JP2000037912A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printer wherein a value in one monetary unit is converted to the other plural monetary units based on preset exchange rates between one monetary unit and the other monetary units and a value by a monetary unit which is designated to be printed can be immediately printed on a tape. SOLUTION: Each of exchange rates of inputted plural monetary units with a reference monetary unit are stored in a memory of an exchange conversion table in one-to-one correspondence. When a value of the reference monetary unit is inputted, exchange rate data stored in the memory is read out (S24). A value of a monetary unit in relation to the exchange rate is calculated based on the read exchange rate data (S25). In the calculated values, the value of the monetary unit designated to be printed is printed on a tape by means of a thermal head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing characters, figures and the like on a printing medium such as a tape to be attached to a product or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the applicant of the present application has provided a keyboard, a display, a printing mechanism and the like, and used a film-shaped tape (for example, a tape width of 12 mm or 24 mm) as a printing medium.
In addition to the practical use of a tape printer that can print input characters and symbols, this tape printer also has a line modification setting function that determines line modification such as left alignment and right alignment when printing on tape. We proposed the one which added various editing functions. This tape printer is suitable for producing various labels such as a file name label.

[0003] These tape printers are capable of printing characters and the like between a double-sided tape and a transparent tape that are pasted together for bonding. Since it is not rubbed and thinned or disappears, it is extremely suitable as a label to be carried around or attached to an object that is always in contact with another object.

[0004]

At present, various currencies are used all over the world. Particularly in Europe, a large number of countries exist in a small area, and different currencies are used depending on the countries. Therefore, one product is often sold in different countries. In such a case, it is necessary to convert the price into the price of each country based on the currency rate and attach a price tag or the like. Further, in Europe, currency integration will be performed in the future, but thereafter, it is necessary to convert the product price in the currency used so far into the price of the currency to be integrated and display it on the product.

[0005] Furthermore, recently, since international exchange of people is also active, even in one country, people having different currencies often purchase goods using different currencies. Even in such a case, it is easier for the purchaser to understand that a plurality of prices in different currencies are attached to the product and sold based on the currency rate.

In such a case, there are various calculators for calculating the price in each currency based on the currency rate. Based on the calculation result, the price of the converted product is immediately printed to create a price tag, and the price tag is created. There was no printing device that can be attached to products and the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the display method of the price of the product and the like greatly differs depending on the currency of each country. Displaying prices in currencies was very complicated.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention converts a value in one currency into a value in a desired currency based on a conversion rate of a plurality of other currencies for one currency input in advance, and converts the value in the desired currency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of immediately printing a value on a printing medium such as a tape.

[0008]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus, comprising: an input unit for inputting data such as characters, figures, and symbols; and a data storage for storing the input data. Means for displaying input data, a display means for displaying input data, and a printing means for printing characters, graphics, symbols, etc. on a printing medium such as a tape, comprising a plurality of currencies and a standard for the currencies. A conversion rate storage means for storing conversion rates for currencies in association with each other, and, when a value of a base currency is input, a value in a currency of the conversion rate based on the conversion rate data stored in the conversion rate storage means. Calculating means for sequentially calculating the value of each currency calculated by the calculating means, whether or not to print on the print medium, and the value of the currency designated by printing by the specifying means, And a control means for printing on the print medium by the printing means.

According to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, based on the various input currencies stored in the conversion rate storage means and the conversion rates in those currencies with respect to the reference currency, values in one currency are converted. The value is converted into a value in a plurality of other currencies and stored. Thereafter, by specifying the currency to be printed, the value in that currency can be immediately printed, and a label such as a price tag can be produced. Therefore, even if you want to ship products etc. to multiple countries,
By specifying the currency you want to print when creating labels,
It can be printed immediately to make price tags and the like.

[0010] Further, the printing apparatus according to the second aspect is characterized in that:
Input means for inputting data such as figures, symbols, etc .; data storage means for storing input data; display means for displaying input data; and characters, figures, symbols, etc., on a printing medium such as tape. A printing apparatus comprising a printing unit for printing, a conversion rate storage unit for storing a plurality of currencies and conversion rates of the currencies with respect to a reference currency, respectively, and specifying a currency to be printed on a printing medium. When the value of the reference means and the reference currency are input, the calculation for calculating the value in the currency of the conversion rate for the currency specified by the specification means based on the conversion rate data stored in the conversion rate storage means. Means, and control means for causing the printing means to print the value calculated by the calculating means on the printing medium.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, if various currencies and conversion rates in those currencies with respect to the base currency are input and the currency to be printed is specified,
Based on the conversion rate of the input currency with respect to the base currency, the value in one currency is converted into the value in the currency to be printed and stored. Therefore, by performing the printing process thereafter, the value in the currency to be printed can be printed immediately.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising an order designating means for designating a printing order for currency.
The control means prints, on the printing medium such as a tape, the value of each currency calculated by the calculation means by the printing means in accordance with the order specified by the order specification means.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, the printing order of the currency to be printed can be specified.
The printing order can be changed depending on the country or the like to which the product is shipped, and a more easily understandable price tag can be produced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a printing position indicating means for indicating a printing position of each currency. The means prints, on the printing medium such as a tape, the value of each currency calculated by the calculating means by the printing means in accordance with the printing position designated by the printing position designating means.

