JP2014065275A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which allows a user to perform input operation through touch panels while satisfactorily viewing images displayed in a display part.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a display part 5 which displays at least characters 51 to be printed on tape; and touch panels 61-64 provided on circulating portions surrounding the display part 5. A CPU of the printer detects a touched spot on the touch panel 61 as coordinate information indicating a position in a circulating direction of the display part. The CPU specifies input operation performed by a user through a touch panel 6 as operation for moving a cursor, on the basis of positions 611 and 612 indicated by the detected coordinate information. The CPU moves a position of the cursor 11 displayed in the display part 5, in accordance with the specified input operation. The CPU prints the characters 51 on the tape under a printing condition based on the changed display contents.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a touch panel on a display unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Printing apparatuses that include a touch panel on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display are known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a printing apparatus that can input a tape cutting method via a touch panel provided in a display unit.

JP2011-62985A

  In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a touch panel is provided on the entire display unit. For this reason, when a user inputs a tape cutting method by bringing a stylus or a finger into contact with the touch panel, an image displayed on the display unit is hidden by the stylus or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to view the image displayed on the display unit when performing an input operation via the touch panel.

  The objective of this invention is providing the printing apparatus which can perform input operation via a touchscreen, confirming the image displayed on the display part favorably.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints characters on a tape, and includes at least a display unit that displays characters to be printed on the tape, and at least a surrounding portion surrounding the display unit. It is indicated by a touch panel provided in a part, detection means for detecting a touched location on the touch panel as position information indicating a position of the display unit in a rotating direction, and the position information detected by the detection means. Based on a touch location that is a location on the touch panel or a tendency of change in the touch location, a specifying means for specifying an input operation performed by the user via the touch panel, and the input operation specified by the specifying means And a control means for changing the display content of the display unit according to the above.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the touch panel is provided on at least a part of the peripheral portion of the display unit, even when the user touches the touch panel with a stylus or a finger, the characters displayed on the display unit are stylus or the like. It will not be hidden by. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation through the touch panel while visually recognizing the characters displayed on the display unit.

  In the present invention, a cursor is displayed on the display unit, and the specifying unit includes a first specifying unit that specifies an input operation for specifying a position of the cursor, and the control unit is configured to perform the operation by the first specifying unit. When an input operation for specifying the position of the cursor is specified, control is performed to display the cursor at a position close to the contact location in the display area of the display unit, and the printing unit is controlled by the first control unit. When the character displayed at the position indicated by the displayed cursor is edited, the edited character may be printed. The user can easily specify the character to be edited among the characters displayed on the display unit by specifying the position of the cursor via the touch panel. Therefore, the user can efficiently execute the editing operation of characters to be printed on the tape. Further, even when the touch panel is provided only in at least a part of the periphery of the display unit, the user can appropriately perform a desired input operation.

  In the present invention, a pointer is displayed on the display unit, and the specifying unit includes a second specifying unit that specifies an input operation for specifying a position of the pointer, and the control unit is configured by the second specifying unit. When an input operation for specifying the position of the pointer is specified, control for displaying the pointer at a position specified based on the contact location in the display area of the display unit may be performed. The user can easily specify characters and other information displayed on the display unit by specifying the position of the pointer via the touch panel. Therefore, the user can easily execute an input operation on the printing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the display device includes a plurality of touch panels provided at a plurality of different portions around the display portion, and the second specifying unit detects the position of the pointer when a plurality of pieces of position information are detected by the detection unit. The control means may display the pointer at a position uniquely determined based on a plurality of contact locations indicated by the plurality of position information. The user can easily specify the position of the pointer in a multiple manner by touching a plurality of touch panels.

  In the present invention, the length of the tape is displayed on the display unit, the specifying unit includes a third specifying unit that specifies an input operation for specifying the length of the tape, and the control unit includes the third unit. When an input operation for specifying the length of the tape is specified by the specifying means, the length of the tape displayed on the display unit is changed, and the printing means is the length of the tape on which characters are printed. However, printing may be performed so as to be substantially the same as the length of the tape displayed on the display unit. Since the user can easily specify the length of the tape, the input operation of the setting conditions at the time of printing can be made efficient. Therefore, the user can improve the printing work efficiency.

  In the present invention, the third specifying means specifies an input operation for designating a length of the tape when the contact location moves in the circulation direction, and determines the length of the tape based on the movement amount of the movement. The printing unit may perform printing so that the length of the tape on which the character is printed is substantially the same as the length calculated by the calculating unit. Since the user can specify the length of the tape sensuously, it is possible to specify the length of the tape as desired.

  In the present invention, a character style is displayed on the display unit, the specifying means includes a fourth specifying means for specifying an input operation for specifying the character style, and the control means includes the fourth specifying means. When an input operation for specifying the character style is specified by the means, the character style displayed on the display section is changed, and the printing means prints the character in the style displayed on the display section. May be. Since the user can easily specify the character style, the input operation of the setting condition at the time of executing printing can be made more efficient. Therefore, the user can improve the printing work efficiency.

