JPH07266628A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Purpose] To improve the workability of size selection and effectively utilize the tape width to print the desired character arrangement on the tape. [Structure] When the print key is operated after the character data is input and the framing of the character decoration is set, the data is read from the text memory (S6).
1), the font size is set to auto mode (S
In the state of 62: Yes), when the character decoration is not instructed (S63: No), the character size is read from the character generator as the maximum size allowed by the tape width (S64) based on the tape width data used. Dot pattern data is created using the data (S66). When character modification is instructed (S6
3: Yes), the character size including the character decoration is set to the maximum size allowed by the tape width or less (S65), and dot pattern data is created (S66).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer for printing a tape as a printing medium, and more particularly, it sets a character size to be printed on the tape based on the width of the tape and a character with an arbitrary character modification. The present invention also relates to a tape printer in which a character size can be further set for printing.

[0002]

The applicant of the present application has proposed and put into practical use a tape printer using a tape as a print medium. For example, you can print the "title" or "contents" of a file on a tape and attach the tape to a specified position on the file, or print the "name" on a tape and attach it to a name plate. It's being used. In particular, in order to emphasize a part of the characters in a character string, the characters may be underlined, surrounded by a frame, or otherwise modified.

FIG. 17 shows a conventional tape printer.
As shown in FIG. 3, a printable printable area 101 allowed by the tape width is set on the tape 100, and the print head 102 has a heating element group 102 including a plurality of heating elements.
a are arranged in a row in the vertical direction with a width substantially equal to the tape width. Further, the tape printer is configured to be able to print by selecting various character sizes.
Assuming that the number of dots in the width direction of Z is Z dots, the maximum character size includes the net character dot number X and the margin dot numbers Y provided on the upper and lower sides of the character, respectively, as shown by the character "A" in FIG. The number of dots in the print permissible area 101 is set to Z or less. Further, when the character decoration such as the underline 103 is set, even if the maximum character size is selected, the printable area 101 including the character decoration is included.
It was set to print inside from the upper and lower ends by the margin dot number Y.

[0004]

In the conventional tape printer, the maximum character size is set so as to be less than or equal to the number of dots in the print allowable area, including the number of net character dots and the number of upper and lower margin dots. Even if the maximum character size is selected, the net characters are printed from the upper and lower ends of the print allowance area to the inside by the number of margin dots, so it is not possible to maximize the print allowance area and print larger characters. . Further, when the character decoration is set, the size of the net character is reduced by the character decoration, so that it is necessary to select a smaller character size, and there is a problem that the appearance of the print is deteriorated.

Further, the character size must be selected in the character string according to the tape width, which is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to improve the workability of size selection for a character to be emphasized or distinguished by character modification in a character string and other characters, and to utilize the tape width effectively for the desired operation. It is to provide a tape printer that easily prints the character arrangement of the above on a tape.

[0007]

As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, a tape printer according to the present invention includes a printing means including a print head for printing a dot pattern on a tape as a print medium, and a character Input means for inputting symbols and various commands, data storage means for storing the input character and symbol data, and dot pattern using the data read from the character generator upon receiving the data of this data storage means In a tape printer including a print control unit that creates data and prints the data on a print unit, a character decoration setting unit capable of setting at least one of character modifications such as underline, bold, outline character, and shadow character To select the auto size mode in which the character size is the maximum size allowed by the width of the tape. And a size mode setting means,
In the auto size mode, the print control means, based on the data of the tape width input or set, detects dot pattern data that sets the character size to the maximum size allowed by the tape width when character modification is not set. When the character decoration is set, the dot pattern data is created so that the character size including the character decoration is equal to or smaller than the maximum size allowed by the tape width.

[0008]

In the tape printer according to the present invention, the characters and symbols input by the input means are stored in the data storage means. Further, the character decoration setting means can set at least one character decoration among various character decorations, and the automatic size mode setting means sets the automatic size mode in which the character size is the maximum size allowed by the width of the tape. Can be selected. In automatic size mode, the print control means creates dot pattern data that sets the character size to the maximum size allowed by the tape width based on the tape width data when the character decoration is not set, and also sets the character decoration. If so, dot pattern data is created in which the character size including the character decoration is equal to or smaller than the maximum size allowed by the tape width, and the printing means causes the tape to print on the tape based on the dot pattern data.

