JP2009008870A - Braille embosser, and braille embossing control method for braille embosser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Braille embosser for easily creating a Braille medium readable by people in a plurality of linguistic areas. <P>SOLUTION: A label preparing device 1 for preparing a label by embossing Braille patterns on a tape T comprises: a phrase selection program 224 for selecting character information for embossing Braille; a transcribing means for transcribing the character information selected by the phrase selection program 224 into a plurality of Braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages; and a Braille embossing section 150 embossing a plurality of Braille patterns on the tape T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a braille stamping device that stamps braille on a processing sheet based on input character information, and a braille stamping control method for the braille stamping device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of braille stamping device, there is known a device that creates a braille pattern by translating input character information and stamps the braille pattern on a printing tape (patent). Reference 1). This braille stamping device creates and stamps a Japanese braille pattern as a braille pattern, and a label in which Japanese braille is stamped is created as a stamping result.
JP 2006-188019 A

  By the way, braille is determined for each language. For example, there are Japanese braille for Japanese and English braille for English. However, since the above Braille embossing device creates a label by imprinting only Braille in one language (Japanese), only a person who can read Braille in that language can read the Braille. The character information expressed on the label has a problem that it can be transmitted only to a limited number of people.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a braille embossing device and a braille embossing control method for the braille embossing device that can easily create a braille medium that can be read by a person in a plurality of languages.

  The braille embossing device of the present invention comprises an input means for inputting character information for embossing Braille, a braille translation means for converting the inputted character information into a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages, a plurality of And a stamping means for stamping the braille pattern on the processing sheet.

  The Braille embossing control method of the Braille embossing device of the present invention includes a step of converting character information input for Braille embossing into a plurality of Braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages, and a plurality of Braille patterns, And a step of stamping on the processing sheet.

  According to these configurations, by imprinting a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages on a processing sheet, it is possible to convey character information expressed as braille on the processing sheet to persons in a plurality of languages. . Further, it is possible to easily create a processing sheet in which the character information is expressed in braille.

  In the above Braille embossing device, the image processing apparatus further includes a translation unit that converts input character information into a plurality of ink characters corresponding to a plurality of languages, and a printing unit that prints the plurality of ink characters on a processing sheet. The printing means preferably prints a plurality of ink characters so that they are printed in parallel or overwritten on each of a plurality of braille patterns of the corresponding language.

  According to this configuration, the character information on the processing sheet can be transmitted to a healthy person by printing the corresponding ink characters in parallel or overwriting on each of the plurality of braille patterns.

  In this case, whether multiple ink characters are printed in parallel on the braille pattern of the corresponding language, or multiple ink characters are overwritten and printed on the braille pattern of the corresponding language, or multiple ink characters are not printed. It is preferable that printing method selection means for selecting any one of the printing methods is further provided, and the printing means prints a plurality of ink characters according to the selection result by the printing method selection means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to select whether each ink character is printed in parallel with respect to a plurality of braille patterns of the corresponding language, overprinting, or not printing each ink character. As a processing sheet in which information is expressed, the degree of freedom of creation can be improved, and the convenience of the braille stamping apparatus can be improved.

  In this case, it further comprises storage means for storing a plurality of words in association with the Braille pattern of the word and the ink letter of the word for each language, and the input means is a word to be translated into words from the plurality of words It is preferable to input character information by selecting.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of words are stored in association with the braille pattern of the word and the ink character pattern of the word for each language, and by selecting one word from the plurality of words, the character information By performing the input, it is possible to easily acquire the associated braille pattern or ink character pattern for each language from the selected word / phrase. For this reason, it is possible to easily and accurately perform the braille translation and translation of the input character information.