  In this invention, the said control means may change the style of the said character displayed in the position close | similar to the said contact location among the display areas of the said display part. The user can sensuously specify the character style and change the display on the display unit. Thereby, the convenience of the input operation by the user can be enhanced.

  In the present invention, the display unit may have a rectangular shape, and the touch panel may be provided on each of two orthogonal sides of the display unit. The user can appropriately specify the coordinates displayed on the display unit without omission by touching the touch panels provided on each of the two sides.

  In the present invention, the style may be at least one of the typeface, size, decoration, character alignment, character width, and character spacing of the character. The user can easily specify at least one of the font type, size, decoration, character alignment, character width, and character spacing.

1 is a perspective view of a printer 1. FIG. It is an enlarged view of the display part 5 vicinity. It is a figure which shows the edit operation (1) via the touch panel. It is a figure which shows the edit work (2) via the touch panel 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the edit work (3) via the touch panel 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the edit work (3) via the touch panel 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the edit work (4) via the touch panel 6. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 1. It is a flowchart of a detection process. It is a flowchart of a specific process. It is a flowchart of a pointer position edit process. It is a flowchart of a tape length edit process. It is a flowchart of a style edit process. It is a flowchart of a cursor position edit process. It is a flowchart of a printing process.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A physical configuration of a tape printer 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer 1”) will be described with reference to FIG. The lower left, upper right, upper left, and lower right directions in FIG. 1 are the lower, upper, left, and right directions of the printer 1, respectively. A tape cassette (not shown) is attached to the printer 1. The printer 1 performs printing by forming dots for each column in the tape width direction on a tape-like print medium (hereinafter simply referred to as “tape”) that is pulled out and transported from the tape cassette. It is a printer that can.

  A keyboard 3 is provided below the surface of the printer 1. The printer 1 can print various characters such as letters, numbers, and symbols. The keyboard 3 includes a character key, a confirmation key, and the like for inputting data to be printed to be printed on the tape. A function key group 4 including a power key, a print key, and the like is provided on the upper side of the keyboard 3. Hereinafter, the function key group 4 and the keyboard 3 are collectively referred to as “operation unit 2”. An operation on the operation unit 2 is detected by a mechanical switch built in each key. In the present invention, the configuration of the operation unit 2 can be changed. For example, the operation unit 2 may be configured by a touch panel. A rectangular display unit 5 is provided above the function key group 4. The display unit 5 is a liquid crystal display that displays characters to be printed, printing style settings (typeface, character size), tape length, and the like. A cover 7 that can be opened and closed is provided at the top of the printer 1. The cover 7 covers the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a touch panel 6 is provided in a surrounding portion surrounding the display unit 5. The detection method of the touch panel 6 is a resistive film method. The touch panel 6 includes a touch panel 61 disposed along the lower side of the display unit 5, a touch panel 62 disposed along the upper side, a touch panel 63 disposed along the left side, and a touch panel 64 disposed along the right side. The shapes of the touch panels 61 to 64 are each a rectangle whose longitudinal direction is a direction along each side of the display unit 5.

  Each of the touch panels 61 to 64 includes a voltage application unit and a voltage detection unit that are not shown. A voltage application part applies a voltage between the electrodes provided in the both ends of each longitudinal direction of the touchscreens 61-64. The voltage detector detects a voltage between the electrodes. The CPU 401 (see FIG. 8, described later) of the printer 1 acquires the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit provided in each of the touch panels 61 to 64 from each of the touch panels 61 to 64. The CPU 401 specifies a place touched on the touch panels 61 to 64 (hereinafter, also referred to as “contact place”) based on the acquired voltage. More specifically, the CPU 401 calculates coordinate information in a direction along the circumference of the display unit 5 (that is, each longitudinal direction of the touch panels 61 to 64) as information indicating each contact location of the touch panels 61 to 64. To do. In the coordinate information, the left-right direction of the touch panel 6 is the X direction, the up-down direction, and the Y direction, and the lower left vertex of the display unit 5 is the origin. The CPU 401 calculates coordinate information indicating the position in the X direction based on the voltage acquired from the touch panels 61 and 62. The CPU 401 calculates coordinate information indicating the position in the Y direction based on the voltage acquired from the touch panels 63 and 64. Note that the detection method of the touch panel 6 can be changed to other than the resistance film method.

  On the display unit 5, a plurality of characters 51, a style setting 52, and a tape length 53 are displayed. A straight line extending in the horizontal direction is displayed at a substantially vertical center of the display unit 5. The plurality of characters 51 are displayed below the straight line. The style setting 52 is displayed on the upper side and the left side of the straight line. The tape length 53 is displayed on the upper side and the right side of the straight line. A plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5 indicate characters printed on the tape. The plurality of characters 51 may be displayed for two levels. The style setting 52 includes a typeface 521 and a character size 522. Note that the character size 522 in FIG. 2 indicates an operation mode in which the character size is automatically adjusted according to the tape width. The tape length 53 indicates the length of the tape printed by the printer 1.

