JP2000076229A - Method and device for signaling processing form of data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collectively confirm processing forms set in the unit of a processing group by providing plural indicators arranged respectively in a matrix manner in accordance with plural processing groups and plural processing forms. SOLUTION: A display has an indicator displaying part 4i and a character displaying part 4c consisting of dot matrixes in a display screen 41 composing an LCD, etc. An indicator located at the intersection of a row (lower stage) corresponding to one optional processing group (e.g. title relation) on a matrix in the indicator displaying part 4i and a column (the second column from the left) corresponding to one optional processing form (e.g. line return) signals whether or not one optional processing form is set to one optical processing group. If a character decoration form is included in a processing form signaled by an indicator, a use can collectively confirm character decoration forms set to each processing group by plural indicators arranged in a matrix manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for informing a processing mode of a data processing apparatus and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, characters (numbers, symbols,
In the case of a data processing device for processing a character including a simple graphic, etc.), that is, a character processing device, for example, a character processing device such as a word processor having a large display screen has conventionally been one or more. It can be confirmed on the display screen which of the processing forms that can be set for the character string (data group) having the character (data) is set for the character string of interest. .

That is, for example, enlargement / reduction (expansion, shortening, enlargement, reduction, etc.), character modification (underline, cancellation line, character box, shading, emphasis, italic, white (white), inversion, rotation, etc. ), Editing function settings (frame decoration, automatic line feed, automatic page break, automatic paragraph break, line number display, information number display, etc.), and fonts (fonts) settings. Even if a plurality of processing forms are set for a given character string, since the display screen is large in a word processor or the like, the state after the processing can be directly confirmed on the display screen.

[0004]

On the other hand, even if data processing devices of the same type are used in relatively small character processing devices such as tape printers and stamp making devices, the display screens thereof are also small. It is difficult to directly confirm the processing mode set for the character string on the display screen. For this reason,
In this type of data processing device (character processing device) having only a small display screen, for example, an indicator corresponding to each processing mode is provided, and when a user designates a character of interest with a cursor or the like, the character is When the indicator corresponding to the set processing mode is turned on, the processing mode set for each character or character string can be confirmed.

However, even in a data processing device having only such a small display screen, there is a case where it is desired to simultaneously confirm all the set processing forms at once. In addition, on the other hand, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and each data group included in each processing group is collectively subjected to arbitrary processing in units of the classified processing groups. Some data processing devices can set the processing mode.

According to the present invention, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and each data group included in each processing group is collectively arbitrarily determined in units of the classified processing groups. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing mode notification method and apparatus for a data processing apparatus capable of collectively confirming the processing mode set for each processing group in a data processing apparatus capable of setting the processing mode.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for informing a processing mode of a data processing apparatus, wherein a plurality of processing modes which can be set for a data group having one or more data exist. Are grouped into a plurality of processing groups, and for each data group included in each group, any one of the plurality of processing modes is collectively processed in the unit of the classified processing group. In a data processing apparatus capable of setting the above, a processing mode notification method of the data processing apparatus for notifying a set processing mode, wherein a plurality of rows corresponding to each of the plurality of processing groups and the settable Among a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix having a plurality of columns corresponding to each of a plurality of processing modes, the plurality of indicators correspond to an arbitrary one processing group on the matrix. To correspond to any one of the processing mode by the indicator located at the intersection of a column, of the arbitrary 1
It is characterized in that whether or not the above-mentioned arbitrary one processing mode is set to the above-mentioned processing group is notified.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device notifying device having a plurality of processing modes which can be set for a data group having one or more data, and a plurality of data groups to be processed. Are divided into multiple processing groups,
In a data processing apparatus capable of setting any one or more of the plurality of processing modes collectively for each data group included in each group in units of the classified processing groups, the set processing mode A processing form notifying device for notifying the processing form, wherein the storage means for storing a processing form set for each of the plurality of processing groups in units of processing groups, corresponding to each of the plurality of processing groups A plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns corresponding to each of the plurality of configurable processing modes, and an arbitrary one of the plurality of indicators on the matrix. The indicator located at the intersection of the row corresponding to the one processing group and the column corresponding to the arbitrary one processing mode indicates the arbitrary one processing group. And control means for controlling such that the any one of the processing mode is informed whether it is set to,
It is characterized by having.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, a plurality of rows corresponding to a plurality of processing groups and a plurality of columns corresponding to a plurality of settable processing modes are arranged in a matrix. Among the plurality of indicators, the indicator located at the intersection of the row corresponding to the arbitrary one processing group on the matrix and the column corresponding to the arbitrary one processing form allows the arbitrary one processing group to have the arbitrary number. A notification is made as to whether the first processing mode is set.

That is, in the data processing apparatus to which the processing mode notification method and the apparatus are applied, the user
With the plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix, the processing modes set for each processing group can be checked collectively.

In the processing mode notification method according to the first aspect, it is preferable that the data is data indicating a character, and the data group is a data group indicating a character string.

[0015] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 15,
Preferably, the data is data indicating a character, and the data group is a data group indicating a character string.

[0013] In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, the data is data indicating a character, and the data group is a data group indicating a character string. Therefore, the method can be applied to a character (data) processing apparatus. That is, in the character (data) processing apparatus to which the processing mode notification method and the apparatus are applied, the user can collectively check the processing mode set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix. .

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of processing modes include at least one of underline, cancellation line, character box, shading, emphasis, italic, whiteout, shadow character, inversion and rotation. Preferably, a character modification form is included.

[0015] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 16,
Underlining, cancellation lines,
It is preferable to include at least one or more character modification forms of character surrounding, hatching, emphasis, italic, outline, shadow character, inversion and rotation.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, an underline, a cancellation line,
Since at least one of character modification forms of character surrounding, hatching, emphasis, italic, whiteout, shadow character, inversion and rotation is included, a character (data) processing apparatus to which this processing form notification method and the apparatus are applied is included. By using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix, the user can collectively check the character modification mode set for each processing group.

In the processing mode notification method according to claim 2 or 3, the plurality of processing modes include at least one of expansion, contraction, enlargement and reduction indicating character enlargement / reduction. preferable.

18. The processing mode notification device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the plurality of processing modes include at least one of expansion, contraction, enlargement, and reduction indicating character enlargement / reduction. preferable.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, the plurality of processing modes include at least one of expansion, contraction, enlargement, and reduction, which indicates character enlargement and reduction. In the character (data) processing apparatus to which the notification method and the apparatus are applied, the user can collectively check the enlargement / reduction mode set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of processing modes include a frame decoration indicating a character editing function setting, an automatic line feed, an automatic page break, an automatic paragraph break, a line number display, It is preferable that at least one or more editing function setting forms of the information number display are included.

19. The processing mode notification device according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of processing modes include a frame decoration indicating a text editing function setting, automatic line feed, automatic page break, automatic page break, line number display, It is preferable that at least one or more editing function setting forms of the information number display are included.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, a plurality of processing modes include frame decoration indicating character editing function setting, automatic line feed, automatic page break, automatic line break, line number display, and information number display. Since at least one or more editing function setting modes are included, in the character (data) processing apparatus to which the processing mode notification method and the processing mode notification apparatus are applied, a user can assign a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix to each processing group. The set editing function settings can be checked at once.

In the processing mode notification method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the plurality of processing modes may include at least one of Mincho and Gothic styles indicating a typeface setting of a character. preferable.

20. The processing mode notification device according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of processing modes include at least one of Mincho and Gothic indicating a typeface setting of a character.
It is preferable that the above typeface setting form is included.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, the plurality of processing modes include at least one or more of the Mincho and Gothic styles indicating the font style setting of the characters. In the character (data) processing apparatus to which the method and the apparatus are applied, the user can collectively confirm the typeface setting mode set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix.

[0026] In the processing mode notification method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, it is preferable that the character string is read from a disk storing the character string.

[0027] In the processing mode notification device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, it is preferable that the character string is read from a disk storing the character string.

In this processing mode notification method and its apparatus, the character string is read from the disk in which it is stored. Therefore, in the character (data) processing apparatus to which this processing mode notification method and its apparatus are applied, Is
By using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix, it is possible to collectively check the processing mode set for each processing group of the character string read from the disk.

[0029] In the processing mode notification method according to claim 7, the disc is preferably a mini disc.

[0030] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 21,
Preferably, the disc is a mini-disc.

In this processing mode notification method and its apparatus, since the disk is a mini-disc, in the character (data) processing apparatus to which this processing mode notification method and its apparatus are applied, the user operates a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix. Thereby, the processing mode set for each processing group of the character string read from the mini-disc can be checked collectively.

In the processing mode notification method according to claim 7 or 8, it is preferable that the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a title name or a disc name.

[0033] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 21 or 22, it is preferable that the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a title name or a disc name.

In this processing mode notification method and its apparatus, since a plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a title name or a disc name, characters (data) to which this processing mode notification method and its apparatus are applied are included. In the processing apparatus, the user can collectively check the processing mode set in the processing group of the character string indicating the title name or the disc name by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix.

[0035] In the processing mode notification method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, it is preferable that the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a song title.

In the processing mode notification device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, it is preferable that the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a song title.

In this processing mode notification method and its apparatus, a plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a song title. Therefore, in a character (data) processing apparatus to which this processing mode notification method and its apparatus are applied. By using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix, the user can collectively check the processing mode set in the processing group of the character string indicating the song title.

[0038] In the method of notifying of a processing form according to any one of claims 1 to 10, it is preferable that the data processing device is a display device for displaying the data on a display screen.

In the processing mode notification device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, it is preferable that the data processing device is a display device that displays the data on a display screen.

In the method and apparatus for notifying the processing mode, the data processing device is a display device for displaying data on a display screen, and thus can be applied as the method for notifying the processing mode of the display device and the apparatus.

In the method for notifying of a processing form according to any one of claims 1 to 10, it is preferable that the data processing device is a printing device that prints the data on a printing target.

[0042] In the processing mode notification device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, it is preferable that the data processing device is a printing device that prints the data on an object to be printed.

In the method and apparatus for notifying the processing mode, the data processing apparatus is a printing apparatus for printing data on a printing target, and thus can be applied as the processing mode notification method for the printing apparatus and the apparatus.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention,
Preferably, the printing target is a tape.

[0045] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 26,
Preferably, the printing target is a tape.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, since the printing target is a tape, it can be applied as a processing mode notification method of a tape printing apparatus and its apparatus.

In the processing mode notification method according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, it is preferable that a predetermined label is formed by half-cut on the printing object.

[0048] In the processing mode notification device according to claim 26 or 27, it is preferable that a predetermined label is formed on the printing object by half-cutting.

In this processing mode notification method and apparatus, since a predetermined label is formed on a printing object by half-cutting, a desired print image of the label is printed, and the label is simply peeled off the half-cut portion. The method can be applied as a method for informing the processing form of a label printing apparatus capable of creating a label printing apparatus and the apparatus.

[0050]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tape printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the tape printer according to the present embodiment in an open state, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1
Has an outer shell formed by an upper and lower split device case 2,
A keyboard 3 made up of various input keys is arranged on the upper surface of the front part of the device case 2, a display 4 is arranged on the upper right upper surface thereof, an opening / closing lid 21 is provided on the upper surface of the rear part, and an opening / closing lid 21 is provided on the front part thereof. Is provided with a lid release button 23 for releasing the button.

As shown in FIG. 2, as a basic configuration, an operation unit 11 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 for interfacing with a user, and a pocket having a print head 7 and a tape feeding unit 120 are provided. A printing unit 12 for printing on the tape T of the tape cartridge 5 mounted in the printer 6;
A cutting section 13 for cutting the tape T after printing, a detecting section 14 having various sensors to perform various detections, a driving section 270 having various drivers to drive each section circuit, a power supply section 290,
And a control unit 2 for controlling each unit in the tape printer 1
00 is provided.

For this reason, a circuit board (not shown) is housed inside the apparatus case 2 in addition to the printing section 12, the cutting section 13, the detecting section 14, and the like. The circuit board includes a power supply unit 29.
In addition to 0, each circuit of the drive unit 270 and the control unit 200 is mounted. The power supply unit EU of the power supply unit 290 has A
It is connected to the C adapter connection port 24 and a battery E such as a nickel-cadmium battery that can be detached from the outside, and supplies power to each unit in the tape printer 1.

In the tape printer 1, after the user mounts the tape cartridge 5 in the pocket 6, the user checks desired characters (characters, numbers, symbols, simple figures, etc.) with the keyboard 3 while checking the display 4. Input / edit and input various instructions. For example, when printing is instructed, the tape T is fed out of the tape cartridge 5 by the tape feeding unit 120, desired printing is performed on the tape T by the print head 7, and the printed portion is sent out from the tape discharge port 22 as needed. When the desired printing is completed, the tape feeding unit 120 feeds the tape T to a position of a predetermined tape length, and then stops the feeding.

In the above description and the following description, it is preferable that the data expressing the character information be collectively described as character data or simply characters, and that the data is text code data. If it is better to indicate that it is an image (dot matrix: bitmap also agrees), it is better to describe it as character code data or just a character code. ing.

That is, normally, for example, the character data input by a key is a character data code, and the character data for displaying the character data as character information is character image data, which are obvious. Further, for example, when a display image is created by arranging a character image in a display image creation area, dots (pixels) to be pixels of each character image are generated (developed) in the display image creation area based on an outline font or the like from a character code. Creating a display image (expanding and arranging the character code as an image), and expanding and arranging the character image data based on the dot (bitmap) font corresponding to the character code and the registered dot matrix Creating display images (expanding and arranging character images)
Is substantially the same in creating and displaying a display image by expanding and arranging data (character data) representing character information, unless the difference causes a problem.

Therefore, the character code data (or character code) and the character image data (or character image) are
In particular, it is distinguished only when it is deemed better to specify it. Otherwise, data expressing character information is collectively described as character data (or character).

Next, the printing unit 12 has a pocket 6 for mounting the tape cartridge 5 inside the opening / closing lid 21.
The tape cartridge 5 is attached to and detached from the pocket 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened.
On the left side of the apparatus case 2, there is formed a tape discharge port 22 for communicating the pocket 6 with the outside of the apparatus, and the tape discharge port 22 faces a tape cutter 132 for cutting the fed tape T.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape cartridge 5 has an outer shell formed by a cartridge case 51 including an upper case 51a and a lower case 51b, and has a fixed width (about 4 mm to 52 mm: A tape reel 52 wound with a tape T of the size of a side label to a case label described later), a ribbon feed reel 53 wound with an ink ribbon R, and a ribbon winding reel 54 wound with the ink ribbon R. Is rotatably accommodated, and a bottomless hollow chamber 55 is formed in a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap.

A projecting portion 57 is formed in a portion of the upper case 51a facing the hollow chamber 55 so as not to interfere with the print head 7 and the platen 62 of the pocket 6 from below. A platen side fitting hole 58 into which the upper end of the shaft of the platen 62 fits when the tape cartridge 5 is mounted in the pocket 6;
A head side fitting hole 59 into which the upper end of the head 5 is fitted is formed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a head unit 61 having a built-in print head 7 such as a thermal head and a platen 62 are provided in the pocket 6. Room 55
Then, the head unit 61 and the platen 62 are inserted so as to sandwich the tape T and the ink ribbon R. Similarly, a guide projection 64 is provided in the hollow portion of the tape reel 52.
However, a take-up reel drive shaft 63 is inserted into a hollow portion of the ribbon take-up reel 54.

When the platen 62 and the take-up reel drive shaft 63 rotate using the feed motor 121 as a drive source, the tape T and the ink ribbon R are fed, and the tape T is fed out from the tape reel 52, while The ink ribbon R is fed from the ribbon feeding reel 53,
After running in parallel with the tape T, the ribbon take-up reel 5
The printing is performed by driving the print head 7 after being wound around the print head 4 and synchronizing with them. The printed portion of the tape T is sent out from the tape outlet 56 formed in the lower case 51b toward the tape outlet 22 of the device case 2. After the printing is completed, the feeding of the tape T is continued and the predetermined cutting position is reached. Is sent to the position of the tape cutter 132.

The cutting section 13 has a tape cutter 132, a cut button 133 for manually cutting the tape cutter 132, and a cutter motor 131 for automatically cutting the tape cutter 132. Thus, the tape printer 1 can switch between automatic and manual depending on the mode setting.

For this reason, in the case of manual cutting, when printing is completed, the user presses the cut button 133 provided on the apparatus case 2 so that the tape cutter 132 is activated and the tape T has a desired length. Is cut off. In the case of automatic cutting, printing is completed, the tape is fed by a predetermined amount, and at the same time, the cutter motor 131 is driven to cut the tape T.

The tape T has a two-layer structure composed of a tape substrate having one surface to be printed and the other surface being an adhesive processed surface, and a release paper covering the adhesive processed surface. As the tape T, a plurality of types are prepared.
Are formed in slightly different shapes corresponding to the type of the tape T (some have small holes or depressions on the back surface, and some do not).

In some of the plurality of types of tape T, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a disk cartridge (MD cartridge) of a mini disk (MD) and a disk case for accommodating the disk cartridge are mounted on the tape base material. Various labels to be attached to the (MD case) are formed by half-cutting (hereinafter, a label in such a state is referred to as a half-cut label). Thus, in the tape printing apparatus 1, a desired label can be easily created simply by mounting the tape cartridge 5 containing this type of tape T and printing, and peeling off the half-opened label portion after printing. The label can be easily attached to the position.

As shown in FIG.
mm (2.5 inch) MD92 (see FIG. 1)
The MD cartridge 9 accommodated in the cartridge 91
1 is stored in the MD case 93.

In this case, for example, on the surface of the MD cartridge 91, a label LM (main label LM, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A), which is referred to as a disc label LMD when distinguished from a case label LMC described below. )
On the surface of the MD case 93 as shown in FIG.
If the main label LM is a single label having a size corresponding to two continuous labels, or if it is desired to distinguish the two labels from the disc label LMD, the case label LM
C) can be attached to each side surface with a label (side label) LS as shown in FIG.

The main label LM (disc label LM)
D) has various sizes, but the largest size is 36 mm x 52 mm, and the smallest size is 36 mm x 1
It is about 8 mm. The size of the side label LS is 4mm
It is about × 60 mm. Further, the size of the case label LMC is about 52 mm × 72 mm, and the size is such that one case label LMC may be stuck or two disc labels LMD may be stuck together.

"TITLE" in FIGS. 5A and 5B
The disk name (attribute information) of the MD (disk) 92 is normally used for printing (characters) on the side label LS. This is because the disc name usually most accurately represents the contents of the main information (song) stored in the MD (disc) 92. The numbers such as 1.2.3 in both figures are main information numbers (tune numbers), and correspond to, for example, track numbers in the MD 92, and the corresponding capital letters such as "AAAAA" Main information name (song name) stored
Is shown. That is, an image is shown in which a song number and a song name corresponding to the song number are printed side by side on the same line.

Conventionally, a music piece, which is music information, is recorded on the MD as main information. In addition, management information including text data (text code) and other text information are recorded as attribute information regarding the main information. As the management information, the song number, the start and end addresses of the song, the recording date and time of the song, etc. are automatically recorded when the song is recorded, and the recording date and time of the disc name are recorded automatically when recording the disc name. You. The other text information includes a disc name, a song name, and the like input by the user.

Characters such as alphanumeric characters and kana characters are characters that are easy to handle even in half-width characters (half-width characters) due to their character configuration (simplicity as a character image). For example, display efficiency per unit area in display processing Generally, it is treated as a half-width character (half-width display character) because of the relationship between the display and the function of the display unit. On the other hand, characters such as kanji and symbols are generally treated as full-width characters (full-width display characters) due to their character configuration (complexity as character images).

Therefore, in the MD, attribute information (hereinafter, “half-width display attribute data”) represented by character data of only half-width display characters such as alphanumeric characters and kana (hereinafter, “half-width display attribute data”) and kanji characters The attribute information (hereinafter, “full-width display attribute information”) represented by character data including full-width display characters (hereinafter, “full-width display attribute data”) is individually prepared. Only one of them is used. Then, when using double-byte display characters such as kanji, if this is reflected on the label as it is, a label that is easier to read can be created.

The attribute information includes, in addition to the above, the total number of songs automatically input by the MD player (or input arbitrarily by the user), recording (playback) time, artist name (composer name, etc.), etc. May be included. FIG. 5 (b)
"A" added after the song title such as "AAAAA"
"aaa ..." is an image of an artist name (composer name, etc.), and "-Other x songs-" in FIGS. (a) and (b) is an image of information obtained from the total number of songs. (Of course, it may be like "total x songs").

By the way, conventionally, the above-described attribute information (total number of songs, disc name, song number, song name, playback time, recording date and time, artist name, etc.) is conventionally displayed on the display unit of the MD playback device (MD player) or the remote controller Is used as display information to be displayed on the display.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, even in a conventional portable MD player 90, an MD cartridge 91 (with a built-in MD 92) is mounted, and
By operating the fourteen keys, the music in the MD 92 can be reproduced, and the various attribute information as described above can be displayed on the main body display unit 912.

That is, in the related art, the various labels described above are usually supplied as accessories to the MD 92. For example, the attributes displayed on the main body display unit 912 when the MD 92 is reproduced by the MD player 90 described above. After referring to the character data (display data) of the information, the user writes on the various labels and then writes the MD cartridge 91 or the MD.
It is attached to each part of the case 93.

Conventionally, some MD reproducing apparatuses transmit and receive various data to and from a remote controller by remote control communication (including wired and wireless), and in particular, there is a type having a display unit on the remote controller side. For example, the MD player 90 described above with reference to FIG.
By inserting a connection connector (or a connection plug or the like) of the remote control connection cable 925 from the remote control 921 into the remote control terminal 901 and operating various keys of the remote control operation unit 923, music in the MD 92 can be reproduced. Various attribute information can be displayed on the remote control display unit 922, and the same (handwriting on a label) is performed with reference to the displayed attribute information.

However, the above operation is very complicated, and it is almost impossible to write many characters in a small-sized label by hand, and it is very difficult to create several kinds of labels. It was patient.

On the other hand, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the tape printer 1 mounts and prints the tape cartridge 5 containing the tape T on which various half blank labels are formed.
By simply peeling off the half-opened label portion after printing, a desired label can be easily created and a label can be easily attached to a predetermined position.

In the tape T shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of different labels, that is, tapes T on which a half-open label for the main label LM (disk label LMD) and a half-open label for the side label LS are formed, respectively. Tape T
However, it is also possible to form both half-cut labels (that is, for creating the disk label LMD and for creating the side label LS) on one type of tape T. Further, a tape T for preparing a case label LMC can be prepared.

For this reason, in the tape printing apparatus 1, in practice, the above-described various tapes T, that is, the side labels L
Case label LM from tape width of about 4mm for making S
A variety of tape cartridges 5 are provided for accommodating various tapes T of up to about 52 mm for making C and tapes T without forming a half-blanked label.

However, in the following description, a case where a label is mainly created will be described.
Seeds, ie, for creating main label LM and side label L
Since only one type of S is required, it is assumed that only two types shown in FIG. 4 are prepared for easy understanding. In the case of the tape T shown in FIG.
A main label LM having a width of 36 mm is formed in 46 mm, and two side labels having a width of 4 mm are formed in a tape T of FIG.

In correspondence with these, the printable width in the tape width direction by the print head 7 is also 36 mm (0.12
288 dots at 5 mm / dot) (see FIG. 39). For printing on the main label LM, 32 mm excluding the margin in the width direction is used. Of course, when the case label LMC can be created with one sheet, 56
mm or 4mm if only for side labels.
In the following, a description will be given assuming that the 288 dot print head 7 which can be used most universally and is relatively small is used.

On the other hand, as described above, the tape cartridge 5 has a slightly different shape so that the type of the tape T can be identified according to the tape width of the accommodated tape T and the type of the half-cut label. Is provided with a tape identification sensor 141 such as a micro switch for detecting the difference in shape, so that the type of the tape T can be detected.

Further, similarly to the tape T shown in FIG. 4, reference holes TH are formed at predetermined intervals in each tape T.
A tape position sensor 143 such as a photo interrupter for detecting the reference hole TH is provided near the tape discharge port 22 (see FIG. 1) (that is, near the tape cutter 132). In particular, the print position can be detected.

Further, a part of the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing lid 21 includes:
A lid opening / closing sensor 142 such as a limit switch for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 21 is provided so that abnormality such as opening of the lid 21 during printing can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detecting unit 14 includes a power supply unit 290 for supplying electric power to each unit of the tape printing apparatus 1 in addition to the tape identification sensor 141, the cover opening / closing sensor 142, and the tape position sensor 143. A voltage sensor 144 that is connected to the unit EU and detects a potential change thereof is provided. It should be noted that other sensors such as an ambient temperature sensor and a head surface temperature sensor can be provided according to actual conditions,
A configuration in which a part is omitted may be adopted.

The driving section 270 is provided with the display driver 2
71, a head driver 272, and a motor driver 27
3 is provided.

The display driver 271 is connected to the control unit 2
Based on the control signal output from 00, the display 4 of the operation unit 11 is driven according to the instruction. Similarly,
The head driver 272 drives the print head 7 of the printing unit 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 200.

Further, the motor driver 273 is provided in the printing unit 1.
Motor 2 for driving the second feed motor 121
73d, and a cutter motor driver 273c that drives the cutter motor 131 of the cutting unit 13. Similarly, each motor is driven according to an instruction from the control unit 200.

The operation section 11 has a keyboard 3 and a display 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the keyboard 3 includes a power key 31, a shift key 32, and an upward (“↑”), a downward (“↓”), a left (“←”), and a right (“→”) direction, respectively. Cursor movement (actually display screen 4
Four cursor keys 33 (33U, 33D, 33L, 33R) for moving the display range (1 display range): Hereinafter, each key is expressed as a “cursor“ ↑ ”key 33U” and the like. Cursor key 33 "),
It has eight function keys.

That is, in the upper row, a character decoration key (hereinafter, “decoration key”) 34F is provided as a function key group 34 mainly for input / editing and decoration of each character (character, numeral, symbol, figure, etc.). , Character input key (hereinafter “character key”)
34C, a picture / symbol key (hereinafter, “symbol key”) 34D, and a deletion cancel key (hereinafter, “deletion key”) 35. In the lower part, a read key 36, a conversion / space key (hereinafter referred to as a “conversion key”) 37, an enter key 38, and a print key 3 are used to mainly operate various data to be processed.
9 is provided.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram, and shows a substantially similar arrangement, although the actual arrangement (see FIG. 1) and the relative positions of the respective keys are slightly different. Each key name in FIG. 8 is printed on the surface of the keyboard 3 in FIG.

The decorative key 34F and the character key 3
4C, symbol key 34D, delete key 35, read key 36,
By operating the conversion key 37 in combination with the shift key 32 (pressing each key while holding down the shift key 32), the form key 34FS (shift key 32 + decoration key 34: hereinafter, reflects the operation state in combination with the shift key 32). , The sign is appended with “Form key 34F
S ". Others are the same), frame key 34CS, adjustment key 3
It functions as a 4DS, an all-delete key 35S, a line read key 36S, and a conversion mode key 37S.

Since the above-mentioned cursor keys 33 may be operated together with the shift key 32, in such a case, for example, when operating together with the cursor "@" key 33U, the "shift cursor" @ "key 33US ”, Etc., and when performing the combined operation collectively, it is expressed as“ shift cursor key 33S ”.

Although the above-described keys may be provided individually, the size of the keyboard 3 is related to the miniaturization of the entire tape printing apparatus 1 like the display 4 described below. The number of keys for the required functions is reduced by the combination with.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the display 4 has an indicator display section 4i capable of lighting 18 indicators on a display screen 41 composed of an LCD or the like.
And a character display section 4c composed of a dot matrix of (horizontal) 72 dots × (vertical) 16 dots.

The indicator display section 4i shows various modes and states for printing character data (text data: see FIG. 5) of titles and music titles by their lighting states. Indicators 4
i00 to 4i07 relate to the title (corresponding to the disc name), and the lower eight indicators 4i10 to 4i1
7 is related to the song title, two indicators 4i on the right
L and 4iR indicate that all song titles cannot be printed on the main label LM (disc label LMD or case label LMC), that is, the print line is overflowing (line overflow).
It shows.

As shown in FIG. 11, the character display section 4c has two basic management units of display format. One is a half-width / full-width display shown in FIG.
In this case, a sub display unit composed of a dot matrix of two leftmost 8 dots × 8 dots indicated by coordinates CE and CF, and eight 8 dots × 1 indicated by coordinates C0 to C7.
It is managed separately from a main display section composed of a dot matrix of 6 dots. The sub-display unit is used for displaying a song number and the like, which will be described later, and the main display unit is used for displaying a title, a song title, and other general character data.

The other one is a 6 × 8 display shown in FIG. 11B, which is managed in dot matrix units of 6 dots × 8 dots as the name implies, and the upper row is the coordinates A0 to Ab
, And the lower row is managed by being divided into twelve coordinates B0 to Bb, for a total of 24 pieces. This display is used in the case of a special display such as a code display section (of the JIS code for the MD system) at the time of character input.

In the screen display of the tape printer 1, a cursor K for designating a display range, an editing (for example, character insertion) position, and the like is located at the right end of the coordinate C5 of the main display section as shown in FIG. Fixed.

FIG. 11A shows coordinate values, and FIGS.
(E) shows a case in which only full-width display characters are displayed, a case in which only half-width display characters are displayed, a case in which full-width / half-width characters are mixed, and a cursor K at the right end of the full-width display characters, and a case in which mixed-width / half-width display characters have the cursor K The case where K exists is shown.
In these cases, the display range is moved by operating the cursor key 33. For example, when the cursor “→” key 33R is pressed, the displayed character moves to the left, that is, the display range moves to the right.

As shown in FIG. 2, the contents (various commands and data) inputted by the user through the keyboard 3 while checking on the display 4 are output to the control unit 200.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 2
20, character generator ROM (CG-ROM)
230, RAM 240, peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 2
50, and are connected to each other by an internal bus 260.

The ROM 220 includes a control program area 221 for storing a control program processed by the CPU 210, a kana-kanji conversion table (dictionary), a color conversion table,
It has a control data area 222 for storing control data including a character modification table and the like.

The CG-ROM 230 is the tape printer 1
The font data of characters, symbols, figures, etc. prepared in the above are stored. When code data for specifying characters and the like is given, the corresponding font data is output.

The RAM 240 is backed up so as to retain the stored data even when the power is turned off by operating the power key 321.
41, a text data area 242, a display image data area 243, a print image data area 244, a half-size display attribute data area 245, a full-size display attribute data area 246, and various conversion buffer areas 247 such as a color conversion buffer. Used as a work area for control processing.

The P-CON 250 incorporates a logic circuit which supplements the function of the CPU 21 and handles various peripheral circuits and interface signals with the MD player 90, which are constituted by a gate array, a custom LSI, and the like. For example, a timer (TIM) that performs various timings
251 and remote control communication control circuit (RC) 252
-Built-in as a function within CON250.

For this reason, the P-CON 250 is
4 is connected to the various sensors and the keyboard 3, and the detection unit 14
, And various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 as they are or processed and taken into the internal bus 260, and in conjunction with the CPU 210,
The data and control signals output from the CPU 210 and the like to the internal bus 260 are used as they are or are processed by the drive circuit unit 2.
70.

