JP2546196B2 - Tape printing device capable of printing multiple blocks of arbitrary number of lines - Google Patents

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 producing a label by printing a relatively simple sentence such as a word or phrase on a long tape-shaped print medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, tape printers have been provided which can print desired characters, symbols, etc. on a long tape made of, for example, paper or plastic film. This is an input operation unit equipped with a keyboard consisting of a large number of character keys and function keys and a display unit consisting of a liquid crystal display, and printing with a print head while feeding a long tape in the lateral direction (longitudinal direction). It is configured to have a printing unit.

Then, when the user operates the keyboard while looking at the display portion to input desired character data and the like and then instructs the execution of the printing operation by the keyboard, the long tape P is formed as shown in FIG. A desired character C (for example, "ABCD") is printed and a label is obtained.

Thus, in such a tape printing apparatus, not only one line of the long tape P but also a plurality of long tapes P according to the width dimension of the long tape P as shown in FIG. It is considered that the characters can be printed over the lines, and the characters C of the plural lines can be regarded as one block B and the plural blocks B can be arranged side by side in order from the left.

[0005]

By the way, a tape printer of this type (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 3-91492) is equipped with, for example, a 1-line key and a 2-line key on a keyboard, and a user can use these keys. When inputting character data, one line or two lines must be specified, and when two lines are input, the upper line or the lower line must be specified. Therefore, the input work is very troublesome and the number of lines that can be printed is limited.

Further, in the typewriter and word processor, when the number of characters in one line set in one page is exceeded and the number of lines is exceeded, a line feed or a page break is automatically made. Then, when a plurality of blocks are arranged and printed by using a character of a plurality of lines as one block, the length of each block is determined by the length of the character string, and one page of a predetermined page is determined by a typewriter or a word processor. There is no size. In other words, in the tape printing device, due to the nature of the characters displayed as labels, it is not possible to divide the character string at a place not intended by the user, and it is not possible to separate lines that exceed the tape width into separate labels. The word processor control cannot be applied.

According to the present invention, a plurality of blocks each having an arbitrary number of lines are sequentially printed in the longitudinal direction of a long tape-shaped print medium, which facilitates an input operation for forming the blocks, and This makes it possible to easily display that the line position or block has been changed.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a tape printing apparatus of the present invention comprises a long tape-shaped printing medium on which characters such as characters and symbols are arbitrarily arranged in the width direction of the tape. It is possible to print a number of characters and to print a plurality of blocks in order in the longitudinal direction of the print medium by using the character of an arbitrary number of lines as one block, and a character for inputting the character data. Data input means, display means for displaying the character data input by the character data input means together with line numbers, and data of the input character at any length in the longitudinal direction of the print medium and in the width direction thereof. Input the line feed data to form a plurality of lines, and place the character data at the position corresponding to the updated line number on the display means. Line feed data inputting means that enables the input of character data by the data inputting means, and block data for dividing the characters of the arbitrary number of lines into the blocks arranged in the longitudinal direction of the print medium. A modified block data input means for returning the line number to the initial value by inputting block data and displaying it on the display means, and an arbitrary line in the width direction of the print medium for the character with an arbitrary line length based on the line feed data. It is characterized in that it is provided with a printing means which is arranged in a number and is arranged to print an arbitrary number of blocks side by side in the longitudinal direction of the print medium based on the modified block data.

In the above tape printer, preferably, the line feed data input means can input up to the number of line feed data corresponding to a predetermined number of lines, and a break block is made even if the number of line feed data is exceeded. Instead, the display means can display the line numbers up to the predetermined number of lines.

[0010]

In the above structure, the user changes the line at an arbitrary line length by inputting the character data to be printed by the character data input means and inputting the line feed data by the line feed data input means. Subsequent printing of the character is moved to the next line. Further, when an arbitrary number of lines have been input, the modified block data input means inputs modified block data to enable a new character to be input to a new block arranged in the longitudinal direction of the print medium.

The input character data is displayed together with the line number on the display means, and when the line feed data is input, the line number is sequentially updated. When the modified block data is input when the number of lines reaches an arbitrary number, the line number is returned to the initial value. As a result, the user can know the row position of the data to be used for input and also know that the block has changed.

Then, the printing means arranges a plurality of blocks having an arbitrary length in the longitudinal direction of the print medium and an arbitrary number of rows in the width direction in the longitudinal direction of the print medium, and prints on the print medium. Run.