  The user can edit a plurality of characters 51, style setting 52, and tape length 53 displayed on the display unit 5 by performing an input operation on the touch panel 6. Since the touch panel 6 is provided in a peripheral portion surrounding the display unit 5, even when the touch panel 6 is touched with a finger, a stylus, or the like, the display unit 5 is not hidden by the finger, the stylus, or the like, and the visibility is not deteriorated. Further, the user can intuitively perform the editing work as compared with the case where the editing work is performed by an input operation on the keyboard 3. Editing operations that can be executed by an input operation on the touch panel 6 are: (1) position specification of the character to be edited (cursor movement), (2) position specification of the character to be edited (pointer movement), and (3) style setting (typeface, character size). ) Editing and (4) tape length editing. The printer 1 can also perform various editing operations via the keyboard 3 as is conventional.

  A specific example of editing work performed via the touch panel 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. With reference to FIG. 3, (1) the position designation (cursor movement) of the character to be edited will be described. Note that there are two methods for editing any one of the plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5, a method using a cursor and a method using a pointer. (1) is a method using a cursor. In (1), the cursor 11 is moved to the lower side of the specific character, and in this state, the key is selected via the keyboard 3, whereby the specific character on the cursor 11 is edited.

  The user performs an input operation through the touch panel 6 as follows. First, the user touches a position 611 on the touch panel 61 with a finger. The cursor 11 is displayed at a position 111 above the touched position 611 in the display unit 5. Next, the user moves the touched finger to a position 612 below the character “3” to be edited. The cursor 11 moves to the left following the movement of the finger and is displayed at a position 112 below the character “3”. In this state, the user selects any key on the keyboard 3. The character “3” placed above the cursor 11 is changed to the character corresponding to the selected key.

  In addition, the specific example mentioned above can be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a plurality of characters 51 are displayed in two stages, the user firstly positions the left side of the upper characters 51 in the touch panel 63 or the lower characters 51. By touching the position on the left side, it may be specified which of the upper or lower character 51 is to be edited. Next, when the user touches the touch panel 61, the cursor 11 may be displayed below a specific character among the plurality of characters 51 in the designated stage. When the user selects any key of the keyboard 3 in this state, the character arranged above the cursor 11 may be changed.

  Further, for example, when a plurality of characters 51 are displayed in two stages and one of the upper characters 51 is edited, the user can specify the position of the cursor 11 by touching the touch panel 62. You may do it. On the other hand, when editing any one of the plurality of characters 51 in the lower row, the user may be able to specify the position of the cursor 11 by touching the touch panel 61 by the same method as described above.

  With reference to FIG. 4, (2) position designation (pointer movement) of the character to be edited will be described. (2) is a method using a pointer among methods of editing any one of the plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5. In (2), the pointer 12 is moved to the vicinity of the specific character, and a key is selected via the keyboard 3 in this state, whereby the specific character in the vicinity of the pointer 12 is edited.

  The user performs an input operation through the touch panel 6 as follows. First, the user touches the position 613 of the touch panel 61 with a finger. Next, the user touches the position 633 of the touch panel 63 with a finger. The positions 613 and 633 may be touched at the same time, or may be touched at different timings. An intersection of a straight line passing through the touched position 613 in the display unit 5 and perpendicular to the X direction and a straight line passing through the position 633 and perpendicular to the Y direction are specified. A pointer 12 is displayed at the identified intersection. The pointer 12 is placed in the vicinity of the character “5”. In this state, the user selects any key on the keyboard 3. The character “5” near the pointer 12 is changed to a character corresponding to the selected key.

  In addition, the specific example mentioned above can be changed. For example, the user may display the pointer 12 near the style setting 52 or the tape length 53 by touching the touch panels 61 and 63 with a finger. In this state, the style setting 52 or the tape length 53 may be edited by selecting a key via the keyboard 3.

  With reference to FIG. 5, (3) style setting is demonstrated. The user can edit either the typeface 521 or the character size 522 among the style settings 52 displayed on the display unit 5. The user performs an input operation through the touch panel 6 as follows. First, the user touches the touch panel 62 to select either the typeface 521 or the character size 522. When editing the typeface 521, the user touches a position 621 above the portion of the display unit 5 where the typeface 521 is displayed (the upper left portion of the display unit 5). On the other hand, when editing the character size 522, the user sets the position 622 above the portion of the display unit 5 where the character size 522 is displayed (the portion on the right side of the portion of the display unit 5 where the typeface 521 is displayed). touch.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a case where a position 621 on the touch panel 62 is touched is taken as an example. In this case, a plurality of typeface candidates 54 are displayed on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. The user touches the touch panel 64 in order to select one of the plurality of typeface candidates 54. When selecting the Gothic 541 among the typeface candidates 54 arranged vertically in the order of Gothic 541, Mincho 542, and Pop 543, the user sets the position 641 on the right side of the portion of the display unit 5 where the Gothic 541 is displayed. touch. As a result, the typeface of characters printed on the tape is changed to Gothic. Similarly, when the typeface is changed to the Mincho style or the Pop style, the user touches the position of the touch panel 64 on the right side of the display unit 5 where the Mincho 542 or the pop 543 is displayed.

