JP2011095970A - Information processing device and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient information processing device and a control method for the same, facilitating change of settings on the device. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing device includes: a first setting change means cyclically changing predetermined settings on the device according to a predetermined order; a second setting change means changing the predetermined settings based on one selection candidate selected from a list of selection candidates for changing the predetermined settings; and a selection means for selecting whether the predetermined settings are changed by the first setting change means or the second setting change means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method that can change setting contents related to the apparatus.

  Conventionally, an information processing apparatus (electronic device) having a language switching function for switching a language (hereinafter referred to as “display language”) displayed on a setting screen for performing various settings of the apparatus is known (for example, patents). Reference 1). In this information processing apparatus, when the language is switched by the language switching function, the message on the setting screen is displayed in two languages, a language set by the language switching function and a preset language. For example, when the language set by the language switching function is Danish and the preset language is English, a message in English is displayed in addition to the Danish message on the setting screen.

JP 2006-293585 A

  However, as described above, even when a message is displayed in a plurality of languages at the same time on the setting screen, only a language that the user cannot read may be displayed. In this case, there is a problem that even if the user tries to change the setting contents, the display contents cannot be understood, and the subsequent operation cannot be performed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can easily change the setting contents of the apparatus and have high convenience.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first setting changing unit that cyclically changes a predetermined setting content related to the device according to a predetermined order; and a selection for changing the predetermined setting content to the predetermined setting content A second setting change unit that is changed based on one selection candidate selected from the list of candidates, and a change in predetermined setting contents is executed by the first setting change unit or a second setting And selecting means for selecting whether to execute by the changing means.

  In addition, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first setting change step of cyclically changing predetermined setting contents related to the apparatus according to a predetermined order, and changing the predetermined setting contents to the predetermined setting contents. Whether the second setting change step for changing based on one selection candidate selected from the list of selection candidates for change and the change of the predetermined setting contents are executed by the first setting change step And a selection step for selecting whether to execute the second setting change step.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention preferably further includes a display unit for displaying a predetermined message including at least characters, and the predetermined setting content is a display language of a message displayed on the display unit.

According to these configurations, when changing the setting contents of the device, the function of changing the setting contents cyclically, that is, the function of changing the setting contents directly in order, and the change of the setting contents similar to the above The function of changing one by selecting one candidate from the selection candidate list can be used properly according to the user's preference or the situation at that time, which is convenient.
In particular, by setting the setting to be changed to the display language, even if the current display language is a language that the user (user) does not know, the display language can be switched cyclically, so the language that you know It is only necessary to repeat the operation until it becomes, which is convenient. On the other hand, if there are many types of display languages, or if you want to change the display language by mistake and want to restore it, select the desired language from the selection candidate list and easily display the desired display. You can switch to language. Therefore, by making these two functions selectable, usability for changing the display language can be improved, and the inconvenience that the display language cannot be read and the operation is difficult can be alleviated.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the selection unit has a predetermined one operation key, and the predetermined setting content is changed by the first setting change unit by an operation method of the predetermined one operation key. It is preferable to select whether to execute by the second setting change means.

  According to this configuration, the same setting content changing operation can be performed by different functions (means) by the operation method of one operation key. Thereby, for example, in order to change the setting contents by each function, it is possible to reduce the number of operation keys to be used as compared with the case where operation keys are individually assigned. The operation method may be different in how to press the operation key, for example, when the operation key is pressed and released within a predetermined time, and when the operation key is pressed for a predetermined time or longer. It is conceivable to switch the function used in the case.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the selection means includes a first operation key for changing the predetermined setting content by the first setting change means and a second operation key for making the change by the second setting change means. And are preferably provided.

  According to this configuration, two functions for changing the same setting contents are assigned to two different operation keys, respectively. Thus, for example, compared to a case where two setting content changing functions are assigned to one operation key and each function is switched due to a difference in operation method of the operation key, the user does not perform any complicated operation. By simply operating the operation keys, the setting contents can be easily changed using a desired function.

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 control block diagram of a tape printer. It is a flowchart explaining the switching procedure of a display language.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a tape printer that creates a label by printing on a tape-like member (tape-like medium) will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus. Further, in the present embodiment, a description is given taking a display language as an example of setting contents to be changed (predetermined setting contents).

  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 having various input keys is disposed on the front upper surface of the device case 2. An opening / closing lid 4 is attached to the left part, and a display screen 5 (display means) is arranged on the right part thereof. 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 [Language] key 14 (selection means), 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. [Select] key 13 is a key for selecting and confirming selection candidates (options). [Language] key 14 is a key for switching the display language of various information (messages) displayed on display screen 5 (details will be described later).

