JP2013158957A - Printing device and method for controlling the printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device capable of easily and rapidly setting a format concerning a plurality of format items, and to provide a method for controlling the printing device.SOLUTION: A tape printing device 1 includes: a format parameter designation part 30a designating format parameters concerning one or more format items; a ROM 83 storing a plurality of format files being an aggregate of each of the designated format parameters; a text editing part 81a editing a text being an object to be printed; a print instruction part 30b performing the print instruction of the text; a format file selection part 30c selecting any format file from among the plurality of format files stored in the ROM 83 after the instruction of the print; a print data generation part 81c reflecting the selected format file on the text; and a print head 7 printing the generated print data on a tape.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of printing input text in a desired print format and a method for controlling the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as this type of technology, a print form selection unit that selects a desired print form, an option display unit that displays a plurality of print format options in order of frequency of use of the print format in the selected print form, and a plurality of prints There has been proposed a tape printing apparatus including a printing format selection unit that selects a desired printing format from among format options, and a printing unit that performs printing according to the selected printing form and the printing format (for example, a patent). Reference 1). For example, when a “name form” is used as a print form, “fixed length print” is often used as a print format in order to create a uniform-length label. In addition, when using a “index form” for file index, “margin” is often used as a print format in order to create a short label. Focusing on these points, Patent Document 1 has an effect that a desired print format can be selected with a relatively small number of keys regardless of which print form is used.

JP 2009-223613 A

  By the way, when a print format is used, for example, a plurality of format items such as a font setting “Gothic” and a decorative character setting “white character (white character)” may be set. For example, when formatting two format items, select the first format item from the displayed format item candidates, set the format parameters, display the format item candidates again, Select the first format item and set the format parameters. Thus, since it is necessary to set the format for each format item, the setting takes time. Of course, if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, it is possible to reduce the number of key operations for format setting. However, it is necessary to select a print form, and the operation becomes more complicated as the number of format items to be set increases. The problem of becoming cannot be solved.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method capable of easily and quickly setting a format for a plurality of format items.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a format parameter specifying unit that specifies format parameters for one or more format items, a storage unit that stores a plurality of format files that are aggregates of the specified format parameters, and a print target. A text editing section for editing the text, a print instruction section for instructing text printing, and a format file selection for selecting one of the format files stored in the storage section after the print instruction. And a printing unit for printing the selected format file by reflecting it in text.

  According to the printing apparatus control method of the present invention, a printing apparatus having a storage means includes a format parameter specifying step for specifying format parameters for one or more format items, and a format file in which the specified format parameters are aggregated. Are stored in the storage means, a text editing step for editing the text to be printed, a print instruction step for instructing printing of the text, and a plurality of formats stored in the storage means after the print instruction A format file selecting step for selecting one of the format files from the file and a printing step for reflecting the selected format file in text and printing are executed.

According to these configurations, a set of format parameters designated for one or more format items can be stored as a format file, which can be called up for formatting. That is, format setting can be performed easily and quickly regardless of the number of format items to be set. In addition, since the format file is selected after the print instruction, the user never forgets the format setting. Furthermore, by storing a plurality of format files, the format files reflected in the text can be properly used as necessary, which is convenient.
“Format” refers to the settings related to the appearance of characters and documents, character mode settings such as typeface and decoration, paragraph style settings such as vertical / horizontal writing and character size, fixed-length printing, margins, etc. Includes text format settings. In the case of a color printing apparatus, color settings are included.

  In the printing apparatus, the storage unit adds an identification number to each format file and stores the format file, and a format file display unit that displays a format file corresponding to the identification number by a temporary selection operation of the identification number after a print instruction And the format file selection unit selects the format file by the main selection operation of the identification number after the format file is displayed.

  According to this configuration, since the format file (each format parameter regarding one or more format items) is displayed by the temporary selection operation of the identification number, the user confirms the contents of the format file in advance and then selects the desired format file. You can choose.