  In this case, the processing sheet is a tape-shaped member, and further includes a tape width detecting unit that detects the tape width of the tape-shaped member, and the engraving unit has a plurality of braille pattern tape-shaped in accordance with the detected tape width. It is preferable to determine the arrangement on the member and to stamp a plurality of braille patterns according to the determination.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of braille patterns can be efficiently and nicely arranged on the tape-shaped member in accordance with the tape width of the tape-shaped member.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a label producing apparatus to which a braille stamping apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described. This label creation device arranges translations (printed characters) and braille translations (brailles) of a plurality of languages on the same tape for a selected word, so that humans in a plurality of language areas can recognize the sighted person. Braille labels that can be recognized by both visually impaired and visually impaired.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the label producing apparatus 1 in a closed state, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the label producing apparatus 1 in an opened state. As shown in both figures, the label producing apparatus 1 has an outer case formed by an apparatus case 2. The apparatus case 2 has a keyboard 3 disposed on the upper surface of the front half thereof, and an open / close lid 21 is attached to the upper surface of the latter half. It has been. Inside the open / close lid 21, there is an ink character printing unit (printing means) 120 that performs ink character printing (printing of characters such as characters and symbols) on the tape T (processing sheet) fed out from the tape cartridge C. The right and left sides of the opening / closing lid 21 (the rear right part of the device case 2) have a Braille stamping part (scoring means) 150 that performs Braille stamping by manually inserting the tape T from the front half part. .

  A display 4 having a rectangular shape is formed on the front side of the opening / closing lid 21, and a cartridge mounting portion 6 (ink-printing portion 120) for mounting a tape cartridge C on the inner left side of the opening / closing lid 21. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened by pressing the lid opening button 14. Further, the open / close lid 21 is formed with a viewing window 21a for visually confirming whether the tape cartridge C is mounted or not mounted in the closed state.

  The display 4 displays character information input by the user using the keyboard 3 and creates print data for performing ink-character printing or Braille data for performing Braille stamping based on the input information. Used when editing. Various errors and messages (instruction contents) are displayed and notified to the user.

  On the other hand, a keyboard 3 having various input keys is arranged on the upper surface of the device case 2, and a character key group 3a and a function key group 3b for designating various operation modes are arranged on the keyboard 3. ing. The function key group 3b includes various setting keys for setting a margin area of the tape T and a format of characters and the like, up and down (left and right) keys for selecting an option displayed on the display 4 to be described later, and a desired option ( Confirm key to confirm (character string), delete key to delete characters during input editing, mode switch key to switch creation mode between ink label creation mode and braille label creation mode, to execute print processing A printing key, a stamping key for executing a stamping process, and the like are included.

  A power supply port 11 for supplying power is formed in the center of the right side of the device case 2, and a connection port 12 (for connection with an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer) is formed on the right side of the first half. Interface). Then, by connecting an external device to the connection port 12, ink-character printing and Braille stamping can be performed based on character information generated by the external device. In addition, a printing tape discharge port 22 that connects the cartridge mounting unit 6 and the outside is formed on the left side of the device case 2, and the tape T fed from the ink character printing unit 120 is received in the printing tape discharge port 22. A cutting mechanism 19 for cutting (the cutting unit 140, see FIG. 5) is faced. When the tape T is cut by the cutting mechanism 19, a label on which ink characters are formed is created.

  Here, a configuration around the ink character printing unit 120 (cartridge mounting unit 6) and the braille stamping unit 150 will be described. The cartridge mounting unit 6 winds up a head unit 20 in which a print head 7 composed of a thermal head is built in a head cover 20a, a platen drive shaft (not shown) facing the print head 7, and an ink ribbon R described later. A winding drive shaft (not shown) and a positioning projection 24 of a tape reel 27 described later are provided. A print feed motor 121 (see FIG. 5) for rotating the platen drive shaft and the take-up drive shaft is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6.

