JP3063544B2 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tape printing apparatus, a plurality of characters which explicitly entering relates those to be Printout so that printing length of the printing range set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various proposals have been made regarding a small-sized tape printing apparatus for printing a desired character string on a printing tape having a width of about 10 mm. The applicant of the present application has
JP-A-152070 discloses a center print mode in which, for printable full-width characters and quadruple-width characters, a print position of a printable character is aligned with a center position in a width direction of a printing tape, and a center print mode for printing is performed. A printing device capable of changing the printing position, which is configured to be able to select a bottom-aligned printing mode in which printing is performed on the lower side, has been proposed.

In general, a dot pattern of a character printed by a tape printer has a size of 24 dots (vertical) × 24 dots (horizontal), 48 dots (vertical) × 48 dots (horizontal), or the like. The dot pattern data is stored in a non-volatile memory (ROM) in advance, and the character size of the character to be printed can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of character sizes. And
The length of the printing tape is configured to be determined according to the selected size.

[0004]

Generally, using this tape printing apparatus, for example, the "title" and "content" of a file are used.
Is often printed on a printing tape, and the printed printing tape is stuck to a predetermined sticking position of a file. For this reason, there is a case where it is desired to obtain a tape having a length suitable for the length of the sticking range at the sticking position.

However, as described above, since the length of the tape is determined by the selected character size, there is a problem that it is difficult to know the completed tape length in advance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can easily set a print length and print an input character string in a desired print range length. To provide a simple tape printer.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a tape printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an input means for inputting character code data and various command signals; An input data buffer for storing the dot pattern data of a number of characters, a print buffer for receiving and storing the dot pattern data of the character to be printed from the pattern data storage means, In a tape printing apparatus having a print head capable of printing in a dot array on a print medium tape on which characters are printed, and control means for sequentially receiving dot array data of dot pattern data from a print buffer and controlling the print head. , Input means
Many characters based on the code data entered by
Display means for displaying the image on the print medium tape
A setting screen for setting the length of the print area is displayed on the display.
The setting screen display means to be displayed, and the
Means for increasing or decreasing the numerical value indicating the print length
Set the print length based on the value displayed on the surface
Print length setting means, and the control means controls the print head.
Control the code data supplied from the input data buffer.
And the print length set by the print length setting means.
Prints the character at the set print length based on the
You.

[0008] The tape printer according to claim 2 is
The increase / decrease means changes the numerical value displayed on the setting screen to one.
Increased by rotation in one direction, decreased by rotation in the other direction
Dial.

[0009]

In the tape printer according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print length is set by the setting screen display means.
Display the setting screen for setting the length of the print area.
The print length displayed on the setting screen by the
Is increased or decreased. Then, the desired number is displayed.
Is displayed on the setting screen by the print length setting means.
Set the print length based on the numerical value set.

The control means controls the print head, and
Code input from the stage and stored in the input data buffer
Data and print length set by print length setting means
Based on the input character and the set print length.
Print the data.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape printer for printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana, and alphabetic characters on a printing tape (printing medium tape).

As shown in FIG. 1 , an annular character selection dial 3 for selecting characters or symbols (hereinafter, referred to as characters) for printing is rotated at the front of a main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1. A keyboard unit 4 is provided freely, and a liquid crystal display 19 capable of displaying six characters is provided behind the character selection dial 3.
In the center of the character selection dial 3, there is a character selection dial 3.
A setting key 5 is provided for confirming the character selected by the rotation operation or for confirming the setting contents relating to printing. Further, a printing mechanism PM is built in the main body frame 2 behind the character selection dial 3.

The character selection dial 3 is provided with 50 stop positions for one rotation, and the upper surface of the character selection dial 3 displays a character image corresponding to each of the 50 stop positions. It is drawn in two columns. Note that reference numeral 6
Is a character selection position mark.

The keyboard unit 4 has a character type switching key for selectively switching between input of "Hiragana", "Katakana" and "Alphabet", a conversion key and a non-conversion key,
Two-line printing key for instructing two-line printing, one-line printing key for instructing one-line printing, fixed-length key for setting printing by equal allocation according to the length of the printing range in which input characters are set, printing , A font selection key for selecting a character font, a tape feed key for feeding the printing tape 9, and a power switch for turning on / off the power supply.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is provided with a tape spool 8 on which a printing tape 9 made of a transparent film is wound, and an ink spool. A ribbon supply spool 13 on which the ribbon 12 is wound, a winding spool 14 for winding the ink ribbon 12, and a supply on which a double-sided tape 15 having the same width as the printing tape 9 is wound with the release paper outside. A spool 16 and a joining roller for joining the printing tape 9 and the double-sided tape 15 are rotatably provided.

