EP0855282A2 - Tape printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The printing system has a printing mechanism for printing input text on an imaging receiving medium while the medium passes the printing mechanism. The system also has a display (108) for displaying the text to be printed together with an image of the receiving medium on which the text is to be printed. The system has an input unit(56) for inputting text data which defines the characters forming the text. Also input are text format data which define the format of the text relative to the medium, and image orienting data to define the orientation of the image relative to the medium. A memory (104) stores the text data, text format data and image orientation data. The system also has a processor (100) connected to the input unit to receive the data and store it in the memory (104). The processor (100) is operated such that it controls the display to display the image. The processor (100) can be operated to rotate the image on the display according to the orientation data and to transmit the print data to the print mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a tape printing system, in particular, but not exclusively, on a thermal printing system for printing on a ribbon.

General-purpose thermal printing devices with which the present invention is concerned are known. Such devices work with a tape supply for recording an image and a means for transferring an image to the tape. At a known device contains a tape holder housing a supply of image receiving tape and a supply of image transfer tape, the image receiving tape and the image transfer belt in mutual overlap through a printing zone of the Pressure device. A thermal print head with one acts in the print zone Platen roller together to transfer an image from the image transfer belt to the image receiving belt transferred to. A working with a tape holder case of this kind Printing equipment is described, for example, in EP-A-0267890 (Varitronics, Inc.). Other pressure devices have been manufactured, in which by means of a Dry lettering or dry film printing letters on an image receiving tape be transmitted. The construction of the Image reception band is essentially the same. That is, it consists of an upper, an image-receiving layer which is attached to a releasable layer by means of an adhesive layer Back layer is attached.

As soon as an image or a message is printed on the tape, this section of tape becomes cut off so that it can be used as a label. The detachable back layer is then peeled off from the top layer to make the top layer can be applied to a surface by means of the adhesive layer.

A printing device is also known from EP-A-0322918 (Brother Kogyo K.K.), in which a tape holder housing a supply of transparent image receiving tape and contains a stock of image transfer belt. The tape holder housing also stores a supply of backing tape that carries a backing has an adhesive layer on its underside, on which a removable back is attached, as well as an adhesive layer on its top, which on the Image receiving tape can be attached after it is printed with an image has been. With this device, the image is mirrored on the image receiving tape printed, and when viewed through the image-receiving tape, is read correctly again. This device protects the pressure when in use of the label.

In all of the devices listed above, a single unit contains the printing mechanism to perform the thermal printing process, a feed mechanism, which guides the tape through the printing zone, an input device for input a display of text data defining the characters to be printed, etc. for displaying the text and a processor for controlling the printing processes corresponding to the data entered with the input device. Usually the input device is a keyboard. The ad is usually a pretty good one small LC display. Some known printing devices of this type nonetheless have fairly mature ads, e.g. in EP 574225 a printing device described with a so-called WYSIWYG display.

It is also known in other types of printing devices, e.g. in EP 680010 (Esselte) and US 5,538,352 (Brother), in which the input device and the display is spaced from the printing mechanism itself. A conventional one PC can provide the display and input device in the form of a keyboard. A stand-alone printing unit, which is connected to the PC, provides the Print mechanism, the feed mechanism for the tape and the cassette receiving space or the cassette recording rooms ready. The software that comes together sold with the products described in these applications, does not allow the tape to be rotated on the PC screen. The text is entered (or edited) as shown and printed on the tape becomes. This has some disadvantages, which will be described later.

The thermal printing devices and systems described above allow a text to enter in different ways. So the text can be entered in "horizontal" format in which the characters run in the direction of the tape length and where the characters can be read normally (see word "BOOK" in Figure 1a). If text entered in this way is shown on a WYSIWYG display will, i.e. on a display on which the label is essentially shown as When it is printed, the horizontal text can be oriented in the normal orientation by the user to be read. Figure 1b shows the text in a "rotated" format. In the above described printing devices this format is achieved in that the text in horizontal format is entered, highlighted and then a "rotation function" is performed. In the rotated format, the characters extend in the direction the bandwidth (in the direction of the print feed) and the text can cross normally read about the tape. If such text on a WYSIWYG ad displayed, it cannot be read normally by the user, unless it is because he tilts his head 90 ° or turns to read the text.