  The tape cartridge C is configured to accommodate a tape reel 27 around which a tape T having a certain width is wound, and a ribbon reel 29 around which an ink ribbon R is wound at the lower right portion in an upper center portion inside the cartridge case 51. The tape T and the ink ribbon R have the same width. A through hole 55 for inserting into the head cover 20a covering the head unit 20 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 27, and the platen drive shaft corresponds to a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. A platen roller 53 that is engaged with and rotated is disposed. On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 54 is disposed in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 29, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 29 is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 54 so as to go around the head cover 20a. It has become.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6, the through hole 55 is formed in the head cover 20a, the central hole 27a of the tape reel 27 is formed in the positioning projection 24, and the central hole of the ribbon take-up reel 54 is formed in the winding drive shaft. Then, the print head 7 is brought into contact with the platen drive shaft (the platen roller 53) with the tape T and the ink ribbon R sandwiched therebetween, so that ink characters can be printed. That is, ink characters are printed by printing a desired character string by the print head 7 while pulling out the tape T and the ink ribbon R. Then, the ink-printed tape T is sent to the printing tape discharge port 22, cut into a predetermined length by the cutting mechanism 19, and then discharged (a label only with ink characters is completed). In this way, the ink character printing unit 120 is configured by these components.

  The tape T is not particularly shown, but a recording sheet of a resin (for example, made of polyethylene terephthalate) provided with an adhesive layer on the back surface, and a resin (for example, a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer) attached to the recording sheet by the adhesive layer ), And the printing surface of the recording sheet is processed to improve the ink transfer by thermal transfer.

  In addition, a plurality of types of tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, ink ink color, tape material, etc.) are prepared, and a plurality of holes (not shown) indicating this type are cartridges. It is provided on the back surface of the case 51. A plurality of tape identification sensors (microswitches) 171 (see FIG. 5) for detecting these are provided on the cartridge mounting portion 6 corresponding to the plurality of holes, and the state of the tape identification sensor 171 is detected. Thus, the tape type can be determined.

  On the other hand, a stamping assembly (braille stamping part 150) for performing braille stamping is incorporated in the right half of the rear half of the device case 2, and a stamping part cover 30 is attached to the upper surface so as to cover it. It has been. Further, a stamping tape insertion port 31 into which the tape T is manually inserted (introduced) by the user is ejected on the front side of the stamped portion cover 30, and the tape T after braille stamping is ejected on the far side. The embossing tape discharge port 32 is recessed and formed so as to be inclined downward along the tape running path 70. In addition, a manual feed guide 31 a that can be adjusted in the tape width direction is provided in the vicinity of the stamping tape insertion opening 31.

  Here, the Braille stamping unit 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the braille stamped portion 150 as viewed from above. As shown in the figure, the Braille stamping unit 150 includes a stamping unit 80 that performs Braille stamping with three stamping pins 41, and a tape T inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31. It has a tape feeding unit 60 that feeds toward the outlet 32 and a tape traveling path 70 through which the tape T is transported, and these units are incorporated into a frame constituting the tape traveling path 70 to form a stamping assembly. The device case 2 is mounted. Braille is formed by driving the embossing unit 80 and performing Braille embossing on the tape T fed by the drive of the tape feeding unit 60 along the tape running path 70. Further, the Braille stamping unit 150 includes a lower guide member 71 and an upper guide member 72 that guide the conveyance of the tape T in the tape traveling path 70, and a transmission-type front end detection sensor 91 that detects the front end of the tape T. is doing.

  The tape feed unit 60 includes a feed roller 61, a support member 62 that supports the feed roller 61 on the apparatus frame 65, and a stamping feed motor 151 that can rotate forward and reverse to rotate the feed roller 61 (see FIG. 5). It consists of. The feed roller 61 is a grip roller including a drive roller (not shown) and a driven roller 61a. The engraving point 201 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the driven roller 61a so as not to crush the formed Braille B. An annular groove 63 is formed so as to escape interference at a position corresponding to.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, Braille (6 Braille B) formed on the tape T (T1: tape width 24 mm) will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a six-point braille B representing character information “I”. As shown in the figure, in the 6-point braille B, one square 203 is composed of 6 points (cutting points 201) of 3 vertical x 2 horizontal, and 6 dots (cutting points 201) are formed. Depending on whether or not the embossed convex portion 202 is used, an attribute such as a single character or a cloud point is expressed. In other words, two or more vertical embossed rows are arranged to form a Braille arrangement. In addition to the 6 braille B representing such kana characters and numbers, the braille includes 8 braille representing one kanji (1 braid 203 is composed of 4 vertical dots x 2 horizontal dots). Although used, the present invention is naturally applicable also to the label producing apparatus 1 that forms 8-point braille. As will be described in detail later, in this label producing apparatus 1, two rows of braille character strings in which a plurality of 6 braille characters B are arranged in the length direction of the tape T are formed on the tape T by a single feeding operation. (Except when the tape width does not have a length that forms two Braille character strings).

