JP2020055260A - Printer, and control method and program for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manual scanning type printer capable of having inter-line settings made.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises a movement quantity setting part 23, a printing position detection part 24, and a printing control part 26. The printing position detection part 24 detects a movement quantity of the printer itself on a printing medium. The printing control part 26 prints, in response to detecting a movement in a sub-scanning direction, a first line on the printing medium. The movement quantity setting part 23 sets a movement quantity of a movement from a printing end position of a character string of a first line on the printing medium to a printing start position of a character string of a second line. The printing position detection part 24 detects, after printing of the character string of the first line is completed, whether the movement quantity in a main scanning direction detected by the printing position detection part 24 is equal to the movement quantity set by the movement quantity setting part 23. After the printing position detection part 24 detects the coincidence, the printing control part 26 prints the character string of the second line on the printing medium in response to a movement in the sub-scanning direction or in the opposite direction therefrom detected by the printing position detection part 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method for a printing apparatus, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Manual scanning type printing apparatuses are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a manual scanning type printing apparatus that prints an image by holding it and moving it on recording paper.

JP 2001-225512 A

  Unlike a stationary printing device having a positioning mechanism, it is difficult for a manually-scanning printing device to arrange and arrange a plurality of lines of character strings in order, and it is assumed that such printing is performed in the first place. Absent. Therefore, no consideration has been given to the line spacing when printing a plurality of lines.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a manual scanning type printing apparatus capable of setting a line spacing.

The printing device according to the present invention,
A movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the own apparatus on a print medium;
A movement amount setting unit configured to set a movement amount in the main scanning direction from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a printing start position of the character string on the second line on the print medium;
A print control unit that prints a character string of a first line on a print medium based on a movement amount in the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit;
After the printing of the character string in the first line is detected, it is detected that the moving amount in the main scanning direction detected by the moving amount detecting unit matches the moving amount set by the moving amount setting unit. And a movement end detection unit that performs
The print control unit includes:
After the movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount in the main scanning direction matches the movement amount set by the movement amount setting unit, the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit or a direction opposite thereto. The character string in the second line is printed on the print medium in accordance with the movement of.

Also, the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A method of controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing on a print medium while moving,
A movement detection step of detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
When a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected, printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is Printing a second image on the print medium in response to movement in the opposite direction.

In addition, the program of the present invention
A program for operating a computer that controls a printing device that performs printing on a print medium while moving the computer,
On the computer,
A movement detection process for detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
A first print process for printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement when a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is A second printing process for printing a second image on the print medium in response to the movement in the opposite direction.

  According to the present invention, line spacing can be set in a manual scanning type printing apparatus, and a character string of a plurality of lines can be printed with a space between lines.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an upper surface of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a lower surface of the printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a print processing operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating display examples of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a specific example of a print processing operation according to the first embodiment. (A)-(d) is a figure explaining the print processing operation | movement by right alignment based on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(d) is a figure explaining the print processing operation in the left alignment which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A)-(d) is a figure explaining the printing processing operation in center alignment concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of lines are printed by one scan in the sub-scanning direction by a printing apparatus according to a modified example of the invention. FIG. 13 is a functional configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a character size determination process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is referred to as a hand-held printer, a direct printer, a handy printer, or the like, and has a size that is easy for the user to grasp by hand as shown in FIG. The character string is scanned and printed on the print medium R. Note that the character string may be one character. The characters are not limited to kanji, hiragana, katakana, alphabets, etc., but include a wide range of numbers, symbols, pictograms, designs, and the like. A character string for one line to be printed can be regarded as one image as a whole, and can be developed in a dot pattern on a memory as described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a printing start switch 2, a display 3, an operation key 4, a buzzer 5, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 6 are provided on the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1.

  The print start switch 2 is a switch that is operated by the user and instructs to start printing. The display 3 displays information such as a character string to be printed, a format setting (setting value of line spacing, setting of character alignment, etc.), various kinds of guidance, and the like. The operation keys 4 are operated by the user, and include keys for setting a print format such as line spacing and character alignment. Further, a character string to be printed can be directly input from the operation keys 4. The buzzer 5 notifies by sound that the printing start position has been reached, that printing has ended, and the like. The LED 6 emits light to notify the user that the print start position has been reached, that printing has been completed, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, an optical sensor 8 for detecting the position of the printing device 1 and a print head 9 are provided on the lower surface of the printing device 1.

  The optical sensor 8 is arranged adjacent to the print head 9. The optical sensor 8 has a structure similar to that of the optical mouse, and forms a movement detection unit that detects a movement amount (movement distance) in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

  The print head 9 is an ink-jet type head and includes a plurality of ink nozzles 10 arranged side by side in the main scanning direction. The print head 9 prints an image on the print medium R by selectively discharging ink from the ink nozzles 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a printing start position marker 7 serving as a reference for matching the printing device 1 to a position to be printed is provided on a side surface of the printing device 1. The print start position marker 7 is provided on a side surface of the print head 9 in the sub-scanning direction, has the same width as the length of the row of the ink nozzles 10 in the main scanning direction, and indicates an area where the print head 9 prints. ing. Print data such as characters and images is printed by the print head 9 in an area where the print start position marker 7 has moved in the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a wireless communication unit 13, a wired communication unit 14, an input unit 15, a movement detection unit 16, A display unit 17, an indicator 18, and a printing unit 19 are provided.

