JP7845003B2 - Computer program for terminal device, terminal device, and method executed by terminal device - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a technique for printing labels using a label printer and adding user-specified text to a database file.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system comprising a printing device and a personal computer. Upon receiving a print command, the personal computer generates image data in which text is placed in an object area and transmits this image data to the printing device. Upon receiving the image data from the personal computer, the printing device performs printing of the image represented by the image data.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-268388

This specification provides a technology that can improve user convenience by providing users with functions not disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

The computer program disclosed herein is a computer program for a terminal device, and the computer of the terminal device may function as follows: a receiving unit that receives a user's specification of specific text to be placed in an object area, while an original label image including an object area where text to be printed is to be placed is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device; a first print data generation unit that generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specific text is placed in the object area included in the original label image, when a print command is obtained after the user's specification of the specific text has been received; a first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer; and an addition unit that adds the specific text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the user's specification of the specific text has been received.

According to the above configuration, when the terminal device receives a print command after receiving a specific text specification from the user, it sends the print data to the label printer and adds the specific text to the database file. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

The computer-readable storage medium for storing the above computer program, the terminal device implemented by the computer program, and the method executed by the terminal device are also novel and useful.

This shows the configuration of the communication system. The sequence diagram for Case A, in which a new template is generated, is shown. This shows the sequence diagram for Case B, where label printing using a template is performed. This shows a sequence diagram for Case C, in which a new template associated with the CSV file is generated. The sequence diagram following Figure 4 is shown. This diagram shows the sequence for Case D, where label printing is performed using a template associated with a CSV file. The sequence diagram following Figure 6 is shown. This diagram shows the sequence for Case E, where label printing is performed using a template associated with a CSV file. This shows the sequence diagram for Case F, where label printing using a CSV file is performed. This figure shows an example of a selection screen displayed on the display unit of the terminal device in the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2: Figure 1)
As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 2 includes a mobile terminal 10 and a label printer 50. The mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 have established a wireless connection with AP (Access point) 4. The mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 can communicate with each other via AP 4.

In this embodiment, a user generates labels to be attached to managed objects using a mobile terminal 10 and a label printer 50. The labels are generated by the label printer 50 printing a printable label image onto adhesive label tape. The mobile terminal 10 generates print data representing the printable label image and transmits the generated print data to the label printer 50.

(Configuration of mobile device 10)
The mobile terminal 10 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, notebook PC, tablet PC, portable music player, or portable video player. The mobile terminal 10 comprises a display unit 12, a wireless LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as "I/F") 14, and a control unit 20.

The display unit 12 is a display for showing various information. The display unit 12 also functions as a touch panel. Therefore, the user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 10 by operating the multiple keys displayed on the display unit 12. In other words, the display unit 12 also functions as an operation unit.

Wireless LANI/F14 is an interface for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi standard, and establishes a wireless connection with AP4. The Wi-Fi standard is a wireless communication method based on, for example, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and equivalent standards (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.).

The control unit 20 comprises a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The memory 24 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc. The CPU 22 executes various processes according to the OS (Operating System) program 28, printing application 30, etc., stored in the memory 24. The OS program 28 is a program for controlling various basic operations of the mobile terminal 10. The printing application 30 is an application provided by the label printer 50 vendor and is installed on the mobile terminal 10, for example, from a server on the internet. The printing application 30 is an application for using the mobile terminal 10 to print labels on the label printer 50. Hereafter, the term "application" may be referred to as "app."

Memory 24 also stores the CSV file CF1. A CSV file is a text file containing multiple texts separated by commas. In Figure 1, the multiple texts described in CSV files CF1, CF2, and CF3 are shown in a table format. CSV file CF1 contains a designated area DA and a management area PA. The first row (i.e., the top row) of the designated area DA contains the field names (i.e., "Name" and "Department"). In the designated area DA of CSV file CF1, the text corresponding to the field name "Name" and the text corresponding to the field name "Department" are arranged in columns (vertically). The first row (i.e., the top row) of the management area MA contains the names of the items to be managed (i.e., "Number of Printed Pages" and "Print Date and Time"). In the management area MA of the CSV file CF1, the text corresponding to the managed item name "Number of Prints" and the text corresponding to the managed item name "Print Date and Time" are arranged in columns (vertically).

Memory 24 may also store a label file LF1 containing a template for generating print data representing a label image. The label file LF1 may contain an object table OT and CSV information CI. In the object table OT, object names and field names are associated. The object name is information for identifying the object area, which will be described later. CSV information CI indicates the CSV file associated with the label file LF1.