  Although not shown, when a position 622 (see FIG. 5) on the touch panel 62 is touched, a plurality of character size candidates (for example, “7pt”, “9pt”, “18pt”) are displayed on the display unit 5. . The user touches the touch panel 64 to select any one of a plurality of character size candidates. As a result, the size of characters printed on the tape is changed to the designated character size.

  In addition, the specific example mentioned above can be changed. For example, the style setting may be edited only on the screen shown in FIG. In this case, for example, when the state where the user touches the position 621 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the character “Gothic” of the typeface 521 may be switched to “Mincho” and “Pop” in order. Similarly, for example, when the state in which the user touches the position 622 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the display of the character size 522 may be sequentially switched to “7 pt”, “9 pt”, and “18 pt”.

  With reference to FIG. 7, (4) editing of the tape length will be described. For example, when the user wants to specify the length in the longitudinal direction of the tape in advance, it is necessary to set the tape length in the printer 1 in advance. Further, the user needs to set the tape length in the printer 1 in advance when printing on a die-cut tape or the like having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction. The user performs an input operation through the touch panel 6 as follows. First, the user touches the position 614 of the touch panel 62 with a finger. Next, when the user wants to increase the tape length 53 displayed on the display unit 5, the user moves his / her finger in the right direction. The touched position moves from position 614 to position 616. The tape length 53 displayed on the display unit 5 increases in accordance with the amount of movement of the finger touching the touch panel 62 in the right direction, that is, the distance between the position 614 and the position 616. In this way, the user can increase the tape length 53. On the other hand, when the user wants to shorten the tape length 53 displayed on the display unit 5, the user moves his / her finger to the left. The touched position moves from position 614 to position 615. The tape length 53 displayed on the display unit 5 is shortened according to the movement amount of the finger touching the touch panel 62 in the left direction, that is, the distance between the position 614 and the position 615. In this way, the user can shorten the tape length 53.

  In addition, the specific example mentioned above can be changed. For example, the user may be able to change the tape length 53 by moving a finger touched on the touch panels 63 and 64 in the vertical direction.

  The electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 1 includes a control circuit unit 400 formed on a control board. The control circuit unit 400 includes a CPU 401 that controls each device, a ROM 402, a CGROM 403, a RAM 404, a flash memory 409, an input / output interface 411, and the like connected to the CPU 401 via a data bus 410.

  The ROM 402 stores various programs necessary for control of the printer 1, format settings, initial values of tape length, and the like. The CPU 401 performs various calculations based on various programs. In the CGROM 403, printing dot pattern data for printing various characters and bar codes is classified for each typeface and size and stored in correspondence with the code data. The RAM 404 is provided with a plurality of storage areas such as a text memory, a setting memory, and a print buffer. The text memory stores character data to be printed input from the keyboard 3 and the touch panel 6. The setting memory stores the style setting (typeface and character size) and the tape length when the character stored in the text memory is printed on the tape. The print buffer stores a print dot pattern to be printed. In the other storage area, various calculation data and the like are stored. The flash memory 409 stores various tables, various setting values, and the like.

  The input / output interface 411 is connected to the operation unit 2, the touch panel 6, a liquid crystal driving circuit (LCDC) 405, driving circuits 406, 407, 408, and the like. The LCDC 405 includes a video RAM (not shown) for outputting display data to the display unit 5 and performs display control for the display unit 5. The drive circuit 406 performs printing on the tape by energizing the heating element of the thermal head 10 that performs printing on the tape. The drive circuit 407 drives the tape feed motor 23 that feeds the tape. The drive circuit 408 drives the cutter motor 24 to cut the printed tape.

  A detection process (see FIG. 9) identification process (see FIGS. 10 to 14) and a printing process (see FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 401 of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The CPU 401 executes detection processing, identification processing, and printing processing by executing a program stored in the ROM 403. The CPU 401 executes detection processing, identification processing, and printing processing in parallel. When the power key of the printer 1 is pressed, the CPU 401 starts detection processing, identification processing, and printing processing.

  The detection process will be described with reference to FIG. CPU401 performs a detection process for every touchscreen 61-64. Therefore, a total of four detection processes corresponding to each of the touch panels 61 to 64 are executed in parallel. In the detection process, the CPU 401 uses variables Nn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) and variables Pn (0), Pn (1),... Pn (Nn) stored in the RAM 404. Note that n (= 1, 2, 3, 4) corresponds to the touch panels 61, 62, 63, and 64, respectively. In the detection process, coordinate information indicating the position of the touch location among the touch panels 61 to 64 is calculated based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit of the touch panels 61 to 64, and the variables Pn (1), Pn (2),. ..Store in order in Pn (Nn).

  First, the CPU 401 stores 0 in the variable Nn and initializes it (S11). CPU401 acquires voltage Vn detected by the voltage detection part of touch panel 6 (S13). In the case of detection processing corresponding to the touch panel 61, the voltage V1 detected by the voltage detection unit of the touch panel 61 is acquired. Similarly, in the case of the detection process corresponding to the touch panels 62 to 64, V2 to V4 detected by the voltage detection units of the touch panels 62 to 64 are acquired.