  FIG. 3B is a sectional view showing the periphery of the embossing unit 80. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the stamping unit 80 moves the stamping member 81 having three stamping pins 41 and the stamping member 81 in the width direction of the tape T. A stamping member moving mechanism 83 and a stamp receiving member 82 for receiving the push-up (stamping) of each stamping pin 41 of the stamping member 81.

  The stamping member 81 includes three stamping pins 41, and performs braille stamping by selectively pushing up the three stamping pins 41 by a solenoid mechanism (not shown). That is, with these three embossing pins 41, 6-point Braille B (2 points each) is engraved.

  The stamping member moving mechanism 83 selectively moves the stamping member 81 between the lower stamping area 86 and the upper stamping area 87. Thereby, two braille character strings can be formed on the tape T by the stamping member 81. Note that the lower stamping area 86 and the upper stamping area 87 do not depend on the tape T, and when the tape T does not have a width for forming two braille character strings, the lower stamping area 86. Make a braille stamp at.

  The stamp receiving member 82 receives the three stamping pins 41 in the lower stamping region 86 and the upper stamping region 87, and the surface facing the stamping member 81 has 3 in each region. Corresponding to the individual punch pins 41, six stamp receiving recesses 43 are formed. These stamp receiving recesses 43 have a concave cylindrical shape with rounded corners in accordance with the shape of the head of the stamp pin 41. An impact-resistant spring (not shown) is incorporated on the back surface of the stamp receiving member 82. While the stamping member moving mechanism 83 moves the stamping member 81 between the lower stamping region 86 and the upper stamping region 87, the tape T is sandwiched between the stamping member 81 and the stamping receiving member 82. By forming the embossing convex portion 202 in a shape, two braille character strings are formed on the tape T.

  Next, the braille stamping operation of the tape T in the braille stamping unit 150 will be described. First, the tape T is manually inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31. From the largest tape width, tape T1 (tape width 24 mm), tape T2 (tape width 18 mm), tape T3 (tape width 12 mm) can be inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31. The tape T1 is guided by the upper and lower guide members 71 and 72, and the tapes T2 and T3 having other tape widths are guided only by the lower guide member 71. For example, when the tape T3 having the minimum tape width is used, the user manually inserts the tape T3 along the lower guide member 71 until the tip of the tape T3 reaches the tape feeding unit 60 (feeding roller 61) (to an insertable position). To do. At this time, when ink characters are printed on the tape T, the lower side of the tape T based on the ink characters is guided by the lower guide member 71 and manually inserted.

  When the tape T is manually inserted, the tape T feeding by the tape feeding unit 60 is started by pressing the embossing key on the keyboard 3. Then, the detection of the leading end of the tape by the leading end detection sensor 91 is used as a trigger to start the braille stamping process. At this time, if the front margin from the leading edge of the tape to the stamping start position is set to be shorter than the length between the stamping unit 80 (the stamping pin 41) and the leading edge detection sensor 91 (however, the feed Due to the positional relationship of the roller 61, it is assumed that the front margin is set longer than the length between the stamping unit 80 and the feed roller 61), and the tape T is fed by rotating the feed roller 61 in the reverse direction. Return to the proper position, and start to feed and feed the tape in the forward direction.

  The braille stamping process is performed by tape feeding and braille stamping (driving member 81 is driven while the stamping member 81 is moved by the stamping member moving mechanism 83) based on the generated braille data. When the Braille stamping is finished, the tape T is discharged from the stamping tape discharge port 32, and the Braille stamping operation of the tape T is finished.

