JP2008135041A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small print producing apparatus which has an enhanced function of utilizing translation information and therefore has enhanced user-friendliness. <P>SOLUTION: The printer has a language conversion function which converts an input character string into a character string of another language and incorporates the converted character string into a character string to be printed but does not incorporate the input character string. The printer also has a multi-language print function which converts the input character string into the character string of another language in accordance with specified contents of the number of languages and the type of language and incorporates the converted character string or input character string in accordance with specified contents of the number of languages and the type of language into the character string to be printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus, for example, only a tape printing apparatus and the one in which the PC and the label printer can be applied etc. combined tape printing system.

  For example, a dedicated tape printer prints a string of input characters (concepts including symbols, pictograms, outer frame, background pattern, etc.) on continuous tape as necessary, and ejects the printed tape. And cut. Such a tape on which a character string after cutting is printed is called a label.

With the spread of tape printers, the use of labels has been expanded. As a result, a tape printer capable of realizing a function intended for a specific application has also been proposed. For example, when a printed label is folded and pasted, a tape printer having a function of creating a word book in which a Japanese character string is printed on one side and an English character string corresponding to the other side is printed has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-109470

  However, the above-described conventional apparatus does not use translation information (English-Japanese, Japanese-English dictionary information, etc.) that can create a word book for other functions, and the cost performance of the apparatus for installing a function that can create a word book Was bad. In other words, the user can use the information for translation only for creating the word book.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is intended to provide a tape printing apparatus that further enhances the function of using information for translation and enhances the usability of the user.

To solve such problems, small printed matter producing apparatus of the present invention, in the tape printing apparatus for printing a string to the tape, (1) pre-definite and are the first language of the input string in other languages letter Translating means capable of supporting the second to Nth languages (N is an integer of 3 or more) to be converted into a sequence, and (2) capturing an input character string that captures an input character string in a predetermined first language Means, (3) language conversion activation means for activating the processing of the translation means for converting the input character string captured by the input character string capturing means into a character string of another language, and (4) the language Immediately after the conversion activation means activates the processing of the translation means, the initial candidate display means for displaying the character string of the second language obtained by converting the input character string by the translation means as the character string candidate after the initial conversion. And (5) the first candidate switch key is operated Each time, the candidate cyclic switching means for cyclically switching and displaying the converted character string candidates between the character strings of the second to Nth languages, and (6) when the candidate confirmation key is operated, The converted character string that is a candidate at that time is included in the character string to be printed, and the input character string in the first language captured by the input character string capturing means is not included in the character string to be printed. And a character string conversion confirmation means.

According to the present invention, the string can contain a string to be printed is converted to a string of other languages, further enrich the functions to use for translation information, enhanced user friendliness tape A printing apparatus can be realized.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a tape printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration of the tape printing system (tape printing apparatus) of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance image of the tape printing system. Incidentally, the tape printing system of the first embodiment is configured as an independent device in the tape printing only.

  In FIG. 1, the tape printing system according to the first embodiment mainly includes an input unit 10, a control unit 20, and an output unit 30, and the control unit 20 receives information from the input unit 10 and information at that time. Processing corresponding to the processing stage is executed, and the processing result or the like is displayed or printed out by the output unit 30.

  Although the detailed configuration is omitted, the input unit 10 includes a key input unit 11 having a press key (or a dial key) and a tape type detection sensor 12. The key input unit 11 generates a character code and various control data to be given to the control unit 20. The tape type detection sensor 12 detects the width of the loaded tape and the like, and gives the tape type information to the control unit 20. In practice, the tape is stored in a tape cartridge, and the tape cartridge is provided with a physical identification element such as a hole for defining the tape width, color, etc. The tape type detection sensor 12 performs this physical identification. Read the element and output tape type information.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the key input unit 11 has a language conversion key for instructing to convert (translate) a Japanese character string into a character string of another language (for example, English, German, French, etc.). 11a (may be a dedicated key or a dual-purpose key used together with a function key) or a language combination key 11b (a dedicated key may be used together with a function key or the like) for easily inputting a character string corresponding to a plurality of languages ) Is also provided.

