JP2003122740A - Method, device for creating external character and tape printer having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an method and device for creating external characters capable of easily and promptly creating good-looking external characters by reading image data and properly editing it and a tape printer having the same. SOLUTION: The method and device for creating external characters is provided with image data reading processes (D13, D14) for reading the image data, an editing process (D15) for editing the image data read by the image data reading processes and external character storage processes (D16, D17) for storing the image data edited by the editing process as external character data expressing the external characters.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external character creating method and an external character creating apparatus for creating an external character based on read image data, and a tape printer including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an external character creating apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor which can create a new character as an external character when a character that is not stored in advance is required. This type of external character creating device is known to be equipped with a function of creating a kanji by combining radicals, for example, but it has a drawback that it can create only kanji composed of general radicals only. . Moreover, it was not possible to create symbols and pictograms as external characters. On the other hand, there is also a method of creating external character data in bitmap format by setting dot information in dot units, but in the latter case, there is a problem that the operation method is complicated and it takes time to create. .

[0003]

Therefore, in recent years, a method of reading image data with an image reader or the like and registering the image data as external character data in a bitmap format has been known. However, when registering image data read by an image reader as external characters in this way, sensing noise may occur depending on the reading method or the state of the original image, and it may be difficult to balance with other fonts stored in advance. Problem arises. Moreover, if the other fonts stored in advance are outline format data (outline font), the external character data in bitmap format will be compared to the outline font even if smoothing processing is performed during expansion processing. However, the external character and other fonts are output side by side (printed), so the appearance is spoiled.

Therefore, the present invention provides an external character creating method, an external character creating apparatus, and a tape printing apparatus including the same which can easily and quickly create a good-looking external character by reading image data and appropriately editing the image data. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

The external character creating method of the present invention comprises an image data reading step of reading image data,
It is characterized by comprising an editing step of editing the image data read by the image data reading step, and an external character data storing step of storing the image data edited by the editing step as external character data representing an external character. .

The external character creating apparatus of the present invention comprises an image data reading means for reading image data, an editing instructing means for instructing editing of the image data, and an editing means for editing the image data according to the instruction by the editing instructing means. External character data storage means for storing the image data edited by the editing means as external character data representing an external character.

According to this configuration, since the image data can be read and stored as external character data representing an external character, various external characters can be easily created without requiring troublesome work. it can. Further, since the read image data is edited and then stored as external character data, it is possible to create a good-looking external character.

In this case, it is preferable that the external character data is bitmap data.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the external character data is bitmap data.

According to this structure, since the stored external character data is data in the bitmap format, the read image data can be easily edited and can be stored without any special data conversion processing. .

In this case, it is preferable that in the editing step, the image data is displayed on the display and the dot information of each dot is corrected in dot units.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the editing means includes dot information correcting means for displaying the image data on the display and correcting the dot information of each dot by using a cursor that can be designated in dot units. .

According to this configuration, the user can correct the dot information in dot units while visually recognizing the display on which the image data is displayed, so that fine sensing noise and the like generated when the image data is read. Corrections can also be made easily.

In this case, the dot information is preferably corrected by reversing the dot information in dot units.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the dot information correcting means includes means for inverting dot information designated by the cursor in dot units.

According to this structure, the dot information can be inverted by designating the dot. That is,
Dot information can be corrected by a simple key operation that only specifies dots without requiring complicated operations.

In this case, it is preferable that the dot information is corrected by designating two dots and setting the same dot information in a dot group included in a range of a quadrangle having a line connecting the two dots as a diagonal line.

In these cases, the dot information correction means designates two dots with a cursor, and
It is preferable that a unit for setting the same dot information is included in a dot group included in a range of a quadrangle having a line connecting two dots as a diagonal line.

According to this structure, by designating two dots, the same dot information is collectively set for the dot groups included in the range of the quadrangle having the diagonal line connecting the two dots. be able to. That is, if you need to set the same dot information in a relatively wide range,
The dot information can be corrected quickly.

In these cases, there is further provided an outline data conversion step of converting the external character data in the bitmap format into the data in the outline format, and the external character data storing step includes the external character data in the outline format converted by the outline data conversion step. It is preferable to remember.