(Configuration of label printer 50)
The label printer 50 includes a display unit 52, a print execution unit 54, a wireless LANI/F 56, and a control unit 60.

The display unit 52 is a display for showing various information. The printing execution unit 54 is a so-called thermal transfer printing mechanism, which generates labels by transferring the print label image onto label tape. In modified examples, the printing execution unit 54 may be an inkjet or laser printing mechanism. The wireless LANI/F56 is the same as the wireless LANI/F14 described above.

The control unit 60 comprises a CPU 62 and a memory 64. The CPU 62 executes various processes according to the program 70 stored in the memory 64. The memory 64 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

(Specific cases; Figures 2 to 9)
Referring to Figures 2 to 9, specific cases A to F realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described. In the following, for ease of understanding, the operations performed by the CPU 22 of the mobile terminal 10 and the CPU 62 of the label printer 50 will not be described primarily from the perspective of CPUs 22 and 62, but rather from the perspective of the mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50, respectively. In addition, various communications performed between the mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 are performed via wireless LAN/F 14, 56 and AP 4. For this reason, in the following, when describing various communications, the explanation that they are performed via wireless LAN/F 14, 56 and AP 4 will be omitted.

(Case A; Figure 2)
Referring to Figure 2, we will describe Case A in which a new template TP2 is generated. In the initial state of Case A, the label file LF1 stores template TP1. The object table OT and CSV information CI of the label file LF1 are empty.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an application launch operation to start the print application 30, it executes the following processes according to the print application 30. First, when the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the first template selection screen 200 on the display unit 12. The first template selection screen 200 includes template TP1 and a new creation button B0. Template TP1 contains object areas OB1 and OB2. Object areas OB1 and OB2 contain the object names "Name" and "Age," respectively. The object areas are the areas where the text to be printed should be placed. The new creation button B0 is a button for creating the original label image. The object areas displayed in the template do not contain the text to be printed.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the "Create New" button B0 in T10, it displays the first home screen 210 on the display unit 12. The first home screen 210 includes a close button B1, a save button B2, a print button B3, a data button B4, a menu button B5, and the original label image OI1. The close button B1 is for exiting the print application 30. The save button B2 is for saving the label file LF1. The print button B3 is for executing the label printing process. The data button B4 is for associating an object area with a field name. The menu button B5 is for displaying multiple menus.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of menu button B5 in T12, it displays the menu screen MS on the first home screen 210. The menu screen MS includes a connect button MB1, a disconnect button MB2, and a generate button MB3. The connect button MB1 is for opening a CSV file and associating it with the label file LF1. The disconnect button MB2 is for unassociating the CSV file with the label file LF1. The generate button MB3 is for generating an object area.

The mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the generate button MB3 at T14. When the mobile terminal 10 receives the input of the object name "Equipment Name" for the new object area OB1, it displays the object area OB1 within the original label image OI1 on the first home screen 210. In this embodiment, the object name "Text1" is displayed in the object area OB1, but text different from the object name may be displayed in the object area OB1. The mobile terminal 10 stores the object name "Equipment Name" in the object table OT.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the save button B2 at T16, it overwrites and saves the label file LF1 at T20. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 stores a template TP2 (see Figure 3) corresponding to the original label image OI1 in which the object area OB1 is located, associating it with the label file LF1.

(Case B; Figure 3)
Referring to Figure 3, Case B will be described, in which label printing is performed using template TP2 created in Case A. The initial state of Case B is the state after Case A. Therefore, templates TP1 and TP2 are stored in association with label file LF1. Also, the object name "Equipment Name" is stored in object table OT.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the second template selection screen 202 on the display unit 12. The second template selection screen 202 is the same as the first template selection screen 200 in Case A (see Figure 2), except that it includes template TP2.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to select template TP2 at T110, it displays a second home screen 212 on the display unit 12, which includes the original label image OI1 corresponding to the selected template TP2. The second home screen 212 displayed after T110 is the same as the first home screen 210 in the lower right of Figure 2. When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of object area OB1 at T112, it displays a first input screen IS1 on the second home screen 212. The first input screen IS1 includes a text input field TI, an OK button B6, and a Cancel button B7. The text input field TI is a field for entering text to be written in object area OB1.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives the text "scissors" in the first input field IF1 at T114 and selects the OK button B6, it displays the text "scissors" in the object area OB11.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the print button B3 on T120, it determines that a print command has been received, generates print data representing a printable label image in which the text "scissors" is placed in the object area OB11 contained within the original label image OI1, and sends the generated print data to the label printer 50.

When the label printer 50 receives print data from the mobile terminal 10, T130 uses the received print data to print label LB11 corresponding to the print label image. On label LB11, the text "scissors" is printed at the position corresponding to object area OB1.