  The control unit 11 includes a processor, and realizes various functions described below with reference to FIG. 4 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 12.

  The storage unit 12 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a control program for the control unit 11 to realize various functions and various fixed data. The RAM functions as a work area of the control unit 11. The control unit 11 reads various data such as print data temporarily stored in the RAM and executes various processes.

  The wireless communication unit 13 includes an interface for communicating with an external device via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and performs wireless communication with an external device such as a personal computer or a portable terminal via an antenna (not shown).

  The wired communication unit 14 includes an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and communicates with external devices by wire. The external device is, for example, a USB memory, stores print data such as characters and images, and supplies the print data to the control unit 11 via the wired communication unit 14.

  The input unit 15 includes the print start switch 2, the operation keys 4, and the like, and inputs various information.

  The movement detection unit 16 includes the optical sensor 8 described above, and detects a scanning amount of the printing apparatus 1 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, that is, a movement distance.

  The display unit 17 includes the above-described display device 3 and displays various information. The indicator 18 is an indication device including the above-described buzzer 5 and the LED 6, and notifies the user of printing start, printing end, movement to a new printing start position, and the like.

  The printing unit 19 includes the print head 9 and a print drive circuit, and prints arbitrary print data under the control of the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 12 to thereby execute a line spacing setting unit 21, a character alignment setting unit 22, a movement amount setting unit 23, a print position detection unit 24 as shown in FIG. , A notification unit 25 and a print control unit 26.

  The line spacing setting unit 21 sets the line spacing of the character string to be printed in accordance with the designation of the line spacing input through the input unit 15 and stores the line spacing in the storage unit 12.

  The character alignment setting unit 22 performs character alignment on each line, that is, left alignment for aligning the left end of the character string, right alignment for aligning the right end, according to the character alignment specification selected through the input unit 15 for the character string of each line. One of center alignment for aligning the center position and both ends for aligning both ends is set and stored in the storage unit 12.

  The input of line spacing and character alignment may be input not only through the input unit 15 but also through an external device such as a portable terminal or a PC connected by wire or wirelessly. The line spacing setting unit 21 and the character alignment setting unit 22 may be set according to the line spacing and character alignment set in the document file in which the character string to be printed is recorded.

  After the printing of the character string of a certain line (first line) is completed, the movement amount setting unit 23 sets the distance to the printing start position of the next line (second line), in other words, the printing of the next line. The amount that the printing apparatus 1 needs to move in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction to start the operation is determined and set in the storage unit 12.

  The print position detection unit 24 functions as a movement amount detection unit that detects that the print position has been moved by one dot pitch based on the detection of the movement detection unit 16 during printing. Further, when printing a plurality of lines of data, the printing position detecting unit 24 sets the position set by the movement amount setting unit 23 after the printing device 1 finishes printing the character string of the first line, that is, the next position. Also functions as a movement end detection unit that detects that the print start position of the line has been reached. It should be noted that reaching has not been limited to the case where the detected position and the set position have completely coincided with each other, but includes the case where the position is within a predetermined allowable range with reference to the set position.

  The notification unit 25 drives the display unit 17 and the indicator 18 to notify various information.

  Further, the printing control unit 26 controls printing by the printing unit 19. The print control unit 26 starts printing of each line according to the operation of the print start switch 2, reads out print data from the storage unit 12 in accordance with the print position detected by the print position detection unit 24, and sends the print data to the print unit 19. Output.

  Next, an operation of the printing apparatus 1 when printing a plurality of lines on a print medium will be described with reference to a print image diagram of FIG. 5 and a flowchart of FIG. In this description, as shown in FIG. 5, the first line of the character string to be printed is printed by scanning the printing apparatus 1 from left to right in the sub-scanning direction, and when the printing of the first line is completed, The printing device 1 is moved to the printing start position (left end) of two lines, and then the printing device 1 is scanned from left to right to print on the second line, and when the printing of the second line is completed, the third line is printed. The printing apparatus 1 is moved to the print start position (left end), and then the printing apparatus 1 is scanned from left to right to print the third line. The character string on the first line and the character string on the second line correspond to the relationship between the character string on the first line and the character string on the second line described in the claims. The column and the character string in the third row correspond to the relationship between the character string in the first row and the character string in the second row described in the claims.

  When printing the print data of a plurality of lines, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, the user operates the input unit 15 to input or select a character string to be printed (step S101).