Further, in these cases, the external character data storage means further comprises outline data conversion means for converting the external character data in the bitmap format into the data in the outline format, and the external character data storage means is the external character in the outline format converted by the outline data conversion means. It is preferable to store the data.

According to this structure, since the external character data in the bitmap format can be converted into the data in the outline format, the roughness of the image (jaggedness of the image details) is conspicuous when the enlargement processing or the like is performed. Never.

In these cases, it is preferable that the image data reading means includes a means for reading the image data by a CCD (charge-coupled device).

According to this configuration, CCDs such as CCD cameras, scanners, digital cameras and video cameras
Since the image data can be read by, it is possible to easily create a good-looking external character only by correcting the small noise if the original image (subject) can be prepared.

In these cases, it is preferable that the image data reading means includes a means for reading the image data by touch panel input or tablet input.

According to this structure, since the image data can be read by touch panel input or tablet input, a wide variety of external characters can be created according to the user's needs even if there is no original image.

In these cases, it is preferable that the image data reading means includes a means for reading the image data stored in the external storage device.

According to this structure, the image data stored in the external storage device can be read, so that the image data can be read in a state where the sensing noise is relatively small. That is, since less editing processing is required for noise correction, external characters can be created more easily.

A tape printer according to the present invention is provided with the external character creating device according to any one of the above, and a printing unit for printing the external character data stored by the external character data storage unit as an external character on the tape. To do.

With this structure, it is possible to easily and visually create an external character that is not stored in the device in advance, and print it on a tape to create a label that meets the needs of the user.

In this case, it is preferable that the external character data can be used as text data representing a character.

According to this configuration, it is possible to perform processing such as changing the character size, decoration, and printing, similar to the text data stored in advance in the device. That is,
Labels using external characters can be created without requiring special operations.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An external character creating method, an external character creating apparatus, and a tape printing apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The tape printer according to the present invention has a "custom character creation function" that allows a user to create a new character as a "custom character" when a character to be printed on a label requires a character that is not previously stored in the device. "have. The "external character creation function" includes a function of reading image data and editing the image data ("reference registration function"), and is configured so that the "external character" can be created nicely and quickly. It is a thing.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the external appearance of the tape printing apparatus according to the present embodiment as a whole and the open / close lid is opened. As shown in FIGS. An outer shell is formed by the device case 2 divided into upper and lower parts, and is composed of an upper case 21 serving as an opening / closing lid, and a lower case 22 in which a mechanism portion such as a pocket 6 in which a tape cartridge is mounted is disposed. There is.

A keyboard 3 is arranged on the front side of the upper case 21, and a display 4 is arranged on the right side of the central portion.
CCD (charge-coupled device) cameras 5 are arranged on the left side of the rear part, and are used in a closed state except when the tape cartridge is attached or detached.

On the keyboard, in addition to a character key group 31 for inputting characters, symbols, numbers and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as "character"), a function key group 32 for designating various operation modes and the like. Are arranged. Further, the function key group 32 includes a [power] key (not shown), a [print] key for instructing a printing operation, a data confirmation at the time of text input, a line feed, and an instruction for selecting various modes on the selection screen. [Select] key, [Decoration] key for setting decoration such as so-called character decoration such as shading, underline, and enclosure, and background pattern, and up (“↑”), down (“↓”), In addition to the [Cursor] key for moving the cursor in the left (“←”) and right (“→”) directions and for moving the display range of the display screen 41, characters and symbols not previously stored in the device can be displayed. It includes an [external character] key (details will be described later) for creating an "external character".

The display 4 displays an arbitrary character,
It has a display screen 41 capable of displaying 12 full-width characters in the horizontal direction (X direction) and 4 full-width characters in the vertical direction (Y direction), and allows the user to select a character string to be processed or the user to use the keyboard. It is used when inputting data and various commands / instructions from 3 to edit a character string and visually check the result.