Furthermore, when a print command is received, the mobile terminal 10 determines whether or not a CSV file is associated with the label file LF1. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a CSV file is not associated with the label file LF1 and generates a new CSV file CF2 containing the text "scissors". Like the CSV file CF1 (see Figure 1), the CSV file CF2 includes a designated area DA (an area containing "equipment name") and a management area MA (an area containing "number of copies to print" and "print date and time"). After generating the CSV file CF2, the mobile terminal 10 adds the object name "equipment name" of the object area OB11 contained in the original label image OI1 to the field name of the designated area DA, and adds the text "scissors" corresponding to the object area OB11 as the text corresponding to the field name "scissors". Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 stores "1" as the number of prints associated with the text "scissors" in the CSV file CF2, and stores the current date and time "2022/2/28 10:00" as the print date and time associated with the text "scissors". The mobile terminal 10 also stores the file name of the CSV file CF2, "csv2", within the CSV information CI. This associates the label file LF1 with the CSV file CF2. When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the print button B3 while the first home screen 210 in the lower right of Figure 2 is displayed, it generates print data corresponding to label LB11, creates the CSV file CF2, and adds the text "scissors" to the CSV file CF2 as text corresponding to the field name "scissors".

As shown in Case B, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after receiving a specification of the text "scissors" from the user, while the label file LF1 does not have a CSV file associated with it, it generates a new CSV file CF2 and adds the text "scissors" to the already generated CSV file CF2. With this configuration, the user can then print a label containing the text "scissors" using the text "scissors" contained in the CSV file CF2, without having to perform any operations to input the text "scissors" into the original label image. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

(Case C; Figures 4 and 5)
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, we will now describe Case C, in which a new template TP3 is generated. The initial state of Case C is the same as the initial state of Case B in Figure 3.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the second template selection screen 202 on the display unit 12. When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the new creation button B0 at T210, it displays the third home screen 214 on the display unit 12. The third home screen 214, displayed after T210, is the same as the first home screen 210 in the lower left of Figure 2, except that it includes the original label image OI2.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives input for the object name "Department" for the new object area OB21, which is specified in T212, it displays the object area OB21 within the original label image OI2 on the third home screen 214. The mobile terminal 10 stores the object name "Department" in the object table OT. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 10 receives input for the object name "Name" for the new object area OB22, which is specified in T212, it displays the object area OB22 within the original label image OI2 on the third home screen 214. The mobile terminal 10 stores the object name "Name" in the object table OT.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives the selection of menu button B5, the selection of connection button MB1 (see Figure 2), and the selection of CSV file CF1 on T214, it displays CSV file CF1 in a table format on the third home screen 214. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a connection instruction has been received to associate label file LF1 with CSV file CF1, and stores the file name "csv1" of CSV file CF1 in the CSV information CI. This associates label file LF1 with CSV file CF1.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the data button B4 at T216, it displays the object screen 220 shown in Figure 5 on the display unit 12. The object screen 220 displays the object names "Department" and "Name" of the object areas OB21 and OB22, which were displayed on the third home screen 214, from among the object names stored in the object table OT. In the object screen 220, a field name setting field is associated with each of the object names "Department" and "Name". The user can select the field names "Department" and "Name" in the csv file CF1 associated with the label file LF1 by operating the field name setting field. The object screen 220 also includes an OK button B6 and a Cancel button B7. When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation at T220 in which the field name "Department" is selected as the field name to be associated with the object name "Department", and an operation in which the field name "Name" is selected as the field name to be associated with the object name "Name", it displays "Department" in the field name corresponding to the object name "Department" and displays "Name" in the field name corresponding to the object name "Name". When the mobile terminal 10 receives the selection of the OK button B6 at T222, it determines that it has received instructions to associate the object name "Department" with the field name "Department", and instructions to associate the object name "Name" with the field name "Name", and stores "Department" in the field name associated with the object name "Department" in the object table OT. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 displays the text "Development Department" corresponding to the field name "Department" in object area OB21, and the text "Taro Suzuki" corresponding to the field name "Name" in object area OB22.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the save button B2 at T224, it overwrites and saves the label file LF1 at T230. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 stores a template TP3 (see Figure 6) corresponding to the original label image OI2 where object areas OB21 and OB22 are located, associating it with the label file LF1. That is, the mobile terminal 10 stores the template TP3 associated with the CSV file CF1 in the label file LF1.

