JP2004351820A - Printer, program, and recording medium containing the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of controlling a recording head according to the number of dots of print data to be printed when a power source is a battery irrespective of a printing width on a printing medium. <P>SOLUTION: In a tape printer 1 capable using as a power source an AC adapter for converting ac AC power to a DC power and a battery, it is discriminated whether the power source is the adapter or the battery by using a power source discriminating sensor 20. The maximum number of dots, stored in a ROM 31, printable at once in the case where the battery is used as the power source is compared with the maximum number of dots in the print data to be printed by the print head at once. When it is judged that the maximum number of dots in the print data is greater than the other, the print data is automatically shrunk so that the printing can be performed even by the battery. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing device and a program that can use both an AC adapter and a battery as a power supply, and a recording medium that stores the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus that prints print data using both an AC adapter that converts an AC power supply into a DC power supply and a battery as a power supply has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
This printing apparatus drives a recording head with electric power supplied from a power supply, and limits printing processing depending on a difference in output voltage. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a plurality of types of stamp bodies having different printing widths can be mounted as print-receiving media, and the type of the stamp body mounted on the printing apparatus is detected by a sensor provided in the apparatus. The apparatus stores in advance a driving voltage corresponding to the detected printing width of the stamp body, and compares the stored driving voltage with the output voltage from the power supply. If it is determined that the output voltage is higher than the stored drive voltage, the printing process is performed as it is, and if it is determined that the stored voltage is higher, it is displayed that the output voltage is insufficient, The user is prompted to replace the battery.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-216486
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a printing apparatus such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, power is set according to the printing width of a printing medium, which is a stamp body. An error due to insufficient voltage is displayed for some reason. In other words, when the user creates print data by specifying a character size smaller than the print width of the print-receiving medium, or when the number of dots to be printed on the print data itself is small, printing can be performed with a small applied energy. Even in such a case, an error is displayed.
[0006]
In order to solve the above problem, a printing apparatus is provided which controls a recording head in accordance with the number of dots of print data to be printed when a power source is a battery, regardless of the width of the print medium. The purpose is to:
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an AC adapter for converting an AC power supply to a DC power supply and a battery can be used as power supplies, and the recording head is connected to the AC adapter based on print data. Alternatively, a printing device capable of printing on one or a plurality of unit lines on a print-receiving medium by being driven by a battery, wherein when the battery is used as a power source, the recording head can print at one time. A maximum dot number storage unit that stores a maximum number of dots, a power supply identification unit that identifies which of the adapter or the battery is connected to the printing device, and a case where the power supply identification unit identifies the battery. A dot number calculating means for calculating a maximum value of the number of dots to be printed by the recording head at one time in a unit line of the print data; Dot number discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the maximum value calculated by the above is greater than the maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storing means; and And print control means for controlling
[0008]
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 having such a configuration can use an AC adapter for converting an AC power supply to a DC power supply and a battery as power supplies, and drive the recording head with the AC adapter or the battery based on print data. By doing so, printing can be performed on the print-receiving medium in units of one or more unit lines. The maximum dot number storage means stores the maximum number of dots that can be printed by the recording head at one time when a battery is used as a power supply. The power supply identification means identifies which of the adapter and the battery is connected to the printing device. The dot number calculation means calculates the maximum value of the number of dots in the print data to be printed at one time by the recording head in a unit line of the print data when the power supply identification means identifies the battery. The dot number determination means determines whether or not the maximum value calculated by the dot number calculation means is larger than the maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storage means. The print control unit controls the recording head based on the result of the dot number determination unit.
[0009]
The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the character size detection unit detects a character size of a character constituting the print data, and the character size detected by the character size detection unit. Data development means for developing the print data of the character having the largest character size into an image, wherein the maximum value of the number of dots to be printed at one time by the recording head of the print data developed by the data development means Is calculated by the dot number calculation means.
[0010]
In the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the character size detecting means detects a character size of a character constituting the print data. The data developing unit develops an image of print data of a character having the largest character size among the character sizes detected by the character size detecting unit, and the number of dots of the image-developed print data to be printed at one time by the recording head. Is calculated by the dot number calculation means.
[0011]
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a size-specific dot number storage unit configured to store the number of vertical dots and the number of horizontal dots of print data different for each character size, in the printing apparatus according to claim 2, The number of dots calculated by the number-of-dots calculating means is the number of dots in the height direction of the recording head among the number of vertical dots or the number of horizontal dots stored by the size-specific dot number storing means. .
[0012]
In the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, the size-specific dot number storage means stores the number of vertical dots and the number of horizontal dots of print data that differ for each character size. The dot number calculation means calculates the number of dots in the height direction of the recording head from the number of vertical dots or the number of horizontal dots stored by the size-specific dot number storage means.
