JP2803509B2 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer for producing a tape with characters by printing text consisting of document data such as characters on a long tape, and more particularly to a tape printer based on the tape width of the tape. The size is determined automatically, and the text length according to the determined character size is arbitrary.
There line printing of text when set smaller than the tape length, also when the tape length is automatically set
Is described above without comparing the text length with the tape length.
Prints text according to the determined character size.
Cormorant as it relates to the tape printer you.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of tape printers have been proposed. For example, a desired character size is selected and set from a plurality of predetermined character sizes, and the length of a tape to be printed (e.g., Tape length) and
There is a tape printing apparatus which determines whether a text calculated by calculating a print data length of a character or the like based on a selected and set character size can be printed within a set tape length.

In such a tape printer, when it is determined that the calculated text length (text length) is smaller than the set tape length, the text is printed on the tape as printable, and If it is determined that the text length is longer than the tape length, the text is protruded from the set tape length, so that printing is disabled and error processing is performed.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional tape printing apparatus, when error processing is performed, printing of text becomes impossible, so that the operator changes the character size once selected and set to a small character size. Or the tape length needs to be changed so that the tape length becomes longer. The change of the character size and the change of the tape length are relative to each other, and it is very difficult to balance at the time of the change. For example, if the text size falls within the set tape length range by changing the text size to a small size, the size of the text size becomes too small for the tape length, and the appearance of the tape created will be extremely high. May be worse. In addition, even when the tape length is changed to make the text fall within the range of the tape length, there is a possibility that the balance between the character size and the tape length is broken as described above, and only a tape having a poor appearance can be created. I do.

As described above, in the conventional tape printer, when the text length is determined to be longer than the tape length and error processing is performed, the character size to be changed from the predetermined character size is changed. It is necessary to relatively perform selection and change of the tape length, and as a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to create a good-looking character-attached tape with a good balance between the character size and the tape length. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and automatically determines a character size based on a tape width and calculates a text length from the determined character size. Text length and optional setting
When the text length is smaller than the tape length, the text is printed on the tape, and when the text length is larger than the tape length, the character size and the tape length need to be changed relative to each other. The balance between the character size and the tape length is good and the tape with good appearance can be created by a simple operation without any trouble .
If the tape length is set automatically, the text
Determined as above without comparing the length to the tape length.
Print the text on the tape according to the
Quickly make good-looking tape with text based on simple processing
And to provide a tape printer that can be created.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a tape printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a text creating means for creating a text composed of document data such as characters, and a plurality of texts created by the text creating means. A tape printing device having a printing unit that prints on a long tape having a different tape width, a tape width detecting unit that detects a tape width of each tape, and a tape width detected by the tape width detecting unit. Based on the first character size determining means for automatically determining the size of characters and the like printed on the tape, and the text length of characters and the like having the size determined via the first character size determining means. Text length calculating means for calculating, and arbitrarily setting a tape length of a tape on which the text is printed , or
Automatically according to the text length calculated via the
Tape length setting means for dynamically setting the tape length of the tape, and first comparing means for comparing the text length calculated by the text length calculation means with the tape length arbitrarily set by the tape length setting means Controls the printing means
And print control means, wherein the print control means,
Arbitrarily set the tape length of the tape via the tape length setting means.
And the first comparison means
If it is determined that the strike length is smaller than the tape length,
The size determined by the first character size determining means is
Text on the tape via a printing means
The tape automatically through the tape length setting means.
Is set by the first comparing means.
Determined by the first character size without comparison
Text such as characters via printing means according to the size
It is characterized by printing on a loop.

Further, the tape printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a text creating means for creating a text consisting of document data such as characters, and a long text having a plurality of types of tape widths. In a tape printer having printing means for printing on a tape, a tape width detecting means for detecting a tape width of each tape, and printing is performed on the tape based on the tape width detected by the tape width detecting means. a first character size determination means for automatically determining the size of characters and the like, the first character rhino
Such as characters having the size determined through the
Text length calculating means for calculating a text length, and arbitrarily setting a tape length of a tape on which the text is printed
Or calculated via the text length calculation means
Set the tape length automatically according to the text length
A tape length setting means that, appointed by the tape length setting means
A second character size determining means for automatically determining the size of characters and the like to be printed on the tape based on the tape length set arbitrarily; and the size of the characters and the like determined by the first character size determining means. A second comparing unit for comparing the size of the character or the like determined by the second character size determining unit;
Having printing control means for controlling the printing means,
The printing control means controls the tape through the tape length setting means.
If the tape length is set arbitrarily, a smaller one of the size determined by the first character size determining means and the size determined by the second character size determining means is selected via the second comparing means. And printing the text such as characters on the tape via the printing means in accordance with the smaller size selected by the second comparing means ,
The tape length of the tape is automatically set via the tape length setting means.
If set, the comparison by the second comparing means should not be performed.
The size determined by the first character size determining means.
Text on the tape via the printing means according to
It is characterized by printing.