(Case D; Figures 6 and 7)
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, we will now describe Case D, in which label printing is performed using template TP3 created in Case C. The initial state of Case D is the state after Case C. Therefore, templates TP1, TP2, and TP3 are stored in association with label file LF1. In addition, the object names "Equipment Name,""Department," and "Name" are stored in object table OT.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the third template selection screen 204 on the display unit 12. The third template selection screen 204 is the same as the second template selection screen 202 in Case B (see Figure 3), except that it includes template TP3.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to select template TP3 at T310, it displays the fourth home screen 218, which includes the original label image OI2 corresponding to template TP3, on the display unit 12. The fourth home screen 218, displayed after T310, is the same as the third home screen 214 in the lower right of Figure 4, except that it includes the CSV file button B10 and does not include the CSV file CF1. The CSV file button B10 is a button for opening the CSV file associated with the label file LF1. When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of object area OB22 at T312, it displays the first input screen IS1 on the fourth home screen 218. When the mobile terminal 10 receives the input of the text "Ichiro Tanaka" into the text input field TI at T320 and receives a selection of the OK button B6, it displays the text "Ichiro Tanaka" in object area OB21.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of object area OB21 at T330, it displays the second input screen IS2 shown in Figure 7 on the fourth home screen 218. The second input screen IS2 is the same as the first input screen IS1 (see Figure 3), except that it includes a text selection field TS. By operating the text selection field TS, the user can select the text "Development Department" and "Sales Department" in the CSV file CF1, which correspond to the field name "Department" associated with object area OB22. The user can set which of the first input screen IS1 and the second input screen IS2 is displayed when an object area is selected. In a modified example, the mobile terminal 10 may determine which of the first input screen IS1 and the second input screen IS2 is displayed depending on the field name associated with the object area. When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to select the text "Development Department" in T340, and the OK button B6 is selected, the text "Development Department" is displayed in the object area OB21.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives the selection of the print button B3 on T350, it determines that a print command has been received. It then generates print data representing a printable label image where the text "Development Department" is located in object area OB21 within the original label image OI2, and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is located in object area OB22 within the original label image OI2. The generated print data is then transmitted to the label printer 50.

When the label printer 50 receives print data from the mobile terminal 10, T360 uses the received print data to print the label LB21 corresponding to the print label image. On label LB21, the text "Development Department" is printed at the position corresponding to object area OB22, and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is printed at the position corresponding to object area OB21.

Furthermore, when a print command is received, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the CSV file CF1 is associated with the label file LF1, and determines whether or not the CSV file CF1 contains the combination of the text "Development Department" and the text "Ichiro Tanaka". That is, it determines whether or not the text "Development Department" and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" are written on the same line in the CSV file CF1. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the CSV file CF1 does not contain the combination of the text "Development Department" and the text "Ichiro Tanaka". In this case, the mobile terminal 10 updates the CSV file CF1 by adding the text "Development Department" and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the CSV file CF1 in T362. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 identifies that in the object table OT, the object names "Name" and "Department" are associated with the field names "Name" and "Department", respectively. The mobile terminal 10 then adds the text "Development Department" from the object area OB21, which has the object name "Department," to the CSV file CF1 as the text corresponding to the field name "Department," and also adds the text "Ichiro Tanaka" from the object area OB22, which has the object name "Name," to the text corresponding to the field name "Name." Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 stores "1" as the number of copies to print associated with the text "Ichiro Tanaka" in the CSV file CF1, and stores the current date and time "2022/2/28 14:00" as the print date and time associated with the text "Ichiro Tanaka."

(Effects of Case D)
As shown in Case D of Figures 6 and 7, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after the user has specified the text "Ichiro Tanaka" and the CSV file CF1 is associated with the label file LF1, the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is added to the CSV file CF1. This configuration helps to suppress the increase in the number of CSV files. Furthermore, the user can then use the CSV file CF1 already associated with the label file LF1 to print labels on the label printer 50. Thus, user convenience can be improved.

(Case E; Figure 8)
Referring to Figure 8, we will now describe Case E, in which label printing is performed using template TP3 created in Case C (Figures 4 and 5) after Case D (Figures 6 and 7). The initial state of Case E is the state after Case D. Therefore, templates TP1, TP2, and TP3 are stored in association with the label file LF1. In addition, in the CSV file CF1, the texts "Taro Suzuki,""HanakoYamada," and "Ichiro Tanaka" are stored as text corresponding to the field name "Name."

