JP2003237174A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printer capable of easily and quickly setting a printing style for an editing operation. <P>SOLUTION: The tape printer 1 capable of setting a printing style for an editing operation prior to printing on a tape A, comprises a menu setting means (a size key 104 and an editing key 106) for displaying a plurality of predetermined printing styles as a menu and setting an optional printing style out of the displayed printing styles, and a key setting means (a vertical and lateral key 105) for directly setting a printing style by a predetermined order by a single dedicated key out of a plurality of printing styles predetermined as choices and displaying the set printing style. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer capable of editing its print style prior to printing on tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional tape printer, a print style for editing is set by designating a print style to be applied from a tree-structured menu composed of a plurality of print styles with a cursor key or the like, and then a selection key. It was done by confirming with etc.

[0003]

By the way, in the setting of the print style by the menu method as described above, since the user selects the print style to be applied from the plurality of displayed print styles, the user understands it. On the other hand, in order to change and set the print style to be applied by the user, the menu must be displayed and the print style to be applied must be designated and confirmed each time, so the operation tends to be complicated. In particular, if the print style that is frequently switched and set is configured in multiple layers, the print style designation / confirmation operation must be repeated, complicating the user's operations and even setting the print style. There was a problem that it took time.

Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the fact that there is a print style that is frequently switched and set among various print styles for editing in a tape printer. Its purpose is to provide a configurable tape printer.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Prior to printing on a tape, in a tape printer in which a print style for editing can be set, a plurality of predetermined print styles are displayed in a menu, and the displayed print style is selected. Menu setting means capable of setting any one print style,
From a plurality of printing styles that are predetermined as options,
A single dedicated key is used to directly set one print style in a predetermined order, and a key setting means for displaying the set print style is provided.

According to this structure, when setting the print style, the menu setting means for displaying the menu and the key setting means capable of directly setting by a single key operation are provided, so that the convenience and operability for the user are improved. Can be improved. That is, since the menu setting means displays a large number of print styles in a menu and selects and sets one print style at a time, it is easy for the user to understand, and when the menu is displayed by the key setting means, complicated operation is required for setting. Since the print style can be set directly by a single dedicated key operation, the print style can be set easily and quickly.

In this case, the key setting means has two printing styles as options, and the two printing styles are preferably vertical writing and horizontal writing.

According to this structure, the vertical writing / horizontal writing switching of the print character, which is frequently set to be switched when the tape printer using the tape as the printing object, can be realized by a single operation of the dedicated key, which is troublesome for the user. It is possible to improve the operability of the user without compelling the user to perform various operations.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the entire tape printer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the appearance when the opening / closing lid of the tape printer according to this embodiment is opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printer 1
The cover case 2 forms an outer shell, and a keyboard 5 including various input keys is provided on the upper front surface of the cover case 2.
1 is provided, and an opening / closing lid 3 and a display 54 for displaying print information are provided on the rear upper surface of the cover case. Indicators (not shown) for displaying various setting statuses such as typeface, character size, and vertical / horizontal writing printing are provided at the upper and lower portions of the display 54 to indicate the setting state of the tape printer 1. . A tape ejection port 4 for ejecting the printed printing tape A is formed on the left side of the cover case 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tape printer 1 includes an operation unit 13 for interfacing the tape printer 1 and a user, and a printing unit 11 for sending the printing tape A and printing on the printing tape A. A cutting unit 12 that cuts the printing tape A after printing, and a control unit 1 that controls each unit of the tape printer 1 to control the entire tape printer.
4 and.

In the tape printer 1, the user mounts the tape cartridge C in a pocket 21 (described later) for the user to mount the tape cartridge C, confirms the display 54, and inputs print information using the keyboard 51. When printing is instructed, the printing tape A is unwound from the tape cartridge C, the printing unit 11 prints on the printing tape A, the printed portion is sent out from the tape discharge port 4 at any time, and when the printing is completed, the tape including the margin is printed. After feeding the printing tape A to the length position, the cutting unit 12
Is to cut the printing tape A at a predetermined position.