  Next, the control configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The label producing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 3 and a display 4, an operation unit 110 that controls a user interface such as input of character information and display of various information by a user, a tape cartridge C, a print head 7, and a print feed motor (stepping motor). ) 121, the ink character printing unit 120 that prints ink characters based on the print data on the tape T while conveying the tape T and the ink ribbon R, the cutting unit 140 that performs full cut and half cut, and the engraving A braille embossing unit 150 having a member 81, an embossing member moving mechanism 83, and an embossing feed motor (stepping motor) 151, and engraving Braille data based on Braille data on the tape T while feeding the tape T; Tape identification sensor (tape width detecting means) 171 for detecting the type of (tape cartridge C), Braille stamping In 150, a leading end detection sensor 91 for detecting the leading end of the tape T, a printing portion rotational speed sensor 172 for detecting the rotational speed of the printing feed motor 121, and a stamping portion rotational speed sensor 173 for detecting the rotational speed of the stamping feed motor 151 are provided. And a detection unit 170 that performs various detections, a display driver 181, a head driver 182, a print feed motor driver 183, a full cutter motor driver 184, a half cutter motor driver 185, a stamp driver 186, a stamp moving mechanism driver 188, and the like. The driving unit 180 includes an engraving feed motor driver 187 and is configured by a driving unit 180 that controls driving of each unit and a control unit (computer) 200 that is connected to each unit and controls the entire label producing apparatus 1.

  The cutting unit 140 is provided on the downstream side in the tape feeding direction of the ink character printing unit 120, and a full cutter 142 and a half cutter 144 are disposed adjacent to the cartridge mounting unit 6 so as to face the tape feeding path. (See the cutting mechanism 19, FIG. 1). The full cutter 142 and the half cutter 144 are driven by a full cutter motor 141 and a half cutter motor 143, respectively. The full cutter 142 cuts both the recording sheet and the release sheet which are laminated by a scissors type including a fixed blade and a movable blade. The half cutter 144 cuts only the recording sheet in a push-off format.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM (storage means) 220, a RAM 230, and an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 250, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 260.

  The ROM 220 includes a control program block 221 that stores a control program for controlling various processes such as ink-character printing process and braille printing process by the CPU 210, and a control data block 222 that stores various data.

  The control program block 221 includes a creation mode switching program 223, a phrase selection program (input means) 224, a target language selection program 225, a printing method selection program (printing method selection means) 226, and a creation data generation program 227. , Is stored.

  The creation mode switching program 223 includes the label creating apparatus 1 formed by ink character label creation mode for creating ink character labels formed only by ink character printing, ink character printing, and braille embossing (braille embossing). The creation mode is switched between the Braille label creation mode and the Braille label creation mode for creating a Braille label. By pressing the mode switching key, the label creation is performed by switching to the ink-character label creation mode when creating the ink-character label and switching to the braille label creation mode when creating the braille label.

  The word / phrase selection program 224 displays a braille word / phrase selection screen as shown in FIG. 6A on the display 4 in the Braille label creation mode, and selects a word / phrase to be translated (printed / printed ink / braille word / phrase). Is to encourage. Strictly speaking, when the mode switching key is pressed to shift the creation mode to the Braille label creation mode, the braille translation phrase selection screen is displayed. The user selects one word / phrase from the options displayed on the braille translation / phrase selection screen (selects with the up / down key and confirms with the confirmation key), and sets it as the word / phrase to be translated. In this embodiment, each word is simply displayed side by side. However, in order to facilitate the user's word selection, the word is classified into categories and the word is selected through category selection. May be. In addition, a character (or character string) is input by using the input key, a word candidate is searched from the character (or character string) and displayed, and a word to be braille is selected from the displayed words. Good. For example, when “I” is input using the input key, candidates such as “house”, “chair”, and “living room” that start with “I” are displayed, and the user selects one word from the options.

  The target language selection program 225 translates the phrase selected by the phrase selection program 224 into which of the plurality of candidate languages, using the braille translation country selection screen as shown in FIG. 6B. Is to select. For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 6B, when Japanese and English are selected and Korean is not selected, Japanese Braille and English Braille are translated into Braille. The pattern is imprinted on the label.