Figure 2a shows a label with a first form of a "vertical" format. So stretch the characters of the word "FILE" across the length across the Volume and text is usually read from top to bottom.

To enter text vertically, the user enters the text that comes from a Character or a sequence of characters exists on the input device in the normal horizontal mode (like BOOK in Figure 1a). Then the "vertical" Function executed to rotate the characters 90 ° so that the text is now is read vertically.

As in the example shown in Figure 1b, the user can use the word FILE in Figure 2a Read well on a WYSIWYG display only when the head is turned.

Figure 2b shows the word "FILE" in a second form of the vertical format.

This is the case with the existing printing devices (especially for text in format of Figure 2a) difficult to compose or edit labels, especially complex labels that contain a combination of different text format forms, because the user cannot see the individual characters well or who can the characters formed words cannot read well while reading the characters enters or wrote the label.

einen Druckmechanismus zum Drucken von eingegebenen Text auf ein Bildempfangsmedium, während das Bildempfangsmedium an einem Druckmechanismus vorbeigeführt wird;

eine Anzeige zum Anzeigen des zu druckenden Textes zusammen mit einem Bild des Bildempfangsmediums, auf das der Text gedruckt werden soll;

eine Eingabevorrichtung zur Eingabe von Textdaten, die den Text bildende Schriftzeichen definieren, Textformatdaten, die das Format des Textes in Bezug auf das Bildempfangsmedium definieren, und Bildorientierungsdaten, die die Orientierung des Bildes auf der Anzeige definieren;

Speichermittel zum Speichern der Textdaten, Textformatdaten und Bildorientierungsdaten; und

einen Prozessor, der mit der Eingabevorrichtung verbunden ist, um die Textdaten, Formatdaten und Bildorientierungsdaten zu empfangen und in den Speichermitteln zu speichern, und der dahingehend betreibbar ist, daß er die Anzeige so steuert, daß das Bild angezeigt wird, wobei der Prozessor betreibbar ist, das Bild auf der Anzeige entsprechend der Bildorientierungsdaten zu drehen und die Druckdaten an den Druckmechanismus zu senden.

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing system for making printed labels comprising printing systems

a printing mechanism for printing input text on an image receiving medium while the image receiving medium is being guided past a printing mechanism;

a display for displaying the text to be printed along with an image of the image receiving medium on which the text is to be printed;

an input device for inputting text data defining characters constituting the text, text format data defining the format of the text with respect to the image receiving medium, and image orientation data defining the orientation of the image on the display;

Storage means for storing the text data, text format data and image orientation data; and

a processor connected to the input device for receiving and storing the text data, format data and image orientation data and storing them in the storage means, and operable to control the display so that the image is displayed, the processor being operable to rotate the image on the display according to the image orientation data and to send the print data to the printing mechanism.

In the present invention it is therefore proposed to put together the image of the tape with the entered text to rotate on the screen so that the user can read the text regardless of its orientation to the volume. The input device can be used to enter image orientation data that define the orientation of the image in relation to the user.

When the user enters a (new) text, the text format data, including define the orientation of the text to the tape, from the orientation just selected, i.e. depend on the image orientation data, the image.

When the user enters new text or text that has already been entered processed, the display is preferably controlled by the processor so that the input or edited text is displayed so that it is regardless of the orientation the characters can be read normally. That can mean that a own field is opened, in which the entered or edited text horizontally is displayed regardless of its orientation in relation to the tape and independent whether the text is "normal" or "vertical" (see further down).

The input device can also be used to input text rotation data, that define the rotation of the text in relation to the user. A store can be provided, stored in the text together with the text rotation data with the image in a selected orientation with respect to the user can be called up and displayed. The image orientation data can additionally be stored in memory so that the image is in the chosen orientation can be called.

In the described embodiment, a cursor is displayed which represents the position where an entered character is displayed. The cursor position can be controlled to move horizontally on the display.

The printing system can consist of a stand-alone printing device in which the printing mechanism, the input device, the display and the processor form a unit. Alternatively, the printing mechanism can be provided as a printer be placed away from the PC with input device, display and processor is. The data for printing and the data for controlling the printing mechanism are then by means of a cable connection or other transmission device transferred to the printing mechanism.

