JP2004209726A - Image data generator and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform reversal modification in which visibility of an outer frame line or an under line does not lower even if reversal modification is carried out following to letter modification of the outer frame line or the under line. <P>SOLUTION: When a reversal modification for reversing the negative and positive of an image area 101 including an area 102 for arranging a letter 105 is designated, the negative and positive of a background area 103 located in the image area 101 and on the outside of the arranging area 102 are not reversed but the negative and positive of the arranging area 102 are reversed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image data generating apparatus and a program that can reverse-modify characters.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the diversification of expression methods on a screen or printed matter, various character decorations have been desired. In response, various character decorations, such as emphasized characters, italic characters, and bag characters, have been provided especially in printed materials. Regarding black-and-white inversion modification known for impactful character decoration, a method has been proposed in which black-and-white inverted font data is created from normal font data (see Patent Document 1).
By the way, in the black and white inversion modification, the visibility is often impaired due to factors that are not assumed at the time of font creation because the black and white is inverted.For example, if a character string with a different character size is changed to black and white inversion, it is inverted between characters with different character sizes. Since the background regions of the characters to be displayed are different, a uniform background cannot be formed between the character strings, and the visibility is reduced. Therefore, there has been proposed a method of performing black-and-white inversion modification with excellent visibility by determining an optimal character background area from all the character sizes of the character string to be black-and-white inverted (see Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-57-14054
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-35190
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional black-and-white inversion modification method, when a character modification such as an outer frame line or an underline is overlapped with a black-and-white inversion modification, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline is performed by the black-and-white inversion modification. Is a non-printing portion. This makes it easy to confuse the line drawing such as the outer frame line or the underline with the outer non-printed portion close to the line drawing such as the outer frame line or the underline. There is a problem that visibility is reduced.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image data generating apparatus that does not reduce the visibility of a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline even when another character modification and a reverse modification are performed in an overlapping manner. And to provide programs.
[0006]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
In order to achieve the above object, an image data generating apparatus according to claim 1 is an image data generating apparatus that generates image data including characters in a dot pattern, wherein the image area includes an arrangement area where characters are arranged. Reversal modification instructing means for instructing a reversal modification for reversing the yin and yang of the image area, wherein when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the reversal modification instructing means, the reversal modification is in the image area and outside the arrangement area And inverting means for generating, in a dot pattern, image data in which the arrangement area is inverted, without inverting the background area.
The program according to claim 10, wherein the computer that generates the image data including the character in a dot pattern is configured to perform an inversion for inverting the inversion of the image area including one or more arrangement areas where the character is arranged. Decoration instructing means, and when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, the arrangement area is not inverted in the image area and the background area outside the arrangement area is inverted. It is characterized by functioning as an inversion means for generating image data obtained by inverting the yin and yang in a dot pattern.
[0007]
According to the first and tenth aspects, when a character modification such as an outer frame line or an underline and an inversion modification are performed on the image area in a superimposed manner, the arrangement area is inverted, but the background area is inverted. Is not inverted. As a result, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline in the background area becomes a print portion, and therefore, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline and a line drawing outside the image area close to the line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline are formed. Non-printed portions are less likely to be confused, and the visibility of line drawings such as outer frame lines and underlines does not decrease.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image data generating apparatus according to the first aspect, at least one of an outer frame line, an underline, and a barcode area of a character is formed in the background area.
A program according to an eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in the tenth aspect, at least one of an outer frame line, an underline, and a barcode area of a character is formed in the background area.
According to the second and eleventh aspects, the visibility of the line drawing of the outer frame line and the underline does not decrease. In addition, the bar code is not recognized by the inversion modification.
[0009]
4. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image data generating apparatus generates image data including characters in a dot pattern, and performs inversion modification for inverting the image area including the arrangement area where the characters are arranged. Inversion modification instructing means for instructing; background inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether or not to invert the yin and yang of a background area outside the placement area within the image area; and And inverting means for generating, in a dot pattern, image data in which the image area is inverted in accordance with the contents stored in the background inversion storage means when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the instruction means. It is characterized by having.
13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the computer that generates the image data including the characters in a dot pattern is configured to perform an inversion for inverting the image in which one or more arrangement regions in which the characters are arranged are inverted. Decoration instructing means, background inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether or not to invert the yin and yang of the background area in the image area and outside of the arrangement area; and When the inversion modification of the area is instructed, the image data is made to function as an inversion means for generating image data in which the image area is inverted in a dot pattern according to the storage contents of the background inversion storage means.