According to the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to freely designate a printing position to be printed on a printing medium such as a tape. , Etc.), so that a more attractive price tag can be produced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the printing position instructing means instructs printing in a plurality of stages in a width direction of the tape as the printing medium. In the case, the apparatus further comprises print data creating means for expanding the value of each currency into matrix data corresponding to a plurality of rows, wherein the control means performs printing on the tape by the printing means based on the matrix data created by the print data creating means. , Etc., for printing on a plurality of stages at the same time.

According to the printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to print the amount of money or the like over a plurality of stages on the tape.
At this time, the above-mentioned equal character spacing processing, processing for printing with left edge alignment (hereinafter, referred to as left edge alignment processing), processing for printing with center alignment (hereinafter, referred to as center alignment processing), processing for printing with right edge alignment (hereinafter, right edge alignment processing) (Hereinafter, such a process is referred to as a line modification process), so that a more attractive price tag or the like can be produced.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a tape printing apparatus as a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the tape printer of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1 is formed in a substantially box-like body, and a keyboard 3 is provided at a front portion of an upper surface thereof. The keyboard 3 as an input means includes a character key, a space key, and the like for inputting alphabetical characters, numbers, symbols, and the like.
A return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor to the right or left, a tape length setting key for setting a tape length in a print area to be printed on the print tape 9, a size setting key for setting the size of characters to be printed, An execution key for executing various processes, an end key for instructing termination of various setting processes, a print key for instructing printing, a power key for turning on / off the power, and the like are provided. Note that a scanner, another communication device, or the like may be used as the input unit. At the rear of the keyboard 3, a liquid crystal display 7 is provided as display means.
D) 7 displays input characters, setting modes, and the like as necessary.

A printing mechanism PM is provided inside the tape printer 1.
The cover frame 8 extends from the side to the back of the main body frame 2 so that the tape cassette CS (see FIG. 2) mounted on the printing mechanism PM can be attached and detached.
Is provided. Also, on the side of the body frame 2,
A tape take-out port 4 and a cutter lever 5 for manually cutting the taken-out print tape 9 are provided.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a printing lamp indicating that printing is being performed.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. A rectangular tape cassette CS is detachably mounted on the printing mechanism PM. A tape spool 13 around which a transparent laminated film tape 12 is wound, a ribbon supply spool 15 around which a print ribbon 14 is wound, a take-up spool 16 around which the print ribbon 14 is wound, and a laminate. Film tape 12
A supply spool 18 on which a double-sided tape 17 having the same width as that of the double-sided tape 17 is adhered and wound on the outside, and a joining roller 19 for joining the laminated film tape 12 and the double-sided tape 17 are provided rotatably. ing. The double-sided tape 17 has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on both sides of the base tape, and a release paper is adhered to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one side.

At the position where the laminate film tape 12 and the print ribbon 14 overlap, a thermal head 20 is provided upright. A platen roller 21 for pressing the laminate film tape 12 and the print ribbon 14 against the thermal head 20, A feed roller 22 that presses the tape 12 and the double-sided tape 17 against the joining roller 19 to produce the printing tape 9 is rotatably supported by a support 23 that is rotatably mounted on the main body frame 2. I have. In the thermal head 20, a heating element group including a large number of heating elements is vertically arranged in rows.

Accordingly, when the tape feed motor 47 (see FIG. 3) is driven in a predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 19 and the take-up spool 16 are energized to the heating element group while being driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction. Then, characters and symbols are printed by a plurality of dot rows on the laminated film tape 12, and the laminated film tape 12 is fed as a printing tape 9 in the tape feeding direction A in a state where the double-sided tape 17 is joined. 1 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. The details of the printing mechanism PM are described in JP-A-2-106.
See U.S. Pat.

When cutting the sent printing tape 9, a portion of the front side of the cutter lever 5 provided on the side surface of the main body frame 2 is moved toward the outside of the main body frame 2, and the cutter (shown in FIG. Is moved in the direction of the printing tape 9, and the printing tape 9 is cut.