  The lid 50 having a transparent window portion in FIG. 2 is provided in the upper part of the space inside the apparatus housing that accommodates the tape cassette TC, and the tape cassette TC is loaded below the lid 50. The tape type detection sensor 12 reads the physical identification element of the loaded tape cassette TC.

  The output unit 30 includes a printing configuration and a display configuration. Here, the printing configuration is a configuration for performing normal printing on a tape, and the display configuration is a configuration for displaying input information to be printed on a label, an operation guidance message, and the like.

  For example, a tape / ribbon traveling mechanism 31 mainly composed of a stepping motor, a direct current motor, etc., feeds a tape or an ink ribbon (not shown) loaded to a predetermined printing position or outside of the apparatus. The thermal head 32 is fixed, for example, and prints on the running tape by thermal transfer.

  Each of the tape / ribbon running mechanism 31 and the thermal head 32 is driven by a running drive circuit 33 and a head drive circuit 34 under the control of the control unit 20. The printed tape is cut, for example, by an external force from a user or a cutter (not shown) driven by a motor. The discharge port 52 in FIG. 2 discharges the printed tape, and a cutting cutter (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 52.

  As a display unit of this tape printing system, for example, a liquid crystal display 35 that can display several characters (for example, 12 characters) over several lines (for example, four lines) is provided. Are driven by the display drive circuit 36 under the control of the control unit 20. In the case of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display 35 is provided on the lid 50 (see FIG. 2).

  The display surface of the liquid crystal display 35 is, for example, as shown in FIG. The display surface 1 of the liquid crystal display 35 has a character display area 2, line number indicators 3-1 to 3-4, and attribute indicators 4-1 to 4-n representing various attributes related to the input character string. . For the attribute indicators 4-1 to 4-n, the on-display attribute is adopted that is represented by characters written around the display surface 1 corresponding to the attribute indicators 4-1, ..., 4-n. It represents that. The attributes indicated by the attribute indicators 4-1,..., 4-n are for character size, input methods such as Kana input and Roman input, and character strings such as vertical writing and center alignment. There are ones that are based on a certain amount of chunks, ones that are character units such as decorative characters and English fonts, and ones that indicate whether or not a basic format is adopted.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the attribute indicated by the attribute indicator indicates whether or not the language conversion mode is set (4-i), and indicates whether or not the language writing mode is set (4) -J) is also included.

  As described above, the liquid crystal display 35 includes the character display area 2, the line number indicator section 3 (3-1 to 3-4), and the attribute indicator section 4 (4-1 to 4-n). The drive circuit 36 is also roughly divided into a drive unit 36a corresponding to the character display area 2, a drive unit 36b corresponding to the line number indicator unit 3 (3-1 to 3-4), and an attribute indicator unit 4 (4- 1 to 4-n).

  The control unit 20 is configured by a microcomputer, for example, and includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a character generator ROM (CG-ROM) 24, an input interface 25, and an output interface 26 connected via a system bus 27. Yes.

  The ROM 22 is composed of one or a plurality of ROM chips, and the ROM 22 stores various processing programs and fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data. For example, an execution program in language conversion mode (hereinafter referred to as language conversion program) 22a, an execution program in language combination mode (hereinafter referred to as language combination program) 22b, and corresponding character strings in a plurality of languages. The described translation dictionary 22c is also stored.

  The RAM 23 includes one or a plurality of RAM chips, is used as a working memory, and stores fixed data related to user input. In FIG. 1, although described as the RAM 23, the concept includes other memory elements such as an EEPROM used as a working memory. The RAM 23 is a print buffer that stores dot images of a character string to be printed, a display buffer that stores a display image for an input character string, a text buffer that stores character data related to printing and input, a line number, and the like. It has a line number indicator state holding buffer for holding the display mode for the indicators 3-1 to 3-4, an attribute indicator state holding buffer for holding the display mode for the attribute indicators 4-1 to 4-n, and the like.

