JPH06118934A - External character registering method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To generate an external character dot pattern which is well balanced with the dot patterns of characters and symbols that a device already has. CONSTITUTION:A dot pattern for external character generation which is displayed at a display part so as to generate the external dot pattern is reversed and displayed (step 105). Consequently, when an external character is generated to the full size of a generation area, some of the external character constituting dots in the same color as the background color of the display part fade into the background of the display part outside the external character generation area and become inconspicuous. The generation of the external character to the full size of the generation area is nearly eliminated and the dot pattern is well balanced with other characters that the device has. Further, a frame which makes the generation area distinctive is not necessary and a user never misunderstands that the frame constitutes the character part of the external character; even when a display part having a small display area is applied, the need to switch a display screen in consideration of the frame is eliminated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external character registration method for creating a dot pattern of a character or a symbol (hereinafter referred to as an external character) not prepared in advance in a character information processing device and registering it in the device. It is suitable for application to a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In many character information processing apparatuses, all characters and symbols used in the real world (hereinafter, in some cases, the characters and symbols are collectively referred to as characters) are prepared in advance. Considering that it is actually difficult,
Equipped with an external character registration function. That is, it has a function of allowing a user to register a dot pattern of a character or a symbol that is not prepared in advance in the device as needed. For example, in the case of a tape printer, which is a small-sized device, the external memory registration function is important because the memory capacity is kept down for miniaturization and the prepared characters and symbols are smaller than those of large-sized devices. . In the case of a tape printer, the printed and output tape is often used as a label, so the user often uses an arbitrary symbol such as a company mark. From this point, the external character registration function is also important. is there.

The conventional external character registration method in such a tape printer is as follows, and is almost the same as the external character registration method in other character information processing apparatuses.

That is, when the external character mode registration process is selected, the vertical and horizontal N × N (N is, for example, 16, 24, 32, 4).
8) A dot pattern for creation, which has a dot size and in which all dots mean background dots, is displayed in the background color of the display unit, and a cursor is displayed on any of the dots. From this state, if the user operates the cursor movement key, the cursor is moved, and if the dot-on key is operated, the dot where the cursor is located is highlighted as a dot forming a character (external character). When the key for determining the non-registered character is operated in the state where one or more dots are selected as dots forming a character in this way, the entire pattern of vertical and horizontal N × N dots at that stage is determined as the registered pattern.

[0005]

However, according to the conventional external character registration method, it is difficult to distinguish between the background of the area in which the creation dot pattern is displayed and the background of the display unit itself. A frame surrounding the area in which the pattern is displayed must be displayed, and the presence of this frame often causes the user to mistakenly think that a dot pattern with a frame surrounding is being created. Here, if a frame is added when an external character is created by the display unit that is large enough to display the creation dot pattern if there is no frame,
The dot pattern for creation must be displayed on two screens separately, which is not intuitively understandable for the user. In practice, there is a tape printing device to which a display unit having 32 dots in the width direction (main scanning direction) is applied. However, when creating an external character pattern of 32 × 32 dots, there is a frame so that the dot for creation is created. The pattern is displayed on two screens. For the reasons described above, according to the conventional method, the generated dot pattern of external characters often cannot be balanced with the dot patterns of characters and symbols already prepared by the apparatus. As a result, the print quality was degraded.

In a character information processing apparatus (so-called word processor or the like) having a large display unit, each dot of the input dot pattern described above is represented by a symbol (for example, "+") using a plurality of dots on the display unit. In some cases, the area in which the creation dot pattern is displayed and the background of the display section are clearly distinguished by making the display larger. However, in the case of a small device such as a tape printer, the display unit is small, and the display area of the creation dot pattern for creating the external character dot pattern cannot be taken large. For example, each dot of the creation dot pattern is displayed in the display unit. 1
Since dots are often used, the above-mentioned problems are likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and even if the display unit is small, the creation area can be clarified without using a frame, and the apparatus has already prepared it. It is intended to provide an external character registration method capable of creating an external character dot pattern that is well balanced with a dot pattern of characters and symbols.

[0008]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, in the external character registration method in which a character information processing device is made to create a dot pattern of an external character and is registered in the device, a display unit is provided. It is characterized in that the dot pattern for external character creation displayed in is highlighted.