The printing tape 9 fed from the tape cassette CS has a tape width of 6 mm, 9 mm,
Five types of 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm are prepared. Further, for each tape width, the color of the base tape constituting the double-sided tape 17 (hereinafter simply referred to as the color of the double-sided tape 17 and the color of the base tape is the ground color of the tape) and the ink color of the print ribbon 14 are "Black", "red", "blue",
A plurality of types of tape cassettes CS arbitrarily combined from “yellow” to “white” are prepared.

The bottom wall of the tape cassette CS is provided with a plurality of projecting pieces combining a plurality of projecting claws in order to detect any of these five types of tape width. 2, a tape width sensor 43 for detecting the tape width based on the state of the protruding claws of the protruding pieces, and a tape color sensor 44 for detecting a combination color of the double-sided tape 17 and the print ribbon 14 are attached. (See FIG. 3).

Further, a cassette switch 42 is attached to the main body frame 2 in order to detect that these plural types of tape cassettes CS have been alternatively mounted (see FIG. 3).

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
Is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. Control device C
The input / output interface 50 has a keyboard 3 and
A cassette switch 42, a tape width sensor 43, a tape color sensor 44, a display controller (LCDC) 23 having a video RAM 24 for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7, and a warning buzzer 45 are driven. Circuit 46, a drive circuit 48 for driving the thermal head 20, and a drive circuit 49 for driving the tape feed motor 47 are connected to each other.

The control device C comprises a CPU 52 and this CPU
52, an input / output interface 50 connected via a bus 51 such as a data bus, CGROMs 53 and 54, RO
M55, 56 and RAM 60.

The display CGROM 53 stores dot pattern data for display in association with code data for each of numerals, alphabetic characters and symbols. In a print CGROM (dot pattern data memory) 54, print dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols is written in a font (Gothic font, Mincho font). Etc.), and seven types (16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, and 128 dot sizes) of print character sizes are stored in correspondence with code data for each typeface.

The ROM 55 sequentially reads out a display drive control program for controlling the display controller 23 in accordance with character code data such as characters, numbers and symbols inputted from the keyboard 3 and data in the print data buffer 67 to read out the thermal data. A print drive control program for driving the head 20 and the tape feed motor 47; a table in which the number of printing steps when printing in the width direction of the tape is associated with size designation data of a character size to be used; Etc. are stored.

Further, in the ROM 55, 5 of the printing tape 9 is stored.
Printable width data TW corresponding to each type of tape width
Is stored in advance as the number of dots. The ROM (currency symbol data memory) 56 stores a currency symbol, a scale symbol, a decimal point symbol, and the like corresponding to the currency of each country. Note that the CGROM 53, the CGROM 54, the ROM 55, and the ROM 56 may be constituted by one ROM.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 60 includes a work buffer 61, a text memory 62, and a currency symbol memory 6.
3, amount memory 64, flag memory 65, stage number memory 6
6, print data buffer 67, printable width memory 68,
It comprises a currency conversion table memory 69, a longest row memory 70, a character position memory 71, a character size memory 72, and the like.

The work buffer 61 of the RAM 60
, Data input from the keyboard 3, calculation results, and the like are temporarily stored. In the text memory 62, data on which various processes have been performed in the work buffer 61 are stored as data to be finally printed. The currency symbol memory 63 stores the currency symbol data called from the ROM 56 together with the result of determining whether or not the currency symbol is valid. The amount memory 64 stores the input amount in the reference currency. In the flag memory 65, when the left alignment mode, the center alignment mode, and the right alignment mode are respectively set as the line modification processing, the left alignment mode flag LF and the center alignment mode flag C are set.
F, the flag data of the right end justification mode flag RF is stored in correspondence with the print line for which the line modification process is set. The stage number memory 66 temporarily stores the inputted number N of printing stages. The print data buffer 67 stores, as print data, data of a plurality of characters developed into dot pattern data based on the character position data and the like stored in the character position memory 71 and the like. The printable width memory 68 includes a tape cassette CS mounted on the tape printer 1.
Is stored. The printable width data TW corresponding to the tape width is stored. 14 to 15 are stored in the currency conversion table memory 69.
As shown in the table, a currency conversion table is provided in which the entered currency symbol and the currency conversion rate of the currency with respect to the reference currency are numbered and stored in the order of input. The longest line memory 70 stores the line number of the longest line when printing is performed in a plurality of stages. Character position memory 7
1 shows character position data for developing dot data pattern data in the print data buffer 67 so that each character of each print line for which line modification processing is set is printed on the set line. Stored together with code data and size data. The character size memory 72 stores a character size determined based on the number of rows and a character size set by a character size setting process (not shown).