[0013]
The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a print length calculation unit that calculates a length in a printing direction of the print data, The maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storage means differs depending on the length calculated by the print length calculation means.
[0014]
In the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the print length calculating means calculates the length of the print data in the printing direction. The maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storage means differs depending on the calculated length.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the maximum number of the dots is determined to be larger than the maximum number of the dots by the dot number determination unit. Sometimes, when the print data is reduced by the reduction selecting means for selecting whether or not to reduce the print data, and when the character sizes of the print data are different, the maximum character size is used. It is characterized by further comprising a data reduction means for automatically reducing the configured character data.
[0016]
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reduction selecting means selects whether or not to reduce the print data when the dot number determining means determines that the maximum value of the number of dots is larger than the maximum number of dots. I do. The data automatic reduction unit automatically reduces the character data having the maximum character size when the reduction selection unit selects the print data to be reduced and the character size of the print data is different.
[0017]
The printing device according to claim 6 is the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recording head is a printing device capable of printing a plurality of lines at a time, and When the number of dots is determined to be larger than the maximum number of dots, the number of print lines of the recording head is reduced.
[0018]
In the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the recording head can print a plurality of lines at a time. The number of print lines of the recording head decreases when the number-of-dots determining means determines that the number of dots is larger than the maximum number of dots.
[0019]
7. The printing device according to claim 7, further comprising an input unit for inputting the print data, wherein the dot number determining unit determines the number of dots. Is determined to be larger than the maximum number of dots, the input of data input by the input means is restricted.
[0020]
In the printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the input means inputs print data for printing. The input of the data input by the input means is restricted when the dot number determination means determines that the dot number is larger than the maximum dot number.
[0021]
A program according to an eighth aspect realizes a function of each unit of the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.
[0022]
A recording medium according to a ninth aspect is readable by a computer that records the program according to the eighth aspect.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape printer capable of printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana, and alphabetic characters on a printing tape (tape as a medium to be printed).
[First Embodiment]
The configuration of the tape printing device (printing device) 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tape printer 1, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing mechanism PM.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 includes a keyboard 3, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22, and a printing mechanism PM.
[0026]
The keyboard 3 is disposed at the front (lower side in FIG. 1) of the main body frame 2 and is provided with character keys, print keys, power keys, cursor keys, print length keys, and the like. As the character key, an alphabet, hiragana, katakana, or the like is input. The print key prints the input characters. The power key turns on / off the power. The cursor keys are used to select a character size or the like. The print length key sets the print length.
[0027]
The LCD 22 is provided behind the keyboard 3 and displays characters and symbols. The printing mechanism PM is disposed in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3.
[0028]
The configuration of the printing mechanism PM is substantially the same as the configuration described in JP-A-2-106555. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the printing mechanism PM includes a tape storage cassette CS storing the printing tape 5, a thermal head (recording head) 13, a platen roller 14, and a feed roller 15.
[0029]
The thermal head 13 is provided at a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap with each other, and a heating element group including 128 heating elements is vertically arranged. The platen roller 14 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 13 via the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 so as to press the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 against the thermal head 13. While being pressed by the platen roller 14, the thermal head 13 prints data such as characters on a printing tape 5 provided in a tape storage cassette CS described later. The feed roller 15 is provided beside the platen roller 14, and the platen roller 14 and the feed roller 15 are rotatably supported by a support 16 provided in the main body. The feed roller 15 presses the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 provided on the tape storage cassette CS side.
[0030]
A tape storage cassette CS is detachably mounted on the printing mechanism PM. The tape storage cassette CS includes a tape spool 6, a ribbon supply spool 8, a take-up spool 9, a supply spool 11, and a joining roller 12. The tape spool 6 is wound with any of the printing tapes 5 each having a width of about 24 mm, 18 mm, 16 mm, 12 mm, 10 mm, and 6 mm made of a transparent film. The ribbon supply spool 8 has the ink ribbon 7 wound thereon, and the take-up spool 9 takes up the ink ribbon 7 supplied from the ribbon supply spool 8. A double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 is wound around the supply spool 11 with the release paper facing outward. The joining roller 12 joins the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10.
[0031]
When the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 are driven in synchronization with each other in a predetermined rotation direction, and when the heating elements of the thermal head 13 are energized, characters are printed on the printing tape 5 by a plurality of dot rows. Further, the printing tape 5 is fed in the tape feeding direction A (the left direction in FIG. 2) with the double-sided tape 10 joined.
[0032]
A pair of projecting pieces 17, 18 projecting downward are integrally formed on the bottom wall of the tape storage cassette CS. A cassette identification sensor 21 (see FIG. 3) composed of a photo interrupter for detecting the projecting piece 17 when the tape storage cassette CS is mounted is attached to the main body frame 2 side facing the projecting pieces 17 and 18. . By identifying the presence or absence of the protruding pieces 17 and 18, the tape width of the stored printing tape 5 can be detected.