Here, the tape printing apparatus has a block setting means for allowing the text to be divided into predetermined blocks and input when the text is created by the text creating means, and the first character size determination is made. Preferably, the means automatically determines the size of characters and the like for each block set by the block setting means . In addition, the present invention
Is composed of document data such as characters.
Text creation means for creating text and text creation
Text created by means of multiple tape widths
Printing means for printing on a long tape having
In the tape printer, the tape width of each tape is detected
Tape width detecting means, and the tape width detecting means
Prints on the tape based on the detected tape width.
First character size determination that automatically determines the size of characters
Setting means and the first character size determining means.
For calculating the length of text such as characters with different sizes
Calculation via the text length calculation means and the text length calculation means.
Automatically tape length according to the text length issued
Automatic tape length setting means for setting the
Controlling the size determined by the first character size determining means.
The automatic tape length setting can be performed with text such as characters having
Print on tape with tape length set by means
And print control means for causing

[0010]

In the present invention having the above construction, first, text composed of document data such as characters is created via the text creating means, and the tape length of the tape to be printed is set arbitrarily by the tape length setting means. either that, or, self
It is selected whether it is set dynamically. Then, the tape width of the tape used by the tape width detecting means is detected,
Further, the size of the character or the like is automatically determined based on the detected tape width via the first character size determining means.
At this time, when the text is divided and input for each block by the text creation unit via the block setting unit, the first character size determination unit automatically determines the character size for each block. Further, the text length of a character or the like having the determined character size is calculated by the text length calculation means.

Next, the tape of the tape is set by setting the tape length.
When the length is arbitrarily set , the text length calculated via the text length calculating means as described above and the tape length arbitrarily set via the tape length setting means are compared by the first comparing means. If the text length is determined to be smaller than the tape length as a result of the comparison, the text is printed on the tape via the printing means under the control of the printing control means. On the other hand, if it is determined via the first comparing means that the text length is larger than the tape length, the character size is automatically determined by the character size determining means based on the tape width as described above. Only the tape length needs to be changed by the length setting means. Ma
The tape length is automatically set by the tape length setting means.
If set to, the tape length is calculated as the text length
Set according to the text length calculated by the output means
Therefore, there is no need to perform the comparison by the first comparing means.
Character size automatically determined by character size determination means
Through the printing means under the control of the printing control means in accordance with the
And the text is printed on the tape. Processing by this
Makes it easy to create tapes with text quickly
It works.

Also, in the present invention, the tape length setting means
When the tape length is arbitrarily set, the tape having the tape length is set via the second character size determining unit based on the tape length arbitrarily set by the tape length setting unit. The size of the characters or the like to be printed is automatically determined. Further, the size of the character or the like determined by the first character size determining unit and the size of the character or the like determined by the second character size determining unit as described above are compared via the second comparing unit. As a result of the comparison, the smaller size is selected, and text such as characters is printed on the tape according to the selected smaller size via the printing means under the control of the printing control means. On the other hand,
The tape length is automatically set by the tape length setting means
Character size in the tape length direction
Since there is no need to take into account, the comparison by the second comparing means
Without being determined by the first character size determining means.
Printing means under the control of the printing control means according to the size
Text is printed on the tape. This allows
If the tape length is set arbitrarily, the second comparison means
Since more small illegal size is selected, the Te
Text to match the loop length.
When the tape length is automatically set to
Is a simple processing that does not require comparison by the second comparing means.
It is possible to create lettered tape quickly and reasonably
Become. Further, according to the present invention, the sentence
When text consisting of document data such as characters is created
The tape of the tape used by the tape width detecting means
The width is detected. Also, via the first character size determining means
The size of characters etc. automatically based on the detected tape width.
Is determined. Next, the tape length is automatically set
Via the means, the text calculated by the text length calculating means.
It is set automatically according to the text length. At this time,
It is necessary to consider the character size in the
Automatically determined by the first character size determination means
Under the control of the print control means according to the specified character size.
The text is printed on the tape via the printing means.
This requires a relative change between the character size and the tape length.
Character size and tape length by simple operation without
With good balance and good appearance with lettering
Can be created, and statements in the tape length direction can be created.
It is not necessary to consider the font size.
Makes it easier to create tapes with text
It becomes possible.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tape printing apparatus in which a storage cover of a tape cassette storage unit is opened. 1, a character input key 2 for inputting characters such as characters over a plurality of lines to create a text composed of document data, a print key 3 for instructing text printing, Character sizes ("ES", "SS", "S", "M", "L",
Character size set key 4 for setting “LL”, “XL”, “automatic”), tape length set key 5 for setting the length of a tape created by printing characters and the like, liquid crystal A cursor key C for moving the cursor up and down, left and right on the display 7, a return key R for instructing a line feed command and execution of various processes, and inserting a new block mark for each desired block in the text to convert the text into a predetermined number of blocks A block designating key B to be divided into
As will be described later, a keyboard 6 provided with numeric keys N and the like for selecting a character size at the time of character size setting, a liquid crystal display 7 for displaying characters and the like inputted from the keyboard 6, and a cassette for accommodating a tape cassette 13 to be described later A storage section 8 is provided.

The cassette housing 8 is driven to rotate by a pulse motor (not shown),
A ribbon winding shaft 9 for rotating the ribbon winding spool 21 to wind the thermal ink ribbon 17 is provided upright.
Further, a tape feed roller shaft 10 for rotating a tape feed roller 27 to be described later, which is rotatably driven by a tape feed motor 40 to be described later via an appropriate transmission mechanism, is provided obliquely forward (on the keyboard 6 side). Has been established. Further, a thermal ink ribbon 17 is provided in front of the cassette housing section 8.
A thermal head 11 for performing printing on a film tape 15 to be described later is fixedly provided.

Further, behind the cassette housing section 8, a film tape 15 stored in a tape cassette 13 is provided.
The tape width detector K for detecting the tape width of various tapes (the tape width of each tape has the same tape width for one tape cassette 13) is provided.

The tape width detector K comprises three photocouplers P1, P2, and P3. The photocouplers P1, P2, and P3 have the back surface of the tape cassette 13 when the tape cassette 13 is mounted on the cassette storage section 8. A discriminating member (not shown) provided in the tape cassette 13 is inserted and the discriminating member selectively shuts off the photocouplers P1, P2, and P3. This is to detect the tape width.