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the third template selection screen 204 on the display unit 12. T410 is the same as T310 in Figure 6. The fourth home screen 218 displayed after T410 is the same as the fourth home screen 218 displayed after T310 in Figure 6. Subsequently, the mobile terminal 10 performs the same processing as T312 to T330 in Figure 6, T340 in Figure 7, and T350 in Figure 7. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a print command has been received, generates print data representing a printable label image in which the text "Development Department" is placed in the object area OB21 included in the original label image OI2, and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is placed in the object area OB22 included in the original label image OI2, and sends the generated print data to the label printer 50. When the label printer 50 receives print data from the mobile terminal 10, T460 uses the received print data to print the label LB21 corresponding to the print label image.

Furthermore, when a print command is received, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the CSV file CF1 is associated with the label file LF1, and that the CSV file CF1 contains the combination of the text "Development Department" and the text "Ichiro Tanaka" (see Figure 7). In this case, the mobile terminal 10 updates the CSV file CF1 in T462 without adding the texts "Ichiro Tanaka" and "Development Department" to the CSV file CF1. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 changes the number of prints associated with the text "Ichiro Tanaka" in the CSV file CF1 from "1" to "2," and changes the print date and time associated with the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the current date and time "2022/3/1 10:00."

(Effects of Case D and Case E)
As shown in Case D of Figures 6 and 7, when the CSV file CF1 is associated with the label file LF1, and the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after the user specifies the text "Ichiro Tanaka", and the CSV file CF1 does not contain the text "Ichiro Tanaka", it adds the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the CSV file CF1. On the other hand, as shown in Case E of Figure 8, when the CSV file CF1 is associated with the label file LF1, and the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after the user specifies the text "Ichiro Tanaka", and the CSV file CF1 contains the text "Ichiro Tanaka", it does not add the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the CSV file CF1. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the storage of multiple identical texts "Ichiro Tanaka" in the CSV file CF1. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

(Case F; Figure 9)
Referring to Figure 9, we will now describe Case F, in which label printing is performed using the CSV file CF1 after Case D in Figures 6 and 7. The initial state of Case F is the same as the initial state of Case E in Figure 8.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays the third template selection screen 204 on the display unit 12. T510 is the same as T310 in Figure 6. The fourth home screen 218, displayed after T510, is the same as the fourth home screen 218 displayed after T310 in Figure 6. When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to select the CSV file button B10, it displays the CSV file CF1 in a table format on the fourth home screen 218. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 displays the text "Development Department" corresponding to the field name "Department" in the object area OB21, and the text "Taro Suzuki" corresponding to the field name "Name" in the object area OB22.

When the mobile terminal 10 receives the selection of the print button B3 on T520, it determines that a print command has been received, generates three print data files, and sends the three generated print data files to the label printer 50. Each of the three print data files represents a printable label image where the three texts corresponding to the field name "Department" ("Development Department," "Sales Department," and "Development Department") are placed in the object area OB21 contained within the original label image OI2, and the three texts corresponding to the field name "Name" ("Taro Suzuki," "Hanako Yamada," and "Ichiro Tanaka") are placed in the object area OB22 contained within the original label image OI2.

When the label printer 50 receives three print data from the mobile terminal 10, T530 uses the three received print data to print three labels LB31, LB32, and LB33, corresponding to each of the three printable label images. On labels LB31, LB32, and LB33, the texts "Development Department," "Sales Department," and "Development Department" are printed at positions corresponding to object area OB21, respectively, and the texts "Taro Suzuki," "Hanako Yamada," and "Ichiro Tanaka" are printed at positions corresponding to object area OB22. The user can select a portion of the CSV file CF1 as the printable area. For example, the user can select only the second line of the CSV file CF1 as the printable area. In this case, only label LB31 containing the texts "Taro Suzuki" and "Development Department" written on the second line of the CSV file CF1 will be printed.

Furthermore, when a print command is received, the mobile terminal 10 updates the CSV file CF1. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 changes the number of copies to be printed associated with the texts "Taro Suzuki" and "Hanako Yamada" in the CSV file CF1 from "0" to "1," and changes the number of copies to be printed associated with the text "Ichiro Tanaka" from "1" to "2." The mobile terminal 10 also changes the print date and time associated with the texts "Taro Suzuki," "Hanako Yamada," and "Ichiro Tanaka" in the CSV file CF1 to the current date and time, "2022/3/1 10:00."