  The CPU 401 determines whether the acquired voltage Vn is less than a predetermined threshold voltage Vmax (S15). The voltage detected by the voltage detection unit when the touch panel 6 is touched is smaller than the voltage detected when the touch panel 6 is not touched. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the touch panel 6 is touched by comparing the voltage Vn detected by the voltage detection unit with the threshold voltage Vmax.

  When the voltage Vn acquired from the voltage detection unit of the touch panel 6 is less than the threshold voltage Vmax (S15: YES), any position on the touch panel 6 is touched. The CPU 401 calculates coordinate information indicating the position of the touch location in the X direction (touch panels 61, 62) or the Y direction (touch panels 63, 64) based on the voltage Vn (S17). Hereinafter, the coordinate information indicating the position of the contact place on the touch panels 61 to 64 is referred to as Rn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) or R. Note that the method of calculating the coordinate information Rn based on the voltage Vn detected by the voltage detection unit of the touch panel 6 is based on a known calculation method that is normally performed in a resistive film type touch panel.

  The CPU 401 stores the calculated coordinate information Rn in the variable Pn (Nn) (S19). The CPU 401 updates the variable Nn by adding 1 (S21). The process returns to S13 and the process is repeated. As a result of the above processing being repeated, the history of coordinate information Rn indicating the position of each touch location on the touch panels 61 to 64 is stored in the variables Pn (0), Pn (1)... Pn (Nn) in order. Will be stored in the state. In the specific process described later, an input operation is determined based on the coordinate information Rn stored in the variables Pn (0), Pn (1)... Pn (Nn).

  On the other hand, when the voltage Vn acquired from the voltage detection unit of the touch panel 6 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vmax (S15: NO), the touch panel 6 is not touched. In this case, the CPU 401 stores 0 in variables Pn (0) to Pn (Nn) and initializes them (S23). The CPU 401 stores 0 in the variable Nn and initializes it (S25). The process returns to S13.

  The specifying process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the variable Nn has been updated (S21, see FIG. 9) in the detection process (see FIG. 9) (S31). If the variable Nn is not updated (S31: NO), no new coordinate information Rn is stored in the variable Pn (Nn), and none of the touch panels 61 to 64 is touched (S31: NO). In this case, the process returns to S31.

  On the other hand, when the variable Nn is updated (S31: YES), at least one of the touch panels 61 to 64 is touched. Therefore, new coordinate information Rn is stored in the variable Pn (Nn). The CPU 401 determines whether both touch panels 61 and 63 are touched (S33). When the variable N1 is updated and the coordinate information R1 is newly stored in P1 (N1), and the variable N3 is updated and the coordinate information R3 is newly stored in P3 (N3), the CPU 401 It is determined that both 63 have been touched (S33: YES). In this case, the CPU 401 determines that the user is performing an input operation (2) for designating the position of the pointer 12 (see FIG. 4) (see FIG. 4). The CPU 401 executes processing for editing the position of the pointer (pointer position editing processing, see FIG. 11) (S35).

  The pointer position editing process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 401 uses the coordinate information R1 indicating a specific position in the display unit 5 based on the coordinate information R1 in the X direction indicated by the variable P1 (N1) and the coordinate information R3 in the Y direction indicated by the variable P3 (N3). R1, R3) is specified as the position where the pointer 12 is displayed (S73). The CPU 401 displays the pointer 12 at the specified position (S75). If the pointer 12 is already displayed at another position, the CPU 401 moves the pointer 12 to the specified position.

  The CPU 401 determines whether the variables N1 and N3 have been updated (S79). When the variables N1 and N3 are updated (S79: YES), the process returns to S73. By repeating the processing of S73 and S75, the position of the pointer 12 displayed on the display unit 5 moves. On the other hand, when the variables N1 and N3 are not updated (S79: NO), the CPU 401 determines whether at least one of the variables N1 and N3 has become 0 (S80). If neither of the variables N1 and N3 is 0 (S80: NO), the process returns to S79. When either of the variables N1 and N3 becomes 0 (S80: YES), the touch on at least one of the touch panels 61 and 63 is released. In this case, since the input operation for editing the position of the pointer 12 by the user is completed, the process proceeds to S81.

  The CPU 401 determines whether a character input operation via the operation unit 2 has been received (S81). When the input operation is not accepted (S81: NO), the process returns to S81. On the other hand, when the character input operation is received (S81: YES), the CPU 401 specifies the character 51 closest to the pointer 12 among the plurality of characters 51 currently displayed on the display unit 5 (S83). . The CPU 401 changes and displays the character specified in S83 to the character received in S81 (S85). The CPU 401 similarly changes the character data stored in the text memory of the RAM 404. The pointer position editing process ends, and the process returns to the specifying process (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, after the end of the pointer position editing process (S35), the process returns to S31.