  In the printing apparatus, the storage unit adds and stores an identification number to each format file, and a preview display that reflects the format file corresponding to the identification number in the text by a temporary selection operation of the identification number after a print instruction And a format file selection unit that selects a format file by a main selection operation of an identification number after the preview display.

  According to this configuration, since the preview display reflecting the format file in the text is displayed by the temporary selection operation of the identification number, the user can select a desired format file after confirming the preview display in advance. In addition, even an inexperienced user who cannot guess the printing result from the format parameter can grasp the printing result by the preview display.

  In the printing apparatus, the printing unit determines whether or not the selected format file can be reflected in the text to be printed, and performs printing when it is determined that the file can be reflected.

According to this configuration, when the selected format file cannot be reflected in the text (when the paper size is insufficient, or when too much text is input for the fixed-length print setting), it is against the user's intention. Printing can be prevented.
When it is determined that the selected format file cannot be reflected, it is preferable to display an error indicating that effect.

  In the printing apparatus described above, the preview display unit determines whether or not the provisionally selected identification number format file can be reflected in the text to be printed, and performs preview display when it is determined that the format file can be reflected. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, when the selected format file cannot be reflected in the text (when the paper size is insufficient, or when too much text is input for the fixed-length print setting), the preview display is not performed. Thus, printing contrary to the user's intention can be prevented.

  The above printing apparatus further includes a format file extraction unit that extracts a format file that can be reflected in the text to be printed from among the plurality of format files stored in the storage unit, and the format file selection unit is extracted. One of the format files is selected from the selected format files.

  According to this configuration, only a format file that can be reflected in the text to be printed becomes a selection candidate, and the number of candidates is narrowed down, so that selection is easy.

  In the above printing apparatus, the storage unit stores the format file when a format parameter is specified by the format parameter specifying unit after a predetermined operation instructing saving of the format file, and the text editing unit stores the format file after the predetermined operation. When a format parameter is specified, the specified format parameter is not reflected in the text being edited.

  According to this configuration, when the format file is instructed to be saved, the specified format parameter is not reflected in the text being edited, so the format file for saving and the format file for editing must be specified. Can be distinguished.

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram of a tape printer. It is a figure which shows the list of the format items which can be designated. It is a figure which shows the format parameter which can be designated about some format items. It is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of format registration. (A) is a screen transition diagram showing a flow of format call, and (b) is a diagram showing a printed label image.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the “printing apparatus” in the claims is applied to a tape printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment with the open / close lid 21 opened. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 has an outer case formed by a device case 2, and a keyboard 3 having various input keys and buttons is arranged on the front upper surface of the device case 2, and on the rear upper surface. The open / close lid 21 is attached to the left part, and the display screen 41 is arranged on the right part.

  A cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting the tape cartridge C is recessed inside the opening / closing lid 21, and the tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened. The 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 a state in which the lid 21 is closed.

  On the keyboard 3, a character key group 3a and a function button 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 button group 3b includes a [print] button, a [cursor] button, and a [select] button. The [Print] button is a button for instructing printing. After the text is input by the character key group 3a, the user presses a “print” button to execute printing based on the input information (created document). The [cursor] button is composed of up / down / left / right buttons (up cursor button, down cursor button, left cursor button, right cursor button), and is a button for moving the cursor. The up / down / left / right buttons are hereinafter referred to as [↑] button, [↓] button, [←] button, and [→] button. The [Select] button is a button for performing a selection operation and a line feed operation for text.

  Further, the function button group 3 b includes an “edit” button 31 and a “format save” button 32. The [Edit] button 31 is a button for formatting the text being edited. After the button is pressed, a format parameter can be specified for each format item shown in FIG. The [Save Format] button 32 is a button for collectively saving the format parameters designated by the user. After the button is pressed, the format parameters can be designated for each format item shown in FIG. . Details will be described later.

  The display screen 41 is a liquid crystal display, and is used for confirming an editing result based on input information input by the user using the keyboard 3, a print preview (print data generated based on the editing result), and the like. .