[0010]
According to the third and twelfth aspects, when a character modification such as an outer frame line or an underline and an inversion modification are performed on the image area in a superimposed manner, the arrangement area is inverted, but the background area is inverted. Can be prevented from being inverted. As a result, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline in the background area becomes a print portion, and therefore, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline and a line drawing outside the image area close to the line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline are formed. Non-printed portions are less likely to be confused, and the visibility of line drawings such as outer frame lines and underlines does not decrease. In addition, since the user can select whether or not to invert the background region, the decoration can be performed according to the user's intention.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the character image data generating apparatus according to the third aspect, at least one of an outer frame line and an underline is formed in the background area.
A program according to a thirteenth aspect is characterized in that, in the twelfth aspect, at least one of an outer frame line and an underline of a character is formed in the background area.
According to the fourth and thirteenth aspects, the visibility of the line drawing of the outer frame line or the underline does not decrease. Further, it is possible to modify the outer frame line and the underline according to the user's intention.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image data generating apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the storage content of the background inversion storage means does not invert the yin and yang of the background area by default.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the storage content of the background inversion storage means does not invert the shade of the background area by default.
According to claims 5 and 14, it is preferable not to modify the background area in many cases, so that it is possible to save the user from having to reset the background area.
[0013]
The image data generation device according to claim 6, wherein the specific area inversion for storing rewritably whether or not to invert the yin and yang of the specific area in the background area according to any one of claims 3 to 5. A storage unit, wherein the inversion unit is configured to, when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instruction unit, store the image in accordance with the storage contents of the background inversion storage unit and the specific area inversion storage unit. It is characterized in that image data in which the area is inverted in the positive and negative directions is generated in a dot pattern.
The program according to claim 15 is the specific area inversion storage means according to any one of claims 12 to 14 for rewritably storing whether or not to invert the yin and yang of the specific area in the background area. Causing the computer to further function, wherein the inverting means, when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, according to the storage contents of the background inversion storage means and the specific area inversion storage means; It is characterized in that image data obtained by inverting the yin and yang are generated in a dot pattern.
[0014]
According to the sixth and fifteenth aspects, whether or not to invert the specific area can be selected by the user, so that the intention of the user can be met.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image data generating apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the specific area is a barcode area.
The program according to claim 16 is the program according to claim 15, wherein the specific area is a barcode area.
According to the seventh and sixteenth aspects, the bar code is not recognized by the reverse modification.
[0016]
The image data generation device according to claim 8, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, simply reverses the yin and yang of the decoration line added in the placement area or reverses the background of the decoration line. The apparatus further includes a decorative line inversion storage unit for rewritably storing whether to invert so as to form a yin and yang pattern, wherein the inversion unit is instructed to invert the image area by the inversion instructing unit. In addition, image data in which the image area is inverted in the negative and positive directions according to the storage contents of the decorative line inversion storage means is generated in a dot pattern.
According to claim 17, in any one of claims 10 to 16, the yin and yang of the decoration line added in the placement area is simply inverted or the yin and yang pattern is opposite to the background of the decoration line. The computer further functions as a decoration line inversion storage unit for rewritably storing whether or not to invert the image area, and the inversion unit performs the decoration when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing unit. It is characterized in that image data in which the image area is inverted in the positive and negative directions according to the storage contents of the line inversion storage means is generated in a dot pattern.
[0017]
According to the eighth and seventeenth aspects, it is possible to enhance the visibility of the decorative line in the arrangement area according to the user's preference.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image data generating apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the decoration line is at least one of a character erasure line and a hatched line.
The program according to claim 18 is the program according to claim 17, wherein the decorative line is at least one of a character erasure line and a hatched line.
According to the ninth and eighteenth aspects, the visibility of the erasure line or the hatched line does not decrease even if the erasure line or the hatch decoration is overlapped with the inversion decoration.
[0019]
The program described in claims 10 to 18 can be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, an FD, and an MO, or a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk, and can be distributed. It can be distributed by a telecommunication means via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a tape printer 1 in which an image data generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The tape printer 1 prints a character string input by a user on a printing tape which is housed in a tape cassette, and on which a peelable sheet and an adhesive print-receiving sheet having a backside pre-coated with an adhesive are peelably overlapped. Is a capable printer. As shown in FIG. 1, a display 2 and a keyboard 3 are arranged on the front surface of the tape printer 1. Inside the door at the rear of the tape printer 1, a print head 4 (see FIG. 3) and a cassette mounting section (not shown) are arranged. A print tape as a print medium of the tape printer 1 is detachably mounted in a cassette mounting portion while being stored in a tape cassette.