The CCD camera 5 is for taking in image data in order to create an external character, and is placed by the user so that the surface of the original image on which the image data is based contacts the CCD camera 5. As a result, the image data can be read. The method of reading the image data and the method of creating the external character will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, the lower case 22 is provided with a pocket 6 for mounting the tape cartridge C, and the tape cartridge C has an upper case (opening / closing lid) 2
It is attached to and detached from the pocket 6 with 1 open. The tape cartridge C includes a tape T having a constant width (about 4.5 mm to 48 mm) inside the cartridge case 51.
In addition to accommodating the ink ribbon R and the ink ribbon R, a through hole 55 for inserting into the head unit 61 arranged in the pocket 6 is formed. Also, tapes T with different widths
A plurality of small holes are provided on the back surface so that the type can be identified, and the pocket 6 is provided with a tape identification sensor 151 such as a micro switch for detecting the presence or absence of the holes. Thus, the type and setting information of the tape T can be detected.

Further, the tape T has an adhesive surface formed on the back surface and is covered with a release paper.
The tape T and the ink ribbon R run in a state where they overlap each other at the position of the through hole 55, and only the tape T is discharged to the outside and the ink ribbon R is wound inside.

The head unit 61 has a built-in print head 7 composed of a thermal head. With the tape cartridge C mounted in the pocket 6, the print head 7 is exposed from the through hole 55 of the tape cartridge C. It comes into contact with the back surface of the ink ribbon R that is in use. Then, by driving the print head 7 to generate heat,
A desired character or the like is printed on the surface of the tape T.

Further, a tape discharge port 23 that communicates the pocket 6 with the outside of the device is formed on the left side of the device case 2 (lower case 22), and the fed tape T is cut into the tape discharge port 23. The tape cutter 132 that faces is facing. The tape cartridge 4 installed in the pocket 6
Drive shafts 62, 63, etc., with which the driven parts of the drive shaft are engaged, and the feed motor 121 is used as a drive source to feed the tape T and the ink ribbon R in the tape cartridge C by the drive shafts 62, 63. Is performed, and the print head 7 is driven in synchronization with them to perform printing. Further, after the printing is completed, the feeding of the tape T is continued and the predetermined cutting position is fed to the position of the tape cutter 132.

A general method of using the thus configured tape printing apparatus 1 is to use the keyboard 3 while the user mounts the tape cartridge C in the pocket 6 and confirms the input / editing result on the display 4. Then, print information such as desired characters and symbols is input to instruct printing. According to this instruction, the tape T is unwound from the tape cartridge C, the desired printing is performed on the tape T by the print head 7, and then the printed portion is sent out from the tape discharge port 23 to the outside at any time. Then, when printing is completed, the tape is fed to the position of the tape length including the margin, and the tape T is cut at the predetermined position to create the label.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the tape printer 1
The configuration of the control system will be described. Tape printer 1
Is an operation unit 11 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 for interfacing with a user, a printing unit 12 having a print head 7 and a feed motor 121 for printing on a tape T fed from a tape cartridge C, and a tape. A cutting unit 13 having a cutter 132 and a cutter motor 131 for cutting and cutting the tape T after printing, a CCD
A reading unit 14 having the camera 5 for reading image data; a tape identifying sensor 151; a detecting unit 15 for detecting a tape type; and a driving unit 270 having various drivers for driving each circuit. In addition, a control unit 200 that controls each unit in the tape printer 1 is provided. Therefore, the printing unit 12 and the cutting unit 1 are provided inside the device case 2.
3, a reading unit 14, a detection unit 15, and the like, and a circuit board (not shown) is housed. In addition to the power supply unit, each circuit of the drive unit 270 and the control unit 200 is mounted on this circuit board, and is connected to an AC adapter connection port (not shown) or a battery such as a nickel cadmium battery that can be detached from the outside.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210 and a ROM 2
20, character generator ROM (CG-ROM)
230, RAM 240, peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 2
50, which are connected to each other by an internal bus 260. The ROM 220 has a control program area 221 for storing a control program processed by the CPU 210 and a control data area 222 for storing control data including a character decoration table and the like. The CG-ROM 230 stores the font data of the characters prepared in the tape printer 1, and outputs the corresponding font data when the code data specifying each character is given.