At a position where the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 overlap with each other, a thermal head 7 is erected, and the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 are attached to the thermal head 7.
The platen roller 17 pressing the tapes 9 and 15 and the feed roller 45 pressing the tapes 9 and 15 against the joining roller 10 include a support 46.
It is rotatably pivoted. In the thermal head 7, as shown in FIG. 4 , a heating element group 11 composed of 48 heating elements is vertically arranged in rows.

Therefore, when the heating roller group 11 and the take-up spool 14 are energized by the tape feed motor 18 (see FIG. 3 ) while being driven synchronously in a predetermined rotation direction, the heating element group 11 is energized. As shown in FIG. 4 , characters are printed on the printhead 9 by a plurality of dot rows. Further, the printing tape 9 is fed in the tape feed direction A with the double-sided tape 15 joined, and sent out of the main body frame 2. You. The details of the printing mechanism PM are described in JP-A-2-106.
See No. 555.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The display mechanism DM includes a liquid crystal display 19,
A display controller (LCD) having a display RAM for outputting display data to the display 19
Controller 20). The absolute value encoder 21 connected to the character selection dial 3
50 corresponding to the 50 stop positions of the character selection dial 3
This is for outputting the absolute encoder signal ENS of each type, and the code data of the character selected corresponding to the character selection position mark 6 based on the absolute encoder signal ENS and the signal from the character type switching key. And the absolute value encoder signal EN before the selection operation.
By comparing S with the current absolute value encoder signal ENS, the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the character selection dial 3 can be obtained. Reference numeral 22 denotes a drive circuit for driving the thermal head 7, and reference numeral 23 denotes a drive circuit for driving the tape feed motor 18.

The control device C comprises a CPU 27 and a CPU 27
Input / output interface 25, ROMs 28 and 29, and RAM 3 connected to a data bus or the like via a bus 26.
0.

A ROM (program memory) 28 has a display control program for controlling the display mechanism DM corresponding to the code data selected by the character selection dial 3, and code data of a character when the setting key 5 is operated. A control program for storing various setting data relating to print settings and print contents in the input data buffer 31;
And a drive control program for sequentially controlling the thermal head 7 and the tape feed motor 18 to read out the data, and a control program for tape printing control described later.

A ROM (pattern data memory) 29 stores dot pattern data relating to each of a number of characters drawn on the upper surface of the character selection dial 3 in an SS character pattern consisting of 16 dots (vertical) × 15 dots (horizontal). L consisting of data and 48 dots (vertical) x 48 dots (horizontal)
Character pattern data and character pattern data are stored in association with each other. The SS character pattern data is used for printing and displaying two lines. The L character pattern data is used for one-line printing. Incidentally, reference numeral 24
Is a connector for connecting an optional ROM card storing dot pattern data of various fonts.

The input data buffer 31 of the RAM 30 stores code data of characters to be printed and various setting data relating to print setting contents (refer to FIG. 18 , where the start address is A0000). The first rearrangement memory 32 stores the code data for one-line printing and the code data for the upper row of two-line printing (see FIG. 19 , where the start address is a0000).
Stores the code data of the lower row of the two-line printing (see FIG. 19 , the head address is b0000). The first pointer 34 stores one address of the first rearrangement memory 32, and the second pointer 35 stores one address of the second rearrangement memory 33.