The P-CON 250 is connected to the remote controller interface terminal (RT) 25 of the tape printer 1
The remote control connection cable 26 having a connection connector (or a connection plug or the like) connected to the remote control terminal 25 and a remote control terminal 901 of the MD player 90 are connected so as to be capable of remote control communication. Do.

Then, with the above configuration, the CPU 210 executes the PC in accordance with the control program in the ROM 220.
Various signals, data, and the like are input from each unit in the tape printer 1 and the MD player 90 via the ON 250, and the CG-R
By processing font data from the OM 230, various data in the RAM 240, etc., and outputting various signals and data to each unit in the tape printer 1 and the MD player 90 via the P-CON 250, print position control, The display control of the display screen 41, the remote control communication control, and the like are performed, and the print head 7 is controlled to perform the tape T under a predetermined printing condition.
And the like, and controls the entire tape printer 1.

Next, the processing flow of the entire control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the process is started by pressing the power key 31 (power on),
As shown in the figure, first, in order to return the tape printer 1 to the state at the time of the previous power-off, initial settings such as restoring the saved control flags are performed (S1).
The previous display screen (the screen G0 in FIG. 20 or the screen G11 in FIG. 21) is displayed as an initial screen (S2).

The subsequent processing of FIG. 13, ie, a determination whether or not a key input has been made (S3) and various interrupt processing (S4)
Is a conceptual process. Actually, in the tape printer 1, when the initial screen display (S2) ends, the key input interrupt is permitted, and the state is maintained until a key input interrupt occurs (S3: No). When any key input interrupt occurs (S3: Yes), the process shifts to each interrupt process (S4), and when the interrupt process ends,
The state is maintained again (S3: No).

As described above, in the tape printer 1, since the main processing is performed by the interrupt processing, if the print image data to be printed has been prepared, the user can press the print key 39 at any time. Causes a print processing interrupt,
The print process is activated, and printing can be performed using the print image data. That is, the user can arbitrarily select an operation procedure up to printing.

Here, an example of a mode of transmission and reception between the remote controller (for example, the remote controller 921 described above with reference to FIG. 7) and the MD player 90 at the time of remote controller operation (communication) will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the user performs an operation for requesting arbitrary attribute information (hereinafter, this operation is assumed to be an operation of pressing a “request key”), the remote controller 9 is operated.
At 21, the request processing (Q10) as an interrupt processing is started and started, and first, a request signal RQ1 is generated and transmitted (Q101).

Upon receiving the request signal RQ1, the MD player 90 starts and starts a response process to the request, and executes the response process (P10, P101: In the following description and illustration, a simplified start (for example, The above P
10) are omitted), and response data RP1 to the request RQ1 (in some cases, there is only a control signal for responding, but here, this is also referred to as response data) RP1 is transmitted (P1).
02).

When this response data RP1 is received (Q1
02), the remote controller 921 checks whether the data is the requested data,
That is, it is determined whether or not the response data is the desired response data to the request signal RQ1 (Q103). In this case, identification data (for example, one byte) is provided at the head of one transmission / reception unit (for example, a packet) of the response data, and the data is identified by the identification data to determine whether or not the data is requested data. .

When the response data RP1 is different from the requested data (Q103: No), a request is made again (Q103).
101). On the other hand, when requested (Q103: Ye
s) After ending the request processing (Q106), the processing shifts to the next processing such as storing or displaying the received data in a predetermined area. Of course, processing ends (Q106)
The processing (storage processing, display processing, etc.) may be included before.

However, in the above case, if there is response data to be continuously transmitted, for example, if the response data RP1 is the first response data RP1, the MD player 90 sets the second response data RP2 and the third response data RP3. ,..., K-th (k = 1, 2,...) Response data RPk is transmitted (P104 to P105).

On the other hand, when the first response data RP1 is different from the requested one (Q1
03: No), the first response data RP1 is ignored and a request is made again (Q101), so that the second response data RP2 and thereafter are also ignored. On the other hand, when requested (Q103: Y
es) Then, after receiving the second response data RP2, the third response data RP3,..., the k-th response data RPk, the request processing is terminated (Q104 to Q106).

As described above, the remote controller 921 generates and transmits a request signal corresponding to the operated request key,
Since the D player 90 is configured to transmit (reply) response data in response to the request signal, the tape printer 1 can be provided with the same request key as the remote controller 921 and perform the same processing. Can perform the same function as.

The MD player 90 assumed in the present embodiment is different from the one described above with reference to FIG. 7 as long as it can display various types of attribute information on the remote control display section 922 by operating keys on the remote control 921. Operation unit 9
14 may be a type having only a part of various request keys or a type not having the main body display unit 912. In the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the communication is performed by wired remote control communication. However, by changing this to transmission and reception using, for example, infrared rays or FM radio waves, the present invention can also be applied to wireless remote control communication.

The MD player 90 exemplified here will now be described.
Is a kind of a commercially available MD player, and the types of the request keys include a reproduction key (PLAY key), a rewind (song rewind) key (REWIND key: hereinafter abbreviated as REW key), and a stop key ( STOP key), pause key (PAUSE key), playback mode key (PLAY-MO
It has a DE key: hereinafter abbreviated as a P-MOD key) and a display key (DISPLAY key: hereinafter abbreviated as a DISP key). That is, the remote controller has these request keys so that each function can be operated.

The MD 92 mounted on the MD player 90 stores information of one track (including both half-width display attribute information and full-width display attribute information) in one track, and includes a track number and a track number. Matches.

Here, the PLAY key plays a role of activating a function as a fast-forward key by pressing and holding the PLAY key for a predetermined time in addition to reproduction (a fast-forward signal is transmitted as a request signal). The MD player 90 starts playback processing in response to a playback request, and sends display information of the song number and song name to the remote controller during playback. Then, a track number (song number) and a song name corresponding to the track number are sequentially output. That is, by the fast-forward operation from the remote controller, it is possible to move to the reproduction of the next music and the display of the music number and the music name without waiting for the reproduction as the music information.

In this case, the song name (attribute information, display information) includes a song name (half-size display song name) represented by half-width display attribute data.
And the song name represented by the full-size display attribute data (full-size display song name), but the remote control selects and displays one of the predetermined ones (conventionally, only the half-size display song name side).

Depending on the state of the MD player 90 when the REW key is pressed, the character data (attribute information: track number (song number) and character data of the song name) relating to the music currently being reproduced or the music data preceding the music is displayed. The key is a request key for requesting character data. When the key is repeatedly operated, the MD player 90 operates in the same manner as in the case of the PLAY key, except that the track number (song number) and the The corresponding music titles are sequentially output. The STOP key is a request key for requesting a stop of reproduction, and the PAUSE key is a request key for requesting a pause.

The P-MOD key is used to request the sequential switching of the playback mode (playback mode) to a normal playback mode, a playback mode for all songs repetition, a playback mode for one song repetition, and a playback mode for random playback. Is the key.

The DISP key is a request key for switching and selecting a display mode of the display unit of the remote controller, and includes a song title (song number + song name: may further include an artist name and other additional information. A song number display mode for displaying a song number + song name to avoid complication of explanation, and a disc name (total number of songs + disc name). Disc name display mode for displaying time, time display mode for displaying time, playback time display mode for displaying playback time (performance time), and again, song number display mode and disc name display mode ,... Are sequentially switched.

The disc name (attribute information, display information) in this case also includes both the one based on half-width display attribute data (half-width display disk name) and the one based on full-width display attribute data (full-width display disk name). However, in the remote control, a predetermined one (conventionally, only half-width display disc name side)
Select and display.

The MD player 90 is configured to transmit (reply) response data in response to each request signal generated by operating each of the above-mentioned request keys. If the same processing is performed by providing a request key, the same function as that of the remote controller can be performed.

Further, continuous attribute information requests can be made by combining request signals from a plurality of request keys of the remote controller. That is, an arbitrary combination can be requested by newly installing a key or changing a processing program using an existing key, for example, by requesting a disk name and an arbitrary number of songs from a desired arbitrary song number.

For this reason, the tape printing apparatus 1 is provided with the above-mentioned read key 36 in FIG. 8 as the above-mentioned request key. Hereinafter, the continuous attribute information request by the read key 36 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, the user presses the read key 3
When the user presses No. 6, the tape printer 1
Then, the print data reading process (Q2
0) to start up. First, a DISP key signal is generated and transmitted as a request signal RQ21 (Q20).
1).

When this request signal RQ21 is received, MD
In the player 90, the display mode is switched as a response process to the request (P201), and the character data (attribute information, display information) corresponding to the display mode is transmitted to the response data R.
It is transmitted as P21 (P202).

When the character data which is the response data RP21 is received (Q202), the tape printer 1 determines whether or not the data is desired data, that is, disk name display data (Q203).

For example, when the request signal RQ21 is transmitted (Q201), if the display mode of the MD player 90 is the disc name display mode, the display mode is switched (P201) to switch to the time display mode. Response data RP21 is character data for time display. When the request signal RQ21 is transmitted (Q201) and the time display mode is set, the response data RP21 becomes character data for displaying the reproduction time. Similarly, in the case of the reproduction time display mode, the response data RP21 is character data for displaying a song title (song number + song title).

In these cases, since the data is not the desired disk name display data (total number of songs + character data of the disk name) (Q203: No), the tape printer 1 requests again (Q201). As described above, the determination in this case is also performed by identifying the identification data at the head of the response data RP21.

On the other hand, when the request signal RQ21 is transmitted (Q201), if the display mode of the MD player 90 is the song title display mode, the display mode is switched (P20).
Since the disc name display mode is set by 1), the response data RP21 at this time is character data (of the total number of songs + disc name) for disc name display.

In this case, the tape printer 1 stores the received character data in a predetermined area as character data of the disk name (total number of songs + disk name) because the data is the desired disk name display data (Q203: Yes). (Q20
4), the process proceeds to the next process (Q205).

In this case, the character data of the disk name (attribute information, display information) also includes the character data of both the half-size display disk name and the full-size display disk name. Are sent continuously,
Unlike the case of the remote controller described above, in the tape printer 1, both character data are stored in the respective storage areas in the RAM 240, that is, each of the half-width display attribute data areas 2
45 and the full-width display attribute data area 246 are stored in the area of the disk name (Q204).

At the time of storage (Q204), when one or both character data are not present (in the case of empty data)
And illegal data may be included, a flag or the like indicating those states is prepared and the states are stored.

For example, a half-width display disk name flag, a full-width display disk name flag, and the like are prepared. When character data of both disk names is included, a [half-width display disk name presence flag, full-width display disk name presence] is prepared. Flag] =
[1,1], [1,0] or [0,1] when there is only one, and [0,0] when there is neither. The same can be said for the presence or absence of illegal data. Thus, the state at the time of reading is determined based on the flag or the like, so that the processing can be easily branched depending on the user's selection or the processing subsequent to the main processing (read processing).

When the storage of the disk name (total number of songs + disk name) is completed (Q204, Q205), the tape printer 1 next generates a DISP key signal as a request signal RQ26, as shown in FIG. And send (Q20
6), the same transmission and reception and discrimination as described above are performed in FIG. 15 (Q206, P206, P207, Q207, Q20).
8) When the desired song title display data is received (Q20
8: Yes) Then, a predetermined music number (track number) is set (Q209), and a predetermined number of music is set (Q21).
0).

In this case, the predetermined track number may be a track number that can be automatically detected and set, such as track number 1, a track number of a previously played track, a track number next to the track, or a key number or the like. Some setting means may be provided so that the user can arbitrarily set. Also, the predetermined number of songs may be a value that can be automatically set, such as the total number of songs obtained together with the disc name in FIG. 15, or may be set arbitrarily by the user. In the following, song number 1
To all songs (for example, 20 songs), that is, a predetermined song number I =
1. A description will be given by taking the example of a predetermined number of songs J = 20.

A predetermined music number I = 1 and a predetermined music number J = 20
With the first track number i = 1 (= I) and the remaining track number j = 20
(= J) (Q209, Q210), the tape printer 1 proceeds to the next processing (Q211),
Next, as shown in FIG. 17, a PLAY key continuous (ie, fast forward) signal is generated as a request signal RQ2C and transmitted (Q212).

When this request signal RQ2C is received, MD
In response to the request, the player 90 increments the reproduction track number (that is, the song number) (+
1) (P212), the character data (attribute information, display information) of the track number (song number) is transferred to the first response data RP
2C1 (P213). Then, the character data of the music title stored in the track is transmitted to the second response data RP
It is transmitted as 2C2 (P215).

When the first character data (song number) is received as the first response data RP2C1 (Q213), the tape printer 1 determines whether or not the desired song number i (i = 1 at the beginning) (Q214). ), If it is not the desired track number i (Q2
14: No), re-request (Q212), and when the track number is the desired track number i (Q214: Yes), next, the second character data (track name) is received as the second response data RP2C2 (Q215). Is stored in a predetermined area as data of a song name (song number + song name) (Q216).

In this case, the song name (song number + song name: attribute information,
The character data of (display information) also includes character data of both half-width display song titles and full-width display song titles. However, in the tape printing apparatus 1, both character data are stored in the RAM 240 in the same manner as the above-described disc name. Half-width display attribute data area 245
And it is stored in the area of the title of the full-size display attribute data area 246 (Q216).

In addition, for all the songs including the following, the same disc names as the above-mentioned flags and the like (for example, a half-width display song name existence flag, a full-width display song name existence flag, a half-width song name invalid data existence flag, a full-width song name invalid data existence flag, a half-width song) The state of the received data is stored by a song title empty data existence flag, a full-width song title empty data existence flag, etc., so that it is easy to determine the state at the time of reading in subsequent processing or the like (Q216).

When the storage of the character data of the first song name (song number 1 and the song name corresponding thereto) is completed (Q216),
Next, it is determined whether or not the storage of the predetermined number of songs has been completed (Q
217). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining songs j ≦ 1. Here, the first (tune number i = 1)
(J = 20) (Q217: No). Then, the music number i is incremented (+1) to obtain the desired music number i = 2 (= 1 + 1). The number j is decremented (-1) and the remaining number of songs j = 1
9 (= 20-1) (Q218).

Subsequently, the desired music number i = 2 and the remaining music number j
= 19, the same processing as described above (Q212, P21
2, P213, Q213, Q214, P215, Q21
5, Q216), and when the storage of character data of the next song name (song number 2 and the corresponding song title) is completed, (Q
216) Next, it is determined whether or not the storage of the predetermined number of songs has been completed (whether the number of remaining songs j ≦ 1), and similarly, the song number i is incremented (+1) to a desired value. Song number i = 3 (=
2 + 1), and the number of songs j is decremented (-1) to make the remaining number of songs j = 18 (= 19-1) (Q21
8).

Hereinafter, similarly, desired song numbers i = 3, 4,...
.. (Remaining song number j = 18, 17,...), And character data of a song name (song number 20 and song name corresponding thereto) of desired song number i = 20 (remaining song number j = 1) Is completed (Q216), it is determined whether the storage of a predetermined number of songs has been completed (whether the number of remaining songs j ≦ 1). In this case, the number of remaining songs j = 1, so (Q217: Y
es), the entire process ends (Q219).

At this time, character data (attribute information, display information) of the target disc name (total number of songs + disc name) and the song names (song number + song name) of all the songs (20 songs) from song number 1 And the storage of the character data in the predetermined area is completed.

In the above-described processing for obtaining the desired music number (data), the track number may be changed, and as shown in FIG.
The same can be achieved by using a key continuous (ie, rewind) signal. In this case, the setting of the next song number “i ← i +
By changing “1” (Q218) to “i ← i−1”, the data of the song title (song number + song title) can be stored in the reverse order (descending order with respect to the ascending order described above).

Further, in the above-described example, the explanation has been given of the example of the MD 92 in which the track number and the music number correspond to each other. However, according to the data format in the MD 92, the data may be managed more finely in units of sectors or clusters. . Also, for example, an M number in which one song number corresponds to a plurality of tracks and more information including the artist name and the like is stored as information of one song.
D92 is also available. Further, for a combination of an MD player and a remote controller capable of reproducing such an MD 92 and displaying more attribute information, the MD player is connected as the above-described MD player 90 and the same request as the remote controller combined therewith is required. The present invention can be similarly applied by changing a processing program or the like so as to transmit a request signal by a key or a request signal of a plurality of combinations thereof.

In the above-described example, the distinction between the half-width display attribute data (or the half-width display attribute information) and the full-width display attribute data (or the full-width display attribute information) simply depends on whether or not it includes full-width characters such as Chinese characters. Although it was explained as a thing, JI
Instead of a two-byte code expression such as an S code, etc., a one-byte code expression half-width display character (a method generally used conventionally) is adopted. You may make it distinguish.

That is, in this case, by reducing the number of half-width display characters to be represented by a code (excluding hiragana, etc.), it can be represented by one byte, and the storage capacity of half-width display attribute data can be reduced. In this case as well, for the sake of convenience, such as a small storage capacity, the distinction is made based on whether or not a double-byte display character such as a kanji (a character represented by a code of a specific code group) is included. It is included in the concept and is included in the scope of the above description.

As shown in FIG. 18, the processing corresponding to FIG. 15 is a disk name request / storage processing (S201), the processing corresponding to FIG. 16 is a music title request preparation processing (S202),
The process corresponding to FIG. 17 is a song name request / storage process (S20
By performing the subroutines (modules) as 3) and sequentially activating them, the same process can be performed as the print data reading process (S20). Further, here, the interrupt process is started by pressing the read key 36 (read key interrupt). However, the entire process (S20) may be further sub-routineed so as to be started from a higher-level process routine. good.

As described above, MD player 90 (disc reproducing apparatus) receives a request signal generated by a key operation from a remote controller, and responds to the request signal among character data displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. Since the character data is transmitted to the remote controller, if the same request signal as that of the remote controller is generated and processed similarly, the tape printer 1 can also obtain the same character data as that of the remote controller.

On the other hand, the tape printer 1 generates a plurality of request signals (based on a single operation of the external operation means) only by pressing the read (request) key 36, Are transmitted to the MD player 90 (disc reproducing device).
A plurality of character data responsive to the plurality of consecutive request signals can be obtained by a single operation.

For example, in the example described above with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, character data of the song names (song numbers + song names) of all songs (20 songs) are obtained from the disc name (total number of songs + disc name) and song number 1 ( In order to obtain such character data (display data) by key operation of the remote controller, at least 22 times (Q201 × 1 and Q206 × 1)
Times (Q212 × 20 times) key operation is required, but as described above, the tape printing apparatus 1 can be obtained by a single operation of the read key.

As a result, part or all of the obtained character data can be printed on a label as it is or as it is, so that the MD (disk) cartridge 91 or the MD
(Disc) A label to be attached to the case 93 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and used can be easily created.

In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of continuous request signals include a request signal for requesting all character data to be printed on the label.

For example, in the example described above with reference to FIG. 15 to FIG. 18, character data of the song name (song number + song name) of all songs (20 songs) is obtained from the disc name (total number of songs + disc name) and song number 1. Thus, for example, the main label LM described above with reference to FIG.
And all the character data to be printed on the side label LS, except for the artist name and other additional information, can be obtained by one operation of the read key 36.

As described above, in the case of the song number display mode, when the artist name and other additional information can be received subsequent to the song number + the song name (if these additional information is regarded as a part of the song name, the same processing is performed). All the character data including the artist name and other additional information can be obtained by a single operation.

That is, a plurality of continuous request signals generated by a single operation of the read key 36 include, for example, a request signal for requesting all character data to be printed on the label in FIG. All the character data necessary for printing can be obtained only by performing an operation, and for example, the label of FIG. 5 can be more easily created.

Next, the state transition of the edit mode of the tape printer 1 and typical screen display will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the tape printer 1, the basic input mode (H1) and the character selection input mode (H
There are five editing modes: 2), symbol selection input mode (H3), kana-kanji conversion mode (H4), and function selection setting mode (H5).

Immediately after the power key 31 is pressed, that is, immediately after the power is turned on, the basic input mode (H1) is entered, and the state transition between the edit modes is performed by operating the subsequent function keys as shown in the figure. .

First, when the character key 34C is pressed in the state of the basic input mode (H1), the mode becomes the character selection input mode (H2). When the character selection is completed and the enter key 38 is pressed,
Alternatively, when the delete key 35 is pressed to cancel the character selection, the mode returns to the basic input mode (H1).

In the symbol selection input mode (H3), a state transition is similarly made by pressing the symbol key 34D instead of the character key 34C in the character selection input mode (H2). The state transition between the character selection input mode (H2) and the character key 34C is performed by the symbol key 34D from the character selection input mode (H3).

When the conversion mode key 37S is pressed in the basic input mode (H1), the kana-kanji conversion mode (H
When the conversion mode key 37S is pressed again in this state, when the Kana-Kanji conversion is completed and the Confirm key 38 is pressed, or when the delete key 35 is pressed to stop the Kana-Kanji conversion, the basic input is performed. Return to the mode (H1).

In the basic input mode (H1), the decoration key 34F, the form key 34FS, and the frame key 34C
When S or the adjustment key 34DS is pressed, the mode is changed to the function selection setting mode (H5).
When the user presses 8 or presses the delete key 35 to cancel the function setting, the mode returns to the basic input mode (H1).

As described above with reference to FIG. 13, when the power key 31 is pressed, the initial setting (S1) is performed, and the previous display screen is displayed as the initial screen. Since the input mode (H1) is set, the previous display screen in the basic input mode (H1) is displayed as the initial screen (S2).

In the state at the time of factory shipment, no character data (text data) is displayed. In such a case, the initial screen is shown in FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b).
As shown in the figure, the cursor K and the coordinate CE are positioned at the right end of the coordinate C5.
And a character "D" representing a title line (as described above, the first letter of which is usually the title of the disc name as described above) is displayed at coordinates CF (G0). Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a “text initial state” in the sense that there is no text data. FIG. 3C is a display example of a title.

On the other hand, the initial screen when half-size display “someday” was previously displayed as the character data, for example, as the title of the music number i = 2, as shown in FIG. The screen is reproduced (G1
1). At this time, the indicator display section 4i includes:
The valid indicator of the previously set various modes and states is turned on.

When the all-delete key 35S is pressed in this state (G11), a message confirming that the all-delete operation is performed is displayed blinking (or inverted) (G12: hereinafter, blinking display or inverted display is displayed on the screen G2). The blinking display or the reverse display can be changed by setting the state of the internal mode, but a detailed description is omitted). Similarly, a text initial state is set (G13: same as G0).

As described above, immediately after the power is turned on, the character input mode (H1) is set, and the initial screen is the screen G0 in the text initial state or the previous character (text) display screen (the above screen G13, etc.). Become.

[0187] Except for special cases such as when all erasures are performed as described above or immediately after factory shipment,
Since the case where some character is displayed is considered to be a more general state, in the following description, a screen similar to the screen G13 described above is shown as an example of the previous display, and the state (G
13) will be described as starting various key operations.

Next, the printing data reading process (S10) (for example, shown in FIG. 18) described above with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18 will be described in terms of the user's operation and the screen display at that time.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the user presses the read key 36 in the state (G21) in which the same screen as the above (G11) is displayed, the print data reading process (S10 ) Is activated and omitted in FIG. 15. Next, a message "all reading?" Is temporarily displayed to confirm that the reading process is being performed, and the displayed character data is displayed in order to stop reading. Are saved (backed up) (G22).

Here, the enter key 38 or the read key 36
If any other key is pressed, the reading process is stopped, the original character data is restored, and the display returns to the original screen display (G21). When the user confirms that the reading process is being performed and presses the enter key 38 or the reading key 36, the message “MD is being read” is displayed.
18 and the like, the above-described reading process is performed in FIG. 18 and the like, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, that is, after the reading of all data, it is determined whether or not both the half-width display attribute information and the full-width display attribute information are read (S24). .

For example, in the above-described example, the logical expression "half-width display disk name presence flag.or. half-width display music name presence flag = 1"
In the case of, the character data of the half-width display attribute information (here, half-width display disc name or half-width display song name) (half-width display attribute data: hereinafter, "alphanumeric code" for easy understanding intuitively)
That. This designation is also used for messages and the like, and the illustration is the same. However, it includes a pseudonym as described above. )
Has been read. In this case, the read character data (alphanumeric code) is stored in the half-width display attribute data area (second storage area) 245 in the RAM 240 as described above.

On the other hand, in the case of the logical expression “full-width display disk name flag.or. full-width display song name flag = 1”, full-width display attribute information (full-width display disk name or full-width display song name)
Character data (full-width display attribute data: hereinafter referred to as "Kanji code" for easy understanding intuitively. Also, messages and the like use this notation and the illustration is the same). become. Then, in this case, the read character data (alphanumeric code) is R
It is stored in the full-width display attribute data area (first storage area) 246 in the AM 240.

If only one of the kanji code and the alphanumeric code has been read (S24: No), the name of the first tune on the side where the kanji code and the alphanumeric code have been read is displayed. For example, when only the alphanumeric code side is read, the title of the first song in the alphanumeric code is displayed (G25). That is, in this case, the character (code) data to be displayed is stored in the text data area 242 in the RAM 240, which is the text data editing area, and the display image data area as the editing area for the display image (display character image). At 243,
Expand the corresponding character (image) data.

Here, the user temporarily determines that the print key 39
Is pressed, similarly, a print image data area 244 in the RAM 240 which is an edit area of a print image (image of a print character).
Then, character (image) data corresponding to character (code) data such as a disk name or song name on the displayed side (that is, the side being read) is developed so as to have a predetermined arrangement. Processing at the time of printing and the like will be further described later.

On the other hand, when both the kanji code and the alphanumeric code have been read (S24: Yes), the process proceeds to the selection process by the next user (S26). It should be noted that the case of an abnormality, such as when neither is read, will be described later.

When shifting to the selection process by the user (S2
6) As shown in FIG. 23, a message “Kanji code?” Is displayed asking the user whether to select a kanji code (G27). Here, when the user presses the enter key 38, the kanji code side is selected, and the tune name (full-width display tune name) based on the kanji code is displayed (G29). That is, in this case, the image data corresponding to the character data of the full-size display music title is developed in the display image data area 243.

In this selection processing, the cursor "↓"
By operating the key 33D, it is possible to switch from the display of the option of "Kanji code" to the display of the option of "alphanumeric code" (G28), and from the state (G28), the operation of the cursor "@" key 33U. Can return to the display of the selection of "Kanji code" (G27).

Then, when the user presses the enter key 38 in a state where the “alphanumeric code” option is displayed (G28),
The alphanumeric code side is selected, and the song name (single-byte display song name) in the alphanumeric code is displayed (G30). That is, in this case, the image data corresponding to the character data of the half-size display song name is developed in the display image data area 243.

In any of the above states (G27 or G28), when the user presses the delete key 35, the original character data is restored as in the case where the reading process is stopped.
Return to the original screen display (G31: same as G21).

In the above example, the title of the first tune is displayed as a representative display, but a title (disc name: half-width display disk name or full-width display disk name) is displayed instead of the first tune name. You may do it.

In the above example, the user presses the read key 36 in order to read all data (data of all songs). However, by pressing the line read key 36S instead of the read key 36, an arbitrary New character data corresponding only to the character data of the line can be read and replaced.

For example, when the line read key 36S is pressed in a state where the song name of the song number i = 2 is displayed (for example, G21), the message "line read?" When the confirmation key 38 or the read key 36 (or the line read key 36S) is pressed, the track number i is displayed.
= 2 is read and replaced with the original character data.

Also, the original display is the title (disc name)
If so, the character data of the new title is read and replaced by pressing the line read key 36S as in the case of the song title. In the initial text state (G0 or G13) described above with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the cursor K is set to the title line. Therefore, when the line read key 36S is pressed, the character data of the new title is read and replaced. Become.

When the read key 36 or the line read key 36S is pressed in a state other than the basic input mode (H1), an error message indicating that the edit mode is different is displayed, and the read processing is performed. Is not performed.

When other abnormalities occur, the following processing is performed. In other words, when both the alphanumeric code and the kanji code are not read by the reading process, when there is invalid data, or when a (remote control) communication error occurs during reading, an error indicating a reading error is reported. When the reading key 36 is pressed without connection to the MD player 90 or when the normal connection is disconnected during reading, an error notification indicating that the MD is not connected is issued.
In any of these cases, after the error notification, the original character data is restored and the display returns to the original screen display (same as G21 or the like), similarly to the case where the reading process is stopped.

When the delete key 35 is pressed during reading, the fact that reading has been stopped is notified, and the display returns to the original screen display. If the power is turned off (pressing the power key 31) during reading, an error message indicating that reading is stopped is given, then all the displays are turned off, and if the power is turned on again, the reading process is performed. The original character data is restored, and the display returns to the original screen display (similar to G21 or the like), as in the case of canceling.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, M
Depending on whether the attribute information read from D92 is full-width display attribute information (whether or not a code of a character group read from a disc includes a code of a specific code group), that is, whether it is a kanji code or an alphanumeric code, The storage area of the information (character group) is classified into a full-width display attribute data area (first storage area) 246 for a kanji code, and a half-width display attribute data area (second storage area) 245 for an alphanumeric code.

Therefore, in the subsequent processing, it is only necessary to read out character data from one of the editing areas 245 and 246, and it is not necessary to distinguish between alphanumeric code characters and kanji code characters.

Further, this makes it possible to branch the subsequent processing according to the result of the classification, thereby improving the processing efficiency such as the average processing speed and the processing function.

For example, in the case of a kanji code, the title (disc name) and the title of a song including the kanji are easy to see and easy to display or print.
It becomes easier to print song names of more songs and to add additional information such as artist names. Also, for example, in the JIS code for the MD system, simple graphics and symbols are coded in the same manner as general characters, but these are basically treated as full-width display characters in the same manner as kanji. By being able to handle characters including the double-byte display characters on the kanji code side, these various figures and symbols can be included in the display and printing, and a variety of good-looking displays and printing can be performed.

On the other hand, in the case of an alphanumeric code, since it is a single-byte display character, it is possible to omit processing such as determining whether the character is a full-width or half-width character and determining a display area or a print area. In other words, by branching the process according to the classification result, the alphanumeric code side can omit some processes and the like required on the kanji code side, so that the processing efficiency can be improved.

As described above, in consideration of the above-described difference in data processing, the MD 92 stores a storage area (alphanumeric code storage area) for storing alphanumeric code characters and a kanji code character. The storage area (Kanji code storage area) to be stored is individually defined.

[0209] On the other hand, since both are transmitted continuously for a single request signal, the characters from the alphanumeric code storage area are alphanumeric codes, and the characters from the kanji code storage area are kanji code. , The determination process can be simplified, and the character group from both
Each storage area in M240, that is, a half-size display attribute data area (second storage area) 245 and a full-size display attribute data area (first storage area) 246 can be easily separated and stored, and processing efficiency can be improved. .

In the tape printing apparatus 1, when a character group is stored in only one of the full-size display attribute data area (first storage area) 246 and the half-size display attribute data area (second storage area), When only one of the kanji code and the alphanumeric code is read, the read-side character group (the read-side character group ( When character image data corresponding to, for example, a song title) is expanded, and a character group is stored in both, that is, when both a kanji code and an alphanumeric code are read, a selection process by the next user is performed. Then, the selected side is expanded and the expanded character (image) data is displayed (processed) as a display (processing) target.

If the user presses the print key 39 temporarily, the print image (image of the print character) RA
The image data corresponding to the character on the same side as the display target is expanded in the print image data area 244 in M240 so as to have a predetermined arrangement, and the expanded character (image) data is printed (processed). Is printed (processed). In the above-described display processing and print processing, characters are developed as image data in the editing area. For example, in the subsequent processing for performing data communication with another device, that is, in the case of communication processing, a character code (text The code is developed as it is in an editing area for the communication processing (for example, a text data area 242 for general editing).

