.

Returning to the description of FIG. The CPU 51 determines whether or not there is a text line determined to be arranged in the separation area 672 or 673 in the arrangement determination process (S12) (S13). For example, when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the pattern P2 defined in the definition table 80 (see FIG. 5), the text line determined to be arranged in the separation area 672, 673 is the text line. There will be no. When there is no text line determined to be arranged in the separation area 672, 673 (S13: NO), the CPU 51 shifts the process to S16.

On the other hand, for example, when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the pattern P1 or the pattern P3 defined in the definition table 80, the text line determined to be arranged in the separation area 672, 673 is There will be. When there is a text line determined to be arranged in the separated area 672,673 (S13: YES), the CPU 51 performs a process of correcting the shape of the text constituting the text line arranged in the separated area 672,673. (S15). In this process, the CPU 51 extends the shape of the text constituting the text lines arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 from the original shape in a direction parallel to the label width (orthogonal direction of the tape) by a predetermined amount. change. The CPU 51 shifts the process to S16.

The CPU 51 displays the print image 67 (see FIG. 4) when the print text is printed on the label in the preview window 6C (see FIG. 4) on the display screen of the display unit 57 (S16). When the text shape correction processing is performed by the processing of S15 for the text lines determined to be arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 by the arrangement determination processing (S12), the CPU 51 prints after the correction processing. Image 67 is displayed in the preview window 6C. The CPU 51 adds a mark 67M (see FIG. 8) indicating the center position in the width direction of the label to the print image 67 displayed in the preview window 6C (S18). The CPU 51 ends the main process.

With reference to FIG. 6, when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the patterns P1 to P3 defined in the definition table 80, the print images 67A and 67B displayed in the preview window 6C by S16 and S18. , 67C will be described in detail.

FIG. 6A shows a print image 67A of the label when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the pattern P1. In the pattern P1, the first line of the printed text is arranged in the separated area 672, the second line of text is arranged in the front area 671, and the third line of text is arranged in the separated area 673. Regarding the second text line arranged in the front area 671, when the label is attached to the object to be attached, it is arranged at the front position of the object to be attached, so that the shape of the text remains the original shape. And the text shape is not corrected. For the first line of text arranged in the separation area 672 and the third line of text arranged in the separation area 673, the shape of the text is extended by a predetermined amount by S15. As a result, the print image 67A in which the visibility of each of the text lines arranged in the front area 671 and the separation area 672 and 673 is guaranteed is shown. The degree to which the shape of the text is stretched may be appropriately set in advance according to the visibility of the text arranged in the separation regions 672 and 673 with the label attached to the object to be attached. Since the print image 67A shows the image of the label after the shape of the text arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 is corrected, the user can recognize the image of the label created by the printing device 4.

A mark 67M indicating the center position in the width direction of the label is added to the print image 67A. Therefore, the print image 67A can clearly indicate to the operator who attaches the label which position of the label should be attached according to the front position of the object to be attached. The mark 67M is added to any print image 67 including the print images 67A to 67C.

FIG. 6B shows a print image 67B of the label when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the pattern P2. In the pattern P2, since the text size is "small", all three lines of text can be arranged side by side in the front area 671 of the label. In such a case, the visibility of the printed text is ensured without arranging the text lines in the separated areas 672 and 673. Therefore, the text line arrangement information corresponding to the pattern P2 defines that all the text lines of the first to third lines are arranged in the front area 671 and the text lines are not arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673. .. Therefore, by arranging all three lines of text side by side in the front area 671 of the label, the printed image 67B in which the visibility of the printed text is well maintained is shown.

FIG. 6C shows a print image 67C of the label when the pattern of the input information acquired in S11 corresponds to the pattern P3. In the pattern P3, since the text size is "medium", two lines of text can be arranged in the front area 671. Therefore, as for the text line arrangement information corresponding to the pattern P3, the second and third lines of text are arranged in the front area 671, the first line of text is arranged in the separation area 672, and four lines are arranged in the separation area 673. Defines the placement of each eye text line. The shape of the text constituting the first line of text arranged in the separation area 672 and the text line of the fourth line arranged in the separation area 673 is corrected, and the text line arranged in the front area 671 is corrected. Not done. As a result, the print image 67C in which the visibility of any of the text lines arranged in the front area 671 and the separation area 672 and 673 is guaranteed is shown.