The character number counter 36 stores the number of characters to be printed including spaces. The set inter-character space memory 37 stores an equal space value provided between characters during fixed length printing. Extra space memory 3
8 stores the number of remaining dot rows obtained by dividing the blank space YS by the number between characters. The print buffer 39, as shown in FIG. 2 3 consisting of longitudinal 48 bits (6 bytes) corresponding to the (dot column direction) to 48 dots in the lateral direction corresponding to 48 dots 48 bits (6 bytes) A large memory capacity is provided, and dot pattern data of a character to be printed is read from the pattern data memory 29 and stored. The print length memory 40 stores data of the set print length. In the flag memory 41,
A two-line print flag F1 that is set (data is "1") for two-line printing, an upper-line flag F2 that is set for upper-line printing (first-line printing) in two-line printing, and a change in print base line position A display flag F3 set during the display of the selection contents regarding the print position, a base line position change flag F4 set during the change of the print base line position, a display flag F5 set during the display of the selection contents regarding the change amount of the print base line position, Other fixed flags such as a fixed length print flag F6 which is set during fixed length printing, a surplus flag AF which is set when a surplus occurs in the calculation of the space between characters, an error flag EF, and a flag relating to a typeface. Data is stored respectively.

Next, the routine of the tape print control performed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 1 7. In the figure, S
i (i = 1, 2, 3,...) is each step. In this control, as shown in FIG. 4 , the printing tape 9 corresponding to the heating element group 11 of the thermal head 7 based on the L character pattern data, as shown by the character "A" for one-line printing, as shown in FIG. The entire print area PE is printed on the print tape 9 over the entire area. In the case of two-line printing, the upper row is printed on the upper print line UL in the print area PE based on the SS character pattern data. The lower row is printed on the lower print row LL of the print area PE. Furthermore, L
The normal printing base line position PS1 of the character corresponds to the lowermost position of the heating element group 11, and the printing base line position PS2 of the upper row for the SS character is larger than the center line CL corresponding to the center position in the width direction of the heating element group 11. The normal printing base line position PS in the lower row for the SS character, which is provided at a position above by “4” dots
Reference numeral 3 is provided at a position "4" dots above the printing base line position PS1. In this control,
Characters include characters, symbols and spaces.

When the tape printer 1 is powered on, this control is started. First, the display mechanism DM and each memory 3
Clear 1 to 40 and display 1
Initial setting such as displaying a line print mark ">" and storing one-line print command data corresponding to the one-line print mark ">" at the head address of the input data buffer 31 is executed (S1). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), when none of the flags F1, F3, F5, F6,... Is set (S17, S22, S27).・ S29 ・ S3
1: No), the character selected based on the encoder signal ENS from the absolute value encoder 21 is displayed on the display 19 (S33), and the process returns to S2.

When the setting key is operated (S
2 · S3: Yes), when none of the flags F1 to F6 is set (S34 / S41 / S46 / S4)
9. S51: No), the character being displayed on the display 19 is determined, and its code data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S53). For example, when the setting key is operated each time the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are displayed on the display 19, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 18 , each of the characters “A”, “B”, The code data “C” is sequentially stored in the input data buffer 31.

Next, when a two-line printing key is operated to execute two-line printing (S2: Yes, S3: No, S
4: Yes) The first selection content regarding the two-line printing, for example, “upper printing line” is displayed on the display 19 (S:
5) The flag F1 is set (S6). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S1
6: Yes), since the flag F1 is set (S
17: Yes) The next selection content regarding two-line printing, for example, “lower printing line” is displayed on the display 19 (S1).
8) When "upper print line" is displayed (S1
9: Yes), the flag F2 is set (S2
0), when the “lower print line” is displayed (S1
9: No), the flag F2 is reset (S21).

When the setting key is operated (S2
(S3: Yes) When both flags F1 and F2 are set (S34 and S35: Yes), the upper print line mark “△” is displayed on the display 19 and the upper print line mark corresponding to the mark “△” is displayed. The line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S36). When the flag F2 is reset (S3
4: Yes, S35: No), the lower row print line mark "$" is displayed on the display 19, and the lower row print command data corresponding to the mark "$" is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S37). ). For example, when operating the set key when the "upper print line" on the display 19 is displayed, the address A0004 in the input data buffer 31 as shown in and displays the upper print line mark "△" FIG 8 The upper row print command data is stored.

Then, the flag F1 is reset (S3
8), the first selected content relating to the change of the print base line position, for example, the "normal base line position" in which the print base line position is not changed with respect to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3 is displayed on the display 19 (S39), and the flag F3 is set. (S4
0).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), the flag F3 is set (S17: No, S22: Ye).
s), when the next selection regarding the change of the print base line position, for example, "change base line position" for changing the print base line position is displayed on the display 19 (S23), and when "change base line position" is displayed (S24: Yes) Although the flag F4 is set (S25), when the "normal base line position" is displayed (S24: No), the flag F4 is reset (S26).