[0021]
Next, the printed matter printed by the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of a printed matter printed by the tape printer 1. FIG. 2A is a print example when the character “A” is printed on the print tape 100. As shown in FIG. 2A, an image area 101 indicated by a broken line is arranged on the print tape 100 for convenience. The image area 101 is a printable area partitioned into a rectangular shape that fits on the printing tape 100, and is not printed in an area other than the image area 101. In the image area 101, an arrangement area 102 indicated by a broken line is arranged for convenience. In the arrangement area 102, characters 105 are arranged. The background area 103 is an area obtained by removing the arrangement area 102 from the image area 101. In the background area 103, line drawings such as an outer frame line and an underline for modifying the image area 101 are arranged.
[0022]
The tape printer 1 can perform various decorations on the image area 101 in addition to simply printing only characters as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the outer frame is modified by placing an outer frame in the background area 103, or the underline is arranged in the background area 103 as shown in FIG. 2C. Modifications can be made.
[0023]
Further, the tape printer 1 can perform the reverse decoration on the image area 101. Inversion modification is a decoration in which a printed portion (shade) is inverted to a non-printed portion (positive) and a non-printed portion (positive) is inverted to a printed portion (shade). For example, FIG. 2D illustrates a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2D, a character having an impact can be expressed by the reverse modification. FIG. 2E shows a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. 2B is subjected to inversion modification, and a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. 2C is subjected to inversion modification. An example is shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, the non-printed portion of the outer frame line and the underline arranged in the background region 103 is close to the non-printed portion further outside the image region 101. Therefore, the visibility of the outer frame line and the underline is reduced.
[0024]
Therefore, the tape printer 1 can perform the inversion modification without inverting the background area 103 while inverting the arrangement area 102 by the setting. FIG. 2G is a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. 2B is subjected to inversion modification without inverting the background area 103 while inverting the arrangement area 102, and FIG. FIG. 2H illustrates a print example in which the area 101 is inverted and the arrangement area 102 is inverted and the background area 103 is not inverted. As shown in FIGS. 2 (g) and 2 (h), when the layout modification is performed on the image area 101 without reversing the background area 103 while reversing the arrangement area 102, the outer frame line and underline are visually recognized. Sex does not decrease.
[0025]
Further, the tape printer 1 can be modified to add a decorative line such as an erasing line to the arrangement area 102. FIG. 2I shows a print example in which the arrangement area 102 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (i), since the underline modification and the strike-through modification are performed in an overlapping manner, the underline is arranged in the background area 103 and the strike-through is added to the arrangement area 102. In addition, underline modification, strike-through modification, and inversion modification can be performed in an overlapping manner. FIG. 2 (j) shows a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. 2 (i) is subjected to inversion modification in which the arrangement area 102 is inverted and the background area 103 is not inverted. Further, in the case where the decoration for adding a decorative line to the placement area 102 and the reverse decoration are performed in a superimposed manner, such as a strike-through modification, the decorative line is partially set corresponding to the background area 102 serving as the background of the decorative line. It is possible to invert it. FIG. 2 (k) shows a print example in which the image area 101 in FIG. 2I is subjected to inversion modification in which the arrangement area 102 is inverted, the background area 103 is not inverted, and the strike-through line is inverted according to the background. ). As shown in FIG. 2 (k), the visibility of the erasure line does not decrease because the erasure line is inverted according to the background.
[0026]
Further, it is possible to arrange the specific area 104 in the background area 103. Then, when performing the inversion modification on the image area 101, it is possible to set whether or not the specific area 104 is to be inverted. FIG. 3 illustrates an image area 101 in which two arrangement areas 102 in which the character “A” is arranged and a specific area 104 in which a barcode is arranged are arranged between the two character areas 102. This is a print example in which the outer frame line modification and the inversion modification that does not invert the background area 103 are overlapped.
As described above, the tape printer 1 is a printer capable of printing printed matter as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2K and FIG.
[0027]
Next, the internal configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment. The tape printer 1 has a display 2, a keyboard 3, a print head 4, a control unit 6, and a cassette mounting unit (not shown). The display 2 includes a graphic liquid crystal panel 21 and a liquid crystal panel controller 22. The graphic liquid crystal panel 21 is capable of graphic display, and can freely display various designs and font shapes and sizes of characters. The liquid crystal panel controller 22 is an IC that controls the graphic liquid crystal panel 21. The CPU 61 provided in the control unit 6 inputs a prescribed command to the liquid crystal panel controller 22 via the interface unit 66, and The display contents can be controlled.