For example, if the label width of the label is significantly smaller than the object diameter, the operator can attach the entire label to the front position of the object to be attached. In such a case, even if all the text lines of the printed text printed on the label are evenly arranged on the label, the visibility of the entire printed text is not deteriorated. Therefore, the definition table 80 does not define the input information pattern when the label width of the label is significantly smaller than the object diameter. Further, for example, when the label width of the label is significantly larger than the diameter of the object and the number of text lines is very large, the label attached to the object to be attached is closer to the upper and lower ends of the label width. The text line placed at the above position wraps around the distance position of the object to be attached. In this case, since the entire printed text is not visible when the label is viewed from the front position of the object to be attached, it is difficult to improve the visibility of the entire printed text even if the arrangement of the text lines is devised. Therefore, the definition table 80 does not define the input information pattern when the label width of the label is significantly larger than the object diameter and the number of text lines is very large. As described above, the editing / display application reduces the processing load of the CPU 51 by not defining the input information pattern that does not require the text line to be arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673 in the definition table 80.

As described above, the editing / displaying application of the PC 5 edits the print text printed on the label in order to create a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached such as a pipe. Based on the input information acquired in the process of S11, the CPU 51 performs an arrangement determination process of determining whether to arrange the text line in the front area 671 of the label or the separation area 672, 673 (S12). The input information includes the object diameter, label width, text size, and number of lines of text. The CPU 51 performs a correction process of changing the shape of the text constituting the text line determined to be arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673 from the original shape to a shape extended by a predetermined amount (S15). As a result, the shape of the printed text arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673 is suppressed from appearing to be shrunk when viewed from the front position of the object to be attached, and the printed text arranged in the separated areas 672 and 673 is suppressed. Visibility is maintained. Therefore, the CPU 51 does not require complicated processing for acquiring the three-dimensional feature of the label sticking object, and the printed text printed on the label for sticking to the columnar sticking object such as a pipe. Visibility can be improved.

The CPU 51 aligns the text line at the center position of the label width (centered). Therefore, the visibility of the printed text when the object to be affixed with the label is viewed from the front position is maintained.

The CPU 51 refers to the definition table 80 in the arrangement determination process, and determines whether the definition table 80 has a pattern of input information corresponding to a combination of the object diameter, the label width, the text size, and the number of text lines included in the input information. Judgment (S23). When the input information pattern is in the definition table 80 (S23: YES), the CPU 51 acquires the text line arrangement information associated with the corresponding input information pattern (S25). Since the CPU 51 determines whether to arrange the text line in the front area 671 or the separated area 672, 673 of the label based on the acquired text line arrangement information, it is possible to quickly perform the process related to the arrangement of the text line. it can.

The CPU 51 adds a mark 67M indicating the center position in the width direction of the label to the print image 67 displayed in the preview window 6C (S18). Therefore, the print image 67A can clearly indicate to the operator who attaches the label which position of the label should be attached according to the front position of the object to be attached.

By executing the above editing method by the CPU 51, the visibility of the printed text printed on the label for sticking to a columnar sticking object such as a pipe is improved without requiring complicated processing.

By executing the above process, the PC 5 can improve the visibility of the printed text printed on the label to be attached to the columnar object to be attached such as a pipe without requiring a complicated process.

The input information is an example of the "first information" of the present invention. The process of S11 is an example of the "acquisition step" of the present invention. The process of S12 is an example of the "determination step" of the present invention. The process of S15 is an example of the "correction step" of the present invention. The process of S16 is an example of the "display step" of the present invention. The definition table 80 is an example of the "table" of the present invention. The process of S18 is an example of the "additional step" of the present invention.

PC5 is an example of the "editing device" of the present invention. The CPU 51 that performs the processing of S11 is an example of the "acquisition means" of the present invention. The CPU 51 that performs the processing of S12 is an example of the "determining means" of the present invention. The CPU 51 that performs the processing of S15 is an example of the "correction means" of the present invention. The CPU 51 that performs the processing of S16 is an example of the "display means" of the present invention.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, in the arrangement determination process (S12, see FIG. 7) of the main process, the arrangement of the text lines of the print text is determined without using the definition table 80. In the arrangement determination process, the same step numbers are assigned to those that perform the same process between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The details of the arrangement determination process of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 51 determines whether the number of text lines is more than 2 (whether the number of text lines is more than 2 lines) based on the input information (S21). When the number of text lines is 2 or less (S21: NO), the CPU 51 arranges the printed text based on the text information on the label according to the text size indicated by the input information and the number of text lines (S26). At this time, the CPU 51 evenly arranges the printed text in the center, regardless of the front area 671 and the separation area 672, 673 of the label. The CPU 51 shifts the processing to S16 (see FIG. 7).