  Next, the user operates the input unit 15 to set the line spacing of the character string (step S102). For example, the line spacing setting unit 21 of the control unit 11 displays the input screen illustrated in FIG. 7A on the display unit 17 and registers the line spacing input by the user operating the input unit 15 in the storage unit 12. I do.

  Subsequently, the user operates the input unit 15 to set the type of character alignment (step S103). For example, the character alignment setting unit 22 of the control unit 11 displays an input screen illustrated in FIG. 7B on the display unit 17 and stores the type of character alignment selected by the user operating the input unit 15 in the storage unit. Register in 12. In the example of FIG. 7B, left, right, center, and both ends are prepared as character alignment.

  When the above setting is completed, the print control unit 26 of the control unit 11 reads out the character string to be printed and the setting information of the selected character alignment from the storage unit 12, and according to the setting information, prints the character on the first line. The dot pattern (print data) of the row is developed on the RAM of the storage unit 12. Here, the character size is fixed. Subsequently, the print control unit 26 waits for processing until the print start switch 2 is operated. On the other hand, the user sets the print start position marker 7 of the printing apparatus 1 to a position (start position) where printing on the print medium R is to be started, and operates the print start switch 2. Then, the printing apparatus 1 is slid in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium and moved from left to right.

  The print control unit 26 starts printing in response to the operation of the print start switch 2 (step S104). Specifically, the print control unit 26 stores the print data in the storage unit 12 every time the print head 9 moves by one dot pitch in the sub-scanning direction based on the detection of the movement detection unit 16 by the print position detection unit 24. Ink is ejected from the ink nozzles 10 and printing is performed in accordance with the pattern data for one dot row of the specified dot pattern.

  When the printing of one line is completed, the print control unit 26 notifies the notification unit 25 of the end. The notification unit 25 sounds the indicator 18, that is, the buzzer 5, and turns on the LED 6 to notify the user that printing of one line has been completed (step S <b> 105).

  On the other hand, the print control unit 26 determines whether or not the next print line exists (step S106). If not (step S106: NO), the printing process ends.

  On the other hand, if the next print line exists (step S106: YES), the print control unit 26 reads the character string of the next line to be printed from the storage unit 12 and the selected character alignment setting information. Is read, and the dot pattern of the character string on the second line is developed in the RAM of the storage unit 12 according to the setting information.

  Further, the movement amount setting unit 23 specifies the positions of the end (right end) of the first line after printing and the start end (left end) of the print target line of the second line to be printed next, and prints the first line. The distance DY in the main scanning direction (row direction) and the distance DX in the sub-scanning direction from the end position to the printing start position of the second line are obtained (step S107). Here, the printing start position of the character string on the second line in the sub-scanning direction changes depending on the set type of character alignment. In this example, since it is left-aligned, it is the same as the print start position of the character string on the first line. Referring to the example of FIG. 5, the distance in the main scanning direction (row direction) from the printing end position of the first line to the printing start position of the second line is DY1, and the distance in the sub-scanning direction is DX1.

  Next, the notification unit 25 displays information indicating the movement amounts DX and DY obtained by the movement amount setting unit 23 on the display unit 17. The manner of display is arbitrary. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7 (c), it may be indicated by a numerical value such as 40 mm in the left direction and 18 mm in the downward direction, or may be indicated by a vector based on the current position. Can be taken.

  The user moves the printing apparatus 1 by DY in the main scanning direction and by DX in the sub-scanning direction with reference to the display on the display unit 17 to move the printing apparatus 1 to the printing start position on the second line. In the example of FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 1 is moved DY1 downward and DX1 leftward to move to the printing start position on the second line.

  During this time, the printing position detecting section 24 calculates the moving distance in the main scanning direction by accumulating the distance that the printing apparatus 1 has moved in the main scanning direction based on the detection amount of the movement detecting section 16, and obtains the moving distance in step S107. It is determined whether or not the distance DY matches (step S108). Here, “matching” includes entering into a preset allowable range. When the print position detection unit 24 determines that they match, that is, that the printing apparatus 1 has moved the distance DY set in the main scanning direction (step S108: YES), the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 are driven to notify that fact. (Step S109).

  When it is determined that the movement distance in the main scanning direction has not reached the distance DY (step S108: NO), or after notifying that the movement has been performed by the distance DY (step S109), the print position detection unit 24 It is determined whether or not the distance moved in the scanning direction matches the distance DX calculated in step S107 (step S110). Here, “matching” includes entering into a preset allowable range. When the print position detection unit 24 determines that they match, that is, that the printing apparatus 1 has moved the distance DX in the sub-scanning direction (step S110: YES), the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 are driven to notify that (step S110). S111).

  Next, the printing position detection unit 24 determines whether the printing apparatus 1 has moved the moving distance DY in the main scanning direction and has moved the distance DX in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the printing apparatus 1 has moved to the top of the next print line. It is determined whether or not is completed (step S112).