Eingabe von Textdaten, die einen Text bildende Schriftzeichen definieren, von Textformatdaten, die das Format des Textes in Bezug auf das Bildempfangsmedium definieren, und von Bildorientierungsdaten, die die Orientierung des Bildes auf der Anzeige definieren;

Abspeichern der Textdaten, Textformatdaten und Bildorientierungsdaten in einem Speichermittel;

Anzeigen des zu druckenden Textes zusammen mit einem Bild des Bildempfangsmediums, auf das der Text gedruckt wird;

Drehen des Bildes auf dem Bildschirm entsprechend der Bildorientierungsdaten;
und

Senden der Druckdaten zum Druckmechanismus und Ausdrucken des eingegeben Textes gemäß der Textdaten und der Textformatdaten auf ein Bildempfangsmedium.

The present invention also provides a method of printing labels on an image receiving medium; this procedure includes the following steps:

Inputting text data defining characters forming text, text format data defining the format of the text with respect to the image receiving medium, and image orientation data defining the orientation of the image on the display;

Storing the text data, text format data and image orientation data in a storage means;

Displaying the text to be printed along with an image of the image receiving medium on which the text is printed;

Rotating the image on the screen according to the image orientation data;
and

Sending the print data to the print mechanism and printing the input text in accordance with the text data and the text format data on an image receiving medium.

Figur 1a und 1b Beispiele von Etiketten mit Text in einem "horizontalen" Format;

Figur 2a und 2b Beispiele von Etiketten mit Text in einem "vertikalen" Format;

Figur 3 eine Darstellung eines Zweikassettendrucksystems;

Figur 4 ein Blockdiagramm der Steuerschaltung des Drucksystems;

Figuren 5 bis 7 und 9 bis 16 Anzeigen und bedruckte Bänder mit verschiedenen Textoptionen;

Figur 8 eine Ansicht des Formats einer Etikettendatei; und

Figur 17 eine Ansicht der angezeigten Menuoptionen.

For a better understanding of the invention and to illustrate its practical feasibility, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing. Show it:

Figures 1a and 1b examples of labels with text in a "horizontal"format;

Figures 2a and 2b examples of labels with text in a "vertical"format;

FIG. 3 shows a two-cassette printing system;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the printing system;

Figures 5 to 7 and 9 to 16 ads and printed tapes with different text options;

Figure 8 is a view of the format of a label file; and

Figure 17 is a view of the menu options displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of two cassettes arranged in a printing device 1. The upper cassette 2 is located in the first cassette receiving part 26 and contains one Stock of image receiving belt 4, which through a printing zone 3 of the printer to a Outlet port 5 of the printer is guided. The image receiving band 4 has one top layer for taking a printed image on one of its surfaces, while an adhesive layer is applied to the other surface, on which one releasable back layer is attached. The cassette 2 has a recess 6 Inclusion of a counter-pressure roller 8 of the printer and guides 22, 24 for guiding of the tape through the printing zone 3. The counter-pressure roller 8 is in a cage-like Molding 10 rotatably mounted. Alternatively, the counter-pressure roller 8 be rotatably mounted on a pin.

The lower cassette 35 is located in a second cassette receiving part 28 and includes a thermal transfer belt 12 which extends from a supply spool 30 a take-up spool 32 extends inside the cassette 35. The thermal transfer belt 12 extends through the printing zone 3 in registration with the image receiving tape 4. The cassette 35 has a recess 14 for receiving a Print head 16 of the printer and guides 34, 36 for guiding the transfer belt 12 through the pressure zone 3. The print head 16 is movable between one Operating position in which it is in contact with the counter-pressure roller and the thermal transfer belt 12 and the image receiving tape 4 in mutual overlap between the print head and the platen roller, and an inoperative position, in which it is lifted off the counter-pressure roller around the thermal transfer belt and release the image receiving tape. In the operating position the platen roller is rotated to the image receiving belt on Pass the printhead, and the printhead is controlled so that it the image receiving belt by thermal transfer of color particles from the belt 12 printed with an image. The printhead is a conventional one Thermal print head with an array of pixels that match the desired Print image can be activated thermally accordingly. The printing device has a lid that is not shown. This is at the back of the cassette holding rooms fastens and covers both cassettes when closed from.