  When it is determined in S33 of FIG. 10 that both of the touch panels 61 and 63 are not touched (S33: NO), the CPU 401 determines whether the touch panel 62 is touched and the contact location is moved in the X direction. (S37). The CPU 401 updates the variable N2 so that the coordinate information R2 is newly stored in the variable P2 (N2), and is indicated by P2 (N2) as compared with the coordinate information R2 indicated by P2 (N2-1). When the coordinate information R2 is changing, the CPU 401 determines that the touch panel 62 is touched and the contact location is moving in the X direction (S37: YES). In this case, the CPU 401 determines that the user is performing an input operation to change the tape length 53 (see FIG. 7) (see FIG. 7). The CPU 401 executes processing for editing the tape length (tape length editing processing, see FIG. 12) (S39).

  The tape length editing process will be described with reference to FIG. In the tape length editing process, the CPU 401 uses the variable L stored in the RAM 404. The CPU 401 initializes the variable L by storing 2 (inch), which is the initial value of the tape length (S101). The process proceeds to S103.

  The CPU 401 determines whether the user has performed an operation to increase the tape length or an operation to shorten the tape length. Specifically, it is as follows. The CPU 401 compares the variables P2 (0) and P2 (N2) (S103). When P2 (N2) is larger than the variable P2 (0) (S103: YES), the user has moved the finger touching the touch panel 62 to the right side. In this case, the CPU 401 multiplies the distance (P2 (N2) −P2 (0)) between the position indicated by the variable P2 (N2) and the position indicated by the variable P2 (0) by a predetermined conversion coefficient k. As a result, the amount of change in the tape length is calculated. The CPU 401 updates the variable L by adding the calculated change amount to the variable L (S105). The process proceeds to S109.

  On the other hand, when P2 (N2) is equal to or smaller than the variable P2 (0) (S103: NO), the user has moved the finger touching the touch panel 62 to the left side. In this case, the CPU 401 multiplies the distance (P2 (0) −P2 (N2)) between the position indicated by the variable P2 (N2) and the position indicated by the variable P2 (0) by a predetermined conversion coefficient k. As a result, the amount of change in the tape length is calculated. The CPU 401 updates the variable L by subtracting the amount of change calculated from the variable L (S107). The process proceeds to S109.

  The CPU 401 changes the display content by displaying the updated variable L on the display unit 5 as the tape length 53 (see FIG. 7) (S109). The CPU 401 stores the changed tape length in the setting memory of the RAM 404. The CPU 401 determines whether the variable N2 has become 0 (S111). If the variable N is not 0 (S111: NO), the touch panel 62 is continuously touched, and the process returns to S103. When the variable N2 becomes 0 (S111: YES), the touch on the touch panel 62 is released. In this case, since the user has completed the tape length input operation, the tape length editing process ends, and the process returns to the specific process (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, after the end of the tape length editing process (S39), the process returns to S31.

  When it is determined in S37 of FIG. 10 that the touch location of the touch panel 62 has not moved in the X direction (S37: NO), the CPU 401 determines whether the touch panel 62 is touched (S41). When the variable N2 is updated and the coordinate information R2 is newly stored in the variable P2 (N2), the CPU 401 determines that the touch panel 62 is touched (S41: YES). In this case, the CPU 401 determines that the user is performing an input operation to change the style setting 52 (typeface 521, character size 522, see FIG. 5) (see FIG. 5). The CPU 401 executes processing for editing the style setting (style editing processing, see FIG. 13) (S43).

  The style editing process will be described with reference to FIG. Based on the coordinate information R2 in the X direction indicated by the variable P2 (N2), the CPU 401 determines that the touch location on the touch panel 62 is close to the font 521 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the display unit 5, or It is determined whether it is close to the character size 522 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the CPU 401 identifies the style setting for editing (S121). The CPU 401 switches the display of the display unit 5 by displaying another screen (see FIG. 6) on which the specified style setting candidate can be selected on the display unit 5 (S123).

  The CPU 401 determines whether the variable N4 has been updated (S125). If the variable N4 has not been updated (S125: NO), the process returns to S125. On the other hand, when the variable N4 is updated (S125: YES), the touch panel 64 is touched. Based on the coordinate information R4 in the Y direction indicated by the variable P4 (N4), the CPU 401 determines which of the style setting candidates displayed on the display unit 5 is closest to the touch location on the touch panel 64. Thus, one of the style setting candidates is selected (S127). For example, among the Gothic 541, the Mincho 542, and the pop 543 in FIG. 6, the typeface closest to the contact location is selected. The CPU 401 changes the display content by displaying the selected style setting candidates on the display unit 5 as the style setting 52 (S131). Further, the CPU 401 stores the selected style setting candidate in the setting memory of the RAM 404 as the changed style setting. The style editing process ends, and the process returns to the specific process (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, after the style editing process (S43) ends, the process returns to S31.

  When it is determined in S41 of FIG. 10 that the touch panel 62 is not touched (S41: NO), the CPU 401 determines whether the touch panel 61 is touched (S45). When the variable N1 is updated and the coordinate information R1 is newly stored in the variable P (N1), the CPU 401 determines that the touch panel 61 is touched (S45: YES). In this case, the CPU 401 determines that the user is performing an input operation for designating the position of the cursor 11 (see FIG. 3) (see FIG. 3). The CPU 401 executes processing for editing the position of the cursor 11 (cursor position editing processing, see FIG. 14) (S47).