As described above, in the tape printer 1, when only one of the kanji code and the alphanumeric code is read (stored), both are read (stored). ), The character data expanded in the editing area can be displayed, printed, or otherwise subjected to data processing without any problem. In addition, regardless of whether or not the attribute information stored in the MD (disc) 92 is full-width display attribute information (whether or not a character represented by a code of a specific code group is included), the attribute of the attribute is stored. Information (character group) can be read out and processed.

Further, even when both are read (stored), only one of them can be selected as a processing target, so that the processing efficiency does not decrease as compared with the conventional processing of processing only one of the predetermined ones. . Further, in the above-described example, since the user can make a selection, the intention of the user can be faithfully reflected in the subsequent processing.

Note that, instead of the user arbitrarily selecting one, for example, one of the kanji code side, which provides a better appearance, may be selected by default, or both the optional selection and the default selection may be performed. Alternatively, only when no selection is made, a predetermined one or a side selected by the previous selection may be selected by default.

By the way, in general, in a character printing apparatus for printing a character group having one or more characters (meaning of a character), a character group to be printed (a character image corresponding to a character code) is printed before printing. After confirming on the display device or the like of the character printing device how many times the print area (for example, the number of pages) of the print size of the print area of the size (for example, one page) can be printed. . Alternatively, it is confirmed after printing for reasons such as time.

However, if the print size of the printable print area is determined by the character number limit, line number limit, page number limit, etc., these limits are directly specified, and printing of the limited print size is performed. There is no known character printing apparatus that extracts and prints a part of a character group that matches a region. Furthermore, there is no known character printing apparatus that reports a character group that has not been printed yet.

For example, in a word processor or the like, by specifying the print start page and print end page, the number of pages is eventually specified. However, since the page number limit is not directly specified, the user is required to specify the page number limit. There is no way to know whether or not all of the desired character groups have been printed on a page. Therefore, when a character group cannot be printed within the limit on the number of pages, printing that informs the user is performed. In order to do so, it is necessary for the user himself to confirm on the display screen and input a character or the like for notifying the user. This is the same in a tape printer or the like that does not have a predetermined print size and sets a print size by setting a fixed length or the like.

On the other hand, the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment can directly specify a print size that is an integral multiple of a predetermined reference size and extract and print a character group that fits the print area of the print size. Further, when the entire character group cannot be printed within the designated print size, a notification character for notifying that fact is added to enable printing. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 24, when the user presses the print key 39 in the state of the basic input mode, for example, in the state (G41) in which the same screen as the above (G11, G21, G31) is displayed, The print process as a print process is started, and first, a screen for selecting a print size, specifically, a screen for selecting a type of a label to be printed and produced is displayed. First, as a default, the previously selected option (here, "disc label" as an example) is first displayed (G42).

In this state, the user operates the cursor key 3
3 (33U, 33D, 33L, 33R, etc.), other options can be sequentially displayed (G42 to G44). For example, when the cursor “↓” key 33D or the cursor “→” key 33R is repeatedly pressed, “disc label” → “case label” → “side label” → “disc label”
Are displayed in order in the order of
When the key 33U or the cursor “←” key 33L is repeatedly pressed, selection options are sequentially displayed in the order of “disc label” → “side label” → “case label” → “disc label”.

In addition, actually, in addition to these selection options, a selection option such as a “normal tape” for designating a print area on the tape T on which the half blank label is not formed is prepared and selected. Then, the aforementioned tape type sensor 141 (FIG. 2)
), The tape width is determined from the type of the tape T detected, and a print image suitable for a print area of the tape width (or a print area obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin in the width direction) can be created. However, the description (and illustration) is omitted here because it is not relevant here, and only the options for creating various labels and the subsequent processing will be described.

When the user presses the delete key 35 in a state where any of the options for the print size (label type, ie, label size) shown in FIG. 24 is displayed (G42 to G44), the print processing is stopped. Then, the screen returns to the original screen of the basic input mode (G41). On the other hand, the same state (G42 to G
In step 44), when the user presses the enter key 35, it is determined whether or not print data (print image data for printing) is prepared (S45).

In FIG. 20, the above-mentioned text initial state (G0)
When the print key 39 is pressed, the print key 3 is displayed in a state where there is no character (code) data of the disc (title) name or the song name.
When "9" is selected to select "Disc label" or "Case label", the print key 39 is pressed and "Side label" is selected without the character (code) data of the disc (title) name even though there is a song title etc. In such a case, even if the selection of the print size is completed, it is not possible to shift to the creation of the print data or the like (S45: No). It returns to the mode and returns to the display state before the print key 39 was pressed.

On the other hand, when there is character data (S45: Y
es), next, as shown in FIG. 25, print confirmation processing, that is, a confirmation message “print OK?” is displayed (S47: see FIG. 26). In this state, when the user presses the enter key 38 or the print key 39, a preparation display process is performed next (S48). On the other hand, when any other key is pressed, the mode returns to the basic input mode (G51: same as G41).

Next, in the preparation display processing (S48), while the message "preparation" is displayed (S480: see FIG. 26), mainly the print data creation processing (S481) and the label alignment processing (S482) It is determined whether or not the detection is normal (S483) (details will be described later). During the process, the power key 31 is pressed, the delete key 35 is pressed, or the opening / closing lid 21 is detected (by the lid opening / closing sensor 142). Is notified (displayed) to that effect and the printing process is interrupted (S5).
2) Return to the basic input mode (G51).

When the tape cartridge 5 is not mounted, or when the mounted tape cartridge 5 is different from the selected one (ie, when the type of the tape T is not the one forming the selected label), the position of the reference hole TH is determined. If the detection is not normal (S483: No) or the like, an error notification prompting label exchange display processing, that is, label exchange (mounting the tape cartridge 5 containing the tape T corresponding to the selected label) ( After the display, the process returns to the basic input mode (G51).

On the other hand, when the above-described preparation display processing (S48) has been completed normally, next, the printing display processing (S5)
Perform 0). In the printing-in-progress display process (S50), printing is mainly executed (S502) with a message indicating that printing is in progress, and the process returns to the basic input mode. Also in the printing-in-progress display process (S50), the power key 3
If there is a press of 1 or the press of the delete key 35 or the detection of opening of the opening / closing lid 21, an error notification (display) is made to that effect, the printing process is interrupted (S52), and the process returns to the basic input mode (G5).
1).

By the above printing process, a print image suitable for the type of label (ie, label size) selected as the print size can be printed on the print area of the half-open label formed on the attached tape T. Various desired labels can be created as described above with reference to FIG.

Here, the above-mentioned preparation display processing (S48)
The print-in-progress display process (S50) will be described in further detail.

As shown in FIG. 26, the user presses the enter key 38 or the print key 39 while the confirmation message "print OK?" Is displayed in the print confirmation processing (S4).
7) When the preparation display processing (S48) starts, a message "preparation" is displayed (S480), and in this state, first, print data creation processing (S481) is performed.

In the print data creation processing (S481), first, it is determined whether or not a disc label or a case label is selected (S4811), and when it is selected (S4811).
11: Yes), based on the detection result of the tape identification sensor 141, the tape cartridge 5 for the main label LM
It is determined whether or not is mounted (S4812). If it is not mounted (S4812: No), label exchange display processing (S49) is performed next as described above.

On the other hand, when the disc label or the case label is not selected, that is, when the side label is selected (S4811: No), or when the disc label or the case label is selected (S481)
1: Yes), and when the tape cartridge 5 for it is mounted (S4812: Yes), a print image creation process (S4813) is performed next.

As described above, character (code) data including the character displayed in the basic input mode (for example, G41 in FIG. 24) is stored in the text data area 242 in the RAM 240. In the print image creation processing (S4813), character (image) data corresponding to character (code) data such as a disc name or song name stored in the text data area 242 (that is, corresponding to display in the basic input mode) Is developed and arranged in the print image data area 244 in the RAM 240 so as to have a predetermined arrangement, thereby creating a print image (data).

When the print image creation processing (S4813) is completed and the print data creation processing (S481) is completed, next, label alignment processing (S482) is performed. In the label alignment processing (S482), first, the print position in the vertical direction (the width direction of the tape T) is adjusted (S482).
1) Subsequently, the presence or absence of the side label is detected (detecting whether or not the tape cartridge 5 of the tape T for the side label LS is mounted), and the printing position in the front-back direction (the longitudinal direction of the tape T) is adjusted. (S4822).

When the label alignment processing (S482) is completed, it is next determined whether or not the detection is normal (S483), and the preparation display processing (S48) is completed. (S50) is performed. The vertical print position adjustment (S4821), the detection of the presence / absence of the side label and the front / rear print position adjustment (S4822), and the determination of whether the detection is normal (S483) will be further described later.

In the printing-in-progress display processing (S50), a message indicating that printing is in progress is displayed (S501), and in this state, printing is next executed (S502), and a predetermined tape feed after printing is performed. (S503) After that, it is determined whether or not the case label is specified (that is, the case label is selected), the printing of the first sheet is completed, and the data of the second sheet is present, that is, the case label is specified and the first sheet is specified. It is determined whether the end & second sheet data is present (S504). If the condition is not satisfied (S504: No), the process returns to the basic input mode.

Then, when the condition of case label designation & end of first sheet & existence of second sheet data is satisfied (S50)
4: Yes), in order to create (print) the second main label LM, print image creation processing (S4813) to
The same procedure is performed up to the tape feed after printing (S503). Next, the condition is not satisfied (S504: No), and the process returns to the basic input mode.

The print position adjustment in the vertical direction (S482)
In 1), the print position is changed by a method to be described later, and once adjusted, no adjustment is necessary until further setting change is performed. In this case, the vertical print position is adjusted (S4).
In 821), only the process of confirming that adjustment has been completed by using a flag or the like may be sufficient. Side label presence detection (S4
822) also detects the opening and closing of the opening / closing lid 21 by the lid opening / closing sensor 1.
After the detection by the step 42 and the execution once, it is sufficient to perform a process of only confirming by a flag or the like in the same manner (this description is also included in the process flow in the description of this process described later).

Next, the meaning of the case label designation, the end of the first sheet, and the determination of the presence of the second sheet data will be described with reference to an example. In the example described above with reference to FIG. 5, an example of a case label (see FIG. 5B) to which an artist name or the like is added is shown with respect to the example of a disk label (FIG. 5A), and it is difficult to directly compare them. The two will be compared and described with reference to another example.

In the setting state of editing (character decoration and the like) at an arbitrary time, as a name excluding a music number part, for example, a name of 11 characters (title name or music name) per line of the main label LM and 1 In a state in which 20 lines can be printed per sheet (one page), if the entirety is to be printed faithfully based on the character (code) data read from the MD 92, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that an image (data) is created.

That is, for example, the title name of one line in the first line (tentatively “☆ TITLE” in this case), the song number “1”, the delimiter “.” And the title (similarly, Suppose "A1B1C1D1E1F1G1") Similarly, in the fourth line, the song number etc. is "2." and the song name "A2B2C2", in the fifth and sixth lines, similarly, "3. , ..., 1
In the ninth line, “11. A11B11C11D1”, 20 to 21
In the line, "12. A12B12C12D12E12F1
2 ", lines 22 to 23," 13. A13B13C13D1
3E13 ", on line 24," 14.A14B14C14 ",
As shown in the text data area 24, the title name and the title data and the song numbers and song titles of all 45 songs (that is, up to “45.A45B.
2 is stored.

In this state, when the print key 39 is pressed to start the printing process and the case label is selected, the first label of the main label LM is allocated to the 20th line and printed.
At that time, the condition of case label designation & end of first sheet & existence of second sheet data is satisfied (S504: Yes). Then, the second sheet of the main label LM is assigned to lines 21 to 39 and the last. (40th line) is added with a notification character to be omitted ("~ Other x songs ~" in the example of FIG. 5), and at that time, the case label designation & first sheet end & second sheet data The presence condition is not satisfied (S50
4: No), the printing process ends, and the process returns to the basic input mode.

In this case, since the twelfth tune name is on the 20th to 21st lines, the 2nd line exceeds the page boundary. In such a case, the tape printer 1 actually prints the twelfth tune on the 21st to 22nd lines with the 20th line being an empty line.
Here, the description is made ignoring the processing.

In addition, as described above in the example of FIG. 5, the notification character to be omitted to be inserted in the last line is "-all x songs-" as well as "-all x songs-" (the above example). In the case of "~ all 45
Song) "). In other words, since the number of printed songs (equal to the last song number printed) can be grasped,
For example, if it can be grasped that there are a total of 45 songs, it is possible to grasp that there is a song name that has not been printed (printing has been omitted), the number of songs that have been omitted, and the like. In other words, the notification of "-all x songs-" is also omitted.

[0245] Also, the "~ other x songs ~" and "~ all x
The notification of "song-" is convenient because if it is not omitted, by adding it, it is notified that it is not omitted. However, for example, when the total number of songs is 10, when all the songs can be printed, the format of "~ 10 songs ~" is better than "~ 0 other songs ~". The description will be made using “x music”.

In the above example, if the total number of songs is ten,
That is, the title name and the song numbers and song titles of all 10 songs “10.
Assuming that character data enough to create a print image up to the 18th line of “A10B10C10D10E10F1” is stored in the text data area 242, they are all allocated to the first main label LM, and the second Becomes blank.

When a disc label is selected in a state where character data for all 45 songs are prepared (stored), the disc label LMD is a print area for one main label. As shown in b), song numbers and song names up to “11.A11B11C11D1” on the 19th line are allocated, and a print image to which a notification character of “-45 songs” is added is printed on the last 20th line. .

As described above, in the tape printer 1, by selecting one of the disk label and the case label (selecting the print size from the reference size and one or more kinds of enlarged sizes), the label size of the disk label is determined. A print size that is an integral multiple of (predetermined reference size) (1 times when a disc label is selected, and 2 times when a case label is selected) can be directly designated.

In addition, when the disc label is selected, one side of the disc label is selected, and when the case label is selected, the first side and the second side of the disc label (the print area of the selected print size is divided by the reference size). A predetermined different part of a character group is assigned to each of the one or more divided print areas, and a print image corresponding to the assigned character group can be created and printed on a print target.
That is, it is possible to directly specify a print size that is an integral multiple of a predetermined reference size, and extract and print a character group that matches a print area (each label) of that print size.

In the tape printer 1, a character group is allocated to a print area of a selected label size (print size), and when the entire character group cannot be printed,
A notification character for printing indicating that effect is added. That is, since a print size that is an integral multiple of a predetermined reference size can be directly specified, it can be determined whether or not all of the characters (character images corresponding to the character codes) can be printed within the specified print size. When it is determined that printing cannot be performed,
Printing to which a notification character for notifying that effect is added can be performed.

In this case, the information character for printing may be added to a character group in the form of a character code and then developed together as an image. Alternatively, the information character may be developed separately as an image and then added. May be added as an image. Also,
When it is determined that printing is possible, it is optional whether or not to add a notification character for notifying that. In addition, a notification character that can be used in common for the notification that printing cannot be performed and the notification that printing can be performed can be considered, and it is convenient to use such a notification character.

In the tape printer 1, the label size (print size) can be basically selected by the user's arbitrary selection, while the type of the attached tape (print target) T, that is, Since the type of the half-cut label can be detected, an error is notified when the label does not match the user's selection, so that the user can be prompted to change the label. As a result, the user's request and the tape (print target) can be detected.
Label size (print size) suitable for both types of T
Can be selected.

In the above description, the disc label and the case label, that is, the label size, ie, the print size that is an integral multiple of the basic size (the label size of the disc label) (the disc label is 1 time and the case label is 2 times)
Although two types of labels have been mainly described, as described above, the tape printing apparatus 1 can select a side label other than these.

In other words, in the tape printer 1, M
A character group recorded in the D (disk) 92 is read, and any one of various label sizes (print sizes) is selected regardless of an integral multiple of the reference size, etc., so that the selected print size is obtained. A predetermined part or all of the matched character group is extracted to create and print a print image. That is, by selecting one of various print sizes, a character group suitable for the print size can be extracted and printed.

Next, tape printing when viewed as an image forming apparatus which develops each character of a character string having one or more characters into a character image based on predetermined font data and creates an image in which the characters are appropriately arranged. The device 1 will be described.

Generally, in order to display or print a character string having one or more characters as an image, font data corresponding to text (code) data of each character is read from a ROM or the like storing known font data, and the like. Alternatively, dot matrix data registered by external character registration or drawing registration is read out (hereinafter, a "predetermined font" is used as a representative of a known font or a registered dot matrix).
A character image is developed and arranged in a predetermined image generation area based on the predetermined font data, and display image data and print image data that become a desired image are generated.

For example, in a word processor or the like, an editing screen corresponding to the set size of one page is displayed, and registered text data is read in the range of the editing screen, or a new character is input by a key. Then, edit. That is, a character image adapted to the text data of the character string is developed and arranged in a display image creation area of a predetermined size, and the created display image is displayed. After the editing is completed, a print image as it is displayed on the screen is printed by a key input for instructing printing. That is, a created print image is printed by developing and arranging a character image that matches the text data of the character string in a print image area of a predetermined size.

In these cases, for example, when the text (code) data of a character string includes an arbitrary line feed code that can be arbitrarily inserted, each line of the character string is determined according to the arbitrary line feed code. However, the length of the character string (the number of characters, etc.) of each line up to the arbitrary line feed code is the length of each line set as the size of the image creation area (for example, in the case of horizontal writing,
If the length is longer than (width size), an automatic line feed is performed at a character that matches the predetermined width size. Of course, when there is no arbitrary line feed code, an automatic line feed is performed at a character that matches the set horizontal size.

The same applies to the line. For example, when the text data of a character string includes an arbitrary page break code that can be arbitrarily inserted, the number of lines of each page is determined according to the arbitrary page break code. However, if the number of lines up to the arbitrary page break code is longer than the number of lines set as the size of the image creation area, at the number of lines that match the vertical size,
Automatic page break is performed. Of course, when there is no arbitrary page break code, all the lines that fit the set vertical size,
Automatic page break is performed.

However, even if a part of the contents of the character string is omitted, there is a demand for displaying or printing the entire summary of the character string within a predetermined one line, a predetermined number of lines, or a predetermined number of pages. There is no known device for creating a compatible image. That is, for example, only the main part (for example, a predetermined number of characters at the beginning) of the character string corresponding to the line number or the information number may be included together with each line number or each information number,
No device is known for displaying or printing each line side by side. In addition, since only the main part (for example, a plurality of lines at the beginning) is sufficient, the image is stored in a predetermined number of lines or pages, and the entire image of the character string is displayed or printed within the predetermined number of lines or pages. No such device is known.

On the other hand, in the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, a portion of each line of the character string exceeding a predetermined number of characters is omitted, or the predetermined number of lines of a plurality of lines in which each line of the character string is arranged is reduced. The excess portion is omitted, and when omitted, an abbreviated image to which an image notifying the effect is added can be created. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIGS.

First, in the tape printing apparatus 1, for example, each information number (corresponding to each song number) and a main part (a predetermined number of characters at the beginning) of a character string corresponding to the information number (song number) are set to one. It is possible to create an abbreviated image suitable for, for example, displaying in a line, printing each line, or printing.

In this case, as described above with reference to FIG.
The text data area 2 stores the title name (the song number may be considered to be the song name of “0” (representative)) and the character (code) data enough to create a print image of the song numbers and song names of all 45 songs.
42.

In the tape printer 1, various function settings can be made (see FIG. 19), and among them, there is "return form setting". In this return form, since “return is set” is set as an initial setting value, if a print image corresponding to the above character code is created in this state, for example, when a disc label is selected, as described above with reference to FIG. Create a print image and print it.

In the state where the initial settings are maintained, for example, FIG.
In the basic input mode, as shown in FIG.
(See FIGS. 2 and 9) The title of the song (in the case of the drawing, the song name "someday" of the song number "2") is displayed, and an indicator showing the setting state of the title name and the line wrapping (title wrapping and song wrapping) for the song name. 4i01 and 4i
11 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is turned on (displayed) (G61: G41 in FIG. 24 also shows the same state).

In this state (G61), in a state where the above-mentioned character codes are prepared, and when a disc label is selected, a print image as shown in FIG. 27B is created. From this state, the user can display the "return form setting" screen in the function selection setting mode by pressing the form key 34FS as shown in FIG.

When the user presses the form key 34FS, the tape printing apparatus 1 first displays the current setting, that is, in the above example, "return" (G62).

In this state (G62), when the cursor key 33 is operated by the user, "with turn" and "without turn" are displayed alternately. These states (G62 to G6)
In 3), when the user presses the delete key 35, the mode returns to the original basic input mode (G61).

At this point, the user displays a desired one (here, “no return”) (G 63), and
By pressing, a desired one (here, “no return”) can be set. That is, for example, when the user presses the function key 38 while displaying "No return", the tape printer 1 sets it as a new "return form" and returns to the basic input mode (G6).
4).

In this case, the display of the character display section 4c (see FIG. 9) (the song name "someday" of the song number "2") is displayed as it is, but an indicator showing the setting state of the title return and the song return. Among the 4i01 and 4i11, the turn-around indicator 4i11 is turned off, and the title turn-back indicator 4i01 is kept on. That is, the setting of the turning back is released (G6
4).

[0271] In the basic input mode, the user displays the title name ("D" is displayed on the sub-display section), and then presses the form key 34FS.
By performing the same operation as above, the setting of the title wrap can be canceled. In this case, the title wrap indicator 4
i01 is turned off. Of course, the title return and the song return can be reset by displaying “return” by the same operation (for example, in the state of G62) and pressing the enter key 38.

The tape printer 1 is in the state of "no return" (here, "no return"), and
For example, the above-mentioned title name (song number may be considered as the song name of "0") and character (code) data for preparing print images of the song numbers and song names of all 45 songs are prepared (text data area). When the disc label is selected, a print image as shown in FIG. 28A is created, and in the same state, when the case label is selected,
A print image as shown in FIG.

For example, with reference to FIG. 28A, a process of creating a print image in the case of the above-described disc label selection will be described below. Actually, for editing and confirmation, creation of a display image described later (creation of text data for the display image) is first performed, and the created display image (text data for the use) is used. A print image is created, but in order to understand the meaning of the display image, the concept (concept) of the print image creation process will be described first, ignoring it here.

As described above with reference to FIG. 27, first, text data of a target character string (a basic character string having at least one line of a character string including one or more characters as each line) is stored. In the example of FIG. 27A described above, the title name (the song name of the song number “0” (representative)) and the song numbers of all 45 songs are displayed.
Character (code) data enough to create a print image of the song title is stored in the text data area 242.

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in each line of the basic character string exceeds a predetermined number of characters. Here, FIG.
The specified number of characters (excluding the track number) according to 7 etc. 1
One character.

Note that the size of the image creation area is usually
Since the calculation is performed in a dot unit size (dot size), the predetermined number of characters here is, for example, the number of characters when arranging characters of the currently set character size (dot size). Specifically, This is the number of characters when the characters of the currently set character size are arranged so that the total number of dots matches the horizontal dot size of the edited image area, and includes full-width / half-width, enlargement / reduction, and various character modifications (for example, white ( If the dot size of one character changes due to, for example, blanking or italics, the predetermined number of characters also changes.

In the above example, since the title name “☆ TITLE” (seven characters including the first space) on the first line (corresponding to the song name of the song number “0”) is 11 characters or less, the title is folded. 1 whether or not is set
For example, in the case of "☆ TITLETitle" (12 characters including the first space), if title wrapping is set, that is, if "line wrapping" is set, the line is wrapped with "☆ TITLETitle". (After a line feed), a print image in which “e” is printed on the second line is obtained.

On the other hand, for example, “☆ TITLEtitl
In the case of "e" (12 characters), if title wrapping is not set, that is, if no line wrapping is set, it is determined that the number of characters exceeds 11 characters (predetermined number of characters), and one or more characters in each line are omitted. The predetermined number of characters (10 characters) obtained by subtracting the number of characters (1 character) of the notification character string (here, for example, one character of "...") from the predetermined number of characters (11 characters) ), An abbreviated character string “☆ TITLEtit” is created by omitting the characters exceeding the number of omitted characters (10 characters) among the characters of each line of the basic character string (here, the line of the title name).

Then, the abbreviated character string "☆ TITLE
A character abbreviation notification character string "..." is added to "title" to create an abbreviation basic character string "* TITLEit ...". However, as described above, here, the title name "☆ TIT
LE "(7 characters), the character string" * TITLE "as the basic character string is set as the first line of the omitted basic character string (see the line number" 1 "in FIG. 28A).

The second line on the next text data, that is, the song name of the information number (song number) “1” is “A1B1C1D1
Since “E1F1G1” (14 characters), if the wrapping is set, that is, if the line wrapping is set, the wrapping is performed at “A1B1C1D1E1F” (line feed is performed), and “1G1” is printed on the second line. Such a print image is obtained (see FIG. 27A or 27B).

However, in this case, no wrap is set, that is, no wrap is set.
It is determined that the number of characters exceeds 11 characters (predetermined number of characters), and the predetermined number of omitted characters (10 characters) is obtained by subtracting the number of characters (1 character) of the character abbreviation notification character string (“...”) from the predetermined number of characters (11 characters).
(A1B1C1D1E) on the second line of the abbreviated character string in which the number of characters exceeding the number of omitted characters (10 characters) among the characters of each line of the basic character string (the line of the song number “1”) is omitted based on the characters.
1 ", and a character abbreviation notification character string" ... "is added to the second line" A1B1C1D1E1 "of the abbreviation basic character string.
... (See line number “2”: music number “1” in FIG. 28A).

The third line on the next text data, that is, the song name of the information number (song number) “2” is “A2B2C2”.
Since it is (6 characters), it is one line regardless of the presence / absence of the wrapping setting, that is, the presence / absence of line wrapping. Therefore, the character string “A2B2C2” as the basic character string is set as the third line of the omitted basic character string ( (See line number "3" in FIG. 28A: music number "2").

The fourth line on the next text data, that is, the song name of the information number (song number) “3” is “A3B3C3D3E”.
3F3G ”(13 characters), if a turn-back is set, turn it back to“ A3B3C3D3E3F ”to“ 3
G "is printed on the second line (see FIG. 2).
7 (a) or (b)), in this case, since the setting is not to bend, it is determined that the number of characters exceeds 11 characters (predetermined number of characters), and the number of characters (1 character) of the character abbreviation notification character string ("...")
Is omitted from the number of characters (10 characters) obtained by subtracting from the number of characters (11 characters) from the predetermined number of characters (11 characters). The fourth row of the column "A3B3C3D3E3" is created, and "..." is added thereto to create the fourth row "A3B3C3D3E3 ..." of the omitted basic character string (FIG. 28 (a)).
Line number “4”: song number “3”).

The fifth line on the next text data, that is, the song name of the information number (song number) “4” is “A4B4C4D4
E4F "(11 characters), the line becomes one line regardless of the presence / absence of wrapping, that is, the presence or absence of line wrapping. (See line number “5”: music number “4” in FIG. 28A).

Similarly, the 19th line “A18B18C18D...” Of the abbreviation basic character string is created (see the line number “19” in FIG. 28A: the music number “18”), and the last 20th line The above-mentioned notification character for omitting a line, that is, a predetermined line elimination notification character string “-all 4
Then, the creation of the abbreviated basic character string is completed (see the line number “20” in FIG. 28A).

When the abbreviation basic character string is created, the tape printing apparatus 1 next sets a predetermined image forming area in which a character image of a predetermined number of characters (11 characters) can be arranged, that is, in this case, the label of the disk label LMD. In the image creation area secured in the print image data area 244 according to the size,
An abbreviated image in which an image of the abbreviated basic character string is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created.

As described above, the tape printing apparatus 1 stores text data of a basic character string having one or more lines of character strings each containing one or more characters,
It is determined whether or not the number of characters in each line of the basic character string exceeds a predetermined number of characters (11 characters in the above example). If it is determined that the number of characters exceeds the predetermined number of characters, the omission of one or more characters in each line is notified. The number of characters (1 character) of the predetermined character abbreviation notification character string ("...") is subtracted from the predetermined number of characters based on the predetermined number of post-abbreviation characters (10 characters). An abbreviated character string is created by omitting the number of characters after the abbreviation, and a character abbreviated notification character string ("...") is added to the abbreviated basic character string to create a character image having a predetermined number of characters (11 characters) An abbreviated image in which an image of the abbreviated basic character string is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created in a predetermined image creation area where can be arranged.

In this case, the number of characters of the abbreviated character string, that is, the number of characters after abbreviated (10 characters) is a value obtained by subtracting the number of characters (1 character) of the character abbreviated notification character string (“...”) from a predetermined number of characters (11 characters). Therefore, the number of characters in the abbreviated basic character string obtained by adding the character abbreviation notification character string to the abbreviated character string does not exceed a predetermined number of characters.

For this reason, in the tape printer 1, when the number of characters in each line of the basic character string having one or more characters composed of text data exceeds a predetermined number of characters, a predetermined number of character images capable of arranging a predetermined number of characters can be arranged. An abbreviated image in which an image of a new character string to which a part of the basic character string is omitted and a character abbreviated notification character string for notifying the omission is added is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font in the image creation area. Can be created.

That is, a portion exceeding a predetermined number of characters in each line of the character string is omitted, and when omitted, an abbreviated image to which an image notifying the fact is added can be created. Therefore, in the tape printer 1, for example, the main part (a predetermined number of characters at the beginning) of the character string corresponding to the line number and the information number (song number) together with each line number and each information number (each song number) is included in one line. , And an abbreviated image suitable for displaying or printing each line side by side can be created (see FIG. 28).

In the tape printing apparatus 1, the presence or absence of the above-mentioned title wrap or tune wrap can be set. However, any of these may be fixed. In such a case, the setting as described above with reference to FIG. 29 is unnecessary. Become.

As described above, the character abbreviation notification character string may be added to the basic character string in the form of a character code and then developed together as an image. After being separately developed as images, they may be added as an image of a character omitted notification character string.

That is, in this case, the tape printing apparatus 1 stores text data of a basic character string having one or more lines of character strings each including one or more characters, and stores, as in the above-described example, Based on the number of characters after omission,
Based on a predetermined font, an image of each character of the characters of each line of the basic character string that has been omitted is omitted in a predetermined image creation area where a character image of a predetermined number of characters can be arranged based on a predetermined font. To create an abbreviated character string image
Further, by expanding and arranging a predetermined character abbreviation notification character string based on a predetermined font, an abbreviated image in which an image of the character abbreviation notification character string is added to the abbreviated character string image is created.

Also in this case, similarly to the above-described example, the number of characters in each line of the character image to be expanded and arranged to create the omitted image does not exceed the predetermined number of characters.
For this reason, even in this case, when the number of characters in each line of the basic character string having one or more characters composed of text data exceeds a predetermined number of characters, a predetermined image forming area in which a character image of a predetermined number of characters can be arranged. In addition, it is possible to create an abbreviated image in which a part of the basic character string is omitted and an image of a new character string to which a character abbreviated notification character for notifying the omission is added is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font. That is, a portion exceeding the predetermined number of characters in each line of the character string is omitted, and when omitted, an abbreviated image to which an image notifying the effect is added can be created.