[0033]
Next, control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the tape printer 1.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printer 1 includes a power supply identification sensor (power supply identification means) 20, a cassette identification sensor 21, a keyboard 3, a display controller (LCDC) 23 for displaying an LCD 22, a printing mechanism. A PM and a control unit C are provided.
[0035]
The printing mechanism PM includes a thermal head 13, a tape feed motor 24, and drive circuits 25 and 26 for driving each of them. The thermal head 13 is energized by a drive circuit 25 to a predetermined group of heating elements, and prints a dot row of print data. The tape feed motor 24 drives the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 of the tape storage cassette CS by the drive circuit 26 to feed the printing tape 5 in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
[0036]
The power supply identification sensor 20 detects the voltage supplied from the power supply device 27 and the insertion / removal state of the AC adapter 28, and based on the result, determines whether the power supply is from the external AC adapter 28 or Is identified. The power supply device 27 outputs a predetermined DC current obtained by converting an external AC power supply into a step-down / DC by an AC adapter 28 or a DC current from a battery 29. When both the battery 29 and the AC adapter 28 are connected to the power supply device 27, a direct current is supplied from the AC adapter 28. In the present embodiment, the output path from the battery 29 is cut off by a mechanical configuration by inserting the connection jack of the AC adapter 28 into a predetermined position.
[0037]
In the adapter plug 28a of the AC adapter 28 of the present embodiment, the outer terminal 28b is set to a positive value, and the inner terminal 28c is set to a negative value (GND).
[0038]
When the adapter plug 28a is not connected, the contacts 20a and 20b in FIG. 4 are connected, and power is supplied from the battery 29. The internal voltage V is applied to the power supply identification sensor 20 to identify that the AC adapter 28 is not connected.
[0039]
On the other hand, when the adapter plug 28a is connected, the connection between the contacts 20a and 20b is physically disconnected, and the outer terminal 28b of the adapter plug 28a connects to the contact 20b. At this time, the inner terminal 28c of the adapter plug 28a is connected to the contact 20c, and current is supplied to the main body. Since the current due to the internal voltage V flows to the inner terminal 28c of the adapter plug 28a, the internal voltage V is not applied to the power supply identification sensor 20. Therefore, it is identified that the AC adapter 28 is connected.
[0040]
The control unit C includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, an interface unit 33, and a data bus.
[0041]
The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that performs arithmetic processing according to various commands.
[0042]
The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that realizes the operation of each functional unit of the CPU 30 and stores programs to be executed as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8 and data necessary for executing the programs. The ROM 31 has a maximum dot number storage unit (maximum dot number storage unit), a data storage unit (dot size storage unit for each size) for storing the maximum dot number of each data, and a tape width of the mounted tape storage cassette CS. And a dot number storage unit for each cassette which can be printed. The maximum dot number storage unit stores the maximum number of dots that can be printed by the battery 29. In the present embodiment, the maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot storage unit is 112 dots. The data storage unit stores the maximum number of dots for each document data. For example, the maximum number of dots in “A” is 96 dots when the character size is XL size, 84 dots when the character size is LL, 60 dots when the character size is L, and so on. Are stored as document data (see FIG. 5). The dot number storage unit for each cassette stores the number of printable dots for each mounted tape storage cassette CS. For example, a tape storage cassette CS having a tape width of 24 mm is mounted in the dot number storage unit for each cassette, and a tape storage cassette CS having a tape width of 128 dots or less and a tape width of 18 mm is mounted when the tape storage cassette CS is mounted on the tape printer 1. Is stored as 112 dots or less.
[0043]
The RAM 32 is a volatile memory for temporarily storing data used when the CPU 30 executes a program, and includes a text memory, a print buffer, and the like. The text memory is a document storage memory constituted by the RAM 32, and stores input document data as code data. The print buffer stores dot pattern data of document data to be printed as print data. The print buffer is provided with a memory capacity of a size consisting of 128 bits (16 bytes) corresponding to 128 dots in the vertical direction (dot row direction) and the number of bits capable of storing dot pattern data of a plurality of characters in the horizontal direction. ing.
[0044]
The interface unit 33 is a connection unit for electrically connecting the power supply identification sensor 20, the cassette identification sensor 21, the LCDC 20, the keyboard 3, the printing mechanism PM, and the control unit C.
[0045]
The data bus 34 is a data transfer line group that electrically connects the CPU 30, the ROM 31, the RAM 32, and the interface unit 33, respectively. All the transfer data in the control section C is transferred via the data bus 34.