  The display screen 5 is formed of a liquid crystal display. The display screen 5 is used when a user inputs desired text or an image using the keyboard 3 to create or edit print data such as text data or image data, or to visually check (confirm) the result. Used.

  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. 2) 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. In addition, a tape feed motor 30 (see FIG. 2) 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 for inserting the head unit 24 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 32. Further, in a state where the head unit 24 is inserted into the through-hole 34, the print head 26 built in the head unit 24 is opposed to the print head 26 across the overlapping portion of the print tape T and the ink ribbon R. A platen roller 35 that is fitted to the platen drive shaft 27 and is driven to rotate is disposed. 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 or an image with the keyboard 3 while confirming the editing result of the display screen 5 and instructs printing, the tape printer 1 removes the print tape T from the tape cartridge C by the tape feed motor 30. The desired printing is performed on the printing tape T by feeding and selectively heating the heating elements of the print head 26. 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. In addition, a plurality of tape identification sensors (such as microswitches) 37 (see FIG. 2) 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.

  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 cuts both the recording tape Ta and the peeling tape Tb of the printing tape T, a full cutter motor 51 that drives the full cutter 52, a half cutter 54 that cuts only the recording tape Ta of the printing tape T, and And a half cutter motor 53 for driving the same. 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, and an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 64. These are connected to each other by an internal bus 65. The RAM 63 is used as a work area for the CPU 61 to execute various processes.

  The ROM 62 stores a control program and control data for the CPU 61 to perform various controls. Specifically, as a control program, a menu display of a first language switching program for switching display languages cyclically and directly (instantly) in a predetermined order and a list of languages that can be switched (changeable languages) Then, a second language switching program for switching the current display language to the language selected from the list is included.

  With the above configuration, the CPU 61 inputs various signals and data from each unit in the tape printer 1 via the IOC 64 in accordance with various control programs in the ROM 62. Further, various processes in the RAM 63 are processed based on the various signals / data input, and various signals / data are output to each part of the tape printer 1 via the IOC 64, thereby controlling various processes.

  In particular, in the display language switching process in the tape printer 1 of the present invention, the language switching function (hereinafter referred to as “language direct switching”) by the first language switching program described above can be performed by pressing the [Language] key 14 (operation method). Function (first setting change means) ”and a language switching function by the second language switching program (hereinafter referred to as“ language selection switching function (second setting change means) ”). Use the function to switch the display language. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a display language switching procedure (control method) in the tape printer 1. As described above, the tape printer 1 according to the present invention switches the display language using different methods (different functions) depending on how the [Language] key 14 is pressed. Here, the languages that can be switched are “English”, “Danish”, “Japanese”, and when the display language is cyclically switched by the language direct switching function, “English” → “Danish” → “Japan” It shall be switched in the order of “word” → “English”.

  First, while the text input screen (display screen 5) is displayed, the [Language] key 14 is pressed by the user (S01). At this time, the CPU 61 (tape printer 1) has performed an operation (hereinafter referred to as “short press”) in which the user presses the [Language] key 14 and releases it within a predetermined time, or the [Language] key. It is determined whether or not an operation for holding 14 for a predetermined time or longer (hereinafter referred to as “long press”) has been performed.

  When the [Language] key 14 is pressed for a short time (S02; Yes), the CPU 61 displays the name of the current display language (display language name) on the display screen 5 (hereinafter referred to as “local name notation”). Is displayed (S03). That is, when the current display language is “English”, “English” is displayed, when “Danish” is displayed, “Dansk” is displayed, and when “Japanese” is selected, “Japanese” is displayed. Is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the [Language] key 14 is pressed again by the user in the state of S03 (S04), the CPU 61 determines whether the [Language] key 14 is pressed for a short time or for a long time. . When the [Language] key 14 is pressed for a short time (S05; Yes), the CPU 61 displays the names (language names) of the languages defined in the following order in the current display language in English and local names. It is displayed on the display screen 5 (S06). That is, when the current display language is “English”, the next language is Danish, so “Danish (English notation)” and “Dansk (local name notation)” are displayed on the display screen 5. When the current display language is “Danish”, since the next language is Japanese, the display screen 5 displays “Japan (English notation)” and “Japanese (local name notation)”. When the current display language is “Japanese”, since the next language is English, “English (English notation)” and “English (local name notation)” are displayed on the display screen 5. .