Even if the power supply is turned off, the RAM 240 is
Power is supplied from a backup circuit (not shown) so as to retain the stored data, various register groups 241, a text data area 242 for storing text data such as characters input by the user from the keyboard 3,
An image data area 243 for storing the image data read by the CCD camera 5, an external character data area 244 for storing the edited image data as external character data, and an area such as various conversion buffer areas 245 are provided for control processing. Used as a work area.

The P-CON 250 has a logic circuit for complementing the function of the CPU 210 and for handling interface signals with peripheral circuits, a gate array and a custom LS.
I and the like are incorporated and incorporated, and the detection signal from the tape identification sensor 151 and various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 are directly or processed and taken into the internal bus 260, and in cooperation with the CPU 210, the CPU 210 The data and control signals output to the internal bus 260 from the above or the like are output to the drive unit 270 as they are or after being processed.

Then, the CPU 210 has the above-mentioned configuration, and executes the PC by the control program in the ROM 220.
Various detection signals, various commands, various data, etc. are input via the ON 250, the font data from the CG-ROM 230, various data in the RAM 240, etc. are processed, and P-CO
By outputting a control signal to the driving unit 270 via N250, the reading control of the CCD camera 5 and the display screen 4 can be performed.
In addition to the display control of No. 1 and the like, the print head 7 is controlled to print on the tape T under a predetermined printing condition, and the tape printing apparatus 1 as a whole is controlled.

Next, an external character creating method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the display screen 41. As described above, when the user creates a document to be printed on a label, the tape printer 1 of the present invention can create a new character as an "external character" if a character that is not stored in the device in advance is required. It has an "external character creation function". In addition, the "external character creation function" includes a "reference registration function" for reading image data and editing the image data. This allows the "external character" to be created nicely and quickly. It is a thing. Hereinafter, the "reference registration function" which is the gist of the present invention will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user [power supply]
As the key is pressed, the <text input screen> (D1
0) is displayed. The white number "1" displayed here is
It indicates that the character to be input next is the input on the first line. In addition, the character cursor K1 attached below the outline number "1" indicates that the character to be input next is displayed (input) immediately to the right of the outline number "1". ing.

Next, when the user presses the [external character] key on the <text input screen> (D10),
The screen changes to <External character function selection screen> (D11). Here, as the external character function, "registration", "correction", "call",
“Erase”, “reference registration” and “outline outline character” can be selected, and among these, three options “registration”, “correction” and “call” are displayed. this is,
This is because the display screen 41 can only display four lines.
Other options can be displayed by pressing the [Cursor] key (see D12).

Here, the "registration" of the external character function is to set the dot information of each dot using a cursor (editing cursor K2) that can be designated in dot units (display screen 4
By drawing the drawing area E2 (see FIG. 5 (b)) displayed in No. 1 on graph paper and moving the editing cursor K2 up, down, left, and right to fill in one area, draw an arbitrary image and draw it. This is a function of registering as external character data representing "external character". Further, "correction" is a function of correcting (reversing) the dot information of each dot with respect to registered external character data by using the edit cursor K2, and is "erasing". Stores the registered external character data in the RAM 240 (external character data area 244).
It is a function to delete (delete) from inside. The “reference registration” and the “outer outline character” will be described below in order.

[External character function selection screen] (D11)
When the [cursor] key "→" or "↓" is pressed four times, the option "reference registration" is shaded (D1
2) When the [Select] key is pressed in this state,
The screen changes to the <read selection screen> (D13). Here, the editing area E1 centering on the drawing area E2 is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the option of "Yes" or "No" for reading the image data is displayed on the right side of the screen. When "reading" is performed, an original image cut into a size smaller than the size of the camera is placed on the CCD camera 5 with its surface facing down, and preparation for reading is made. Then, in the initial state (default state) of this <read selection screen> (D13), “Yes” is displayed in a shaded area, so if the [Select] key is pressed in this state, <Image data read Transition to screen> (D14). The editing area E1 displayed on the left side of the screen is an area ((horizontal direction) 50 × (vertical direction) 50 dots) for editing the read image data, and the central drawing area E2.
((Horizontal direction) 16 × (vertical direction) 16 dots) is an area for displaying the read image data.