As described above, by selecting the auto size mode, when the character decoration is not set,
By omitting the number of surplus dots provided on the upper and lower sides of the net character, you can print the character size of the net character to the maximum size allowed by the tape width. Can be printed with a large size, and the appearance of printing can be improved. Also, when character decoration is set, the character size of characters including character decoration can be printed below the maximum size allowed by the tape width, so the maximum printable area including character decoration should be used. It can be printed and the size of the net characters can be maximized to be printed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an English-only tape printer capable of printing a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols on a printing tape.

As shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard 3 is provided in the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, a printing mechanism PM is provided in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3, and Behind the keyboard 3, a liquid crystal display 4 capable of displaying characters and symbols is provided.

Character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols (referred to as "characters" in this specification), cursor movement keys, and tape width data of the printing tape 5 to be used are input to the keyboard 3. Tape width key,
A document creation key for creating document data, a creation end key for instructing the end of document creation, a size key for setting the size specification mode for specifying the character size when printing,
Character decoration setting key for setting character decoration specification mode,
As shown in FIG. 6, a framing start key for instructing the start of setting the framing mode for attaching a frame FR to a predetermined character string, an underline key for setting an underline mode for underlining, and characters for bold characters. Bold key to set the bold mode to modify, outline key to set the outline mode to modify characters to outline (outlined) characters,
Shadow key for setting the shadow mode for character modification to shadow (with shadow), end key for ending the setting of framing mode or other character modification, print key for instructing printing , Power on
・ A power key for turning it off is provided.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 2 includes
A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably mounted, and a tape spool 6 around which a printing tape 5 made of a transparent film and having a width of about 24 mm and an ink ribbon 7 are wound around the tape storage cassette CS. A supply spool 1 in which a ribbon supply spool 8 mounted, a take-up spool 9 for winding the ink ribbon 7, and a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 are wound with a release paper outside.
1, and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatably provided.
The tape width other than 24 mm, for example 20 mm or 3
A tape storage cassette CS having printing tapes 5 with various tape widths such as 0 mm can also be mounted.

A thermal head 13 is erected at a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap each other, and the thermal head 13 holds the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 together.
A platen roller 14 that presses the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 are rotatably supported by a support 16. The thermal head 13 has a heating element group 13a (see FIG. 5) composed of 136 heating elements arranged in a row in the vertical direction.

The tape feed motor 24 (see FIG. 4) is rotationally driven to synchronously rotate the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 in predetermined directions, respectively, and the heating element group 13a.
Is energized at a predetermined timing, characters are printed on the printing tape 5 by a plurality of dot rows, and then the double-sided tape 10 is attached to the printing surface of the printing tape 5 in the feeding direction A. Will be sent. The printing mechanism PM has a known configuration (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-106555).
(See Japanese Patent Publication).

As shown in FIG. 5, the printing tape 5 includes:
The printable printable area PE allowed by the tape width is set, and the tape printer 1 sets the printable printable area PE in the printable printable area PE.
Character size every 10 points from 10 points to 50 points, and the maximum character size that can be printed in the print permissible area PE, which is the character size when the auto size mode is selected, as described later (hereinafter referred to as auto size) 63 points (128 dots (vertical) x 128)
Dot (horizontal)] character size can be used for printing.
When the character decoration is not set, the characters are printed such that the vertical width is uniform around the center line CL. When a character size other than the automatic size is set, printing is performed from the upper and lower ends of the print permissible area PE to the inside of the predetermined number of dots set for each character size, and the character decoration is set. Even if it is present, it is printed inside the predetermined number of dots including the character decoration.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, a display controller (LC) having a keyboard 3 and a display RAM for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 4.
DC) 23, a drive circuit 25 for driving the thermal head 13, a drive circuit 26 for driving the tape feed motor 24, and a drive circuit 21 for the warning buzzer 20. Each is connected to the interface 27.

The control device C includes a CPU 29 and this CPU
An input / output interface 27, a CGROM (character generator) 30, 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 40 are connected to a bus 29 such as a data bus.

In the CGROM 30, dot pattern data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 for each of a large number of characters is stored in association with the character code data.

