EP0819542A1 - Dispositif d'impression de ruban - Google Patents

Dispositif d'impression de ruban Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0819542A1
EP0819542A1 EP96111569A EP96111569A EP0819542A1 EP 0819542 A1 EP0819542 A1 EP 0819542A1 EP 96111569 A EP96111569 A EP 96111569A EP 96111569 A EP96111569 A EP 96111569A EP 0819542 A1 EP0819542 A1 EP 0819542A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
character
tape
width
printed
adaptation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96111569A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Charles Robert Sims
Geert Heyse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Esselte NV
Original Assignee
Esselte NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Esselte NV filed Critical Esselte NV
Priority to EP96111569A priority Critical patent/EP0819542A1/fr
Publication of EP0819542A1 publication Critical patent/EP0819542A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4075—Tape printers; Label printers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • EP-A-0 557 137 discloses a tape printing apparatus to print images composed of characters, in the longitudinal direction on a tape. It is also in able to image in a relation to the longitudinal direction of the image Tape to 90 ° rotated, vertical way to the tape to press. When the rotated image is printed, it will first Examines whether the length of the image is on the width of the tape fits. If that is not the case, the size of the printout will be Image successively by a certain percentage reduced (scaled down) until it is so small that it is printable on the tape.
  • a disadvantage of the prior art is that the successive Application of the scaling factor and the investigation, whether the picture fits the width of the tape, very time consuming is.
  • the tape printing device therefore operates relatively slow, if rotated characters are to be printed.
  • the basic idea of the present invention is a Table to use in the different adjustment factors are stored.
  • a character rotated by 90 ° is the appropriate adjustment factor from the Table read out and the width of the character accordingly adapted to the width of the tape.
  • the saved Adjustment factors are usually selected such that the characters optimally fit the width of the tape.
  • the table allows the width of the rotated characters optimally adapted to the width of the tape. She avoids the use of successive scaling operations (since only a single adaptation is made) and an investigation, whether the reduced picture on the width of the tape fits, so that the printing process is much faster.
  • those are in the table stored adjustment factors scaling factors with which the widths of the characters are scalable.
  • a scalable font such as. in EP-A-0 574 225, the contents of which Reference is incorporated herein by reference to Bezier font for use.
  • the width of the characters is multiplied by the coordinates of the endpoints of the outline of the Character defining lines and curves with the scaling factors scalable.
  • fonts in dot pattern form to use in different sizes and each one to be used font based on the in the Table of the adjusted adjustment factor.
  • the adjustment factor may vary from the original size of the Character and / or the width of the tape and / or the Number of lines and / or depending on whether the printout Character is surrounded by a frame. It is obvious, that the original size and the printed Size should match if possible, if not a reduction of the character is necessary, otherwise it would not fit the width of the tape.
  • the width of the Bandes is therefore usually in the choice of the adjustment factor considered if the tape printing device is different can accommodate wide bands.
  • the width can be from one read the tape containing cassette or by means of a Switch at the bottom of a cassette receiving room or through detected a direct detection of the tape as such become. Alternatively, the width of the tape can be adjusted by the user be entered.
  • the adjustment factor may also depend on the attributes of the to be printed, such as normal, bold, narrow, italic, underlined, shaded, outline print or a combination depends on.
  • the adjustment factor can also be from the font (Font) depend on the character. Then, for example, a Courier font adapted differently than a Times Roman font.
  • the width can be adapted to the character.
  • another or the same adjustment factor used for the width of the character is relevant.
  • Another adjustment factor comes into consideration when the length of a printout Label is defined by the user and the tape printing device the length of the printed image accordingly adapts. As the length of the image of the height of the rotated depends on the character to be printed, the adjustment factor be set accordingly for the height. on the other hand the character will not change its appearance and look appealing if both mentioned adjustment factors to match.
  • FIG. 1 shows a simplified view of a tape printing device 1.
  • the tape printing device 1 comprises a keyboard 4.
  • the keyboard 4 has a plurality of data entry keys and includes especially a variety of numbers, letters and Punctuation marks provide keys 3 for entering data, which are to be output as a label, as well as function keys 4 to change the entered data. These function keys 4 serve e.g. to change the size or font the entered data. In addition, the function keys allow 4 ua. Underlining and framing a label.
  • the keyboard 2 further comprises a push button 5, the to print a label.
  • the keyboard 2 has an 'off' button 6 to the tape printing device. 1 switch on and off. A cursor can via the display 8 be moved by cursor keys 11.
  • An input (return) Key is indicated by the reference numeral 13.
  • a rotation key 7 is provided to users of the Banddruckeurss 1 the production of labels with rotated To allow pictures or characters.
  • a assigned key may be a rotation of the characters also be done by a user-controlled menu.