[0028]
The keyboard 3 is arranged on the surface of the tape printer 1 and has a text input key for inputting characters to be printed, a cursor key for moving a cursor, and a function assignment key (an inversion setting key, Print key).
[0029]
The print head 4 is arranged at a position corresponding to a head accommodating section provided inside a tape cassette accommodating a print tape in the cassette mounting section. In the print head 4, a large number of heating elements electrically controlled by the control unit 6 are arranged along the width direction of the print tape. Thereby, a character string can be printed in a dot pattern on a printing tape.
[0030]
The control unit 6 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random-Access Memory) 63, an interface unit 66, and a data bus 65. The CPU 61 performs arithmetic processing according to various commands. In the ROM 62, the CPU 61 implements the functional units shown in FIG. 3 to operate the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, and includes graphic data such as font data of characters and image data of outer frame lines for modifying printed characters. Data and various data necessary for executing the program are stored. The RAM 63 is a volatile memory having a temporary storage area for data used when the CPU 61 executes a program, such as a work area and an image buffer.
[0031]
The interface unit 66 is a connection unit that directly and indirectly electrically connects the device separated as a module and the control unit. The data bus 65 is a data transfer line group that electrically connects the CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, and the interface unit 66, respectively. All the transfer data in the control unit is transferred via the data bus 65.
[0032]
Next, functions of the tape printer 1 will be described. The tape printer 1 includes a character string storage unit 80 as a character string storage unit including a RAM 63, a background inversion storage unit 82 as a background inversion storage unit, and a specific area inversion storage unit 83 as a specific area inversion storage unit. , A decoration line inversion storage unit 84 as decoration line inversion storage means, an input unit 71 constituted by the CPU 61, an image data generation unit 72 as an image data generation device, and a print execution unit 79.
[0033]
The character string storage unit 80 stores character string data to be printed on a print tape and character string data input from the user via the keyboard 3 or the like by an input unit 71 described later. The character string data includes a text code for specifying each character, a character size, a type of font data, and the like.
The decoration information storage unit 81 stores information on a decoration method for the image area 101. Specifically, the positions of the outer frame line, the underline, the erasure line, and the like, the type of the shape, and the presence / absence of the inversion modification regarding the arrangement area 102 are stored.
The background inversion storage unit 82 stores whether or not to invert the background area 103 among the contents of the inversion modification set by the setting unit 73 described later. Note that the fact that the background area 103 is inverted is stored as the default value.
The specific area inversion storage unit 83 stores whether or not to invert the specific area 104 set in the background area 103 from the contents of the inversion modification set by the setting unit 73 described later.
The decoration line inversion storage unit 84 determines whether or not the decoration line to be added to the arrangement area 102 in the content of the inversion modification set by the setting unit 73, which will be described later, is inverted according to the background that is the arrangement area 102. Is stored. Here, the decorative line is a line drawing added to the arrangement area 102, and is, for example, an erasing line or a hatched line.
[0034]
Next, the input unit 71 displays a character string to be printed on the tape printer 1 by the user from the keyboard 3 or from a computer connected to the outside via an interface on the display 2 and stores the character string. It is stored in the unit 80 (see S140 in FIG. 5).
[0035]
The image data generation unit 72 includes a setting unit 73, an instruction unit 74 that is an inversion modification instruction unit, and an image unit 75.
The setting unit 73 sets the content of the reverse decoration for the image area 101. More specifically, whether to invert the arrangement area 102, whether to invert the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 as the arrangement area 102 is inverted, and whether to invert the background area 103 Whether or not to invert the specific area 104 set in the background area 103 is set. That is, the decoration information storage unit 81 stores whether or not the arrangement area 102 is inverted, and the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 stores whether or not the decoration line arranged in the arrangement area 102 is inverted corresponding to the background. Then, whether or not the background area 103 is to be inverted is stored in the background inversion storage unit 82, and whether or not the specific area 104 is to be inverted is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83 (see FIG. 6).
The instruction unit 74 instructs the image unit 75 to be described later to generate an inverted image when the decoration information storage unit 81 stores the effect of performing the inversion modification on the image area 101 (FIG. 7 S510).
[0036]
The image section 75 has an inversion section 76 and generates image data from each character data of the character string data stored in the character string storage section 80 and the decoration information storage section 81. Here, the generation of image data means reading out font data stored in the ROM 62 from the text code of the character, the character size, the type of font data, etc., and furthermore, the decoration information storage unit 81, the background inversion storage unit 82, the specific area inversion This is an operation of developing dot pattern data suitable for actual printing on the image buffer of the RAM 63 in accordance with instructions stored in the storage unit 83 and the decoration line inversion storage unit 84. This image buffer is equivalent to the image area 101 (see FIG. 7).