[0046]
Next, each function provided in the control unit C will be described in detail. These functions operate by the CPU 30 executing various programs stored in the ROM 31.
[0047]
The data developing means is means for developing document data stored in the text memory of the RAM 32 into dot pattern data. The developed dot pattern data is stored in the print buffer as print data.
[0048]
The dot number calculation means calculates the maximum number of dots in the print data among the number of dots per unit line printed by the thermal head 13.
[0049]
The dot number discriminating unit compares the number of dots calculated by the dot number calculating unit with the maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storage unit of the ROM 31 in advance.
[0050]
The character size detecting means is means for detecting the character size of the print data from the print buffer. The print buffer stores any of the character sizes (XL, LL, L, M, S, SS) used for printing as document data. The print buffer has a flag memory. The flag memory stores flag data of an auto size flag AF which is set when the character size of "auto size" is set. When the auto size is set, the flag memory of the attached tape storage cassette CS is set. The character size corresponding to the tape width is set. For example, if the tape width is 18 mm, the LL size, which is the maximum character size that can be printed on the tape width, is set.
[0051]
The print control means sequentially reads out the print data stored in the print buffer and prints while controlling the driving of the thermal head 13 and the tape feed motor 24. A data processing unit for automatically reducing the print data when it is determined that there is, and changing the print data to printable print data.
[0052]
Next, a print control method of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the tape printer 1, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control of the printing process, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for confirming the print data.
[0053]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the keyboard 3 of the tape printer 1 is operated (S101; Yes), the process proceeds to S102. In S102, it is confirmed whether the input key is a character key. If the input key is a character key (S102; Yes), data input processing is performed (S103), and the process returns to S101 again to wait for key input. In the data input process, a character and a character size are set, code data is stored in a text memory, and print data is stored in a print buffer.
[0054]
If the input key is not a character key (S102; No), the process proceeds to S104, and it is confirmed whether the input key is a print length key. If the input key is a print length key (S104; Yes), the process proceeds to S105, and a print length setting process is performed. After the printing length setting is performed, the process returns to S101 again, and waits for a key input. In the print length setting process, the length of the tape to be printed can be set by the user setting the print length. For example, when the print data is to be printed on a 10 cm printing tape 5 and the print data is to be created, the print length is set to 10 cm in the print length setting process, so that the print data stored in the print buffer is transferred to the tape. Are evenly distributed based on the length of If the print data does not fit within the set print length, an error is displayed to notify the user. When the print length setting process is not performed, the length of the tape is automatically set in accordance with the print data.
[0055]
If the input key is not the print length key (S104; No), the process proceeds to S106, and it is confirmed whether the input key is the print key. If the input key is a print key (S106; Yes), the flow shifts to S107, where the printing process shown in FIG. 7 is performed, and thereafter, the flow returns to S101, and the key input wait state is resumed.
[0056]
If the input key is not a print key (S106; No), the process moves to S108, and processing corresponding to the operated key is performed. After that, the process returns to S101 and waits for a key input.
[0057]
Next, the operation at the time of performing the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0058]
First, the tape width of the tape storage cassette CS mounted on the tape printer 1 is determined by the cassette identification sensor 21 of the tape printer 1 (S201). Here, there are six types of tape storage cassettes CS that can be mounted, including tapes for printing 5 having tape widths of 24 mm, 18 mm, 16 mm, 12 mm, 10 mm, and 6 mm. The number of dots that can be printed by the battery 29 stored in the maximum dot number storage section of the ROM 31 is 112 dots or less. The number of dots that can be printed on each tape width stored in the dot number storage unit for each cassette is 128 dots, 112 dots, 70 dots, 50 dots, and 32 dots or less, respectively. Therefore, when printing is performed on the printing tape 5 having a tape width of 18 mm or less, since the number of dots per unit line in the height direction of the printing data is 112, the printing is performed even when the battery 29 is used as a power supply. It is possible. If it is determined in S201 that the tape storage cassette CS stores the printing tape 5 having a tape width of 18 mm or less (S201; No), all data can be printed. Perform print processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the tape storage cassette CS is not the tape storage cassette CS having the tape width of 18 mm or less, that is, the tape storage cassette CS storing the 24 mm printing tape 5 (S201; Yes), the process proceeds to S202. The power supply identification sensor 20 determines whether the supplied power is from the AC adapter 28 or the battery 29.
[0059]
When the supplied power is from the AC adapter 28 (S202; Yes), the output voltage is sufficiently supplied, and the process shifts to S214 to perform a normal printing process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the supplied power is not the AC adapter 28, that is, the battery 29 (S202; No), the process shifts to S203 to check the print data shown in FIG.
[0060]
In S301 shown in FIG. 8, the confirmation processing is initialized. Specifically, 1 is assigned to the order N of the number of characters in the document data. In addition, since there is no document data that has been examined so far, “0” is substituted for the maximum dot number Max.