  • the tape printing apparatus 1 also has a liquid crystal display (LCD) 8, which displays the entered data.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • the display 8 allows the user all or part of the printout To look at labels before printing, what to change the label before printing easier. additionally the display can display 8 messages to the user, e.g. Error messages or an indication that the push button 5 is pressed has been.
  • the display 8 is controlled by a display driver 28 controlled, which is shown in Figure 3.
  • a cassette storage room He includes a thermal printhead 42 and a platen roller 46, which cooperate and define a pressure zone P.
  • the Printhead 42 is pivotally mounted about a pivot point 48, so that it can be brought into contact with the pressure roller 46 and be moved away from her to take out a cassette 10 and replace it.
  • One in the cassette receiving room 2 inserted cassette is denoted by the reference numeral 10th Provided.
  • the cassette 10 includes a supply roll 12 with Image receiving tape 14 comprising an image receiving layer which by means of an adhesive layer on a peelable backing layer is attached.
  • the image receiving tape 14 is through a guide mechanism, not shown, through the cassette 10 and leaves it shortly after the pressure zone P.
  • the same cartridge 10 further includes a ribbon supply roll 16 and a ribbon take-up roll 18.
  • the ink ribbon 20 is fed from the ribbon supply roll 16 through the print zone P guided and wound on the ribbon take-up reel 18.
  • the printing tape 14 passes through together with the ribbon 20 the print zone P, wherein its image-receiving layer in Contact with the ribbon 20 stands.
  • the pressure roller 46 is driven by a motor 31 (see FIG. 3), e.g. a DC motor or a stepper motor, driven, so that it turns and the image receiving tape 14 in a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the image receiving belt 14 extending Direction through the pressure zone P spends.
  • a motor 31 e.g. a DC motor or a stepper motor, driven, so that it turns and the image receiving tape 14 in a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the image receiving belt 14 extending Direction through the pressure zone P spends.
  • a motor 31 e.g. a DC motor or a stepper motor, driven, so that it turns and the image receiving tape 14 in a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the image receiving belt 14 extending Direction through the pressure zone P spends.
  • the cutting zone C is on the wall of the cassette 10 provided near the pressure zone P.
  • the part of the wall the cassette 10, which defines the cutting zone C, is through the reference numeral 22 is indicated.
  • a slot 24 is in this section 22 of the
  • the tape printing apparatus 1 comprises a cutting mechanism 26, the a blade carrier 28 which carries a blade 30.
  • the blade 30 cuts through the image receiving tape 14 and enters then in the slot 24 a.
  • the image-receiving tape 14 is continuous transported through the print zone P during the printing process.
  • the platen roller 46 rotates in embodiments, where a stepper motor is used, step by step to the image receiving tape 14 in individual steps successively through the print zone P during the printing process to move.
  • the printhead 42 is a thermal printhead that has a plurality comprises pressure elements arranged in a row.
  • the printhead 42 is preferably only one pressure element wide and the Row extends in an orthognal to the longitudinal direction of the Image receiving tape 14 extending direction.
  • the high of Row of the printing elements is preferably equal to the width of the image receiving tape 14 used in the tape printing apparatus 1 shall be. If image receiving tapes 14 different Width to process is the height of the row of printing elements the printhead 42 is generally one of the largest Width of the image receiving tape 14 corresponding height.
  • An image is placed on the image-receiving tape 14 row by row printed by the print head 42. It should be mentioned that an image on the image receiving tape 14 on the ribbon 20 can be printed. Alternatively, an image can be direct from the thermal print head 42 applied to the image receiving tape 14 be without use of a ribbon 20, if that Image receiving tape 14 of a suitable, thermally sensitive Material exists.
  • the cassette receiving space 10 can be designed in this way be that a separate image receiving tape cassette and a separate ribbon cassette can be inserted, which carried out so are that the ribbon and the image receiving tape 14 on top of each other be guided through the pressure zone.
  • This special cassette arrangement is e.g. in our earlier European patent application No. 578372, the contents of which are indicated by reference incorporated herein.
  • Another suitable arrangement for providing a stock of image receiving tape 14 may of course be used in embodiments of the present invention Find invention use.
  • FIG 3 shows the basic control circuit for control of the tape printing apparatus 1 of Figures 1 and 2. It is a microprocessor chip 40 present a read-only memory (ROM) 41, a microprocessor 44 and freely accessible storage capacity, which is represented by a RAM 41 contains. The microprocessor 44 is stored by programs stored in the ROM 41 controlled. The microprocessor chip 40 is with the keyboard 2 connected to receive label data entries.
  • ROM read-only memory
  • RAM 41 random access memory
  • the microprocessor 44 is stored by programs stored in the ROM 41 controlled.
  • the microprocessor chip 40 is with the keyboard 2 connected to receive label data entries.
  • the microprocessor chip 40 provides data for driving the display 8 via the display driver chip 38 to a print out Label (or part of it) and / or message or Instruction to the user. In addition, the microprocessor chip 40 continues to drive the printhead 42, which prints an image on the image receiving tape 14, to make a label.
  • the microprocessor chip 40 can also control the cutting mechanism 26 to accommodate lengths of the Cut off the picture tape 14 after putting a picture on it was printed.
  • the tape printing apparatus 1 allows using the various Buttons to enter labels and on the display 8 display.