In this embodiment, the film tape 15
6mm, 9mm, 12mm, etc.
There are five types, 18 mm and 24 mm, and each of the photocouplers P1, P2, and P3 adjusts the tape width in the tape cassette 13 by a combination of an "H" signal and an "L" signal generated based on selective blocking by a discriminating member. It is to detect. Since the configuration of the tape width detector K has the same configuration as that described in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 3-217860 and 3-217860, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the cassette storage unit 8
Is opened and closed by a storage cover 12 pivotally supported at the rear of the tape printer 1, and the tape cassette 13 is replaced in an open state.

Next, the configuration of the tape cassette 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the tape cassette 13 is stored in the cassette storage section 8 (the tape cassette 13 is shown without the upper case). In FIG. 2, a transparent film tape 15 is
Are wound, a ribbon spool 18 around which a thermal ink ribbon 17 is wound, and an adhesive tape spool 20 around which a double-sided adhesive tape 19 with release paper is wound with the release paper side outside. The spools 16, 18, and 20 are rotatably supported in cooperation with a support portion provided on the lower surface of an upper case (not shown).

A ribbon take-up spool 21 is similarly rotatably supported between the spools 16, 18, and 20, and the ribbon take-up spool 21 is engaged with the ribbon take-up shaft 9 to form a ribbon take-up. By driving the take-up shaft 9, the thermal ink ribbon 17 used for printing is wound up. Furthermore,
The above-described thermal head 11 is disposed in a concave portion 22 provided in the lower case 14, and a platen roller 24 rotatably supported by a roller holder 23 is opposed to the thermal head 11 at a position where the platen roller 24 can be pressed against the thermal head 11. The thermal head 11 has a large number of heating elements (128 heating elements are provided in the thermal head 11 of the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment). 15 prints characters and the like.

The tape discharge section 25 of the lower case 14
(The lower left side in FIGS. 1 and 2), the tape pressing roller 26
Is rotatably supported, and a tape feed roller 27 rotatably supported by the roller holder 23 is opposed to the tape press roller 26 at a position where the tape feed roller 27 can be pressed.

In the cassette storage section 8, a roller holder 23 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 28 in front of the tape cassette 13 (the lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the roller holder 23 is not shown. The print position and the release position can be switched by a manual switching mechanism (FIGS. 1 and 2 both show a state where the print position is switched to the print position). The roller holder 23 includes the platen roller 24 described above.
The tape feed roller 27 is rotatable, and is pressed against the thermal head 11 and the pressure roller 26 when the roller holder 23 is switched to the printing position. The tape feed roller 27
Is driven to rotate by the tape feed roller shaft 10 described above, and at the same time, the pressure contact roller 26 is driven to rotate in conjunction with the tape feed roller 27 by a gear mechanism (not shown).

The pressing roller 26 and the tape feed roller 27 cooperate with each other to form an adhesive of the double-sided adhesive tape 19 on the film tape 15 on which characters and the like are printed by the thermal head 11 via the thermal ink ribbon 17. The surface is pressure-bonded, and finally the tape T is created and the tape T is sent out in the direction of arrow J. The created tape T is cut by a cutter (not shown) provided on the left side of the tape cassette 13. Since the configuration of such a cutter is known, its description is omitted here.

Next, a control system of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a control block diagram of the tape printing apparatus 1, and the control apparatus 3
It is configured with 0 as the core. The control device 30 is a CPU 3
1, a ROM 32, a CGROM 33, and a RAM 34, which are connected to each other via a bus 35 and also to an input / output interface 36.

The ROM 32 stores various programs, and includes a basic control program for performing text editing and the like, a character size setting program, a tape length setting program, a print control program, and the like.
A character size automatic calculation program for automatically calculating the size of characters and the like, and a tape length character size calculation program for calculating the character size based on the set tape length when the tape length is set by the tape length set key 5 The character size calculated by the character size automatic calculation program and the tape length character size calculation program falls within the range of the tape width detected by the tape width detector K and the tape length set by the tape length set key. Vertical and horizontal check program to check whether
In addition, various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 are stored. Then, the CPU 31 determines the RO
Various calculations are performed based on various programs stored in M32.

In the ROM 32, as shown in FIG. 4A, five types of tape widths (detected by the tape detector K) of each tape (such as the film tape 15) used in the tape printer 1 are stored. ) Is stored in correspondence with the number of dots TH (the number of dots suitable for printing in the tape width direction) predetermined for each tape width.
In this table, 28 dots for 6 mm tape,
49 dots for 9mm tape, 57 dots for 12mm tape
The dots correspond to 85 dots for the 18 mm tape and 128 dots for the 24 mm tape.

Further, the ROM 32 stores a table associating each tape width with the number of points of the maximum printable character size (big size) as shown in FIG. 4B. In this table, 6mm tape has B
1 point, B2 point for 9mm tape, 12mm
The B3 point corresponds to the tape, the B4 point corresponds to the 18 mm tape, and the B5 point corresponds to the 24 mm tape.

The ROM 32 stores a character size Yp based on the tape length based on the set number of dots TW in the tape length direction and the accumulated value RX of the movement amount of all blocks, which is used in a tape length character size calculation program described later. The following calculation formula for calculating is stored.