  The CG-ROM 24 stores a dot pattern of characters and symbols prepared in the tape printing apparatus, and outputs a corresponding dot pattern when code data specifying a character or symbol is given. Is. Note that separate CG-ROMs may be provided for display and for printing. A separate CG-ROM may be provided depending on the language type. The font information storage format may be either a line font format or a bitmap format.

  The input interface 25 is an interface between the input unit 10 and the control unit 20, and the output interface 26 is an interface between the output unit 30 and the control unit 20.

  The CPU 21 uses a processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to an input signal from the input unit 10 and a processing stage at that time, using the RAM 23 as a working area, and if necessary, a fixed program stored in the ROM 22 or the RAM 23. Data is processed using data as appropriate, and the processing status, processing results, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 or printed on a tape.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the translation dictionary 22c, where the language types are Japanese, English, German, and French. The translation dictionary 22c is collected for each category to which the category name 22c1 is assigned, and a record 22c2 made up of character strings corresponding to a plurality of languages belonging to each category is described. Note that the number of records in the translation dictionary 22c may be the same as that of a general dictionary, but may be suppressed to a minimum in consideration of the purpose of the label (the category corresponds).

  For example, “seasoning” is intended to be a label affixed to the seasoning on a table such as a restaurant where people of various nationalities visit, and “location” is a place or state where people of various nationalities come and go. Is intended, and “Caution” is intended to be a label for calling attention.

  The categories may be hierarchized. For example, “condiments”, “alcohols”, “tableware”, and the like may be prepared as lower layers of the upper layer “dish”. In the case of such hierarchization, for example, “cooking” is selected from a plurality of category names in the upper hierarchy, and further, the category name “seasoning” is selected, and then belongs to “seasoning” Specify a word.

Next, operation of the tape printing apparatus of the first embodiment (tape printing how) will be described. First, an operation when the language conversion key 11a is operated and an operation when the language combination key 11b are operated, which are characteristic operations in the input operation, will be described in this order.

  When the language conversion key 11a is operated, the CPU 21 starts a language conversion program 22a shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a Japanese character string to be converted has been input (is present) (step 100). The Japanese character string used for conversion may be a temporarily confirmed hiragana or katakana character string, and the kanji candidate character to which the cursor (the entire character string is highlighted) is added during the kana-kanji conversion. It may be a string.

  If there is no Japanese character string to be used for language conversion, the CPU 21 emits a warning sound from a buzzer (not shown) or the like (step 101), and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, if a Japanese character string for language conversion exists, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a record including the Japanese character string exists in the translation dictionary 22c (step 102).

  If there is no corresponding record in the translation dictionary 22c, the CPU 21 emits a warning sound from a buzzer (not shown) or the like (step 101), and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, if there is a record corresponding to the translation dictionary 22c, the CPU 21 extracts the corresponding English character string from the translation dictionary 22c and displays it on the liquid crystal display 35 as a conversion candidate (step 103). 4-i is turned on (step 104), and then a key input is awaited (step 105). If there is a key input, the type of the input key is determined (step 106).

  Here, when a next candidate key (for example, a cursor right movement key or a cursor down movement key is applicable) is operated, the CPU 21 extracts a corresponding character string of the next language from the translation dictionary 22c as a conversion candidate and displays the liquid crystal. The information is displayed on the display 35 (step 107), and the key input waiting state is restored. When a previous candidate key (for example, a cursor left move key or a cursor up move key) is operated, the CPU 21 extracts a corresponding character string of the previous language from the translation dictionary 22c as a conversion candidate, and displays it on the liquid crystal display. 35 (step 108), and returns to the key input standby state.

  The forward change order of language candidates is, for example, “Japanese” → “English” → “German” → “French” → “Japanese”, and the next candidate key is When operated, the conversion candidate is changed along the forward direction, and when the previous candidate key is operated, the conversion candidate is changed along the direction opposite to the forward direction.