When the setting key is operated (S2
When the flag F3 is set (S34: Yes) (S34: No, S41: Yes), the flag F3 is set.
3 is reset (S42), and when the flag F4 is set (S43: Yes), the print selection position regarding the print base line position, for example, the print base line position is set with respect to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3. "Baseline position +4", which is changed by 4 dots, is displayed on the display 19 at the upper end side of 9 (S44), and the flag F5 is set (S45).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), the flag F5 is set (S17 / S22: No, S27:
Yes), the next selection of the print base line position, for example, “base line position + 3” is displayed on the display 19 (S)
28). Thereafter, when the character selection dial 3 is continuously rotated, the selection content “baseline position + 2” → “baseline position +
1 ”→“ baseline position-1 ”→“ baseline position-2 ”→“ baseline position-3 ”→“ baseline position-4 ”→“ baseline position + 4 ”... In addition, "Baseline position-
"1" to "baseline position-4" are changes in the print baseline position to the lower end side of the printing tape 9 with respect to the normal print baseline positions PS2 and PS3.

When the setting key is operated (S2
(S3: Yes) Since the flag F5 is set (S34 / S41: No, S46: Yes), the print base line position change amount data corresponding to the selection displayed on the display 19 is the upper row print command data. Alternatively, it is stored in the lower row print command data (S47), and the flag F5 is reset (S48).

[0036] For example, when operating the selection key when the selection "baseline position +4" is displayed on the display 19, "+4 dot" in the upper row print the command data of the address A0004 1 8 Is stored. Further, in the input data buffer 31,
Thereafter, the code data of the selected characters "D", "E", and "F", the lower row print command data storing the change amount data of "-4 dots", the selected characters "G", "H""
Each code data of "I" and "J" is sequentially stored.

Next, when the one-line printing key is operated for one-line printing (S2: Yes, S3 / S4: No,
S7: Yes) The one-line print mark “>” is displayed on the display 19, the one-line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S8), and the flag F1 is reset (S9). For example, as shown in FIG. 18 , in the input data buffer 31, one-line print command data is stored at an address A000D, and the code data of the characters "K", "L", and "M" selected thereafter are stored. Is address A0
Stored from 00E to address A0010. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S1
6: Yes), when flags other than the flags F1, F3, F5, F6 are set (S17, S22, S
27. S29: No, S31: Yes), the selection contents corresponding to the set flag are sequentially displayed (S32).

When the fixed-length key is operated for fixed-length printing (S2: Yes, S3, S4, S7:
No, S10: Yes), a setting screen "print length 1 " for setting the length of the print range to 1 cm is displayed (S11),
The flag F6 is set (S12). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16:
(Yes), since the flag F6 is set (S17)
(S22 / S27: No, S29: Yes), the print length setting screen "print length 11" is displayed with the clockwise rotation of the character selection dial 3 (S30).
Thereafter, when the character selection dial 3 is continuously rotated, the setting content “print length 12” → “print length 13”
→ "Print length 14" → "Print length 15" → ...
-> Display up to "print length 54" is sequentially displayed on the display 19. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction, the setting contents are displayed up to “print length 5” in the reverse display order. Here, "print length
When the character selection dial 3 is rotated clockwise in a state where "54" is displayed, "print length 5" is displayed. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction while "print length 5" is displayed, "print length 54" is displayed.

When the setting key is operated (S2
(S3: Yes) Since the flag F6 is set (S34 / S41 / S46: No, S49: Yes)
A value obtained by multiplying the print length displayed on the setting screen by 10 is stored in the print length memory 40 as data (S5).
0). In this way, look at the value displayed on the setting screen.
Rotate the character selection dial 3 while displaying the desired value.
With simple operation of operating the setting key,
It is very easy to set the length of the print area
You.

When the setting key is operated (S2 · S3:
If yes, the other flags are set (S34 / S41 / S46 / S49: No, S51: Y)
es), the selection content corresponding to the flag is set (S52).

Next, when the print key is operated (S
2: Yes, S3, S4, S7, S10: No, S1
3: Yes), the print processing control (see Fig. 1 1, Figure 1 2) is executed (S14). When this control is started, various flags and initialization such as memory is executed regarding first printing (S60), rearrangement processing control (see Fig. 1 3) is executed (S61).