  If it is determined that the movement has not been completed (step S112: NO), or if it is determined in step S110 that the movement in the sub-scanning direction has not reached the distance DX (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S110. It returns to S108.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the movement to the head of the next line has been completed (step S112: YES), the process returns to step S104.

  Here, when the user presses the print start switch 2 and scans the printing apparatus 1 from left to right in the sub-scanning direction, the above-described operation is repeated, and the character strings on the second line are sequentially printed. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated, and printing proceeds.

  When the printing of the last line is completed, it is determined in step S106 that there is no printing of the next line (step S106: NO), and the current printing process ends.

  Next, the above-described printing process will be described with reference to a specific example of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the character string shown in FIG. 8A is printed. First, in step S101, the corresponding print data is specified. Subsequently, using the input screens shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the line spacing is set to 10 mm in step S102, and left alignment is specified in step S103. Suppose you did. Note that the line size (character size) is 8 mm.

  Next, when the print start switch 2 is operated at an arbitrary position on the print medium R and the printing apparatus 1 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction, the processing in step S104 causes the first line to be displayed as shown in FIG. The character string is printed. When the printing of the first line is completed, the notification unit 25 sounds the buzzer 5 and turns on the LED 6, thereby notifying the user that the printing of the first line is completed (step S105).

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a print of the second line (step S106). In this example, since the printing of the second line is present (step S106: YES), the print control unit 26 develops the dot pattern of the second line and prints the dot pattern of the second line up to the head (left end). Distances in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are obtained (step S107). In this example, the movement amount in the main scanning direction is “line spacing + character size = 10 + 8 = 18 mm” in the downward direction. In addition, since left alignment is selected and the head position of the second line is the same as the head position of the first line, the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction is 60 mm.

  The notification unit 25 displays guidance on the display unit 17 indicating that the printing apparatus 1 should be moved by 60 mm leftward and 18 mm downwards as shown in FIG. 8C.

  The user moves the printing device 1 toward the printing start position on the second line according to the guidance. Here, if either the downward or leftward moving amount matches the displayed moving amount (steps S108, S110: YES), the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 notify the fact (steps S109, S111). . When the robot is finally moved downward by 18 mm and leftward by 60 mm, it is detected that the movement has been completed after moving by the designated distance (step S112: YES).

  When the print position detection unit 24 detects that the printing device 1 has moved to the designated position (S112: YES), the process returns to step S104.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8D, a character string of “second line, second line, second line” is printed with the line spacing set to 10 mm and left-aligned with the first line.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a multi-line character set in an arbitrary format, for example, an arbitrary line interval and an arbitrary character alignment is set, even though the hand-held printer is a manual scanning type. Columns can be printed.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, after printing of each line is completed, the printing apparatus 1 is moved to the head of the next line, and then the next line is printed. In this case, the scanning distance of the printing apparatus 1 in the sub-scanning direction becomes longer. Therefore, it takes time and effort to print. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the printing of the first line is completed, instead of moving to the printing start position of the next line, the printing line is moved to the printing end position of the next line, and from the end of the sentence toward the beginning of the sentence. Print a character string by scanning.

  In the second embodiment, an operation of scanning the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 exemplifies the operation when two lines are printed with the character alignment set to the right as shown in FIG. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 9B, the printing apparatus 1 is scanned in the forward direction of the sub-scanning direction (from left to right in the drawing) to print the character string on the first line.

  When the printing of the character string on the first line is completed, the notification unit 25 starts printing the character string on the second line from the end position (right end) of the character string on the first line. The movement amounts in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction up to the end position (right end) are notified. In the example of printing of FIG. 9A, as shown in FIG. 9C, without moving in the sub-scanning direction, the sum of the line spacing (= 10 mm) and the character size (= 8 mm) (= 18 mm) Is displayed on the display unit 17.

  When the user moves the printing apparatus 1 to the end position (printing start position) of the second line according to this guidance, the notification unit 25 notifies the user by sounding the buzzer 5 and turning on the LED 6. In the first embodiment, in order to print the second line, it is necessary to move to the beginning (left end) of the second line. However, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to move the printing device 1 to the end (right end) of the second row.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9D, the user operates the print start switch 2 to start printing from the end (right end) of the line, and moves the printing apparatus from right to left opposite to the sub-scanning direction. Scan 1. The print control unit 26 of the control unit 11 reads the dot pattern of the print target character string developed in the storage unit 12 in reverse one dot line unit every time the print position detection unit 24 detects the movement of one dot pitch. To print. This enables printing from the opposite direction. By the above operation, the right-aligned character string is printed with the moving distance shortened.

  If the third line or more exists right-aligned, the printing of the character string in the second line is completed. → From the leading position (left end) of the character string in the second line, the leading position ( Guidance display of the amount of movement to the left end) → Move according to the guidance display → Operate the print start switch 2 → Scan the printing device 1 from left to right → Finish printing the character string on the third line → Characters on the third line Guidance display of the amount of movement from the end position of the column (right end) to the end position of the character string on the fourth line (right end) → operation of the print start switch 2 → scan the printing apparatus 1 from right to left →. . . Is repeated.