[0295] In the above example, "..." was used as the character abbreviation notification character string.
".", "~" Or "." May be used, and a character string composed of a plurality of characters including these characters may be used as a character abbreviation notification character string. In these cases, the character abbreviation notification character strings are “…”, “‥”, “•”,
Since one or more characters indicating "~" or "." Are included, the omitted image can be accurately represented.

In the tape printer 1, character insertion,
Editing such as character deletion, character conversion, character size setting, or character decoration setting can be performed, and as a result of the editing, the width of a character image of one character changes, thereby reducing the number of characters that can be arranged in a predetermined image creation area. When a change occurs, an abbreviated image is created by setting the number of characters after the change to a predetermined number of characters, so that an image suitable for the basic character string of the edited result can be created.

That is, as described above, the predetermined number of characters here is, for example, the number of characters in the currently set character size, and is determined by full-width / half-width, enlargement / reduction, various character modifications (for example, hollow, italic, etc.). If the dot size of one character changes, the predetermined number of characters also changes. However, the tape printer 1 creates an abbreviated image with the number of characters corresponding to the predetermined number of characters. Images can be created.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, in addition to the abbreviated image in which a portion exceeding a predetermined number of characters in each line of the character string is omitted, a predetermined line among a plurality of lines in which each line of the character string is arranged is used. If you omit the part that exceeds the number and omit it,
An abbreviated image to which an image notifying the effect is added can be created. That is, for example, when the main part (the first plurality of lines) is contained within a predetermined number of lines or pages and the entire image of the character string is to be displayed or printed within the predetermined number of lines or pages. You can create an abbreviated image.

In this case, as in the above example, first, the basic character string of the text data is stored, and it is determined whether or not the number of lines of the basic character string exceeds a predetermined number of lines. FIG.
7 (b) and FIG. 28 (a), the predetermined number of lines in the case of a disc label is 20 lines. FIG. 28
(B) shows an example of the case label, and the predetermined number of lines in this case is 40 lines. Hereinafter, an example of 20 lines (disk label) will be described.

That is, in the tape printer 1, when it is determined that the number of lines exceeds a predetermined number (20 lines), a predetermined line omission notification character string for notifying the omission of a line (as described above, here, Number of lines of "~ all x songs-") (here 1 line)
Is subtracted from the predetermined number of lines (20 lines) and the number of lines after the omission is omitted from each line of the basic character string based on the predetermined number of lines after the omission (19 lines). Each line (one line of "-all x songs-") is added to create an abbreviated basic character string as a new basic character string, and a predetermined number of lines (20
An abbreviated image in which an image of an abbreviated basic character string is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created in a predetermined image creating area in which a character image of (line) can be arranged.

In this case, the number of lines after omission (19 lines) is a value obtained by subtracting the number of lines of the line omission notification character string (1 line in this case) from the predetermined number of lines (20 lines). Does not cause the number of lines of the abbreviated basic character string to exceed a predetermined number of lines.

For this reason, in the tape printer 1, when the number of lines of the basic character string having a plurality of lines each including a character string composed of text data of one or more characters exceeds the predetermined number of lines, Based on a predetermined font, an image of a new character string in which a part of the basic character string is omitted and a line omission notification character for notifying the omission is added to a predetermined image creation area in which the character image can be arranged. You can create an abbreviated image that is expanded and arranged.

That is, a portion exceeding a predetermined number of lines out of a plurality of lines in which each line of a character string is arranged can be omitted, and when omitted, an abbreviated image can be created by adding an image notifying the fact. Therefore, in the tape printer 1, for example, the main part (the first plurality of lines) is contained within a predetermined number of lines or pages, and the entire image of the character string is displayed or displayed within the predetermined number of lines or pages. An abbreviated image suitable for printing or the like can be created.

In the case of omitting a line, similarly to the case of omitting a character, a line omitting notification character string is added to a basic character string in the form of a character code and then developed together as an image. Alternatively, the image may be separately developed as described below and then added as an image of a line omission notification character string.

In this case, the tape printing apparatus 1 stores a basic character string having a plurality of lines each having a character string composed of text data of one or more characters, as in the above-described example. In the predetermined image creation area in which a predetermined number of lines of character images can be arranged based on the By creating an abbreviated character string image developed and arranged based on a predetermined font, and further developing and arranging the predetermined line abbreviation notification character string based on a predetermined font, a line is omitted in the abbreviated character string image. Create an abbreviated image to which the image of the abbreviated notification character string is added. That is, also in this case, similarly to the above-described example, the number of lines of the character image to be expanded and arranged to create the omitted image does not exceed the predetermined number of lines.

Therefore, also in this case, when the number of lines of the basic character string having a plurality of lines each including a character string composed of text data of one or more characters exceeds the predetermined number of lines, the characters of the predetermined number of lines are used. Based on a predetermined font, an image of a new character string to which a part of the basic character string is omitted and a line omission notification character for notifying the omission is added to a predetermined image creation area where an image can be arranged is provided. You can create an abbreviated image that has been placed. That is, a portion exceeding a predetermined number of lines out of a plurality of lines in which each line of the character string is arranged can be omitted, and when omitted, an abbreviated image to which an image notifying the effect can be created.

[0307] In the tape printer 1, in the omitted part of the plurality of lines of the basic character string including the song titles of the plurality of songs stored in the MD (disk) 92, one of the song titles of the plurality of songs is added. When the above is included, a character indicating the total number of songs stored in the MD (disc) or the number of omitted songs (the above-mentioned “-all x songs-” or “-other x songs-”)
Is included in the line abbreviation notification character string, the user can determine that image creation has been omitted from the total number of songs or the number of abbreviated songs included in the line abbreviation notification character string and the number of songs created as images. In addition, the other of the total number of songs and the number of omitted songs can be known.

[0308] In the tape printer 1, the display screen 4
Since the display image to be displayed in No. 1 has a different configuration, the above-mentioned omitted image is used as a print image. However, it goes without saying that the above-mentioned omitted image may be used as a display image.

[0309] However, by creating an abbreviated image as described above,
When it is used for display and printing as it is, once it is created, it is difficult to confirm when the original character string is partially corrected. That is, for example, when characters or lines are partially deleted, the range that fits within a predetermined one line, a predetermined number of lines, or a predetermined number of pages is different. However, when displaying or printing only the omitted image, the omitted characters or lines that should be restored (to be restored by the correction) cannot be grasped, so that the correction becomes difficult.

On the other hand, when an entire image not to be omitted (whole image) is created instead of an abbreviated image, the horizontal size (the number of characters in one line, etc.) and the vertical size (the number of characters in one line) of the edited image creation area are set. Automatic line feed, automatic page break, etc. are performed as described above depending on the number of lines, etc., so that it is difficult to grasp the original image of each line of the character string. Further, it is difficult to grasp the image of each line or each page when an abbreviated image is created later.

Therefore, the tape printer 1 edits an abbreviated image developed and arranged so that each line becomes a one-line character string image by omitting a part of each line of the character string, and an entire image without omission. Prior to the creation of an image or independently of the creation of an edited image, an edit notification that can grasp the character overflow position from each line such as the omitted position and line feed position in the edited image while utilizing the original image of each line of the character string You can create images. Hereinafter, specifically, FIGS.
A description will be given with reference to FIG.

First, in the tape printer 1, as shown in FIG. 30, three types of display-only characters are defined. A line overflow mark 1 (first predetermined line overflow notification character string), a line overflow mark 2 (second predetermined line overflow notification character string), and a character overflow mark (character overflow notification character string), each of which is "L1" as shown in the figure. , "L2" and "C", and will be abbreviated as "L1 mark", "L2
Mark "and" C mark ".

The meanings of these three types of display-only characters and how to use them will be described below. Since the “L1 mark” and “L2 mark” will be described later, the “C mark” will be described first.

The C mark is a character overflow notification character string indicating that the number of characters has been exceeded. That is, in the tape printer 1, for example, a character string to be processed (the above-described basic character string) as described above in FIG. 27 and the like is stored, and the number of characters in each line of the basic character string is set to a predetermined number of characters (the above-described basic character string). In the example, 11
Character is exceeded, and if it is determined that the number of characters exceeds a predetermined number of characters (11 characters), the above-mentioned C mark (character overflow notification character string) is changed to a character immediately before the predetermined number of characters (11 characters) is exceeded. A display character string (edit notification character string) is created as a basic character string including a C mark by inserting the character string between the character and the character immediately after the character, and the display character string is displayed in a display image data area (predetermined edit notification image creation area) 243. Then, a display image (edit notification image) that is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created.

This will be described more specifically. For example, when the above-described text data is used as a basic character string in FIG.
The 11th line on the text data corresponding to the 17th to 18th lines of FIG. 7 (a) is the song title “A1” of the information number (song number) “10”.
0B10C10D10E10F1 ”.

In this case, in the tape printing apparatus 1, FIG.
As shown in (a), the eleventh character “1” (“D10”)
"1" in the middle of "" and "0"("D10") of the 12th character
Above the last “0”). Then, this is reflected as it is on the display image and displayed. That is, FIG. 31 shows an image of a display character string of text data (character code) and an image of a display image created based on the image.

On the other hand, as described above, the image of the print image created from the original basic character string is the same as that shown in FIG.
Or (b). Among them, for example, the information number (tune number) “1” of the 17th to 18th lines in FIG.
The image on the print image of the song name "A10B10C10D10E10F1" of "0" and the C mark of FIG. 31A are inserted (the insertion position is indicated by "C" for explanation).
As is clear from comparison with the image on the display image of B10C10D1 “C” 0E10F1 (the same as the image of the display character string), the position of the C mark corresponds to the position of the automatic line feed.

That is, in the tape printing apparatus 1, a print image data area (predetermined edit image creation area) 2 for creating a print image (edit image) such as an abbreviated image or an entire image.
The number of characters conforming to the horizontal size of 44 (for example, the length direction of each line of horizontal writing) is a predetermined number of characters (11 characters in the above example).
In this case, the display character string (edit notification character string) includes a C mark (character overflow notification character) between a character immediately before and after a predetermined number of characters (11 characters), that is, a position where automatic line feed is performed. Column) is inserted, so that the display image (edit notification image) where the line is expanded and arranged
The character image of the mark (character overflow notification character string) is developed and arranged.

[0319] Therefore, by displaying the created display image (edit notification image), the user can grasp the line feed position (character overflow position) in the print image (edit image) from the display image (edit notification image). In addition, not only when it is determined that the number of characters exceeds a predetermined number, but also when a character overflow notification character string can be arbitrarily inserted in the same way as a general arbitrary line feed, the degree of freedom of editing is increased and operability is improved. improves.

In the tape printer 1, as described above, the presence / absence of title wrapping or wrapping can be set. When no wrapping is set, a predetermined number of characters (11 in the above example) is set.
Instead of the predetermined number of characters (1 character) of the above-mentioned predetermined character abbreviation notification character string (“...” in the above example) from the predetermined number of characters (11 characters).
A C mark (character overflow notification character string) is inserted based on 0 character.

In this case, the number of characters after omitting (10 characters) and the number of characters (1 character) in a predetermined character omitting notification character string (“...”)
Is added, a predetermined number of characters (11 characters) is obtained. In other words, the insertion position of the C mark (character overflow notification character string) is determined by, for example, setting the number of characters conforming to the horizontal size of the disc label (edited image creation area) to a predetermined number of characters (11 characters)
, A part of each line of the basic character string is omitted, and a predetermined character abbreviation notification character string ("...") for notifying the omission is added to the same line to create an abbreviated image. Become.

This will be described more specifically. For example, in FIG. 27 and the like, when the above-described text data is used as a basic character string and no wrapping is set, as shown in FIG. 31B, for example, the tune name “A10B10” of the above-mentioned information number (tune number) “10”
Between the tenth character "D" (the first "D" of "D10") and the eleventh character "1"("1" in the middle of "D10") of the character code of "C10D10E10F1", Insert C mark. Then, this is reflected as it is on the display image and displayed.

On the other hand, the image of the print image created from the original basic character string when no fold is set is shown in FIG. 28 (a) or (b) as described above. In this case, for example, the song title “A10B10C10D...” Of the information number (song number) “10” on the 11th line in FIG.
31A and a song title "A10B10C10D" C "10E10 with the C mark of FIG.
As is clear from comparison with the image on the display image of F1 (the same as the image of the display character string), the position of the C mark corresponds to the omitted position.

[0324] For this reason, when the user displays the created display image (edit notification image), if there is a wrapping setting (automatic line feed is performed), the user changes the display image (edit notification image) to a print image (edit notification image). The line feed position (character overflow position) in the edited image) can be grasped, and when there is no wrapping setting, the omitted position (character overflow position) can be grasped.

In practice, as described above, the tape printer 1 first creates a display image (or creates text data therefor) for editing and confirmation.
The created display image (or its text data)
Use to create a print image.

This will be described more specifically. The tape printer 1 creates an abbreviated character string in which the characters after the C mark (character overflow notification character string) are omitted from each character of each line of the above-described display character string (edit notification character string), and the omitted lines are used. A character string with an abbreviation notification character string (“…”) added to the print image data area (a predetermined edit image) in which a character image having a predetermined number of characters (for example, 11 characters in the above example) can be arranged. A print image (abbreviated image) in which the image of the abbreviated basic character string is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created in the (creation area) 244.

That is, the C mark (character overflow notification character string) of the display character string (edit notification character string) indicates a line feed in the print image (edit image) when wrapping is set (automatic line feed is performed). Position (character overflow position),
When there is no wrapping setting, the omitted position (character overflow position) is shown.
By wrapping at the C mark (line feed), when there is no wrapping setting, the character after the C mark is omitted and a predetermined character abbreviated notification character string ("...") is added, so that a print image (edit Image) (or a character string for it).

For this reason, in the tape printer 1, based on the display character string (edit notification character string), not only the display image (edit notification image) but also a part of each line of the basic character string is omitted and It is possible to easily create a print image (abbreviated image) in which a predetermined character abbreviated notification character string notifying the fact is added to the same line.

Of course, the display character string (edit notification character string)
Even if a display image (edit notification image) or print image (abbreviated image) is created based on the
When the width or the like of the character image of the character changes, thereby changing the number of characters that can be arranged in the predetermined image creation area, the number of characters after the change is set as the predetermined number of characters, and the display image (edit notification image) or print image ( (Abbreviated image), an image suitable for the basic character string of the edited result can be created.

An image equivalent to the above-mentioned display image (edit notification image) can be created and printed as a print image. However, if an image is created as a display image, the advantage is particularly brought out. In this case, for example, when there is a display character string as shown in FIG. 32 (a), it is created and displayed as a display image, and by operating the cursor key 33 as shown in FIG. 32 (b). , Each part can be visually recognized (G65 to G6
8: Here, the range of the dotted line is a range not displayed). In addition, an undesired predetermined editing operation (for example, L1
For example, an operation of deleting a display-only character such as a mark) can be prevented and an error can be notified (G69), which is suitable for editing and the like.

For this reason, for example, it is possible to edit and confirm the above-described display character string in FIG. 31 in the same manner. In particular, when the edited image such as the above-described omitted image or whole image is used as the print image, Before printing, it is possible to confirm the character overflow position from each line such as the omission position or line feed position in the print image (edit image) by displaying the display image (edit notification image),
As a result, editing such as correction (for example, restoring omitted characters)
Is determined to be necessary, it is possible to confirm each character of the entire basic character string including the omitted character (for example, to be restored by correction), thereby facilitating editing and the like.

As is clear from FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, in the tape printer 1, each line of the display character string (edit notification character string) corresponds to each line of the basic character string, and the display character string (edit The display image (edited notification image) is developed and arranged so that each line of the notification character string becomes a single character string image.
Is generated, a display image (edit notification image) utilizing the original image of each line of the character string can be generated.

It is preferable that the character overflow notification character string includes a symbol that is easily distinguished from other characters, such as a special symbol specially registered by external character registration or the like. That is, by displaying (similarly when using for printing), when the editing notification image is confirmed, it can be clearly distinguished from other characters, and the character overflow position can be easily grasped. Considering these points,
As described above, in the tape printing apparatus 1, for example, a symbol shaped as "C", that is, a C mark is used to associate the overflow of characters.

[0334] Further, it is preferable that the edit notification image is created by expanding and arranging the edit notification character string only in a range necessary for display or printing. That is, for example, by creating only the display range on the display screen and newly expanding and arranging the characters of the image of the portion that is insufficient when the display range is moved, and adding only the necessary range, It is possible to shorten the time from the start of the editing notification image creation processing to the confirmation and the like, and to save the memory because the editing notification image creation area for the display screen may be secured. Even when the edit notification image is used as a print image, the same advantage can be obtained because the edit notification image may be sequentially created from a necessary range in accordance with the print processing.

By the way, as in the case of creating an edited notification image so that the entire image of the omitted image in which a part of each line of the character string is omitted can be easily grasped, omitting a part of the lines of the character string of a plurality of lines. Since it is preferable to be able to grasp the whole image of the tape printer 1, the tape printer 1 is also devised in this regard.

That is, in the tape printing apparatus 1, some lines of the character string of a plurality of lines are omitted, and an image notifying the fact is added, so that the entire number of the character lines is a natural number times the reference predetermined line number. Prior to creation of an edited image such as an abbreviated image expanded and arranged to be a character string image, or independently of creation of an edited image, the original image of each line of the character string is utilized, and the edited image is set as a reference. It is possible to create an edited notification image that can grasp the line overflow position indicating each omission position when the number of lines is set to a predetermined number of lines that is a natural number times the number of lines. Hereinafter, specifically,
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 30, as described above, in the tape printer 1, in addition to the above-mentioned C mark (character overflow mark: character overflow notification character string), L1 mark (line overflow mark 1: first overflow mark) Predetermined line overflow notification character string)
And L2 mark (line overflow mark 2: second predetermined line overflow notification character string).

The L1 mark and the L2 mark are, so to speak, a line overflow notification character string indicating that the number of lines has been exceeded.
A first predetermined line overflow notification character string indicating an excess of a predetermined number of lines (in the following example, the number of lines of the disc label), the L2 mark is a second
This is a second predetermined line overflow notification character string indicating an excess of a predetermined number of lines (in the following example, the number of lines of a case label).

That is, in the tape printer 1, for example, a predetermined part or all of the lines of the character string to be processed (the above-described basic character string) as shown in FIG. The reference predetermined number of lines for developing and arranging the edited image in the edited image creation area (the edited image is a print image as in the above-described example, and the created area is secured in the print image data area 244) and n times ( One or more n-th predetermined number of rows corresponding to (n is a natural number) is defined.

Specifically, here, the reference predetermined number of lines (that is, the first predetermined number of lines) is set to 20 lines for the disc label,
Assuming that the predetermined number of lines is 40 lines for the case label, two types (n =
1, 2) The determined example will be described.

If the number of lines when each character of the basic character string is expanded and arranged in the edited image creation area exceeds any of the n-th predetermined line numbers, each of the n-th predetermined lines determined to exceed Regarding the number, insert an n-th predetermined line overflow notification character string indicating an excess of the number of lines between the end of the line immediately before the number of lines after the n-th omitted line and the beginning of the line immediately after, and replace the resulting character string with An edit notification character string is created, and the edit notification character string is developed and arranged in the edit notification image creation area based on a predetermined font to create an edit notification image.

The number of lines after the n-th omission is the number of lines of a predetermined n-th predetermined line omission notification character string for notifying the omission of a line for each of the n-th predetermined lines. Indicates the number of lines subtracted from the number.

Specifically, in the case of the above-mentioned example, the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character string is "-other x songs-" or "-all x songs-". In the former case, the The first (n = 1) predetermined line notification character string and the second (n = 2) predetermined line notification character string are different character strings (part of x, that is, the number of remaining songs is different). In each case, the number of rows is one. Then, as described above, in the present embodiment, the latter “-all x songs-” is preferentially used.

In this case, the number of lines after the first omission = the number of first predetermined lines (20 lines) −the number of lines (1 line) of the first predetermined line omitted notification character string (“total x songs”) = 19 lines The number of lines after the second omission = the second predetermined number of lines (40 lines) −the number of lines (1 line) of the second predetermined line omitted notification character string (“-all x songs-”) = 39 lines (FIG. 28 (a) and (b)).

Therefore, specifically, the number of lines when each character of the basic character string is developed and arranged in the print image data area (edited image creation area) 244 is the first predetermined number of lines (20 lines).
And the second predetermined number of lines (40 lines), the first predetermined number of lines and the second predetermined number of lines determined to be exceeded, the first number of omitted lines (19 lines) and the second number of omitted lines L1 mark (first predetermined line overflow notification character string) and L2 mark (second line) between the end of the line immediately before (line 39) and the head of the line immediately after it.
A predetermined line overflow notification character string is inserted, and the resulting character string is created as an edit notification character string (a display character string for display as in the above-described example), and a display character string (edit notification character string) is created. The display image (edit notification image) is created by developing the columns in the display image data area (edit notification image creation area) 243 based on a predetermined font.

In this case, naturally, the first predetermined line number (20 lines) is added to the first predetermined line omitted notification character line number (1 line) corresponding to the first predetermined line number (19 lines). Becomes Similarly, the second number corresponding to the second omitted row number (39 rows)
When the number of lines of the predetermined line omitted notification character (1 line) is added, a second predetermined number of lines (40 lines) is obtained.

That is, as shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 31 (a) corresponding thereto, and FIG. 28 (a) and FIGS. 31 (b) to (c) corresponding thereto, the L1 mark (first predetermined The insertion position of the line overflow notification character string is a first predetermined line omitted notification character (“-all x songs-”) that omits some lines (20th and subsequent lines) of the basic character string and notifies that effect. Image is added to the first predetermined number of lines (20 lines)
This is an abbreviated position when creating an abbreviated image that has been developed and arranged so as to be an image.

As shown in FIG. 28 (b) and FIGS. 31 (b) to (d) corresponding thereto, the insertion position of the L2 mark (the second predetermined line overflow notification character string) is A part of rows of the column (the 40th row and thereafter) is omitted, and an image of a second predetermined row omitted notification character (“-all x songs-”) for notifying the addition is added, and the whole is the second predetermined number of rows. (40 lines)
This is an abbreviated position when creating an abbreviated image that has been developed and arranged so as to be an image.

Therefore, the user displays the created display image (edit notification image) to reduce the omitted image (edit image) to the first predetermined number of lines or the second predetermined number of lines (a natural number (the standard predetermined number of lines)). It is possible to grasp the respective omitted positions (row overflow positions) when n = 1, 2) times the predetermined number of rows. In addition,
Although the present embodiment is used for creating a display image, it goes without saying that it can be used for creating a print image in order to print the same contents.

Generally speaking, in this case, each n-th
When the number of lines after the omission and the number of lines of the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character are added, the number becomes the n-th predetermined line. That is, in this case, the insertion position of the n-th predetermined line overflow notification character string is determined by omitting a part of the line of the basic character string and adding an image of the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character for notifying the fact. This is the omitted position when creating an omitted image that has been developed and arranged to be an image of the n-th predetermined number of rows.

For this reason, the user displays or prints the created edit notification image to reduce the abbreviated image (edited image) to the n-th predetermined number of lines (each predetermined number of lines being a natural number times the reference predetermined number of lines). Can be grasped each omission position (line overflow position) when making.

The n-th predetermined number of rows is different from n
In this case, the number of lines of the n-th predetermined line omission notification character string for each n can be set to be different from each other.
, The number of lines of the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character string is the same for all the n-th predetermined lines. As a result, the same value can be used, and the process of inserting the n-th predetermined line overflow notification character string, that is, the creation of the edit notification character string can be simplified.

In the tape printer 1, the display character string (edit notification character string) can be used to create not only a display image (edit notification image) but also a print image (edit image: abbreviated image). It has become.

That is, as described above with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26, the disc label, the case label, and the side label can be selected, and a print image having a print size matching the label size of the selected label is created. If selected, the first predetermined number of lines (20 lines) can be set as the predetermined number of lines, and if the case label is selected, the second predetermined number of lines (40 lines) can be set as the predetermined number of lines.

For this reason, in the tape printing apparatus 1, if the disc label is selected (the first predetermined number of lines is set), the L1 mark (first number) of the lines of the display character string (edit notification character string) is used.
An abbreviated character string omitting the part after the predetermined line overflow notification character string) is created, and an abbreviation basic character string to which "~ all x songs-" (the first predetermined line omitted notification character string) is added is created, and the print image data An abbreviated image in which an image of the abbreviated basic character string is developed and arranged based on a predetermined font is created in an area (predetermined edited image creation area) 244.

If the case label is selected (the second predetermined number of lines is set), the lines after the L2 mark (the second predetermined line overflow notification character string) in each line of the display character string (edit notification character string) are omitted. Create an abbreviated character string and add "~ All x songs ~"
An abbreviated basic character string to which the (second predetermined line abbreviated notification character string) is added is created, and an image of the abbreviated basic character string is developed in a print image data area (a predetermined edited image creating area) 244 based on a predetermined font. Creates an abbreviated image that has been placed.

That is, a display character string (edit notification character string)
Using, not only the display image (editing notification image),
Some lines of the basic character string are omitted, and an image notifying the fact is added, and the whole is developed and arranged so that the image of the character string has a predetermined number of lines that is a natural number (n) times the reference predetermined number of lines. A printed image (edited image: abbreviated image) can be created.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, when any one of the disc label, the case label, and the side label is selected (S70), when the side label is selected (S71), the title is displayed. A name (disk name) is created as a print image and printed (S72).

When a disc label is selected (S
73), and determine whether or not there is an L1 mark (S74).
If there is (S74: Yes), a print image is created in which the first side (first sheet) of the main label LM is full (full) up to the 20th line and printed. (S75).

On the other hand, when there is no L1 mark (S74: N
In o), even if a print image corresponding to all display character strings is created, the print image does not become full up to the 20th line, so the print image is created and printed without omission (S76). Note that, as described above, in the case of “-all x songs-”, the appearance is not bad even if printing is performed without omission, so that it is optional to print (create a print image) specification. .

When a case label is selected (S7)
7) First, it is determined whether or not it is the first side (first sheet) (S7).
8) In the case of the first side (first sheet) (S78: Yes), it is next determined whether or not there is an L1 mark (S79:
However, in the processing, this determination is unnecessary and may be omitted. If there is (S79: Yes), a full print image is created on the first side (first sheet) of the main label LM up to the 20th line. However, since the case label is selected and printing can still be performed on the second side (second sheet), a print image to which "-all x songs-" (first predetermined line omitted notification character string) is not added is created and printed ( S80).

On the other hand, when there is no L1 mark (S79: N
In o), even if a print image corresponding to all display character strings is created, the print image does not become full up to the 20th line, so the print image is created and printed without omission (S76).

Also, it is determined whether or not the image is the first side (first sheet) (S78). If it is not the first side (first sheet), that is, if it is the second side (second sheet) (S78: No), ,next,
It is determined whether or not there is an L1 mark (S81). If there is no L1 mark (S81: No), the first side (first sheet)
Therefore, no print image is created and printing is not performed (S82).

Also, the second side (second sheet) (S78: No)
If there is an L1 mark (S81: Yes), it is next determined whether or not there is an L2 mark (S83).
If there is no mark (S83: No), even if a print image corresponding to the entire display character string is created, it will not be full up to the 40th line (the 20th line of the second sheet). A print image is created and printed (S84).

Then, the second side (second sheet) (S78: N
In o), when the L1 mark exists (S81: Yes) and when the L2 mark exists (S83: Yes), the main label L
The second side of M (the second sheet) is a full print image up to the 20th line, and the 20th line is printed with “-all x songs-” (second predetermined line omitted notification character string) added ( S85).

As described above, the tape printer 1 uses the display character string (edit notification character string) to omit not only the display image (edit notification image) but also some lines of the basic character string. In addition, a print image expanded and arranged so that an image notifying the effect is added and the entire image is a character string image having a predetermined number of lines that is a natural number (n = 1, 2) times the reference predetermined number of lines (20 lines). (Edited image: abbreviated image) can be created.

In the above example, all the n-th predetermined line omission notification character strings for creating an abbreviated image are the same character string (“-all x songs-”), so that one type of character string What is necessary is just to prepare it as a n-line omitted line notification character string omitted image.

In the tape printer 1, a predetermined information number (song number) corresponding to each line of the basic character string is defined. The information number (song number) in this case only needs to correspond to each line of the basic character string, and corresponds to each line when the basic character string is developed and arranged in the print image data area (edited image creation area) 244. You don't have to.

That is, any one line of the basic character string is 1
Regardless of whether it is expanded as an image of a character string of a line or expanded into a plurality of lines by, for example, automatic line feed, etc., a character string that teaches the total number of information (the number of songs) is an n-th predetermined line omitted notification character string. Therefore, the user can display or print the abbreviated image and obtain the total number of information (number of songs) as well as the total number of information (number of songs) based on the number of information (number of songs) and the total number of information (number of songs) of the lines not omitted. It is possible to grasp the fact that the information has been deleted and the number of pieces of information (number of pieces of music) in the omitted line.

[0370] In the above example, all the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character strings for creating an omitted image are the same character string ("-all x songs-"), but an omitted image is created. The character string suitable for each of the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character strings can be used as the different n-th predetermined line notification character strings (for example, the above-mentioned “-other x songs”).

When a predetermined information number (song number) corresponding to each line of the basic character string is determined, a character string (for example, “~ other x ) Is set to the n-th predetermined line omitted notification character string, the user can be omitted from the number of information of the lines not omitted (number of songs) and the number of information of the omitted lines (number of songs). And the number of all information (number of songs).

[0372] An image equivalent to the above-mentioned display image (edit notification image) can be created and printed as a print image. However, if the image is created as a display image, the advantage is particularly brought out. In particular, when an edited image such as the above-described omitted image is used as a print image, before printing, the omitted position (line overflow position) in the printed image (edited image) and the display image (edit notification image) are displayed. Can be confirmed. As a result, even if it is determined that editing such as correction (for example, restoring omitted characters) is necessary, the entire basic character string including each omitted line (for example, each character to be restored by correction) and each character can be obtained. Since it can be confirmed, editing and the like become easy.

As is apparent from FIGS. 31 and 32, in the tape printer 1, each line of the display character string (edit notification character string) corresponds to each line of the basic character string, and the display character string (edit The display image (edited notification image) is developed and arranged so that each line of the notification character string is a character line image of one line.
Is generated, a display image (edit notification image) utilizing the original image of each line of the character string can be generated.

Preferably, the n-th predetermined line overflow notification character string includes a symbol that is easily distinguished from other characters, such as a special symbol specially registered by external character registration or the like. In other words, by displaying (similarly when using for printing), when the editing notification image is confirmed, it can be clearly distinguished from other characters, and the line overflow position can be easily grasped. In this case, for example, an L mark shaped as "L" is used to remind the overflow of the line (line). It should be noted that, in addition, a symbol or the like shaped as “P” for associating a page (page) may be used.

Also, in the tape printer 1, the L1 mark (the first (n = 1) predetermined line overflow notification character string) includes a corresponding n-times teaching character n = 1. Further, the L2 mark (the second (n = 2) predetermined line overflow notification character string) includes a character that teaches n = 2 corresponding to n times. That is, since the n-th predetermined number of rows corresponds to n times the reference predetermined number of rows, n
By simply looking at the n-th predetermined line overflow notification character string including the character that teaches the number, it is possible to grasp how many times the reference predetermined number of lines the predetermined number of lines is to be omitted and the omitted position.