When the number of text lines is more than 2 (S21: YES), the CPU 51 determines whether the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines. (S32). The vertical length of the text size is determined with the vertical length of one point font size being about 0.35 mm as a guide. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the text size "large" is a font size of 11 points or more, so that the vertical length of the text size is 3.85 mm or more. Since the font size of the text size "medium" is larger than 5 points and smaller than 11 points, the vertical length of the text size is larger than 1.75 mm and smaller than 3.85 mm. Since the text size "small" is 5 points or less, the vertical length of the text size is 1.75 mm or less.

When the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size and the number of text lines (S32: YES), the CPU 51 performs the process of S26 and then performs the process of S16. (See FIG. 7). If the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines, the area occupied by the text lines superimposed in the label width direction on the label is occupied. The length of the range is longer than the diameter of the object. In such a case, in the label attached to the object to be attached, the text line arranged at the position closer to the upper and lower ends of the label width (separation area 672, 673, see FIG. 6) is the separation of the object to be attached. It is placed around the position. Therefore, when the label is viewed from the front position of the object to be attached, the entire printed text is not visually recognized. Therefore, even if the arrangement of the text lines is devised, it is difficult to improve the visibility of the entire printed text. Therefore, the CPU 51 performs a process of determining whether to arrange the text line in the front area 671 or the separation area 672,673 (S35 described later), and corrects the shape of the text arranged in the separation area 672,673. Do not perform the process (see S15, FIG. 7). As a result, the CPU 51 reduces the processing load of the CPU 51.

When the length of the object diameter is equal to or greater than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines (S32: NO), the CPU 51 sets the length of the object diameter to a predetermined value. It is determined whether the length obtained by multiplying by is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size and the number of lines of text (S33). The predetermined value is a value greater than 0 and less than 1, and the predetermined value in the second embodiment is "0.7". The predetermined value is provided so that the length obtained by multiplying the length of the diameter of the object by the predetermined value is the same as the length of the side surface of the object to be attached in the vertical direction of the front position. The vertical length of the front position of the object to be attached is the length of the text even if the shape of the text is not corrected when the label is attached with the center of the label width aligned with the front position of the object to be attached. It corresponds to the range in which visibility is maintained (the range of the front area 671).

The CPU 51 is when the length obtained by multiplying the length of the object diameter by a predetermined value is equal to or greater than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size and the number of text lines (S33: NO). After performing the processing of S26, the processing shifts to S16 (see FIG. 7). If the length obtained by multiplying the length of the object diameter by a predetermined value is greater than or equal to the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of lines of text, in the direction of the label width in the label. The length of the range occupied by the area where the text lines are superimposed is shorter than the length of the range that can be specified as the front position on the side surface of the object to be attached. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6B, the visibility of the text is ensured by arranging all of the printed text as it is centered at the center position of the label width. Therefore, the CPU 51 does not perform the processes of S35 and S15 (see FIG. 7) described later, and reduces the processing load of the CPU 51.

When the length obtained by multiplying the length of the object diameter by a predetermined value is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size and the number of text lines (S33: YES), the CPU 51 It is determined whether the text line is arranged in the front area 671 or the separation area 672 or 673 (S35). For example, when the text size is "large", the CPU 51 arranges one line of text in the front area 671. When the text size is "medium", the CPU 51 arranges two lines of text in the front area 671. When the text size is "small", the CPU 51 arranges three lines of text in the front area 671. The CPU 51 distributes text lines other than the text lines arranged in the front area 671 so as to be evenly distributed in the separated areas 672 and 673. In this way, the CPU 51 allocates the text lines to the front area 671 and the separation areas 672 and 673, respectively. After that, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to S16 (see FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 7, in the subsequent main processing, when there is a text line determined to be arranged in the separation area 672,673 in the arrangement determination processing (S13: YES), the CPU 51 is arranged in the separation area 672,673. The shape of the text in the resulting text line is corrected (S15). The CPU 51 displays the print image 67 (see FIG. 4) in the preview window 6C (see FIG. 4) on the display screen of the display unit 57 (S16). At this time, when the shape of the text in the separated areas 672 and 673 is corrected by the process of S15, the CPU 51 displays the print image 67 reflecting the corrected contents in the preview window 6C. Further, the CPU 51 adds a mark 67M (see FIG. 8) indicating the center position in the width direction of the label to the print image 67 (S18), and ends the main process.