As for the printing tape A, the adhesive surface on the back side is covered with release paper, and a plurality of types having different widths are prepared. The printing tape A is housed in the tape cartridge C together with the ink ribbon B.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the tape cartridge C accommodates the printing tape A and the ink ribbon B inside and is mounted in the pocket 21. The tape cartridge C is formed with a through hole C1 to be inserted into a head unit 31 described later arranged in the pocket 21, and the printing tape A and the ink ribbon B are overlapped with each other at the position of the through hole C1. Drive in. Further, the tape cartridge C has a platen roller (not shown) that presses the print tape A and the ink ribbon B against the print head 32, which will be described later, and inside thereof, a driven portion that engages with the drive shaft 23. C2 is provided. Further, the tape cartridge C is provided with a plurality of small identification holes on the back surface so that the type of the printing tape A can be identified by the difference in tape width and the like.

The printing section 11 comprises a pocket 21 for mounting the tape cartridge C and a head unit 31 for printing on the printing tape A fed from the tape cartridge C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket 21 is provided inside the opening / closing lid 3, and the tape cartridge C is attached to / detached from the pocket 21 with the opening / closing lid 3 open.
The pocket 21 is provided with a tape identification sensor 22 including a micro switch or the like for detecting the presence or absence of the identification hole of the tape cartridge C in order to detect the tape type of the mounted tape cartridge C. Also, pocket 2
1 is provided with a drive shaft 23 that engages with a driven portion C2 of the tape cartridge C. The drive shaft 23 uses the feed motor 24 as a drive source, and feeds the printing tape A and the ink ribbon B by rotating the platen roller via the driven portion C2. In addition, the pocket 21
Is provided with an ambient temperature sensor 25 that detects the ambient temperature of the thermistor or the like and sends it to the control unit 14.

The head unit 31 has a built-in print head 32 composed of a thermal head, and when the tape cartridge C is loaded in the pocket 21, the print head 32 is provided.
Corresponds to the back surface of the ink ribbon B exposed from the through hole C1 of the tape cartridge C. Then, when the print head 32 is driven to generate heat, characters and the like are printed on the surface of the print tape A. The drive of the print head 32 is performed in synchronization with the feeding of the print tape A and the ink ribbon B by the drive shaft 23. Be seen.

The cutting unit 12 includes a tape cutter 41 and a cut button 42 for manually cutting the tape cutter 41.
And a cutter motor 43 for automatically cutting the tape cutter 41, and automatic / manual tape cutting can be switched by setting the tape cutting mode. In the case of manual cutting, when the user presses the cut button 42 provided on the cover case 2 when printing is completed, the tape cutter operates and the printing tape A is cut to an arbitrary length. Further, in the case of automatic cutting, when printing is completed, the tape is fed by the margin, and at the same time the cutter motor 43 is driven to cut the printing tape A.

The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard 51 and a display 54. The display 54 has a rectangular shape of about 6 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × about 4 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction), and has a display screen 55 capable of displaying display image data of 64 dots × 32 dots and various setting conditions. It has 18 indicators (not shown) for displaying.
Then, the display 54 displays the keyboard 51
It is used when inputting data and various commands / instructions from the user, and creating / editing print image data such as character string image data.

The keyboard 51 is connected to the control unit 14 and includes an alphabet key group, a symbol key group, a numeric key group, a kana key group such as hiragana and katakana, and an external character key group for calling and selecting an external character. Character key group 5 including
In addition to 2, function key group 5 for specifying various operation modes
3 and the like are provided (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

The function key group 53 includes a power key 101, a print key 102 for instructing a printing operation, a selection key 103 for confirming data at the time of text input, a line feed, and a selection instruction for various modes on a selection screen, and a print key. A size key 104 for setting the size of characters, a vertical / horizontal key 105 for switching vertical / horizontal writing for printing, an edit key 106 for adjusting the appearance of printed characters such as the typeface and character modification of printed characters, layout, and margins, and Four cursor keys for moving the cursor in the up (“↑”), down (“↓”), left (“←”) and right (“→”) directions and the display range of the display screen 55. 107 (107U, 107D, 10
7L, 107R: “Cursor“ ↑ ”key 107U” and the like) are included.