In the above tape printing apparatus, it is preferable that the line feed data can be input up to a number corresponding to a predetermined number of lines printable on the tape-shaped print medium, and even if the predetermined number of lines is exceeded, a new block is made. There is no such thing. Further, the display means can display line numbers up to a predetermined number. Therefore, the number of lines that can be printed on the tape-shaped printing medium is not exceeded, or the character string is not divided in the middle of the line contrary to the user's intention. You can create a label.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of the tape printer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the main body 1 of the tape printer.
Is roughly divided into an input operation unit 2 located on the front side and a printing unit 3 serving as a printing unit located on the rear side.

The input operation section 2 is provided with a keyboard 4 and display means, that is, a liquid crystal display 5. Among them, the keyboard 4 is provided with a large number of character keys 6 for inputting characters such as alphabets and numbers and various symbols and various function keys 7.

Although not shown in detail, the function key 7 includes a cursor movement key, a print execution key, a line feed key for inputting line feed data, a block key for inputting block data, the character data, A backspace key for deleting line feed data or break block data is included.

On the liquid crystal display 5, the character C input by operating the keyboard 4, the line feed mark R, the break block mark S, or various messages are displayed. In this embodiment,
The liquid crystal display 5 is capable of displaying two lines.

With this, the input operation unit 2 inputs character data inputting means for inputting data of characters to be printed on a printing medium described later, line feed data inputting means for inputting line feed data, and break block data. The modified block data inputting means for inputting the modified block data and the connecting means for deleting the modified block data and connecting the characters between the blocks.

On the other hand, the printing section 3 is provided with a tape cassette mounting section 9 on which a tape cassette 8 described later is set so as to be replaceable. This tape cassette mounting part 9
The ribbon take-up shaft 10 and the tape feed shaft 11 are provided on the magnetic head 12, and as shown in FIG.
And a roller holder 13 and a cutter mechanism 14 (both shown only in FIG. 5), which will be described later.

The ribbon winding shaft 10 and the tape feeding shaft 1
1 is driven by a pulse motor 15 (shown only in FIG. 3). Also, the thermal head 1
Reference numeral 2 is for printing on a print medium described later, and is configured by arranging a plurality of heating elements in parallel in the vertical direction.

Now, the tape cassette 8 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the tape cassette 8 is set in the tape cassette mounting portion 9 with the upper case of the tape cassette 8 removed. The tape cassette 8 is constructed by incorporating the following mechanism in a case 16 composed of the upper case and the lower case 16a.

That is, the case 16 is in the shape of a rectangular box as a whole, and has an opening 17 at the left end portion of its front surface (lower surface in FIG. 5). A tape spool 19 around which a long transparent tape-shaped film 18 as a printing medium is wound is rotatably provided at the upper right side of the case 16 in the drawing, and is located below the tape spool 19 in the drawing. And a ribbon spool 21 around which a long thermal ink ribbon 20 is wound.
Are provided rotatably. Further, on the left side in the drawing of the inside of the case 16, an adhesive tape spool 23 around which a long double-sided adhesive tape 22 having a release paper attached only on the outer surface side is wound.
Is also rotatably provided.

A hole 16b, through which the thermal head 12 is inserted, is formed below the adhesive tape spool 23 in the drawing. A pressure roller 25 is provided in the lower left corner of the case 16 in the drawing. Further, a ribbon take-up spool 24 is provided in a substantially central portion of the case 16.

The ribbon take-up spool 24 is connected to the ribbon take-up shaft 10 for rotation. As a result, the thermal ink ribbon 20 pulled out from the ribbon spool 21 is guided to the thermal head 12 portion by the guide rollers 26, 27, 28 and the like provided in the case 16 and is used for printing. The ribbon take-up spool 24 is wound up.

On the other hand, the roller holder 13 is located on the front surface of the tape cassette 8 and has a set position shown in FIG. 5 around the shaft 29 at the right end and a release position at which the left end is separated from the tape cassette 8. A platen roller 30 and a tape feed roller 31 which face the opening 17 of the case 16 are provided on the left end side of the platen roller 30 so as to be rotatable.

In the set position, the platen roller 30 contacts the thermal head 12 to receive the film 18 and the thermal ink ribbon 20, and the tape feed roller 31 presses the pressure roller 25. At the same time, it is connected to the tape feed shaft 11 to feed the film 18 and the double-sided adhesive tape 22.

Thus, the film 18 drawn out from the tape spool 19 is hung on the guide roller 32 and then overlapped with the thermal ink ribbon 20 so that the thermal head 12 and the platen roller 30 are joined together. It is sent in the meantime and a predetermined character is printed.