[0037]
The reversing unit 76 performs reversal modification on the image area 101 according to an instruction from the image unit 75. The inversion is individually performed on the arrangement area 102, the background area 103, and the specific area 104 according to the storage contents of the decoration information storage unit 81, the background inversion storage unit 82, the specific area inversion storage unit 83, and the decoration line inversion storage unit 84. And place it in the image buffer each time. That is, for the arrangement area 102, the effect that the inversion modification is performed is stored in the decoration information storage unit 81, and the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 is inverted in the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 in correspondence with the background. If the information is stored, an image of the arrangement area 102 that has been inverted by the background inversion unit 78 described later is generated. The decoration information storage unit 81 stores the effect of performing the inversion modification, and the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 stores that the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 is inverted as it is regardless of the background. If there is, an image of the arrangement area 102 inverted by the normal inverting unit 77 described later is generated. Thereafter, the image in the arrangement area 102 is arranged in the image buffer (see S530 to S560 in FIG. 7).
[0038]
As to the background area 103, if the background inversion storage unit 82 stores the fact that the background area 103 is to be inverted, an image of the background area 103 in which the background area 103 has been inverted by the normal inversion unit 77 is generated. Otherwise, an image of the background area 103 that is not inverted is generated. Thereafter, the image of the background area 103 is arranged in the image buffer (see S570 to S600 in FIG. 7).
[0039]
With respect to the specific area 104, if the specific area 104 is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83, the image of the specific area 104 inverted by the normal inversion unit 77 is generated. Generates an image of a specific area 104 without inversion. Thereafter, the image of the specific area 104 is arranged in the image buffer (see S610 to S640 in FIG. 7).
[0040]
The normal reversing unit 77 stores the effect of performing the inversion modification in the decoration information storage unit 81, and instructs the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 to invert the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 as it is regardless of the background. Is stored in the storage unit 102, and is called from the reversing unit 76 to generate an image in which the arrangement area 102 is reversed. When the background inversion storage unit 82 stores information to invert the background area 103, the image is called from the inversion unit 76 to generate an image in which the background area 103 is inverted. When the specific area 104 is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83, the image is called from the inversion unit 76 to generate an image in which the specific area 104 is inverted. The inversion content is to invert the designated area to a non-printed part (positive) if it is a printed part (shade) and to a printed part (negative) if it is a non-printed part (positive).
The background reversing unit 78 stores the effect of performing the inversion modification in the decoration information storage unit 81, and instructs the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 to invert the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 in correspondence with the background. If it is stored, it is called from the reversing unit 76 to generate an image in which the placement area 102 is reversed. The inversion content is to invert the interior of the decoration line added on the background with the arrangement area 102 as the background according to the background. That is, if the background corresponding to the decorative line is a printed portion (shadow), it is inverted to a non-printed portion (positive), and if the background is not a printed portion (positive), it is inverted to a printed portion (shade).
[0041]
The print execution unit 79 controls the conveyance of the print tape 100 and the print head 4 based on the image data generated in the image buffer by the image unit, and forms desired characters on the print tape 100.
[0042]
Next, a processing procedure of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall processing procedure of the tape printer 1. When the power supply to the tape printer 1 is turned on, the control device starts operating. First, the process proceeds to step S110 (hereinafter abbreviated as S110; the same applies to the following steps) to initialize the entire tape printer 1. Specifically, the operation check and initialization of the CPU 61, the RAM 63, and the interface 66 are performed, and the operation check of the display 2 and the print head 4 connected to the interface 66 and the hardware initialization are performed. For example, an operation screen is displayed on the display 2. Then, the process proceeds to S120.
[0043]
In S120, the process waits for a key input by the user. The user can input a character string stored in the character string storage unit 80 and operate the tape printer 1 by performing key input using the keyboard 3 while looking at the operation screen displayed on the display 2. When the initialization is completed, the tape printer 1 is on standby in a state where a character string can be input, and the user can input a character string to be printed using a text input key arranged on the keyboard 3. Also, in the input standby state, functions can be called by inputting a function assignment key for calling various functions such as a print key. When a key is input by the user, the key code of the input key is stored in the work area of the RAM 63, and the process proceeds to S130.