  A tape discharge port 22 is formed on the left side of the device case 2 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the outside. The tape discharge port 22 is used for cutting the tape T fed by a tape transport mechanism (not shown). The tape cutter 23 is facing. Then, the printed tape T is fed out from the tape discharge port 22 by a predetermined length, and after the feeding is temporarily stopped, the printed tape T is cut by the tape cutter 23 and the strip-shaped label L ( 6B) is created.

  On the other hand, the cartridge mounting portion 6 has a head unit 61 in which a thermal type print head 7 is built in a head cover 61a, a platen drive shaft 62 facing the print head 7, and a winding for winding an ink ribbon R described later. A drive shaft 63 and a positioning projection 64 of the tape reel 17 described later are provided. In addition, a tape feed motor 26 (see FIG. 2) for rotating the platen drive shaft 62 and the take-up drive shaft 63 serving as a tape transport mechanism is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6.

  The tape cartridge C includes a tape reel 17 in which a tape T having a certain width (about 4 mm to 48 mm) is wound at an upper central portion inside the cartridge case 51, and a ribbon reel 19 in which an ink ribbon R is wound on the lower right. The tape T and the ink ribbon R have the same width. A through hole 55 for inserting a head cover 61 a covering the head unit 61 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 17. Furthermore, the head unit 61 inserted into the through-hole 55 and the platen roller 53 fitted to the platen drive shaft 62 and driven to rotate are arranged corresponding to the portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. . On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 54 is arranged in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 19, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 19 is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 54 so as to go around the head cover 61a. ing. That is, the ribbon is wound around the ribbon take-up reel 54 via the ribbon running path on the peripheral wall of the through hole 55.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6, the through hole 55 is formed in the head cover 61 a, the center hole of the tape reel 17 is positioned in the positioning protrusion 64, and the center hole of the ribbon take-up reel 54 is positioned in the winding drive shaft 63. Then, the print head 7 is brought into contact with the platen roller 53 with the tape T and the ink ribbon R interposed therebetween, and printing becomes possible. Thereafter, when the user inputs a desired document (text or image such as letters, numbers, symbols, and simple figures) using the keyboard 3 while confirming the editing result of the display screen 41 and instructs printing, the tape printer 1 The tape T is fed from the tape cartridge C by the tape feed motor 26, and printing is performed on the tape T by a printing operation in which the heating elements of the print head 7 are selectively heated. The printed portion of the tape T is fed out from the tape discharge port 22 as needed, and when printing is completed, the tape feed motor 26 feeds the tape T to the position of the tape length including the margin and stops. Thereafter, the tape motor 23 is driven by the cutter motor 25 (see FIG. 2), and the tape T is cut in the width direction.

  On the other hand, the tape T includes a recording tape Ta having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the back surface and a release tape Tb attached to the recording tape Ta by the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The 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 51. Further, a plurality of tapes T having different tape types (tape width, tape ground color, ground pattern, material, etc.) are prepared, and each of the cartridge cases 51 has one type of tape T ( And an ink ribbon R). 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 51. A plurality of tape identification sensors (such as microswitches) 27 (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 printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 82, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83, a display screen 41, a keyboard 3, a cutter motor 25, a tape cutter 23, a tape feed motor 26, A print head 7 and a tape identification sensor 27 are provided. Among these, the RAM 82 and the ROM 83 are connected to the CPU 81 via the bus 85, and the other components are directly connected to the CPU 81.

  The RAM 82 is used as a work area when the CPU 81 performs various controls. The ROM 83 stores a control program and control information for the CPU 81 to perform various controls. As the control program, a format file processing program for registering and calling a format file, a display control program for performing display control of the display screen 41, a print control program for performing print control, and the like are stored ( (Not shown). As the control data, a plurality of format files are stored (storage unit, storage unit).

  Here, the “format file” means a collection of format parameters related to one or more format items. As described above, the format parameter can be specified for each format item shown in FIG. 3 by pressing the [Save Format] button 32. The specified result is stored in the ROM 83 as a format file. At that time, a format file number (identification number) designated by the user is linked to each format file. Each format file is called by the format file number.