  When the execution key (selection key) is operated in the key input standby state, the CPU 21 sets the character string of the language displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 at that time as the selected character string and the print character string. In addition to writing in the stored text area, the character string is displayed in a fixed state on the liquid crystal display 35 (S109), and then the attribute indicator 4-i relating to language conversion is turned off (step 110), and the main routine is entered. Return.

  Although omitted in FIG. 5, when a cancel key (for example, a delete key corresponds) is operated during the process of FIG. 5, the CPU 21 immediately before the language conversion key 11a is operated. Return to the state.

  As described above, by inputting the Japanese character string and then operating the language conversion key 11a to start processing in the language conversion mode, the user temporarily knows the expressions in English, German, and French. Even if it is not, a character string of another language can be input by inputting a Japanese character string and performing language conversion.

  Next, the operation when the language writing key 11b is operated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the language writing key 11b is operated, the CPU 21 starts the language writing program 22b shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a Japanese character string to be used for language writing has been input (is present) (step 200). Here too, the Japanese character string used for writing in the language may be a temporarily confirmed Hiragana or Katakana character string, and a cursor (the entire character string is highlighted) during the kana-kanji conversion. It may be a character string of kanji candidates.

  If there is a Japanese character string used for writing in both languages, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a record including the Japanese character string exists in the translation dictionary 22c (step 201). If there is no corresponding record in the translation dictionary 22c, the CPU 21 emits a warning sound from a buzzer (not shown) or the like (step 202) and ends the series of processing. On the other hand, when there is a record corresponding to the translation dictionary 22c, the CPU 21 turns on the attribute indicator 4-j related to language writing (step 203).

  When there is no Japanese character string for language writing at the stage when the language writing key 11b is operated (No in step 200), the CPU 21 lights the attribute indicator 4-j related to language writing. After that (step 204), the user selects a desired category from the categories prepared in the translation dictionary 22c (step 205), and from among a plurality of Japanese character strings belonging to the selected category. Then, a desired Japanese character string is selected (step 206).

  In the category selection, the CPU 21 displays the category name prepared in the translation dictionary 22c while switching according to the operation of the candidate switching key, and the category candidate at the time of operating the execution key is selected by the user. take in.

  Further, when selecting a Japanese character string in the selected category, the CPU 21 displays the Japanese character string prepared in the translation dictionary 22c while switching according to the operation of the candidate switching key. Import Japanese character strings as selected by the user.

  As described above, at the stage when the language writing key 11b is operated, the Japanese character string is determined and exists in the translation dictionary 22c regardless of whether or not the Japanese character string used for language writing exists. When it becomes clear, the CPU 21 causes the user to select the number of languages to be written together (step 207), causes the user to specify the language type to be written together (step 208), and further causes the user to specify the writing method (step 209). . The language type may be specified first, and the number of language types at the end of the specification may be taken in as the number of languages. That is, the processing order of step 207 and step 208 may be interchanged. When the number of languages is designated first, the writing method (see FIG. 7) may be designated before the language type is designated. Furthermore, the number of languages may be automatically designated by designating the writing method.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the translation dictionary 22c stores the corresponding character strings in four languages, so that the CPU 21 displays the numbers “2” to “4”, for example, in a menu and displays the number of languages to be written together. Let them choose.

  Further, the number of selected languages is set as the final order, and the first, second,... Language types in the combined order are displayed on the menu while, for example, four languages of Japanese, English, German, and French are displayed on the menu. Select the language type to be written together. In selecting the second and subsequent language types, the already specified language may not be included in the selection menu.

  For example, in the case of writing in three languages, the first is designated as English, the second as Japanese, the third as German, the first as Japanese, the second as German, and the third as English. For example, the user can specify an arbitrary order.