[0009]

The user clearly distinguishes the background portion of the external character dot pattern from the portion of the external character by designating the dots forming the external character while the external character creating dot pattern is displayed on the display unit. Create external characters as you go.

In such a created state, when the external character creating dot pattern is displayed in the same manner as the character dot pattern prepared in the apparatus, that is, the background portion of the external character creating dot pattern is displayed on the display unit. When displayed in the same color as the background portion of the device itself, the user does not feel discomfort even if he / she creates a large external character. Therefore, it is easy for the user to create a large external character. There is a high risk that the balance with the letters will be lost. When the dot pattern for creating an external character is surrounded by a frame, it is misunderstood that the frame forms an external character, or the dot pattern for creating an external character is switched and displayed on two screens due to the existence of the frame, which is difficult for the user to understand. Will be displayed.

Therefore, in the present invention, the dot pattern for creating an external character displayed on the display unit in order to create the external character dot pattern is displayed in reverse. This eliminates the need for frame display, and when an external character is created in the full creation area, part of the external character configuration dots with the same display color as the background color of the display will appear in the display outside the external character creation area. It blends into the background and is hard to see. Therefore, the external character is rarely created in the entire creation area, and the balance with the dot patterns of other characters prepared by the apparatus is good.

The created external character dot pattern must be output (for example, printed out) in the same manner as the dot pattern of characters and symbols prepared by the apparatus. Various methods can be applied to this method, and the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, when storing the created external character dot pattern in the external character registration area, the logical data of each dot is inverted and stored, or the inverted external character dot pattern is registered as it is in the external character registration area and is output. By inverting and outputting the result, the logical level of the dot pattern of the existing character may be matched.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the external character registration method according to the present invention is applied to a tape printer will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall electrical construction of the tape printer to which the external character registration method of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 2, the tape printer of this embodiment, like the other character information processing apparatus, is mainly composed of an input section 10, a control section 20 and an output section 30. Under the control, the character information input to the input unit 10 is displayed or printed out at the output unit 30.

The input unit 10 is provided with push-down keys, dial keys, etc., although detailed structure is omitted, and generates character code data and various control data to be given to the control unit 20. In the tape printer according to this embodiment, the input unit 10 also includes various keys related to the external character registration function (which may be used in combination with keys for realizing other functions).

The output unit 30 has a print configuration and a display configuration. For example, a tape feed motor 31 which is a stepping motor feeds a loaded tape (not shown) to a predetermined printing position or the outside of the apparatus, and a thermal head 32 prints on a fixed and running tape by thermal transfer. Is to do. The tape feed motor 31 and the thermal head 32 are driven by a motor drive circuit 33 and a head drive circuit 34, respectively, under the control of the controller 20. The external characters registered as described later can be naturally printed on the tape.
The printed tape is cut by, for example, a cutter (not shown) driven by an external force from the user.
In the case of the tape printer according to this embodiment, a liquid crystal display 35 is provided as a display unit, for example, a character of the smallest size can be displayed for several characters over several lines. It is driven by the display drive circuit 36 under the control of the controller 20. During the external character registration process, an image (FIG. 3) for inputting an external character is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35.

The control unit 20 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and has a CPU 21, a ROM 22,
RAM23, character generator ROM (CG-R
The OM) 24, the input interface unit 25, and the output interface unit 26 are connected via a system bus 27.

The ROM 22 stores various processing programs and fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data, and also stores an external character mode program 22a shown in FIG. 1 described later. The RAM 23 is used as a working memory, and also stores fixed data (for example, external character dot pattern) related to user input. Speaking of the relationship with the external character mode, the RAM 23 has an external character registration area 23a for storing the created external character dot pattern, a pattern buffer 23b during creation for storing the external character dot pattern in the middle of creation, and an external character registration process. Liquid crystal display 3 inside
Display buffer 23 for storing image data to be displayed on
have c. The external character registration area 23a and the pattern buffer 23b being created are divided into a plurality of areas when one external character has a dot pattern of a plurality of sizes.

The CG-ROM 24 stores a dot pattern of characters and symbols prepared in the tape printer, and corresponds to a dot pattern when code data specifying the characters and symbols is given. Is output. Separate CG-R for display and printing
An OM may be provided. External character registration is executed for characters and symbols for which dot patterns are not prepared in the CG-ROM 24.