  The format file may be stored in a storage medium (for example, a flash ROM) separate from the ROM 83. Further, it may be stored in a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the tape printer 1, or when the tape printer 1 can be connected to a network, it may be stored in a server (not shown) on the network.

  The CPU 81 is a central processing unit and functions as a text editing unit 81a, a format file calling unit 81b, and a print data generating unit 81c. The text editing unit 81a edits a text (document) to be printed based on the input information. The format file calling unit 81 b calls a format file selected by the user from one or more format files stored in the ROM 83. The print data generation unit 81c generates print data by reflecting the called format file (each format parameter relating to one or more format items) on the text to be printed (text edited at the time of printing). The “printing unit” in the claims is a concept including both the print data generating unit 81 c and the print head 7.

  The display screen 41 functions as a format file display unit 41a. The format file display unit 41a receives registration information (format parameter) of the format file corresponding to the format file number when the format file number is temporarily selected after the print instruction is performed by pressing the [Print] button. indicate. As a result, the user can grasp the contents of the reflected form before printing.

  The keyboard 3 functions as a format parameter specification unit 30a, a print instruction unit 30b, and a format file selection unit 30c. The format parameter designating unit 30a designates format parameters for one or more format items after the [Save Format] button 32 is pressed. The print instruction unit 30b instructs to execute printing by pressing the [Print] button. The format file selection unit 30c selects a desired format file from registered format files after pressing the [Print] button.

  The cutter motor 25 is connected to the tape cutter 23 and cuts the printed tape T. Further, the tape feed motor 26 and the print head 7 perform printing on the tape T while conveying the tape T. The tape identification sensor 27 detects the type of the tape T stored in the tape cartridge C. Based on the detection result of the tape identification sensor 27 (based on the tape width, material, etc.), the CPU 81 limits the number of lines, the number of characters and the character size that can be input as input information, and whether the tape T can be cut. Determine whether or not. Further, based on the detection result of the tape identification sensor 27, the text to be printed, and the selected format file, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the selected format file can be reflected in the text to be printed. Determine. If the CPU 81 determines that input is impossible, disconnection is impossible, and reflection is impossible, an error message is displayed on the display screen 41. In addition, the CPU 81 performs display control of the display screen 41 and drive control of the print head 7, the cutter motor 25, and the tape feed motor 26 in accordance with instructions input from the keyboard 3.

  Next, format items and format parameters that can be specified will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of format items that can be specified. In the present embodiment, “character mode”, “paragraph style”, and “sentence format” can be designated as format classification, and a target range can be designated as shown in the “designated range” column. In each format classification, the format item shown in the “format item” column can be specified, and the contents are as shown in the “content” column. A “paragraph” refers to an aggregate of one or more lines. “Sentence” refers to the entire document printed on one label L.

  Note that the format items and format parameters that can be specified when the [Edit] button 31 and the [Save Format] button 32 are pressed are as shown in FIG. 3 (the same), and the procedure of the specifying operation is the same. . However, if the format is specified after the [Edit] button 31 is pressed, the format is reflected in the text being edited. If the format is specified after the [Save Format] button 32 is pressed, the format is reflected in the text being edited. The difference is that the format is not reflected and is registered as a format file.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing format parameters that can be specified for the format items “typeface” and “decoration”. In the figure, the format parameter enclosed by a box indicates a default value in each format item. The “default value” means a format parameter that is automatically set when a format parameter is not specified by the user for the format item. The format file stores format parameters for all specifiable format items. Therefore, when the format items that can be specified are the two items shown in the figure, the format file is stored as “typeface: Mincho type / decorative character: normal”. In order to make the description easy to understand, the following description will be made assuming that only these two items can be specified.

  Next, the flow of format registration will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is assumed that the text “Thank you” shown on the screen D01 is input on the text editing screen. Note that the symbol M1 indicates the first mark of the first line. A symbol K indicates a cursor (editing position).