[0061]
Thereafter, the number Lst of characters constituting the print data is detected (S302). Thereafter, the maximum dot number Max (N) of the Nth character of the print data is read from the data storage unit of the ROM 31 (S303). Then, it is determined whether or not it is larger than the maximum dot number Max of the document data examined so far (S304).
[0062]
If it is determined that the maximum dot number Max (N) of the N-th character is larger than the maximum dot number Max (S304; Yes), the maximum dot number Max (N) of the N-th character is obtained by examining the document data so far. (S305). When comparing the maximum dot number Max (1) of the first character, since Max (0) is “0” as an initial value, it is necessary to make sure that the maximum dot number Max (1) of the first character is always larger. It is determined (S304; Yes, S305). When it is determined that the value is smaller than the maximum dot number Max (S304; No), the process proceeds to S306 without changing the value of the maximum dot number Max. In S306, it is confirmed whether the Nth character is the last character of the print data. If it is not the last (S306; No), the process proceeds to S307, and the process from S303 on the next character is similarly confirmed. If it is confirmed that the last time is reached (S306; Yes), the process returns to S204 in FIG. 7, and it is determined whether or not the maximum dot number Max is 112 dots or more.
[0063]
In S204, it is determined whether or not the maximum number Max of dots per unit line is larger than the number of dots printable by the battery 29 stored in the maximum dot number storage unit of the ROM 31 in advance, that is, 112 dots. .
[0064]
When the calculated maximum dot number Max is determined to be 112 dots or less (S204; Yes), printing can be performed with the output voltage of the battery 29. Print. On the other hand, when it is determined that the maximum number of dots is larger than 112 dots (S204; No), the process proceeds to S205, and an error indicating that the characters are too large to be printed is displayed on the LCD 22. At this time, the error display method is not particularly limited, and for example, the user may be notified by sound.
[0065]
After that, the content for prompting the user to select whether or not to perform automatic reduction is displayed on the LCD 22 (S206). If the user selects not to perform automatic reduction (S206; No), the process proceeds to S207, where an error is displayed on the LCD 22 to prompt the user to attach the AC adapter 28. Then, the process returns to S201. The error display at this time prompts the user to replace the tape size with the tape storage cassette CS storing the printing tape 5 having a printable tape width when the character size setting is “auto size”. Configuration may be adopted.
[0066]
On the other hand, if automatic reduction is selected (S206; Yes), it is confirmed whether the print data is composed of a plurality of sizes for each character (S208). If the print data is composed of one type of character size, for example, if it is composed of only the XL size (S208; No), the entire print data is reduced to the printable range (S209). If the print data is composed of a plurality of character sizes (S208; Yes), an automatic reduction range is selected (S210). More specifically, the entire print data is automatically reduced to a printable range, or, of the print data, only document data having a character size of XL size, that is, only document data having a maximum dot number of 112 dots or more, is automatically reduced. It is possible to select whether or not to change the document data. The process performed when the user selects whether to automatically reduce the print data corresponds to a reduction selecting unit.
[0067]
If it is selected to automatically reduce the entire print data (S210; Yes), the process proceeds to S209 to automatically reduce the entire print data to a printable range. On the other hand, when it is selected to automatically reduce only the document data including the number of dots of 112 dots or more (S211), only the character size of the document data of 112 dots or more is automatically reduced to the printable range. The process of automatically reducing the print data corresponds to a data automatic reduction unit.
[0068]
At S209 and S211, the print data automatically reduced is displayed on the LCD 22 (S212), and the process proceeds to S213.
[0069]
If it is determined that printing is to be performed in accordance with the image data displayed on the LCD 22 (S213; Yes), the automatically reduced contents are printed on the printing tape 5 of the tape storage cassette CS mounted on the cassette mounting section (S214). On the other hand, if it is selected not to print (S213; No), the flow shifts to S206 to be in a state of waiting for determination as to whether or not to perform automatic reduction. After performing the printing process in S214, the process returns to S101 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and waits for a key input.
[0070]
Here, the print processing in FIG. 7 corresponds to the print control means, and the print data confirmation processing in FIG. 8 corresponds to the dot number calculation means. Also, the process of checking whether or not the number of dots that can be printed by the battery 29 in S204 in FIG. 7 is performed by the dot number determination unit, and the process of checking whether there are multiple character sizes in S208 in FIG. 7 is performed by the character size detection unit. The process of developing the print data in S212 in FIG. 7 into a dot image corresponds to the data developing unit.
[0071]
Next, an operation for specifically performing a printing process will be described with reference to a flowchart. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, print data in which only “P” is set to the XL size, “R” is set to the L size, and “INT” is set to the M size are printed on the 24 mm wide printing tape 5. A case where printing is desired will be described.