The counter-pressure roller 8 is driven by a motor so that the successive Print series can be printed on the image receiving belt 4 if this past the printhead. The counter-pressure roller 8 guides the image receiving belt through its rotary motion through the pressure zone 3. The rotary motion of the Counter-pressure roller 8 and the activation of the print head 16 are performed by one Microprocessor controlled as described in European Patents No. 0578372 and No. 0580322, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The printing device 1 also has an interface 50, the control and printing data receives a cable 52 from the PC 54. The PC contains a microprocessor chip 100 (Figure 4), a display 108 and a keyboard 106. The keyboard includes one Set of data entry keys, shown schematically in the drawing with block 56 is marked, but in practice a variety of alphanumeric Includes buttons. With the existing PCs e.g. the QWERTY keyboard Represent block 56. The keyboard also contains mode keys for calling Menus for image orientation and text format options as described below to select.

The basic circuit for controlling the pressure device is shown in Figure 4. The microprocessor chip 100 has a read-only memory (ROM) 102, one Microprocessor 101 and a random access memory, which in the drawing as RAM 104 is marked on. The ROM 102 contains font data in compressed form for each character. The microprocessor 101 can use the compressed font data expand in pixel data of the character to be displayed and printed. The microprocessor 101 is connected to the data input device, e.g. the keyboard 106, and thus receives the entered data. The microprocessor chip 100 sends out data to control display 108; transmitted through the cable 52 he also data for driving the print head 16 and the control motor 7 of the platen roller 8. The microprocessor chip 100 also controls one via the cable 52 Cutting mechanism with cutter 17 so that sections of the tape be cut off to make a label.

The operation of the printer will now be described. The ones to be printed Data is saved using the data entry keys 56 of the keyboard 106 entered. Once the data is entered on the keyboard, it will turn on passed the microprocessor 101, which controls the display 108 so that the Data as it is entered are displayed. For this purpose, RAM 104 creates a label file for each label created. This label file will be described in more detail below. The format of the label file allows microprocessor 100 to display a bitmap of the one to be printed and displayed Image. This bitmap can be stored in RAM 104. The Pixel data from the bitmap is sent to the printhead when printing is performed. First, the characters for the label are created using the Function keys of the keyboard 106 and the display 108 entered and edited.

To compose a label, the printing device is pressed by pressing the appropriate one Key on keyboard 106 set to edit mode. Of the User selects TEXT mode and an I-shaped cursor 61 is displayed. In the Figures, however, the cursor is shown in the form of a "-". Clicks with the mouse the user clicks on a screen area that has a horizontal blank edit box can arise in which the cursor 61 is located. The horizontal empty edit box represents an image of the tape. In the initial display mode, stretched the image of the tape is horizontal over the display 108 (exit orientation); Lines show the width of the band. This is shown in Figure 5. As from the State of the art can be used for the tape that is in the printing device many different widths can be selected. The picture on the Volume is marked with I; to indicate that it is shown horizontally the addition h is used. The user now enters using the data entry keys the word HELLO. This is done in the horizontal format where the Text rotation is 0 °, so that the text is horizontal within the width of the tape Ih extends (see Figure 5). The cursor 61 moves with every character, i.e. in the direction of the arrow Ah. In Figure 5, the cursor is under the Letter "O". To end editing, the user clicks on one Arrow cursor, which puts him in POINTER mode. The user clicks in POINTER mode on the "Vertical Text" option in the text menu 208 (Figure 17), which causes the text then, as shown in Figure 6, is displayed vertically on the screen.

Figure 7 shows the label that would be obtained if the print command was given to the Display of Figure 6 would have been given, i.e. the letters H and E would appear on the printed label exactly as on the picture of the label in Figure 6.

This is because a label file matches the image of the label on the screen corresponds, is stored in RAM 104. Character data for the characters in the image on the display are combined in the label file in RAM 104 with the text rotation data representing the rotation of the characters with respect to the Define image, filed. The stored character data and text rotation data in the label file can be used to add the image to the label is printed to produce.

FIG. 8 shows the layout of a label file stored in RAM 104. The one in RAM 104 filed label file for each user-created label contains information to software version 300, a definition of label 302, label data 304 and object data 306.

The information about the software version includes information about the software used Upper and lower version and revision. So the software can investigate whether she can read the saved label file or not.