  When the [Save Format] button 32 is pressed in the state of the screen D01, a format file registration screen is displayed (screen D02). On the form file registration screen, a form file number for identifying the form file is selected. Here, the [↓] button is pressed with the first registration number “01” highlighted, and the “Select” button is pressed with “02” highlighted (screen D03). It is assumed that the file number “02” is selected. In the format file registration screen, only unregistered numbers may be displayed as format file number candidates, and not only registered / unregistered but also from “01” to the maximum value “**” that can be registered. It may be displayed sequentially each time the [cursor] key is pressed. In the latter case, when a registered format file number is selected, an error message indicating that it has been registered is displayed.

  When the format file number is selected, the typeface selection screen is subsequently displayed (screen D04). On the typeface selection screen, a format parameter is selected for the format item “typeface”. The format parameter that is displayed first is a default value (see FIG. 4). Here, it is assumed that the format parameter “Gothic” is selected by pressing the [Select] button in a state where the [↓] button is pressed and “Gothic” is highlighted (screen D05).

  When the format parameter is selected for the format item “typeface”, the decorative character selection screen is displayed (screen D06). In the decorative character selection screen, a format parameter is selected for the format item “decorative character”. In this case, the [↓] button is pressed from the state where the default value “normal” is highlighted, and the “Select” button is pressed while the “white character” is highlighted (screen D07). It is assumed that “white character” is selected.

  In this embodiment, since only two format items can be specified, the format specification is completed by the above operation, and the registration execution screen is displayed (screen D08). While the registration execution screen is displayed, the format file “typeface: Gothic / decorative character: white character” having the format file number “02” is registered in the ROM 83. After displaying the registration execution screen for a few seconds, the screen returns to the text editing screen (similar to screen D09 and screen D01). Note that the format parameters specified on the screens D02 to D08 are not reflected on the screen D09. Also, if the format is set to the text “Thank you” at the time of screen D01 (when a format parameter other than the default value is set), the same formatting is performed at the time of screen D09. It becomes a state.

  Next, the flow of format call will be described with reference to FIG. In the text editing screen, it is assumed that the text “Welcome” shown on the screen D11 is input. When the [Print] button is pressed in this state, a format file call screen is displayed (screen D12). On the format file call screen, the format file number to be called is selected (format file selection unit 30c). Here, the [↓] button is pressed with the first call number “01” highlighted, and the “Select” button is pressed with “02” highlighted (screen D13), so that the format file is displayed. It is assumed that the number “02” is selected. In the format file call screen, only registered numbers may be displayed as format file number candidates, and not only registered / unregistered but also from “01” to the maximum value “**” that can be registered. It may be displayed sequentially each time the [cursor] key is pressed. In the latter case, when an unregistered format file number is selected, an error display indicating that it is unregistered is performed.

  When a format file number is selected on the format file call screen, a registration information confirmation screen is displayed (screen D14). On the registration information confirmation screen, the format file with the format file number “02” is displayed (format file display unit 41a). In the example shown in the figure, only the format parameter “Gothic / white character” is displayed, but the format item and the format parameter may be displayed in association with each other. Only format parameters other than the default values may be displayed. That is, in the case of the format file “typeface: Gothic / decorative characters: normal”, only “Gothic” may be displayed on the registration information confirmation screen.

  When the [Select] button is pressed again while the registration information confirmation screen is displayed, the print execution screen is displayed (screen D15), and printing is executed. Note that pressing the [Select] button in the display state of the format file call screen (screen D13) means temporary selection of the format file number, and pressing the [Select] button in the display state of the registration information confirmation screen (screen D14). Means the actual selection of the format file number. The label L created by the operations on the screens D11 to D15 is as shown in FIG. That is, a result in which the format file “typeface: Gothic / decorative character: white character” is reflected in the text “Welcome” is printed.