[0044]
In S130, it is determined from the key code of the key input in S120 whether the input key is a text input key. If the key is a text input key (S130: YES), the process proceeds to S140, and the input unit 71 performs text input processing. The text input processing is to derive a text code corresponding to the key code from the stored key code in S120, store the text code as character data in the character string storage unit 80, and input the text code to the display 2. This is the operation to display the contents. When the text input processing is completed, the process returns to S120 to wait for a key input by the user.
[0045]
In S130, if the key input in S120 is not a text input key (S130: NO), the process proceeds to S150, and it is determined whether the key input in S120 is an inversion setting key. If the key is the inversion setting key (S150: YES), the flow shifts to S160 to perform the inversion setting shown in the flowchart of FIG. The inversion setting is an operation of setting the content of the inversion modification by the setting unit 73. When the inversion setting is completed, the process returns to S120 to wait for a key input by the user.
[0046]
In S150, if the key input in S120 is not the inversion setting key (S150: NO), the process proceeds to S170, and it is determined whether the input key is a print key. If it is a print key (S170: YES), the flow shifts to S180 to execute image data generation shown in the flowchart of FIG. The image data generation is performed by the image data generation unit 72. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S190, where printing is executed by the print execution unit 79 based on the result of the image generation in S180. When printing is completed, the process returns to S120 to wait for a key input by the user.
[0047]
In S170, if the key input in S120 is not the print key (S170: NO), the flow shifts to S200 to execute other processing. Other processes include processes for function call keys other than the print key, cursor key processes, and the like. When other processes are completed, the process returns to S120 to wait for a key input by the user. The termination of the tape printer 1 is realized by turning off the power switch of the tape printer 1.
[0048]
Next, the processing procedure of the inversion setting in S160 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the inversion setting. The inversion setting is performed by the setting unit 73 according to the setting contents of the user. First, the process proceeds to S310, and it is determined whether or not the arrangement area 102 is to be inverted. If the arrangement area 102 is not to be inverted (S310: NO), the process proceeds to S320, and the setting is made so that the arrangement area 102 is not inverted. Specifically, the fact that reverse inversion is not performed is stored in the decoration information storage unit 81. Thereafter, the flow chart of FIG. 6, which is the processing procedure of the inversion setting, ends, the flow returns to the flow chart of FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to S120.
In S310, when the arrangement area 102 is inverted, the process proceeds to S330, and in the arrangement area 102, the decoration line added to the arrangement area 102 is inverted as it is or the arrangement area 102 is set as a background so as to correspond to the background. Determine whether to flip. If the decorative line is to be inverted as it is (S330: YES), the process proceeds to S340, and the decorative line is set to be inverted as it is. Specifically, the effect that the inversion modification is performed is stored in the decoration information storage unit 81, and the effect that the decoration line is inverted as it is regardless of the background is stored in the decoration line inversion storage unit 84. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S360. If the decorative line is to be inverted corresponding to the background (S330: NO), the process proceeds to S350, and the setting is made such that the decorative line is inverted corresponding to the background. Specifically, the effect that the inversion modification is performed is stored in the decoration information storage unit 81, and the effect that the decoration line is to be inverted corresponding to the background is stored in the decoration line inversion storage unit 84. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S360.
[0049]
In S360, it is determined whether or not the background area 103 is to be inverted. If the background area 103 is to be inverted (S360: YES), the process proceeds to S370, and the fact that the background area 103 is to be inverted is stored in the background inversion storage unit 82. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S390. If the background area 103 is not to be inverted (S360: NO), the process proceeds to S380, and the fact that the background area 103 is not inverted is stored in the background inversion storage unit 82. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S390.
[0050]
In S390, it is determined whether or not the specific area 104 is to be reversed. If the specific area 104 is to be inverted (S390: YES), the process proceeds to S400, and the specific area 104 is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83. Thereafter, the flow chart of FIG. 6, which is the processing procedure of the inversion setting, ends, the flow returns to the flow chart of FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to S120. If the specific area 104 is not to be inverted (S390: NO), the process proceeds to S410, and the specific area 104 is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83 indicating that the specific area 104 is not to be inverted. Thereafter, the flow chart of FIG. 6, which is the processing procedure of the inversion setting, ends, the flow returns to the flow chart of FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to S120.