(Equation 1) Further, the CGROM 33 stores dot pattern data corresponding to each character input from the keyboard 6. The dot pattern data is read out from the CGROM 33 and expanded, and then transferred to an image buffer 42 described later. It is. Further, the RAM 34 has a CP
This is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by U31, and the RAM 34 is provided with various memories as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, a text memory 41 stores code data corresponding to a character input from the keyboard 6 as document data (text). The image buffer 42 expands and stores dot pattern data read from the CGROM 33 corresponding to text document data stored in the text memory 41. Further, the print buffer 43 transfers and stores dot data stored in the image buffer 42 at the time of printing, and the thermal head 11 performs dot printing in accordance with the dot data stored in the print buffer 43. .

The total block number memory N is a memory for storing the total number of blocks in the text, the block line number memory mn is a memory for storing the number of lines in each block for each block, and the remake flag RMK indicates whether or not the operation has been performed again. Is stored as "1" or "0", and the tape width dot number memory TH is a tape width read from a table (see FIG. 4A) in the ROM 32 corresponding to each detected tape width. , A memory for storing the number of dots TW in the tape length direction obtained by calculation based on the tape length, and a width over flag F1 for storing characters in each block. Is greater than the dot number TH stored in the tape width dot number memory TH. Is stored as "1" or "0", and the width over flag F2 indicates whether the cumulative number of dots in all blocks in the character width direction exceeds the number of dots TW stored in the tape long dot number memory TW. Is stored as "1" or "0", a block counter n is a memory for counting the number of blocks in the text, a line counter m is a memory for counting the number of lines in each block, and a block point number memory Tpn is for each block. The memory for storing the calculated character size point number, the tape length point number memory Yp is the memory for storing the character size point number calculated based on the set tape length, and the total block movement amount accumulated value memory RX is all the blocks. In the character width direction (the character pitch in the character width (horizontal) direction in a 250 × 250 coordinate system). Means h)
Is stored in a memory for storing a value obtained by accumulating the movement amount in the character width (horizontal) direction for each block, and a one-line movement amount accumulation value memory RG is provided for each block. A memory for storing a value obtained by accumulating the movement amount of one line in the character width (horizontal) direction in a block, and a cumulative dot number memory RW for all blocks have character width (horizontal) of all blocks
A memory for storing the cumulative value of the number of dots in the horizontal direction, a memory for storing the cumulative number of dots in one block, and a memory for storing the cumulative number of dots in the character width (horizontal) direction for each block;
The one-line dot number accumulation value memory GW stores a value obtained by accumulating the number of dots of one line in the character width (horizontal) direction in each block, and the one-dot dot number accumulation value memory BH stores the character height for each block. A memory for storing a value obtained by accumulating the number of dots in the vertical direction, and a one-dot dot number accumulated value memory GH
Is a memory for storing a value obtained by accumulating the number of dots for one line in the character height (vertical) direction in each block.

The tape width memory 44 stores the tape width data (6 mm, 9 mm) detected by the tape width detector K when the tape cassette 13 is stored in the cassette storage section 8.
mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, or 24 mm tape width). In the character size memory 45, character size data (“ES”, “SS”, “S”, “M”, “L”,
(Letter size of "LL", "XL", "Auto")
Is stored. Further, the tape length memory 46
Is for storing tape length data relating to a tape length set in a tape length setting process described later.

Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the control block diagram will be continued. The keyboard 6 is controlled via the input / output interface 36, and the liquid crystal display 7 and the display controller 37 are controlled via the input / output interface 36, respectively. When a character or the like is input through the character input keys 2 of the keyboard 6 and is connected to the apparatus 30, the document data is sequentially stored in the text memory 41, and a dot pattern generation control program and a display control program , A dot pattern corresponding to a character or the like input via the keyboard 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7. The tape width detector K
Is input to the CPU 31 via the input / output interface 36, and is stored in the tape width memory 44.

The thermal head 11 has a drive circuit 38.
And prints the dot data transferred from the image buffer 42 to the print buffer 43,
In synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 40 controls the feed of the tape T via the drive circuit 39.

Next, the operation of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a basic operation of editing a text will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the basic control program. First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, initialization such as clearing various memories of the RAM 34 is performed, and then key input from any key on the keyboard 6 is performed. It is determined whether there was (S
2). If there is no key input (S2: NO), the process waits until there is a key input, and if there is a key input (S2: YE).
In S), it is determined whether the input is the key input from the print key 3 (S3).

When there is a key input from the print key 3 (S3: YES), a printing process described later is performed (S3).
4) Return to S2. If it is not a key input from the print key 3 (S3: NO), it is determined whether it is a key input from the character size set key 4 (S5), and if it is a key input from the character size set key 4 (S5: YES)
, A character size setting process described later is performed (S
6) Return to S2.

If the input is not from the character size key 4 (S5: NO), it is determined whether the input is from the tape length set key 5 (S7). If the input is from the tape length set key 5, In (S7: YES), a tape length setting process described later is performed (S8), and then in S2.
Return to If it is not a key input from the tape length set key 5 (S7: NO), a text editing key other than the above
For example, it is determined whether there is a key input from the character input key 2 (S9). If there is a key input from the text edit key (S9: YES), the text is edited (S10), and the process returns to S2. On the other hand, when there is a key input from a key other than the text edit key (S
9: NO), the process corresponding to the pressed key is performed (S11), and the process returns to S2.

Next, the character size setting process performed in S6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the character size setting program, and FIG. 8 shows a character size setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 7. In FIG. 7, when the character size set key 4 is first depressed, a character size set screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 (S2).
0). As shown in FIG. 8, the types of the character sizes are "ES", "SS", "S", "M", "L", "L".
L, “XL”, and “Auto” are displayed.
Each character size is from "1" to "8" of the numeric keys N
Is selected via the key. Here, from "ES" to "X
L, the character size is set to increase in order, and “automatic” is set via the tape width detected by the tape width detector K and the tape length set key 5 as described later. This shows a mode in which the character size is automatically set based on the set tape length.