After that, the printed film 18 is separated from the thermal ink ribbon 20, and is overlapped with the double-sided adhesive tape 22 pulled out from the adhesive tape spool 23. It is passed through between the feed roller 31 and the sheet and is discharged from the left end of the opening 17 of the case 16. At this time, a double-sided adhesive tape 22 having a release paper on the back side is attached to the back side of the printed film 18.

Further, the film 18 with the double-sided adhesive tape 22 discharged from the opening 17 is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter mechanism 14 provided on the left side of the tape cassette 8, and thus the predetermined length is obtained. Is printed on the label. Although detailed description is omitted, the cutter mechanism 14 is configured to have a movable blade that moves toward and away from and slides with respect to the fixed blade, and like scissors,
With the film 18 (label) sandwiched between both blades,
By driving the DC motor 33, the movable blade is moved to perform the cutting operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printing section 3 is provided with a cover 34 for opening and closing the tape cassette 8 set in the tape cassette mounting section 9.
The replacement work of the tape cassette 8 is performed by opening the cover 34.

Now, as shown in FIG.
A control device 35 for controlling the above-mentioned mechanisms is provided. The control device 35 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and has a CPU 36, a ROM 37, and an RA.
Equipped with M38 etc. The keyboard 4 is connected to the CPU 36, and a liquid crystal display drive circuit 39 that drives the liquid crystal display 5, a pulse motor drive circuit 40 that drives the pulse motor 15, and a DC motor drive that drives the DC motor 33. Circuit 41,
A thermal head drive circuit 42 for driving the thermal head 12 is connected to each.

The ROM 37 stores character generators for display and printing, and various control programs. Further, the RAM 38 has a text data storage area for storing a text consisting of input character data and the like, and an image buffer for developing a print pattern based on the text or the like at the time of printing. ing.

Then, when the user operates the keyboard 4 to input a text consisting of the desired character data, line feed data, new block data, etc., the character C, new line mark R, and new block mark S are displayed. It will be displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 (see FIG. 6).
At the same time, the created text data is stored in the RAM 38. At this time, the user can edit the text by operating the keyboard 4 while looking at the liquid crystal display 5.

After that, when the user operates the function key 7 to issue a print execution command, the RAM 38 is operated.
The text data stored in is stored in the image buffer, the thermal head 12 is driven on the basis of the data, and the pulse motor 15 and the DC motor 33 are driven, so that the character C is printed on the film 18. Then, the printing operation for forming the label is executed.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to print the character C over a plurality of lines in the width direction of the film 18 from one line to a maximum of five lines. The character C within the predetermined number of lines is set as one block B, and a plurality of blocks B can be printed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the film in order from the left.

In this case, since the line feed data exists in the text, the line is changed at that position and the character C after that is moved to the next line for printing, and the block data exists in the text. By doing so, printing is performed with the position as a block B delimiter. When printing, unless otherwise specified by the user, printing is automatically performed with the character C having a size corresponding to the number of lines in each block B.

As will be apparent from the description of the flow chart to be described later, the control device 35 has its software configuration when the user operates the keyboard 4 to delete the modified block data from the text. The maximum number of printable lines is the total number of line feed data in the preceding and following blocks B separated by the break block data (in this case, 5
When the number is 5 or more, that is, 5 or more, it functions as a prohibition means for prohibiting deletion of the modified block data.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the power of the tape printer is turned on, the processing is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Incidentally, here, as shown in FIG. 7, “A”, “B”, “C”, ...
Description will be given by giving a specific example of printing characters such as.

That is, when the power is turned on, an initial setting process is first performed (step S1), and the user can input a key (step S2). Here, when the user operates the character keys 6 and the like of the keyboard 4 to input the data of the character C (Yes in steps S2 and S3), the input character data is stored in the RAM 38 and , Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 (step S4).

Now, the character C as shown in FIG.
To print, the user first inputs the character data of "ABCD" in order by the character key 6 (Yes in steps S2 and S3).
s). At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the number “1” for indicating the number of lines and the colon “:” are displayed on the first line (upper row) of the liquid crystal display 5, and subsequently this is displayed. "ABCD" is displayed (step S4).

Then, when the user wants to change the line at that position and move the subsequent character data to the next line, the line feed key is operated to input the line feed data (Yes in step S2, step No in S3, step S
Yes in 5). Then, first, the number of line feed data so far is checked (step S6), and it is determined whether four line feed data already exist (step S6).
7).

In this embodiment, if four line feed data already exist (Yes in step S7).
s), the input of further line feed data is prohibited. That is, even if an attempt is made to input the fifth line feed data by operating the line feed key, the key input is not accepted, and an error is notified by a display or an alarm (step S8). As a result, when data is input, it is possible to prevent character data over the number of unprintable lines from being input.