Orientierung (wahr, wenn Etikettenansicht = 90° gedreht, falsch bei normaler Ansicht);

Farbe des Etiketts (Hintergrundfarbe, mit der das Etikett auf dem Bildschirm gezeigt wird);

Höhe des Etiketts;

Horizontaler Etikettenabstand (bei Verwendung von Etikettenbögen der Abstand zwischen den linken Rändern von angrenzenden Etiketten);

Zahl der Spalten (bei Verwendung von Etikettenbögen);

Etikettentyp (Verwendung eines Bandes oder von Etikettenbögen, zusätzlich wird zwischen Etiketten für Tintenstrahldrucker und Etiketten für Laserdrucker unterschieden);

Horizontaler Etikettenrand (bei Verwendung von Eitkettenbögen);

Etikettengröße (zur Unterscheidung zwischen A4 und Briefformat);

Vertikaler Etikettenrand (bei Verwendung von Eitkettenbögen);

Zahl der Reihen (bei Verwendung von Eitkettenbögen);

Einheit (mm oder Zoll);

Etiketten ID (Etikettenidentität);

Vertikaler Etikettenabstand (bei Verwendung von Eitkettenbögen);

Etikettenbreite;

Auto-Breite (wahr, wenn die Länge eines auf ein Band zu druckenden Etiketts automatisch definiert wird, und falsch, wenn die Länge vorgegeben ist, d.h. vom Benutzer eingegeben wird);

Rundes Etikett (wahr, wenn das Etikett eines Etikettenbogens rund ist, und falsch, wenn es rechtwinklig ist).

The definition of the label contains the following information:

Orientation (true if label view = 90 ° rotated, false for normal view);

Color of the label (background color with which the label is shown on the screen);

Height of the label;

Horizontal label spacing (when using label sheets, the distance between the left edges of adjacent labels);

Number of columns (when using label sheets);

Label type (use of a tape or label sheets, in addition, a distinction is made between labels for inkjet printers and labels for laser printers);

Horizontal label edge (when using egg chain bends);

Label size (to distinguish between A4 and letter size);

Vertical label edge (when using egg chain bends);

Number of rows (when using egg chain arches);

Unit (mm or inches);

Label ID (label identity);

Vertical label spacing (when using egg chain bends);

Label width;

Auto width (true if the length of a label to be printed on a tape is automatically defined and false if the length is predetermined, ie entered by the user);

Round label (true if the label of a label sheet is round and false if it is rectangular).

The orientation data provide information on whether the label is horizontal or should be shown rotated. The label type data also allow labels for different printer types, e.g. Inkjet and label printers, where the print media is an A4 sheet or ribbon.

Datum, an dem das Etikett erstellt worden ist;

Datum, an dem die letzte Änderung des Etiketts vorgenommen wurde;

Zahl der Unterbrechungen zum Wechsel des Farbbands;

Der folgende Teil wird N mal wiederholt, wobei N die Zahl der Unterbrechungen zum Wechsel des Farbbands ist:

Farbe des Farbbands, das bei dem Farbbandwechsel eingelegt wird;

Position der Unterbrechung zum Wechsel des Farbbands;

The label data can contain the following information:

Date the label was created;

Date the label was last modified;

Number of breaks to change the ribbon;

The following part is repeated N times, where N is the number of breaks to change the ribbon:

Color of the ribbon that is inserted when the ribbon is changed;

Position of the break to change the ribbon;

The principle of breaks to change the ribbon is used in the British Patent application No. 9701306.4 and in the German utility model application No. 29722272.4, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference becomes. These interruptions allow the image to be printed to be divided into different ones Share sections to which different inks are assigned. The interruptions extend vertically and divide these sections from each other.

Zahl der Objekte auf dem Etikett;

Verschieden Objektarten, die von der Software unterstützt werden.

Finally, the object data define the objects, ie the parts of the image that are to be printed on the label. The following data is therefore saved:

Number of objects on the label;

Different types of objects supported by the software.

If three objects are to be defined on a label, this means that on a 3 (i.e. an integer representing the value 3) is followed by three objects. Such Objects can be picture objects, line objects, text objects, barcode objects, etc. various other objects are also possible.

Art (die ein Bildobjekt angibt);

Dateiname des Bildes;

Höhe;

Linke Koordinate;

Bildname;

Name des Pfades;

Oberste Koordinate;

Breite;

Drehwinkel (0, 90, 180, 270°).

