GB2150329A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic printer is capable of printing vertical and horizontal lines constituting frameworks of various formats with a limited memory capacity. The framework is constructed from basic print elements (stroke, underline) of the framework stored in a memory together with the number of times the elements were entered to make up the framework. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electronic printing apparatus Background of the invention Field of the invention The present invention relates to an electronic printing apparatus capable of printing vertical or horizontal lines continuously and in repeated manner at determined positions of a recording medium.

Description of the prior art In such electronic printing apparatus employed as printing means for electronic typewriters and word processors, there is already known so-called framework function for automatically printing vertical and horizontal lines in continuous manner at designated positions of printing sheet according to the instruction of the operator. Such automatic framework function is achieved by storing the framework data in a determined framework memory in advance and reading the data from the memory for reproducing the framework on the sheet.

In the conventional apparatus, at storing the print instructions for the vertical or horizontal line in the framework memory, information on all the characters constituting the framework instructed by the operator is memorized. For this reason, the storage of a framework format requires a large memory capacity of several hundred to several thousand bytes.

Summary of the invention In consideration of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic printing apparatus capable of providing an exact framework forming function with memory means of a limited capacity.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the basic concept of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the principal parts of the electronic printing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 3A is a plan view showing an example of framework; Figure 3B is a flow chart showing an example of the memory control procedure of framework forming; Figure 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the function of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 5 is a data structure chart showing an example of the format of framework data stored in a random access memory shown in Figure 2; and Figure 6 is a flow chart of the framework printing.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Now the present invention will be clarified in detail by an embodiment thereof shown in the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows the basic structural concept of the present invention.

According to a framework memory instruction, a character constituting a framework print element for printing each line of the framework is entered from key input means a, then the number of consecutive entries of the character is counted by frequency count means b, and a code corresponding to the character is stored in print character memory means c. Upon completion of entry of a line of the framework, compressed framework data are prepared from the count of the frequency count means band the print character memory means through control means e, and are stored in framework memory means d. Then, in response to a print instruction for reproducing the framework, the framework data are read from the framework memory means d and supplied to printing means for printing the framework on a recording medium.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the structure of the principal parts of the electronic printing apparatus of the present invention. A microprocessor (MPU) 1 controls, as means, the entire apparatus, and is provided with a read-only memory ROM for storing the control procedure shown in Figures 4 and 6 and random access memory RAM for storing data.

A keyboard controller (KBC) 2 is provided with plural keys as key input means for entering character information, and key input signals from the keys are entered into microprocessor 1 through a data bus (DB) 3. The keys include a framework start/end key KEY1, a stroke key KEY2, a underline key KEY3, a space key KEY4, and a print key KEYS. There are also shown an address bus (AB) 4 and an address decoder (AD) 5.

A character memory register (CMR) 6, functioning as print character memory means, stores codes of framework forming characters ("stroke" and "underline" in the present embodiment) among the print character data entered from the keyboard controller 2. A counter (CNT) 7, constituting the frequency count means, counts the number of consecutive same signals among the key input signals entered from the keyboard controller 2. A random access memory (FRAM) 8 constituting the framework memory means stores the framework data, thus enabling framework reproduction.

The above-mentioned character memory register 6, counter 7 and random access memory 8 are connected with the microprocessor 1 respectively by signals SEL1, SEL2, SEL3 supplied from the address decoder 5 to communicate the content of the register etc. 6 - 8 with the microprocessor 1. The microprocessor 1 controls an unrepresented printer unit through the address bus AD and data bus DB.

The microprocessor 1 forms framework memory data of a determined compressed format from the contents of the counter 7 and the character memory register 6, then stores the framework memory data in the random access memory 8 for framework memory, and afterwards reads the framework memory data from the memory 8 for framework printing in the printer unit onto a recording sheet.

Figure 3A shows an example of the framework, and Figure 3B shows an example of the operation procedure to be performed by the operator for storing the framework through the keyboard. As shown in Figure 3B, the operator at first moves a carrier to the print start position of a vertical line Q, then depresses the framework start key KEY1, depresses the stroke the key KEY2 n times consecutively and moves the carrier to the print start position of a next vertical line(2) wherebythevertical line shown in Figure 3A is memorized as the framework memory data in the memory 8.Subsequently the operator depresses the stroke key KEY2 n times consecutively and moves the carrier to the print start position of a first horizontal line (g), ,whereby the vertical line 2) shown in Figure 3A is memorized as the framework memory data in the memory 8.

Then the operator depresses the underline key KEY3 m times consecutively and moves the carrier to the print start position of a second horizontal line whereby hereby the horizontal line (ss) shown in Figure 3A is memorized as the framework memory data in the memory 8. Finally two operator depresses the underline key KEY3 m times consecutively and depresses the framework end key KEY1 whereby the horizontal line (83 shown in Figure 3A is memorized as the framework memory data in the memory 8 and the framework storage operation is completed.

in the present embodiment a framework is formed by consecutively printing a vertical line element n times and a horizontal line element m times in the order of lines 0 , and (i9, but it is also possible to utilize a repeat key provided in the usual electronic typewriter, or a time-limited automatic repeat function.

I he carrier movement from Ine ena oT eacn line in the framework to the next print start position can be achieved by various keys such as a tabulator key, a space key, a return key, an index key, a reverse index key, a cursor moving key etc., in various combinations. Also the framework end instruction can be entered by a combination of a control key, a code key etc.

Figure 4 shows an example of the procedure for storing the framework memory data into the random access memory 8 in response to the key data entered through the keyboard controller shown in Figure 2.