[0072]
First, the user creates desired document data by the data input processing in FIG. The created document data is stored in the text memory and the print buffer of the RAM 32, respectively.
[0073]
Next, when the user inputs a print key (S101; Yes, S102; No, S104; No, S106; Yes), the process shifts to the printing process of FIG.
[0074]
In the control of the printing process, it is determined that the tape width of the tape storage cassette CS mounted in S201 is 24 mm (S201; No), and it is determined that the power source is the battery 29 (S202; No). Move on to print data confirmation. According to the flowchart of FIG. 8, after initialization (S301), the number of characters is detected (S302). Here, since the number of characters constituting “PRINT” is five, “5” is substituted for Lst. The maximum dot number Max is calculated based on the respective print data (see FIG. 5) stored in the ROM 31. That is, if the maximum dot number Max (1) of the first character "P" is 128 dots, it is read from the ROM 31 (S303). Since the maximum dot number Max is initially set to “0”, the maximum dot number Max (1) of the first character “P” is larger, and 128 dots are substituted for the maximum dot number Max of the print data. (S304; Yes, S305). Since "P" is not the last character (S306; No), the process moves to the next character "R" (S307). If the maximum dot number Max of the second character “R” is 112 dots, it is read from the ROM 31 (S303). Here, since the maximum dot number Max checked so far is 128 dots, it is determined that the maximum dot number Max is larger (S304; Yes), and the maximum dot number Max is not rewritten, and the last character is not rewritten. Then, the process proceeds to the determination of whether or not (S306). Similarly, the processing is repeated for the third and fourth characters (S303 to S307). When the process of determining the maximum number of dots Max (5) of the fifth character, that is, the last character “T”, and the maximum number of dots Max checked so far is completed (S305), the character is the last (S306). Yes), the print data confirmation processing ends.
[0075]
Next, returning to FIG. 7, the magnitude relationship between the stored maximum dot number Max and the number of dots that can be printed by the battery 29 stored in the maximum dot number storage section of the ROM 31 is compared (S204). Here, the number of dots that can be printed by the battery 29 is 112 dots or less, and since the maximum dot number Max of the print data is 128, it is determined that the maximum dot number Max is larger (S205; No), Is displayed (S206). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether the image is to be automatically reduced (S206). Here, if the user selects to reduce automatically (S206; Yes), it is determined whether or not the character size of the print data is composed of a plurality of types (S208; Yes). In the present embodiment, it is determined that the character size is composed of a plurality of character sizes of XL, L, and M (S208; Yes), and the process shifts to a process of selecting an automatic reduction range (S210). It is possible to select whether to reduce the size of only the XL-size characters or to automatically reduce the entire size. When the partial reduction is selected (S210; No), the printable character size LL is set to the character "P". The size is automatically reduced to the size (S211). Then, the print data of “PRINT” that has been automatically reduced is displayed on the LCD 22 (S212). It is confirmed whether or not to print with this image, and if the user selects to print (S213; Yes), the print data displayed on the LCD 22 is printed on the attached printing tape 5 having a tape width of 24 mm (FIG. 9 (b)).
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration and the like of the tape printer 1 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the operation of the print control means of the CPU 30 to determine whether or not the document data can be printed by the battery 29 is performed when a character is input. Thus, the operation of the data input process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data input process according to the second embodiment.
[0076]
When a character key is input from the key input waiting state shown in FIG. 6 (S101; Yes, S102; Yes), the processing shifts to the data input processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0077]
In FIG. 10, the code data of the input character is stored in the text memory (S401). At this time, if the text data input to the text memory is already stored, the newly input character is added to the text memory.
[0078]
Then, the screen shifts to a character size setting screen (S402), and the character size of the document data input by the user is set.
[0079]
Next, it is determined whether the tape storage cassette CS mounted on the tape printer 1 has a tape width of 18 mm or less. At this time, if the tape storage cassette CS has a tape width of 18 mm or less (S403; Yes), printing is possible irrespective of whether the power supply is the AC adapter 28 or the battery 29. The character size is stored in the text memory of the RAM 32. On the other hand, when it is determined that the tape width of the mounted tape storage cassette CS is not less than 18 mm, that is, it is 24 mm (S403; No), the process proceeds to S404.
[0080]
In S404, it is determined whether the power is from the AC adapter 28 or the battery 29. If the power is supplied by the AC adapter 28 (S404; Yes), printing is possible irrespective of the document data, so the flow shifts to S411 to store the document data in the text memory.
[0081]
If it is determined that the power is supplied from the battery 29 (S404; No), the process proceeds to S405, and the maximum number of dots previously stored in the ROM 31 is read from the input character and the set character size (S405). ). Thereafter, the flow shifts to S406, and it is determined whether or not the maximum number of dots read in S405 is equal to or less than the number of dots that can be input by the battery 29, 112 dots.