  • the ROM 41 stores information which refers to alphanumeric characters and the like, which are related to the corresponding keys 3, as well functions associated with the function keys 4.
  • a key 4 will display data corresponding to the one Characters or the like, taken out of the ROM 41 and then stored in the RAM 43.
  • the ones contained in the RAM 43 Data may be in the form of a character identifying the character Be codes.
  • the microprocessor 44 generates accordingly Data stored in the RAM 43 is pixel data which is stored in order Mold on the printhead 42 and (in another form) on the display 8 will be transmitted.
  • data related to a function key may be off ROM 41 if one or more of the Function keys 4 are pressed. These data can be the Take shape of a flag.
  • the generated by the microprocessor 44, pixel data sent to the print head 42 and the Display 8 take into account data that relates to one or more Get stored in the RAM 43 functions.
  • the keys 3 and 4 of the keyboard 2 have fixed, assigned functions, which condition that fixed, with this function associated data is taken from the ROM 41.
  • a step 52 uses the characters to arrange at a constant distance. Besides, they are Boundaries that indicate the outer outline of the character, saved. The boundaries correspond to the coordinates of the lower one left and upper right corner of the smallest rectangle 53, which can be dragged around the character.
  • the X coordinate of the lower right corner is the difference between the latitudes 55 and 54, while the y-coordinate of the lower left corner the difference between the heights 57 and 56 is.
  • the X coordinate of the upper right corner is 55, and the Y coordinate of the upper right corner is 57.
  • the above Borders are combined with the outline data of the character 50 stored so that the limits for later described Purposes without an analysis of the curve equations, which define the character, necessary would be, ie. without a transformation of the stored font data in printable data.
  • x 'and y' are the coordinates of the points that rotated Define character 50 '.
  • x 'and y' are the coordinates that are the italic character Define 50 ''.
  • ⁇ is between 0 and 1, for example 0.1.
  • the characters 50 are designed so that they also after the coordinate transformation into the italic form still in the original frame 51 fit.
  • FIG. 6 an example of a printed tape 58 is reproduced.
  • the characters are in a twisted manner printed, ie. vertically, so that their baseline along the width of the band 58 extends. It has been in Figure 5b illustrated rotating coordinate transformation applied.
  • the line 59 represents the axial center line of the belt 58 again.
  • the characters 50 are positioned on the belt 58 in this way, that they appear in the middle, that is. symmetical to the midline 59. This is achieved by determining the extent of the unrotated character 50 in the X direction along the tape (or by checking the extent of the twisted Character 50 'in the vertical (Y) direction). For this, the boundaries of the character 50 are used the same rotative coordinate transformation, as well as the character 50.
  • FIG. 7 a flow chart is shown, which is a possible Method of printing out rotated (vertically oriented) Describes characters.
  • a first step 61 become the character 50 defining coordinates from the storage medium, the ROM 41, read out.
  • the next step 62 a distinction is made made, whether the user by means of a corresponding Button (or a menu) an italic print of the respective Character 50 has been selected. If that is the case, the Coordinate transformation described above with respect to FIG. 5 c executed in step 63. Subsequently, or if no italics is to be executed, the rotative transformation, which has been described above with reference to FIG Step 64 executed.
  • Step 65 the Character 50 symmetrical to the center line 59 of the band 58 arranged as described with reference to Figure 6.
  • Step 66 a scaling operation is performed which is necessary for the character 50 to the width of the band 58 fits.
  • the scaling operation (Step 66) before the symmetrization (Step 65).
  • the character becomes such in scaling operation 66 Scaled (that is, usually scaled down) that it is in an area adjusted by the size and size selected by the user Width settings is set. That is, a scaling factor applied to the coordinates of the character 50 becomes.
  • This scaling factor will be according to the by the user (or automatically according to the width of the Bandes) selected size of the character 50, accordingly the width of the width of the band 58, according to the number the lines to be printed out and continue to depend on them whether a framing of the character (ie the print a frame around the character 50) is desired or Not. If no framing is selected, the scaling factor becomes generally be larger than if a framing is to perform.
  • the next step 57 becomes Provide characters with attributes such as bold, outline, Shading.
  • the original standard square frame 51 contains borders, so that also has the attributes Character fits.
  • the last step 68 is this Printing the character 50. After that begins the same procedure in step 60 with the next to be printed Characters 50.
  • the distance between the characters to consider: at normal (non-rotated) printing becomes step 52 (see Figure 4) for positioning the next character used.
  • the increment is the Value 57 (ie, the Y coordinate of the upper right corner of the smallest rectangle 53 drawable around the character the application of any coordinate transformation), which is adapted to the respectively selected scaling factor.
  • Figure 8 gives some examples of adjustment factors (Scaling factors) again.
  • the sizes of the characters are divided into two categories labeled 1 and 2, where size 2 is twice as large as size 1.
  • the size 2 would fill the entire width of the belt 58 while Size 2 only 50% of it printed. It is obvious that with a framing of the character of the adjustment factor only 80% of the scaling factor that applies to the application comes if no frame is to be printed at all. Farther the width of the band plays a role; the scaling factor depends proportionally on the width of the tape.