Next, a tape printing control routine performed by the tape printing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.
A description will be given based on the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, the code | symbol Si (i = 10,11,12 ...
・) Indicates each step.

When the power is turned on by the power key, the tape print control (see FIG. 5) is executed.
Among the memories 61 to 71 of the 60, the respective memories except the currency symbol memory 63 and the currency conversion table memory 69 are cleared, and an initial setting process such as setting a document input mode is executed (S10). Is LCD7
Is displayed (S11). However, the data about the currency and the conversion rate input in the previous processing is stored in the currency conversion table memory 69, and the currency calculation processing can be performed by using this currency conversion table. Further, the currency symbol memory 63 stores data such as a currency symbol and whether or not it is valid.

Next, when the currency calculation processing key is not operated and the character keys such as alphabetic characters, numbers and symbols and the printable keys such as the space key are operated (S12:
(Yes, S13: No, S14: Yes), and a character input process (S40) is executed. This character input processing (S4
In (0), code data corresponding to the printable key is input and stored in the text memory 62,
The display processing control is executed, and characters and the like are displayed on the LCD 7. In this case, it is possible to calculate the amount of money in a certain currency by the currency rate setting process, read out the data with the scale symbol, etc., add any characters, and print the data.

Next, the currency calculation processing key and the like are not operated,
When the currency rate setting key is operated (S12: Ye
In s, S13 to S16: No, S17: Yes), a currency rate setting process control (S110, see FIG. 6) is executed. In this case, the currency rate setting mode can also be set by inputting an arbitrary character string such as a currency rate without providing a currency rate setting key and then inputting an execution key. In the following, each process can be performed by the same operation.

First, when the currency rate setting key is operated (S17: Yes), processing such as clearing the currency conversion table memory 69 is executed as shown in FIG. 6 (S11).
1) "Currency symbol?" Is displayed on the LCD 7.

Next, when there is a key input (S112: Ye
s), key input characters, symbols, etc. are stored in the work buffer 6.
1 and temporarily compares the currency symbol in the currency symbol memory 63 with the input characters, symbols and the like (S11).
3) If they match (S113: Yes),
Subsequently, it is determined whether the input currency symbol is valid (S114). Currency symbol memory 6 used for this determination
The currency symbol and the sign of validity in 3 will be described later.

In the above processing, the character entered by the key,
If the symbol is not a currency symbol (S113: No),
A buzzer is sounded (S120) and the mode returns to the key input mode (S112). If the currency symbol is not valid (S113: Yes, S114: No), the buzzer is sounded (S121) and the key input mode is activated. Return to (S1
12).

In S114, if the symbol entered by the key is valid as a currency symbol (S114: Yes),
The conversion rate and the print designation for the input reference currency are input, and are stored in the work buffer 61 (S115 to S117). Next, a message "What is the next currency?" Is displayed on the LCD 7 (S118). When the execution key is operated (S118: Yes), the process proceeds to S118.
Returning to 112, the same processing is repeated, and a plurality of pieces of currency information can be stored in the work buffer 61.

On the other hand, when the end key is operated (S
118: No), as shown in FIG. 14, the input currency symbol, conversion rate, and print designation data are stored in the currency conversion table memory 6 in the order in which they were input on the work buffer 61.
9 is stored in a state where numbers are assigned in the order of input (S119), and this currency rate setting processing is completed.
The process proceeds to S12. Each time one currency symbol and its conversion rate are input, the currency symbol may be transferred from the work buffer 61 to the currency conversion table memory 69. Alternatively, the reference currency symbol and the conversion rate “1” may be input first.

At the time of inputting the conversion rate and print designation (S116), as shown in FIG. 14, a numerical value of the conversion rate and a code designating printing are input. In this case,
After the input of the currency symbol, a display "Conversion rate?" Is displayed on the LCD 7, and then a display "Print?" Then, for example, when a code “P” is input for the print designation, the code for the print designation is input to the currency conversion table.
In a currency calculation process to be described later, calculation is performed based on the conversion rate, and the amount is printed. On the other hand, if “□” (space) indicating that printing is not to be performed is input, the calculation based on the conversion rate is not performed, and the amount for that currency is not printed.

At the time of the print designation, as shown in FIG.
A number may be input. In this case, when the numbers are input, the amounts based on the conversion rates in the currencies are calculated in the order of the input numbers, stored in the text memory 62, and then printed in the order of the numbers. Thus, in the currency rate setting processing mode,
When the print specification is made, after the currency rate setting processing mode is ended, for example, in the print specification mode, the print specification can be modified so that the specification can be changed later. It is desirable to keep.