Further, the function key group 53 includes a cancel key 108 for canceling various instructions, and a shift key 1 used for changing the role of each key and correcting drawing registration image data.
09, a file key 110 for registering and calling a text file, a symbol key 111 used for inputting pictograms and symbols
Etc. are also included.

Of course, like a general keyboard, keys for these inputs may be provided individually, or the number of keys can be reduced by combining with the shift key 109 or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 1 will be described.
4 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a character generation ROM (CG-ROM) 63, a RAM 64, and a peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 65, and the internal bus 6 is mutually provided.
Connected by 6. The ROM 62 has a control program area 201 for storing a control program processed by the CPU 61, and a control data area 202 for storing control data including a color conversion table and a character decoration table. The CG-ROM 63 stores font data such as characters, symbols, and figures prepared for the tape printer 1, and when code data for specifying characters is given, outputs the corresponding font data.

The RAM 64 is supplied with power by a backup circuit (not shown) so as to retain the stored data even when the power is turned off by operating the power key 101, and various register groups 203 and , A text data area 204 for storing text data such as characters input by the user from the keyboard 51, and a display image data storage area 20 for storing display image data of the display screen 55.
5, a drawing registration image data area 206 for storing drawing registration image data, a print history data area 207, and various conversion buffer areas 208 such as other color conversion buffers. Used as.

The P-CON 65 has a built-in logic circuit for complementing the function of the CPU 61 and for handling interface signals with peripheral circuits, a gate array, a custom LSI, and the like. The P-CON 65 is connected to various sensors and the keyboard 51, and various detection signals and various commands and input data from the keyboard 51 are directly or processed and taken into the internal bus 66, and the CPU
In cooperation with 61, the data and control signals output from the CPU 61 or the like to the internal bus 66 are output to each part of the tape printer.

Then, the CPU 61 inputs various detection signals, various commands, various data, etc. through the P-CON 65 in accordance with the control program in the ROM 62, and the CG-R.
The font data from the OM 63, various data in the RAM 64, etc. are processed, and a control signal is output to each part of the tape printer via the P-CON 65. As a result, the CPU 61
Controls the printing position and the display of the display screen 55, and also controls the print head 32 to print on the printing tape A under a predetermined printing condition.

Next, the overall processing flow of the control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the processing is started by turning on the power or the like, initial setting for returning the tape printer 1 to the required initial state is performed (S1), and then the initial screen is displayed on the display screen ( S2). When the initial screen display is completed and the key input interrupt is enabled, the key input interrupt standby state (S3: N
o), and key input is possible. When a key input interrupt is generated by key input (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to interrupt processing (S4), and when the interrupt processing ends,
The key input interrupt standby state is again (S3: No).
The determination branch (S3) and whether or not various interrupt processes (S4) are key inputs are conceptually illustrated processes.

In the tape printer 1, since the main processing is performed by interruption processing, if the preparation for print image creation and the preparation for printing is completed, the user can print the print key 1 at any time.
When 02 is pressed, a print process interrupt occurs, the print process is activated, and printing is performed, so that the user can arbitrarily select an operation procedure up to printing.

Up to this point, the configuration of the tape printer 1 and the overall control process have been described. Based on this, the editing means according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

As described above, the tape printer 1 can input print data while visually recognizing it on the display 54, and can create and edit print image data to be printed on the print tape A. Here, creation / editing of print image data will be described by taking a case of performing character input as an example. When a character is input while the text input screen is displayed on the display 54, the cursor 56 displayed on the display 54 moves to the next character input position. In addition, the input character is a negative state indicating a state of input provisional confirmation (state inverted to black: see D3 in FIG. 8).
Is displayed, and then the selection key 103 is pressed to confirm the input (positive state: see D4 in FIG. 8). Then, when the print key 102 is pressed after the character input is completed and confirmed, the printing is started. When the tape cutting mode is automatic, the tape is automatically cut when the printing is completed.