The input interface unit 25 is the input unit 10.
The output interface unit 26 serves as an interface between the output unit 30 and the control unit 20.

The CPU 21 uses the processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to the input signal from the input unit 10 and the processing stage at that time, while using the RAM 23 as a working area and, if necessary, the ROM 22 and the RAM 2.
The fixed data stored in No. 3 is used as appropriate for processing, and the processing status and processing result are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 or printed on a tape (not shown).

When the external character mode processing is instructed via the input unit 10, the CPU 21 executes the external character mode program 22a in the ROM 22.

Although not shown, it is possible to add RAM packs. When RAM packs are added, the number of external characters that can be registered is also increased.

The external character mode processing executed by the CPU 21 will be sequentially described below with reference to the drawings.

When the external character mode is selected by the user, the CPU 21 starts the processing shown in FIG. 1 and first determines which of the registration processing, the calling processing and the deletion processing is designated as the external character mode processing. (Step 10
0).

When the calling process is selected, the designated one of the external characters already registered in the external character registration area 23a is called (step 101). If the delete process is selected, the designated external character registered in the external character registration area 23a is deleted (step 102). In addition, the calling process and the deletion process,
Since this is not a feature of this embodiment, its detailed description is omitted.

When the registration process is selected, the CPU 2
The area 1 fetches the area selection data (external character identification number) of the external character registration area 23a (step 103). In the case of the tape printer, since the memory capacity is not large, the number of external characters that can be registered is limited to a few, and the external character registration area 23a of the RAM 23 is divided into the maximum number of external characters that can be registered. The external character identification number is assigned in correspondence with. That is, the divided areas and the external character identification numbers have a one-to-one correspondence.

When the external character identification number is input, the CPU 21
Reads a dot pattern of a certain size stored in the selected divided area of the external character registration area 23a and inverts and writes it in the area of that size of the pattern buffer 23b being created (step 104). If no external character is registered in the area so far, a dot pattern in which all dots mean the background is stored in the area. Next, the dot pattern immediately after being written in the pattern buffer 23b being created is expanded in the display buffer 23c as a dot pattern for creating an external character, and the control information is also expanded in the display buffer 23c and displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 ( Step 105).

In the case of the tape printer, one character is made to correspond to a plurality of sizes. Therefore,
For external characters, dot patterns of a plurality of sizes are created, and the input operation for each size is repeated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen by the processing of step 105. In FIG. 3, a dot pattern for creation is reversely displayed (also referred to as a negative display) as an input area 40, a cursor 41 is displayed by blinking, and pattern size information that defines a pattern size related to registration (see FIG. 3). 16 × 16 dots) 42 and information defining the cursor position (position information counted from the upper left dot in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction) 43 are displayed.

After that, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a key operation performed by the user on the input unit 10.
For example, whether or not the cursor movement key has been operated, whether or not the dot on key or dot off key has been operated, whether or not the external character mode cancel key has been operated, and the creation of the dot pattern of the currently targeted size is completed. Whether or not the creation end key that indicates that
It is repeatedly determined in this order (steps 106 to 109).

When the cursor movement key is operated,
The CPU 21 uses the cursor 41 on the liquid crystal display 35.
The display position of is changed accordingly, and the display content of the cursor position information 43 is changed.
Proceed to the dot off key determination step (step 11
0).

When the dot-on key is operated, C
The PU 21 displays the dot at which the cursor 41 is located at that time in the background color of the liquid crystal display 35 (positive display), and also changes the logical level of the dot in the pattern buffer 23b being created to the logical level of the external character forming part, Conversely, when the dot off key is operated, CP
U21 reverse-displays the dot at which the cursor 41 is located on the liquid crystal display 35, and also changes the logical level of that dot in the pattern buffer 23b being created to the logical level of the background portion to determine the operation of the mode cancel key. (Step 111).

When the mode cancel key is operated, C
The PU 21 performs an escape process to return to the state before the external character mode is instructed (step 112).

When the creation end key is operated, it is determined whether creation for all sizes is completed (step 113). If the creation for all sizes has not been completed, the process returns to step 104 described above, and proceeds to the input processing for other sizes that have not been input.