  Subsequently, when the [Select] key 13 is pressed by the user in the state of S06 (S07; Yes), the CPU 61 switches the display language to the language displayed in S06 (S08), and performs a series of language switching processes. Finish. On the other hand, when the [Select] key 13 is not pressed by the user in the state of S06 (S07; No), the CPU 61 presses the [Language] key 14 (short press) until the [Select] key 13 is pressed. ), The process after S04 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the [Language] key 14 for a long time in S02 and S05 (S02; No, S05; No), the CPU 61 displays a menu of switchable language selection candidates on the display screen 5. (S09). In this menu display, each selection candidate is displayed in local name notation (that is, “English”, “Dansk”, “Japanese” is displayed), and the current display language is displayed with a cursor (currently displayed). Display language in reverse video).

  Subsequently, when a desired language is selected from the selection candidate list by the key operation by the user (operation of the cursor key 12 and the [selection] key 13) (S10), the CPU 61 selects the display language. The language is switched (S11), and the series of language switching processing is completed.

  That is, when the user presses the [Language] key 14 for a short time, the language switching process by the language direct switching function for switching the display language cyclically is executed. A language switching process is performed by a language selection switching function for selecting. It should be noted that the processes from S03 to S05 in the flowchart can be omitted. That is, when the [Language] key 14 is pressed for a short time, the language name defined in the following order may be directly displayed without displaying the current display language name.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the display language (setting contents) of the tape printer 1 is switched, the function of changing the display language cyclically, that is, the display language is changed directly in order. Function (language direct switching function), function to change the display language from the list of selectable languages (selection candidate list) to the selected language (language selection switching function), user's preference or the situation at that time It can be used properly depending on the location, which is convenient.

  In particular, by switching the language with the language direct switching function, even if the current display language is a language that the user (user) does not know, the display language can be switched cyclically, so the language that you know It is only necessary to repeat the operation until it becomes, which is convenient. On the other hand, if there are many types of display languages, or if you want to change the display language by mistake and want to restore it, select the desired language from the selection candidate list with the language selection switching function, It is possible to easily switch to a desired display language. Therefore, by making these two functions selectable, usability for changing the display language can be improved, and the inconvenience that the display language cannot be read and the operation is difficult can be alleviated.

  Further, since the process of switching the same display language can be performed by two different functions depending on how one operation key ([language] key 14) is pressed, for example, to change the display language by each function. In addition, the number of operation keys to be used can be reduced as compared with the case where operation keys are individually assigned.

  In this embodiment, the display language that can be switched is “English”, “Danish”, and “Japanese”. However, the display language is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the switching order is not limited to this.

  Further, in this embodiment, “short press” and “long press” are illustrated as ways of pressing the [Language] key 14, but are not limited thereto.

  Further, two functions for changing the display language (language direct switching function and language selection switching function) are changed to two different operation keys (for example, [Language 1] key (first operation key, selection means) and [ Language 2] key (second operation key, selection means)) may be assigned to each. Thus, as in the present embodiment, two functions are assigned to one [Language] key 14, and the user does not perform complicated operations as compared with the case where each function is switched depending on how the keys are pressed. Conveniently, the user can easily change the display language using a desired function by simply operating one of the operation keys.

  In the present embodiment, switching of the display language has been described as an example of changing the setting contents. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various setting contents (text setting, display setting, etc.) in the tape printer 1 can be used. It is also applicable when changing.

  In addition, the configuration and processing steps of the tape printer 1 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, regardless of the above-described embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape printer 3 ... Keyboard 5 ... Display screen 14 ... Language key 40 ... Control part

Claims (5)

First setting change means for cyclically changing predetermined setting contents related to the apparatus according to a predetermined order;
Second setting changing means for changing the predetermined setting content based on one selection candidate selected from a list of selection candidates for changing the predetermined setting content;
Selecting means for selecting whether the predetermined setting content is changed by the first setting changing means or the second setting changing means; Information processing device. The selection means has a predetermined one operation key,
Selecting whether to change the predetermined setting contents by the first setting changing means or the second setting changing means by the operation method of the predetermined one operation key; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The selection means includes
A first operation key for changing the predetermined setting content by the first setting changing means and a second operation key for making the change by the second setting changing means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A display means for displaying a predetermined message including at least characters;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined setting content is a display language of the message displayed on the display unit. A first setting change step for cyclically changing predetermined setting contents regarding the device according to a predetermined order;
A second setting change step for changing the predetermined setting content based on one selection candidate selected from a list of selection candidates for changing the predetermined setting content;
And a selection step for selecting whether the predetermined setting content is changed by the first setting changing step or the second setting changing step. Control method of the device.

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