  Further, in the case where the number of selected languages is three, a print image form (not including a specific character string) as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G is used for the operation of the cursor movement key, for example. In response, the user is made to select the writing method while switching and displaying on the liquid crystal display 35.

  In addition, in the writing method, various attribute information (numerical information is, for example, character size, pitch between characters, and character alignment (for example, vertical alignment as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D) For example, it is relative information and is converted into absolute information according to the loaded tape width).

  Each of FIGS. 7A to 7D is a vertical writing method in which the combinations of the three language character sizes are “same”, “large and small”, “small and large”, and “small and large”. It is. FIG. 7E shows the writing in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the combination of the three language character sizes is “same” (for example, the first language has a larger character size than the others). The text size may be different). FIG. 7 (F) is divided into two blocks in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The first language of the character size “Large” is arranged in the previous block, and the second and third characters of the character size “Medium” are vertically arranged in the rear block. This is the parallel writing method in which the second language is arranged. FIG. 7 (G) is divided into two blocks in the longitudinal direction of the tape. In the front block, the first and second languages having the character size “medium” are arranged above and below, and the character size “large” is 3 in the rear block. This is the parallel writing method in which the second language is arranged.

  In selecting the writing method, (1) whether or not to print a character (which may be a symbol or a national flag) defining the language type and (2) the presence or absence of partial cutting are specified.

  Taking the case of FIG. 7E as an example, “printing a character that defines the language type” will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, characters included in the language combination label The language type of the column is also printed. The print position of the character that defines the language type of the character string may be in the immediate vicinity of the character string of that language as shown in FIG. 8A, or the character of the language type as shown in FIG. It may be an independent area in which only When the language type character printing method as shown in FIG. 8B is selected, full cut or half at the boundary with the area (the position where BD is given in FIG. 8B). The user can also select whether to perform cutting or to print without performing cutting.

  “Specify presence or absence of partial cutting” means that when a writing method is selected in which the print areas of character strings of different language types are separated in the longitudinal direction of the tape, full cut or This also means that half-cutting or printing without cutting is specified. In the case of designation of three languages, the presence or absence of partial cutting is designated when the parallel writing method of FIGS. 7E to 7G described above is selected. In the example of FIG. 9A corresponding to FIG. 7E, it is designated whether full cut or half cut is to be performed at the position of C1 and / or C2, and FIG. 9 corresponding to FIG. In the example of (B), whether to perform full cut or half cut at the position of C3 is designated, and in the example of FIG. 9C corresponding to FIG. 7G, at the position of C4. Specify whether to perform full cut or half cut.

  When the designation of the parallel writing method is completed, the CPU 21 takes out the corresponding character strings of the designated languages from the translation dictionary 22c, stores them in the text area according to the designated parallel writing method, and The display screen of the liquid crystal display 35 is returned to the input screen including these character strings (some parts may not be displayed depending on the number of characters: step 210).

  Thereafter, the CPU 21 turns off the attribute indicator 4-j related to language writing (step 203), and returns to the main routine.

  Although omitted in FIG. 6, when the cancel key is operated during the process of FIG. 6, the language writing mode is forcibly terminated to return to the state immediately before the language writing key 11b is operated.

  Note that the printing process of the first embodiment is almost the same as the printing process in the conventional tape printing system, but as is clear from the above, when printing of characters defining the language type is designated. Although the character is not a character input by the user, the CPU 21 automatically performs dot expansion processing to be included in the print image, or interrupts printing when full cut or half cut at a predetermined position is designated. A difference is that a full cut or a half cut is performed at the position, and then printing is resumed.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to input a Japanese character string, convert it into a character string of the corresponding language, and input the character string of that language.

  For example, you can use English keys to enter English strings, but even if you know the strings in Japanese but do not know the strings in English, enter the English strings by language conversion. can do. In the case of German or French, there are characters that cannot be handled with the character keys, but the key input itself is performed in Japanese and converted to languages, so that the special characters in German and French (there are no English alphabets) Character).