  The printing method selection program 226 uses the phrase print selection screen as shown in FIG. 6C to allow the user to “print in parallel” (parallel print) or print “overwrite print” (overwrite print). ) Or “no printing” is selected. When “Parallel printing” is selected, the ink of the corresponding language is printed in parallel with the braille of one or more languages selected by the target language selection program 225 (see FIG. 9A). . When “overwrite printing” is selected, ink characters are printed by overwriting the corresponding braille characters (see FIG. 9B). When “no printing” is selected, ink characters are not printed (see FIG. 9C). In this example, “Parallel printing” and “Overwrite printing” are used to print after printing Braille, but in actual label creation operations, ink characters are printed. After that, the braille is engraved.

  The creation data generation program 227 generates creation data composed of braille data of Braille and print data of ink characters based on the settings selected by the above-described various selection programs (strictly, the generated creation data Are stored in the braille data block 233 and the print data block 232 described later). The braille data is one or more braille patterns and layouts (arrangements) of braille patterns acquired from the braille correspondence database 242 described later, and the print data is one or more ink characters acquired from the ink correspondence database 243 described later. It is a layout of a pattern (character string) and a print pattern. A stamping process is performed using the generated braille data, and a printing process is performed using the generated print data.

  The control data block 222 includes character font data 241, a plurality of words / phrases, a braille correspondence database 242 that associates the braille patterns of each language, a plurality of words / phrases, and a character correspondence database 243 that associates the ink character patterns of each language, Is remembered. The Braille correspondence database 242 has a correspondence table of Braille patterns in each language with respect to phrases as shown in FIG. 7A, and it is easy to create a Braille pattern to be printed from the selected Braille phrase and Braille translation country. Can be obtained. In addition, the ink character correspondence database 243 has a correspondence table of ink character patterns in each language corresponding to words as shown in FIG. 7B, and the ink character patterns to be acquired from the selected braille words and braille countries. Can be easily acquired. Note that the ink character correspondence database 243 does not store character fonts. Strictly speaking, character codes are associated (in FIG. 7B, characters are represented instead of character codes for easy understanding) The ink font pattern is output in consideration of the character font data 241 according to the character code. In addition, the character font data 241 may include a CG-ROM separately instead of the ROM 220. Further, the braille translation means described in the claims has the Braille correspondence database 242 and the created data generation program 227 as main constituent elements, and the translation means in the claims has the ink letter correspondence database 243 and the created data generation program 227 as main constituent elements. Yes.

  The RAM 230 has various work area blocks 231 used as flags and the like, a print data block 232 for storing the generated print data, a Braille data block 233 for storing the generated Braille data, and a display 4 for display. Display data block 234 for storing display data, and used as a work area for control processing. The RAM 230 is always backed up so that the stored data is retained even when the power is turned off.

  In the IOC 250, a logic circuit that complements the functions of the CPU 210 and handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits is configured by a gate array or a custom LSI. As a result, the IOC 250 takes the input data and control data from the keyboard 3 as they are or processes them and imports them into the internal bus 260 and, in conjunction with the CPU 210, directly outputs the data and control signals output from the CPU 210 to the internal bus 260. Or it processes and outputs to the drive part 180. FIG.

  And CPU210 inputs various signals and data from each part in the label production apparatus 1 via IOC250 according to the control program in ROM220 by said structure. Also, various data in the RAM 230 is processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part in the label producing apparatus 1 via the IOC 250, so that printing of ink characters and Braille stamping can be performed. Take control.

  Here, the label producing operation in the present label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, for the word “house”, a Japanese Braille, English Braille, Japanese ink, and a label formed with English ink (braille label) are created. The corresponding ink characters will be described using an example in which they are formed in parallel (see FIG. 9A). In this operation, it is assumed that the tape width of the tape T is detected in advance by the detection unit 170 (tape identification sensor 171).

  First, create the Braille label creation data. First, when the mode switch key is pressed by the user, the creation mode is set to the Braille label creation mode (S1). Strictly speaking, when the mode switching key is pressed, the creation mode switching program 223 is activated to switch the creation mode of the label creation apparatus 1 to the Braille label creation mode.