[0051]
Next, the processing procedure of image data generation in S180 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for generating image data. First, the process proceeds to S510, and it is determined whether or not the arrangement area 102 is to be inverted. The determination as to whether or not to invert the placement area 102 is made based on whether or not the effect of performing the inversion modification is stored in the modification information storage unit 81. If the placement area 102 is not inverted, that is, if the effect of performing the inversion modification is not stored in the decoration information storage unit 81 (S510: NO), the process proceeds to S520, and the image unit 75 outputs the image without performing the inversion modification. An image of the area is generated (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C). Thereafter, the flow chart of FIG. 7, which is the image generation processing procedure, ends, and the flow returns to the flow chart of FIG.
[0052]
In S510, when the arrangement area 102 is inverted, that is, when the effect that the inversion modification is to be performed is stored in the decoration information storage unit 81 (S510: YES), the process proceeds to S530, and the arrangement area is set as the background with the arrangement area 102 as the background. It is determined whether or not the decoration line to be added is inverted according to the background. The determination as to whether or not the decoration line is to be inverted according to the background is determined by the storage contents of the decoration line inversion storage unit 84. If the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 stores that the decoration line is to be inverted as it is regardless of the background (S530: NO), the process proceeds to S540, and the normal inversion unit 77 sets the decoration line to the background. An image of the arrangement area 102 to be inverted as it is regardless is generated (see FIG. 2 (j)). Thereafter, the flow shifts to S560. If the decoration line inversion storage unit 84 stores that the decoration line is to be inverted according to the background (S530: YES), the process proceeds to S550, and the decoration line is inverted by the background inversion unit 78 according to the background. An image of the arranged arrangement region 102 is generated (see FIG. 2 (k)). Thereafter, the flow shifts to S560. In S560, the image of the arrangement area 102 generated in S540 or S550 is arranged in the image buffer. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S570.
[0053]
A step S570 decides whether or not the background area 103 is to be inverted. The determination as to whether or not to invert the background area 103 is determined by the contents stored in the background inversion storage unit 82. If it is stored in the background inversion storage unit 82 that the background area 103 is not to be inverted (S570: NO), the process proceeds to S580, and the image unit 75 generates an image of the background area 103 that is not to be inverted (FIG. g), FIG. 2 (h)). Then, the process proceeds to S600. If the background inversion storage unit 82 stores information to invert the background area 103 (S570: YES), the process proceeds to S590, and the normal inversion unit 77 generates an image of the inverted background area 103 (FIG. 2 (d), 2 (e) and 2 (f)). After that, the processing shifts to S600. In S600, the image of the background area 103 generated in S580 or S590 is arranged in the image buffer. Then, the process proceeds to S610.
[0054]
In step S610, it is determined whether or not the specific area 104 is to be reversed. The determination as to whether or not to invert the specific area 104 is determined based on the contents stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83. If the specific area inversion storage unit 83 stores information that the specific area 104 is not to be inverted (S610: NO), the process proceeds to S620, and the image unit 75 generates an image of the specific area 104 that is not to be inverted (FIG. 3). reference). Thereafter, the flow shifts to S640. If the specific area 104 is stored in the specific area inversion storage unit 83 (S610: NO), the process proceeds to S630, and the normal inverting unit 77 generates an inverted image of the specific area 104. Thereafter, the flow shifts to S640. In S640, the image of the specific area 104 generated in S620 or S630 is placed in the image buffer. Thereafter, the flow chart of FIG. 7, which is the image generation processing procedure, ends, and the flow returns to the flow chart of FIG.
[0055]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the character modification such as the outer frame line or the underline and the inversion modification are performed on the image region 101 in a superimposed manner, the arrangement region 102 becomes the inversion modification. However, the background area 103 can be prevented from being inverted. As a result, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline in the background area 103 becomes a printed portion. Therefore, a line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline and an image area 101 close to the line drawing such as an outer frame line or an underline are obtained. It is less likely to be confused with the outer non-printed portion, and the visibility of a line image such as an outer frame line or an underline is not reduced.
[0056]
Further, if the barcode is set in the specific area 104, the barcode is not inverted and the barcode is not recognized.
[0057]
Further, whether or not to invert the background area 103 and the specific area 104 can be set by the setting unit 73, so that the decoration can be performed according to the user's intention.
[0058]
Further, even when a decoration line is added to the arrangement area 102 as in the case of a character modification such as a strike-through line or shading, the visibility of the characters in the arrangement area 102 is reduced because the decoration line is inverted according to the background. I can't.