Next, it is determined whether a key input has been made from any key on the keyboard 6 (S21). If there is no key input (S21: NO), the process waits until there is a key input, while if there is a key input (S21: Y)
ES), it is determined whether or not the key input is a key input from the numeric keys N (keys “1” to “8”) (S22).

If the input is not a key input from the numeric key N (S
22: NO), the flow returns to S21 again to wait for a key input, and when the key input is from the numeric key N (S22: Y)
ES), the character size is set according to the pressed numeric key N, and the set character size data is stored in the character size memory 45 of the RAM 34. Thus, the character size setting process is returned, and returns to S2.

Next, the tape length setting process performed in S8 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the tape length setting program, and FIG. 10 shows a tape length setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 7. In FIG. 9, when the tape length set key 5 is first pressed, a tape length set screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 (S30).
The tape length can be set in increments of 0.1 cm within the range of 5 cm to 27 cm.
"Auto" is displayed after the upper limit of 27 cm (see FIG. 10).
, 15 cm is displayed as an example). Here, “automatic” indicates a mode in which the tape length is not set and the tape length is automatically determined according to the text length of characters and the like.

Next, it is determined whether a key input has been made from any key on the keyboard 6 (S31). If there is no key input (S31: NO), the process waits until there is a key input, while if there is a key input (S31: Y)
ES), it is determined whether or not there is a key input from the upper cursor key "@" of the cursor keys C (S32).
When there is a key input from the up cursor key “↑” (S
32: YES), the tape length displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 is reduced by 0.1 cm (S33).
Then, the process returns to S31.

On the other hand, when the input is not from the up cursor key "↑" (S32: NO), the down cursor key "↓"
It is determined whether the input is a key input from the down cursor key "↓" (S34).
4: YES), the tape length displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 is increased by 0.1 cm (S35), and then S
Return to 31. If it is not a key input from the down cursor key "↓" (S34: NO), it is determined whether the input is a key input from the return key R (S36). If it is not a key input from the return key R (S36: NO),
The process returns to S31 to wait for the key input again, and if the key input is from the return key R (S36: YES), the tape length displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 (the tape length set in the range of 5 cm to 27 cm). Or "automatic") is determined and set as the tape length to be set, and the tape length data relating to the set tape length is stored in the tape length memory 46 (S37).
Then, the tape length setting process is returned, and the S
Move to 2.

Next, the printing process performed in S4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the print control program.
At 0, a new block mark inserted through the block designation key B in the text stored in the text memory 41 is detected, and the total number of blocks in the text is obtained. It is stored in the memory N. Further, the number of rows in each block is obtained, and the obtained number of rows for each block is stored in the block row number memory mn.

Thereafter, the remake flag RMK is set to "0" (S41). Further, the tape cassette 1 stored in the cassette storage unit 8 via the tape width detector K
3 and the number of dots corresponding to the detected tape width is determined by RO.
With reference to the table (see FIG. 4) stored in M32, the obtained dot number TH is stored in the tape width dot number memory TH (S42).

In the following S43, it is determined whether or not the tape length is set to "auto". If the tape length is not set to "auto" (S43: NO), the number of dots in the tape length direction is obtained based on the tape length data stored in the tape length memory 46 and stored in the tape length dot number memory TW. after the (S 44), the process proceeds to S45. On the other hand, when the tape length is set to “automatic” (S43: YES), the process immediately proceeds to S45.

In S45, it is determined whether the character size is set to "auto". If the character size is set to "auto" (S45: YES), it is necessary to determine the character size. After performing the automatic calculation of the character size described later in S46, the process proceeds to S47. On the other hand, if the character size is not set to "auto" (S45: NO), the process immediately proceeds to S47 because the character size has already been set.

Here, the procedure for automatically calculating and determining the character size performed in S46 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 shows a character size automatic calculation program, and FIG. 13 shows a tape length character size calculation program. First, in FIG. 12, 1 is set to the block counter n in S60, and the processing of the first block (n block) is started. In S61, it is determined whether the number of lines in the block is one. If the number of lines in the block is one (S61: YES), it is determined whether the remake flag RMK is set to "1" (S62). ). If the remake flag RMK is set to "1" (S62: YES), it means that one retry has already been performed, so the flow shifts to S65. On the other hand, "0" is set to the remake flag RMK. If it has been performed (S62: NO), it is determined whether all the characters in the text of the one line are the characters to be subjected to the big size (S63). Here, the target character of the big size refers to a character such as an uppercase letter “ABC” or a number “123”, which has no portion protruding downward from the baseline of each character. For example, the lowercase letter “g”
Characters that protrude downward from the character baseline, such as “j”, are not subject to big size. The tape printer that prints such big-size characters is described in detail in the specification and drawings attached to the application for Japanese Patent Application No. 4-19495, and the description is omitted here.

If all the characters are not the characters to be subjected to the big size (S63: NO), the process proceeds to S65, while if all the characters are the characters to be subjected to the big size (S63: YES), With reference to the table (see FIG. 4B) stored in the ROM 32, the number of printable character size points for the detected tape width is read out and stored in the block point number memory Tpn.
After that, the process proceeds to S67.

On the other hand, if the number of rows in the block is 1
If it is not a row (S61: NO), the process goes to S65.
In step 42, the number of dots TH stored in the tape width dot number memory TH is divided by the number of lines to obtain the number of dots per line (the number of dots in the tape width direction). Thereafter, the obtained number of dots is divided by a predetermined constant (K1) to obtain the number of points of the character size, which is stored in the block point number memory Tpn.
(S66).