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to form a state in which a corresponding character string of another language is input only by inputting a Japanese character string or by selecting a Japanese character string. It is possible to easily create a label with a language character string. When creating a label in which character strings in multiple languages are written together, it is a difficult task to key-in all the character strings in each language, but by using the language writing function in the first embodiment, Language label can be easily created.

  In this case, the number of languages, language order, layout, and the like can be easily specified, and a label desired by a user who has written character strings in a plurality of languages can be easily created.

  In addition, the language combination label can include characters that define the language type according to the user's wishes, and the user can confirm which language characters are printed at which position as necessary. .

  When partial cutting is instructed by the language writing method, the cut portion can be pasted at an arbitrary position, and the effect of diversifying the language writing layout can be exhibited.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the translation dictionary can be used with the language conversion function and the language writing function, and the translation dictionary divided by a predetermined capacity from the limited storage capacity can be used effectively.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a tape printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration of the tape printing system (tape printing apparatus) according to the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same and corresponding parts as in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment. Is shown.

  In FIG. 10, the tape printing system according to the second embodiment includes an external ROM pack connector 28 connected to the system bus 27 and an external ROM pack 40 connected to the external ROM pack connector 28. Have The external ROM pack 40 has a portable and externally mounted shape that accommodates one or a plurality of ROM chips. In the case of the second embodiment, the external ROM pack 40 includes a language conversion program 22a. A language writing program 22b and a translation dictionary 22c are stored.

  The CPU 21 confirms the connection of the external ROM pack 40 when the power is turned on, and executes processing using the stored contents of the external ROM pack 40.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select a combination of a plurality of languages related to the language conversion function and the language writing function by selecting the external ROM pack 40. For example, the types of external ROM pack 40 include Japanese, English, German and French, Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, Japanese, English, German, French, A combination of multiple languages related to the language conversion function and the language writing function can be prepared by selecting the external ROM pack 40 from the Korean ROM and Chinese. Can be arbitrarily selected by the user.

(C) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiments, a Japanese character string is input before the language conversion key 11a is operated. Instead of or in addition to this, a language is used. A Japanese character string may be input after operating the conversion key 11a. Here, the language type of the initial character string used for conversion is not limited to Japanese. For example, in the case of a tape printing system intended for sale in the United States, the language type of the initial character string used for conversion may be English. In addition, the language type of the initial character string used for conversion may be specified by the user.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the mode in which the language writing mode 11b is changed to the language writing mode is shown. However, the form input function provided for simple creation of the back cover label, the address label, etc. of the VTR cassette is shown. As one aspect, a language writing function may be provided.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, it has been shown that in the label creation using the language writing function, it is possible to input a character string other than the language writing character string. However, in the label using the language writing function, the language writing function is used. May be included.

  Furthermore, in the language writing function in each of the embodiments described above, a Japanese character string is input to obtain a corresponding character string in another language. The language may be recognized, or a plurality of languages may be recognized as the language of the character string initially input. It should be noted that the character strings of each language may be individually input, or the relevance of each language input individually may be confirmed and the writing may be permitted. For example, a pair of “medicine” and “medicine” is associated with a pair of “drug” and “medicine”, and if the elements of the pair are input, the combination is recognized, and “medicine” and “drug” ”And“ medicine ”may be rejected when a word that does not belong to the set is input.

  The character string initially input is not limited to a word or a character string of a word string, and may be a pronunciation (reading) character string. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the translation dictionary is composed of a character string of a word string and a character string of pronunciation (reading), so that a character string of pronunciation (reading) is initially input and a desired character string is obtained. Can be obtained. For example, “SUGAR” can be obtained by inputting “Shuga”.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, Western letters such as English are shown in lowercase letters. However, uppercase letters may be used, and lowercase letters or uppercase letters may be selectable by the user.