[0042] This rearrangement process control will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 8 to 2 2. When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 19, first input data buffer 31
Are stored in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S90). However, "FF" is additionally stored as end data at the end of the plurality of code data.

Next, the head address a0000 of the first rearrangement memory 32 (hereinafter, this content is referred to as P1 and the first pointer P1) is set in the first pointer 34 (S9).
1) The data of the first rearrangement memory 32 indicated by the first pointer P1 is read (S92), and when the read data is one-line print command data (S93 / S105).
(S103: No), the next address is set to the first pointer P1 (S104), and the process returns to S92. When the read data is character code data, the same control as described above is repeated.

Next, the first pointer P1 is set to "address a000
4 "is the upper line print command data (S93:
Yes), the first reordering memory 3 is determined by the first pointer P1.
2 is retrieved (S94), when the lower line printing command data are stored as the next command data in the upper line printing command data (S95: Yes), as shown in FIG. 2 0, first
The “address b0004” of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the pointer P1 is set in the second pointer 35 (hereinafter, also referred to as a second pointer P2), and the lower row print command data and the lower row print line LL subsequent thereto are set. The code data of the character to be printed is stored in each address after the second pointer P2 (S96).

Next, when the code data number UDN of the character to be printed on the upper print line UL is smaller than the code data number LDN of the lower print line LL (S98 / S100:
No), the space code "address a0008", "SP" of the first arrangement memory 32 is stored as shown in FIG. 2 1 (S101). However, when the code data number UDN is larger than the code data number LDN (S98: Ye
s) The space code “SP” is stored at a predetermined address in the second rearrangement memory 33 (S99). When the number of code data UDN and LDN are equal (S98: N
o, S100: Yes), and proceeds to S102. next,
In the first arrangement memory 32 as shown in FIG. 2 2, and deleted data after the respective data to delete the data stored in the second arrangement memory 33 ">, K, L, M, FF" respectively moving An organizing process such as causing
When data to be searched exists in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S103: No), "address b0009" is set to the first pointer P1 as an address to be searched next (S104).

Then, each subsequent data ">, K, L,
For "M", S90 to S92, S93 and S105:
No, S103 to S104 are repeatedly executed, and with the end data “FF” (S103: Yes), this control is ended and the routine returns.

If the lower row print command data does not exist (S95: No), the second rearrangement memory 33
, The space code “SP” corresponding to the code data number UDN of the upper printing line UL is stored (S9).
7). When the data read based on the first pointer P1 is the lower row print command data (S93: No, S
105: Yes), the address of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is set to the second pointer P2, and the lower row print command data and the code data of the character to be printed on the lower row print line LL following this are written. Stored at each address after the second pointer P2 (S106), the first pointer
In the rearrangement memory 32, the lower row print command data and the code data of the characters to be printed on the lower print row LL are all converted to space codes (S107).

Next, the process returns to the print processing control, when the time that is fixed length print the flag F6 is set (S62: Yes), character spacing arithmetic processing control (see Fig. 1 4-Figure 1 5) It is executed (S63). When this control is started, first, the character number count value MN of the character number counter 36, the set space value SA of the set character space memory 37, and the total character width value MW are cleared (S1).
10) The start address of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set in the first pointer P1 (S111), and the first pointer P1 is set.
If the data designated in step 1 is read (S112) and the read data is not end data and not code data (S113 / S114: No), the character width of L size or SS size based on the read print command data P
W (the number of dot rows) is set (S115), and the first pointer P1 is incremented (S118). On the other hand, when the read data is code data (S113:
No, S114: Yes), the character count value MN is 1
Is incremented by one (S116), and the total character width value MW
(The number of dot rows) is increased by the character width PW (S11).
7) The process returns to S112 via S118.

If the read data is end data (S113: Yes), the print length that cannot be printed in the print start portion and the print end portion is determined from the set print length SL stored in the print length memory 40. 34mm (17mm ×
2) is set to the actual print length JL after deducting (S11)
9) Since about 71 dot rows can be printed in 10 mm, the number ND of dot rows that can be printed in the actual print length JL is ND =
It is determined by 71 × JL (S120). Next, when the number ND of printable dot rows is equal to or greater than the total character width value MW, that is, all the input characters are the actual print length JL.
When printing is possible within the area (121: Yes), the remaining blank space YS (the number of dot rows) is calculated by subtracting the total character width value MW from the number of printable dot rows ND (S1).
22). Furthermore, this blank space YS is the number between characters (M
N-1) or more (S123: Yes), it is possible to provide a space of one dot row between each of these characters, so a new blank space YS is calculated (S123).
124), the set space value SA is added for one dot row (S125), and the process returns to S123.