The CGROM 31 stores, for each of a large number of characters, contour line data defining the contour line of a character for printing the character in association with the character code data.

The ROM 32 stores a control program for tape print control including data input process control, display process control, character modification process control, print process control, etc., and the number of dots (128 dots) in the width direction of the print permissible area PE. Data and
As shown in FIG. 7, a table of data of the reduction ratio of the character size for each character decoration mode is stored. This reduction ratio table is for setting the reduction ratio of characters in accordance with the set character modification mode when the automatic size mode is selected and the character modification is set. The reduction ratio will be described by taking the case where the character modification mode is set to the underline mode as an example. As shown in FIG. 8, the underline UL has three dots at a position two dots above the lower print limit line BL. The character "A" is printed in the width, and the size of the character "A" is set such that the upper end thereof is located at the print upper limit line TL and the lower end thereof is located 3 dots above the underline UL.
The reduction ratio is set based on the auto size, and the reduction ratio b in the underline mode is b = (128-2-
3-3) / 128 = 15/16. As described above, even when the character decoration mode is set, the reduction ratio is set so that the size of the character itself is maximized within the limit in which the character decoration can be identified.

In the line buffer 41 of the RAM 40, as shown in FIG. 9, character code data for each character input from the keyboard 3, size designation data for designating a character size and a character modification mode for designating a character modification mode are specified. Character-qualified data such as data is temporarily stored. The data transferred from the line buffer 41 is stored in the text memory 42. Size memory 43
In, the size designation data is temporarily stored. The flag memory 44 has a framing flag F which is set when the character decoration mode is set in the framing mode.
The data of is stored. The print pointer (whose content is the print pointer value P) 45 stores one address of the text memory 42 for reading character code data and the like. The print buffer 46 stores print data of a plurality of characters expanded into dot pattern data.

Next, the routine of the tape print control performed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Description will be made based on the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
Reference numeral Si (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) In the drawing represents each step. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 6, when the character string “HIABCDJK” is printed on one line, the character size is set to the automatic size and “ABCD” is modified to the framing mode. The description will be made assuming that the printing tape 5 having a tape width of about 24 mm is used.

When the power is turned on by operating the power key, this control is started, and initialization such as clearing each of the memories 41 to 46 is executed (S10), and then the tape width key is operated to print. Width data of the tape 5 is input (S11: Yes, S12, S14, S1).
6: No, S18). Next, when the document creation key is operated (S11 / S12: Yes), data input processing control (see FIG. 11) is executed to input the data input by operating the character keys (S13). . When the data input processing control is started and the size key is operated and the size designation mode is instructed (S20: Yes), FIG.
As shown in 5, auto size and 10 points to 5
The character size every 10 points up to 0 point is displayed on the display 4 (S21), and the character size is set by operating the number keys indicating the character size (S21).
22). That is, when the number key “1” is operated to set the character size to the automatic size, the size designation data indicating the automatic size is stored in the size memory 43.

Next, when the character key is operated (S20:
No, S23: Yes), the character code data of the character is sequentially stored in the line buffer 41 (S24), and the character is further displayed on the display 4 (S25). In this way, when each character “HIABCDJK” is input and the creation end key is operated (S20 / S23: N
o, S26: Yes), the size instruction data stored in the size memory 43 is stored in the line buffer 41 in association with each character code data.
Data is transferred to the text memory 42 (S27),
Then, the process proceeds to S11. When any key other than the creation end key is operated (S20, S23, S26: N
o), a process corresponding to a key operation such as an editing process is executed (S28).

Next, when the character decoration setting key is operated (S11: Yes, S12: No, S14: Yes),
Character modification setting processing control (see FIGS. 12 and 13) for setting the character modification mode is executed (S15). When this control is started, the character string is displayed on the display 4 based on the data stored in the text memory 42, and the cursor is displayed below the character displayed on the left end of the display 4 (S30). ). That is, in this case, "H" in the input character string "HIABCDJK"
Is displayed at the left end of the display 4, and the cursor is displayed below "H". No character decoration is set for "H", so if the cursor movement key is operated (S31:
Yes), the cursor moves to the lower side (right side) by one character (S32). That is, in this case, the cursor moves to the lower side of "I". Next, it is determined whether or not the framing flag F is set (S33). In this case, since the framing mode is not set (S33: N
o), the process proceeds to S31.