On the other hand, if the number of line feed data is less than 4 (No in step S7), the line feed data in step S5 is accepted and the line feed mark R is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5. , The cursor moves to the beginning of the next line (step S9).

In the above example, when the line feed key is operated after inputting "ABCD" (Yes in step S2, No in step S3, Yes in step S5), "D" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5. A line feed mark R is displayed next to the character (step S9), and the cursor moves to the beginning of the second line (next to "2:"). Therefore, when the user returns to step S2 and sequentially inputs “EFGH” (Yes in steps S2 and S3), as shown in FIG. 6A, “ABCD” is displayed on the first line and the second line is displayed. To "EFG
"H" will be displayed (step S4).

After inputting such character data of "EFGH", if line feed data is input again in step S2 (Yes in step S2, N in step S3).
o, Yes in step S5), the liquid crystal display 5 scrolls by one line (steps S6 and S7).
No, step S8), and the third line (“3:”) appears. Similarly, "IJKL" on the third line
When the character data of No. is input and the line feed data is further input, the fourth line (“4:”) appears as shown in FIG. 6B, and the character data of “MNOP” is further input. This completes the input of data regarding the first block B.

Then, when the user wants to input the data of the second block B, the user operates the break block key to input the break block data (Yes in step S2, step S2). No in step S3 and step S5, step S10). Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), on the liquid crystal display 5, the break block mark S (for example, the line feed mark R inverted) is displayed after the "P", and a new line is newly added. The display of (“1:”) will appear (step S11). Note that, here, for example, when the number of lines exceeds 5, a break block is not automatically made, and in order to perform a break block, it is necessary to input break block data. .

With this, it becomes possible to input the character data for the second block, and the user can input the character data shown in FIG.
As shown in (d) and (e), "QRS" character data, line feed data, "TUV" character data,
Line feed data, “WXY” character data, line feed data, and “Z” character data are input in order.

As described above, after the text data is created by inputting the character data, the line feed data, and the modified block data, the print execution key is operated by the user without performing editing such as deletion ( Step S2
Yes in step S3, step S5, step S
10, No in step S12), and printing is executed in the other processes of step S13. This allows
As shown in FIG. 7A, the film 18 is provided with “ABC
D ”,“ EFGH ”,“ IJKL ”,“ MNOP ”,
The character C of "QRS", "TUV", "WXY", and "Z" is printed in four lines in two blocks.

On the other hand, as described above, the tape printer of the present embodiment is capable of editing text such as correction, addition, deletion, movement and copying of the character data, line feed data, and block data. . Here, the user can delete arbitrary data by looking at the display on the liquid crystal display 5 and moving the cursor with the cursor movement key and further operating the backspace key.

In this way, when the backspace key is operated (Yes in step S2, No in step S3, step S5, step S10, step S12).
If Yes), as shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S14, it is determined whether the data immediately before the position where the cursor is displayed can be deleted. Here, for example, when the cursor is at the head position of the liquid crystal display 5 (the position of "A" in the above example), since deletion is impossible (No), for example, an error is notified by an alarm (step S15). ).

If the data can be deleted (Yes in step S14), it is determined in the next step S16 whether the data to be deleted is modified block data.
Here, when the data to be deleted is data that is not modified block data, that is, character data or line feed data (No), the data is deleted from the text as it is (step S17), and together with this, the liquid crystal display 5 Also in the display, the character C or the line feed mark R is deleted (step S18).

For example, in the above example, when deleting all the data after the character data of "V" from the text, the cursor is moved to the position next to "Z" on the liquid crystal display 5, and from here. , When the backspace key is operated 6 times, two line feed data and "W
The four character data "XYZ" are deleted, and the display on the liquid crystal display 5 becomes as shown in FIG. 6 (f). still,
When printing is performed in this state, the film 18 is printed as shown in FIG.
Printing as shown in (b) is performed.

If deletion of the modified block data is designated in the step S16 (Yes), first, in step S19, the data forming the blocks B before and after the modified block data are divided. Inside, it is checked how many newline data exist in total,
In the next step S20, it is determined whether the total number is 5 or more.

If the total number of line feed data is 4 or less (No in step S20), the modified block data is deleted in the same manner as the character data and line feed data described above (step S17). , S18). In this case, the two blocks B are integrated into one block as the modified block data is deleted.

On the other hand, when the total number of line feed data is 5 or more (Yes in step S20), deletion of the modified block data is prohibited and the key input is not accepted, and the display or Error notification is made by an alarm or the like (step S2)
1). This prevents one block B from exceeding the maximum number of printable lines.