In the following there will given an explanation on the function of the apparatus of the present invention, while making reference to Figure 4.

At first a step S1 reads the depression of the framework start key KEY1 instructing the memory of a framework, and a key input process is conducted in a step S2. A succeeding step S3 discriminates whetherthe key input corresponds to a key for printing a vertical line (stroke key KEY2) or a horizontal key (underline key KEY3), and, if affirmative, a step S4 identifies whether the entered print key is same as the immediately preceding print key.

The step S4 provides a negative identification for the first key input whereby the program proceeds to a step S5, but no operation if conducted because no data exist for preparing the framework data. A succeding step S6 sets a new code in the register 6 corresponding to the key input, then a step S7 sets "1" in the counter 7, a step S9 conducts printing, and the program returns to the step S2.

At the next key input the step S4 provides an affirmative discrimination, whereby the program proceeds to a step S8 to increase the content of the counter 7 by "1", then the step S9 conducts printing and the program returns to the step S2 to repeat the same procedure. Thus, after the stroke key KEY2 has been depressed n times, the counter 7 stores a number "n" and a code indicating the stroke key is set in the register 6.

Upon depression of a key for moving the carrier to the next print start position, the step S3 provides a negative identification, whereby the program proceeds to a step S10 for discriminating whether the entered key is the end instruction key. In this case the step S10 provides a negative discrimination, whereby the program proceeds to a step S11 for conducting the carrier movement. Then a step S12 prepares framework memory data of a format as shown in Figure 5 from the code for vertical line or horizontal line stored in the register 6 and the content of the counter 7 and stores the data into the random access memory 8. A succeeding step S13 clears the counter 7 to zero, and the program returns to the step 52.

In case the depression of the stroke key KEY2 is immediately followed by the depression of the underline key KEY3, or in the inverse case, the step S4 provides a negative result whereby the program proceeds to the step S5 whereby the framework memory data as shown in Figure 5 are prepared from the code for the preceding vertical or horizontal line stored in the register 6 and the content of the counter 7 and are stored in the random access memory 8. Subsequently the step S6 stores a new code in the register 6, the step S7 sets "1" in the counter 7, the step S9 conducts printing and the program returns to the step S2.

Finally, upon depression of the key KEY1 instructing the completion of the framework memory, the step S10 provides an affirmative result and the control moves to another procedure.

In this manner, in response to the carrier move mentor printing another line, or to the shift from a vertical line to a horizontal line or from a horizontal line to a vertical line, there is identified the completion of printing of a preceding line, whereby framework memory data of a compressed format are prepared from the key code stored in the register 6 and the content of the counter 7 and are stored in the memory 8. Consequently it is rendered possible to significantly reduce the capacity of the memory 8 for automatic framework forming function.

Figure 5 shows an example of the framework memory data to be stored in the memory (FRAM) 8 shown in Figure 2. This format can compress the above-mentioned data of character for framework printing and of number of consecutive entries thereof into 2 bytes, so that the framework as shown in Figure 3A can be memorized in a memory area of 8 bytes in total. For small framework, the data for each line can even be compressed to one byte depending on the number of printing operations.

After the framework memory data are stored in the framework memory 8, the operator inserts a printing sheet in the printer and moves the carriage by the aforementioned key operations to a position where the framework is to be printed on the sheet.

Subsequently, upon depression of the key 6, the first memorized character and the corresponding number of depressions are read from the memory (FRAM) 8 and are respectively transmitted to the printer and the printer counter CNT.

Then a printing operation for one character is instructed to the printer, and there is checked whether the printing operations of the desired number have been completed. If not, a printing operation is again instructed to the printer. Upon completion of the printing operations of the desired number, the program proceeds to a next step to check whether all the contents of the memory FRAM have been printed. If not, the program enters a stand-by state to await the actuation of the key 6.

Upon depression of said key 6 after the operator has moved the carriage to the next print position, a next code and the corresponding number of print operations are read from the memory FRAM to conduct the printing operations in the above-described manner. When all the contents of the memory FRAM have been printed in the above-described manner, the control shifts to another procedure.

As explained in the foregoing, the present invention allows to significantly reduce the memory capacity required for storing information indicating the framework printing by forming compressed framework memory data composed of a framework print character code and the corresponding number of printing operations, thereby reducing the production cost and improving the reliability.

Claims (8)

1. An electronic printing apparatus comprising: input means for entering determined print characters constituting framework printing elements for printing each line of the framework; frequency count means for counting the number of consecutive entries of said print character; print character memory means for storing a code corresponding to said print character; control means for forming framework memory data from the content of said frequency count means and the content of said print character memory means; and framework memory means for storing said framework memory data.

2. An electronic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a horizontal line key for entering a horizontal line and a vertical line key for entering a vertical line.

3. An electronic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for forming said framework memory data in response to an input signal other than said framework printing element immediately following said framework printing element.

4. An electronic printing apparatus comprising: input means for entering elements of a framework; first memory means for storing the consecutive number of said element when it is entered from said input means; and second memory means for storing said framework element and the consecutive number thereof in paired from in response an input information other than said framework element entered by said input means.

5. An electronic printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said input means comprises members for entering plural framework elements.

6. An electronic printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second memory means comprises a radom access memory.

7. An electronic printing apparatus having the facility for printing a frame comprising a plurality of lines, each made up of a plurality of print characters, wherein a frame data memory is arranged to store data defining a said frame to be printed, and means is provided for causing said data memory to store for each line of the frame character data determining the print character which is to be repetitively printed to form said line and numerical data determining the number of times the determined print character is to be printed.

8. An electronic printing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.