It should be noted that the print image (edit image, abbreviated image) shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the corresponding display image (edit notification image) shown in FIGS. In this way, the tape printer 1 differs from the configuration of the print image and the corresponding display image in the points other than the insertion of the various notification character strings described above. That is, in the tape printing apparatus 1 as an image creating apparatus, further improvements are made in addition to the above.

In the above-described word processor and the like, since the display screen is large, there is no problem even if the display image as it is (the print target image) is displayed as it is and the editing is performed. On the other hand, some small and inexpensive electronic devices such as a tape printer and a stamp making device have a small display screen, so that only a few rows (for example, one row) or only a part of the rows can be displayed. . The same applies to the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment (see FIGS. 9 to 12 and the like). In these apparatuses, display using half-width characters is conventionally performed in order to display as large an area as possible on a small display screen. .

[0378] For example, characters such as alphanumeric characters and kana have a relatively simple structure, so that characters can be recognized on the display screen even when displayed in half-width characters. That is, characters having a relatively simple configuration such as alphanumeric characters are characters that can be displayed in half-width characters (half-width display characters). By using half-width display characters, a relatively wide range can be displayed even on a small display screen. become.

On the other hand, in order to display characters having a complicated structure such as kanji, symbols, and figures in a half-size area of a small screen, a display screen capable of displaying high-density (high resolution: high dot count) characters is used. Is required and the cost is high, so that it does not meet the cost reduction. Therefore, a small display screen having a low resolution is used in such small and inexpensive electronic devices. The same applies to the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, that is, 16 dots × 16 dots in full width, and 8 dots × (vertical) × 16 dots in half width.
It is a dot (see FIGS. 11 to 12 and the like).

For this reason, characters having a complicated structure such as kanji, symbols and figures cannot be displayed in half-width characters, and even if they can be displayed, it is difficult to recognize the characters. That is, characters having a complicated configuration such as kanji are characters that can be displayed only in full-width characters (full-width display characters), and therefore, a character string including full-width display characters cannot be displayed only in half-width display.

Therefore, the tape printer 1 creates a display image for efficiently displaying a character string including full-width display characters such as kanji on a small display screen, and a print image for printing the character string with good appearance. I can do it. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. 32 and 34 and the like.

First, when a display image to be displayed on the display screen is created, a character to be developed and arranged as a half-width character image is defined as a half-width display character, and a character to be developed and arranged as a full-width character image is defined. Is defined as a full-width display character, it is determined whether the character is a half-width display character or a full-width display character for each of the characters that can be developed based on a predetermined font.

More specifically, characters having a complicated structure such as kanji, symbols and figures are defined as full-width display characters, and the others are defined as half-width display characters. Note that the above-described L1 mark, L2 mark, C mark, and the like are full-width display characters, but are display-only characters and are not included in the original basic character string, and thus are not used for creating a print image.

In the tape printer 1, for example, the text data of the basic character string as described above in FIG. 27 and the like is stored, and for each character of the basic character string, a display image data area (predetermined display image creation area) In 243, when the character is a half-width display character, it is developed and arranged as a half-width character image, and when the character is a full-width display character, it is developed and arranged as a full-width character image to create a display image.

That is, full-width display characters that can be displayed only in full-width mode are displayed in full-width mode, so that character strings including full-width display characters such as kanji can be displayed. On the other hand, half-width display characters that can be displayed in half-width mode are displayed in half-width mode. Therefore, even a small display screen can be displayed as efficiently as possible.

In this case, like a general word processor,
If a print image as it is displayed on the screen (that is, a print image in which full-width and half-width characters are the same as the display image) is created and printed, for example, the display image shown in FIG. If a print image is created and printed as shown in (a), the arrangement of the characters (the left and right ends of the characters and the space between the characters) is not uniform between the lines, and the appearance is not good.

Therefore, the tape printer 1 develops each character of the basic character string as a full-width character image as shown in FIG. 34B regardless of whether the character is a half-width display character or a full-width display character. By arranging the print images, a print image is created. Therefore, it is possible to create a display image for efficiently displaying a character string including full-width display characters such as kanji on a small display screen, and a print image for printing the character string with good appearance.

In this case, the display image is created by expanding and arranging the basic character strings only in a range necessary for display. That is, for example, by creating only the display range on the display screen and newly expanding and arranging the characters of the image of the portion that is insufficient when the display range is moved, and adding only the necessary range, It is possible to shorten the time from the start of the display image creation processing to the confirmation and the like, and to save the memory since the display image creation area for the display screen only needs to be secured.

Similarly, a print image is created by developing and arranging basic character strings only in a range necessary for printing. That is, in this case, since it is only necessary to sequentially create the necessary range in accordance with the print processing, the time from the start of the print image creation processing to printing can be reduced, as in the case of creating the display image. Since it is sufficient to secure a print image creation area for every minute, there is an advantage that memory can be saved.

In the tape printer 1, the data for expanding each half-width display character as a full-width character image into font data that defines a predetermined font and the half-width display characters are converted to half-width character image data. Includes data for deployment as For this reason, for each character in the basic character string, if the character to be expanded is a half-width display character,
The full-width code of the character is converted to a half-width code, and the converted half-width code can be developed and arranged as a half-width character image based on a predetermined font.

On the other hand, in the case of full-width display characters, full-width character images can be developed and arranged as full-width character images based on a predetermined font using full-width codes, whereby character strings including full-width display characters such as Chinese characters can be displayed on a small display screen. A display image for efficient display can be created.

Instead of converting the full-width code to the half-width code and expanding / arranging the half-width code after the code conversion, another method, for example, when the character to be expanded is a half-width display character, Half-width expansion processing for expanding the character to the size of the character image can also be performed. In this case, a half-width display character can be developed and arranged as a half-width character image, and a full-width display character can be developed and arranged as a full-width character image, whereby a character string including full-width display characters such as kanji can be reduced. A display image to be efficiently displayed on a display screen can be created.

Generally, since an outline font is defined by the coordinates and attributes of an outline, a dot matrix of a character image of a desired size can be obtained simply by expanding the outline font, regardless of the size of the outline font. In other words, since the reference font data is expanded and reduced by calculation,
An enlarged / reduced image can be created simply by redeployment according to the size.

For this reason, in the above half-width expansion processing, for example, when the half-width display character to be expanded is a character that can be expanded based on the outline font, the horizontal dot size for expanding the character is adjusted to the half-width, and Just by expanding according to the size, a half-width character image corresponding to the half-width display character to be developed can be created (developed / arranged).

In the half-width development processing, for example, when the half-width display character to be developed is a character developed based on a dot font or a registered predetermined dot matrix,
By reducing the horizontal dot size of the character image of the character according to the half-width and arranging it, the half-width character image corresponding to the half-width display character developed based on the dot font and dot matrix is also displayed. Can be created (deployed / arranged).

[0396] As described above, in the tape printer 1, various measures have been devised to create a display image for display and a print image for printing. -The input has been devised. These will be described in more detail later, and the following summarizes the issues related to the actual print processing and how to solve them. That is,
A tape printer 1 as an image printing device that prints a desired print image on a predetermined print area of a print target by a print head will be described below.

Generally, an image for printing a desired print image in which a character image of each character such as a character string having one or more characters (characters, numbers, symbols, simple figures, etc.) is arranged as an element image In the printing device, before printing
A predetermined margin (margin) is set above, below, or to the left and right of a print area of a predetermined size (for example, for one page).

For example, in a word processor or the like, predetermined upper, lower, left, and right margins are set on an object to be printed (for example, paper of a standard size (A4 size or the like)), and a portion excluding those margins is set as a predetermined print area, and each page is printed. Perform printing (of the print image). If a desired margin cannot be obtained due to a set (mounting) position of a paper (printing target) or a variation in a paper feeding mechanism, the margin is adjusted by resetting each margin by checking a print result. .

In a word processor or the like, usually, the running (moving) direction of the print head and the paper feeding direction are orthogonal to each other, so that the running direction of the print head (for example, the length direction of a character string in a horizontal writing line) is changed. The left margin and the right margin are adjusted according to the printing start position and the printing end position, and the upper margin and the lower margin are adjusted according to the printing start position and the printing end position in the sheet feeding direction. In other words, a desired margin can be obtained by adjusting the print start / end position and the like by controlling the print head and paper (print target), respectively.

However, in a printing apparatus such as a tape printing apparatus, for example, the printing direction of the printing head and the feeding direction of the printing object (eg, tape) coincide with each other.
What can be adjusted by the feed control is the print start / end position in the feed direction. The so-called front margin and rear margin (corresponding to the upper and lower margins of the word processor) can be adjusted, but the tape width direction (the left and right margins described above) can be adjusted. Cannot be adjusted).

On the other hand, in the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a print head in which a plurality of dot elements for printing are arranged in a predetermined vertical or horizontal direction, and a print target are separated.
The print image is printed while being relatively moved in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and the print position in the predetermined direction can be adjusted. Hereinafter, specifically, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As in the case of FIG. 4 described above, the tape T is viewed from the right to the left in FIG.
6), and between the two reference holes TH at a predetermined interval of the tape T for the main label LM in FIG.
5 (b) (hereinafter, this position is referred to as a “reference position”), if the printing position is shifted upward, as shown in FIG. , The image is printed as shown in FIG.

Similarly, FIG. 17E shows a case where the reference position is shifted to the front (left), and FIG. 10H shows a case where the position is shifted to the rear (right). The other figures (d), (f), (g) and (i) show a composite of vertical and vertical or front and rear (left and right) shifts. Of these, the shift in the front-back (left-right) direction corresponds to the shift in the print start / end position in the tape feed direction as described above, and can be adjusted by feed control (further described later with reference to FIGS. 26 and 47 and the like). Therefore, the adjustment in the vertical direction (tape width direction: hereinafter, this direction is referred to as a predetermined direction) will be mainly described below.

As shown in FIG. 36, in the tape printing apparatus 1, the arrangement direction of the print head 7 (the direction of a dot row, which is an array of dot elements for printing pixel dots: a predetermined direction), and the feed direction of the tape T are different. The directions are orthogonal. Further, the head width Hw of the print head 7 in the predetermined direction is a maximum of 2
The main label LM having a width sufficient to dispose 288 dot elements capable of printing 88 dots (36 mm width) and formed by half-cutting on a tape T having a tape width Tw = 46 mm is: Width direction (predetermined direction) 36 mm (2
88 dots), of which 32mm width (256 dots)
Is defined as the actual printing range in the predetermined direction (FIG. 39).
(B)).

For this reason, in the tape printing apparatus 1, 256 print heads (print heads in which a plurality of (288) dot elements are arranged in a predetermined direction (up and down or left and right predetermined directions: up and down in this case)) are used. Using a plurality of dot elements (part of the plurality of dot elements), a print image having, for example, 256 dots (the number of dots in a predetermined direction smaller than the maximum number 288 of dots in a predetermined direction in which printing can be performed) is formed by the print head 7 and Of the tape (print target) T, printing is performed on the tape (print target) T while the tape T is relatively moved with respect to the print head 7 (at least one is in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction with respect to the other). .

[0406] In the tape printer 1, the print image is printed on the tape (print target) T, for example, by the main label LM.
In order to print in the area (predetermined printing area) of the half-empty label for printing, the use range of the 255 (plural) dot elements is moved in a predetermined direction (up and down or left and right predetermined directions), so that a print image is printed. The printing position is adjusted in dot units.

FIG. 37 shows an image of the adjustment of the printing position in this case. As shown in the figure, if the maximum number of dots that can be printed by the print head 7 in a predetermined direction is 11
As a dot, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that printing is performed by the center 7 dots excluding the upper 2 dots and the lower 2 dots, if the printing position is adjusted by 1 dot to the upper side, as shown in FIG. Printing is performed with 7 dots excluding the 3 dots on the side. The same applies to the case where the print position is adjusted one dot downward, and as shown in FIG. 10C, printing is performed by seven dots excluding the upper three dots and the lower one dot.

Therefore, when the actual printing position is shifted upward as shown in FIG. 36 (a), for example, the use range of the dots, that is, the printing position is adjusted downward, and as shown in FIG. 36 (c), for example. In addition, when the actual print position is shifted downward, by adjusting the print position upward,
As shown in FIG. 2B, printing at the reference position is enabled.

Next, a change in data transmitted to each dot element of the print head 7 when the print position is adjusted, that is,
A control image of transmission data when the print position adjustment is set by a method described later will be described.

As shown in FIG. 38, suppose that the maximum number of dots that can be printed by the print head 7 in a predetermined direction is 40,
As shown in FIG. 9A, printing is performed at the reference position using the central 24 dots excluding the upper 8 dots and the lower 8 dots. As an example, for example, for all 40 dots (hexadecimal) In) [0055FFAA00] HEX
(Hereinafter, a case where a hexadecimal number is represented by [〜] HEX (hex)) will be considered.

[0411] In this case, for example, [00ABFF5400] HEX (see FIG. 13 (b)) when adjusted up by one dot, [0ABFF5400] HEX when adjusted up by two dots
157FEA800] HEX (see FIG. 3 (c)). When adjusted to the upper side of 3 dots, [02AFFD500
0] HEX (see (d) in the figure). Conversely, when adjusted to the lower side by one dot, [002AFF5500] HEX
It is sufficient to transmit transmission data as shown in FIG. 7E to the print head 7.

Next, the setting of the print position adjustment value in the tape printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 39, the tape printing apparatus 1 uses a print head 7 capable of printing 288 dots in a predetermined direction.

Of the 288 dots, the dot (element) used including the adjustment of the printing position is 276 dots at the center excluding 12 dots of 6 dots each at the top and bottom (see FIG. 13B). By adjusting the printing position, of the 276 dots, 256 dots (3
2 mm equivalent: -10 dots) to 10 dots each for upper and lower 10 dots
Adjustable in 21 steps, one dot at a time, from 256 dots excluding 0 dots (corresponding to 32 mm: ± 0 dot reference position) to 256 dots excluding the lower 20 dots (corresponding to 32 mm: +10 dots) It is possible.

FIG. 40 shows the print data at the ± 0 reference position in FIG. (A) and the +10 (dot) adjustment position in FIG. (B) in the vertical adjustment of the print position (main vertical) when the main label is selected. An image of a position (marked by マ ー ク in the drawing) is shown. Similarly, FIG. 41 shows an example of print position front / rear adjustment (main front / rear) when a main label is selected, and dot position adjustment in 31 steps from -15 to +15 can be performed.

[0415] The same applies to the side label.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an example of print position up / down adjustment (side up / down) when a side label is selected. Position adjustment in dot units of 21 steps from -10 to +10 can be performed. Similarly, FIG. 43 shows an example of print position front-back adjustment (side front-back) at the time of selecting a side label, and position adjustment in 31-step dot units from -15 to +15 can be performed.

When setting these adjustment values, as shown in FIG. 44, the user operates the basic input mode (G7
By pressing the adjustment key 34DS from 1), a screen of “display density setting” in the function selection setting mode (see FIG. 19) can be displayed (G72). In this state (G7
In 2), when the cursor “が” key 33U or the cursor “←” key 33L is pressed by the user, a warning flashes (S71) and returns to the original state after a predetermined time (G7).
2). When the enter key 38 is pressed, the display shifts to the lower hierarchy of the display density adjusting function (S72). However, since it is not directly related here, the description is omitted. When the delete key 35 is pressed in this lower hierarchy, the state returns to the original state (G72).

[0417] On the other hand, when the cursor "↓" key 33D or the cursor "→" key 33R is pressed in the screen display state of "display density setting" (G72), "print position setting" is displayed (G73). If the cursor "↑" key 33U or the cursor "←" key 33L is pressed in this state (G73), the screen returns to the original "display density setting" screen display state (G72). Further, when the cursor "↓" key 33D or the cursor "→" key 33R is pressed in the screen display state of "print position setting" (G73), a warning flashes (S71), and after a predetermined time, the original state is returned. (G73).

In this state (G73), the enter key 3
When 8 is pressed, the process moves to the first layer of the print position adjustment function (S73). When the delete key 35 is pressed in the first hierarchy, the state returns to the original state (G73).

As shown in FIG. 45, in the screen display of “print position setting” (G73), the user presses the enter key 3
When 8 is pressed, the screen shifts to the first level of the print position adjustment function, and first, a candidate selected and confirmed in the most recent print position setting (here, temporarily referred to as “main vertical”) is displayed (G75). ).

Thereafter, each time the cursor “↓” key 33D or the cursor “→” key 33R is pressed, the display is switched between “main up / down” → “main front / back” → “side up / down” → “side front / back” (G75 When the cursor "↓" key 33D or the cursor "→" key 33R is further pressed in a state where "before and after the side" is displayed (G78), a warning flashes (S80), and after a predetermined time, the original blinks. Return to the state (G78).

[0421] Also, the state where "Side front and rear" is displayed (G
From 78), every time the cursor “↑” key 33U or the cursor “←” key 33L is pressed, “side front / back” →
The display is switched between “side up and down” → “main front and back” → “main up and down” (G78 to G75). With “main up and down” displayed (G75), the cursor “↑” key 3
When the 3U or the cursor “←” key 33L is pressed, a warning flashes (S79), and the state returns to the original state after a predetermined time (G75).

[0422] Also, "main up / down", "main front / back",
When the enter key 38 is pressed in a state in which either “side up / down” or “side front / back” is displayed (G75 to G78), a transition is made to each second level (S75 to S7).
8). When the delete key 35 is pressed in the second hierarchy, the state returns to the original state (G75 to G78). In the following, on behalf of these, in a state where “side up / down” is displayed (G77),
When the enter key 38 is pressed, the display shifts to the second level (S7).
7) An example will be described.

As shown in FIG. 46, when the "Enter" key 38 is pressed in the state where "Side up / down" is displayed (G77),
First, the current settings are displayed. Here, as an example, “side: ± 00” which is the initial state is displayed (G
83).

From this state (G83), every time the cursor “カ ー ソ ル” key 33U is pressed, “side: $ 0
1 "," Side: $ 02 "," Side: $ 03 ", ...
, The display is switched in the order of “Side: $ 10” (G82
To G81), a state where “Side: $ 10” is displayed (G8
If the cursor "@" key 33U is further pressed in 1), a warning flashes (S81), and the state returns to the original state after a predetermined time (G81).

[0425] From the state where "Side: $ 10" is displayed, every time the cursor "↓" key 33D is pressed,
"Side: $ 09", "Side: $ 08", ..., "Side: $ 02", "Side: $ 01", "Side: ± 0"
0 ”,“ Side: ↓ 01 ”,“ Side: ↓ 02 ”, ...
…, Switch the display in the order of “Side: ↓ 10” (G81
-G83-G85), when the cursor "↓" key 33D is further pressed while "Side: ↓ 10" is displayed,
The warning flashes (S81), and returns to the original state after a predetermined time (G81).

[0426] Also, "Side: $ 10" to "Side: ±
When any one of “00” to “side: ↓ 10” is displayed (G81 to G83 to G85), when the enter key 38 is pressed, the print position is set to a value according to the display state, and the basic input mode is set. (G86: same as G71 in FIG. 44).

For example, if the enter key 38 is pressed in a state where “side: $ 10” is selected and displayed, the printing position by the printing position up / down adjustment (side up / down) when the side label is selected is set to “+10” (upward by 10). Dot shift) and adjust the “Side: ± 00” to the initial state, “Side: ↓ 1”
If it is "0", the printing position is adjusted to "-10" (shifted downward by 10 dots).

That is, the user selects and displays these by operating the cursor “↑” key 33U or the cursor “↓” key 33D, and presses the enter key 38, thereby vertically and vertically changing the dot in 21 steps of -10 to +10. Unit position can be adjusted.

In FIG. 45, if another option is selected in the state of the first hierarchy, other print positions can be adjusted in the same manner. For example, if the enter key 38 is pressed in “before and after side” (G78), the display transits to the second layer of “before and after side” (S78). ← 15 ”(+15: shift 15 dots to the front (left) side) to“ side: ± 00 ”to“ side: → 15 ”(−15: shift 15 dots to the rear (right) side) with the cursor“ By selecting and displaying by operating the “←” key 33L or the cursor “→” key 33R, and pressing the enter key 38, the front and rear (left and right) are −15 to +1.
5, 31 dot positions can be adjusted.

Similarly, the user selects “Main Up / Down” (FIG. 4).
5 G75) to change the print position when the main label is selected from “Main: ↑ 10” (+10) to “Main: ↓ 1”.
The position can be adjusted in 21 steps above and below “0” (−10) in units of dots. By selecting “main front and back” (G76), “main: ← 15” (+15) to “main: → 15” (− 1
5) Position adjustment in 31 dot units can be performed.

If the result of the adjustment as described above is a vertical position adjustment, in the vertical print position adjustment (S4821) described above with reference to FIG. 26, the print head 7 is moved to the print head 7 (as in FIG. 38). If the position adjustment is performed in the front-rear direction, the subsequent detection of the presence / absence of the side label and the position adjustment in the front-rear direction (S4822) are performed as shown in FIG.
7 is used for adjusting the pre-print tape feed (S482223) described later.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, a part (256 dots out of 288) of the dot elements (256 dots) arranged in the predetermined (here, up and down) direction of the print head 7 is used. Is used, the number of dots in a predetermined direction (25 dots) smaller than the maximum number of printable dots (276 dots)
A print image having (6 dots) is printed on the print target (tape T) while the print head and the print target are relatively moved in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction (the tape T with respect to the print head 7).

Also, in this case, by moving the use range (256 dots) of the plurality of dot elements in a predetermined direction, the print position of the print image is adjusted in dot units.
The print image can be printed on a predetermined print area on the print target. The printing position in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction (here, the front-back (left-right) direction), that is, the printing position in the relative movement direction can be adjusted by a method such as adjusting the printing start / end position by controlling the relative movement. .

In the above example, the predetermined print area is
Since the half-cut label area (main label or side label) formed by half-cut on the printing target (tape T), a print image is printed on the half-cut label which is a predetermined print area, and the half-cut label is printed. A label on which a desired print image is printed can be created simply by peeling it off. However, since the positions of the half-cut labels formed by these half-cuts also have variations (due to manufacturing errors and the like), a predetermined printing area is determined by the variations. When the area of the half-absent label is shifted, the printing position can be adjusted in accordance with the area. Also, since there are a plurality of types of half-open labels and the printing position is adjusted for each type, the printing position can be adjusted according to the type of the half-open label.

In this case, since the printing position is designated by a value in dot units of plus or minus from a predetermined reference position, adjustment can be made easily. In the above example, the initial setting position is set as the reference position. However, it is not a predetermined fixed position, but the printing position of the current setting is set as the reference position, and the printing position is specified by a value in plus and minus dots from that position. You may do it.

In the example described above with reference to FIG. 26, the adjustment is performed before the detection of the presence or absence of the side label and the adjustment of the print position in the front-rear direction (S4822).
2) Immediately before (for example, adjust the adjustment amount to the head driver 272)
Adjustment).

Further, in the above example, the position adjustment result of the printing position is used for adjusting the transmission data to the print head 7, but the use range of a plurality of (256 dots) dot elements of the print head 7 is adjusted. Similarly, the position of the effective image range in the print image can be adjusted. That is, as the print image, the maximum printable dot number of 27
A print image having a width of 6 dots can be created, the position of an effective (meaningful) image having a width of 256 dots can be adjusted, and the other portions can be left blank. Also,
In this case, when the memory capacity is inappropriate, the printing may be performed while sequentially creating only the print range to be printed immediately afterward, thereby saving the memory capacity to be used.

Next, a method of detecting the type of an access target applied to the tape printer 1 as an electronic device will be described. First, a principle explanation will be given.

Conventionally, this type of access target object type detection method and its device have been applied to a seal making device, for example, an electronic device. In this case, a plurality of recesses and the like corresponding to a predetermined discrimination pattern for detecting the type are formed in a seal body (access target) for which a seal (stamp) is to be created. When mounted in a pocket, the contact type detection mechanism such as a limit switch provided at the bottom of the pocket detects a discrimination pattern due to a plurality of recesses or the like of the stamp body, and the stamp body mounted according to the discrimination pattern. Is determined.

[0440] In a tape printer, which is an electronic device, for example, a tape to be printed (access target) is accommodated in a tape cartridge corresponding to the type and mounted in a pocket of the tape printer. The cartridge has a plurality of recesses and the like corresponding to a predetermined discrimination pattern similar to that of the above-described seal body for detecting the type of the contained tape, and the tape cartridge is mounted in a pocket of the tape printer. Sometimes, the type of the tape cartridge, that is, the type of the tape contained in the tape cartridge can be detected by the same method as described above.

However, in such a conventional method for detecting the type of an access target object and its device, for example, in a seal making device, when various types of seal main bodies (access target objects) having different shapes are mounted, the type of the seal main body is determined. Depending on the contact for detection by a mechanical detection mechanism such as a limit switch, the type of the stamp body may be too light to cause the seal body to float out of the pocket, or to be too small to come off the detection mechanism. In some cases, it could not be detected normally.

Also, for example, when a small and lightweight seal body is mounted as a seal creation object, the seal surface to be created is also small, so that the stamp is created as compared to the case of creating a seal on another large seal body. Accuracy is required for the creation process.
That is, when a seal body (access target) requiring the highest precision is mounted, its type cannot be detected, or even if it can be detected, it is shifted from a predetermined mounting position due to contact for the detection. Is increased.

[0443] This kind of trouble also occurs in a tape printer, for example. That is, for example, if a tape with a small tape width that requires the highest precision for printing is housed in a tape cartridge that fits the width and mounted in a pocket, the tape cartridge becomes small, so For example, the type may not be detected properly or the mounting error may exceed a permissible tolerance, for example, if the type is too small to float out of the pocket or may be too small to come off the detection mechanism. On the other hand, if a tape having a small tape width is accommodated in a large tape cartridge, various errors such as an accommodation error and an error in sending the tape are increased.

Therefore, when the tape printer 1 is viewed as an electronic device which is mounted with one of a plurality of types of access targets and accesses differently for each type, the tape printer 1 has a plurality of types of access targets. A predetermined one of the objects is determined, the type of the mounted access target is detected, and for the predetermined one, an access target type detection method capable of minimizing a mounting error is adopted. are doing.

First, a maximum of k (k is a natural number) recesses or the like for discriminating the type is provided in the object to be accessed such as the impression main body or the object cartridge such as a tape cartridge accommodating the tape as the object to be accessed. If provided, a k-bit discrimination pattern can be formed depending on the presence or absence of each concave portion. By detecting this with a mechanical detection mechanism such as a limit switch, m types (m = 2 ^k ) can be generally discriminated. However, usually, one of these determination patterns is assigned to non-mounting, and therefore, a determination pattern of k bits is used for a total of m types of determination of m-1 types of mounting and non-mounting.

In this case, for example, if k = 3 concave portions and the like for detection or the like are provided, m = 8 of k (= 3) bits
(= 2 ³ ) distinction patterns [0, 0, 0], [0,
0, 1], [0, 1, 0], [0, 1, 1], [1,
0, 0], [1, 0, 1], [1, 1, 0], [1,
[1, 1] is not attached, and the other m-1 = 7 are assigned to seven types of access target.

The same applies to other numbers of bits. For example, if there are 3 (= m) types of access targets, 2 (= k) bits of [0, 0], [0, 1], [1,. 0], [1,
For example, [0, 0] of [1] is a discrimination pattern that is not mounted, and each of [0, 1], [1, 0], and [1, 1] is discrimination of 3 (= m) kinds of access target objects. Assign as a pattern.

By proceeding with this idea, for example, in the case of the above three bits, the non-attachment is considered as a special type and [0, 0,
0], [0, 0, 1]-
[1,1,1] can be assigned. With this concept, considering the case where there are only 4 (= m) types of access targets, seven patterns [0, 0, 1] to [1, 1] other than the unmounted [0, 0, 0] are provided. , 1] are assigned to the four types.

In these cases, in order to detect the presence / absence of an access target object from the detected discrimination pattern, that is, only whether the object is mounted or not, it is only necessary to detect, for example, whether all 0s are present. This is, for example, 3 of the discrimination pattern
If the logical sum of the bit is 1 or 0 or the like, it can be easily obtained by using a logical circuit or a program for a logical OR operation corresponding thereto.

When the number of access objects is four or less,
To easily detect the presence or absence of an access target, 3
Any one of the bits may be assigned so as to indicate the presence or absence of the access target. For example, when the first (predetermined) 1 bit is 1, the attachment is performed, and [1,
0, 0], [1, 0, 1], [1, 1, 0], [1,
If the four patterns [1, 1] are assigned as the four types of discrimination patterns for the access target, the presence / absence of the access target can be detected simply by detecting whether the first (predetermined) 1 bit is 1 or 0.

In this case, however, since the presence or absence of the access target is determined by the first (predetermined) 1 bit, [0,
[0,0] as well as [0,0,1], [0,1,
[0] and [0, 1, 1] are also determined to be not mounted. Hereinafter, such a pattern is represented as [0,-,-] by expressing don't care bits with [-].

That is, in the above case, in addition to the discrimination pattern [0,-,-] not attached, the discrimination patterns of the four types of access target objects are [1, 0, 0], [1, 0, 1],
Four types of [1, 1, 0] and [1, 1, 1] are assigned.

For example, if the access target is 2 (= m)
If it is a seed, among the discrimination patterns of 2 (= k) bits,
[0,-] is a non-attached discrimination pattern, [1, 0],
Each of [1, 1] is assigned as a discrimination pattern of two types of access targets, and predetermined bits are assigned so as to indicate the presence / absence of the access target.

In fact, when considering how to assign discrimination patterns to m (= 2 ^k ) types of access objects, when it is desired to detect non-attachment in addition to them, as described above, 4 (= 2 ^k ) ² ) [0,-,-] for non-attached and [1, 0, 0], [1, 0,
[1], [1,1,0] and [1,1,1]
(= 2 ¹ ) Seed + Not mounted, Not mounted [0,-]
And [1, 0] and [1, 1] are two types of thinking, which is a natural way of thinking. In other words, the assignment method is based on a natural idea of "determining whether or not the access target is mounted (not mounted), and determining the type of the access target when mounted".

[0455] In these cases, when expressed and determined that type determination of whether it is mounted (not mounted or) divided by [], in case of the 4 (= 2 ²⁾ species + unmounted is not yet Mounting is [0] [-,-], 4 types are [1] [0, 0], [1]
[0, 1], [1], [1, 0], and [1] correspond to [1, 1]. In other words, it is determined whether the camera is mounted or not with one predetermined bit. At the time of mounting, the other two bits are valid. The same applies to the case of the above 2 (= 2 ¹ ) types + not mounted, [0] [−] for the non-mounted type, [1] [0] for the two types,
[1] Since it corresponds to [1], it is determined whether or not to attach or not with a predetermined 1 bit, and at the time of attachment, the determination of the other 1 bit is effective.

On the other hand, in the access object type detection method employed in the tape printer 1, for example,
(= 2 ² ) Seed + Not mounted, [0, 0,
0] to four types [1, 0, 0], [−, 0, 1],
[-, 1, 0] and [-, 1, 1] are assigned. Similarly to the above, if the determination as to whether or not the camera is mounted (whether the camera is not mounted) and the type determination are separately expressed by [], the non-wearing is [0].
[0,0], four types are [1] [0,0], [-] [0,
1], [-] [1, 0] and [-] [1, 1].

That is, first, it is not determined whether or not the camera is mounted (whether the camera is not mounted), but three of the four types [-] [0,1] are mounted. , [-]
It is determined whether [1, 0], [-] [1, 1] (whether or not the three types are mounted), and only the undetermined one is mounted or not (whether or not mounted). ) Is valid. Then, one type that is not determined in the four types is determined as a predetermined type.