In the above example, in the case of the text created by inputting up to FIG. 6 (e), each of the blocks B before and after the modified block data has 4 lines, and each of them has a total of 6 line feed data. Since it exists, deletion of the modified block data is prohibited. On the other hand, in the case of the texts shown in FIG. 6 (f) and FIG. 7 (b), the first block B has 3 pieces, 2 pieces.
Since there is one line feed mark in the second block B and the total number is four, it is possible to delete the modified block data after “P”.

When this deletion is performed, the liquid crystal display 5 shows "QRS" after "P" as shown in FIG. 6 (g).
Is connected and "TUV" is automatically displayed on the fifth line. Also, when printing is performed using this text, as shown in FIG.
Printing will be performed in blocks.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there are five or more line feed data, which is the number of printable lines, in the data forming the block B before and after the modified block data, the modified data is modified. Since the block data deletion is prohibited, the maximum number of lines that can be printed by one block B when editing text is different from the conventional block data deletion that can be freely performed. It is prevented that the number of lines exceeds the limit, and as a result, printing is performed within a predetermined number of lines without causing an error at the time of printing.

As a result, it becomes unnecessary for the user to search for and correct the error occurrence position one by one, and the usability can be sufficiently improved as compared with the prior art. Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the input of five or more line feed data to one block B is also prohibited, so that the input of character data over the number of unprintable lines can be prevented in advance. Is something that can be done.

In the above embodiment, the case where printing is performed on the transparent film 18 is taken as an example, but the printing medium may be a tape-shaped paper, and the double-sided adhesive tape 22 is not necessarily stuck on the back surface. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention such as not having a configuration.

[0061]

As described above, the tape printing apparatus of the present invention sequentially prints a plurality of blocks each having an arbitrary number of lines in the longitudinal direction of the tape printing medium. Change the line and move the input of the character after that to the next line, and after inputting an arbitrary number of lines, the new block data enables the input of a new character in a new block arranged in the longitudinal direction of the print medium. It is possible to easily perform the input operation for forming the. Further, the input character data is displayed on the display means together with the line number, and when the line feed data is input, the line number is sequentially updated. When the new block data is input when the number of lines reaches an arbitrary number, the line number is returned to the initial value, so you can know the line position of the data to be input and also know that the block has changed. Therefore, there is an excellent practical effect that the usability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart (part 1) of a processing procedure showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a processing procedure (No. 2)

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is an overall plan view showing a tape cassette removed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a tape cassette portion.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of display on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of printing a film.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a printing example showing a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing different printing examples.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a tape printer main body, 2 is an input operation unit, 3
Is a printing unit, 4 is a keyboard, 5 is a liquid crystal display, 8
Is a tape cassette, 9 is a tape cassette mounting portion, 12 is a thermal head, 14 is a cutter mechanism, 16 is a case,
18 is a transparent film (print medium), 20 is a thermal ink ribbon, 22 is a double-sided adhesive tape, 25 is a pressure roller,
30 is a platen roller, 31 is a tape feed roller, and 35
Is a controller, 36 is a CPU, 37 is a ROM, 38 is an RA
M and B are blocks, C is a character, R is a line feed mark,
S indicates a break block mark.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A long tape-shaped print medium is printed with characters such as characters and symbols in an arbitrary number of lines in the width direction of the tape, and the characters of the arbitrary number of lines are treated as one block to form a plurality of characters. It is possible to sequentially print blocks in the longitudinal direction of the print medium, and character data input means for inputting the character data, and character data input by the character data input means are displayed together with line numbers. Display means for inputting, and line feed data for forming the input character data into a plurality of lines in an arbitrary length in the longitudinal direction of the print medium and in the width direction thereof, and at the same time, in the display means. A line feed data inputting device that enables the character data inputting means to input the character data at the position corresponding to the updated line number. A column, and inputting the modified block data for partitioning the characters of the arbitrary number of lines into the blocks arranged in the longitudinal direction of the print medium, and by inputting the modified block data, the line number is returned to the initial value and the A modified block data input means to be displayed on the display means, the characters are arranged in an arbitrary line length in the width direction of the print medium based on the line feed data, and an arbitrary number of characters are arranged based on the modified block data. A tape printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print the blocks of FIG. 1 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the print medium. 2. The line feed data input means according to claim 1, wherein the line feed data input means can input up to the line feed data number corresponding to a predetermined number of lines, and even if the predetermined line number is exceeded, a break block is not made. The tape printing apparatus is characterized in that the display means can display line numbers up to the predetermined number of lines.