  FIG. 10 illustrates an operation when two lines are printed left-aligned as shown in FIG. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 10B, the printing apparatus 1 scans in the forward direction of the sub-scanning direction, and prints the character string on the first line.

  When the printing of the character string on the first line is completed, the notification unit 25 starts printing the character string on the second line from the end position (right end) of the character string on the first line. The movement amounts in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction up to the end position (right end) are notified. In the example of printing of FIG. 10A, as shown in FIG. 10C, the line spacing (= 10 mm) and the character size (= 8 mm) are lowered by 18 mm, and further moved left by 20 mm. The guidance to the effect is displayed on the display unit 17. When the user moves the printing apparatus 1 downward by 18 mm and leftward by 20 mm in accordance with the guidance, the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 notify the user of the movement.

  Subsequently, the user operates the print start switch 2 to scan the printing device 1 from right to left, as shown in FIG. The print control unit 26 reads the dot pattern developed in the storage unit 12 from the reverse in units of one dot line and performs printing. As a result, the second line is printed left-aligned.

  If the third line or more is left-aligned, the printing of the character string on the second line is completed. → From the leading position (left end) of the character string on the second line, the starting position of the character string on the third line (left end) Guidance display to move downward to the left end) → Move downward according to guidance display → Operate print start switch 2 → Scan printing device 1 from left to right → Finish printing character string on third line → Guidance display of the amount of movement from the end position of the character string on the third line to the end position of the character string on the fourth line → Operation of the print start switch 2 → Scan the printing device 1 from right to left →. . . Is repeated.

  FIG. 11 exemplifies the operation when two lines are printed with the center aligned as shown in FIG. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 11B, the printing apparatus 1 scans in the forward direction of the sub-scanning direction to print the character string on the first line.

  When the printing of the character string on the first line is completed, the notification unit 25 starts printing the character string on the second line from the end position (right end) of the character string on the first line. The movement amounts in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction up to the end position (right end) are notified. In the example of printing in FIG. 11A, as shown in FIG. 11C, the display unit 17 provides a guidance of lowering by 18 mm corresponding to the sum of the line spacing and the character size and further moving the line by 10 mm to the left. To be displayed. When the user moves the printing apparatus 1 downward by 18 mm and leftward by 10 mm in accordance with the guidance, the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 respectively notify the user of the movement.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11D, the user operates the print start switch 2 to scan the printing device 1 from right to left. As a result, the second line is printed center-aligned.

  When the third line or more exists in the center alignment, printing of the character string on the second line is completed. → From the start position (left end) of the character line on the second line, the start position of the character string on the third line (left end) Guidance display of the movement amount to the left end) → Move according to the guidance display → Operate the print start switch 2 → Scan the printing device 1 from left to right → Finish printing the character string on the third line → Characters on the third line Guidance display of the amount of movement from the end position of the column to the end position of the character string on the fourth line → operation of the print start switch 2 → scanning of the printing apparatus 1 from right to left →. . . Is repeated.

  When printing a plurality of lines with both ends aligned, there is no need to move in the sub-scanning direction when moving between lines. Therefore, printing of the character string on the first line → printing is completed → guidance display of the amount of reduction from the end position (right end) of the character string on the first line to the end position (right end) of the character string on the second line → guidance Movement according to the display → Scanning the printing apparatus 1 from right to left → Printing of the character string on the second line is completed → Movement down from the start position of the character string on the second line to the start position of the character string on the third line Guidance display of quantity → scanning of printing device 1 from left to right →. . . Is repeated.

  Note that a method of moving the printing apparatus 1 between lines is arbitrary. For example, moving in the main scanning direction and then moving in the sub-scanning direction, moving in the sub-scanning direction and then moving in the main scanning direction, or moving diagonally. Thus, the movement in the main scanning direction and the movement in the sub-scanning direction may be performed in parallel.

(Modification)
In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which one line is printed in one scan of the printing apparatus 1 has been described. However, depending on the character size and the line interval, two or more lines are printed in one scan. It is also possible to print. In this case, for example, when printing n lines in one scan in the sub-scanning direction, the printing apparatus 1 may be moved n * (character size + line interval) in the main scanning direction. I just need.

  For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 12, when printing the third and fourth lines, the printing apparatus may be moved by 2 · (8 mm + 10 mm) = 36 mm in the sub-scanning direction (downward). . Further, with respect to the movement in the sub-scanning direction, the above-described movement distance may be calculated with reference to the leading edge and the final end in a plurality of lines printed in one scan. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the start end may be based on the start end of the character string on the second line, and the end may be based on the end end of the character string on the first line.

  Further, the character size may be arbitrarily selected and set. In this case, the movement amount in the main scanning direction when moving to the next print line “line interval + character size” is determined by the character size of the selected or set character.