When the screen changes to <Image data reading screen> (D14), the characters "Reading" are displayed in a shaded state, and after the reading process is completed, the screen changes to <Editing screen> (D15).
In this <editing screen>, the read image data is displayed in the drawing area E2 and is enlarged and displayed in the editing area E1. An edit cursor K2 is displayed at the dot at the upper right corner of the drawing area E2, and image data is edited using this edit cursor K2. On the other hand, on the right side of the screen, the cursor position "(horizontal direction) 16 x (vertical direction) 16" and the edit menus "1 normal", "2 black paint" and "3 white paint" are displayed (edit menu Display area E3). The cursor position indicates the position "16x16" of the editing cursor K2 when the dot position of the lower left apex of the drawing area E2 is "0x0".
The value changes as the [cursor] key is pressed. The edit menus (“1 normal”, “2 black paint” and “3 white paint”) will be described in detail in the following description of the editing method.

Editing is completed on the <Edit screen> (D15),
When the user presses the [select] key, the screen changes to <registration number selection screen> (D16). On the <registration number selection screen>, six external character data can be registered in the RAM 240 (external character data area 244) (including not only the “reference registration” function but also external character data registered by the “registration” function). However, here, since the external character data has not been registered yet, the registration number "1" is displayed in a shaded manner.
Further, since the external character data registered here is data in the bitmap format, the registration number is displayed together with the character "bitmap external character". In this way, registration (memory)
Since the external character data to be generated is bitmap data, the read image data can be easily edited and can be registered without any special data conversion processing. If some external character data has already been registered, the smallest unregistered number is displayed. If all registered numbers 1 to 6 are registered, after displaying that registration is not possible, select the external character data number to be deleted from the registered external character data. Display a prompt message. When the user selects the number of the external character data to be deleted, this number becomes the registration number of the newly created external character data, and the registration is completed.

Next, when the registration number is selected on the <registration number selection screen> (D16) and the [select] key is pressed, the screen changes to the <registration completion screen> (D17). Here, the characters "registration completed" indicating that the registration is completed and the registration number (here, "1") are displayed. The above operation completes the creation of the external character data (bitmap format). The created external character data is stored as "external character" in the main body RAM 240 (external character data area 244) and is treated in the same manner as other characters (text data) such as alphabets and numbers. That is, the full-width 1 in the document
You can enter it as a character, and
It is possible to perform processing such as changing the font size, decoration and printing.

The external character data is registered in the main body RAM 2
In addition to being stored in the 40 (external character data area 244), an external storage medium such as a memory card may be detachably configured and stored therein. According to this configuration, since a large number of external character data can be created and registered, it is possible to create a wide variety of labels that meet the needs of the user. In addition, the external character can be stored (registered) without worrying about the storage capacity, and the external character data will not be lost even if an unexpected situation such as a battery exhaustion of the main body occurs.

In this case, <Registration number selection screen>
In (D16), it is preferable to select whether to register in the main body RAM 240 (external character data area 244) or in an external storage medium. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the usability because it is possible to change the external storage medium to be stored according to the type of the external character data created. In addition, the main body RAM24
If it cannot be registered in 0 (registered in all registration numbers 1 to 6), it may be prompted to register in the external storage medium, or the external character data in the main body RAM 240 may be deleted or It may be configured such that it is possible to select whether to register in the storage medium.

Further, in the <registration number selection screen> (D16), after the registration number is selected, "reading" of the external character data may be registered. For example, in FIG.
"Logo" on the image (external characters) shown in the drawing area E2 of D16
If you set "reading", when you create a document,
By inputting "rogo" as in the case of calling a normal kanji, this external character can be selected as a choice of characters to be converted. That is, the registered external character can be called without the troublesome work of pressing the [external character] key to select the "call" function and then selecting the registration number to be called.