[0059]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the user can set whether or not to invert the background area during the inversion modification. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. You may comprise so that it may not be inverted.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the specific area can be arranged. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the specific area does not exist may be used.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the user can set whether or not to invert the decorative line added to the arrangement area according to the background at the time of the inversion modification. Instead, the decorative line added to the arrangement area may always be inverted according to the background.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, the image data generating device is configured to be incorporated in a tape printer. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the image data generating device is incorporated in a printer other than a tape printer. Alternatively, it may be configured on a personal computer connected to a printer. Further, the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus, and may be configured to be incorporated in a visually expressed device such as a display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a printed matter printed by the tape printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an example of a printed matter printed by the tape printer shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the tape printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure in the tape printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a reverse setting in the tape printer illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for generating image data in the tape printer illustrated in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tape printer
2 Display
3 keyboard
4 Print head
6 control unit
61 CPU
62 ROM
63 RAM
76 Normal reversing part
77 Background Inverter
81 Background Inversion Storage
82 Specific area reverse storage
83 Decoration line inversion storage unit

Claims (18)

An image data generation device that generates image data including characters in a dot pattern,
Inversion modification instructing means for instructing the inversion modification to invert the yin and yang of the image area including the arrangement area where the characters are arranged,
When the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, the inversion of the arrangement area is reversed without inverting the inversion of the background area in the image area and outside the arrangement area. An image data generation apparatus, comprising: inversion means for generating image data in a dot pattern. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an outer frame line, an underline, and a barcode area of the character is formed in the background area. An image data generation device that generates image data including characters in a dot pattern,
Inversion modification instructing means for instructing the inversion modification to invert the yin and yang of the image area including the arrangement area where the characters are arranged,
Background inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether or not to invert the yin and yang of the background area within the image area and outside the arrangement area;
Inverting means for generating, in a dot pattern, image data in which the image area is inverted in accordance with the stored contents of the background inversion storage means when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means. An image data generation device, comprising: 4. The image data generation device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of an outer frame line and an underline of a character is formed in the background area. 5. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage content of said background inversion storage means does not invert the yin and yang of said background area by default. It further includes a specific area inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether to invert the yin and yang of the specific area in the background area,
The inversion means, when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, an image obtained by inverting the image area in accordance with the contents stored in the background inversion storage means and the specific area inversion storage means. The image data generation device according to claim 3, wherein the data is generated in a dot pattern. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the specific area is a barcode area. A decoration line inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether the decoration line added in the arrangement area is simply inverted or inverted so as to have a pattern opposite to the background of the decoration line; Equipped,
The inversion means generates, when a reversal modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, image data in which the image area is inverted in a dot pattern according to the storage content of the decorative line inversion storage means. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data generating apparatus performs the processing. 9. The image data generation device according to claim 8, wherein the decoration line is at least one of a character erasure line and a shaded character. A computer that generates image data containing characters in a dot pattern
Inversion modification instructing means for instructing the inversion modification to invert the yin and yang of the image region including one or more arrangement regions in which the characters are arranged, and
When the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, the inversion of the arrangement area is reversed without inverting the inversion of the background area in the image area and outside the arrangement area. A program for causing image data to function as inversion means for generating a dot pattern. The program according to claim 10, wherein at least one of an outer frame line, an underline, and a barcode area of a character is formed in the background area. A computer that generates image data containing characters in a dot pattern
Inversion modification instructing means for instructing the inversion modification to invert the yin and yang of the image area including one or more arrangement areas where the characters are arranged,
Background inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether to invert the yin and yang of the background area in the image area and outside the arrangement area, and
When inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, as inversion means for generating a dot pattern of image data in which the image area is inverted in accordance with the contents stored in the background inversion storage means. A program characterized by functioning. 13. The program according to claim 12, wherein at least one of an outer frame line and an underline of a character is formed in the background area. 14. The program according to claim 12, wherein the storage content of the background inversion storage unit does not invert the shade of the background area by default. The computer further functions as specific area inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether to invert the yin and yang of the specific area in the background area,
The inversion means, when the inversion modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, an image obtained by inverting the image area in accordance with the contents stored in the background inversion storage means and the specific area inversion storage means. The program according to claim 12, wherein the data is generated in a dot pattern. The program according to claim 15, wherein the specific area is a barcode area. The decoration line inversion storage means for rewritably storing whether the yin and yang of the decoration line added in the arrangement area is simply inverted or inverted so as to have a yin and yang pattern opposite to the background of the decoration line. Make your computer work more,
The inversion means generates, when a reversal modification of the image area is instructed by the inversion modification instructing means, image data in which the image area is inverted in a dot pattern according to the storage content of the decorative line inversion storage means. The program according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein: 18. The program according to claim 17, wherein the decoration line is at least one of a character erasure line and a hatched line.

Images