JP2010173072A - Tape printer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printer which can easily select a desired file from among registered files, and to provide a control method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The tape printer includes: an input means for inputting information, a file registering means 82 which registers edit data based on the inputted information as files; a file selecting means 91 which selects one file from among the registered files; and a means 91 for shrinking and displaying file information, which displays at least part of contents of the registered files, by a character size smaller than a display character size at the input means, on a display screen so as to check contents of the files for selecting one file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printer capable of registering created data as a file and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape printer capable of registering (saving) label data created by a user as a file in the apparatus main body is known. In this tape printer, after the user inputs information (text, image, etc.), the information is registered as a file by performing a predetermined key operation (file registration function). The registered file can be called at a timing desired by the user by a predetermined key operation (file call function). At this time, the contents of the file to be called are displayed on the display screen before the file is actually called. Thereby, the user can confirm the content before calling the file (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

“TEPLA” PRO SR828 Instruction Manual, Second Edition (issued July 1998), p. 122-p. 123

  However, since the tape printing apparatus as described above has a small display screen, only a small part of the file contents can be displayed on the display screen when checking the file contents. For this reason, when the user checks the contents when calling a file, it is troublesome to operate the cursor and scroll the display up / down / left / right to check the contents of the file and specify the file to be called. It was a thing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a tape printer capable of easily selecting a desired file from registered files and a control method thereof.

  The tape printer according to the present invention selects one file from among an input unit for inputting information, a file registration unit for registering edit data based on the input information as a file, and a registered file. When selecting a file and one file, in order to confirm the contents of the file, at least a part of the contents of the registered file is displayed on the display screen with a character size smaller than the display character size in the input means. File information reduction display means.

  The tape printer control method of the present invention is a tape printer control method having an input unit for inputting information, and a file registration step of registering edit data based on the input information as a file; At the time of inputting at least a part of the contents of the registered file in order to confirm the contents of the file when selecting one file from the registered file and the file selection step of selecting one file And a file information reduction display step for displaying on the display screen with a character size smaller than the display character size.

  According to these configurations, when confirming the contents of the registered file, the contents can be reduced and displayed on the display screen. As a result, for example, when the user confirms the contents at the time of calling the file, it is possible to view more information at a time by reducing the display, thereby reducing the trouble of scrolling the screen by the cursor operation. You can easily specify and select the file you want to call from the registered files.

  In the tape printer of the present invention, file display setting means for setting at least one of a character size, a displayable number of lines, and a displayable number of characters when displaying a registered file on the display screen is further provided. The file information reduced display means preferably displays at least a part of the contents of the registered file based on the setting by the file display setting means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to set the character size, the number of lines, the number of characters, and the like when displaying the contents of the file. As a result, the contents of the file can be displayed with the user's preferred settings.

  In the tape printer of the present invention, the file registration means registers the file number for identifying the file and the file name of the file for each file, and the file information reduction display means adds the file contents to the file Preferably, at least one of a number and a file name is displayed.

  According to this configuration, since at least one of the file number and the file name can be displayed in addition to the contents of the file, the user can easily specify a desired file when selecting the file, which is convenient.

  The tape printer of the present invention preferably further comprises display switching means for switching the display content of the display screen in screen units.

  According to this configuration, even when the entire contents of the file cannot be displayed on the display screen, the user can confirm the entire file contents by switching the display contents in units of screens. In particular, when the contents of the file are composed of long texts, the display contents can be quickly switched on a screen basis, which is convenient.

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open state. It is a figure explaining the display character in a display screen. It is a control block diagram of a tape printer. It is a figure explaining the function list of a file operation function. It is a figure explaining the screen transition at the time of "reduction search" selection. It is a figure explaining the screen transition at the time of "specific number" selection.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment with the opening / closing lid 4 opened. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 has an exterior formed by a device case 2, and a keyboard 3 (input means) having various input keys is disposed on the front upper surface of the device case 2, and a rear upper surface. Is provided with an opening / closing lid 4 on its left side and a display screen 5 on its right side. A cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting a tape cartridge C is recessed inside the opening / closing lid 4, and the tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 4 opened. The The open / close lid 4 is formed with a viewing window 7 for visually confirming mounting / non-mounting of the tape cartridge C in the closed state.

  On the keyboard 3, a character key group 3a and a function key group 3b for designating various operation modes are arranged. The character key group 3a has a full key configuration based on the JIS layout, and is similar to a general word processor or the like including a shift key for suppressing an increase in the number of keys to be operated. The function key group 3b includes a [Print] key 11, a cursor key 12, a [Select] key 13, a [File] key 14, and the like. These key inputs may be individually provided for each key input as in a general keyboard, or may be input using a smaller number of keys in combination with a shift key or the like. .