Here, the method of editing the image data on the <Edit screen> (D15) will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5A, the read image data is stored in the editing area E.
The image is displayed in the drawing area E2 within 1. As shown in FIG. 6B, the drawing area E2 is composed of a 16 × 16 dot matrix, and in the initial state, the edit cursor K2 is displayed at the dot at the upper right vertex. This allows
The user can check the number of dots that are configured (see "Cursor position" in Fig. 6 (a)), and also easily check the position indicated by the cursor (read here for clarity). The display of the image data is omitted in the drawing).

Further, with respect to one external character, the horizontal and vertical directions are 16, 24, 30, 38, 48 dots,
The external character data having a size of 5 levels is registered. This is to print a plurality of character sizes with a good appearance. However, so that it is not necessary to create all 5 levels of external characters from the beginning, it automatically expands based on 16-dot data, and 24, 30, 38, 48-dot external character data is registered. ing. Further, the details of the expanded external character data can be appropriately corrected by the "correction" function.

By the way, as shown in the edit menu display area E3 in FIG. 5 (a), there are three types of edit menus, "1 normal", "2 black paint" and "3 white paint". When one is selected, the drawing area E2 is enlarged and displayed in the editing area E1 in order to facilitate editing (Fig. 4D15 shows "1 normal" as the editing menu.
Shows the selected state).

Here, when "1 normal" is selected, the dot information can be inverted on a dot-by-dot basis. That is, when the noise (sensing noise) at the time of reading as shown in the drawing area E2 of FIG. 4D15 is desired to be erased, the edit cursor K2 is moved to the dot where the sensing noise appears by using the [Cursor] key, By pressing the key (such as [Shift] key), black is reversed to white (noise is erased).
be able to. If the dot at the cursor position is white, it can be reversed to black. According to this function, you can perform simple key operation by just specifying dots.
Dot information can be modified.

When "2 black paint" is selected,
It is possible to set all the dot information of the dot group included in the range of the quadrangle whose diagonal is the two dots designated by the edit cursor K2 to black. As shown in FIG. 6A, when a predetermined key (such as the [shift] key) is pressed after the dot A is designated using the [cursor] key, one position of the diagonal line is determined. Furthermore, when a predetermined key ([shift] key or the like) is pressed after the dot B is specified using the [cursor] key, it means that the other position of the diagonal line has been determined. All the dot groups included in the range of the quadrangle having the line connecting the lines as the diagonal line are set to black.

When "3 white paint" is selected,
As shown in FIG. 6B, as in the case where “2 black paint” is selected, the two dots (dot A and dot B) designated by the edit cursor K2 are included in the range of a quadrangle that is a diagonal line. All the dot information of the dot group can be set to white. That is, according to the "2 black paint" and "3 white paint" functions, when the same dot information needs to be set in a relatively wide range, the dot information can be corrected quickly.

Image data that has been edited using the above-described edit menu is registered as external character data in the manner described with reference to FIG. 4 above. > (FIG. 4D15) and then pressing the [Select] key without selecting the edit menu, the read image data can be registered as the external character data as it is.

In the above example, the image data is edited by moving the edit cursor K2 in the drawing area E2 by using the [cursor] key, but the position of the edit cursor K2 is not moved. Alternatively, the displayed image data may be edited by scrolling vertically and horizontally. According to this configuration, even if the edit area E1 or the drawing area E2 for editing the image data is small and the edit cursor K2 is extremely small accordingly, the position of the edit cursor K2 is always fixed, so that it is not lost. Moreover, the image data can be edited in a state that is easy to see.

Next, the "outline external character" function which is one of the "external character functions" will be described. As described above, the external character data registered by the "reference registration" (or "registration") function is data in the bitmap format, but if it is left as it is, the image roughness (image The jagged details are noticeable. Therefore, like other characters (text data), if converted into outline format data and registered, it will not spoil the appearance even when printed side by side with other characters.
Therefore, a method of converting the data in the bitmap format (external character in the bitmap) into the data in outline format (outer character in the outline) will be described below with reference to the display screen 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, <External character function selection screen>
In (D21), when the user presses the [Select] key in a state where the option “Outline external character” is displayed in a shaded state, the screen changes to the <bitmap external character selection screen> (D
22). On the <bitmap external character selection screen>, the registered external character data in the bitmap format is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the registration number is shaded on the right side. here,
When the user presses the [Cursor] key, the registered external character data is displayed in order, and when the [Select] key is pressed while the desired external character data is displayed, <Outline external character conversion selection screen> (D23).
On the <Outline external character selection screen>, select "Yes" or "No" for outline, and click "Yes".
If is selected, the screen changes to the <outline external character conversion screen> (D24).