  The cursor position editing process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 401 uses the coordinate information R1 in the X direction indicated by the variable P1 (N1) and the coordinate information (referred to as “Y0”) indicating the positions in the Y direction of the lower portions of the plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5. Based on this, coordinate information (R1, Y0) indicating a specific position in the display unit 5 is specified as a position for displaying the cursor 11 (see FIG. 3) (S153). The CPU 401 displays the cursor 11 (see FIG. 3) at the specified position (S155). When the cursor 11 is already displayed at another position, the CPU 401 moves the cursor 11 to the specified position.

  The CPU 401 determines whether the variable N1 has been updated (S159). When the variable N1 is updated (S159: YES), the process returns to S153. By repeating the processes of S153 and S155, the position of the cursor 11 displayed on the display unit 5 moves. On the other hand, if the variable N1 has not been updated (S159: NO), the input operation for editing the position of the cursor 11 by the user has been completed, and the process proceeds to S161.

  The CPU 401 determines whether a character input operation via the operation unit 2 has been received (S161). When the input operation is not accepted (S161: NO), the process returns to S161. On the other hand, when the character input operation is received (S161: YES), the CPU 401 specifies the character 51 to be placed above the cursor 11 among the plurality of characters 51 currently displayed on the display unit 5 (S163). ). The CPU 401 changes the character specified in S163 to the character received in S161 and displays it (S165). The CPU 401 similarly changes the character data stored in the text memory of the RAM 404. The cursor position editing process ends, and the process returns to the specific process (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, after the pointer position editing process (S47) ends, the process returns to S31.

  If it is determined in S45 of FIG. 10 that the touch panel 61 is not touched (S45: NO), the process returns to S31.

  The printing process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 401 determines whether an operation for selecting a print key has been received (S171). If an operation for selecting the print key has not been accepted (S171: NO), the process returns to S171. On the other hand, when an operation for selecting a print key is received (S171: YES), the user has instructed printing on the tape. The CPU 401 reads the style setting (typeface and character size) and tape length stored in the setting memory of the RAM 404 (S173). If the format setting and the tape length are changed in the specific process (see FIG. 10), the changed format setting and the tape length are stored in the setting memory. Therefore, the CPU 401 sets the changed format setting. And the tape length is read out.

  The CPU 401 creates a printing dot pattern for printing the character stored in the text memory on the tape based on the read style setting and the tape length, and stores it in the print buffer. If the character is changed in the specific process (see FIG. 10), the text memory stores the changed character, so the CPU 401 prints the changed character on the tape. A dot pattern will be created. The dot pattern is for printing a character whose font and character size are adjusted based on the read style setting. In addition, the margin of the dot pattern is adjusted so that the length of the character string is slightly shorter than the length of the read tape so that the length of the read tape and the length of the character string are almost the same. This is for printing the character. Thereby, for example, even when a die-cut tape is used, the printer 1 can print a character string that fits in the length of the tape.

  The CPU 401 prints on the tape by driving the drive circuit 406 based on the dot pattern stored in the print buffer and energizing the heating elements of the thermal head 10. The CPU 401 drives the drive circuit 407 and drives the tape feed motor 23 to feed the tape. As a result, the character is printed on the tape (S175). After printing, if necessary, the CPU 401 drives the drive circuit 408 to drive the cutter motor 24, and cuts the printed tape so as to have the tape length stored in the setting memory (S177). When a die-cut tape is used, the user can set the printer 1 so that the printed tape is not cut. The process returns to S171.

  As described above, in the printer 1, the touch panel 6 is provided in the surrounding portion surrounding the display unit 5. Even when the user touches the touch panel 6 with a finger, the character displayed on the display unit 5 is not hidden with the finger. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation via the touch panel 6 while viewing the characters displayed on the display unit 5 well.

  Further, the user can easily specify the character 51 to be edited among the plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5 by specifying the position of the cursor 11 via the touch panel 61. The user can easily specify the character 51 to be edited among the plurality of characters 51 displayed on the display unit 5 by specifying the position of the pointer 12 via the touch panels 61 and 63. Therefore, the user can efficiently execute the editing operation of the character 51 to be printed on the tape. Even when the touch panel 6 is provided only along the periphery of the display unit 5, the user can appropriately perform a desired input operation. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a touch panel on the entire display unit 5, the cost of the printer 1 can be suppressed.

  Note that the user can easily specify the multiple positions of the pointer 12 by touching the touch panels 61 and 63. Therefore, the user can specify the position on the display unit 5 in detail via the touch panel 6.

  The user can easily specify the style setting (typeface and character size) and the tape length by touching the touch panel 62. Therefore, the user can improve the efficiency of the printing condition input operation at the time of execution of printing, and the printing work can be made more efficient. Since the user can sensibly specify the length of the tape according to the amount of movement of the finger touching the touch panel 62 in the X direction, the length of the tape can be specified as desired. In addition, when the font or the character size is designated as the style setting, the user displays the separate screen (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 5 to facilitate the designation of the style setting by the user. For this reason, the user can easily specify the style setting via the touch panel 6.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. In the above embodiment, the touch panel 6 is provided so as to be in contact with the lower side, the upper side, the left side, and the right side of the display unit 5. The arrangement of the touch panel 6 can be changed. For example, the touch panel 6 may be provided so as to be in contact with any one side, two sides, and three sides among the sides of the display unit 5. For example, the touch panel 6 may be provided so as to contact the left side and the lower side of the display unit 5. The touch panel 6 may be touched with a stylus.