Further, the tape printer 1 has a size key 104, a vertical / horizontal key 105, and an edit key 106, and the size of an input character and a print style such as vertical / horizontal writing and a typeface can be appropriately edited by these keys. It is like this.

The size key 104 is a function key for setting the print style for setting the size of print characters.
When the size key 104 is pressed, a character size menu is displayed on the display screen 55 so that the size of print characters can be set. When the size key 104 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6, the first item of the character size menu, that is, the menu items “1 line” and “2 lines” indicating the number of lines to be printed on the printing tape A are first displayed as options. When you select one of the displayed first-level menu items,
Next, a menu item having a character size corresponding to the menu item is displayed in the second layer. Then, when the character size to be printed is selected from the second layer, the size of the selected character is set.

For example, when printing the second line on the printing tape A and setting the first lowercase letter and the second uppercase letter, the size key 104 is first pressed to display the first layer of the character size menu. Next, cursor key 107U ・ D (↑)
Operate (↓) to move the cursor to the menu item "2 lines" and press the select key 103 to select the menu item "Large &Large" (1st and 2nd lines) of the second layer corresponding to the first layer "2 lines". Both upper case), "Large and small" (upper case on the first line, lower case on the second line), "small large" (lower case on the first line, upper case on the second line), "small" (lower case on the first and second lines) Let And
The cursor key 107U is the same as that selected in the first layer.
・ Operate D (↑) (↓) to move the cursor to the first lowercase letter and the second uppercase letter, and press the select key 103 to print the second row on the printing tape and the first lowercase letter and the second uppercase letter. Is set.

Next, the edit key 106 will be described.
The edit key 106 is a function key for adjusting a print style such as appearance of print characters and a tape length. When the edit key 106 is pressed, an edit menu is displayed, and setting is performed by selecting a menu item. Explaining with reference to FIG. 7, when the edit key 106 is pressed, first of all, “typeface”, “decorative character”, “frame / table”, “character space”, “layout”,
Menu items of "fixed length", "margin", and "mirror character" are displayed. Similar to the case of the size key 104 described above, the cursor keys 107U and D (↑) (↓) and the selection key 103 are used.
Thus, the print style to be set can be specified and selected from these menu items to display the second hierarchy and the third hierarchy, and the print style indicated by the menu item can be set by further specifying and selecting.

The vertical / horizontal keys 105 are for displaying the menu without displaying the menu.
This is a dedicated key for switching between vertical and horizontal printing of print characters. The operation flow of the vertical and horizontal keys 105 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
When the vertical / horizontal keys 105 are pressed when the text input screen is in the positive state, that is, the screen in which the entered characters are confirmed (D4), "vertical writing" is displayed on the display screen 55 for 0.75 seconds (D5), A vertical / horizontal indicator (not shown) indicating the vertical writing setting lights up (S11), the setting is switched from horizontal writing to vertical writing (S12), and the normal text input screen for vertical writing setting is returned (D6). When the vertical / horizontal key 105 is pressed in the vertical writing setting, "horizontal writing" is displayed on the display screen 55 for 0.75 seconds (D7), and at the same time, the vertical / horizontal indicator is turned off (S13), and the horizontal writing is changed from the vertical writing setting. The mode is switched to the setting (S14), and the normal text input screen for horizontal writing is returned (D4).

That is, according to the vertical / horizontal keys 105, switching from the horizontal writing setting to the vertical writing setting is performed by one key operation, and the cursor key 107 for moving the cursor and the selection key 103 for confirming an option are operated. Without this, the vertical / horizontal writing setting of print characters can be directly and alternatively switched. Therefore, the vertical writing / horizontal writing setting can be performed without switching the display screen 55 (to the menu display) even during the text input / editing, and the user can easily and quickly switch the vertical writing / horizontal writing when the user comes up with the switching. Can be set. In addition, the vertical and horizontal keys 10
According to 5, the vertical writing / horizontal writing setting can be easily performed even when the use of the tape printer is started, and the convenience for the user can be improved. This is because the user often decides whether the printed matter should be written vertically or horizontally from the beginning of print data input, and often sets the printing style vertically or horizontally when the tape printer is used. is there. Also, when there is a temporarily fixed input character (negative character) and the text input screen is in a negative state (D
In 1), vertical / horizontal writing cannot be converted,
When the vertical / horizontal key 105 is pressed while the text input screen is in the negative state (D1), the display screen 55 blinks (D2) and a warning is given, and then the screen returns to the text input screen in the negative state (D3).