On the "outline external character conversion screen", the characters "in conversion" are displayed in a shaded state, and after the conversion processing, the screen changes to the "registration number selection screen" (D25). Here, the outlined external character data is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the registration number of the outline external character is displayed on the right side. In order to distinguish the outline external character registration number from the bitmap external character registration number, a circled number (such as "") is displayed. Since there are no outline characters already registered here, the registration number "" is displayed, and when the user presses the [Select] key in this state, the <Registration completion screen>
Is displayed, and the fact that the registration of the registration number is completed is displayed (D26).

Here, the process of converting the external character data in the bitmap format into the external character data in the outline format and expanding the character will be briefly described. First, the bitmap format data is shifted vertically and vertically, and the contour is extracted by XORing with the original bitmap data, and then the outline format data (line and arc, Bezier curve, spiral, spline, etc.) is used. Outline font data). Then, when character expansion is performed from the outline font data, the outline font data is expanded to font coordinates of a target size by a data method such as Bezier curve to create a character outline.
Finally, the contour is filled by spatially integrating the contour (differential information). In addition, this "fill"
It is preferable to use an XOR method based on an even-odd rule (a method of scanning in the lateral direction from the left side to fill in between the odd-numbered line and the even-numbered line) as shown in FIG. With this configuration, the filling process can be performed simply and at high speed.

Even in the outline character, 6 pieces of data (from the registration number) can be registered in the same manner as the bitmap character, and if the registration is not possible,
Encourage the deletion of other outline characters. In addition, the outlined external character data is handled in the same manner as other characters (text data).

Further, it is preferable that the outline external character can also be registered as "reading" or can be registered in an external storage medium, like the bitmap external character. Further, in order to effectively use the storage area, the bitmap data that is the source of the outlined external character data is deleted from the main body RAM 240 (or the external storage medium) when the outline external character is registered. It may be configured. In addition, in order to save the trouble of converting the bitmap format data to the outline format data, all the external character data registered by the "reference registration" or "registration" function is registered after being converted to the outline format data. You may do it.

As described above, according to the external character creating method, the external character creating apparatus, and the tape printing apparatus having the same according to the present invention, it is possible to read image data and store it as external character data and output it as an external character. Because you can
External characters can be created easily and quickly. Further, since the read image data is edited and stored as external character data, it is possible to create a good-looking external character. Further, since the image data can be read by the CCD camera 5, if only the original image is prepared, a beautiful external character can be easily created only by correcting fine noise.

In the above example, the external character data consisting of 16 dots in the horizontal and vertical directions is registered, and based on this, the external character data of 5 levels of 24, 30, 38, 48 dots is registered. However, the number of dots of the external character data to be registered is not limited to this, 60 dots, 9 dots
It may be configured so that data of higher resolution such as 6 dots can be registered. Further, the resolution to be registered may be selected by the user. According to this configuration, it is possible to print a better-looking external character, and thus it is possible to further expand the range of application, such as creating a label with a photograph.

In the above example, the image data is read by the CCD camera 5, but the image data may be read by another method. For example, by connecting to a scanner (image reader) or OCR, the image data captured by these may be stored as external character data. According to this configuration, similarly to the CCD camera 5, it is possible to easily create a good-looking external character only by scanning the original image and reading the original image and correcting fine noise due to dust or the like.

Alternatively, a touch panel or a tablet may be provided on the device, and image data may be taken in by manually inputting characters or pictures into them. According to this configuration, even if there is no original image, it is possible to create a wide variety of external characters according to the needs of the user.