Next, when the cursor movement key is operated (S
31: Yes), S32 and S33 are executed similarly to the above, and the process proceeds to S31. At this time, the cursor is the letter "A"
Since it is moving to the lower side and "A" is the first character to character-modify the framing mode, operating the framing start key (S31, S35, S38, S41, S4
4: No, S47: Yes), it is determined whether the framing flag F is set (S48). In this case, the framing flag F is not set (S48).
48: No), the framing flag F is set (S
49), the framing start data and the framing identification data are stored in the text memory 42 along with the character code data of "A" (S50), and the process proceeds to S31. The framing identification data is data for printing the frame FR on both upper and lower sides of "A", and the framing start data is data for printing the frame FR on the left side of "A".

Next, when the cursor movement key is operated (S
31: Yes), S32 and S33 are executed. At this time, since the framing flag F is set (S
33: Yes), for the character on which the cursor is located, the framing identification data is stored in the text memory 42 along with the character code data (S3).
4). That is, in this case, the framing identification data is attached to the character code data of "B" and the framing identification data is added to the text memory 42.
Stored in. Next, by operating the cursor movement key (S31: Yes), S32, S33, and S34 are executed, and the framing identification data for "C" is stored in the text memory 42 as in the case of "B". next,
By operating the cursor movement key (S31: Ye
s), S32, S33, and S34 are executed, and the framing identification data for "D" is stored in the text memory 42 as described above. Further, since "D" is the last character to be character-modified to the framing mode, operating the end key (S31, S35, S38, S41, S44, S4
7: No, S51: Yes), it is determined whether or not the framing flag F is set (S52). In this case, the framing flag F is set (S52).
52: Yes), the framing end data is stored in the text memory 42 along with the character data code of “D” (S53), then the framing flag F is reset (S54), and the process proceeds to S31. The framing end data is data for printing the frame FR on the right side of "D".

In this way, the character decoration for "ABCD" is completed, and then the end key is operated (S31).
・ S35 ・ S38 ・ S41 ・ S44 ・ S47: No, S
51: Yes), since the framing flag F has been reset (S52: No), the process proceeds to S11. The characters "H", "I", "J", "K" other than "ABCD"
When setting the character modification mode for, the operator may select and operate one of the underline key, the bold key, the outline key, and the shadow key. For example, when the framing mode is set for "ABCD", the cursor movement key is operated to move the cursor to the lower side of "J", and then the underline key is operated (S31: No, S35: Yes). ), S36
When S37 is executed and the underline identification data is attached to the character code data of "J", the text memory 4
Stored in 2. In addition, S36, S39, S42, S4
5. If S48 returns Yes, or S
When it is determined No in 51, the buzzer sounds for a warning (S55).

Next, when the print key is operated (S11:
Yes, S12 / S14: No, S16: Yes), and the print processing control (see FIG. 14) is started (S17).

When this control is started, the print pointer P
Is set to the start address of the text memory 42 (S
60) Next, the data designated by the print pointer P is read (S61). That is, in this case, the data about "H" is read. Next, based on the size designation data, it is determined whether the character size is auto size (S62). In this embodiment, since the auto size mode is set (S62: Yes), it is then determined whether or not the character decoration mode is set (S63). In this case, since the character modification mode is not set for "H" (S63: No), the character code data, the auto size instruction data, and the dot number data in the width direction of the print permissible area PE stored in the ROM are stored. The maximum allowable character size is calculated based on (S64),
Based on the calculation result, the dot pattern data is developed in the print buffer 46 using the data read from the CGROM 31 (S66). That is, as shown in FIG. 16, “H” is displayed in the print buffer 46 as 128-bit (vertical) × 128-bit (horizontal) dot pattern data.
Is expanded to.