An image object can be defined as follows:

Type (indicating an image object);

File name of the image;

Height;

Left coordinate;

Picture name;

Path name;

Top coordinate;

Width;

Angle of rotation (0, 90, 180, 270 °).

Art (die ein Linienobjekt angibt);

Höhe;

Linke Koordinate;

Farbe der Linie;

Art der Linie (durchgehend, Strich-Punkt-Linie, usw.);

Linienbreite;

Linientyp;

Oberste Koordinate;

Breite;

Winkel (0, 90, 180, 270°);

A line object is defined as follows:

Type (indicating a line object);

Height;

Left coordinate;

Color of the line;

Type of line (solid, dash-dot line, etc.);

Line width;

Line type;

Top coordinate;

Width;

Angle (0, 90, 180, 270 °);

Art (die ein Textobjekt angibt);

Oberste Koordinate;

Linke Koordinate;

Breite;

Höhe;

Ausrichtung (links, Mitte, rechts);

Vertikaler Text (normaler oder vertikaler Text, wobei bei letzerem die Schriftzeichen um 90° gedreht sind);

Winkel (0, 90, 180, 270°);

Zahl der Schriftzeichen (N); die folgenden Linien werden N-mal wiederholt:

Schriftzeichen;

Font des Schriftzeichens;

Farbe des Schriftzeichens.

A text object can be defined as follows:

Type (indicating a text object);

Top coordinate;

Left coordinate;

Width;

Height;

Alignment (left, center, right);

Vertical text (normal or vertical text, the latter being rotated by 90 °);

Angle (0, 90, 180, 270 °);

Number of characters (N); the following lines are repeated N times:

Characters;

Font of the character;

Character color.

The principle of vertical text is detailed in the British patent application No. 9701429.4 and in European Patent Application No. 96111569.8. The content of these registrations is hereby incorporated by reference.

This object data therefore contains text data (characters, font of the characters), Text format data (vertical text) and text rotation data (angle).

Various other objects are also possible, such as Series or date objects (consecutive numbering or dating and time), Shape objects (outlined objects), database objects (read from a database Objects) and barcode objects.

According to the embodiments described here, the text can only be edited if it is in a horizontal, legible orientation. Figure 9 represents a display 108 with an image of a tape Ih containing vertical text. To edit this text, the mouse must be on the selected text object (in this case, the vertical word DYMO) double click, then that will Text object rotated into a horizontal edit box; the input cursor 61 flashes now. This automatically puts the user in text mode with an I cursor. As shown in Figure 10, the object has been rotated to a horizontal position, the cursor 61 flashing. In this form, the text can be changed as previously described will. The editing of the text is completed as described above. When the editing of the text is finished, the text object becomes automatic in the original text format as shown in Figure 10.

FIG. 11 shows the result when the text object "HELLO" from FIG. 5 is rotated. This is achieved by simply clicking on a text object in the text or Pointer mode is selected as well as by selecting the required text format features. If a text rotation is selected, a result is obtained as shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 shows the printout of the label of Figure 11.

Figures 13 and 14 show the result when the feature "left-justified" according to the mode just defined is selected for selecting a feature. I.e. a text that is not aligned to a uniform left margin is placed on one left margin aligned, as shown by the dashed line LHM in Figure 14. A horizontally displayed image can be aligned left (Figures 13 and 14) or a vertical image (Figures 15 and 16).

So with the designs as described with reference to Figures 5 to 16 text objects are output so that they can be edited, or so that they cannot be edited. If editing is not possible all format settings of the text object in the label file are activated. If the text object can be edited, the format settings are deactivated, so that they can be changed. However, they are saved, so that they can be used when switched to "non-editing" becomes.

While the label is being created and edited, a bitmap of the image is in RAM 104 created. The original image orientation of the bitmap is used for printing and the pixel data is picked up row by row from the left side of the Transfer the image to the printing device.

The text rotation data determine the rotation of the letters with respect to the user, while the text format determines the input mode of the text, i.e. if the successive characters are arranged horizontally or vertically to each other will. The image orientation mode allows the image of the tape on the Rotate screen. Together, these parameters define the orientation and the position of the characters with respect to the ribbon, i.e. whether you are interested in Longitudinal axis of the tape can be read horizontally or vertically.