(Third embodiment)
When printing a large character that cannot be printed by a single scan of the printing apparatus 1, printing can be performed by dividing the upper and lower parts of the character into a plurality of portions and scanning the printing apparatus 1 a plurality of times. . However, in the case of the handy printer, unless the scanning is accurately moved to the next line and the second and subsequent scans are performed, a gap is formed in the upper and lower portions or the portion overlaps, and it is difficult to print finely. Therefore, when printing such a large character, the line spacing is set to 0 and printing is performed. By setting the line spacing to 0, it is possible to scan the printing apparatus 1 so that printing can be performed on the printed portion of the previous line without gaps.

  Conversely, when printing characters that are smaller than the print width of the print head 9, even if the line spacing is set to 0 as described above, the spacing may be wider than the desired line spacing. In this case, it is possible to cope with the problem by enabling line spacing setting such that the printable range of the previous line and the printable range of the next line overlap. However, if it is possible to arrange a plurality of levels of characters with respect to the print width of the print head 9, a plurality of lines of character strings can be printed by one scan. Therefore, when printing such a small character, the printing time can be reduced by generating print data composed of a character string of a plurality of lines and printing the data in one scan.

  The functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the functional configuration of FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. 13, but a character size determination unit 27 for determining the size of the character to be printed is added. Is different.

  In the character size determination process, as shown in FIG. 14, first, the character size determination unit 27 reads out print data (for example, character code data and character size data) (step S301). It is determined whether the read print data is a large character that cannot be printed in one scan (step S302). Here, when it is determined that the character is a large character that cannot be printed by one scan (step S302: YES), the character size determination unit 27 notifies the print control unit 26, and the print control unit 26 prints the data (dot pattern data). ) Is divided into a plurality of rows (step S303). The character size determination unit 27 notifies the line spacing setting unit 21, and the line spacing setting unit 21 sets the line spacing to 0 (step S304).

  The position of the line spacing 0 is such that the lower end of the printable area of the print head 9 when printing the previous line and the upper end of the printable area of the print head 9 when printing the next line are in contact with each other without any gap. The range in which the print head 9 can print in the first scan and the range in which the print head 9 can print next are continuous positions. However, it may be a position where the print range of the previous line and the next line slightly overlaps.

  When it is determined in step S302 that the character is not a large character that cannot be printed by one scan (step S302: NO), the character to be printed next is small enough to be arranged in a plurality of stages with respect to the print width of the print head 9. It is determined whether or not (step S305).

  When it is determined that the characters to be printed can be arranged in a plurality of levels with respect to the print width of the print head 9 (step S305: YES), the character size determination unit 27 notifies the print control unit 26, 26 generates print data (dot pattern data) composed of a plurality of lines of character strings (step S306). The character size determination unit 27 notifies the line spacing setting unit 21, and the line spacing setting unit 21 sets the line spacing to 0 (step S304).

  If the size of the character is not large enough not to be printed in one scan and not small enough to be arranged in a plurality of levels (step S305: NO), the printing device sets the line spacing set by the user in the line spacing setting unit 21 as usual. 1 is detected.

  When printing a large character that cannot be printed by one scan, when the printing of the first line of the divided print data is completed, the user moves the printing apparatus 1 to the printing position of the next line. At this time, the line spacing is set to 0, the line is moved downward by a distance corresponding to the length of the column of the ink nozzles 10 in the main scanning direction, and when the printing apparatus 1 moves to the position of the line spacing 0, a notification such as a buzzer sound is issued. Is performed, and the user stops moving the printing apparatus 1 according to the notification. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 is set at the position of the line spacing 0.

  The user moves the printing apparatus 1 in the sub-scanning direction to start printing the second line. At this time, scanning is performed in a state where the upper end of the print range of the print head 9 is in contact with the lower end of the print portion of the previous line. This makes it possible to print large characters neatly on a handy printer. When printing the second and subsequent lines, scanning may be performed at a position where the upper end of the print range of the print head 9 slightly overlaps the lower end of the print portion of the previous line. In this case, for example, printing may be performed with a line interval of about 0.1 to 0.7 mm.

  When printing a character string of a plurality of lines in one scan, the line spacing is also set to 0, and the user sets the printing apparatus 1 to the position of the line spacing 0 in response to a buzzer sound or the like. The user starts the next printing by moving the printing apparatus 1 in the scanning direction, and the character string of a plurality of lines is printed by one scanning.

  In the present embodiment, the fact that the printing apparatus 1 has moved to the printing start position is notified by a buzzer sound and LED lighting. However, the mode of the alarm is arbitrary. For example, a warning may be issued by a buzzer sound or LED lighting when the printing start position of a character string on the next line is separated or approached by a reference value or more. During printing, the print position detection unit 24 monitors the detection signal of the movement detection unit 16 and determines whether or not the print start position of the next line deviates by a predetermined value or more. When detecting that the print data is shifted by a predetermined value or more, the print position detecting unit 24 notifies the notification unit 25 that the print data is shifted by the predetermined value or more. The notification unit 25 receives the notification, sounds the buzzer 5, turns on the LED 6, and issues a warning. When the deviation returns to the range of the predetermined value, the print position detection unit 24 notifies the notification unit 25 that the deviation is within the predetermined range, and the notification unit 25 stops the warning notification.