  [Print] key 11 is a key for instructing execution of printing. The cursor key 12 includes up / down / left / right keys ([↑], [↓], [←], [→]), and is a key for performing cursor movement and scroll operation. [Selection] key 13 is a key for selecting and confirming selection candidates (options).

  On the other hand, the [File] key 14 registers editing data (text data, image data, etc.) based on the input information as a file, or performs calling / erasing / copying / file display setting of the registered file. Key (details will be described later).

  A tape discharge port 21 is formed on the left side of the apparatus case 2 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the outside. The tape discharge port 21 has a tape cutter 22 (full full) for cutting the printing tape T sent out. A cutter 52 and a half cutter 54 (see FIG. 3) are facing. Then, the printed printing tape T is fed out from the tape discharge port 21 by a predetermined length, and the printed printing tape T is cut by the tape cutter 22 in a state where the feeding is temporarily stopped. Create a label.

  On the other hand, the cartridge mounting unit 6 has a head unit 24 in which a thermal type print head 26 is built in a head cover 25, a platen drive shaft 27 facing the print head 26, and a winding for winding an ink ribbon R described later. A drive shaft 28 and a positioning projection 29 of a tape reel 32 described later are provided. A tape feed motor 30 (see FIG. 3) for rotating the platen drive shaft 27 and the take-up drive shaft 28 is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6.

  The tape cartridge C has a tape reel 32 around which a printing tape T having a certain width (about 4 mm to 48 mm) is wound at an upper central portion inside the cartridge case 31, and a ribbon reel 33 around which an ink ribbon R is wound at the lower right. The printing tape T and the ink ribbon R are configured with the same width. A through-hole 34 is formed in the lower left part of the tape reel 32 to be inserted into the head cover 25 that covers the head unit 24. Furthermore, the head unit 24 inserted into the through-hole 34 is provided with a platen roller 35 that is fitted to the platen drive shaft 27 and rotated to correspond to the portion where the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. . On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 36 is arranged in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 33, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 33 is arranged so as to go around the head cover 25 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 36. It is like that.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6, the through hole 34 is formed in the head cover 25, the center hole of the tape reel 32 is formed in the positioning protrusion 29, and the center hole of the ribbon take-up reel 36 is formed in the winding drive shaft 28. Then, the print head 26 is brought into contact with the platen roller 35 with the print tape T and the ink ribbon R interposed therebetween, and printing is enabled. Thereafter, when the user inputs desired text (characters such as letters, numbers, symbols, and simple figures) and images with the keyboard 3 while confirming the editing result of the display screen 5 and instructs printing, the tape printer 1 The printing tape T is fed from the tape cartridge C by the tape feed motor 30 and the heating element of the print head 26 is selectively heated to perform desired printing on the printing tape T. The printed portion of the printing tape T is sent to the outside from the tape discharge port 21 as needed, and when printing is completed, the tape feeding motor 30 feeds the printing tape T to the position of the tape length including the margin, The feeding is stopped (then, the process proceeds to the cutting process).

  On the other hand, the printing tape T is composed of a recording tape Ta having an adhesive layer formed on the back surface, and a release tape Tb attached to the recording tape Ta by the adhesive layer. The printing tape T is wound in a roll shape with the recording tape Ta on the outside and the release tape Tb on the inside, and is accommodated in the cartridge case 31. In addition, a plurality of types of printing tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape ground color, ground pattern, material (texture), etc.) are prepared, and each of the cartridge cases 31 has one type. The printing tape T and the ink ribbon R are accommodated. A plurality of holes (not shown) for specifying the type of the tape cartridge C are provided on the back surface of the cartridge case 31. A plurality of tape identification sensors (microswitches, etc.) 37 (see FIG. 3) for detecting these are provided in the cartridge mounting portion 6 corresponding to the plurality of holes. By detecting the state of the hole, the tape type can be determined.

  The display screen 5 is a liquid crystal display, and is used when confirming an editing result based on input information input by the user using the keyboard 3 and print data generated based on the editing result. As shown in FIG. 2, on the display screen 5, when the input character is displayed, it is displayed with a character size of 16 dots × 16 dots per character (hereinafter referred to as “normal character size”). 6 characters (number of characters per line) × 4 lines of characters can be displayed. Note that reference numerals M1, M2, M3, and M4 in the figure indicate line head marks that indicate on which line each character string is positioned, and reference numeral K indicates a cursor position that indicates an editing position.

  Next, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. The tape printing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 41, a detection unit 42, a printing unit 43, a cutting unit 44, a driving unit 45, and a control unit 40 that is connected to these units and controls the entire tape printing apparatus 1. .