As another process, in the currency rate setting process mode, no print designation is made. For example, a print designation mode is newly set, and in this print designation mode, the entered currency is displayed and the print designation is made. Alternatively, the order of printing may be specified.
The result of the print designation is stored in the currency conversion table memory 69. In this case, the data stored in the text memory 62 is temporarily transferred to and stored in the work buffer 61, and only the data designated for printing based on the printing specification in the currency conversion table memory 69 are stored in the order of the table or the printing order. , The data for each currency in the work buffer 61 is sequentially stored again in the text memory 62 and the printing process is performed.

In S112, the currency symbol is input by key input. However, some currency symbols are difficult to input by ordinary key input.
The currency symbol stored in advance in 56 may be read and displayed in, for example, a table format, and the currency symbol may be input by operating a selection key or the like from among the symbols.

The above currency rate setting processing control (S110)
Includes a process to determine whether the currency symbol is valid or invalid, but this is used to check if an invalid currency has occurred due to European currency unification etc. Is operated (S
18: Yes), the currency invalidation setting control (S130, see FIG. 7) is executed, and the currency symbol memory 63
A currency symbol and data indicating whether the currency symbol is valid or invalid are stored therein.

In this currency invalid setting processing control (S130), by operating the currency invalid setting key (S130),
12: Yes, S13 to 17: No, S18: Yes
s), and shift to the currency invalid setting mode, as shown in FIG.
From the currency symbol data in the ROM 56, the work buffer 61
Is displayed on the LCD 7 (S131). As shown in FIG. 16, the currency symbol data stores a currency symbol, its number, and a code (for example, E) indicating that the currency symbol is valid. In addition, a scale symbol, a decimal point symbol, and the like are stored. It may be stored.

In this case, when the cursor right key is operated (S132: Yes, S133: Yes), the second currency symbol is displayed and the process returns to S132. That is, each time the cursor right movement key is operated, the number is increased and the currency symbol with that number is displayed (S13).
9). On the other hand, when the cursor left movement key is operated (S1)
32: Yes, S133: No, S134: Yes),
Conversely, the number becomes smaller and the currency of that number is displayed (S140). After the number becomes maximum or minimum, the displayed currency does not change and the same currency is displayed.

When the invalidation key for invalidating the displayed currency symbol is operated (S132: Yes, S133:
No, S134: No, S135: Yes), invalidation processing is performed, and a code for invalidating the currency symbol (for example, N) is attached instead of a code for validating the currency symbol (S141). When the delete key is operated for the displayed currency symbol (S132: Yes, S133 to S135: No,
S136: Yes), a deletion process is performed, and the currency symbol is deleted from the currency symbol memory 63 (S138). When the end key is operated (S132: Yes, S133 to S136: No, S1)
37: Yes), this process ends, and the process returns to S12. By the above processing, the currency symbol data stored in the work buffer 61 is transferred to the currency symbol memory 63. FIG.
If the user does not want to print the amount in the reference currency, the reference currency may be invalidated. Also,
Although not shown in the flowchart, when a space is displayed on the LCD 7 by the operation of the right key of the cursor, a character key is operated, and a character, symbol, or the like is input, the character or the like is replaced with a new currency symbol, scale. You may make it supplement as a symbol etc.

Next, the currency calculation processing control (S20) will be described. This currency calculation process control is a process performed by the calculation means of the present invention. When the document input screen is displayed (S11), when the currency calculation processing key is operated (S1).
2: Yes, S13: Yes), currency calculation processing control (S
20, see FIG. 8). First, an initial value setting process such as clearing the work buffer 61 is performed (S2).
1), “What is the amount?” Is displayed on the LCD 7. And
When the amount in the base currency is input and the execution key is operated (S22: Yes), the amount input process ends, and the input numerical value is stored in the amount memory 64 (S23).

Subsequently, the currency symbol and the conversion rate are sequentially read from the currency conversion table memory 69 (S2).
4), multiplication by the numerical value of the amount memory 64 is performed, and the currency symbol and the numerical value of the calculation result are first stored in the work buffer 61 (S25). Normally, two decimal places are stored as calculated values by rounding off the third digit. However, when the above-described print designation is input, the calculation based on the conversion rate is not performed for the print designation that has not been designated. When a conversion rate set to calculate a numerical value by division is input, for example,
A process of calculating the reciprocal of the input numerical value may be performed, and the value may be stored in the currency conversion table memory 69 as a conversion rate.