When a menu item is displayed, a menu item composed of one layer is provided with a dedicated key such as the vertical and horizontal keys 105 so that the setting can be directly switched and the setting result is displayed on the display screen 55. You may let me. Alternatively, immediately after pressing the dedicated key, the print style to be the next option is displayed, and the displayed print style is set after a fixed time (for example, 0.75 seconds), and the dedicated key is pressed again within the fixed time. When (when the setting is omitted)
Further, the next option may be displayed / set.

As concrete menu items, as shown in FIG. 7, "decorative characters" for setting decorations to be applied to specified print characters, "interval" for setting an interval between specified print characters, and print "Arrangement" to set the layout position of the character, "Constant length" to set the length of the print tape A to be cut, "Margin" to set the margin before and after the printed print tape A, the entered character There is a “mirror image” for setting the mirror image inversion, and these are menu items configured in one layer.

Now, an example will be described in which a single decorative character key for directly switching and setting the menu item "decorative character" is provided. Menu item "decorative characters" is "normal",
There are five options of "whiteout", "shadow", "emphasized", and "italicized", and these are displayed by the decorative character keys and directly switched and set. Each time you press the decorative character key,
“Normal”, “White”, “Shadow”, “Emphasis”, “Italic”,
There are 1 choices of decorative characters, such as "normal"
Display and switching are set cyclically one by one. For example, when changing from "Normal" setting to "Shadow" setting with the decorative character key, first press the decorative character key to set the display / switch to "outline" and then change the decorative character key again. You can display and switch to "Shadow" setting by pressing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the dedicated key is composed of a single key. However, for example, the vertical and horizontal keys 105 and the shift key 109 are used together, and the dedicated key and other keys are used together. You may. In this way, by using other keys in combination with the dedicated key, it is possible to duplicate a plurality of functions in one dedicated key and reduce the number of keys to be arranged.

[0042]

As described above, the tape printer of the present invention is provided with the menu setting means for setting the print style by displaying the menu and the key setting means for setting the print style by a single dedicated key operation. Therefore, the user can set the printing style quickly and easily by both of these means.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

2A and 2B are external perspective views of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of a tape cartridge mounted in the tape printer, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a keyboard unit of the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall control of the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention as a conceptual process.

FIG. 6 is a list of menus displayed when the size key is pressed in the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a list of menus displayed when an edit key is pressed in the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen and a flow of operations when the vertical and horizontal keys are pressed in the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Tape Printer 11 Printing Section 12 Cutting Section 13 Operation Section 14 Control Section 51 Keyboard 52 Character Key Group 53 Function Key Group 54 Display 55 Display Screen 56 Cursor 103 Selection Key 104 Size Key 105 Vertical and Horizontal Keys 106 Editing Key 107 Cursor Key A Printing Tape B Ink ribbon C Tape cartridge

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takayo Ogawa             2-10-18 Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside the ceremony company King Jim (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ohno             2-10-18 Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside the ceremony company King Jim F-term (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC01 CC05                 2C061 AP05 AQ04 AS06 BB10 CQ05                       CQ12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A tape printer in which a print style for editing can be set prior to printing on a tape, a plurality of predetermined print styles are displayed in a menu, and any one of the displayed print styles is displayed. From menu setting means that can set print styles and multiple print styles that are preset as options,
A tape printer, comprising: a single dedicated key for directly setting one print style in a predetermined order and a key setting means for displaying the set print style. 2. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the key setting unit has two printing styles as options, and the two printing styles are vertical writing and horizontal writing.