(Effects of Cases C to F)
As shown in Case C of Figures 4 and 5, the object area OB21 is associated with the field name "Name" in the CSV file CF1. As shown in Case D of Figures 6 and 7, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after receiving a specification of the text "Ichiro Tanaka" from the user, it adds the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the CSV file CF1 so that the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is associated with the field name "Name". Then, as shown in Case F of Figure 9, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command without receiving a specification of the text "Ichiro Tanaka" from the user, it generates three print data sets in which each of the three texts—the two texts "Taro Suzuki" and "Hanako Yamada" and the added text "Ichiro Tanaka"—represents a print label image where each of the three texts is located in the object area OB22 contained in the original label image OI2. With this configuration, after the text "Ichiro Tanaka" is added to the CSV file CF1, the user can use the CSV file CF1 to print three labels on the label printer 50, each containing one of the three texts associated with the field name "Name". Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

(Effects of Cases A to F)
As shown in Case B of Figure 3, the mobile terminal 10 stores the print history information (i.e., the number of copies printed and the date and time of printing) of the text "scissors" in a CSV file CF2, associating it with the text "scissors". With this configuration, the user can manage the print history related to the text "scissors" by checking the print history information in the CSV file CF2. Therefore, user convenience can be improved. For example, by checking the number of copies printed in the CSV file CF2, it is possible to prevent the user from printing more labels than the number of scissors they own. Also, for example, by managing the date and time of printing in the CSV file CF2, it is possible to manage the date and time when the labels were printed.

(Effects of this embodiment)
As described above, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a print command after receiving the text "Ichiro Tanaka" from the user, it sends the print data to the label printer 50 and adds the text "Ichiro Tanaka" to the CSV file CF1. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

(Correspondence)
Mobile terminal 10 is an example of a "terminal device". The texts "scissors", "Ichiro Tanaka", and "Development Department" are examples of "specific text". The print data corresponding to labels LB11 and LB21 is an example of "first print data". CSV files CF1 and CF2 are examples of "database files". The print data corresponding to labels LB31, LB32, and LB33 is an example of "second print data".

(Second Example)
In this embodiment, when the mobile terminal 10 receives a selection of the print button B3 at T120 in Figure 3, it determines that a print command has been received and displays the selection screen 310 in Figure 10 on the display unit 12. The selection screen 310 includes three checkboxes corresponding to "Add text to CSV file,""Add number of copies to print," and "Add print date and time," as well as an OK button and a Cancel button. The selection screen 310 also includes a message notifying that a new CSV file will be generated if a CSV file is not associated with the label file. For example, when the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation that adds the checkboxes corresponding to "Add text to CSV file" and "Add number of copies to print," and receives an operation that selects the OK button, it generates a CSV file CF2 and stores information indicating the number of copies to print in the CSV file CF2. On the other hand, the mobile terminal 10 does not add information indicating the print date and time to the CSV file CF2. In this way, the user can choose whether or not to add text to the CSV file, whether or not to add the number of printed pages to the CSV file, and whether or not to add the print date and time to the CSV file. Therefore, user convenience can be improved. The mobile terminal 10 will continue to display the selection screen 310 on the display unit 12 even after T350 in Figure 7.

The above describes specific examples of the present invention in detail, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

(First Modified Example) In case D of Figures 6 and 7, the mobile terminal 10 may generate a CSV file different from the CSV file CF1 associated with the label file LF1, and add the texts "Ichiro Tanaka" and "Development Department" to the generated CSV file.

(Second Modification) In case E of Figure 8, the mobile terminal 10 may add the text "Ichiro Tanaka" and "Development Department" to the CSV file CF1.

(Third variation) The "database file" is not limited to a CSV file; any file capable of displaying multiple texts in a table format is acceptable. For example, an Excel file may also be used.

(Fourth Modification) In Case B of Figure 3, the mobile terminal 10 does not need to generate a new CSV file CF2 when a print command is received. For example, even if the CSV file CF1 is not associated with the label file LF1, the mobile terminal 10 may add the text "Ichiro Tanaka" and "Development Department" to the CSV file CF1 if the label file LF1 and the CSV file CF1 are saved in the same folder. In this modification, the "Generation Department" can be omitted.

(Fifth Modification) In case B of Figure 3, the mobile terminal 10 may generate a CSV file that does not include the management area MA (i.e., "number of printed pages" and "print date and time"). That is, the mobile terminal 10 does not need to store information regarding "number of printed pages" and "print date and time" in the CSV file. In this modification, the "storage control unit" can be omitted. Furthermore, the CSV file may contain only information related to either "number of printed pages" or "print date and time."

(Sixth variation) The CSV files CF1 and CF2 may be stored on a device other than the mobile terminal 10 (e.g., a server).