Next, with respect to this calculation result, if necessary,
A process of adding a currency symbol, a decimal point symbol, and a scale symbol is automatically performed (S26). This processing is performed by the data stored in the currency symbol data memory of the ROM 56 (FIG. 16).
The text symbol 62 stores the currency symbol stored in the ROM 56, the decimal symbol and the scale symbol corresponding to the currency symbol. This processing is sequentially performed for all of the reference currency and the calculated amount, and is sequentially stored in the text memory 62. It is not necessary to add all of these currency symbols, scale symbols, and decimal symbols for convenience, and it is also possible to appropriately select and add the symbols. Depending on the currency, for example, Japanese yen,
In some cases, there is no value below the decimal point. In this case, the text memory 62 stores the value without the decimal point and the value after the decimal point is deleted or rounded off. Next, based on the data of the currency conversion table in the currency conversion table memory 69, it is determined whether or not there is the next currency calculation (S27). If it is necessary to perform the currency calculation (S27: Yes), the RAM 60 is used. If a delimiter is stored in the delimiter memory, a delimiter, for example, a space or "/" is added (S28). If there is no currency for performing currency calculation (S27: N
o), proceed to the next step without executing S28.

At the time of storing in the text memory 62, it is determined whether or not the data can be stored in the text memory 62 (S2).
9). The data stored in the text memory 62 has a fixed number of digits, for example, within 50 digits. Therefore, if all digits of the display on which the above processing has been performed exceed the limited range of digits and overflow, Is (S29: Yes),
The text memory 62 is returned to the state before the start of this process (S30), for example, a message "display number of digits is exceeded" is displayed on the LCD 7 (S31), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the displayed amount of money is smaller than the number of digits that can be stored (S29: No), these data are stored in the text memory 62 (S32).
Based on the data of the currency conversion table in the currency conversion table memory 69, it is determined whether there is a currency for performing the next currency calculation (S33), and if there is a currency for performing the currency calculation (S33: Yes), Returning to S24 again, the same processing is performed, the calculation result is temporarily stored in the work buffer 61, and then the processing stored in the text memory 62 is repeatedly executed. When it is determined that there is no need to perform the next currency calculation (S33: No), the currency calculation process ends, and the process proceeds to S12 in FIG.

In the above-described currency calculation processing control, the amount is input for the reference currency whose conversion rate is 1, but by specifying a certain currency, the amount may be input using the specified currency as the reference currency. it can. In this case, by specifying the currency, the currency conversion table stored in the currency conversion table memory 69 is recalculated using the currency as the conversion rate 1.00, and the recalculated currency conversion table is used. Based on this, the processing control of S21 to S33 is performed.

Next, when a row modification key is input (S12: Yes, S13: No, S14: No, S1
5: Yes) row modification processing control (S50, FIGS. 9 and 1)
0) will be described. Line modification processing means line modification such as the equal character spacing processing, the left edge alignment processing, the center alignment processing, and the right edge alignment processing when printing amounts in a plurality of currencies in a plurality of rows in the width direction of the tape. This means that at least one of the processes is set to at least one of the amounts in the plurality of currencies.

This is a case where printing is performed over three steps in the width direction of the tape, and the tape 9 on which the left edge alignment processing has been performed is performed.
13 (a), the center-aligned tape 9b is shown in FIG. 13 (b), and the right-edge aligned tape 9c is shown in FIG. 13 (c). The tapes 9d are shown in FIG. For example, these modes are set by inputting an arbitrary character string such as equal characters, left edge alignment, center alignment, right edge alignment, and the like.
Although the tape lengths are different in this example, they may be the same length.

In the following, the case shown in FIG. 13A, that is, the case where printing is specified for three currencies in the conversion rate setting process, and the amounts in these currencies are printed on the left end in three stages Will be described. In this row decoration processing, the row decoration processing control (S50) is started by operating the row decoration processing key (S15: Yes).
51, see FIG. 10).

First, a message "number of print steps?" Is displayed on the LCD 7 and a number N is input (S52: Ye).
s) Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of stages N is within 4 (S53), and when a number greater than 4 is input (S5).
3: No), the buzzer sounds (S56), and the screen returns to the input screen again (S52). The reason for setting the number of steps N to 4 or less is that when the number of steps N is larger than 4, the printed numbers and the like become too small and are difficult to see. In the case of the above embodiment, “3” is input as the number of stages N.

In this case, since the number N is within 4 (S
53: Yes), the number of steps “3” is stored in the number-of-steps memory 66 (S54), and then the character size for printing is set based on this number of steps, and stored in the character-size memory 72 (S55). . Then, based on the character size of the character size memory 72, a subsequent currency calculation process (S2
0) and character input processing (S40), when storing data in the text memory 62, the character size and character code data of each character are stored together. The character code data already stored in the text memory 62 is also changed to the set character size.