As described above, when the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines, the text lines are arranged side by side in the label width direction on the label. The length of the area occupied by the area is longer than the diameter of the object. In such a case, in the label attached to the object to be attached, the text line arranged at the position closer to the upper and lower ends of the label width (separation area 672, 673, see FIG. 6) of the printed text is attached. It is placed around the distance position of the object. At this time, when the label is viewed from the front position of the object to be attached, the entire printed text is not visible, and even if the arrangement of the text lines is devised, it is difficult to improve the visibility of the entire printed text. Therefore, in the arrangement determination process (S12) of the second embodiment, the CPU 51 determines that the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines (S12). S32: YES), S35 and S15 are not processed. Therefore, the processing load of the CPU 51 is reduced.

The vertical length of the front position of the object to be attached is the length of the text even if the shape of the text is not corrected when the label is attached with the center of the label width aligned with the front position of the object to be attached. It corresponds to the range in which visibility is maintained (the range of the front area 671). In the CPU 51, the length obtained by multiplying the length of the object diameter, which is a guideline for the vertical length of the front area 671, by a predetermined value, is multiplied by the vertical length of the text size and the number of text lines. It is determined whether the length is shorter than the obtained length (S33). As a result, the CPU 51 can easily determine whether or not to arrange the text lines in the separated areas 672 and 673.

If the length obtained by multiplying the length of the object diameter by a predetermined value is greater than or equal to the length obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the text size by the number of text lines, the text line in the direction of the label width. The length of the range occupied by the areas in which the labels are arranged side by side is shorter than the length of the range that can be identified as the front position of the object to be attached. In such a case, it is not necessary to arrange the text lines in the separated areas 672 and 673 because the visibility of the text is maintained by arranging all the text lines centered in the label width. In such a case (S33: NO), the CPU 51 does not perform the processes of S35 and S15. Therefore, the processing load of the CPU 51 is reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first embodiment and second embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The outer shape of the object to which the label is attached includes not only the case where it is completely cylindrical but also the case where it is substantially cylindrical. For example, the present invention can also be applied to the creation of a label to be attached to an object to be attached having an elliptical columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape having a relatively large number of strokes.

In the first embodiment, the definition table 80 associates the input information pattern P2 with the text line arrangement information in which all the text lines are arranged in the front area 671 and no text lines are arranged in the separation areas 672 and 673. ing. In the definition table 80, only the text line arrangement information for arranging the text lines in the separated areas 672 and 673 may be defined in association with the input information pattern.

Of the input information, the label width may be acquired from the printing device 4 without going through the area 61 (see FIG. 2) of the window 6A. Specifically, the printing device 4 is provided so that the width of the tape mounted on the printing device 4 in the orthogonal direction can be specified, and the CPU 51 determines the width of the tape specified by the printing device 4 in the orthogonal direction. The label width may be obtained by obtaining from the printing apparatus 4.

The vertical lengths of the front area 671 and the separation areas 672 and 673 are the lengths obtained by dividing the label width into substantially three equal parts. For example, the vertical length of the front area 671 is the separation area 672,673. It may be set to be longer or shorter than the length in the vertical direction of.

Depending on the specifications of the printing device, the text size printed on the tape may be the same. In such a case, the CPU 51 determines whether to arrange the text line in the front area 671 or the separated area 672, 673 based on at least one of the label width and the number of text lines and the object diameter. You may.

In the second embodiment, the CPU 51 may perform a process of determining whether or not the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length of the label width, instead of the determination of S32. If the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length of the label width, when multiple lines of text are placed overlapping in the direction of the label width, they are placed closer to the upper and lower edges of the label width. There is a high possibility that the text line wraps around the back side of the object to be pasted and the entire printed text cannot be seen from the front position of the object to be pasted. When the length of the object diameter is shorter than the length of the label width, the CPU 51 may not perform the processing of S35 and the processing of S15. Further, when the length of the object diameter is equal to or larger than the length of the label width, the CPU 51 may determine whether to arrange the text line in the front area 671 or the separation area 672, 673 by the process of S35. .. In this way, the CPU 51 may determine whether to perform the processing of S35 and the processing of S15 based on the label width regardless of the text size and the number of text lines.

Of the separated areas 672 and 673, the degree of extension of the text shape differs between the area on the side close to the front area 671 and the area on the side separated from the front area 671 and close to the upper end or the lower end of the label width. You may. Of the separated areas 672 and 673, the CPU 51 prefers the area on the side close to the front area 671 to the text line away from the front area 671 and close to the upper end or the lower end of the label width. By arranging the text lines, the text lines may be centered. That is, the CPU 51 may further subdivide the inside of the separation regions 672 and 673 to arrange text lines and correct the shape of the text.