In the following S67, it is determined whether or not the value of the block counter n has become equal to the value of the total block number memory N. If they are not the same (S67: NO), the block counter n is incremented by 1 (S68), and the process returns to S61 to perform the same processing again for a new block. On the other hand, when the processing of S61 to S66 is completed for all the blocks stored in the total block number memory N (S67: YES), the flow proceeds to S69 to determine the character size based on the set tape length. Perform

By repeating the processing of S61 to S68 for each block, the character size point based on the vertical direction of the character is determined for each block based on the tape width. In S69, it is determined whether the tape length is set to "auto". When the tape length is set to "auto" (S6
9: YES), there is no need to automatically calculate the character size based on the tape length, so the character size automatic calculation process ends, and the flow shifts to S47 in the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if the tape length is not set to "auto" (S69: NO), it is determined whether the remake flag RMK is set to "0" (S70). When the remake flag RMK is set to “0” (S
70: YES), the character size automatic calculation process ends, and the routine goes to S47. If the remake flag RMK is not set to "0" (S70: NO), tape length character size calculation for automatically calculating the character size Yp based on the set tape length described later is performed in S71. It is.

Next, after the block counter n is reset to "1" (S72), the character size points calculated in S61 to S68 and stored in the block point number memory Tpn are updated in S71. It is determined whether or not the number is larger than the calculated character size point number stored in the tape length point number memory Yp (S73).
If the determination in S73 is YES, the contents of the tape length point number memory Yp are stored in the block point number memory Tpn.
(S74), and then goes to S75.
If the determination at 3 is NO, the process immediately proceeds to S75. As a result, the number of character size points calculated for each block based on the tape width is compared with the number of character size points calculated based on the tape length, and the smaller number of character points is prioritized. Understood.

In S75, it is determined whether or not the value of the block counter n has become equal to the value of the total block number memory N. If the value of the block counter n is smaller than the value of the total block number memory N, that is, if the processing for all the blocks has not been completed (S75: NO), the value of the block counter n is incremented by 1 (S75: NO). After S76), the process returns to S73 to perform processing for the next block. When the processing for each block stored in the total block number memory N is completed (S75: YES),
The character size automatic calculation process ends, and the flow shifts to S47. As a result, at the time when the processing of S73 to S75 is completed for all blocks in the text,
The smaller of the character size points calculated for each block based on the tape width and the character size points calculated based on the tape length is stored in the block point number memory Tpn for each block. It is stored and a printing process is performed according to the stored number of character size points as described later.

Next, the procedure for automatically calculating the tape long character size performed in S71 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S80, the value of the block counter n is set to "1", and "0" is set to the total block movement amount accumulated value memory RX (S81). Further, "1" is set to the row counter m (S82) and 1
"0" is set in the block movement amount accumulation value memory RB (S83).

Next, the sum of the movement amounts for one row (m rows) is obtained, and the obtained movement amount is stored in the one-row movement amount memory RG (S84). Then, it is determined whether or not the movement amount stored in the one-row movement amount memory RG is larger than the value of the one-block movement amount accumulation value memory RB (normally, initially, the determination in S85 is YES through the processing in S83). Become). When the movement amount of the one-row movement amount memory RG is larger than the value of the one-block movement amount accumulation value memory RB (S85: Y
ES) After the movement amount value of the one-row movement amount memory RG is stored in the one-block movement amount accumulation value memory RB (S88), S8 is performed.
Move to 7. If the determination in S85 is NO, the process immediately proceeds to S87.

In S87, it is determined whether or not the value of the row counter m is equal to the value of the block row number memory mn. If they are not the same, that is, if the processing of the movement amount has not been completed for all the rows in one block (S87:
NO), the process proceeds to S84 in order to perform the process for the next line.
Return to On the other hand, when they are the same, that is, when the processing of the movement amounts for all the rows in one block is completed (S8)
7: YES), the value of the memory RX is stored in the all block cumulative value memory RX, and the one block movement amount cumulative value memory RB is stored in the memory RX.
Then, a value obtained by adding the movement amount value is set (S89).

Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the block counter n has become equal to the value of the total block number memory N, that is, whether or not the movement amount accumulation processing has been completed for all blocks of the text (S90). When the movement amount accumulation processing for all blocks has not been completed (S90: N
O), after adding "1" to the value of the block counter n (S91), the process returns to S82 to perform processing for the next block. On the other hand, when the movement amount accumulation processing for all the blocks is completed (S90: YES), it is obtained in S44 according to the calculation formula stored in the ROM 32 and stored in the tape long dot number memory TW. The character size point based on the tape length is calculated from the number of dots and the movement amount calculated as described above and stored in the total block movement amount accumulation value memory RX, and stored in the tape length point number memory Yp. Things. Thus, the automatic calculation process of the tape long character size is completed, and the flow shifts to S72.

Here, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the description is continued. After the automatic calculation of the character size is performed in S46 as described above, the vertical and horizontal checks are performed in S47. Fig. 1
4 will be described. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the vertical / horizontal check program. First, the width over flag F1 and the length over flag F2 are cleared (S100), and "1" is set to the block counter n (S101). Further, "0" is set in the total block dot number accumulation value memory RW (S102), and "1" is set in the row counter m (S103). Further, "0" is set in the one-block dot number cumulative value memory BW in the character width (horizontal) direction and the one-block dot number cumulative value memory BH in the character height (vertical) direction (S104).