When the step number setting process control (S51) is completed, the process proceeds to S61, where the next process is started. That is, first, it is determined whether or not the number of stages is two or more based on the stage number memory 66. In this case, since the number of stages is determined to be two or more (S61: Yes), "1" is set to the row counter C to specify the first row (S61).
62) Then, the amount of money in the first line is displayed together with a currency symbol and the like (S63).

Next, when the left alignment mode key is operated (S64: Yes, S65: Yes), the left alignment mode flag LF is set, and the center alignment mode flag CF and the right alignment mode flag RF are set. Reset (S69), and when the center alignment mode key is operated (S64: Yes, S65: No, S6)
6: Yes), the center alignment mode flag CF is set, the left alignment mode flag LF and the right alignment mode flag RF are reset (S70), and when the right alignment mode key is operated (S64: Yes, A6
5: No, S66: No, S67: Yes), the right alignment mode flag RF is set, the left alignment mode flag LF and the center alignment mode flag CF are reset (S71), and the equal character spacing mode key is operated. (S64: Yes, S65-S67: No, S
68: Yes), the left end alignment mode flag LF, the center alignment mode flag CF, and the right end alignment mode flag RF are all reset (S72).

In the case of FIG. 13A, since the left alignment mode is set (S65: Yes), the left alignment mode flag CF is set, and the center alignment mode flag CF and the right alignment mode flag RF are set. It is reset (S69).

When the first row modification is set, the row counter C is incremented (S7).
3) Next, it is determined whether or not the row counter C is larger than the set stage number 3 (S74). In the above processing, since the line modification of the first line has just been completed, the process proceeds to S63, and the line modification of the second and third lines is set in the same manner.
When the row modification of the third row is set, the row counter C is incremented to 4 and becomes larger than the set stage number 3 (S74: Yes), so the row modification processing is terminated, and S12 is performed.
Move to

In S61, if the number N is determined to be 1 (S61: No), or a key other than the left-aligned mode key, center-aligned mode key, right-aligned mode key, and the character spacing mode key is operated. (S
64: Yes, S65-68: No), a buzzer sounds for a warning (S75), and the line modification process ends, and S1
Return to 2.

When 1 is input as the number N of rows, row modification is not performed. However, when 1 is input as the number of steps N, and the amount of money in a plurality of currencies is printed in the length direction of the tape, the amount
Equal character spacing processing, left edge alignment processing, center alignment processing, right edge alignment processing, and the like may be set.

Next, when a print key is input (S1
6: Yes) will be described. That is, when the print processing key is operated (S12: Ye
s, S13 to S15: No, S16: Yes), print processing control (S80, see FIG. 11). In this printing process, first, it is determined whether or not the number N of steps is one based on the data in the number-of-steps memory 66 (S81).
If the number of steps N is 1, the character data code and size designation data of the text memory 62 such as the amount of money to be printed are read out (S82), and based on this, the dot pattern is developed in the print data buffer 67 (S83). ), A printing process is performed (S84), the tape is sent and cut (S85), and a price tag and the like are completed.

On the other hand, when the number of levels N is 2 or more, the rearrangement processing control (S90, S90) for developing each character of each line into the print data buffer 67 as dot pattern data based on the set line modification. 12) is started. When this control is started, the longest line is searched by comparing the number of characters in each line, and the line number of the longest line is stored in the longest line memory 70 (S91). In this case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the first row is the longest row, and thus the row number “1” is stored.

Next, "1" is set in the line counter C to designate the first line (S92), and then the data in the first line of the text memory 62 is read out (S93), and the longest line is read. It is determined whether or not it is (S94). Then, based on the size designation data and the character code for each character on the first line of the text memory 62, the print data buffer 67
Then, a development reference position for developing the dot pattern data is calculated, and the calculation result is stored in the character position memory 71 as character position data (S98).

Next, the counter C is incremented (S103), and it is determined whether the value of the counter C is 3 or more. In this way, for the second and subsequent lines,
It is determined whether or not the line is the longest line (S104). Then, based on the flag data stored in the flag memory 65, it is determined what line decoration mode is set (S104).
95 to S97), the position for expanding the dot data pattern in the print data buffer 67 is calculated based on the longest line in order to perform the designated line modification, and the calculation result is used as character position data in the character position memory 46. (S99 to S102).

When the processing is completed for all the rows, FIG.
Then, the process goes to S83, where the print data is developed in the print data buffer 67 as a dot pattern, printed (S84), and cut after the tape is sent (S8).
5) The price tag is completed.

When printing the amount of money in a plurality of currencies in the length direction of the tape, the currency to be printed may be specified in the print processing control.