  The operation unit 41 functions as a user interface for inputting / editing and setting information from the character key group 3a and the function key group 3b on the keyboard 3 and displaying the various information on the display screen 5. The detection unit 42 includes the tape identification sensor 37 described above, and detects the type of the printing tape T (tape cartridge C). The printing unit 43 includes the print head 26 and the tape feed motor 30, and performs printing based on the generated print data on the print tape T while conveying the print tape T and the ink ribbon R.

  The cutting unit 44 includes a full cutter 52 that fully cuts the printing tape T and a full cutter motor 51 that drives the cutter, a half cutter 54 that half-cuts the printing tape T, and a half cutter motor 53 that drives the half cutter 54. ing. The full cutter 52 and the half cutter 54 cut the printing tape T that has been printed by the printing unit 43 so as to have a predetermined length, thereby creating a label. The drive unit 45 includes a display driver 55, a head driver 56, a tape feed motor driver 57, and a cutter motor driver 58, and drives each unit.

  The control unit 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, a flash ROM 64, and an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”). 65, which are connected to each other by an internal bus 66.

  The ROM 62 stores a control program and control data for the CPU 61 to perform various controls. The RAM 63 is used as a work area for the CPU 61 to execute various processes.

  The flash ROM 64 has a file area 71. The file area 71 stores each edit data input by the user as a file. Each stored file is associated with a file number 101 for specifying each file and a file name 102 given to each file by the user (see FIG. 5).

  With the above configuration, the CPU 61 inputs various signals and data from each unit in the tape printer 1 via the IOC 65 according to various control programs in the ROM 62. Further, various data in the RAM 63 is processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part of the tape printer 1 via the IOC 65, thereby enabling input editing processing and print cutting processing. Take control.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, various functions (file operation function 81) for operating a file will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the file operation function 81 includes a file registration function 82 (file registration means), a file call function 83, a file deletion function 84, a file copy function 85, and a file display setting function 86 (file display setting means). These functions (82 to 86) can be selected by operating the [File] key 14.

  The file registration function 82 is a function for registering (saving) each edit data input by the user as a file. The file contents 103 (see FIG. 5), file number 101 and file name 102 (hereinafter referred to as “file”) of each file. Collectively referred to as “file information”).

  The file deletion function 84 is a function for deleting a registered file, and deletes a file selected by the user from all the registered files.

  The file copy function 85 is a function for copying a registered file, and registers a file selected by the user as another file from all the registered files.

  The file call function 83 is a function for calling a registered file, and calls a file selected by the user from all the registered files. This file call function 83 has two options of “reduction search 91 (file selection means, file information reduction display means)” and “specific number 92” to select a file to be called.

  The “reduction search 91” is a method for selecting (specifying) a file to be called by reducing and displaying file information of a registered file and searching in the order of file numbers (ascending / descending). The reduced display is to display the file information in a character size smaller than the normal character size (hereinafter referred to as “reduced character size”) on the screen for confirming the file information (details will be described later). The reduced character size is determined based on a setting by a file display setting function 86 described later.

  On the other hand, the “specific number 92” is for specifying (specifying) a file to be called by designating the file number 101. In this case, on the screen for confirming the file information, the file information corresponding to the designated file number 101 is displayed in the normal character size (details will be described later).

  The file display setting function 86 is a function for setting a reduced character size in the “reduced search 91”, and “4 dots × 4 dots”, “6 dots × 6 dots”, “8 dots × 8 dots (default setting)”, “10 dots × 10 dots”. There are four options. As a result, the contents of the file can be displayed in the character size desired by the user. Note that the above reduced character size options are examples, and any character size smaller than the normal character size may be used.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the display screen 5 when the “reduction search 91” and the “specific number 92” in the file call function 83 are selected will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing screen transitions when “reduction search 91” is selected. Note that the reduced character size is set to “8 dots × 8 dots”.

  First, when the “select” key 13 is pressed in a state where “reduction search 91” is highlighted on the file call screen 5a (5) (D01), the tape printer 1 displays the file information confirmation screen 5b (5). The file information (file number 101, file name 102 and file content 103) of the file registered with the smallest file number 101 (file number “01”) among the registered files is displayed (D02).

  At this time, the file information displayed on the confirmation screen 5b is displayed with a character size of “8 dots × 8 dots” set as the reduced character size. In other words, although the file content of the confirmation screen can only display two lines of characters in one screen (see FIG. 6: D12) with the normal character size (16 dots × 16 dots), it can be displayed with a reduced character size. One line can display 8 lines of characters. In the confirmation screen 5b of FIG. 5, the file number 101 and the file name 102 are displayed in the display area for one line, and the file contents 103 are displayed in the display area for seven lines.