  Even if the format is set to the text “Welcome” at the time of the screen D11, the setting of the format file is overwritten by the selection of the format file. However, if a print format other than the default value is set at the time of screen D11, a message such as "Do you want to overwrite the format settings?" The format file setting may be overwritten only when an operation of “overwrite” is performed.

  Although not particularly illustrated, when the format file selected on the format file call screen cannot be reflected in the text to be printed, an error screen is displayed when the format file is temporarily selected or when the format file is selected. For example, there are cases where there are too many text characters being input for the fixed-length print setting, or when the specified character size is too large for the tape width of the tape T. In that case, re-selecting the format file or re-editing the text is prompted.

  Although not particularly shown, if it is not necessary to call the format file, a cancel operation may be performed on the format file call screen or the option “none” may be selected. As a result, printing can be performed in a print format that is set as default for all format items or a print format that is formatted in the text editing screen (screen D11).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a set of format parameters specified for one or more format items can be stored as a format file, and can be called up for formatting. Thereby, format setting can be performed easily and quickly regardless of the number of format items to be set. In addition, since the format file is selected after the print instruction, the user never forgets the format setting. Furthermore, by storing a plurality of format files, the format files reflected in the text can be properly used as necessary, which is convenient.

  Further, since the registration information of the format file is displayed when the format file number is temporarily selected on the format file call screen, the user can infer the print result before executing the printing. Further, when the format file of the selected format file number cannot be reflected in the text, an error is displayed, so that printing contrary to the user's intention can be prevented.

  In addition, since the format designation operation for the text being edited and the format designation operation when saving the format file can be performed in substantially the same procedure, the operation is easy to understand. Also, when the format file is saved, the text entered in the text editing screen does not reflect the specified format file, so the format file can be saved at any time (without being aware of the text being edited). It can be performed.

[Modification 1]
The following modifications may be adopted. In the above embodiment, the format file registration information corresponding to the format file number is displayed by the temporary selection operation of the format file number after the print instruction (see the format file display unit 41a, FIG. 6D14). Thus, the preview display may be performed by reflecting the format file corresponding to the temporarily selected format file number in the text (preview display section). Further, in this case, it is preferable to determine whether or not the temporarily selected format file can be reflected in the text to be printed, and to display the preview only when it is determined that the format file can be reflected. According to these configurations, even an inexperienced user who cannot guess the printing result from the format parameter can execute printing after grasping the printing result by the preview display. In addition, when the selected format file cannot be reflected in the text, printing contrary to the user's intention can be prevented by not performing the preview display.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the format file call screen displays the format file numbers of all the format files stored in the ROM 83. However, the format file format that can be reflected in the text to be printed is displayed. Only the file number may be displayed. In other words, when the [Print] button is pressed, it is determined whether or not it can be reflected in the text displayed on the text editing screen for all format files stored in the ROM 83 by the CPU 81, and it is determined that the file can be reflected. Only the format file may be extracted (format file extraction unit), and the format file number may be displayed on the format file call screen. According to this configuration, only the format file that can be reflected in the text to be printed becomes a selection candidate, and the number of candidates is narrowed down, so that the format file selection operation becomes easy.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, a plurality of format files can be registered. However, only one format file may be registered. In this case, the selection operation of the format file number on the format file registration screen and the format file call screen can be omitted.

[Modification 4]
Further, in the above embodiment, when a format file is selected (by operation of screens D12 to D14) after a print instruction in a state where the text has been previously formatted (at the time of screen D11), the selected format is selected. Although the file is overwritten, a selection screen for selecting whether to give priority to the preset format setting or to give priority to the format file selected after the print instruction may be displayed. At that time, two print previews reflecting each format setting may be displayed on the display screen 41 so that they can be compared. According to this configuration, if you forget to set the format and select a format file after printing instructions, select the desired print format after confirming both preview displays. can do. The selection screen may be displayed only when the preset format setting is other than the default value.

[Modification 5]
In the above embodiment, only one format file can be selected on the format file call screen, but two or more format files may be selected. For example, when the format file with format file number “01” is “typeface: Gothic” and the format file with format file number “02” is “decorative character: white character”, these two format files are When selected, the format parameter “typeface: Gothic / decorative character: white character” may be reflected.