[0075]

As described above in detail, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the various currency entered and the conversion rate in those currency with respect to the reference currency stored in the conversion rate storage means. , A value in one currency is converted into a value in other currencies and stored.
Thereafter, by specifying the currency to be printed, the value in that currency can be immediately printed, and a label such as a price tag can be produced. Therefore, even when it is desired to ship a product or the like to a plurality of countries, by specifying the currency to be printed at the time of label production, it is possible to immediately print and produce a price tag or the like.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, if various currencies and conversion rates in those currencies with respect to the base currency are first inputted and the currency to be printed is designated, the inputted currency is designated. Based on the conversion rate for the base currency, the value in one currency is converted into the value in the currency to be printed and stored. Therefore, by performing the printing process thereafter, the value in the currency to be printed can be printed immediately.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, the printing order of the currency to be printed can be specified.
The printing order can be changed depending on the country or the like to which the product is shipped, and a more easily understandable price tag can be produced.

According to the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the printing position to be printed on the tape can be freely specified, and, for example, the above-mentioned uniform character spacing processing can be performed, so that a price tag or the like that is more attractive can be produced. can do.

According to the printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to print the amount of money and the like over a plurality of stages on the tape.
At this time, since the line modification processing such as the equal character spacing processing, the left edge alignment processing, the center alignment processing, and the right edge alignment processing can be performed freely, a more attractive price tag can be produced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a printing mechanism of the printing apparatus of the present invention in which a tape cassette is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control system of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating contents of a RAM of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of a routine of tape printing control in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling a currency rate setting process in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling currency invalidity setting processing in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling currency calculation processing in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling line modification processing in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of a number-of-stages setting process control in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling rearrangement processing in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a tape that has been subjected to left-side alignment processing and then printed in the printing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 13B illustrates a tape that has been subjected to center alignment processing and then printed; It is an explanatory view, (c) is an explanatory view showing the tape printed after the right edge alignment processing, and (d) is an explanatory view showing the tape printed after the equal character interval processing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a currency conversion table stored in a currency conversion table memory in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a currency conversion table stored in a currency conversion table memory.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing currency symbol data stored in a ROM 56 in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of displaying an amount in a currency of each country.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 3 Keyboard 7 LCD 9 Printing tape 20 Thermal head 52 CPU 53, 54 CGROM 55, 56 ROM 60 (61-71) RAM CS Tape cassette PM Printing mechanism

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazumi Kanda 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Kengo Omura 3-46-15 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya City F-term in Brother Systems Inc. (Reference) 2C055 CC05 2C087 AA07 AB02 BD24 BD53 CB03 CB13 CB17 3E095 BA03 CA02 DA03 DA06 DA22 DA66 DA72 FA30

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting data such as characters, figures, and symbols, a data storage means for storing input data, a display means for displaying input data, and a recording medium such as a tape. In a printing apparatus having printing means for printing characters, figures, symbols, etc., a conversion rate storage means for storing a plurality of currencies and a conversion rate of the currency with respect to a reference currency, respectively, When input, based on the conversion rate data stored in the conversion rate storage means, a calculating means for sequentially calculating the value in the currency of the conversion rate, the value of each currency calculated by the calculating means, A designation unit for designating whether or not to print on the printing medium, and a control unit for causing the printing unit to print the currency value designated by the designation unit on the printing medium. A printing device, comprising: 2. An input means for inputting data such as characters, figures, and symbols, a data storage means for storing input data, a display means for displaying input data, and a recording medium such as a tape. In a printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, a conversion rate storage unit that stores a plurality of currencies and a conversion rate of the currency with respect to a reference currency, respectively, and Designation means for specifying the currency to be printed, and when the value of the reference currency is input, for the currency specified by the designation means,
Based on the conversion rate data stored in the conversion rate storage means, a calculation means for calculating a value in the currency of the conversion rate, the value calculated by the calculation means, the printing means to the printing medium by the printing means A printing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for performing printing. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an order designating unit for designating a printing order for the currency, wherein the control unit executes the calculation by the printing unit in accordance with the order designated by the order designating unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value of the currency is printed on the printing medium. 4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing position instructing means for instructing a printing position of each currency, wherein said control means controls said printing means in accordance with a printing position instructed by said printing position instructing means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value of each currency calculated in the step (b) is printed on the printing medium. 5. A print data which develops each currency value into matrix data corresponding to a plurality of rows when the print position indicating means instructs printing in a plurality of rows in a width direction of the tape as the print medium. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a creating unit, wherein the control unit simultaneously prints a plurality of stages on a tape by the printing unit based on the matrix data created by the print data creating unit. .