The text orientation data that is filed along with the characters and which are used in rotating the image of the tape on the screen, can also be used if the label is for subsequent processing is called from memory. So this is additional data put together with the characters in a suitable manner for storing, calling, displaying and Edit can be filed.

The use of the text format mode, the text rotation mode and the image orientation mode will now be described with reference to FIG. 17. Figure 17 shows the Menus as they are shown one after the other on the display. A selection menu 200 appears at the top of the display; it can be set to always be is shown. The user can select a number of options from this menu Select creating the label, e.g. Arrange, label, edit, view and Format. The options "Label" and "Edit" are not described in more detail here, although it is noted that the label shown on the display is in edit mode can be created and edited. If the user has the option If you select "View", the view menu 202 appears. The view mode is the Image orientation mode as described above. In the view menu 202, the Option to select the orientation of the label. When selected this option a view selection menu 204 appears from which the user can select whether the image should be displayed horizontally or vertically.

When the user selects "Format", a format menu 206 appears, which is different Options, including an option for text format. If When this option is selected, a text selection menu 208 appears that shows the options offers "horizontal" or "vertical". When the user selects "Arrange", appears Menu 210, which offers various options for text, including the ability to rotate the text. If this option is selected, a appears Menu for selecting the angle of rotation (0 °, 90 °, 180 °, 270 °) and counter rotation clockwise.

Claims (16)

A printing system for producing printed labels, comprising: a printing mechanism for printing input text on an image receiving medium while the image receiving medium is being guided past a printing mechanism; a display (108) for displaying the text to be printed along with an image of the image receiving medium on which the text is to be printed; an input device (56) for inputting text data defining characters constituting the text, text format data defining the format of the text with respect to the image receiving medium, and image orientation data defining the orientation of the image on the display; Storage means (104) for storing the text data, text format data and image orientation data; and a processor (100) connected to the input device for receiving and storing the text data, format data, and image orientation data, and operable to control the display to display the image, the Processor is operable to rotate the image on the display according to the image orientation data and to send the print data to the printing mechanism. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the processor (100) is operable Text format data entered text depending on the image orientation data save. The printing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor (100) is operable is to control the display (108) so that the one entered or edited by the user Text on the display regardless of the orientation of the person making up the text Characters are read normally with respect to the image receiving medium can. Printing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the text format data Text rotation data representing the rotation of the characters relative to the user define, and / or text orientation data, the orientation of the text define with respect to the user, i.e. whether the consecutive characters are arranged horizontally or vertically to one another. The printing system of claim 4, wherein the input device (56) is a means to access a menu with options for formatting the text, where the user can select one of these options to define the text format data. Printing system according to claim 4 or 5, which has a permanent memory for Save the text data together with the text format data and the image orientation data comprising, the image with the text in a selected position with respect of the user can be called up and displayed. Printing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input device (56) a means of calling up and displaying a menu with orientation options contains, whereby the user can select one of these options. Printing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (100) is operable to control the display (108) so that a cursor (61) is displayed, which represents the position at which an input character is shown. Printing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the printing mechanism, the input device (56), the display (108) and the processor (100) are combined in one unit. Printing system according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the input device (56), the display (108) and the processor consist of units which are from the Print mechanism are spaced, but are connected to this. Printing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the image receiving medium is a tape (4) or a label sheet. A method of printing labels on an image receiving medium, comprising the steps of: Inputting text data defining characters forming text, text format data defining the format of the text with respect to the image receiving medium, and image orientation data defining the orientation of the image on the display; Storing the text data, text format data and image orientation data in a storage means (104); Displaying the text to be printed along with an image of the image receiving medium on which the text is printed; Rotating the image on the screen according to the image orientation data;
and Sending the print data to the print mechanism and printing the input text in accordance with the text data and the text format data on an image receiving medium. The method of claim 12, including the step of storing the text format data of the entered text depending on the image orientation data. The method of claim 12 or 13, including the step of Text entered or edited by a user is displayed so that it on the display regardless of the orientation of the characters representing the text can be read normally with respect to the image receiving medium. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, including the step of the text rotation data representing the rotation of the characters with respect to the user define, and / or orientation data relating to the orientation of the text define the user, i.e. whether the successive characters are horizontal or are arranged vertically to one another, are entered as text format data. 16. The method of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the input device Means to access and display a menu with image orientation options which the user can select an option contains.

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