  In the above embodiment, the movement to the printing position on the print medium is detected based on the movement amount. However, two-dimensional relative position coordinates in the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction are obtained from the optical sensor 8, The movement to the printing position may be detected. In this case, the relative position coordinates of the printing start position and the printing end position of the first line are obtained from the detection signal of the optical sensor 8 and stored.

  For example, in the case of left alignment, since the coordinates of the print start position in the sub-scanning direction are the same as the print start position of the first line, when the coordinates match, it is detected that the printing apparatus 1 has moved to the print start position. You.

  In the case of right alignment, since the coordinates in the sub-scanning direction of the printing end position are the same as the printing end position of the first line, the coordinates of the position in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction by the character string length are obtained from these coordinates. If the coordinates match, it is detected that the printing apparatus 1 has moved to the printing start position. In the case of center alignment, intermediate coordinates are obtained from the coordinates of the print start position and the print end position, and the coordinates of the position in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction by half of the character string length are obtained from these coordinates. 1 is detected to have moved to the print start position.

  In the above embodiment, the movement amount setting unit 23 determines the printing end position, the printing start position, the movement amount, and the like of each line from the developed dot pattern, but it is not necessary to develop the dot pattern. The distance from the print end position of the character string on the first line to the print start position of the character string on the second line may be obtained by another method.

  In the above embodiment, the number of lines of characters to be printed is determined based on the number of characters and the character size. However, the user may be allowed to feed a line at an arbitrary position. For example, when the user wants to start a new line during printing of a certain line, the movement of the printing apparatus 1 in the sub-scanning direction is stopped at the position where the new line is desired. When the movement in the sub-scanning direction is stopped, printing of the character string is stopped. Subsequently, the user moves the printing apparatus 1 in the main scanning direction. When the movement in the sub-scanning direction is stopped and the movement in the main scanning direction is detected, the line feed processing is performed. The movement amount setting unit 23 determines the position where printing is stopped and the position of the next line to be printed to determine the movement amount, and the notification unit 25 displays the movement amount on the display unit 17. The user moves the printing device 1 to the printing start position of the next line with reference to the display on the display unit 17. When the printing apparatus 1 determines that the printing apparatus 1 has moved a predetermined distance, the buzzer 5 and the LED 6 are driven to notify the fact. When the movement is completed, the user presses the print start switch 2 and scans the printing apparatus 1 in the sub-scanning direction. Then, print data is read from the continuation of the character string whose printing has been stopped, and printing is performed. As a result, a character string with a line feed is printed.

  In the present embodiment, the case of horizontal writing has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to the case of vertical writing. The printing method is not limited to the ink jet method, but may be a laser printing method, a thermal transfer method, an ink ribbon method, or the like.

  Although the sheet-shaped material is illustrated as the print medium R, the object to be printed is arbitrary, and may have a three-dimensional shape.

  While some embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. In the following, the inventions described in the claims first attached to the application form of this application are appended. The appended numbers are as set forth in the claims originally attached to the application for this application.

(Appendix 1)
A movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the own apparatus on a print medium;
A movement amount setting unit configured to set a movement amount in the main scanning direction from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a printing start position of the character string on the second line on the print medium;
A print control unit that prints a character string of a first line on a print medium based on a movement amount in the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit;
After the printing end of the character string of the first line is detected, it is detected that the moving amount in the main scanning direction detected by the moving amount detecting unit matches the moving amount set by the moving amount setting unit. And a movement end detection unit that performs
The print control unit includes:
After the movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount in the main scanning direction matches the movement amount set by the movement amount setting unit, the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit or a direction opposite thereto. Prints the character string in the second line on a print medium in accordance with the movement of
Printing device.

(Appendix 2)
The moving amount setting unit further sets a moving amount in the sub-scanning direction from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a printing start position of the character string on the second line,
The movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit matches the set movement amount after the printing of the character string of the first line is completed,
The print control unit is configured to detect the coincidence of the amount of movement in the main scanning direction and the amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction by the movement end detection unit, and then detect the movement in the sub-scanning direction or the direction opposite thereto by the amount of movement detection unit Printing the character string of the second line on the print medium according to the movement;
The printing device according to supplementary note 1.

(Appendix 3)
The moving amount setting unit sets a distance according to a line interval and a character size as a moving amount in the main scanning direction,
3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2.

(Appendix 4)
The print start position of the second line is the start position or the end position of the character string of the second line.
4. The printing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3.

(Appendix 5)
The printing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies when the movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount matches the set movement amount.