[0082]
When it is determined that the maximum number of dots is equal to or less than 112 dots (S406; Yes), the character size is added to the text memory as it is because printing is possible with the power supply from the battery 29 (S411). On the other hand, when it is determined that the maximum dot number is larger than 112 dots (S406; No), an error indicating that the character is too large is displayed on the LCD 22 (S407).
[0083]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to S408, and prompts the user to determine whether to automatically reduce the input character. If the user selects not to perform automatic reduction (S408; No), an error message is displayed to prompt the user to mount the adapter (S409). On the other hand, if automatic reduction has been selected (S408; Yes), the process proceeds to S410, in which the character is automatically reduced to the printable range, and the reduced character size is added to the text memory of the RAM 32 (S411). The key input wait state of S101 is entered.
[0084]
By repeating the data input processing operation shown in FIG. 10, desired print data is input. The input print data is printed by operating the print key.
[0085]
For example, an operation of inputting the character “PRINT” shown in FIG. 9A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0086]
First, "P" is input by a key operation of the user (S101; Yes, S102; Yes in FIG. 6). The process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 10, and the code data of the input character “P” is stored in the text memory (S401).
[0087]
Thereafter, the character size of "P" is selected (S402). The user selects the XL size from a plurality of character sizes. Then, the tape width of the tape storage cassette CS mounted on the tape printer 1 is confirmed (S403). Since the tape width is 24 mm (S403; No), the flow shifts to S404 to determine whether the power supply is the AC adapter 28. Then, since the power supply is the battery 29 (S404; No), the maximum number of dots in the XL size of the input document data "P" is read from the ROM 31 (see FIG. 5).
[0088]
At this time, the maximum number of dots in the XL size of “P” is 128 dots. Since the maximum number of dots 128 for "P" in the XL size is larger than the number of dots that can be printed by the battery (S406: No), an error indicating that the character is too large is displayed (S407), and automatic reduction is performed. The user is made to select whether or not (S408).
[0089]
If the user selects to reduce automatically (S408; Yes), "P" is automatically reduced to the character size of the printable range (here, LL size) in S410, and the character size of "P" is stored in the text memory of the RAM 32. Is added. Again, a key input waiting state of S101 in FIG. 6 is set.
[0090]
When the next character “R” is input, the process proceeds to the data input process in FIG. The code data of “R” is stored in the text memory. At this time, since the text data of “P” is stored in the text memory of the RAM 32, it is added to the document data of “P”. “R” indicates that the character size is LL size and the maximum number of dots stored in the ROM 31 is 112 dots. Therefore, in S406, it is determined that the maximum number of dots is 112 dots or less (S406; Yes), and the LL size is added to the text memory of the RAM 32. Similarly, "I", "N", and "T" are input.
[0091]
When all the characters have been input, the process returns to the key input waiting state of S101 in FIG. Here, in order to perform the printing process, a print key is input (S101; Yes, S102; No, S103; No, S104; Yes). When the print key is input, the data stored in the text memory of the RAM 32 is expanded in the print buffer, and the dot pattern data shown in FIG. Therefore, when the user specifies printing, a printing process is performed.
(Modification)
As described above, the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment can use both the AC adapter 28 and the battery 29 as a power source as described above, and when the battery 29 is used as a power source, By calculating the maximum number of dots of the print data and controlling the printing in accordance with the number of dots of the print data to be printed by the thermal head 13 at a time, it is possible to print the range printable by the battery.
[0092]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0093]
For example, in the present embodiment, the tape printing apparatus 1 is used as a printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to such a tape printing apparatus 1 and a dot-type printing apparatus that performs printing by driving a recording head. I just need.
[0094]
Further, in the present embodiment, the print control means for enabling printing with the battery 29 is automatically reduced. However, the number of heat generating element groups that generate heat from the thermal head 13 may be reduced. For example, in the case of a tape printing apparatus having a plurality of rows of heating elements from which the thermal head 13 generates heat, the print control means controls the number of rows to be printed at once based on the number of dots of print data. That is, when performing normal printing, the print control means controls all the plurality of rows of the heating element group to generate heat and performs printing at a time, so that the power source is a battery and the maximum dot of the print data is used. If the number is equal to or larger than the value that can be printed by the battery, the number of rows in which the heat generating element group generates heat is reduced from a plurality of rows to one row for printing.
[0095]
Further, the output voltage at the time of printing with the battery 29 may be different depending on the printing length. For example, a print length confirmation unit is provided in the control unit C. When the print length is confirmed to be 10 cm or more, the number of printable dots is reduced to 80 dots or less, and when the print length is confirmed to be less than 10 cm, 112 It may be set in advance to dots or less.