Next, the print pointer P is incremented (S67), and it is determined whether or not the character code data exists in the text memory 42 (S68). In this case, the character code data exists (S68: Yes). ), S
In step 61, S62 to S64 are executed, and dot pattern data of "I" is expanded in the print buffer 46 in the same manner as "H". Next, S67 and S68 are executed in the same manner as described above, and then S61 to S63 are executed for "A". Since "A" is character-modified in the framing mode (S63: Yes), the automatic size instruction data, The allowable maximum character size including the frame FR is calculated based on the data of the reduction ratio for the framing mode of the ROM table, the framing identification data, and the framing start data (S65), and based on the calculation result, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the dot pattern data is developed in the print buffer 46 (S66). Thereafter, similarly, S67 / S68 and S61 to S66 are repeatedly executed, and the dot pattern data is expanded in the print buffer 46 for each character "BCDJK". Even when the character size is set to a size other than the automatic size (S62: No), the dot pattern data is expanded in the print buffer 46 based on the size designation data and the like as described above.

In this way, when the dot pattern data is developed for all the characters (S68: No), the tape feed motor 24 is rotationally driven, the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 are synchronously rotationally driven, and printing is performed. The heating element group 13a is energized at a predetermined timing based on the dot pattern data in the buffer 46, characters are printed on the printing tape 5 by a plurality of dot rows, and the double-sided tape 10 is printed on the printing surface of the printing tape 5. Attached (S
69). After that, when printing of all characters is completed, execution of a predetermined amount of tape feeding processing and cutting processing is instructed (S7
0) ends this control and returns.

As described above, by selecting the auto size mode, when character decoration is not set,
Since the number of margin dots provided on the upper and lower sides of the net character can be omitted and the net character size can be printed with the maximum size allowed by the tape width, the printable area PE of the printing tape 5 can be used to the maximum extent. The characters can be enlarged and printed, and the appearance of printing can be improved. Also,
When the character decoration is set, the character size including the character decoration can be printed with the maximum size allowed by the tape width or less, so that the print allowable area PE can be used to the maximum extent for printing. Character size can be maximized and printed.

It is also possible to print on two or more lines, instead of printing one line. It is also possible to set a character modification mode other than the above. Further, instead of inputting the tape width by key operation, for example, a tape width detecting claw member is provided in the tape storage cassette CS, and the claw member is detected by an optical sensor to detect the mounted printing tape. The tape width may be input and set.
In addition, the CGROM 31 may store dot pattern data for each character size for a large number of characters instead of the contour line data, and the CGROM 30 may be omitted by also using this CGROM 31. Furthermore, it is possible to set various character sizes other than the character size.

[0039]

According to the tape printer of the present invention,
As explained in the section of the above action, the size of the character to be emphasized or distinguished by character modification in the character string and the other character are set based on the tape width. At the same time, it is not necessary to calculate and select a size corresponding to the tape width one by one, and the tape width can be effectively used to print a desired character arrangement on the tape. Therefore, the workability can be improved and the appearance of printing can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of a printing mechanism showing a printing tape and a thermal head.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print example.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a table of data of character modification mode and reduction ratio.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a character for which character modification is not set and a character modified in underline mode are printed in the auto size mode.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing data in a line buffer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a subroutine of data input processing control.

FIG. 12 is a partial schematic flowchart of a subroutine of character decoration setting processing control.

FIG. 13 is a partial schematic flowchart of a subroutine of character decoration setting processing control.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control subroutine.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a character size designation screen.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a printing example by a tape printer according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 Keyboard 5 Printing Tape 29 CPU 31 CGROM 32 ROM 40 RAM C Controller PE Printing Allowable Area PM Printing Mechanism

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B41J 3/46

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printing unit including a print head for printing a dot pattern on a tape as a print medium, an input unit for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, and storing data of the input characters and symbols. In the tape printer, the tape storage device is provided with a data storage unit for storing the data, and a print control unit for receiving the data of the data storage unit and creating dot pattern data using the data read from the character generator to print the data on the printing unit. A character decoration setting means capable of setting at least one of character modifications such as bold, outline characters, shadow characters, etc., and an autosize mode for selecting a character size as a maximum size allowed by the width of the tape. An auto size mode setting means, wherein the print control means sets the auto size mode. When the character decoration is not set, the dot pattern data that makes the character size the maximum size allowed by the tape width is created based on the input settings or the detected tape width data, and the character decoration is also set. The tape printing device is configured to create dot pattern data in which the character size including the character decoration is equal to or smaller than the maximum size allowed by the tape width when the tape width is set.