(Seventh Modification) The selection screen 310 in Figure 10 may include a button for specifying the CSV file to which the text should be added. That is,

(Eighth Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the processes shown in Figures 2 to 10 are implemented by software (i.e., the printing application 30), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

Furthermore, the technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself.
The following items are elements described in the claims of the original patent application.
(Item 1)
A computer program for a terminal device,
The computer of the aforementioned terminal device comprises the following parts, namely:
With the original label image, which includes an object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, a receiving unit receives a request from the user for the specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first print data generation unit generates first print data representing a print label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print instruction is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A computer program that functions as such.
(Item 2)
The aforementioned addition is a computer program according to item 1, which adds the specific text to the database file when the database file is associated with the label file representing the original label image, and a print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text has been received from the user.
(Item 3)
The aforementioned additional part is,
When the database file is associated with the original label image, and after the user has specified the particular text, the print command is obtained, and the database file does not contain the particular text, the particular text is added to the database file.
The computer program described in item 2, which, when the original label image is associated with the database file, receives the specification of the specific text from the user, obtains the print command, and the database file contains the specific text, does not add the specific text to the database file.
(Item 4)
The database file includes a field name and M texts (where M is an integer of 1 or more) associated with the field name.
The object area is associated with the field name in the database file,
The aforementioned addition adds the specific text to the database file so that, when the print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text has been received from the user, the specific text is associated with the field name.
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A second data generation unit generates (M+1) print data when, after the specific text has been added to the database file and the original label image is displayed on the display unit, a print command is obtained without receiving a specification of the specific text from the user, wherein each of the (M+1) print data represents a print label image in which each of the (M+1) texts, including the M texts and the specific text, is placed in the object area included in the original label image,
A computer program according to item 2 or 3, which functions as a second transmission unit that transmits (M+1) print data to the label printer.
(Item 5)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
When the database file is not associated with the label file representing the original label image, and after the user has specified the specific text, the print command is obtained, the unit functions as a file generation unit that generates the database file.
The aforementioned addition is a computer program according to item 1, which adds the specific text to the generated database file after the database file has been generated.
(Item 6)
When the original label image is displayed on the display unit, the object area is the computer program described in item 1, which does not include the text to be printed.
(Item 7)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
After the user has specified the particular text, and a print command is obtained, the display control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit for the user to choose whether or not to add the particular text to the database file.
The aforementioned additional part is,
If the selection screen indicates that the addition of the specific text is selected, the specific text is added to the database file.
The computer program described in item 1, which, when the option not to add the specific text is selected on the selection screen, does not add the specific text to the database file.
(Item 8)
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program described in item 1, which functions as a storage control unit that stores print history information of the specified text in the database file in association with the specified text.
(Item 9)
The computer program described in item 8, wherein the print history information includes at least one of information indicating the number of prints and information indicating the date and time of printing.
(Item 10)
A terminal device,
Display unit and
With the original label image, which includes the object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit, a receiving unit receives a specification from the user for specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation unit generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A terminal device equipped with the following features.
(Item 11)
A method performed by a terminal device,
A receiving step in which, while the original label image including the object area where the text to be printed should be placed is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, the user specifies the particular text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation step, which generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object region included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission step of sending the first print data to a label printer,
If the print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text has been received from the user, an additional step of adding the specific text to the database file:
A method that includes [a certain feature].

2: Communication system, 10: Mobile terminal, 12: Display unit, 14: Wireless LAN I/F, 20: Control unit, 22: CPU, 24: Memory, 28: OS program, 30: Printing application, 50: Label printer, 52: Display unit, 54: Print execution unit, 56: Wireless LAN I/F, 60: Control unit, 62: CPU, 64: Memory, 70: Program

Claims (12)