  When the creation mode becomes the Braille label creation mode, the word / phrase selection program 224 is activated to display a braille translation / phrase selection screen (a braille translation / phrase selection screen) (see FIG. 6A). In accordance with the selection screen, the user selects one phrase that he / she wants to translate and translate (select “house”) (S2). When the selection of the phrase is completed, the target language selection program 225 is activated this time, and the target language selection screen (translation country selection screen) (see FIG. 6B) is displayed. The user selects a desired target language (translation country) according to the selection screen (selects Japanese and English) (S3).

  When the selection of the target language is completed, the printing method selection program 226 is activated next to display the ink character printing method selection screen (word printing selection screen) (see FIG. 6C). The user selects a desired printing method according to the selection screen (selects “parallel printing”) (S4). When these selections are completed, the creation data generation program 227 is started, print data and Braille data are generated based on the selection data (S5), and stored in the print data block 232 and the Braille data block 233.

  The generation of the braille data is performed by acquiring a desired braille pattern from the selected braille phrase and braille translation country and arranging each acquired braille pattern at a predetermined position on the layout by the braille correspondence database 242. . The print data is generated by acquiring a desired ink pattern from the selected braille word and braille country and placing the acquired ink pattern at a predetermined position on the layout by the ink character correspondence database 243. Done. When the printing method is set to “no printing”, only the generation of braille data is performed, and the generation of printing data is not performed.

  In this way, a word is selected and input, and a desired Braille pattern and ink character pattern are selected from the braille correspondence table (braille correspondence database 242) and the ink character correspondence table (ink character correspondence database 243) for the word. By acquiring, the braille translation and translation of the input character information can be performed easily and accurately.

  Here, the layout of the braille pattern and the ink pattern in the braille data and the print data will be described in detail. FIG. 9 shows the layout of the braille data and the print data together. In practice, the braille data and the print data are stored separately. The layout is generated based on target language selection data (number of braille translation countries), printing method selection data, detected tape width, and one or more braille patterns and ink character patterns obtained. .

  First, the maximum number of braille patterns arranged in the vertical direction (the width direction of the tape T) is calculated from the tape width. For example, the maximum number is 2 for a 24 mm tape T1, and 1 for a 18 mm tape T2 and a 12 mm tape T3 (in this example, the tape T is a 24 mm tape T1). Next, according to the calculated maximum number, it is arranged side by side vertically and horizontally so as to be arranged vertically. That is, when the maximum number is two and the target languages are two, two braille patterns of the two languages are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (see FIG. 9A). When the maximum number is 2 and the target language is 3, the two braille patterns are arranged in the vertical direction, and the remaining one braille pattern is arranged on the right side with respect to the upper braille pattern arranged in the vertical direction. And place it. When the maximum number is 1 and the target language is 2, the two are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

  Thus, by imprinting a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages on the tape T, character information expressed as braille on the tape T can be transmitted to persons in a plurality of language areas. Moreover, the tape T in which the character information is expressed in braille can be easily created. In addition, by determining the arrangement of the plurality of braille patterns based on the tape width, the plurality of braille patterns can be efficiently and nicely arranged on the tape T in accordance with the tape width of the tape T.

  When the printing method is set to “overwrite printing”, the ink pattern is arranged on the corresponding braille pattern (see FIG. 9B). When the printing method is selected and set to “parallel printing”, it is arranged in parallel on the left side with respect to the corresponding braille pattern (see FIG. 9A). That is, in the case of parallel printing (“parallel printing”), the braille pattern is arranged with a print area left on the left side of the braille pattern. When “no printing” is selected and set, the ink pattern is not arranged (see FIG. 9C). Note that margins before and after the layout are set manually or automatically in advance, and the layout is performed based on this.