  In each of the above embodiments, the word or word string is converted into another language. However, the software for machine translation and the translation dictionary used by the machine translation are installed, and the sentence is translated into a sentence in another language. You may make it do. In addition, an amount such as 1,000 yen or a physicochemical unit such as 1 centimeter may be converted into a language, and at that time, a conversion operation to a general unit in the language is performed. Anyway. For example, “centimeter” or “scale” in Japanese may be automatically converted to “inch” in English.

  Furthermore, although the case where the character string of each language is written together was shown in the said embodiment, you may make it process by considering a pictogram as a kind of language. The information of sugar pictograms may be stored in the same record as “sugar” and “sugar”, and may be included in the combination by selection.

  When color printing is supported, the user may select a combination of language and color, or the system may fix the combination of language and color.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case where character strings in a plurality of languages are printed together has been described. However, it is also possible to specify cut printing for each language from the beginning. In this case, different numbers may be designated before printing, such as five Japanese labels, three English labels, and ten Chinese labels.

  In addition, the character that defines the language type for notifying the position of the character string of each language in the combined label may be printed on the back side of the label. Further, the difference in the language type of the character string may be discriminated by the difference in the background pattern.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the character strings in a plurality of languages are shown. However, the character strings may be overwritten in the same area. In this case, one of the gradations may be reduced and printed in the background, or a different color may be applied depending on the language. The term “both” includes such overwriting.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the language after language conversion is shown in which candidates are cyclically changed to be the language when the execution key is operated. However, the language after language conversion is selected from the menu. Then, the character string of the language may be extracted from the translation dictionary 22c.

  In the second embodiment, the external ROM pack 40 (which may be another storage medium) stores all of the language conversion program 22a, the language writing program 22b, and the translation dictionary 22c. May be stored in the external ROM pack 40 alone. Further, character strings of different languages may be distributed and stored in the ROM in the apparatus main body and the external ROM pack.

  Needless to say, special printing functions such as an enlarged printing function and a continuous printing function may be applied to the printing of contents written together with a language.

  In the above embodiment, data such as a character string read from the table is fixed, but it may be changed after being read. For example, a user who reads “medicine” and “drug” may use it to change it to “medicine store” and “drugstore”.

  Furthermore, a user may input a character string in a language that is not prepared by the apparatus and print it on the language label. For example, if the device is available in Japanese, English, German, and French, add the Chinese character “Chinese” as the fifth language and print it only on the current language label. May be allowed. In this case, it may not be input to the system that it is in Chinese.

  For example, even when a tape printer is constructed with a dedicated machine, by applying an external ROM pack (other storage media may be used) The number of languages may be increased.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments, although the tape printing system as a dedicated machine, the tape printing system in which a PC and the label printer is attached, may be applied to the technical idea of the present invention.

  If the present invention is applied to a tape printing system in which a personal computer and a label printer are combined, for example, the WYSIWYG method and the drag-and-drop method may be applied to the determination of the layout of a language combined label. . For example, the layout may be created by the user by moving and arranging the display of the character strings in each language from the window portion displaying the list of character strings in each language to the blank label image portion.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the display surface structure of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the translation dictionary of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the language conversion process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the language writing process of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the option of the writing method of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the notification method of the language type of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the partial cutting of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the translation dictionary of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Input part, 11 ... Key input part, 11a ... Language conversion key, 11b ... Language writing key, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 22a ... Language conversion program, 22b ... Language writing program, 22c ... Translation dictionary, 30 ... output unit, 32 ... thermal head, 35 ... liquid crystal display.

Claims (1)

In a small printed material creation device that prints a character string of several lines on a print medium,
A translation means for converting a character string into a character string in another language;
A character string capturing means for capturing a character string in a predetermined language;
A language conversion activation unit that activates the processing of the translation unit, which converts a character string in a predetermined language captured by the character string capture unit into a character string of another language;
A character string converting unit that includes the converted character string obtained by the translating unit in the character string to be printed and does not include the character string in the predetermined language captured by the character string capturing unit in the character string to be printed; A small printed matter creating apparatus characterized by comprising:

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