Then, in S105, one line (m lines)
The number of vertical dots of the eye is obtained according to a predetermined calculation formula, and the obtained number of vertical dots is stored in the one-row dot number memory GH. Thereafter, the one-block dot number cumulative value memory B in the character vertical direction is stored.
H, the stored value is stored in one line dot number memory GH.
Is set (S106).
Next, in S107, the number of horizontal dots in the first row (m-th row) is obtained according to a predetermined formula, and the obtained number of dots is stored in the one-row dot number accumulation value memory GW in the character horizontal direction.

Subsequently, in S108, it is determined whether or not the value of the one-block dot number cumulative value memory BW in the character horizontal direction is smaller than the value stored in the one-line dot number cumulative value memory GW obtained as described above. Is done. If small (S1
08: YES), the larger value stored in the memory GW is set in the one-block dot number accumulation value memory BW (S109), and then the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, when the value of the memory BW is larger than the value of the memory GW (S1
08: NO), the process immediately proceeds to S110. Thereby, one block dot number accumulated value memory B in the character horizontal direction
In W, the value of the row having the larger dot cumulative value is stored while being sequentially updated.

In S110, it is determined whether or not the next line exists in this block. If there is a next line (S1
10: YES), the value of the row counter m is incremented by "1" (S111), and the process returns to S105 to perform the processing of the next row. On the other hand, if there is no next line (S110: NO), the value of the one-block dot number accumulation value memory BW is added to the value stored at that time in the character block total dot number accumulation value memory RW. The value is stored (S112).
At this time, the cumulative value of the number of dots in the tape width direction (character height (vertical) direction) for one block is stored in the one-block dot number cumulative value memory BH. The cumulative value of the number of dots in the (character width (horizontal) direction) is stored in the total block dot number cumulative value memory RW.

Next, in S113, it is determined whether or not the value of the one-block dot number cumulative value memory BH is larger than the value obtained in S42 and stored in the tape width dot number memory TH. Thus, it is determined whether the block data in the text can be printed within the tape width. When the value of the one-block dot number accumulation value memory BH is larger than the value of the tape width dot number memory TH (S1)
13: YES), since the text runs out of the tape width, the over-width flag F1 is set to ON (S120), and then the process ends and the process proceeds to S48 described later.

On the other hand, when the value of the one-block dot number accumulation value memory BH is smaller than the value of the tape width dot number memory TH (S113: NO), it is determined whether there is a next block (S114). . If there is a next block (S114: YES), the value of the block counter n is incremented by 1 (S115), and the process returns to S103 to perform processing of the next block. If there is no next block (S114: NO), it is determined whether the tape length is set to "auto" (S116), and if the tape length is set to "auto" (S116: YES).
, The process ends, and the flow shifts to S48.

On the other hand, when the tape length is not set to "auto" (S116: NO), the stored value is read from the tape long dot number memory TW (S117).
Subsequently, in step S118, the total block dot number accumulated value memory R
It is determined whether the value of W is equal to or smaller than the value read from the tape length dot number memory TW. If they are equal or smaller (S118: YES), the text can be printed within the range of the set tape length, so that the process ends and the process proceeds to S48. On the other hand, if the value of the total block dot number accumulated value memory RW is larger than the value read from the tape long dot number memory TW (S118: NO), the text runs out of the set tape length. After ON is set to the overflag F2 (S119), the process ends, and the process shifts to S48.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the description will be continued. After the vertical and horizontal checks performed as described above are completed, the width over flag F1 is set to 0 in S48.
N is determined. Width over flag F
If 1 is ON (S48: YES), it is determined whether the character size is set to "auto" (S49). If the character size is set to "auto" (S49: YES), it is determined whether the remake flag RMK is set to "0" (S5).
0), if set to “0” (S50: YES)
The remake flag RMK is set to "1" (S51)
Then, the process returns to S43.

On the other hand, when the remake flag RMK is not set to "0" (S50: NO) and when the character size is not set to "auto" (S49: N)
In the case of O), since text printing is not possible, the process shifts to S2 after error processing is performed (S52). Therefore, no text is printed on the tape in this case. When such error processing is performed, the tape length setting processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed again, and the tape length may be set so that the entire text falls within the range of the tape length. As a result, only the resetting of the tape length need be performed without any consideration regarding the character size, so that the operation becomes extremely simple.

When the width over flag F1 is not set to ON in S48 (S48: NO),
It is determined whether the tape length is set to "auto" (S53). When the tape length is set to “automatic” (S53: YES), the process proceeds to S55,
If the tape length is not set to "auto" (S5
3: NO) Then, it is determined whether or not the length over flag F2 is ON (S54). If it is not turned on (S54: NO), the process moves to S55,
If so (S54: YES), the flow shifts to S49, and the same processing as described above is performed.

In S 55, the contents of the text stored in the text memory 41 are developed into a dot pattern via the CGROM 33, and the developed image data is transferred to the image buffer 42. Thereafter, in S56, the image data in the image buffer 42 is transferred to the print buffer 43, and after the text is printed on the tape via the thermal head 11, the process returns to S2.

As described in detail above, in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of dots in the tape width is obtained based on the tape width detected by the tape width detector K, and the number of dots is set via the tape length set key 5 and the like. The number of tape long dots is calculated based on the set tape length, and the character size in the character height direction and the character size in the character width direction are automatically determined based on the number of tape width dots and the number of tape long dots. Decide and select the smaller font size,
When the text length falls within the range of the tape length, characters of the selected character size are printed on the tape via the thermal head 11, so that the balance between the character size and the tape length is good. In addition, it is possible to create a tape with a good appearance.