Each process executed by the CPU 51 may be distributed by a plurality of electronic devices. The process executed by the CPU 51 may be executed by, for example, the CPU 41 of the printing device 4, or executed by another server connected to the network via the communication unit 45 of the printing device 4, the communication unit 55 of the PC 5, and the like. You may.

1 Printing system 4 Printing device 5 PC
51 CPU
80 Definition table 671 Front area 672,673 Separation area

Claims (9)

It is a method of editing the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters.
The diameter of the object to be attached, the width of the label, text information indicating a text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, the text size in which the text is printed on the label, and the line of the text. The acquisition step of acquiring the first information including the number of text lines indicating the number of lines of text arranged in the extending direction of the label width, and the acquisition step.
When the label is attached to the affixed object so that the width of each of the lines of the text extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the affixed object, the affixed object of the label is said to have the same label. In the first information, whether to arrange in the front area corresponding to the front position of the side surface or the separation area corresponding to the position separated from the front position to the back side of the sticking object is determined. , A determination step determined based on at least one of the label width, the text size and the number of lines of text, and the diameter of the object to be affixed.
A correction step for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region in the determination step, and a correction step.
A print image of the text arranged in the front area of the label and the label including the text arranged in the separation area of the label and whose shape has been corrected in the correction step is displayed on a display unit for displaying information. An editing method characterized by having a display step to display. According to claim 1, the arrangement of the lines of text determined in the determination step is centered so that the lines of text arranged in the front area are centered in the width direction of the label. How to edit the description. When the length of the diameter of the object to be attached is shorter than the length obtained by multiplying the text size by the number of text lines, the claim is characterized in that the lines of the text are not arranged by the determination step. Item 2. The editing method according to item 1 or 2. In the determination step, the line to be arranged in the front area and the line to be arranged in the separation area among the lines of the text are at least the width of the label, the text size, and the number of lines of the text in the first information. The editing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement of the lines of the text is determined by referring to any of the tables defined in association with the diameter of the object to be attached. .. In the determination step, the length obtained by multiplying the length of the diameter of the object to be attached by a predetermined value larger than 0 and less than 1 is the length obtained by multiplying the text size and the number of text lines. The editing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if shorter than that, it is determined whether each of the lines of the text is arranged in the front area or the separation area. When the length obtained by multiplying the length of the diameter of the object to be attached by a predetermined value greater than 0 and less than 1 is equal to or greater than the length obtained by multiplying the text size and the number of lines of text. The editing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the line of the text is not arranged according to the determination step. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an additional step of adding a predetermined mark indicating a central position in the width direction of the label to the print image displayed by the display step. How to edit. An editing program for editing the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters.
The diameter of the object to be attached, the width of the label, text information indicating a text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, the text size in which the text is printed on the label, and the line of the text. The acquisition step of acquiring the first information including the number of text lines indicating the number of lines of text arranged in the extending direction of the label width, and the acquisition step.
When the label is attached to the affixed object so that the width of each of the lines of the text extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the affixed object, the affixed object of the label is said to have the same label. In the first information, whether to arrange in the front area corresponding to the front position of the side surface or the separation area corresponding to the position separated from the front position to the back side of the sticking object is determined. , A determination step determined based on at least one of the label width, the text size and the number of lines of text, and the diameter of the object to be affixed.
A correction step for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region in the determination step, and a correction step.
A print image of the text arranged in the front area of the label and the label including the text arranged in the separation area of the label and whose shape has been corrected in the correction step is displayed on a display unit for displaying information. An editing program that lets your computer perform the display steps you want to display. An editing device that edits the printed content of a label to be attached to the side surface of a columnar object to be attached having various diameters.
The diameter of the object to be attached, the width of the label, text information indicating a text consisting of one or more lines printed on the label, the text size in which the text is printed on the label, and the line of the text. An acquisition means for acquiring the first information including the number of text lines indicating the number of lines of text arranged in the extending direction of the label width, and
When the label is attached to the affixed object so that the width of each of the lines of the text extends parallel to the circumferential direction of the affixed object, the affixed object of the label is said to have the same label. In the first information, whether to arrange in the front area corresponding to the front position of the side surface or the separation area corresponding to the position separated from the front position to the back side of the sticking object is determined. A determination means for determining based on at least one of the width of the label, the text size, and the number of lines of text, and the diameter of the object to be attached.
A correction means for correcting the shape of the text constituting the line of the text determined to be arranged in the separation region by the determination means.
A print image of the label including the text arranged in the front area of the label and the text arranged in the separation area of the label and whose shape has been corrected by the correction means is displayed on a display unit for displaying information. An editing device characterized by having a display means for displaying.

Images