(Appendix 6)
The movement amount setting unit sets a distance from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a position at the end of the character string on the second line.
The print control unit reads the print data of the character string of the second line stored in the storage unit from the rear end side and prints the read data.
6. The printing device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5.

(Appendix 7)
The moving amount setting unit sets the moving amount in the main scanning direction to the sum of the line spacing and the character size between the character string in the first line and the character string in the second line,
A character size determination unit that determines the size of the character to be printed,
When the character size determination unit determines that the character is a size that cannot be printed in one line, the movement amount setting unit sets a line interval to a value of 0 or less.
7. The printing device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 6.

(Appendix 8)
A character size determination unit that determines the size of the character to be printed,
When the character size determination unit determines that the character is large enough to accommodate a plurality of characters within the width of a print head, the print control unit prints the plurality of lines in one scan of the printing apparatus. Do
8. The printing device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7.

(Appendix 9)
A method of controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing on a print medium while moving,
A movement detection step of detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
When a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected, printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is Printing a second image on the print medium in response to movement in the opposite direction;
A control method for a printing apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 10)
A program for operating a computer that controls a printing device that performs printing on a print medium while moving the computer,
On the computer,
A movement detection process for detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
A first print process for printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement when a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is A second printing process for printing a second image on the print medium in response to movement in the opposite direction;
A program characterized by causing the program to execute.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Print start switch, 3 ... Display, 4 ... Operation key, 5 ... Buzzer, 6 ... LED, 7 ... Print start position marker, 8 ... Optical sensor, 9 ... Print head, 10 ... Ink nozzle , 11 ... Control unit, 12 ... Storage unit, 13 ... Wireless communication unit, 14 ... Wired communication unit, 15 ... Input unit, 16 ... Movement detection unit, 17 ... Display unit, 18 ... Indicator, 19 ... Printing unit, 21 ... Line spacing setting unit, 22: character alignment setting unit, 23: movement amount setting unit, 24: print position detection unit, 25: notification unit, 26: print control unit, 27: character size determination unit, R: print medium

Claims (10)

A movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the own apparatus on a print medium;
A movement amount setting unit configured to set a movement amount in the main scanning direction from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a printing start position of the character string on the second line on the print medium;
A print control unit that prints a character string of a first line on a print medium based on a movement amount in the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit;
After the printing end of the character string of the first line is detected, it is detected that the moving amount in the main scanning direction detected by the moving amount detecting unit matches the moving amount set by the moving amount setting unit. And a movement end detection unit that performs
The print control unit includes:
After the movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount in the main scanning direction matches the movement amount set by the movement amount setting unit, the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit or a direction opposite thereto. Prints the character string in the second line on a print medium in accordance with the movement of
Printing device. The moving amount setting unit further sets a moving amount in the sub-scanning direction from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a printing start position of the character string on the second line,
The movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction detected by the movement amount detection unit matches the set movement amount after the printing of the character string of the first line is completed,
The print control unit is configured to detect the coincidence of the amount of movement in the main scanning direction and the amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction by the movement end detection unit, and then detect the amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction or the direction opposite thereto by the amount of movement detection unit. Printing the character string of the second line on the print medium according to the movement;
The printing device according to claim 1. The moving amount setting unit sets a distance according to a line interval and a character size as a moving amount in the main scanning direction,
The printing device according to claim 1. The print start position of the second line is the start position or the end position of the character string of the second line.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3.   The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies when the movement end detection unit detects that the movement amount matches the set movement amount. The movement amount setting unit sets a distance from a printing end position of the character string on the first line to a position at the end of the character string on the second line.
The print control unit reads the print data of the character string of the second line stored in the storage unit from the rear end side and prints the read data.
The printing device according to claim 1. The moving amount setting unit sets the moving amount in the main scanning direction to the sum of the line spacing and the character size between the character string in the first line and the character string in the second line,
A character size determination unit that determines the size of the character to be printed,
When the character size determination unit determines that the character is a size that cannot be printed in one line, the movement amount setting unit sets a line interval to a value of 0 or less.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A character size determination unit that determines the size of the character to be printed,
When the character size determination unit determines that the character is large enough to accommodate a plurality of characters within the width of a print head, the print control unit prints the plurality of lines in one scan of the printing apparatus. Do
The printing device according to claim 1. A method of controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing on a print medium while moving,
A movement detection step of detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
When a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected, printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is Printing a second image on the print medium in response to movement in the opposite direction;
A control method for a printing apparatus comprising: A program for operating a computer that controls a printing device that performs printing on a print medium while moving the computer,
On the computer,
A movement detection process for detecting movement of the printing apparatus;
A first print process for printing a first image on the print medium in accordance with the movement when a movement in the sub-scanning direction on the print medium is detected;
After the printing of the first image is completed, after a movement amount of a designated amount in the movement in the main scanning direction on the printing medium is detected, the sub-scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction on the printing medium is A second printing process for printing a second image on the print medium in response to movement in the opposite direction;
A program characterized by causing the program to execute.

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