When S123 to S125 are executed and the new blank space YS becomes smaller than the number between the characters (S123: No), this blank space YS
Is not "0" (S126: No), the blank space YS is stored as the surplus space Sd in the space memory 38 (S127), the flag AF is set (S129), and the control is terminated and the routine returns. However, when the blank space YS is “0” (S126:
Yes), the flag AF is reset (S128).
If all the input characters cannot be printed within the actual print length JL (121: No), error processing such as displaying an error message "fixed-length print impossible" on the display 19 is executed ( (S130), the flag EF is set (S131). And the flag E
When F is reset (S64: No), S
When the flag EF is set (S64: Yes), both flags F6 and EF are reset (S65), and the process returns.

On the other hand, after the inter-character space calculation processing and when the printing is not the fixed length printing (S62: No), the first pointer P
The start address of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set to 1 (S66), and the data of the first rearrangement memory 32 is read based on the first pointer P1 (S67). In the case of data (S68
69: No, S70: Yes), the flag F1 is reset (S71), and the character width value PW (48 dots) of the L character size used for one-line printing is stored in the RAM 3 based on the flag F1.
0 (S73), the first pointer P1 is incremented (S74), and the process returns to S67. Next, when the read data is the code data of the character "A" (S68:
No, S69: Yes), when the printing is not the fixed length printing (S69)
75: No), the process proceeds to S77. If the printing is the fixed-length printing (S75: Yes), the process proceeds to S77 via the inter-character space value setting process control (see FIG. 16 ).

The control of the character space value setting processing will be described. When the flag AF is set (S140: Yes), the value obtained by incrementing the set space value SA by one dot row is used as the new set space value S
B (S141), and the remaining space value Sd is 1
It is decremented by the number of dot rows (S142), and when the remaining space value Sd is larger than "0" (S143: N
o), end this control and return. However, when the remaining space value Sd becomes “0” (S143:
Yes), the flag AF is reset (S144).
When the flag AF is reset (S1
40: No), the set space value SA is stored as a new set space value SB (S145). Then, the flag F1 is reset (S78: No), the dot pattern data corresponding to the code data is read from the pattern data memory 29, is stored in the print buffer 39 as shown in FIG. 2 3 (S79), Printing of the character "A" is executed (S81), and the routine goes to S74. At the time of fixed-length printing, the set space value SB obtained in S141 is provided after printing each character other than the last character in this print character. By the way, if the printing is not the fixed length printing (S75: No), a space value between characters corresponding to the L character size, for example, “3 dots” is set (S7).
7) S78 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as described above.

Next, when the read data is the upper line print command data (S68 / S69 / S70: No), the flag F1 is set (S72), and based on the flag F1, the SS character size used for 2-line printing is set. Character width value PW (16
(Dot) is stored in the RAM 30 (S73), and the process returns to S67 via S74. Then, when the code data of the character "D" is read next (S68: No, S69: Y
es), S75 to S77 are executed. Here, when the printing is not the fixed-length printing (S75: No), a space value between characters corresponding to the SS character size used for two-line printing, for example, "1 dot" is set (S77).

Next, since the two-line printing is performed and the flag F1 is set (S78: Yes), the data synthesis processing control (see FIG. 17 ) is executed (S80). When this control is started, first, the address “b0005” of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is stored in the second pointer P1.
2 (S150), and the code data of the character "D" indicated by the first pointer P1 is read (S15).
1), the dot pattern data for the encoded data, as shown in FIG. 2 4 is stored on the position corresponding to the center line CL in the printing buffer 39 (S152), printing in the upper line printing command data base line position change amount When d is stored (S153: Yes), the base line position change amount d (+
(4 dots) is read out (S154), and as shown in FIG. 25 , the dot obtained by adding the base line position change amount d to "4 dots" for shifting the dot pattern data to the normal printing base line position PS2 in the upper row. It is shifted by several minutes in the dot row direction (S156).