  Next, when the [SHIFT] key and the [↓] key 12 are pressed simultaneously in the state of the screen D02, the next file number 101 (file number “05”) in the file in which the edit data is registered. And the file information are displayed in a reduced character size (D03). Thereafter, each time the [SHIFT] key and [↓] key 12 are pressed simultaneously, the display is switched to the next file number 101 and file information in the file in which the edit data is registered (D04 to D05). ). When the [SHIFT] key and the [↑] key 12 are pressed simultaneously on the screens D03 to D05, the display is switched to the previous screen (the previous file number 101 and file information are displayed). That is, the file number 101 in which edit data is not registered (here, the file number 101 is 02 to 04, 06 to 09, 11 to 98, etc.) is not displayed, and the registered file number 101 and file information are not displayed. Display only in ascending / descending order.

  Further, when the entire file content 103 does not fit on one screen as in the screen D05, the display content of the confirmation screen 5b is scrolled to display the continuation of the file content 103 by pressing the [→] key 12. (D06, scroll display means). Further, by simultaneously pressing the [Shift] key and the [→] key 12 in the state of the screen D05, the display content of the confirmation screen 5b can be switched on a screen basis to display the continuation of the file content 103 ( D07, display switching means). The transition from the screen D06 and the screen D07 to the screen D05 can be performed by using the [←] key 12 or the [Shift] key and the [←] key 12. In this way, even when the entire file content 103 cannot be displayed on the confirmation screen 5b, the display content can be scrolled or the display content can be switched in units of screens, so the user confirms the entire file content 103. Can be convenient. In particular, when the file content 103 is composed of long text or the like, the display content can be quickly switched on a screen basis, which is useful.

  Next, FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating screen transition when “specific number 92” is selected. First, when the “select” key 13 is pressed with the “specific number 92” highlighted on the file call screen 5a (D11), the tape printer 1 inputs the file number 101 of the file to be called ( A screen for designating is displayed (D12). At this time, the display is a normal character size, and a part of the file content 103 of the input file number 101 is displayed.

  Next, when the [SELECT] key 13 is pressed in the state of the screen D12, a transition is made to the confirmation screen 5b (D13). On the confirmation screen 5b, the file information (file contents 103) is displayed in the normal character size. In this screen D13, when the file information does not fit within one screen, the display contents can be scrolled up, down, left, and right by the cursor keys 12 ([↑], [↓], [←], [→]).

  If the [SHIFT] key and the [↓] key 12 are pressed at the same time in the state of the screen D13, a transition is made to the screen D14 (D02 in FIG. 5). That is, the screen is switched to “reduction search 91”, and the file information (file number 101, file name 102 and file content 103) corresponding to the input (designated) file number 101 is displayed in a reduced character size.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when confirming the contents of a registered file, the contents can be reduced and displayed on the display screen 5 (confirmation screen 5b). As a result, for example, when the user checks the contents when calling a file, it is possible to view more information at a time compared to the normal character size display. This makes it possible to easily identify and select a file to be called from registered files.

  Further, since the file number 101 and the file name 102 are displayed in a reduced size in addition to the file contents 103, it is easy for the user to specify a desired file and the convenience is good.

  As the file display setting function 86, the number of lines per screen or the number of characters per line may be set instead of setting the character size. The character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters may be set in combination.

  In the present embodiment, the reduced display of the file information of the registered file has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and “address name” and “external character” are registered in the tape printer 1 and the contents thereof are reduced and displayed. It is also applicable to

  Further, regardless of the above-described embodiments, the device configuration, processing steps, and the like of the tape printer 1 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape printer 3 ... Keyboard 5 ... Display screen 82 ... File registration function 86 ... File display setting function 91 ... Reduction search 101 ... File number 102 ... File name 103 ... File content

Claims (5)

An input means for inputting information;
File registration means for registering edit data based on the input information as a file;
A file selection means for selecting one file from the registered files;
A file for displaying on the display screen at least a part of the contents of the registered file with a character size smaller than the display character size in the input means in order to confirm the content of the file when selecting the one file. A tape printing apparatus comprising: an information reduction display unit. A file display setting unit for setting at least one of a character size, a displayable number of lines, and a displayable number of characters when displaying the registered file on the display screen;
The file information reduction display means
2. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the contents of the registered file is displayed based on the setting by the file display setting unit. The file registration means
For each file, register a file number and file name for identifying the file,
The file information reduction display means
3. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the file number and the file name is displayed in addition to the contents of the file.   The tape printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising display switching means for switching display contents of the display screen in screen units when displaying the contents of the file. A method for controlling a tape printer having an input unit for inputting information,
A file registration step of registering edit data based on the input information as a file;
A file selection step of selecting one file from the registered files;
File information for displaying on the display screen at least part of the contents of the registered file with a character size smaller than the display character size at the time of input in order to confirm the content of the file when selecting the one file And a reduced display step.

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