[0096]
Further, in this embodiment, the maximum dot number obtained from the character and the character size is stored in the ROM 31 in advance. However, when confirming the print data, the print data is expanded and the unit line for driving the thermal head 13 is checked. May be counted and the maximum value thereof may be used. The print data to be expanded at this time may be the entire data, or a character having the largest character size may be detected from the print data and the character may be expanded.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the printing apparatus and the program according to the first aspect, whether or not printing is possible with the battery is determined based on the number of print dots of the print data. If the print data can be printed with a small amount of applied energy, such as when the print data is created by specifying a small character size or when the number of dots to be printed on the print data itself is small, even if the print tape is wide, Can be used as a power supply for printing.
[0098]
According to the printing apparatus and the program according to claim 2, processing for developing a print data consisting of characters having the largest character size into an image and calculating only the maximum value of the number of dots of the print data, so as to calculate the maximum value Is faster.
[0099]
According to the printing device and the program according to the third aspect, the number of dots is determined in advance according to the character size, so that the number of dots can be calculated without expanding.
[0100]
According to the printing apparatus and the program according to the fourth aspect, since the print length calculating means is provided, the printable range of print data having a short print length is widened even when the number of dots per unit line is large.
[0101]
According to the printing apparatus and the program according to the fifth aspect, when print data having different character sizes is used, only data having a large character size is automatically reduced, so that printing can be performed without changing the overall size.
[0102]
According to the printing apparatus and the program according to claim 6, when a recording head that prints a plurality of lines at a time is provided, the print control is performed by reducing the unit line to be printed at a time, without changing the print data. Printing becomes possible.
[0103]
According to the printing apparatus and the program according to the seventh aspect, when data is input, the input data is restricted, so that the print data can be printed without the user having to input the data again.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer 1 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a printing mechanism PM of the tape printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the tape printer 1.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a power supply identification sensor 20;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a maximum dot number storage unit provided in a ROM 31;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine of the tape printer 1.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of print processing according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for checking print data in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a specific example when processing according to the present embodiment is performed.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data input process according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tape printer
5 Printing tape
20 Power supply identification sensor
28 AC Adapter
29 batteries
13 Thermal head
30 CPU
31 ROM
32 RAM
PM printing mechanism
CS tape storage cassette

Claims (9)

An AC adapter that converts an AC power supply into a DC power supply and a battery can be used as power supplies. By driving the recording head with the AC adapter or the battery based on print data, one or more print media can be used. A printing device capable of printing for each unit line of
When the battery is used as a power source, a maximum dot number storage unit that stores the maximum number of dots that can be printed by the recording head at one time,
Power supply identification means for identifying which of the adapter or battery is connected to the printing device;
When the power supply identification unit identifies the battery, in a unit line of the print data, a dot number calculation unit that calculates a maximum value of the number of dots to be printed by the recording head at one time,
Dot number determining means for determining whether the maximum value calculated by the dot number calculating means is larger than the maximum dot number stored in the maximum dot number storing means,
A printing control unit that controls the recording head based on a result of the dot number determination unit. Character size detection means for detecting the character size of the characters constituting the print data,
Among the character sizes detected by the character size detection means, further comprising data expansion means for image expansion of the print data of the largest character size,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the number of dots to be printed at one time by the recording head of the print data developed by the data developing unit is calculated by the dot number calculating unit. The apparatus further includes a size-specific dot number storage unit that stores the number of vertical dots and the number of horizontal dots of the print data that differs for each character size,
The number of dots calculated by the number-of-dots calculating means is the number of dots in the height direction of the recording head among the number of vertical dots or the number of horizontal dots stored by the size-specific dot number storing means. The printing device according to claim 2. Among the print data, comprises a print length calculating means for calculating the length of the printing direction,
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum number of dots stored in the maximum number of dots storage unit varies depending on the length calculated by the print length calculation unit. 5. When the dot number determining unit determines that the maximum value of the dot number is larger than the maximum dot number, a reduction selecting unit that selects whether to reduce print data,
When the print data is selected to be reduced by the reduction selection means and the character size of the print data is different, the data reduction means automatically reduces the character data having the maximum character size. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The recording head is a printing device capable of printing a plurality of lines at a time,
5. The printhead according to claim 1, wherein the number of print lines of the recording head is reduced when the number of dots is determined to be larger than the maximum number of dots by the number-of-dots determination unit. 6. Printing device. Further comprising an input means for inputting the print data,
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the number of dots is determined to be larger than the maximum number of dots, the input of print data input by the input unit is limited. 3. The printing device according to claim 1. A program for realizing a function of each unit of the printing apparatus according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium for recording the program according to claim 8.

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