The same applies to, for example, the above-mentioned 2 (= 2 ¹ ) types + non-attached. [0] [0] when not attached, [1] [0], [−] [ 1] is assigned (corresponding), so it is determined whether or not one of the two types is [-] [1] (whether or not the one type is mounted), and it is not determined 1
Only for the seed, a predetermined one bit for judging whether or not it is mounted (whether it is not mounted) becomes valid. And this 2
In the type classification, one type that is not determined is determined as a predetermined type.

Also, for example, two bits for discriminating the four types and one bit for discriminating the two types are detected by a mechanical and contact-type detection mechanism such as a conventional limit switch. The non-contact type detection mechanism detects a predetermined bit for determining whether or not the camera is mounted (whether the camera is not mounted).

To summarize the above, the access object type detection method employed in the tape printer 1 uses m (2 ^k
≧ m> 2 ^k−1 , where k is a natural number) A contact-type detection mechanism detects that any one of m−1 types of access target objects other than a predetermined one of the types has been attached to the pocket and that type. On the other hand, the presence / absence of the mounted access object is detected by the non-contact type detection mechanism, and when the attachment of the m-1 types of access objects is not detected, the access object exists by the non-contact type detection mechanism. Is detected,
It is determined that a predetermined type of access target is mounted.

That is, when the tape printing apparatus 1 is viewed as an electronic device to which any one of m (plural) types of access objects is attached and different accesses are made for each type,
In the access object type detection method employed in the tape printer 1, a predetermined one of m types of access objects is used.
The type is determined, the type of the attached access target is detected, and for a predetermined type, non-contact detection is performed.
An error relating to the mounting can be minimized.

Further, by providing a contact type detection mechanism for detecting the mounting and the type of the m-1 types of access objects, the mounting and the type of the m types of access objects can be detected. There is also an advantage that the mechanism can be downsized.

That is, in order to detect the attachment of m (= 2 ^k ) types of access objects and their types, it
M + which is obtained by adding the street and m streets for m kinds of classification.
In order to perform 1 (= 2 ^k +1) kinds of discrimination, a contact-type detection mechanism capable of detecting a k + 1-bit discrimination pattern is required. As a detection mechanism, a contact type capable of detecting a k-bit discrimination pattern in order to perform m (= 2 ^k ) discriminations by adding one unmounted type and m−1 types for m−1 types of type discrimination. A detection mechanism is sufficient, and the contact-type detection mechanism can be downsized. The non-contact detection mechanism can also be realized with a simple configuration, since it is only necessary to detect the presence or absence of the attached access target at a minimum.

[0464] This point will be further considered. In order to adopt this kind of access target type detection method, that is, in an electronic device adopting this method, each access target corresponds to a predetermined k-bit discrimination pattern detected by the contact detection mechanism. A maximum of k concave portions or holes or a corresponding notch portion is formed, and a concave portion or a hole portion of a predetermined type of access target or a corresponding notch is detected when the access target is not mounted. It is formed so as to detect the same predetermined discrimination pattern as the discrimination pattern to be performed.

[0465] In this case, for example, the object to be accessed is suitable for forming a concave portion or a hole portion of a seal (stamp) body or the like, or a notch portion corresponding thereto, that is, when applied to an electronic device such as a seal making device. ing.

Also, in this case, the attachment and non-attachment of a predetermined type of access target correspond to the same discrimination pattern. For this reason, the discrimination pattern when not mounted, that is, the concave portion or the hole portion corresponding to the predetermined discrimination pattern when there is no contact for detection by the contact type detection mechanism due to the non-wearing or a notch portion corresponding thereto is a predetermined pattern. Therefore, an error related to mounting such as floating from a pocket due to contact for detection can be minimized.

In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined discrimination pattern is a discrimination pattern in which k bits are all 0s. That is, since the predetermined discrimination pattern is a discrimination pattern in which k bits are all 0, the detection processing efficiency can be improved by making the pattern most suitable for an unmounted image which has the largest number of chances to be detected and easy in numerical processing. There are advantages such as improvement in

In these cases, for example, the contact-type detection mechanism is configured to operate by contacting at most k recesses or holes of the object to be accessed or a portion where a notch corresponding to the recess is formed. Each bit of the discrimination pattern is set to “0”, and the abutting state is set to “1”. Make it correspond.

In this case, k bits are used to perform m types of discrimination by adding one type not mounted as a contact type detection mechanism and m-1 types for discriminating m-1 types by using k switches. Can be detected, and the attachment and the type of the m-1 types of access objects can be detected. Further, in this case, the concave portion or the hole portion of the predetermined one type of access target or the corresponding notch portion is formed in such a shape that all the k switches come off, that is, the k switches are in a non-contact state. By doing so, the same discrimination pattern as in the case where the camera is not mounted can be obtained.

On the other hand, as described above, in a tape printing apparatus, for example, an electronic device, a tape (access target) to be printed is generally accommodated in a tape cartridge corresponding to the type, and the tape printing is performed. Fit in the pocket of the device.

Therefore, in this type of electronic equipment, in order to adopt the above-described method for detecting the type of access target,
That is, in an electronic device adopting the same, each of the access objects is mounted in a pocket while being accommodated in an object cartridge corresponding to the access object, and is detected by the contact type detection mechanism in the object cartridge. A maximum of k recesses or holes or a corresponding notch corresponding to a predetermined k-bit discrimination pattern are formed, and a recess or hole of an object cartridge accommodating a predetermined type of access object or The corresponding notch is formed so as to detect the same predetermined discrimination pattern as the discrimination pattern detected when the access target is not mounted.

In this case, for example, the object to be accessed is suitable when it is difficult to form a concave portion or a hole or a corresponding notch like a tape, that is, when it is applied to an electronic device such as a tape printer. .

In the tape printer 1, as described above, actually, various tapes T, that is, various tapes T ranging from a tape width of about 4 mm for producing the side label LS to a tape width of about 52 mm for producing the case label LMC. And various tape cartridges 5 each containing a tape T or the like on which a half-cut label is not formed. For convenience of explanation, two types of tape cartridges 5 shown in FIG. (One for the main label LM and one for the side label LS) are prepared, and the extension of the above will be described as 2 (= 2 ¹ ).
It corresponds to the case of seed + not mounted.

That is, [0] [0] is assigned to the non-attached type, and [1] [0] and [-] [1] are assigned to the two types. Is determined (whether or not the one is installed), only for the one that is not determined,
Predetermined 1 to determine whether or not it is mounted (whether it is not mounted)
The bit becomes valid. Then, one type that is not determined in the two types is determined as a predetermined type.

[0475] Specifically, the tape T for the side label LS is defined as a predetermined type. This is because the tape T for the side label LS has a narrower tape width (see FIG. 4), so that an accommodation error in the tape cartridge 5 is likely to occur. This is because the printing area (the area of the half-blanked label) is narrow and the accuracy of the printing position is required.

In the tape printer 1, as described above with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, and as shown in FIG. 49, the pocket 6 is provided with a tape identification sensor 141 composed of a micro switch, a limit switch, and the like. Also, the tape outlet 2
In the vicinity of 2, a tape position sensor 143 based on light detection (here, reflected light) of a photo interrupter or the like is provided.

As shown in FIG. 48, when viewed from below (when viewed from below so that the tape outlet 56 is on the right side), the tape T for the main label LM shown in FIG. The tape cartridge 5 thus formed is formed in such a shape that a mechanical switch (such as the above-described microswitch or limit switch) of the tape identification sensor 141 abuts when the tape cartridge 5 is mounted in the pocket 6. On the other hand, in the tape cartridge 5 accommodating the tape T for the side label LS in FIG. 3B, a concave portion 71 for avoiding the mechanical switch is formed so as not to contact the mechanical switch. .

For this reason, when the tape cartridge 5 containing the tape T for the main label LM in FIG. 48A is mounted in the pocket 6, the tape identification sensor 141 detects the mounting. When the tape cartridge 5 accommodating the tape T for the side label LS shown in b) is mounted, the same state as when the tape cartridge 5 is not mounted is detected.

That is, a flag bit (hereinafter, “side label detection flag”) of the detection result of the tape position sensor 143 (non-contact detection mechanism) by light detection (non-contact type), a mechanical (contact type) limit switch, etc. And a flag bit (hereinafter, “main label detection flag”) of the detection result of the tape identification sensor 141 (contact type detection mechanism) by
If described as [side label detection flag] or [main label detection flag], as described above, one of the two types [0] [0] and the two types (side label LS
[1] [0], and one other (for main label LM)
Is assigned to [-] [1].

Therefore, one of the two types (for the main label LM), that is, the tape T for the main label LM is used.
When the tape cartridge 5 accommodating the tape cartridge 5 is mounted in the pocket 6, the mounting is detected. Therefore, the determination is made only by the detection result of the tape identification sensor 141 (contact type detection mechanism). When the same detection result is obtained, it is determined from the detection result of the tape position sensor 143 (non-contact detection mechanism) whether the tape cartridge 5 containing the tape T for the side label LS is mounted or not.

As described above with reference to FIG. 26, in the print data creation processing (S481), first, it is determined whether a disc label or a case label has been selected (S481).
1). Here, for example, when the power is turned on by the power key 31 in advance, or when the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 21 is detected by the lid opening / closing sensor 142 (that is, when there is a possibility that the tape cartridge 5 may be replaced). Is detected by the tape identification sensor 141 as to whether or not the tape cartridge 5 for the main label LM is mounted. When the tape cartridge 5 is mounted, the main label detection flag is turned on (= 1) (that is, the main label LM is already set). The conclusion is on.)

Therefore, next, when it is determined whether or not the tape cartridge 5 for the main label LM is mounted (S4812), the on / off (1/0) of the main label detection flag is simply checked. .

After that, the print image creation processing (S48)
When the print data creation process (S481) is completed and the print data creation process (S481) is completed, next, a label alignment process (S482) is performed. In the label alignment process (S482), first, the vertical print position is adjusted in accordance with the print position setting described above with reference to FIG. 46 and the like (S4821). (S4822)
Is started.

In the side label presence / absence detection and front / back direction print position adjustment (S4822), first, as shown in FIG.
A side label presence / absence detection process (S48221) is performed, and subsequently, a front-back direction print position adjustment process (S48222) is performed.

[0485] Side label presence / absence detection processing (S4822)
In (1), first, it is determined whether or not the main label cartridge is mounted, that is, whether or not the main label detection flag is on (S482221). When the main label detection flag is on (S482221:
In Yes, the side label presence / absence detection process (S48221) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the front / rear direction print position adjustment process (S48222).

On the other hand, when the main label detection flag is off (S482221: No), it is determined whether or not the side label LS (tape cartridge for use) has already been detected, that is, the side label detection flag is on. Is determined (S482212), and when it is on (S48)
2212: Yes), similarly, the side label presence / absence detection processing (S48221) is ended, and the process proceeds to the front / rear direction print position adjustment processing (S48222).

If the side label detection flag is off (S482212: No), it is next determined whether or not the tape T is mounted, that is, the tape position sensor 14
3 (light sensor: light is emitted at a place where the tape T of the tape discharge port 22 should exist by a photo interrupter or the like,
By receiving the reflected light from the tape T)
Is detected and determined (S482213).

When the presence of the tape T is detected (S482
213: Yes) includes a tape T for the side label LS.
Then, the side label detection flag is turned on (set) (S482216), and the side label presence / absence detection process (S48221) is terminated. The flow shifts to direction print position adjustment processing (S48222).

On the other hand, when the presence of the tape T is not detected (S482213: Yes), the tape T is detected by the tape position sensor 144 while the tape is being fed up to 13 m (S482214), and the tape T is detected in the middle. When the presence is detected (S482215: Yes), it is determined that the tape cartridge 5 containing the tape T for the side label LS is mounted, and after the side label detection flag is set (S482216), the presence or absence of the side label is determined. After the detection process (S48221) ends, the process proceeds to the front-back direction print position adjustment process (S48222).

[0490] Here, the tape feeding up to a maximum of 13 mm is performed when the tape T is inserted into the pocket 6 with the tip of the tape T protruding from the tape feeding port 56 of the tape cartridge 5 only slightly. From the outlet 56 to a position where the tape T can be detected by the tape position sensor 143, that is, the tape T is
This is because the distance (see FIG. 1, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49) from the tape to the tape discharge port 22 corresponds to 13 mm.

Therefore, even if the tape feeding of a maximum of 13 mm has been completed, the presence of the tape T cannot be detected yet (S
In 482215: No), it is determined that the tape cartridge 5 is not mounted, and the tape cartridge absence detection flag is turned on (set) (S482217). The flag is set (S482224), and the process ends (48223).

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to the front-back direction print position adjustment processing (S48222) with the main label detection flag or the side label detection flag set,
First, the tape position sensor 143 detects the reference hole TH at the above-described tape position in FIG.
Tape feeding is performed until H is detected (S48222).
1).

[0493] The reference hole H is detected (S482221).
Next, it is determined whether or not the hole length is the specified length (S48222).
2) If not the specified hole length (S482222: No)
, An error flag is set (S482224).
The processing ends (48223).

On the other hand, when the hole length is the specified length (S4822
22: No), if the aforementioned “main front and rear” (G76) and “side front and rear” (G78) are selected and set in FIG. 45 and the like, they are not set according to the set values. In some cases, the tape is fed before printing to the reference position (S482223), and the process ends (S4).
8223). This tape feed before printing (S482223)
26, the post-printing tape feed (S503) in the print-in-progress display process (S50) described above with reference to FIG.
Thus, the print position is adjusted back and forth.

As described above with reference to FIG. 26, when the label alignment processing (S482) ends, it is next determined whether or not the detection is normal (S483). Here, if any error has been set by the error flag set (S482224) in FIG. 47 (S483: No), that is, the tape cartridge 5 is not mounted,
When the position detection of the reference hole TH is not normal (S48
3: No) and the like, when the mounted tape cartridge 5 is different from the selected one (S4812: N).
As in o), label exchange and other error notification (display)
Is performed (S49), the process returns to the basic input mode (G51).

On the other hand, as described above with reference to FIG. 25 and the like, when the preparation display processing (S48) ends normally, next, the print processing display processing (S50) is performed, and then the print processing is ended to complete the basic input. Return to the mode (G51, etc.).

In the above example, the tape type sensor 1
41, two types of tapes T (m
= 2 = 2 ¹ , that is, 1 (= m−1) of k = 1)
In order to detect the mounting of the tape T (of the main label LM) (for the main label LM), the presence or absence of 1 (= k) concave portions (k = 1 bit discrimination pattern) was detected. When there are many types of tapes T (and corresponding tape cartridges 5),
By forming more maximum k concave portions, it is also possible to detect a k-bit discrimination pattern.

In this case, a predetermined type of tape T (for side label LS) which is discriminated from the non-mounted state (no tape: no tape cartridge) by the tape position sensor 143.
And the maximum of 2 ^k types of tapes T attached and their types can be detected. Further, instead of the concave portion, a shape in which the portion corresponds to the concave portion, that is, a hole portion, a notched portion, or the like may be formed.

In a tape printer or the like in which a single piece of tape not accommodated in a cartridge is mounted (inserted, etc.), it is necessary to provide a hole or the like having a discrimination pattern different for each type, for example, to detect this. However, in this case, the error relating to the mounting of the predetermined type can be minimized by using the predetermined type of tape that requires the highest printing accuracy.

As described above, in the access object type detection method employed in the tape printing apparatus 1, each of the access objects (tape T) includes an object cartridge (tape cartridge 5) corresponding to the access object. ) Is attached to the pocket 6 in a state of being accommodated in the cartridge, and a contact detection mechanism (tape type sensor 141) is attached to the object cartridge.
, A maximum of k concave portions or holes corresponding to the predetermined k-bit discrimination pattern detected or a notch corresponding thereto is formed.

[0501] In this case, the above-mentioned access object itself has k
As in the case of forming a concave portion or a hole portion corresponding to the bit discrimination pattern or a chipped portion corresponding to the concave portion or the hole and detecting the type, the concave portion or the hole or The corresponding notch is formed so as to detect the same predetermined discrimination pattern as the discrimination pattern detected when the access target is not mounted.

[0502] For this reason, the discrimination pattern when not mounted,
That is, a concave portion or a hole portion corresponding to the predetermined determination pattern when there is no contact for detection by the contact-type detection mechanism due to non-mounting or a notched portion corresponding thereto is formed in a predetermined type of access target object. Therefore, it is possible to minimize an error relating to mounting such as floating from a pocket due to contact for detection.

In the method of detecting the type of access target in the tape printer 1, the access target (tape T)
Is mounted in a state where it is accommodated in the corresponding object cartridge (tape cartridge 5), the access object (tape T) accommodated from the object cartridge (tape outlet 56 of the tape cartridge 5) is removed. The access target (the tape T) is detected (by the tape position sensor 143) to determine whether or not the access target (tape T) is present at the position where the access target should be present (near the tape outlet 22).

[0504] That is, since the sent access target is detected, the presence / absence of the access target can be detected without providing a special configuration or the like only for detection in the target cartridge. In general, an electronic device that accesses an access target housed and mounted in a cartridge has a mechanism for sending the access target (the tape printer 1 is no exception). it can.

In the above-described example, as described above, the predetermined discrimination pattern is a discrimination pattern in which k bits are all 0s. There is an advantage that the detection processing efficiency can be improved by forming a comfortable pattern as described above.

In the above-described example, as described above, the contact detection mechanism (tape type sensor 141) abuts on a portion where a maximum of k recesses or holes or a corresponding notch is formed. (K = 1 in the example described above), and determines the state in which the abutment of each switch is disengaged due to the presence of each recess or each hole or a corresponding notch. Each bit of the pattern is associated with “0”, and the hit state is associated with “1”.

In this case, k bits for discriminating m types by adding one type not mounted as a contact type detection mechanism and m−1 types for the m−1 type classification by k switches. Can be detected, and the attachment and the type of the m-1 types of access objects can be detected. Further, in this case, the concave portion or the hole portion of the predetermined one type of access target or the corresponding notch portion is formed in such a shape that all the k switches come off, that is, the k switches are in a non-contact state. By doing so, the same discrimination pattern as in the case where the camera is not mounted can be obtained.

In particular, the present embodiment is applied to the tape printer 1. Conventionally, for example, when a tape of the minimum width is mounted, if the tape cartridge containing the tape is made small (thin), it is too light to detect the presence or absence of the mounting and its type by a contact type detection mechanism. The mounting error is likely to be large because it floats out of the pocket or it is too small and comes off the detection mechanism.If the size is large, there is a housing error when storing the tape in the tape cartridge and the sending when the tape is sent out. The error tends to increase. Also, when a half-cut label is formed by half-cut on a tape and a print image is printed on the half-cut label, when the formed half-cut label is small, when printing on a large half-cut label, In comparison with the printing position, precision is required for the printing position.

Therefore, in the tape printing apparatus 1, a type of tape whose mounting errors such as mounting errors, accommodation errors, and printing errors are desired to be minimized is determined as a predetermined type, and another type of contact type tape is used. By separating the detection from the detection, a predetermined type can be detected in a non-contact manner. In a tape printer or the like in which a single piece of tape not accommodated in a cartridge is mounted (inserted), for example, holes can be provided in each tape with a different discrimination pattern for each type, and this can be detected. Also in this case, by using a predetermined type of tape that requires the highest printing accuracy, an error relating to the mounting of the predetermined type can be minimized.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, a tape position detecting mechanism (tape position sensor 143) for detecting the tape position in the feed control of the tape T in a non-contact manner is used for detecting the presence or absence of the tape T to be accessed. it can. It should be noted that not only the tape printing apparatus 1 but also this kind of tape position detecting mechanism is always provided in a general tape printing apparatus, and therefore can be realized without adding a new detecting mechanism.

[0511] In the tape printing apparatus 1, reference holes TH serving as references for tape position detection are formed at predetermined intervals in the tape T, and a non-contact type detection mechanism (tape position sensor 14) is provided.
3) is a detection mechanism for detecting the reference hole TH. Therefore, after detecting the presence or absence of the tape T, when there is a tape, the tape position can be detected by detecting the reference hole TH. In addition, since the non-contact type detection mechanism has an optical sensor to detect the presence or absence of an access target by light, non-contact detection can be performed without any problem.

In this embodiment, the tape printer 1 as an electronic device is for creating a label to be attached to a disk cartridge (MD cartridge 91) containing a disk (MD 92). The tape T to be accessed (for the side label LS) has a half-cut side label attached to the side surface of the disk cartridge.

Generally, since the side surface of the disk cartridge 5 is narrow, the side label LS must necessarily be small. In order to print a print image such as a desired character string on the area of the side label LS, various methods are required. It is necessary to minimize the error. In the access target object type detection method employed in the tape printing apparatus 1, the tape T in which the side label LS is formed by half-cutting of the tape T which is the access target is set to a predetermined type. , Errors related to mounting can be minimized, and as a result, printing errors on the side labels LS (printing errors combining various errors).
Can be minimized.

Next, the display (notification, guidance) relationship in the tape printer 1 will be described. First, a processing mode notification method applied to the tape printer 1 as a data processing device (particularly, a character processing device) will be described.

For example, a data processing device that processes characters (used in the same meaning as characters including numbers, symbols, simple figures, and the like) as data, that is, a character processing device as an example, conventionally has a large display screen. In a character processing device such as a word processor having one or more characters (data)
It can be confirmed on the display screen which processing mode among the processing modes that can be set for the character string (data group) having is set for the current character string.

That is, for example, enlargement / reduction (expansion, shortening, enlargement, reduction, etc.), character modification (underline, cancellation line, character box, shading, emphasis, italic, white (white), shadow character, inversion , Rotation, etc.), editing function settings (frame decoration, automatic line feed, automatic page break, automatic paragraph break, line number display, information number display, etc.), and font types (font) settings. Even if a plurality of processing forms are set for the character string of interest, the display screen is large in a word processor or the like, and the state after the processing can be directly confirmed on the display screen.

On the other hand, even if the data processing device is of the same type, the display screen of a relatively small character processing device such as a tape printer or a seal making device is set to individual characters or character strings because the display screen is small. It is difficult to directly confirm the processed form on the display screen. For this reason, in this type of data processing device (character processing device) having only a small display screen, for example, an indicator corresponding to each processing mode is provided,
When the user designates a character of interest with a cursor or the like, the indicator corresponding to the processing mode set for the character is turned on, so that the processing mode set for each character or character string can be confirmed. Like that.

However, even in a data processing device having only such a small display screen, there is a case where it is desired to confirm all the set processing forms simultaneously and collectively. In addition, on the other hand, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and each data group included in each processing group is collectively subjected to arbitrary processing in units of the classified processing groups. Some data processing devices can set the processing mode.

[0519] The tape printer 1 classifies the plurality of data groups to be processed into a plurality of processing groups.
This corresponds to a data processing apparatus that can set an arbitrary processing mode collectively for each data group included in each processing group in units of the classified processing groups. For this reason, the tape printer 1 can collectively check the processing mode set for each processing group.

First, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, the display 4 includes an indicator display section 4i capable of turning on 18 indicators on a display screen 41 composed of an LCD or the like.
And a character display section 4c composed of a dot matrix of (horizontal) 72 dots × (vertical) 16 dots.

[0521] The indicator display section 4i indicates various modes and states (processing modes) for printing character data of titles and song names by their lighting states. The eight upper rows shown in FIG. Indicator 4i00-
4i07 relates to a title name (corresponding to a disc name), and the lower eight indicators 4i10 to 4i17 relate to a song name. In other words, the upper row of indicators arranged in the horizontal direction indicates the processing form related to the title name,
The upper row of indicators arranged in the horizontal direction shows the processing form related to the song name.

On the other hand, for example, in the example described above with reference to FIG. 29, in a state where the title of the music is displayed in the basic input mode (G61),
It has been described that by performing the "return form setting", it is possible to set whether or not the song title has a return or no return. Then, in this case, in the basic input mode, in the state (G61) in which the presence of a return is set, the horizontal line of “tune” in FIG. 10, that is, the upper row of the lower indicators 4i10 to 4i17 is displayed. The indicator 4i11 at the intersection with the vertical column of "" lights up to indicate that "turning around" is set, and is turned off in the state where no turning back is set (G64).

[0523] Also, it has been described that by performing the same operation in a state where the title name is displayed in the basic input mode, whether or not the title name is to be folded can be set. That is, in the tape printer 1,
Line wrapping (processing mode) for a song and line wrapping (processing mode) for a title name can be set individually.

[0524] In addition to line wrapping, various processing forms arranged in the indicator display section 4i shown in FIG. 10, namely, frame, line wrapping, contraction, expansion, whiteout, italic, Mincho, Gothic, etc. Line and title line can be set individually. Of the function keys for transitioning from the basic input mode to the function selection setting mode shown in FIG. 19, the “line wrap” described above with reference to FIG. 29 is performed by operating the form key 34FS, but the “frame” is a frame. After operating the key 34CS,
By designating a frame number in the lower hierarchy, other character decorations can be set by operating the decoration key 34 and then selecting and designating each in the lower hierarchy.

The setting contents of these processing modes are as follows.
The processing form (internal state setting) register of the various register groups 241 of the RAM 240 is stored in the format shown in FIGS.

That is, as shown in both figures, the bit b3
The cartridge information 1 to b30 shows the state shown in FIG. 51A, and the return information of bits b29 to b28 shows the state shown in FIG. With bits b27 to
The print surface number information of b26 stores the state shown in FIG. The frame information of bits b23 to b16 represents a numerical value from 0 to 255. When the numerical value is 0, there is no frame, and 1 to 255.
Indicates a frame number.

Bits b12 to b08 and bit b04
To b00 indicate character decoration information (“font”, “stretch”, “shrink”, “white”, “italic”) of the title line and the song title line, respectively.
1 indicates a Gothic type, and the other indicates that each designation is made when it is 1.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, the plurality of data groups (character strings) to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups (title name relations and song name relations), and each of the processing groups includes The data group corresponds to a data processing apparatus that can set an arbitrary processing mode collectively in units of the classified processing groups.

In the processing mode notification method employed in the tape printer 1, a plurality of lines (for example, the indicator display shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) corresponding to each of a plurality of processing groups (title name relation and song name relation) are used. A plurality of indicators (indicator display) arranged in a matrix having a plurality of columns corresponding to each of the upper and lower rows of the unit 4i and a plurality of settable processing forms (frames, line folding, etc.) In the part 4i), a row (lower row) corresponding to an arbitrary one processing group (for example, song name relation) on the matrix and a column (second column from the left) corresponding to an arbitrary one processing form (for example, line folding) The indicator (indicator 4i11) located at the intersection with the above indicates whether or not any one processing mode is set in any one processing group (the turning back is set). Luke is notified as to whether or not).

As a result, the user can collectively check the processing modes set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators (indicator display sections 4i) arranged in a matrix.

[0531] In the above example, "white outline" (white outline), "italic", and the like are given as character decorations (character modification). However, underlining, cancellation lines, character surroundings, shading, emphasis, Shadow characters, inversion and rotation, and other general character modifications can be employed. Then, if these character modification forms are included in the processing form to be notified by the indicator, the user can collectively check the character modification forms set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix.

[0532] In the above-described example, the character is enlarged or reduced by "stretching" (expanding) or "shrinking" (shortening). However, normal enlargement or reduction can be included. If these enlargement / reduction forms are included in the processing form that is notified by the indicator, the user can collectively check the enlargement / reduction form set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix.

[0533] In the above example, "frame" (frame decoration), "line wrapping" (automatic line feed), and the like are described as character editing function settings. Information number display and other general editing functions can also be employed. If these editing function setting modes are included in the processing mode of notifying with the indicators, the user can collectively check the editing function setting modes set for each processing group by using a plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix. .

[0534] In the above-described example, Mincho font and Gothic font are cited as font types. However, by including these font type settings in the processing mode of notifying by the indicator, the user can arrange them in a matrix. With the plurality of indicators, the editing function setting mode set for each processing group can be checked collectively.

[0535] As a display (notification, guidance) relationship in the tape printer 1, a character information display method applied to the tape printer 1 will be described below.

Generally, devices such as an editing device for editing character information and a printing device for printing the character information include a character information display device having a display screen for inputting, editing, and confirming the character information. I have. In this case, the character information is
It is input and edited with text code data (character code) corresponding to the character information, created as a display image based on a predetermined font, and the display image is displayed on a display screen. Examples of this type of device include a personal computer on which word processing software or the like is installed and a dedicated device (so-called word processor).

By the way, a personal computer can be equipped with word processor software and dedicated software (so-called editor) for editing text code data including codes of programs and the like. , Etc., and has a function of displaying. In addition, in the editor or word processor, regardless of whether the display is one line (for example, by automatic line feed) or a plurality of lines, the user consciously adds (inputs) a delimiter (code) (for example, by arbitrary line feed). One number (character string number) is given to a series of character strings up to
Some have a function of updating the character string number.

In these cases, information numbers such as line numbers and character string numbers added to one line or a series of character strings (one character information) are usually displayed on a display screen for editing or the like.
In front of each character information, for example, “1”, “2”,... Are displayed, and the user can input / edit character information while referring to these information numbers.

However, even in the same type of device, in a relatively small device such as a tape printing device or a stamp making device, the display screen is also small, so that there is not enough space between the information number and the corresponding character information. It is not possible to provide an appropriate interval, and the display becomes difficult to see. This is particularly noticeable when the character information includes a number. For example, when the character information of the information number "1" is a character string "1A2B3C ...",
"11A2B3C ..." makes it difficult to distinguish between the information number and the character information.

However, even if a sufficient interval is forcibly provided, or if a break such as "." Is inserted and displayed, for example, "1." There is little area allocated to character information (display efficiency is poor)
It becomes a factor that causes trouble in editing and the like. This is particularly noticeable when the number of digits of the information number increases. For example, when the information number is two digits “10.”, the character information area is reduced by one character compared to the one digit “1.”.

To cope with this, two-byte “1”
0. "As two-byte single digit" 10. ", for example," 10.1
Even if "A2B3C ..." is changed to "10.1A2B3C ...", the visibility is not significantly improved. If half-width characters are possible on the character information side, for example, the character string “10A2B3C.
… ”Is displayed after the information number“ 10. ”
"10.10A2B3C ..."
It is not a solution to the problem that it is difficult to distinguish between the information number and the character information.

Therefore, in the tape printer 1, even on a small display screen, the displayed information number and the corresponding character information can be easily distinguished and the display efficiency of the character information can be improved. Is adopted. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, the character code data (text data) processed in the tape printer 1 is configured according to a format as shown in FIG.

[0544] That is, as shown in the figure, when one line or a series of a plurality of lines of character strings is defined as one character information, 1
One piece of character information basically has line head data defining an information number (here, a song number) and the like, followed by character code data of each character constituting a character string of one line or a series of plural lines. .

[0545] One character has a two-byte configuration, and the head of line data and end data (hereinafter "EOD") are each treated as one character in the same two-byte configuration. As an area of the character code data, an area for a maximum of 1800 characters is secured. “EOD” is data indicating the end of the entire text data, and “NULL” in the figure is a portion without data.

As shown in FIG. 53 (a), the first four bits of each character (one character) indicate a code for identifying data, and are [7] HEX in hexadecimal, that is, [0111] in binary. ] Indicates that the information is editing information, and the other indicates that it is character data.