Landscapes

  • Record Information Processing For Printing (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
EP96111569A 1996-07-18 1996-07-18 Dispositif d'impression de ruban Withdrawn EP0819542A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96111569A EP0819542A1 (fr) 1996-07-18 1996-07-18 Dispositif d'impression de ruban

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96111569A EP0819542A1 (fr) 1996-07-18 1996-07-18 Dispositif d'impression de ruban

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0819542A1 true EP0819542A1 (fr) 1998-01-21

Family

ID=8223002

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96111569A Withdrawn EP0819542A1 (fr) 1996-07-18 1996-07-18 Dispositif d'impression de ruban

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0819542A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1527891A1 (fr) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-04 Esselte Dimensionnement vertical automatique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0557137A2 (fr) * 1992-02-21 1993-08-25 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode et appareil pour imprimer sur un support en forme de bande
EP0577247A1 (fr) * 1992-04-30 1994-01-05 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif pour l'impression sur rubans
JPH07251533A (ja) * 1994-12-01 1995-10-03 Brother Ind Ltd テープ印字装置
EP0686508A1 (fr) * 1993-12-22 1995-12-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Imprimante de bandes

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0557137A2 (fr) * 1992-02-21 1993-08-25 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode et appareil pour imprimer sur un support en forme de bande
EP0577247A1 (fr) * 1992-04-30 1994-01-05 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif pour l'impression sur rubans
EP0686508A1 (fr) * 1993-12-22 1995-12-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Imprimante de bandes
JPH07251533A (ja) * 1994-12-01 1995-10-03 Brother Ind Ltd テープ印字装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 95, no. 010 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1527891A1 (fr) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-04 Esselte Dimensionnement vertical automatique
US7140791B2 (en) 2003-10-29 2006-11-28 Dymo Vertical autosizing printing system
EP2050576A3 (fr) * 2003-10-29 2013-12-11 Dymo Auto-dimensionnement vertical

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69534606T2 (de) Streifendruckvorrichtung
EP0816105B1 (fr) Imprimante d'étiquettes
DE60104910T2 (de) Druckeinrichtung
DE69723397T2 (de) Banddruckgerät
DE29602534U1 (de) Banddruckgerät mit der Fähigkeit zum Drucken von Strichcodes
DE60224625T2 (de) Verfahren zur Einstellung/Änderung der Druckbedingungen und dazugehöriges Programm, Druckverfahren, Drucker und Steuervorrichtung
DE60216488T2 (de) Zeichenketteneditiergerät und zeichenketteneditierprogramm
DE69920091T2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Druckbildern und Druckapparat mit einer solchen Vorrichtung
DE20307514U1 (de) Etikettendrucker
EP0816106B1 (fr) Imprimante pour étiquettes avec modes d'affichage différents
EP0773110B1 (fr) Ensemble de cassette à bande et appareil d'impression
EP0821314A2 (fr) Dispositif d'impression de bandes pour imprimer des cadres de formes différentes
DE60026765T2 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Herstellung von Etiketten
DE69330805T3 (de) Barcode Printer
DE602005000067T2 (de) Banddrucker und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Bandes
DE4019543A1 (de) Dokument-verarbeitungsgeraet
DE60127222T2 (de) Etikettendrucker
DE60201279T2 (de) Druckvorrichtung
EP0807525A2 (fr) Dispositif de coupe
DE3874241T2 (de) Etikettendrucker.
DE60005265T2 (de) Ein Drucker für Hintergrundbilder
EP0855282B1 (fr) Dispositif d'impression de bandes
EP0720763B1 (fr) Procede et dispositif permettant d'imprimer des etiquettes de differentes dimensions
EP0819542A1 (fr) Dispositif d'impression de ruban
EP0885733B1 (fr) Procédé d' exploitation d' un système d'impression d'étiquette

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980130

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE FR GB

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990203

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19990615