A computer program for a terminal device,
The computer of the aforementioned terminal device comprises the following parts, namely:
With the original label image, which includes an object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, a receiving unit receives a request from the user for the specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation unit generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
To make it function as,
The database file includes a field name and M texts (where M is an integer of 1 or more) associated with the field name.
The object area is associated with the field name in the database file,
The aforementioned addition unit adds the specific text to the database file so that, when the database file is associated with the label file representing the original label image, and after the specification of the specific text is received from the user and the print command is obtained, the specific text is associated with the field name.
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
A second data generation unit generates (M+1) print data when, after the specific text has been added to the database file and the original label image is displayed on the display unit, a print command is obtained without receiving a specification of the specific text from the user, wherein each of the (M+1) print data represents a print label image in which each of the (M+1) texts, including the M texts and the specific text, is placed in the object area included in the original label image,
A second transmission unit that transmits the (M+1) print data to the label printer, and which functions as such.
Computer program. A computer program for a terminal device,
The computer of the aforementioned terminal device comprises the following parts, namely:
With the original label image, which includes an object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, a receiving unit receives a request from the user for the specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation unit generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
To make it function as,
The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
When the database file is not associated with the label file representing the original label image, and after the user has specified the specific text, the print command is obtained, the unit functions as a file generation unit that generates the database file.
The addition unit adds the specific text to the generated database file after the database file has been generated.
Computer program. The computer program according to claim 2, wherein the addition unit adds the specific text to the database file when the specification of the specific text is received from the user and a print command is obtained while the database file is associated with the label file . The aforementioned additional part is,
When the database file is associated with the label file , and after the user has specified the particular text, a print command is obtained, and the database file does not contain the particular text, the particular text is added to the database file.
The computer program according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, in a state where the database file is associated with the label file, after the specification of the specific text is received from the user, a print command is obtained and the database file contains the specific text, the specific text is not added to the database file. The computer program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein, when the original label image is displayed on the display unit, the object area does not include the text to be printed. The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
After the user has specified the particular text, and a print command is obtained, a display control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit for the user to choose whether or not to add the particular text to the database file.
The aforementioned additional part is,
If the selection screen indicates that the addition of the specific text is selected, the specific text is added to the database file.
The computer program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein if the option not to add the specific text is selected on the selection screen, the specific text is not added to the database file. The aforementioned computer program further uses the computer,
The computer program according to claim 1 or 2 , which functions as a storage control unit that stores print history information of the specified text in the database file in association with the specified text. The computer program according to claim 7 , wherein the print history information includes at least one of information indicating the number of prints and information indicating the date and time of printing. A terminal device,
Display unit and
With the original label image, which includes the object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit, a receiving unit receives a specification from the user for specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation unit generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
Equipped with,
The database file includes a field name and M texts (where M is an integer of 1 or more) associated with the field name.
The object area is associated with the field name in the database file,
The aforementioned addition unit adds the specific text to the database file so that, when the database file is associated with the label file representing the original label image, and after the specification of the specific text is received from the user and the print command is obtained, the specific text is associated with the field name.
The aforementioned terminal device further,
A second data generation unit generates (M+1) print data when, after the specific text has been added to the database file and the original label image is displayed on the display unit, a print command is obtained without receiving a specification of the specific text from the user, wherein each of the (M+1) print data represents a print label image in which each of the (M+1) texts, including the M texts and the specific text, is placed in the object area included in the original label image,
The system includes a second transmission unit that transmits the (M+1) print data to the label printer,
Terminal device. A terminal device,
Display unit and
With the original label image, which includes the object area where the text to be printed should be placed, displayed on the display unit, a receiving unit receives a specification from the user for specific text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation unit generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object area included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission unit that transmits the first print data to a label printer,
An appending unit that adds the specified text to a database file when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
Equipped with,
The aforementioned terminal device further,
When the database file is not associated with the label file representing the original label image, and a print command is obtained after the user has specified the specific text, the system includes a file generation unit that generates the database file.
The addition unit adds the specific text to the generated database file after the database file has been generated.
Terminal device. A method performed by a terminal device,
A receiving step in which, while the original label image including the object area where the text to be printed should be placed is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, the user specifies the text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation step, which generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object region included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission step of sending the first print data to a label printer,
If the print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text has been received from the user, an additional step of adding the specific text to the database file:
Equipped with,
The database file includes a field name and M texts (where M is an integer of 1 or more) associated with the field name.
The object area is associated with the field name in the database file,
In the aforementioned additional step, when the database file is associated with the label file representing the original label image, and a print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text is received from the user, the specific text is added to the database file so that it is associated with the field name.
The above method further,
A second data generation step for generating (M+1) print data when, after the specific text has been added to the database file and the original label image is displayed on the display unit, a print instruction is obtained without receiving a specification of the specific text from the user, wherein each of the (M+1) print data represents a print label image in which each of the (M+1) texts, including the M texts and the specific text, is placed in the object area included in the original label image,
The system comprises a second transmission step of transmitting the (M+1) print data to the label printer.
method. A method performed by a terminal device,
A receiving step in which, while the original label image including the object area where the text to be printed should be placed is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, the user specifies the text to be placed in the object area,
A first data generation step, which generates first print data representing a printable label image in which the specified text is placed in the object region included in the original label image when a print command is obtained after the specification of the specified text has been received from the user,
A first transmission step of sending the first print data to a label printer,
If the print command is obtained after the specification of the specific text has been received from the user, an additional step of adding the specific text to the database file:
Equipped with,
The above method further,
The system includes a file generation step to generate the database file when, in a state where the database file is not associated with the label file representing the original label image, the print instruction is obtained after the specification of the specific text is received from the user,
The additional step involves adding the specific text to the generated database file after the database file has been generated.
method.