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, format parameters for all format items are stored as format files. However, only format parameters other than default values may be stored. For example, when the format parameter “typeface: Gothic / decorative characters: normal” is designated, “typeface: Gothic” is stored as the format file (the storage of “decorative characters: normal” is omitted). According to this configuration, the data amount of the format file can be reduced.

[Modification 7]
In the above-described embodiment, the format file is selected after the print instruction. However, the format file may be selected and called during text editing.

[Modification 8]
In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus is employed. However, a printing system including a document creation apparatus that edits print data and a printing apparatus that prints print data may be employed. As the document creation apparatus, for example, an apparatus configured to cause an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a tablet PC to execute a dedicated application, or an apparatus configured with dedicated hardware can be employed. In this configuration, the document creation device that edits the print data may be configured to select and call a format file during text editing, or may be configured to call the format file after issuing a print instruction in the document creation device. . The printing apparatus may be configured to perform printing based on print data edited by the document creation apparatus.

  In addition, it is possible to provide each component of the tape printer 1 and the document creation apparatus shown in the above embodiment and each modification as a program. Further, the program can be provided by being stored in various recording media (CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.). That is, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the tape printer 1 and a recording medium on which the program is recorded are also included in the scope of rights of the present invention. Further, the present embodiment may be applied to a printing apparatus (including a color printing apparatus) other than the tape printing apparatus 1. Other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape printer 3 ... Keyboard 7 ... Print head 30a ... Format parameter designation | designated part 30b ... Print instruction | indication part 30c ... Format file selection part 31 ... [Edit] button 32 ... [Save format] button 41a ... Format file display part 81a ... Text editing unit 81b ... Format file calling unit 81c ... Print data generation unit K ... Cursor L ... Label T ... Tape

Claims (8)

A format parameter specification section for specifying format parameters for one or more format items;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of format files that are a collection of each specified format parameter;
A text editing section for editing the text to be printed;
A print instruction unit for instructing to print the text;
After the print instruction, a format file selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of format files stored in the storage unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the selected format file by reflecting it in the text. The storage unit adds and stores an identification number to each format file,
Further comprising a format file display unit that displays the format file corresponding to the identification number by a temporary selection operation of the identification number after the printing instruction,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the format file selection unit selects the format file by a main selection operation of the identification number after the format file is displayed. The storage unit adds and stores an identification number to each format file,
A preview display unit for performing a preview display reflecting the format file corresponding to the identification number in the text by a temporary selection operation of the identification number after the print instruction;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the format file selection unit selects the format file by a main selection operation of the identification number after the preview display.   The printing unit determines whether or not the selected format file can be reflected in the text to be printed, and performs printing when it is determined that the format file can be reflected. The printing apparatus as described in.   The preview display unit determines whether the provisionally selected format file of the identification number can be reflected in the text to be printed, and performs preview display when it is determined to be reflected. The printing apparatus according to claim 3. A plurality of format files stored in the storage unit, further comprising a format file extraction unit that extracts a format file that can be reflected in the text to be printed;
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the format file selection unit selects one of the format files from the extracted format files. 5. The storage unit stores the format file when the format parameter is specified by the format parameter specifying unit after a predetermined operation instructing the storage of the format file,
7. The text editing unit according to claim 1, wherein when the format parameter is specified after the predetermined operation, the text editing unit does not reflect the specified format parameter in the text being edited. The printing apparatus as described in. A printing apparatus provided with storage means
A format parameter specifying step for specifying format parameters for one or more format items;
A storage step of storing a plurality of format files that are aggregates of the specified format parameters in the storage means;
A text editing step for editing the text to be printed;
A print instruction step for instructing to print the text;
After the printing instruction, a format file selection step of selecting any one of the plurality of format files stored in the storage unit;
And a printing step of performing printing by reflecting the selected format file in the text.

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