  In this way, the character information on the tape T can be transmitted to a healthy person by printing the corresponding ink characters in parallel or overwriting on a plurality of braille patterns. In addition, as described above, it is possible to select whether each ink character is printed in parallel with respect to a plurality of braille patterns of the corresponding language, overprinting, or not printing each ink character, As a label expressing character information, the degree of freedom of creation can be improved, and the convenience of the label producing apparatus 1 can be improved.

  When the creation data is generated, the ink character printing unit 120 performs print processing. When the print key is pressed (S6), the ink ribbon R and the tape T are drawn from the tape cartridge C, and the drawn tape T is printed based on the print data stored in the print data block 232 (S7). Thereby, a desired ink character is printed on the tape T (in this example, “house” and “house” are printed side by side). The printed tape T is cut by a cutting unit 140 at a predetermined length (minimum length capable of forming print data and Braille data), and a label in which only ink characters are formed is created. If “no printing” is selected as the printing method, a blank label cut to a predetermined tape length is created at this point.

  Thereafter, the braille stamping unit 150 performs a stamping process on the label (tape T). The user manually inserts a label with only ink characters into the stamping tape insertion slot 31 (S8), and then presses a stamping key (S9) to start Braille stamping (S10). While the label is being sent in the feeding direction, the stamping unit 80 performs the Braille stamping based on the Braille data stored in the Braille data block 233 (each Braille pattern is stamped). Thereafter, the stamped label is discharged from the stamped tape discharge port 32, and the label production is completed.

  With the configuration as described above, by imprinting a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages on the tape T, character information expressed as braille on the tape T can be transmitted to people in a plurality of languages. . Moreover, the tape T in which the character information is expressed in braille can be easily created.

  In the present embodiment, the tape T is used as a processing medium (processing sheet) for performing Braille stamping and ink-character printing, but a cut sheet may be used as the processing medium.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages (a plurality of countries) are stamped on the same label, but these may be performed on different labels.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the closed state of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of the label production apparatus in the open cover state. It is the top view and sectional drawing which showed the braille stamping part. It is explanatory drawing of 6 braille. It is a control block diagram of a label production apparatus. It is a selection figure for performing each selection in Braille label creation mode. It is the figure which showed the correspondence table | surface of the braille pattern with respect to a phrase, and the correspondence table | surface of the ink pattern with respect to a phrase. It is the flowchart which showed the production operation of a braille label. It is the figure which showed the layout of Braille data and print data.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Label production apparatus, 120: Black character printing part, 150: Braille stamping part, 171: Tape identification sensor, 200: Control part, 220: ROM, 224: Word phrase selection program, 226: Printing method selection program, 227: Creation data generation program, 242: Braille correspondence database, 243: Ink letter correspondence database, T: Tape

Claims (6)

An input means for inputting character information for engraving Braille;
A braille translation means for converting the inputted character information into a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages;
A braille marking device comprising: a stamping means for stamping the plurality of Braille patterns on a processing sheet. Translation means for converting the input character information into a plurality of ink characters corresponding to the plurality of languages;
Printing means for printing the plurality of ink characters on the processing sheet;
2. The Braille marking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the plurality of ink characters so that the plurality of Braille patterns of a corresponding language are printed in parallel or overwriting. The plurality of ink characters are printed in parallel on the braille pattern of the corresponding language, or the plurality of ink characters are overwritten and printed on the braille pattern of the corresponding language, or the plurality of ink characters are printed. Or further comprising a printing method selection means for selecting one of the printing methods,
The braille marking device according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the plurality of ink characters according to a selection result by the printing method selection unit. Storage means for storing a plurality of words in association with the Braille pattern of the word and the ink letter of the word for each language;
The braille engraving apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the input means inputs the character information by selecting a phrase to be translated from the plurality of phrases. The treatment sheet is a tape-shaped member,
A tape width detecting means for detecting a tape width of the tape-shaped member;
The stamping means determines the arrangement of the plurality of braille patterns on the tape-shaped member according to the detected tape width, and stamps the plurality of braille patterns according to the determination. Item 5. The Braille stamping device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. Converting character information input for Braille embossing into a plurality of braille patterns corresponding to a plurality of languages;
A step of embossing the plurality of braille patterns on a processing sheet.

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