On the other hand, when the creation for all sizes is completed, the CPU 21 displays that registration is being executed, and sets the dot patterns of all sizes stored in the creating pattern buffer 23b to the logical level (bit value) of all dots. ) Both are reversed and transferred to the area of the external character registration area 23a related to the selected external character identification number, and when this transfer is completed, the device state immediately before the external character mode is instructed is returned and the series of registration processing is completed. (Steps 114 and 11
5).

Since the tape printer operates as described above, the user can see the highlighted dot pattern for creation and, if necessary, press the cursor movement key, dot on key, dot off key, creation end key, or the like. Operate it to register the external character dot pattern in the device.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, since the dot pattern for creation is reversely displayed and the dot pattern of the external character is created, the dot pattern of the character or the symbol already prepared in the CG-ROM 24 by the apparatus. It becomes possible to create an external character dot pattern that is well balanced with.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of this effect, and shows a case where the external character is created in the full creation area by the method of this embodiment and a case where the external character is created in the full creation area by the conventional method.

When the external character is created to fill the creation area by the conventional method, as shown in FIG. 4B, the background portion 50 in the external character dot pattern and the background 51 of the liquid crystal display 35 outside the external character creation area. Since and are displayed in the same background color, there is no discomfort even if the dots that make up the external character are full in the created area.Therefore, it is easy for the user to create a large external character and other characters that the device prepares. It is easy to lose the balance.

On the other hand, in the case where the external character is created in the entire creation area by the method of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. It becomes difficult to connect with the background 51 of the liquid crystal display 35 outside the external character creation area. for that reason,
Almost no external character is created in the entire creation area, and the balance with other characters prepared by the device is good.

Further, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the creation dot pattern of the external character is clarified by reversing the creation dot pattern, the frame surrounding the creation area is unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding that the frame forms the character portion of the external character, and it is possible to create a well-balanced external character dot pattern from this point as well. Furthermore, since the frame is gone,
The area to be displayed for creating the external character dot pattern is also small, and even if the liquid crystal display 35 having a small display area is applied as in the embodiment, the creation dot pattern is less likely to be displayed on two screens. It can be created well. For example, when the liquid crystal display 35 capable of displaying 32 dots in the width direction is applied, in the framed display, the two-screen display is performed when the dot patterns of 32 × 32 and 48 × 48 dots are created. When the embodiment is applied, the two-screen display may be performed only when the dot pattern of 48 × 48 dots is created.

In the above embodiment, the external character dot pattern stored in the pattern buffer 23b being created is bit-inverted when stored in the external character registration area 23a and stored in the CG-ROM 24. Although it is shown that the device is prepared to meet the bit level regulation of the dot pattern of the character (for example, the character part is a logical "1" and the background is a logical "0"), the matching with other characters is not limited to this. Method may be used.

For example, even if the display of the external character being created is reversed, the logical level of the pattern buffer 23b being created may be the same as that of the non-inverted display, so that matching with other characters may be obtained. Also, the external character registration area 23a
Alternatively, the data may be stored at a logic level corresponding to reverse display, and bit inversion may be performed when reading from the external character registration area 23a for output such as printing to obtain matching with other characters.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the tape printer, but it can be applied to other character information processing devices.

Further, the display unit is not limited to the liquid crystal display 35, and may be another flat panel display or a so-called CRT, as long as it can reverse display.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the external character registration method in which the character information processing device creates a dot pattern of an external character that is not prepared in advance and registers it in the device,
Since the dot pattern for external character creation to be displayed on the display is highlighted so that the external character dot pattern is created, even if a small display is used, the dot pattern of characters or symbols already prepared by the device It is possible to create an external character dot pattern that is well balanced with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an external character registration method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a tape printer to which the method of the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a dot pattern for creating an external character according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an effect of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Input unit, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... R
OM, 22a ... External character mode program, 23 ... RA
M, 23a ... External character registration area, 23b ... Pattern buffer being created, 23c ... Display buffer, 35 ... Liquid crystal display.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In the external character registration method in which a character information processing device creates an external character dot pattern not prepared in advance and registers it in the device, the external character creation dot pattern to be displayed on the display unit is highlighted. How to register external characters.