Alternatively, the image data stored in these may be read by connecting to an external storage device such as a personal computer. According to this configuration, the image data can be read in a state where the sensing noise is relatively small. That is, since less editing processing is required for noise correction, external characters can be created more easily.

Further, it may be connected to a video camera or a digital camera to read image data taken by these, or the tape printer 1 may be equipped with these functions. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image of a handy type tape printer (label writer) equipped with a digital camera function. As shown here, it is also possible to capture an image captured with the imaging lens facing the subject as image data and output it as an external character. According to these methods, it is possible to output (print) an external character close to that of a photograph by configuring it so that it can be edited and output at high resolution. Further, since the image data can be instantly read and the subject that is the source of the image data is not selected (anything that can be imaged by the digital camera may be used), various original external characters can be created.

Further, although the tape printing apparatus has been described in the above embodiments, the present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses for printing on a printing object other than tape and other document creating apparatuses capable of creating external characters. Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0081]

As described above, according to the external character creating method, external character creating apparatus, and tape printing apparatus having the same according to the present invention, image data can be read and appropriately edited to create a good-looking external character. It has the effect that it can be created easily and quickly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an open state of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display of an external character creating method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an <editing screen>.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image data editing function.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display of an outline external character conversion method.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of filling with an XOR method.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image when a handy type tape printer is equipped with a digital camera function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tape printer 3 keyboard 4 display 5 CCD camera 11 Operation part 12 Printing department 13 cutting part 14 reading section 15 Detector 31-character key group 32 function keys 41 Display screen 200 Control unit 210 CPU 220 ROM 230 CG-ROM 240 RAM 270 Drive C tape cartridge E1 editing area E2 drawing area E3 edit menu display area K1 character cursor K2 edit cursor T tape

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Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An image data reading step of reading image data, an editing step of editing the image data read by the image data reading step, and the image data edited by the editing step is external character data representing an external character. The external character data storage step of storing the external character, and the external character creating method. 2. The external character creating method according to claim 1, wherein the external character data is data in a bitmap format. 3. The external character creating method according to claim 2, wherein the editing step displays the image data on a display and corrects dot information of each dot in dot units. 4. The external character creating method according to claim 3, wherein the dot information is corrected by inverting the dot information in dot units. 5. The modification of the dot information is characterized in that two dots are designated and the same dot information is set to a dot group included in a range of a quadrangle having a line connecting the two dots as a diagonal line. The external character creating method according to claim 3. 6. The external character data in the bitmap format is
The outline character conversion step of converting into outline format data is further provided, and the external character data storage step stores the outline character external character data converted by the outline data conversion step. How to create an external character described in either. 7. Image data reading means for reading image data, editing instruction means for instructing editing of the image data, editing means for editing the image data in accordance with instructions from the editing instruction means, and the editing means. An external character creation device, comprising: external character data storage means for storing the image data edited by the external character data as external character data representing an external character. 8. The external character creation device according to claim 7, wherein the external character data is data in a bitmap format. 9. The editing means includes dot information correction means for displaying the image data on a display and correcting dot information of each dot using a cursor that can be designated in dot units. The external character creation device according to claim 8. 10. The external character creation device according to claim 9, wherein the dot information correction means includes means for inverting dot information designated by the cursor in dot units. 11. The dot information correction means specifies two dots with the cursor, and sets the same dot information in a dot group included in a rectangular range having a line connecting the two dots as a diagonal line. The external character creating device according to claim 9, further comprising means. 12. The external character data storage means further comprises outline data conversion means for converting the external character data in the bitmap format into data in the outline format, wherein the external character data storage means is the external character data in the outline format converted by the outline data conversion means. The external character creating device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: 13. The image data reading means includes C
13. The external character creating device according to claim 7, further comprising means for reading image data by a CD. 14. The external character creating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image data reading means includes means for reading image data by touch panel input or tablet input. 15. The external character creating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image data reading means includes means for reading image data stored in an external storage device. 16. The external character creating device according to claim 7, and a printing unit for printing the external character data stored by the external character data storage unit as external characters on a tape. And a tape printer. 17. The tape printer according to claim 16, wherein the external character data can be used as text data representing a character.