As shown in FIG. 53 (b), the head of line data at the head of one piece of character information indicates that it is the head of edit information by the preceding one byte, and the information number is included in the subsequent one byte. Is shown. The song number (information number) is represented by 8 bits of bits b07 to b00 and represented by a numerical value of 0 to 255 as shown in the figure. When the numerical value is “0”, it indicates the title line, and “1” to “255” ", The numerical value indicates the music number (that is, information number). Note that “EOD” may simply be a fixed value (data) (see FIG. 53 (c)).

On the other hand, the display 4 for displaying such character information has an indicator display section 4i and a character display section 4c as described above with reference to FIG. 9, and the character display section 4c is formed as described above with reference to FIG. Has two basic display format management units, one of which is a half-width / full-width display shown in FIG.
Are managed separately in a sub-display section consisting of two dot matrices of 8 dots × 8 dots at the left end indicated by the symbol and a main display section consisting of eight dot matrices of 8 dots × 16 dots indicated by coordinates C0 to C7. You.

Then, for example, as described above with reference to FIG.
Of the character information described above, the song number (information number) is displayed on the sub-display unit, and the title name, song name, and other general character data are displayed on the main display unit (for example, G1).
1). In this case, the song number (information number) is displayed on the sub display unit in a dot matrix (hereinafter referred to as “digit display unit”) of two leftmost 8 dots × 8 dots, each digit of which is indicated by coordinates CE and CF, respectively. Each is displayed. That is, the song number (information number) is displayed in the vertical direction on the sub-display unit, in other words, in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement (horizontal) of the song titles and the like displayed on the main display unit.

As described above, in the character information display method adopted in the tape printer 1, the character information display section (main display section) capable of displaying at least a part of arbitrary character information (for example, a song name) and the optional Screen 4 having an information number display section (sub-display section) capable of displaying information numbers (song numbers)
1, at least a part of arbitrary character information (song name) and an information number (song number) corresponding thereto are simultaneously displayed.

[0551] In this case, the information number display section (sub-display section) sets the direction in which the characters of the character string of the character information (song name) displayed on the character information display section (main display section) are arranged in the first direction. (Horizontal direction in the drawing), a plurality of digit display portions arranged in a second direction (vertical direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the first direction, and the information number (song number) is digitized. Each digit of the information number (song number) is displayed on each digit display unit while being expressed by the number of digits corresponding to the number of display units.

[0555] That is, the arrangement direction (first direction) of each character of the character information (such as a song name) displayed on the character information display section (main display section) and the information displayed on the information number display section (sub-display section) Since the arrangement direction (second direction) of each digit of the number is orthogonal to each other, even if the display screen is small, the information number and the corresponding character information are displayed adjacently. The displayed information number (song number) and the corresponding character information (song name) can be easily identified. In this case, the information numbers may be arranged horizontally or vertically in the second direction (the direction orthogonal to the arrangement of the character strings of the character information).

As is apparent from FIG. 11 and the like, the size of the information number display section (sub-display section) in the second direction (vertical direction in the drawing) is the same as the size of the character information display section (main display section). 2
It matches the size in the direction, and the information number display part (sub display part)
In the first direction (horizontal in the drawing) is the same as or half (half in the above example) the size in the first direction for displaying one full-width character on the character information display section (main display section).
Is the size of That is, the area of the information number display section is
The area required for vertically displaying one full-width character by the number of lines in the character information display section is equal to or half of the area required. If the character information display section is a one-line display, one full-width character or one full-width character is displayed. It will be half a character.

In this case, since the number displayed on the information number display portion is small, it is easy to determine even if the number is reduced and displayed in a plurality in the second direction, and, for example, the area (area If a plurality of digits are displayed side by side in the parentheses, the display area can be reduced and the display efficiency can be improved. Further, since the area of the information number display section is small, if the display screen has the same area, the character information display section can be enlarged accordingly.

Also, since the size of the information number display section in the second direction matches the size of the character information display section in the second direction, it is easy to arrange them adjacent to each other. That is, the area of the entire display screen can be reduced, and the present invention can be applied to a character processing apparatus having only a small display screen. Therefore, the tape printer 1
In the character information display method adopted in, even if the character processing device has only a small display screen, the information number (song number) and the corresponding character information (song name) can be easily determined, and The display efficiency can be improved

In this case, by arranging the information number display section (sub-display section) and the character information display section (main display section) adjacent to each other, the information number (song number) and the character information (song name) are arranged. It is also easy to see in correspondence with the above, and the area of the entire display screen having them can be reduced by adjacency, so that the present invention can be easily applied to a character processing apparatus having only a small display screen.

In the above-described example, specifically, in the second direction (vertical in the figure) of the digit display section (coordinates CE and CF in FIG. 11).
Is half the size in the second direction (vertical in the figure) for displaying one full-width character on the character information display section (main display section). ) Is one-line display (one-line display in the above-described examples of FIGS. 11 and 12), two-digit display can be performed if two-line display is used. That is, the character information display 1
Per line, two digits can be displayed in the second direction and information numbers having twice the density can be displayed. Not only the display efficiency is high, but also character information is arranged in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Can be easily determined.

The character information displayed on the character information display section (main display section) includes character information (title name) that does not correspond to the information number. When the character information is displayed as arbitrary character information, A predetermined symbol or graphic (the above-described D mark in FIG. 20, etc.) indicating that fact is displayed on the information number display section (sub-display section) instead of the information number (FIG. 20).
(See (c)), the user can easily grasp the fact (the title name or the disc name) by looking at the symbol or figure. In this case, for example, it is preferable to use a symbol shaped like "D" in order to associate a disk name.

Next, as a display (notification, guidance) relationship in the tape printer 1, an operation guidance method applied to the tape printer 1 as a character processing device will be described.

As described above, in general, a character processing device (for example, a word processor or the like) such as an editing device for editing character information or a printing device for printing the character information inputs, edits,
A character information display device having a display screen for confirming them is provided.

In a word processor or the like, when setting various functions and modes (for editing and printing, etc.), the user presses a function key such as an escape key to open a selection screen for selecting the function or mode. Display it on the display screen. On the selection screen, a plurality of selectable options are displayed,
A function or the like to be selected is designated by a cursor or the like, and a return (line feed / selection / confirmation) key is pressed, or a mouse or the like is clicked to designate a function. In addition, various operation icons are prepared near the periphery of the display screen and clicked (for example, a plurality of selections are displayed by right-clicking, and selection is confirmed by left-clicking), and the like, so that functions can be more directly performed. In some cases, the user can perform a selection operation, a character information editing operation, and the like.

[0562] Even if the operating method is forgotten during each editing operation, an editing operation explanation (guidance) screen for explaining the editing function and the operation is provided by the help function (such as pressing the help key to activate the help function). Is displayed so that the operation contents can be understood and confirmed. In addition, there is a similar operation guide screen that can display a search input screen that allows a user to input what kind of operation the user wants to know with a search keyword or the like.

As described above, in a character processing apparatus such as a word processor having a large display screen, a selection screen (selection operation guidance screen) for displaying a plurality of options on the large display screen and guiding various selection operations. Operation guide screens such as an edit operation explanation screen (edit operation guide screen: operation icons and the like are also considered to be the same kind of screen that shows the contents of the operation with a design etc.) for explaining (guidance) the contents of the edit function and its edit operation Can be displayed, and the user can clearly grasp the operation content on the display screen. That is, various operations such as selection and editing can be performed with reference to the display of the operation guide screen.

[0564] However, even with the same type of character processing device, the display screen of a relatively small character processing device such as a tape printing device or a seal making device is small, so that the above-described selection and editing operations are performed. It is difficult to display an operation guide screen for guiding various operation contents such as.

On the other hand, this type of character processing apparatus has a small display screen, but information for displaying information numbers such as line numbers and character string numbers of character information in the display screen. Some have a number display section. But,
The information number display section is not used except for displaying character information corresponding to the information number.

Therefore, the tape printer 1 is a character processing device having a character information display section for displaying character information on a display screen and an information number display section for displaying an information number corresponding to the character information. In spite of this, even when the display screen is small, an operation guidance method capable of guiding various operation contents such as a selection operation and an editing operation is adopted. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, as described above with reference to FIG. 9 and the like, the display 4 includes the indicator display section 4i and the character display section 4i.
c, and the character display unit 4c includes a sub-display unit including a dot matrix of two leftmost 8 dots × 8 dots indicated by coordinates CE and CF in the half-width / full-width display shown in FIG. And a main display section composed of eight 8 dot × 16 dot matrixes indicated by coordinates C0 to C7, and as described above with reference to FIG. 21 and the like, the song number (information number) and the like are displayed on the sub display section. And the title name, song name, and other general character data are displayed on the main display unit (for example, G11).

[0568] That is, first, the tape printer 1 displays a character information display section (main display section) for displaying character information (song name) on a display screen (display screen 41 of the display 4).
And a character number display unit (sub-display unit) for displaying an information number (song number) corresponding to the character information.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, for example, in the reading process described above with reference to FIGS. 22 to 23, a screen display (G) for selecting “kanji code” or “alphanumeric code”
27 to G28), screen display of selection options for selecting the type of label to be printed and created in the printing process described above in FIG. 24 (G42 to G44), and in the function selection setting mode described above in FIG. Screen display of selection options to be adjusted (G72 to G73), lower-level (first level) screen display of selection options to be adjusted in print position (G75 to G78) described above with reference to FIG. (2nd layer)
Screen display of the selection of the adjustment value of the printing position (G81 to G8
In a state where the user is prompted (guided) for a cursor operation for selection, such as 5), operation guide characters for guiding the operation, that is, up and down indicating the operation direction by the cursor “↑” key 33U or the cursor “↓” key 33D An arrow symbol in both directions is displayed on the sub display unit.

[0570] That is, in the operation guidance method employed in the tape printing apparatus 1, when guiding the next operation (for example, a selection operation), the operation target character information to be operated is displayed by a plurality of selection options in the selection operation. Character information corresponding to any one of the following as an operation target character information) on a character information display unit (main display unit) and an operation guide character (predetermined character) indicating at least one of the next operation candidates. A cursor operation guide character indicating a cursor operation in the direction: an arrow symbol) is displayed on the information number display section (sub-display section).

[0571] For this reason, the user can clearly grasp the operation content on the display screen, and perform the following various operations such as selection and editing with reference to the operation guide characters displayed on the information number display portion. Can be. Therefore, in the tape printer 1, various operation contents such as a selection operation can be guided to the user by adopting the operation guide method.

[0572] In each of the above examples, the operation guide for the selection operation has been introduced. However, the tape printing apparatus 1 also employs the above-described operation guide method for editing operations such as character conversion.

As shown in FIG. 54, in the basic input mode, the cursor K is located at the right end (left of “ko”) of the first “i” of “new kai” (G96: see FIG. 55 described later). When the conversion mode key 37FS is pressed by the user, the mode transits to the Kana-Kanji conversion mode and "ko" is designated as the first character to be converted (G97). "→" key 3
By operating the 3R, a conversion target range (or a position of the last character) may be designated. The right-pointing arrow symbol (“→”) on the sub display unit guides this.

When the user presses the cursor "→" key 33R in accordance with the guidance, the designated range expands to "KO". If the user presses the key twice more, the designated conversion target range becomes "KOAI". In other words, the range of “Koukai” is designated as the conversion target range by the user's cursor operation (cursor “→” key 33R × 3 times) (G98).

In this state (G98), the range to be converted can be expanded by further operating the cursor “→” key 33R. For this reason, an operation guide character (cursor operation guide character:
An arrow symbol “→” is displayed, but in this state (G9
From 8), conversely, by pressing the cursor "←" key 33L, the designated range can be narrowed, and therefore, both right and left arrow symbols may be displayed as operation guide characters. Also, if there is a kanji part originally,
When the cursor "→" key 33R is operated to hit a kanji portion, the arrow symbol of the operation guide character can be erased, or another symbol (for example, meaning an error) can be displayed.

On the other hand, in this state (G98), the user
By pressing the conversion key 37, it is possible to determine the conversion target range and shift to the character conversion operation. That is, when the conversion key 37 is pressed by the user, the kanji “regret” as the first conversion candidate character is displayed (G9).
9).

In this state (G99), the user operates the conversion key 37 or the cursor “→” key 33R, and
Different conversion candidate characters (kanjis of conversion candidates) can be sequentially displayed. The right-pointing arrow symbol (“→”) on the sub display unit guides this.

When the user presses the cursor "→" key 33R in accordance with the guidance, "public" is displayed as the second candidate, for example (G100). , The converted character can be determined to be “public”. When the character after the conversion is determined, the mode returns to the basic input mode, and from the state where the first “new Kokai” is displayed (G96), the “new publication”
(G101).

[0579] As in the case of changing the conversion target range (G98 or the like), the user does not press the enter key 38 but further presses the cursor "→" key from the state where "public" is displayed (G100). By pressing 33R, for example, “renewal” → “voyage” → “high seas” →
"Ashfall" → "cunning" etc. can be displayed, and conversely, by pressing the cursor "←" key 33L, candidates can be displayed in the reverse order. May be displayed in both directions.

As described above, the operation guidance method employed in the tape printer 1 as a character processing device is based on a character information display unit (main display unit) capable of displaying character information (such as a song name) on the display screen 41. ) And a character processing device (tape printing device 1) having an information number display portion (sub-display portion) capable of displaying an information number (song number) corresponding to the character information,
When guiding the next operation, the operation target character information to be operated is displayed on the character information display unit, and operation guide characters indicating at least one of the next operation candidates are displayed on the information number display unit. I do.

[0581] Therefore, the user can clearly grasp the operation content on the display screen, and perform the following various selection / editing operations with reference to the operation guide characters displayed on the information number display portion. Can be. That is, in this operation guidance method,
Various operation contents such as selection operation and editing operation can be guided to the user.

[0582] More specifically, as described above, the operation guide character includes a cursor operation guide character indicating a cursor operation in one or more of any of up, down, left, and right directions. The cursor operation for performing the following various selection and editing operations can be clearly understood on the display screen,
The following various operations such as selection and editing can be performed with reference to the cursor operation guidance characters displayed on the information number display section. That is, in this case, a cursor operation for a selection operation, an editing operation, and the like can be guided. In this case, since the cursor operation is a general cursor operation, the user can easily operate the cursor.

Since the cursor operation guide character is an arrow symbol that forms one or more arrows in a predetermined direction, the user can easily determine the operation direction of the cursor operation by referring to the arrow symbol. . That is, in this case, the cursor operation can be guided by the display of the arrow symbol on the information number display section.

As described above, when guiding a selection operation as the next operation, character information corresponding to any one of a plurality of options in the selection operation is displayed as operation target character information. When the operation indicated by the operation guide character is performed as the operation of, character information corresponding to another one of the plurality of options is displayed as operation target character information.

[0585] Therefore, the user can display the character information corresponding to any one of the plurality of options in the state where the character information is displayed.
By performing the operation indicated by the operation guide character as the next operation, character information corresponding to another one of the plurality of options can be displayed. That is, when the selection operation is guided as the next operation, the character string corresponding to any one of the plurality of options is displayed, and the operation guide character is used to display the other one of the plurality of options. The operation of displaying the corresponding character information can be guided.

As another example of an operation, as described above, when an editing operation is guided as the next operation, character information to be edited is displayed as operation target character information, and the next operation is performed. When the operation indicated by the operation guide character is performed, the position or range to be edited in the operation target character information is changed. That is, when guiding the editing operation as the next operation, the position or range to be edited in the operation target character information is changed by the operation guide character while the operation target character information to be edited is displayed. Can guide the operation.

Since the above-described editing operation is an operation for performing character conversion, the following operation is a character conversion operation (editing operation).
When the guide is displayed, the position or range of the character conversion target (editing target) in the operation target character information is changed by the operation guidance character while the character information to be converted (editing operation) is displayed. The operation to be performed can be guided.

In the tape printer 1, the information number display section (sub-display section) is adjacent to the character information display section (main display section) as described above with reference to FIGS. The information numbers (for example, song numbers) correspond to the character information (song names) for easy viewing, and the operation guide characters displayed on the information number display section (sub-display section). And the character information for operation displayed on the character information display section is also associated with and is easy to see. In addition, since the area of the entire display screen having them can be reduced due to the adjacency, the tape printing apparatus 1 (character processing apparatus) having only a small display screen is used without any problem.

[0589] In the above example, for example, the character information to be subjected to character conversion, that is, the character information to be operated is a song name. However, the title name is also subjected to character conversion and the like. I can guide you. In this case, in the normal state, the title number (disc name) is displayed on the information number display section (sub display section) instead of the information number (song number).
Is displayed, indicating that the title of the song number "0" is simply the title name, so that the same can be applied without any problem. That is, character information indicating the title name (or disc name) can be displayed, and the character information can be used as operation target character information to guide various operation contents.

Next, the relationship of character processing (input, conversion, etc.) in the tape printer 1 will be described. First, a character conversion method applied to the tape printer 1, particularly a character conversion method for performing character conversion with a kana character as a conversion target will be described. Here, the character conversion means character conversion for converting a character string having one or more characters into another character string having the same meaning.

[0591] Devices capable of performing this type of character conversion include:
For example, there are a personal computer equipped with word processing software and the like and a dedicated device (so-called word processor). In word processors,
Regardless of whether you input kana or romaji, basically input is performed in hiragana, and when you specify kana-kanji conversion (predetermined character conversion), a kana-kanji conversion table for converting hiragana to kanji (kana-kanji conversion) (Kana to Kanji conversion) with reference to (dictionary) and the like.

On the other hand, there is a character input device such as an MD player 90 connected to the tape printer 1 which does not have character input as a main function but merely has an additional function. , As described above, conventionally, half-width display characters, that is, alphanumeric characters and kana, are used. Katakana compatible with a small display screen is used. For this reason, a character string input by this type of device is a general kana (kana) kanji conversion table (dictionary) mainly for converting katakana to hiragana to kanji (kana-kanji conversion).
Etc. are useless.

Also, even if a kana (kana) kanji conversion table (dictionary) or the like for converting katakana to kanji (kana kanji conversion) is prepared, and katakana can be directly converted to kanji by referring to the table, etc. Since katakana and kanji are incompatible, character strings mixed with katakana and kanji become unnatural character strings.
For example, even if "Utsukushii" is converted to "Beauty", the pseudonym is unnatural and unnatural.

Therefore, the tape printing apparatus 1 has a function of converting hiragana to kanji, and has a function of converting katakana into a main character without adding a predetermined character conversion instruction means such as a function key or preparing a katakana-kanji conversion table. A character conversion method that can convert a converted character string into a character string mixed with hiragana and kanji by a simple operation is adopted. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

As described above with reference to FIG. 19, by pressing the conversion mode key 37S in the basic input mode (H1), the state can be changed to the kana-kanji conversion mode (H4).
As shown in FIG. 56, in the basic input mode (S90), immediately after the conversion mode key 37S is pressed to change the state, first, the character type of the character next to the cursor K is determined (S91).

For example, in FIG. 54, from the state of the basic input mode (G96) described above, this discrimination (S91) discriminates that the character "ko" next to the cursor K of "new kokai" is a hiragana. As shown in FIG. 56, the process shifts to Hiragana-Kanji conversion (Kana-Kanji conversion) (S92), performs the Kana-Kanji conversion by the operation described above in FIG. 54 (G97 to G100), and returns to the basic input mode (S90, G101). ).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 55, in the basic input mode (S90), from the state where the katakana character string of “Atarashiikoukai” is displayed (G91), “Atarashii ~” is directly converted into Kanji. It becomes an unnatural character string.

Therefore, in the tape printer 1, in the basic input mode in which "Attachment" is displayed (G91), as shown in FIG. 56, the conversion mode key 37S is pressed by the user to change the state, and the cursor changes. When it is determined that the character next to K (for example, "U" in FIG. 55) is katakana (S91), katakana-hiragana conversion (kana-kana replacement) is performed (S93).

However, in this case, unlike the kana-kanji conversion, the conversion target range is not specified, and the entire range of a series of character strings is set as the conversion target range. For example, if the character string displayed in the basic input mode is the character string of the title name, the entire range of the character string (title name) is displayed. If the character string displayed is the song name, the title of the displayed song number is displayed. The entire range is set as the conversion target range.

In the example of FIG. 55, “Atarashiikoukai”
Is set as an object to be converted, first, a character string “new kokai” of the corresponding hiragana is displayed in an undetermined state (G92). Subsequently, when the user confirms this and presses the enter key 38, the new character string, that is, the hiragana "new kankai" is established, and the process returns to the basic input mode (S90, G93).

The state (G93) of the basic input mode is as follows.
This is the same as the state in which the character string of Hiragana was originally displayed. For example, the user operates the cursor “←” key 33L so that the character next (right) to the cursor K becomes “A”. After (G94), the conversion mode key 3
By pressing 7S, designating the range up to "new" as the conversion target range and pressing the enter key 38, it is possible to convert to "new level", and then performing the above-mentioned operation in FIG. A character string “new publication” mixed with kanji can be obtained (G101 in FIG. 54).

As described above, in the character conversion method employed in the tape printer 1, hiragana-kanji conversion (kana-kanji conversion) is instructed (the conversion mode key 37S is pressed).
In this case, when the character designated by the conversion target character designating means (the character next to the cursor K) at the designated time is katakana, any or predetermined part or all of katakana included in the displayed character string Character conversion is performed assuming that katakana-hiragana conversion (kana-kana substitution) for converting (a predetermined entire range in the above example) into hiragana is instructed. Therefore, the character conversion instructing means (conversion mode key 37S) for instructing Hiragana-Kanji conversion (Kana-Kanji conversion) is used without providing the character conversion instructing means for instructing Katakana-Hiragana conversion (Kana-Kana substitution). (Replace Kana).

Also, in this case, the result of character conversion assuming that katakana-hiragana conversion is instructed is hiragana, so that it can be converted to kanji if hiragana-kanji conversion is subsequently instructed by the same predetermined character conversion instructing means. . Therefore,
Even without adding a predetermined character conversion instruction means such as a function key or preparing a katakana kanji conversion table, etc., while having a function of hiragana kanji conversion, a character string mainly composed of katakana,
It can be converted to a character string mixed with Hiragana and Kanji by simple operation.

In the above case, the conversion target character designating means is a cursor operating means (cursor key 3) for operating position designation or range designation by the cursor K in the display screen 41.
3) Therefore, with a general cursor operation, the position or range can be designated by a simple operation with respect to the character (Hiragana) to be converted into Hiragana / Kanji.

In the above example, in the katakana-hiragana conversion, the entire range of a series of character strings is set as the conversion target range without specifying the conversion target range. However, like the hiragana-kanji conversion, the katakana-hiragana conversion is also used. The specification for specifying the position or the range may be adopted. In this case, the position or range can be similarly designated by a simple operation for the characters to be subjected to the katakana / hiragana conversion (katakana).

In the character conversion method in the tape printer 1, as shown in FIG. 56, when the hiragana-kanji conversion is instructed (the conversion mode key 37S is pressed), the character to be converted at the instructed time is indicated. When the character specified by the specifying means (the character next to the cursor K) is neither a hiragana nor a katakana, an error screen is displayed to perform an error notification process for notifying the error screen (S94). The process returns to the basic input mode (S90). That is, the error notification can alert the user to an operation error and prompt the user to start over.

Note that the character string input in the above-described device capable of inputting only katakana and alphanumeric characters is mainly composed of katakana characters. In such a case, the position specification and range specification are performed in a predetermined range. In some cases, it may be desirable to convert katakana characters into hiragana at once.

As in the above example, when performing character conversion assuming that katakana-hiragana conversion is instructed, if all katakana characters within a predetermined range of a character string can be batch-converted, a correspondingly simpler Character conversion can be performed by operation. In this case, the predetermined range in which batch conversion can be performed may be a predetermined range that is predetermined as a default, or may be a predetermined range that can be arbitrarily set. Further, it is more convenient if a default predetermined range is used unless otherwise specified, and an arbitrary range can be specified.

In this case, the predetermined range of the batch conversion is
By setting the range of one line including the displayed character string and delimited by at least one of automatic line feed and arbitrary line feed, all katakana within the range of one line can be converted at a time,
To that extent, character conversion can be performed with simple operations.

Of course, as in the above-described example, the predetermined range of the batch conversion is defined as a series of one or more lines including the displayed character string and separated by predetermined boundaries (for example, one range in the above-described example). The entire song title corresponding to the song number: short song title represented by one line is equivalent to one line range), so that all katakana characters in the series can be converted at once.
To that extent, character conversion can be performed with simple operations.

Next, a character input method applied to the tape printer 1 will be described as a character processing (input, conversion, etc.) relationship in the tape printer 1.

As a character input device for inputting a character string having one or more characters (used in the same meaning as a character including kanji, hiragana, katakana, numbers, alphabets, and symbols (including simple graphics)), a word processor or the like is used. There is. In a word processor, etc., even if there is a function to switch between kana input and romaji input, or uppercase and lowercase characters, a keyboard (key input) for the number of characters that can be individually input more than the total number of kana characters or all alphabetic (alphabet) characters Device).

On the other hand, a character input method of a type in which a predetermined number of character strings are switched and displayed in a predetermined order, and a desired character is selected and designated from among the character strings to call an arbitrary character with a small number of keys. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 5)
8-76930).

However, in the above-described character input method, it is not difficult to search for a desired character from a group of characters that are as small as the alphabet, but a large number of characters (eg, kana, kanji, etc.) can be used. It is difficult to find a desired character in a group. That is, since the arrangement of the characters displayed as candidates is not inevitable, in order to search for a character that is not displayed, move the cursor in various directions, switch the displayed character, and search through trial and error. No.

In the first place, in the character input method as described above, if a character group having a small number of alphabets is set as an input target, there is little advantage in having all keys, and originally a large number of character groups are set as an input target. The advantage of using fewer keys comes to life as a remarkable effect.
Nevertheless, if a large number of character groups are to be input, they are useless because of their low operability.

Also, in order to eliminate any inconvenience,
To improve the operability by providing a large display screen that can display more characters as input candidates,
This leads to higher prices, and cannot be applied to models that require a smaller number of keys for downsizing and lowering prices, resulting in falling over. For these reasons, the practical use of the character input method and the device to which the character input method described above has not been advanced.

Therefore, the tape printing apparatus 1 employs a character input method in which characters can be input with a small number of keys without impairing the operability even if the display screen is small. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

As described above with reference to FIG. 19, in order to input characters (or symbols), first, from the state where the editing mode is the basic input mode, press the character key 34C (the symbol key 34D for symbol input). Causes the state to transition to the character (or symbol) selection input mode (H2 or H3).

For example, as shown in FIG. 57, in the state of the basic input mode (G110), the character key 34C is input by the user.
Is pressed, the mode transits to the character selection input mode, and the first
In the hierarchy, first, the selection of “Kana” is displayed (G
111). From this state (G111), the delete key 35
Is pressed, the process returns to the basic input mode (G110). When the symbol key 34D is pressed, the mode transits to the symbol selection input mode. Further, when the enter key 38 is pressed, a transition is made to a second hierarchy described later.

As shown in FIG. 58, this state (G
111), the character key 34C or the cursor "→"
Each time the key 33R or the cursor “↓” key 33D is pressed, the display is switched in a cycle of “Kana” → “Kana” → “English character” → “Number” → “Kanji” → “Kana” (G111-
G115 to G116 (same as: G111), and each time the cursor “←” key 33L or the cursor “↑” key 33U is pressed, conversely, “kana” → “kanji” → “number” →
The display is switched by circulating “alphabet” → “kana” → “kana” (G116 to G112 to G111).

[0621] In the following, a specific description will be given using a kana input as an example. As shown in FIG. 59, in the state of the basic input mode (G120: the same as G110 of FIG. 57), the character key 3
When 4C is pressed, as described above, a transition is made to the first layer of the character selection input mode, and "Kana" is displayed (G121:
G111). In this state (G121), when the user presses the enter key 38, the next second hierarchical screen is displayed.
That is, the screen transits to a screen for character selection input (G12
2). In this state (G112), input candidate characters and the like are displayed in the format shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 60A and 60B, the character selection screen (G122) is managed by being divided into five display areas (five blocks). The leftmost (horizontal) 24-dot area is managed by the above-described 6 × 8 display in FIG. 11B, and the display area of the upper coordinates A0 to A3 is a first block.
Assuming that the display area of the lower coordinates B0 to B3 is a second block (see FIG. 60B and FIG. 11B), the character “CODE” is always displayed in the first block, and the lower second display area is displayed.
It introduces that the block shows the character code.

The other three display areas are managed in the full-size / half-size display described above with reference to FIG.
Assuming that the display area of No. 3 is a third block, the display area of coordinates C4 to C5 is a fourth block, and the display area of coordinates C6 to C7 is a fifth block, each of the third to fifth blocks has one input candidate character. The characters are displayed one by one, and the characters displayed in the fourth block in particular are the input designation characters at the time of the display.

In the second block, the character displayed in the fourth block, that is, the numerical value of the character code of the input designated character is displayed. As shown in FIG. 59, a state in which “Kana” on the first level in the character selection input mode is displayed (G1
In 21), when the user presses the enter key 38 and the screen shifts to the screen for selecting and inputting the character of the second hierarchy, first, the most recently selected and confirmed character is displayed. Here, as an example, for easy understanding. , "A" which is the first input designation character (displayed at the time of initial setting) in "kana" is displayed (G122).

For example, as described above, when "a" is displayed as the input designation character in the fourth block, the third block is provided with a predetermined character code (see FIG. 61) and in front of "a" (left). "ぁ" adjacent to the side is displayed, and "の 後" adjacent to the right side after "A" is displayed in the fifth block.
That is, a plurality (three) of input candidate characters adjacent to each other are displayed in the third to fifth blocks.

[0626] In the second block, of the input candidate characters displayed, the character designated as the input designation character, that is, "a" displayed in the fourth block.
Displays the character code corresponding to. Here, the JIS character code is adopted as the predetermined character code (accurately, the JIS character code for the MD system is used, but the same character code is used for "kana").
In the second block, [0402] DEC (in decimal) (hereinafter, the decimal number is represented by [] DEC) is displayed in the second block as the character code of "a" displayed in the fourth block (G
122).

In the second block, the numerical value of the character code is displayed in four digits of 6 × 8 display (ie, display of a dot matrix of 6 × 8 dots).
9] Below DEC (that is, three digits), the display of the thousands place is omitted. Also, [10000] DEC to [109]
99] DEC, [11000] DEC- [11999]
DEC, [12000] DEC to [12999] DEC
In this case, there are five digits, so the upper two digits are
A display-only character shown in (c) is used to display a four-digit display area.

First, in the tape printer 1 (the character input method employed in the tape printer), predetermined character types of kanji, hiragana, katakana, numbers, alphabetic characters and symbols (at least one of them) are classified into the predetermined character types. A predetermined character type array table is provided in which a plurality of characters are associated with the character codes of the respective characters and two-dimensionally arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns according to a predetermined rule.

The character at the arbitrary j-th character (i, j is a natural number) on the arbitrary i-th row is converted to the character at the coordinates [i, j] on the array table (hereinafter simply referred to as “the character at the array [i, j]”). ), If hiragana (kana) is given as an example of the predetermined character type according to the above-described example, as shown in FIG.
Are associated with a plurality of characters (10 rows of i = 1 to 10) and a plurality of columns (j A predetermined character type array table (Kana array table) that is two-dimensionally arranged in (15 columns from 1 to 15) is defined.