  The style setting 52 displayed on the display unit 5 is not limited to the font 521 and the character size 522. For example, a decoration of characters may be displayed as the style setting 52 on the display unit 5. When character decoration is selected via the touch panel 6, another screen is displayed on the display unit 5 that can select standard, bold, bag character, shaded, three-dimensional, italic, etc. as character decoration. May be. The user may be able to select any decoration via the touch panel 6. For example, the display unit 5 may display character alignment as the style setting 52. In addition, when the character alignment is selected via the touch panel 6, another screen on which left alignment, center alignment, right alignment, equality, or the like can be selected as the character alignment may be selected. For example, the character width may be displayed as the style setting 52 on the display unit 5. In addition, when the character width is selected via the touch panel 6, x1 (standard), x3 / 2, x2, x1 / 2, and x2 / 3 can be selected as the character width. This screen may be selectable. Further, for example, a space between characters may be displayed as the style setting 52 on the display unit 5. In addition, when a space between characters is selected via the touch panel 6, another screen that can select “normal” and “narrow” as the space between characters may be selected. As described above, since the user can easily execute not only the typeface and character size of characters but also the setting of decoration, character alignment, character width, and character spacing, it is possible to make the input operation of the style setting at the time of printing execution more efficient. Therefore, the user can improve the printing work efficiency.

  The CPU 401 that performs the processes of S11 to S25 corresponds to the “detection unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the processes of S31 to S47 corresponds to the “specifying means” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the processes of S171 to S175 corresponds to the “printing unit” of the invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S45 corresponds to the “first specifying unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the processes of S75, S109, S131, and S155 corresponds to the “control unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S33 corresponds to the “second specifying unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S37 corresponds to the “third specifying means” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the processes of S105 and S107 corresponds to the “calculation unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S41 corresponds to the “fourth identification unit” of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 1 Printer 2 Operation part 5 Display part 6, 61, 62, 63, 64 Touch panel 11 Cursor 12 Pointer 51 Character 52 Format setting 53 Tape length 401 CPU
521 Font 522 Character size

Claims (9)

A printing apparatus comprising a printing means for printing characters on a tape,
A display for displaying at least the characters to be printed on the tape;
A touch panel provided on at least a part of a surrounding portion surrounding the display unit;
Detecting means for detecting a touched location on the touch panel as position information indicating a position of the display unit in a rotating direction;
Specification that specifies an input operation performed by the user via the touch panel based on a touch location that is a location on the touch panel indicated by the position information detected by the detection means or a tendency of change in the touch location Means,
And a control unit configured to change display content of the display unit in accordance with the input operation specified by the specifying unit. A cursor is displayed on the display unit,
The specifying means is:
Comprising first specifying means for specifying an input operation for specifying the position of the cursor;
The control means includes
When an input operation for specifying the position of the cursor is specified by the first specifying means, control is performed to display the cursor at a position close to the contact location in the display area of the display unit,
The printing means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the character displayed at the position indicated by the cursor displayed by the control unit is edited, the edited character is printed. A pointer is displayed on the display unit,
The specifying means is:
A second specifying means for specifying an input operation for specifying the position of the pointer;
The control means includes
When an input operation for specifying the position of the pointer is specified by the second specifying means, control is performed to display the pointer at a position specified based on the contact location in the display area of the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of touch panels provided in a plurality of different portions of the display portion around the periphery,
The second specifying means includes
When a plurality of position information is detected by the detection means, specify as an input operation to specify the position of the pointer,
The control means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pointer is displayed at a position uniquely determined based on a plurality of contact locations indicated by the plurality of position information. The display section displays the length of the tape,
The specifying means is:
Comprising a third specifying means for specifying an input operation for specifying the length of the tape;
The control means includes
When an input operation for specifying the length of the tape is specified by the third specifying means, the length of the tape displayed on the display unit is changed,
The printing means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed such that a length of a tape on which characters are printed is substantially the same as a length of the tape displayed on the display unit. The third specifying means includes
When the contact location moves in the circumferential direction, specify as an input operation to specify the length of the tape,
Further comprising a calculating means for calculating the length of the tape based on the amount of movement of the contact location;
The printing means includes
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein printing is performed so that a length of a tape on which characters are printed is substantially the same as a length calculated by the calculation unit. The display unit displays a character style,
The specifying means is:
A fourth specifying means for specifying an input operation for designating the character style;
The control means includes
When an input operation for specifying the character format is specified by the fourth specifying means, the character format displayed on the display unit is changed,
The printing means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a character is printed in a style of a character displayed on the display unit. The control means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a style of the character displayed at a position close to the contact place in the display area of the display unit is changed. The display unit has a rectangular shape,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is provided on each of two orthogonal sides of the display unit.

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