If the text length does not fall within the range of the tape length, the character size is automatically determined as described above. It is sufficient to change the tape length by using a simple operation without having to relatively change the character size and the tape length as in the conventional tape printer, and the balance between the character size and the tape length is good, and This makes it possible to produce a tape with a good appearance. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the character size is automatically determined based on the tape width, and the text length is calculated from the determined character size.
If the text length is smaller than the tape length, the text is printed on the tape, and if the text length is longer than the tape length, the character size and the tape length are compared. A good balance between the character size and the tape length can be created by a simple operation without any change, and a good-looking tape with text can be created . In addition, when the tape length is automatically set,
Without comparing the text length with the tape length
Text on tape according to the character size determined
With printable and easy-to-look text with simple processing
Tape can provide a tape printer that is Ru can be created and the achieved effect is large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer in which a storage cover of a tape cassette storage unit is opened.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a state where a tape cassette is stored in a cassette storage unit.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the tape printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of a table in which a tape width of each tape and a tape width dot number stored in a ROM and a table in which a tape width is associated with a big size of a character are stored. FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the contents of a RAM.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a basic control program for performing text editing and the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a character size setting program.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a character size setting screen displayed on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a tape length setting program.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a tape length setting screen displayed on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a print control program.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a character size automatic calculation program.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a tape length character size calculation program.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a vertical / horizontal check program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape printer 2 character input key 3 print key 4 character size set key 5 tape length set key 6 keyboard 7 liquid crystal display 11 thermal head 30 controller 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 CGROM 34 RAM 41 text memory 42 image buffer 43 print buffer 44 Tape width memory 45 Character size memory K Tape width detector N Total block number memory TH Tape width dot number memory TW Tape length dot number memory F1 Width over flag F2 Length over flag Tpn Block point number memory Yp Tape length point number memory

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-60-107357 (JP, A) JP-A-63-122568 (JP, A) JP-A-2-5176 (JP, A) JP-A-5-330140 (JP) JP-A-6-143690 (JP, A) JP-A-5-169757 (JP, A) JP-A-5-18853 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB Name) B41J 21/00 B41J 2/485 B41J 3/36

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A text creating means for creating text composed of document data such as characters, and a printing means for printing the text created by the text creating means on a long tape having a plurality of tape widths. In the tape printer, a tape width detecting unit that detects a tape width of each tape, and a size of a character or the like printed on the tape is automatically determined based on the tape width detected by the tape width detecting unit. A first character size determining unit, a text length calculating unit that calculates a text length of a character having a size determined through the first character size determining unit, and a tape length of a tape on which the text is printed. Arbitrarily set or calculated via the text length calculation means
The tape length automatically according to the text length
A tape length setting means for setting a first comparing means for comparing a tape length set arbitrarily by text length and the tape length setting means calculated by the text length calculating means, printing for controlling the printing means Control means, wherein the print control means controls the tape length of the tape to an arbitrary value via the tape length setting means.
And set by the first comparing means.
If the text length is determined to be smaller than the tape length
The size determined by the first character size determination means.
Text such as characters with a letter
Print on the tape and automatically tape the tape via the tape length setting means.
When the length is set, the comparison by the first comparing means is performed.
Size determined by the first character size
Text on the tape via the printing means according to
Tape printer, characterized in that to print. 2. A text composed of document data such as characters.
The text creation means to create and the text creation means
The created text is long with multiple tape widths
Printing device having a printing means for printing on a tape in the shape of a tape
A tape width detecting means for detecting a tape width of each of the tapes
Based on the tape width detected by the tape width detecting means.
Automatically adjusts the size of characters and the like printed on the tape.
First character size determining means for determiningThe size determined via the first character size determining means
Length calculation to calculate the text length of characters with characters
Means, The tape length of the tape on which the text is printedOptionallySetting
SpecifyOr calculated via the text length calculation means
The tape length automatically according to the text length
SetTape length setting means, and the tape length setting meansOptionallySet tape length
The size of characters etc. printed on the tape based on the
A second character size determining means for dynamically determining, and a character or the like determined by the first character size determining means.
Size and determined by the second character size determining means
A second comparing means for comparing the size of characters and the like;, Having printing control means for controlling the printing means, The printing control means, Arbitrary tape length of the tape via the tape length setting means
If set to The first character via the second comparing means
The size determined by the size determining means and the second character size
Smaller of the sizes determined by the size determination means.
Select sizeAlong withSelected by the second comparing means
Characters, etc. via the printing means according to the smaller size
Print the text on the tape, The tape of the tape automatically through the tape length setting means
When the length is set, the comparison by the second comparing means is performed.
The size determined by the first character size determining means.
Tape text such as characters through printing means according to the size
Print on top A tape printer. 3. When a text is created by the text creating unit, the text setting unit includes a block setting unit that allows a text to be divided and input for each predetermined block, and the first character size determining unit includes the block setting unit. 2. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of a character or the like is automatically determined for each block set by (1). 4. A text composed of document data such as characters.
And text creation means for creating, by the text creating means
The created text is long with multiple tape widths
Printing device having a printing means for printing on a tape in the shape of a tape
In location, the tape width detecting means for detecting the tape width of each tape
Based on the tape width detected by the tape width detecting means.
Automatically adjusts the size of characters and the like printed on the tape.
A first character size determining means for determining the first character size , and a size determined via the first character size determining means.
Length calculation to calculate the text length of characters with characters
Means, and the text length calculated via the text length calculation means
Automatically sets the tape length according to the
The first character size determining means controls the length setting means and the printing means.
Text, such as characters having the determined size,
Has a tape length set by the automatic tape length setting means
Print control means for printing on a tape
Characteristic tape printing device.