For other character types, a predetermined character type arrangement table when the character type is set as the predetermined character type is defined (Katakana (kana): see FIG. 68, alphabetic characters: see FIG. 69, numerals: see FIG. 70, Kanji: see FIG. 71).

In this embodiment, the symbols are
In the symbol selection input mode (see FIG. 19), selection can be made based on the relationship with the use of the symbol, etc. rather than the relationship with the arrangement order of the character codes (see FIGS. 75 to 78).
Prepares a predetermined character type sequence table based on the character code,
It can be handled in the same way as other character types (see FIG. 72).

Here, the difference between the characteristics of kana, that is, hiragana (kana) and katakana (kana), and other alphabetic characters, numerals, and kanji will be described using an example of a symbol having an intermediate characteristic between them. Keep it.

The arrangement table shown in FIG. 72 is based on the numerical value indicated by the character code of the “symbol” so that the character of the arbitrary j-th character in the arbitrary i-th row is a character of the array [i, j]. , Are simply arranged in 12 rows and 10 columns (i = 1 to 12, j = 1 to 10).

In consideration of the user's ease of remembering, for example, the characters “☆” ([0189] DEC) in the array [9, 9]
"◎" ([0193] DEC) of sequence [10, 3]
Row 0, array [10, 4] ([0194] DEC)
The array [11, 7] ([0207] DEC) is set to the 11th row, and ([0208] DEC) to ([0214] DE
There is also an opinion that the arrangement table shown in FIG. 73 with C) as the 12th row is easier to understand and remember.

Further, with respect to the sequence table of FIG. 73, the number of columns is increased to, for example, 11 (j = 1 to 11), and “” ”([0141] DEC) of sequence [5, 1] is changed to 4 Move to the end of the line, and add “” ([0141]) in array [4, 11].
DEC), and the fifth line is ([0142] DEC) ~
([0149] DEC), and the sixth line is ([0150]
DEC) to ([0159] DEC), and the seventh row as ([0160] DEC) to ([0170] DEC) with the arrangement table shown in FIG. Come.

Whether the arrangement table in FIG. 72 is better (whether it is easy to use or memorize), the one in FIG. 74, or the arrangement in which somewhere is further changed is better. There is also a difference in the subjective feeling, and no matter how it is arranged, if it is clear that they are arranged according to a predetermined rule, there is not much substantial difference, so good.

On the other hand, for example, in the alphabetical arrangement table (alphabetic arrangement table) shown in FIG. 69, the total number may be small and the arrangement can be easily remembered.
It is only necessary to form an array of columns (i = 1 to 4, j = 1 to 13). For the same reason, the numeric array table (numerical array table) shown in FIG. 70 is simply 4 rows and 10 columns (i = 1 to 4, j = 1 to 1).
The sequence list of 13) may be used.

In the case of the kanji arrangement table (kanji arrangement table) shown in FIG. 71, on the contrary, the number is too large, and there is little advantage even if the arrangement is devised independently.
In the case of kanji, it is easier to use a simple arrangement along the sequence of numerical values indicated by the character codes.

Next, in the case of Hiragana or Katakana, the number of arrays is not easily enough to be memorized, nor is it extremely large, so there is room for devising the array table. However, since the number is not extremely small, unless it is a simple array table based only on the numerical value of the character code, the array is not only easily subjectively memorable, etc., but also an array that is easy for anyone to use There is a need to.

Then, the kana ("Kana" or "Kana")
Has an array that is easier to grasp than numbers, and that everyone knows and remembers. That is, the arrangement is in the order of the Japanese syllabary. For this reason, in the character input method adopted in the tape printer 1, for hiragana and katakana, an arrangement table arranged according to the Japanese syllabary rule is prepared (see FIGS. 61 and 68).

Next, a description will be given of a basic character input method and a method of changing the designation of input designation characters.

For example, in the screen for selecting and inputting the character (kana) described above in FIG. 59 or FIG. 60, a character type arrangement table (kana arrangement table) (see FIG. 61) includes “a” corresponding to the input designation character. A plurality (three) of input candidate characters “ぁ”, “A”, and “ぃ” adjacent to the input designation character are displayed, and [0] is set as a character code corresponding to the input designation character “A”.
402] DEC is displayed (G122).

In this state (G122), when the enter key 38 is pressed by the user, the input designation character "A" is established as the input character as shown in FIG. And returns to the basic input mode (G123).

On the other hand, in the above state (G122), when the cursor “→” key 33R is pressed by the user, FIG.
In the kana sequence table, change the designation of the input designation character from "A" to "ぃ" on the right side, and enter "A", "ぃ" and "I" that are adjacent to it including "ぃ" as input candidate characters. And [0403] DEC is displayed as a character code corresponding to the input designation character "@".

[0645] Therefore, in this state, when the user presses the enter key 38, the input designation character "ぃ" is established as the input character, and the input character Insert "ぃ" and return to basic input mode.

[0646] Similarly, in a state where "@" is designated as the input designation character, the user can move the cursor "→"
When the key 33R is pressed, the designation of the input designation character is changed from "@" to "i" on the right side of the kana arrangement table in FIG. 61, and "@", "i" and "i" including "i" and adjacent thereto are included. "@" Are displayed as input candidate characters, and [0404] DE as a character code corresponding to the input designation character "i".
Display C. In this state, if the enter key 38 is pressed, "i" is input.

[0647] That is, the designation of the input designation character can be changed by the cursor operation including other cursor operations described later.
When the designation is changed, a new input designation character corresponding thereto and input candidate characters adjacent thereto are displayed, and a character code corresponding to the input designation character at that time is displayed.

[0648] Hereinafter, this type of cursor operation (operation of the cursor key 33) for changing the designation of input designation characters is referred to as "scrolling rule". Further, as long as the designation of the input designation character can be changed, the subsequent character input is the same operation as described above. Therefore, the scroll rules by various cursor operations will be mainly described below. In addition, input candidate characters displayed adjacent to the input designation character (adjacent to the front and rear on the sequence table) are obvious if the input designation character is clear, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 62, each time the cursor “→” key 33R is pressed, the designation of the input designation character is moved to the right by one position on the kana array table (the character on the right is replaced by a new input designation character). ). That is, from the above “A”, “A” → “ぃ” → “I” → “ぅ” → “U” →
Move as “→” →… →→ O.

In the scroll rule in the character input method of the tape printer 1, regardless of the character type to be input (that is, regardless of which character type array table shown in FIGS. , The character code at the end of one arbitrary line and the character code at the beginning of the next line are treated as a plurality of character codes adjacent to each other.

For example, when the above “O” is an input designated character, “ぉ”, “O” and “KA” are displayed as input candidate characters, and when the designation is changed from “O” to “KA”,
"O", "KA", and "GA" are displayed as input candidate characters. That is, since a plurality of lines of character codes are treated as a series of character codes, the characters at the end of the previous line and the characters at the beginning of the next line can be displayed as adjacent input candidate characters.

Also, the character code at the end of the last line and the character code at the beginning of the first line of the plurality of lines of the predetermined character type array table are treated as a plurality of character codes adjacent to each other. For example, if "n" is an input designation character, "o""n"
“ぁ” is displayed as an input candidate character, and when the designation is changed from “n” to “ぁ”, “n”, “ぁ”, and “a” are displayed as input candidate characters. That is, since a series of character codes circulate in a plurality of lines, the last character of the last line and the first character of the first line can be displayed as adjacent input candidate characters.

Next, as shown in FIG. 63, every time the cursor “←” key 33L is pressed, the designation of the input designation character is moved to the left one position on the kana array table (the character on the left is replaced with a new character). Specify as input specification character). That is, from the above “A”, “A” → “ぁ” “N” → “A” → ……
→ “ゎ” → “R” → …… → “R” → “Yo” → …… →
Move in the order of “ゃ” → “Momo” → …… → “Ma” → “ぽ” → …… →→.

The above scroll rules are common regardless of the character type, but the scroll rules by operating the cursor “↓” key 33D differ depending on the character type.

[0655] In the case of the alphabetical arrangement table shown in Fig. 69, for example, when "T" ([0352] DEC) of the array [2, 7] is designated as an input designation character, the cursor "↓" key 33D is When pressed, the designation is changed to “g” ([0371] DEC) in array [3, 7]. These scroll rules are in principle, and are the same when based on the numeric arrangement table shown in FIG. 70, based on the kanji arrangement table shown in FIG. 71, or based on the symbol arrangement table shown in FIG.

[0656] In other words, the scroll rule by operating the cursor "↓" key 33D other than the kana ("Kana" or "Kana") is, in principle, an arbitrary array [i,
j]] to the array [i + 1, j].

On the other hand, based on the predetermined character type arrangement table of “Kana” (the same applies to kana), when the cursor “↓” key 33D is operated, the designation is changed to the character at the beginning of the next line (first sound). . As shown in FIG. 64, for example, when “ke” ([0417] DEC) in the array [2, 7] is designated as the input designation character, and the cursor “↓” key 33D is pressed, the array [3, [1] 's "sa" ([0421] DEC)
Change to That is, it is determined that the process moves to the first sound in the next (i + 1) -th row.

[0658] In the case of the Japanese syllabary, each line of "A line" to "Wa line" is customarily considered from the first sound. When going from the "ke" of the first line to the "sa line" of the next line, it is easier to think of moving to the "sa" of the first sound than to the "se" which is the fourth sound of the "sa line". This is because it is easy to search for a desired character (the operability is high).

Similarly, the scroll rule by operating the cursor "@" key 33U is basically the same as that of the array [i, j] except for the kana ("Kana" or "Kana"). 1, j], whereas “kana” (or “kana”), for example, as shown in FIG. 65, shifts to the first sound of the previous (i−1) row. Stipulated.

[0660] Therefore, the cursor "↓" for kana
According to the scroll rule by the operation of the key 33D or the cursor “↑” key 33U, after the designation is changed, the first line of each of the 50 sounds
It is determined to be sound. Therefore, as a rule,
The transition from the character of the array [i, j] to the character of the array [i + 1, j] or the array [i-1, j] is performed when the character before the designation change corresponds to the first sound of each row of the Japanese syllabary. Become.

As described above, in the character input method employed in the tape printer 1, a character on an arbitrary i-th line (i is a natural number) of a plurality of lines of the predetermined character type array table is designated as an input designation character. In this case, the designation change of the input designation character includes the designation change to the k-th (k = i−1 or k = i + 1) line that is the previous or next line.

That is, the predetermined character type array table is a two-dimensional array in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and the designation change as an input designation character is made in the arrangement direction (line direction) of the characters in each of the plurality of lines. Not only can it be changed, but also the designation can be changed in the column direction, so that the designation can be quickly changed to a character at a position distant from the predetermined character type array table, thereby improving operability.

Since there is a case where there is no character corresponding to the original j-th character on the k-th line of the movement destination, if these are generalized including these characters, the scroll rule in this character input method can be any arbitrary. When the character of the arbitrary j-th character on the i-th line is a character of the array [i, j], and the character of the array [i, j] is specified as the input designating character, the designation on the k-th line is performed. To change, the array [k, h] (h is the number of characters when the number of characters on the k-th line is less than j, and h =
The designation change that designates the character j) as the input designation character after the change by the designation change is included.

In this case, the character in the j-th column of the i-th row in the predetermined character type arrangement table can be designated and changed to the character in the j-th column of the k-th (i-1 or i + 1) -th row. When there is no character corresponding to the character in the column, the designation can be changed to the character at the end of the k-th line. Therefore, it is easy to predict the input designation character immediately after the change when the designation is changed in the k-th line. Since the characters to be input candidate characters are also easy to predict, the operability is further improved.

Also, according to the scroll rules in this character input method, regardless of the character type to be input (ie, FIG. 68)
Regardless of which predetermined character type array table shown in FIG. 74 or the like is used), the first line of the plurality of lines of the predetermined character type array table is treated as a line next to the last line.

For example, as shown in FIG. 64 and FIG. 65, the row following the “wa row” which is the last row (i = 10 row) is the first row (the first row: i = 1 row). It is assumed that there is a certain “a row”, and the row before the “a row” in the first row (i = 1 row) is the last row (i = 1
0 row). This scroll rule is a rule common to other character types. That is, since it can be handled as a plurality of circulating rows, designation change (movement between rows) can be easily performed in the column direction, and operability is further improved. Some exceptions will be described later.

Next, a scroll rule by operating the shift cursor key 33S will be described. The scroll rule in this case is irrespective of the character type to be input (that is, FIGS.
Etc., regardless of which predetermined character type array table is used).

As shown in FIG. 66, if the shift cursor "→" key 33RS is pressed while the character on the arbitrary i-th line is designated as the input designation character, the character moves to the character at the end of the i-th line. (Move, override). However, when the original input designation character is the character at the end of the line, the process moves to the end of the next (i + 1) line.

As shown in FIG. 67, if the shift cursor "←" key 33LS is pressed while the character on the arbitrary i-th line is designated as the input designating character, the character at the beginning of the i-th line is pressed. Move to However, when the original input designating character is the character at the beginning of the line, the process moves to the beginning of the previous (i-1) line. Some exceptions will be described later.

[0670] In addition to these, for example, by operating the shift cursor "↑" key 33US, the previous (i-
The specification may be such that the user moves to the head of the line of 1) or operates the shift cursor "↓" key 33DS to move to the head of the next (i + 1) line. Further, regarding the shift cursor “↓” key 33DS, the next (i + 1)
It is also conceivable to move to the end of the line.

In the predetermined character type array table, the characters at the beginning and end of each line of a plurality of lines easily show characteristics of the line, for example, having the minimum value and the maximum value of the character code of the line. Therefore, by looking at the characters at the beginning and end of the line, it is easy to grasp the characteristics (range and characteristics) of the characters (code values and the like) on the line.

[0672] As described above, in the character input method employed in the tape printer 1, when a character on an arbitrary i-th line among a plurality of lines of the predetermined character type array table is designated as an input designation character, To change the designation of the input designation character, k (k = i-1 or k = i +
1) Specification change to the line is included, and the k-th line or i
Since the designation can be changed to the beginning and end characters of the line, the user can easily grasp the lines before and after the change, whereby the designation can be changed more quickly and the operability is further improved.

When the predetermined character type is Hiragana (Kana) or Katakana (Kana), the plurality of lines of the predetermined character type array table are a plurality of lines in which Japanese syllabary lines are arranged in order. That is, since the sounds are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary, the operability is further improved in an easily understood manner.

In this case, a lowercase letter is included as a character of a predetermined character type (“Kana” or “Kana”).
When changing the input specification character when the character on the line is specified as the input specification character, if the changed input specification character is in principle lowercase, the exception is to change the uppercase character corresponding to that lowercase character. Includes specification changes to be specified as input specification characters for.

Specifically, FIGS. 64, 65 and 67
As described above, in the case of a designation change in which the movement (designation change) destination is the beginning of a line, when the beginning of each line is a lowercase letter, the line is moved (designation change) to the corresponding uppercase letter instead of the lowercase letter. That is, "@" ([0401] D
EC), “ゃ” ([0467] DEC) in “Ya line”,
Instead of "@" ([0478] DEC) in "wa line",
The corresponding capital letter "A" ([0402] DE
C), "ya" ([0468] DEC), "wa" ([04
79] Move to (DEC).

Generally, in hiragana or katakana, unlike alphabetic characters, the frequency of using uppercase letters is much higher than the frequency of using lowercase letters. , The probability that the character corresponds to the character desired by the user is higher. For this reason, when inputting Hiragana (Kana) or Katakana (Kana), by treating uppercase characters preferentially, it is possible to quickly change the designation to a character desired by the user, thereby improving operability.

As described above, in the character input method employed in the tape printer 1, a plurality of input candidate characters are displayed on a display screen, one of which is designated as an input designation character, and the designation is changed. Then, when the desired character is designated as the input designation character, the desired character is input by fixing it as the input character. That is, basically, since the input candidate characters are displayed and the input characters are designated and input from among them, the number of keys and the like are small.

[0678] Also, a predetermined character type array table which is two-dimensionally arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns in accordance with a predetermined rule is defined by associating a plurality of characters classified into a predetermined character type with the character codes of the respective characters. . That is, a predetermined character type array table in which characters to be input are associated with their character codes is defined. This predetermined character type array table is similar to a so-called character code list table generally attached to a character input device or the like. If attached to an actual device similarly, the user can refer to the array table. it can.

On the other hand, the predetermined character type array table is two-dimensionally arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns according to a predetermined rule.
In this character input method, a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of adjacent character codes on the predetermined character type array table are displayed on the display screen as input candidate characters. That is, as input candidate characters to be displayed, a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of adjacent character codes on the predetermined character type array table are displayed, and the user can change the designation of the input designation character in any direction ( Movement), it can be easily grasped whether a desired character is displayed by referring to a predetermined character type array table.

[0680] The character code of the input designation character is displayed on the display screen together with a plurality of input candidate characters including the input designation character. Can be easily and quickly searched for with reference to the displayed character code.
That is, since both the current input designation character and the desired character can be searched in the predetermined character type array table, it is easy and easy to determine in which direction the designation of the input designation character can be changed to display the desired character. Quickly understand.

After the designation change, a new input candidate character including the changed input designated character is displayed next to the input designated character, and the character code corresponding to the changed input designated character is displayed. If the direction is correct, it can be confirmed on the predetermined character type array table, and even if the direction of the designation change is wrong, it can be confirmed and easily adjusted.

In these cases, as input candidate characters, at least only the input designation character at that time is sufficient.
It suffices to be able to display at most characters adjacent to the input character (that is, two characters before or after the input character, and three characters even if the adjacent characters before and after are displayed). That is, operability is not impaired even if the display screen is small. Therefore, in this character input method, even if the display screen is small, character input can be performed with a small number of keys without impairing operability.

The predetermined character type array table used in the tape printer 1 is, as described above with reference to FIGS. 61 and 68 to 74, a numerical value indicated by the character code of each character in an arbitrary one of a plurality of lines. Is set to be smaller than the minimum value of the numerical value indicated by the character code of each character in the next one line. Therefore, the ranges of the numerical values indicated by the character codes in each row of the predetermined character type array table do not overlap. In addition, since the characters are arranged in ascending order, it is easy to search for a desired character from the predetermined character type arrangement table, and it is also easy to change the designation of the input designation character and display the desired character.

[0684] That is, the user can easily and quickly grasp in which direction to change (move) the designation of the input designation character to display the desired character by referring to the predetermined character type array table. Yes, even if the direction of the designation change is incorrect, it can be easily confirmed and confirmed appropriately, so that the desired characters can be displayed easily and quickly, without impairing the operability even if the display screen is small, You can input characters with few keys.

In this case, in the predetermined character type array table, the minimum value indicated by the character code of each character in an arbitrary one of a plurality of lines is the numerical value indicated by the character code of each character in the next one line. May be determined so as to exceed the maximum value. Also in this case, the ranges of the numerical values indicated by the character codes in each row of the predetermined character type array table do not overlap. Also, since they are arranged in descending order,
It is easy to search for a desired character from the predetermined character type arrangement table, and it is easy to change the designation of the input designation character and display the desired character.

That is, similar to the arrangement in ascending order,
The user can easily and quickly grasp in which direction the input designation character can be designated and the desired character can be displayed. Since characters can be displayed, even if the display screen is small, characters can be input with few keys without impairing operability.

In the above example, the designation of the input designation character is performed by a cursor operation for designating the position of the input designation character. Therefore, the designation of the input designation character is performed by a simple operation using a general cursor operation. be able to. Further, since the input character is determined by operating the determination key, the input character can be determined by a simple operation using a general operation of the determination key.

Since the character code is JIS code,
Character input using a general JIS code as a character code can be performed, and is familiar to users, so that character input can be performed without impairing operability. Also, since the JIS code is a JIS code for MD system, a general JIS code is used.
In addition to characters that can be represented by codes, special symbols and the like added as JIS codes for MD systems can be input as characters.

In the character input method adopted in the tape printer 1, one of a plurality of inputtable character types including a predetermined character type is selected as an input character type, and the selected input character type is the predetermined character type. In this case, a character of a predetermined character type is set as an input candidate character. In this case, even if a plurality of inputtable character types include a character type other than the predetermined character type, the predetermined character type can be selected as the input character type. Therefore, this method is applied to a character input method capable of inputting characters of various character types and a device therefor. Applicable.

[0690] In the tape printer 1, the input character is an input character for editing the read character string when the character string stored in the disk is read. For this reason, the present invention can be applied to read out a character string stored in a disk and perform editing such as insertion.
In the above example, the disk is a mini disk,
The present invention can be applied as a character input method for reading out a character string stored in a mini disc and adding editing such as insertion.

[0691] The character string in this case includes a character string indicating the song name, title name, or disc name of a song stored on the disc. The character string stored in the disc is read and edited such as insertion. Can be applied as a character input method. In particular, the present invention can be applied to, for example, adding an artist name or the like after a song title, changing a character string to make the content more understandable for a user, or adding a desired character.
For example, when the whole is the same artist or when there is a representative artist, it can be used to add it or change the title name to that name. Further, a label on which a character input result is printed can be created only by printing a desired print image on a desired label and peeling off a half-cut portion.

In the above embodiment, an MD player capable of remote control communication is used. However, an MD playback function unit similar to the MD player may be built in the tape printer. In addition to the main information, a magneto-optical (MO) disk for recording and reproducing mainly music and audio signals, a rewritable CD (CD -R, etc.), and can also be applied to a disc reproducing apparatus for another disc such as a DVD that mainly records and reproduces moving image data as main information.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a stamp making apparatus which is also a data processing apparatus. In addition, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and an arbitrary processing mode is collectively set for each data group included in each processing group in units of the classified processing groups. As long as it is a possible data processing device, it can be applied not only to a tape printing device or a seal making device but also to other data processing devices. Of course, other changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0694]

As described above, according to the processing mode notification method of the data processing apparatus and the apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups and included in each processing group. For each data group to be processed, in a data processing device capable of setting an arbitrary processing mode collectively in units of the classified processing groups, the processing modes set in the processing group units can be collectively confirmed. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus 1 to which a processing mode notification method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied in an open state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where an upper case of the tape cartridge is removed.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a tape on which two types of half-cut labels are formed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a print image of a main label (disk label, case label) and side labels.

FIG. 6 is an external view for explaining a mini-disc (MD) cartridge and its case, and the relationship among them, a disc label, a case label, and a side label.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a conventional portable MD player and a remote controller connected thereto.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a keyboard.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a display.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of an indicator display section of a display.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a management coordinate of a character display unit of a display.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a character display section of a display and a cursor position.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a conceptual process of the entire control of the tape printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transmission / reception mode between the tape printer or the remote controller and the MD player when the remote controller is operated.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mode of transmission / reception to / from an MD player when a continuous attribute information request is made by combining request signals from a plurality of request keys of a remote controller using the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1; .

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view following FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view following FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a print data reading process in which a disc name request / storage process corresponding to FIG. 15; a song title request preparation process corresponding to FIG. 16; and a song title request / storage process corresponding to FIG. It is a flowchart of a process.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of an edit mode of the tape printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display in a text initial state.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display in a state where character data (text data) is present, and an example of a user operation and an example of a screen display when all data is erased from the state and returned to an initial text state. .

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user operation and a screen display during print data reading processing.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view following FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user operation and a screen display during print processing.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view following FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a processing flow of a preparation display process and a printing display process.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a case label selection and a disc label selection.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a process of creating an abbreviated image in which characters are omitted and lines are omitted.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and a screen display when setting a line-wrapping form.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing various overflow notification character strings (marks) of display-only characters.

31 is an explanatory diagram showing a display character string (edit notification character string) using various overflow notification character strings (marks) of FIG. 30 and a display image (edit notification image) created based on the display character string.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and a screen display when displaying a display image (edit notification image).

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a processing flow for creating a print image (edit image) based on a display character string (edit notification character string).

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a full-size / half-size mixed print image and a print image of only full-size characters.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a shift in a printing position.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a print head and a tape.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image of print position adjustment.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a control image of transmission data to each dot element of the print head when the print position is adjusted.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment range of a printing position.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of print data in a case where the print position is adjusted vertically when a main label is selected.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of print data in a case where adjustment before and after a printing position is performed when a main label is selected.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of an example of print data when the print position is adjusted vertically when a side label is selected.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of print data in a case where the print position before and after adjustment is performed when a side label is selected.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user operation and a screen display in a higher hierarchy when adjusting a print position.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and a screen display in the first hierarchy, following FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and a screen display in the second hierarchy, following FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of a side label presence / absence detection & front-back direction print position adjustment process.

FIG. 48 is an external view of the tape cartridge as viewed from the back.

FIG. 49 is a configuration diagram near a pocket.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram of a format of a processing mode (internal state setting) register.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed specification of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram of a format of character code data.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed specification of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and screen display when performing hiragana-kanji conversion.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user operation and a screen display when performing katakana / hiragana conversion.

FIG. 56 is an explanatory diagram of a processing flow in the kana-kanji conversion mode.

FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user operation and screen display when performing character input.

58 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific user operation and a screen display for selecting the character type in FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schematic user operation and a screen display from the start to the end of a character input operation.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram of a character selection screen.

FIG. 61 is a kana arrangement table as an example of a predetermined character type arrangement table.

FIG. 62 is an explanatory diagram of a scroll rule in a case where designation of an input designation character is changed by a cursor operation based on the kana arrangement table of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 62 for another cursor operation;

FIG. 64 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 62 for still another cursor operation.

FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 62, for still another cursor operation;

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 62, for still another cursor operation;

FIG. 67 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 62, for still another cursor operation;

FIG. 68 is a kana sequence table as an example of a predetermined character type sequence table.

FIG. 69 is an alphabetical character array table as an example of a predetermined character type array table.

FIG. 70 is a numeric array table as an example of a predetermined character type array table.

FIG. 71 is a kanji array table as an example of a predetermined character type array table.

FIG. 72 is a symbol array table as an example of a predetermined character type array table.

FIG. 73 is a symbol arrangement table as a modified example of FIG. 72.

FIG. 74 is a symbol arrangement table as a modified example of FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a symbol group classification table in a symbol selection input mode.

76 is a character code correspondence table showing an example of characters that can be input when music is selected as a symbol group in FIG. 75.

FIG. 77 is a character code correspondence table showing an example of characters that can be input when description is selected as a symbol group in FIG. 75;

FIG. 78 is a character code correspondence table showing an example of characters that can be input when “omission” is selected as a symbol group in FIG. 75;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 3 Keyboard 4 Display 5 Tape cartridge 7 Print head 11 Operation part 12 Printing part 13 Cutting part 14 Detection part 25 Remote control interface terminal (RT) 26 Remote control connection cable 41 Display screen 90 MD player 91 MD cartridge 92 Mini disk ( MD) 93 MD case 200 Control unit 210 CPU 220 ROM 230 Character generator ROM (CG-RO)
M) 240 RAM 241 Various register groups 242 Text data area 243 Display image data area 244 Print image data area 245 Half-width display attribute data area 246 Full-width display attribute data area 250 Peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 260 Internal bus 270 Drive section 901 Remote control terminal 912 Main body display section 914 Main body operation section 921 Remote control 922 Remote control display section 923 Remote control operation section LM Main label LMC Case label LMD Disk label T Tape R Ink ribbon RP1-k, RP21, RP26, RP2C1-2 ...
… Response data RQ1, RQ21, RQ26, RQ2C Request signal

Claims (28)

[Claims] There are a plurality of processing modes that can be set for a data group having one or more data, a plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and each of the data groups included in each group is included. Data for notifying the set processing mode in a data processing device capable of setting any one or more of the plurality of processing modes collectively in units of the classified processing groups for the data group. A processing mode notification method for a processing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of rows corresponding to each of the plurality of processing groups; and a plurality of columns corresponding to each of the plurality of configurable processing modes, arranged in a matrix. Among the plurality of indicators, the indicator located at the intersection of the row corresponding to any one processing group on the matrix and the column corresponding to any one processing mode. , Processing form notification method of a data processing apparatus characterized by informing whether the processing mode of the optional 1 to the any one of the processing group is set. 2. The data is data indicating a character,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the data group is a data group indicating a character string. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing modes include at least one of a character modification mode of underline, cancellation line, character box, shading, emphasis, italic, whiteout, shadow character, inversion, and rotation. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the processing form is notified by the data processing apparatus. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of processing modes include at least one of expansion, contraction, enlargement, and reduction indicating character enlargement / reduction. A method of notifying a processing mode of the data processing device described in the above. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing modes include a frame decoration indicating a text editing function setting, an automatic line feed, an automatic page break, an automatic paragraph break,
The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising at least one of an editing function setting form of a line number display and an information number display. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of processing forms include at least one of Mincho and Gothic indicating a typeface setting of a character. A method of informing the processing mode of the data processing device described in the above. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the character string is read from a disk storing the character string. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the disk is a mini disk. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a title name or a disc name. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a song name.
A method for informing a processing mode of a data processing apparatus according to claim 7. 11. The data processing device is a display device that displays the data on a display screen.
A method for informing a processing mode of a data processing apparatus according to claim 1. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is a printing device that prints the data on an object to be printed. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the print target is a tape. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein a predetermined label is formed by half-cut on the printing target. 15. There are a plurality of processing modes that can be set for a data group having one or more data. A plurality of data groups to be processed are classified into a plurality of processing groups, and each of the data groups included in each group is included. Data for notifying the set processing mode in a data processing device capable of setting any one or more of the plurality of processing modes collectively in units of the classified processing groups for the data group. A processing mode notification device of a processing apparatus, wherein: a storage unit configured to store a processing mode set for each of the plurality of processing groups in a processing group unit; and a plurality of rows corresponding to each of the plurality of processing groups and A plurality of indicators arranged in a matrix having a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to a plurality of processing modes that can be set; and among the plurality of indicators, , The arbitrary one processing group is assigned to the arbitrary one processing group by an indicator located at the intersection of a row corresponding to the arbitrary one processing group on the matrix and a column corresponding to the arbitrary one processing form. Control means for performing control so as to notify whether or not is set. A processing mode notification device for a data processing device, comprising: 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the data is data indicating a character, and the data group is a data group indicating a character string. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of processing forms include at least one of character modification forms of underline, cancellation line, character box, shading, emphasis, italic, whiteout, shadow character, inversion and rotation. 17. The processing mode notification device of the data processing device according to claim 16, wherein: 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of processing forms include at least one of expansion, contraction, enlargement, and reduction indicating character enlargement / reduction.
A processing mode notification device for a data processing device according to claim 16. 19. The plurality of processing modes, wherein at least one of editing function settings of frame decoration, automatic line feed, automatic page break, automatic paragraph break, line number display, and information number display indicating a character editing function setting 19. The processing mode notification device for a data processing device according to claim 16, wherein the mode is included. 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing forms include at least one or more of Mincho and Gothic indicating a character type setting.
20. The processing mode notification device of the data processing device according to any one of 6 to 19. 21. The processing mode notification device according to claim 16, wherein said character string is read from a disk storing said character string. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the disk is a mini disk. 23. The processing mode notification device according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a title name or a disc name. 24. The plurality of processing groups include a processing group of a character string indicating a song title.
A processing mode notification device for a data processing device according to any one of claims 21 to 23. 25. The data processing device is a display device that displays the data on a display screen.
A processing mode notification device for a data processing device according to any one of claims 15 to 24. 26. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the data processing device is a printing device that prints the data on a print target. 27. The processing mode notification device according to claim 26, wherein the print target is a tape. 28. The processing mode notification device of the data processing device according to claim 26, wherein a predetermined label is formed on the printing target by half cutting.