[0055] Furthermore, the code data of the character "G" for instructing the second pointer P2 are read out (S157), FIG. 2 6
When the dot pattern data of this code data is synthesized and stored on the lower end position in the print buffer 39 (S158), similarly, when the print base line position change amount d is stored in the lower row print command data, as shown in FIG. (S159: Y
es) The base line position change amount d (−4 dots) is read out (S160), and the base line position change amount d is changed to “4 dots” for shifting the dot pattern data to the normal print base line position PS3 in the lower row. The control is shifted in the dot row direction by the number of added dots (S162), and this control is terminated and the routine returns. When the determination is No in S153 and when the determination is No in S159, “0” is stored as the print base line position change amount d.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 26 , a character printing process is executed based on the dot pattern data of two characters which are combined and stored in the print buffer 39 (S81). In the same manner, the data stored in the first and second arrangement memory 32 and 33 as shown in FIG. 2 2, S60～S
It is printed by the print processing control 81.

[0057] Therefore, when not fixed length printing, as shown in FIG. 2 7, the string on the print tape 9 "ABC, KL
"M" is printed on one line corresponding to the print area PE, the character string "DEF" is printed on the upper print line UL, and the character string "GHIJ" is printed on the lower print line LL. In addition, these character strings "DEF" and "GHIJ" are printed with their print positions changed based on the designated print base line position change amount d. Further, when the fixed length printing, as shown in FIG. 2 8, between each character printing of printing characters,
The calculated set space value SA is provided, and the input character string is automatically extended to the length of the print range of the actual print length JL of the set print length SL and printed.

[Second Embodiment] Here, the tape printing apparatus 1 can print an input character at a pica printing pitch or an elite printing pitch, as well as a typewriter exclusively for English text , and can also perform fixed-length printing. For this purpose, a printing pitch key for designating a printing pitch such as a pica printing pitch or an elite printing pitch is provided on the keyboard unit 4, and a printing pitch corresponding to the L character size and the SS character size is set in the pattern data memory 29. the printing pitch table min stored respectively stores, further routines of the character spacing arithmetic processing control, as shown in FIG. 29 S
S170 may be provided between 114 and S116 to be changed.

That is, when the read data is not the code data (S113 / S114: No), a pitch table is selected based on the read print command data and a signal from the print pitch key (S115), and then the pitch table is read. Code data (S113: No, S114: Y
es) The character width value PW is set based on the print pitch data read from the selected pitch table (S170).
Then, control is performed in the same manner.

Further, a proportional space function can be provided. At this time , a pitch table for storing the character width data of each character is provided in the pattern data memory 29 in correspondence with the L character size and the SS character size for each type of printing pitch. While selecting the pitch table corresponding to the command data, in S170, the character width data corresponding to the code data read from the pitch table may be set to the character width value PW.

The pattern data memory 29 may store dot pattern data of three to four types of character sizes so that a desired character size can be selected in one-line printing and two-line printing.

Note that a print buffer may be added to store dot row data for the next print in a print buffer other than the print buffer from which dot row data is read for printing.

As described above, at the start of printing, character code data stored in the input data buffer 31 is rearranged in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 (S90 to S104). When the fixed length printing is set, the total character width value of the character stored in the first rearrangement memory 32 is calculated, and the set printing length is compared with the total character width value. If printing is not possible within the set print length, an error message is displayed on the display 19. When printing is possible, the first rearrangement memory 3
In accordance with the number of code data No. 2 and the data of the set printing length, an equal inter-character space provided between the characters is calculated (S110 to S129). Since the input character string is provided automatically, the input character string can be automatically expanded to a desired print range and printed. When the fixed length printing is not set, a space value corresponding to the character size is set (S77) and printing is performed (S81). The tape length is determined based on the sum of the character sizes including the space value.

The present invention is applied to various tape printers such as a printer configured to print characters on the printer tape 9 while manually pulling out the printer tape 9 and a tape printer using a wire dot system. Obviously you can get it.

[0064]

As is apparent from the above description, the tape printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has a setting screen display.
Means, increasing / decreasing means, and printing length setting means,
When setting the length of the character range, use the setting screen display
Display the setting screen, and change the setting screen
Increase or decrease the numerical value indicating the displayed print length to reduce
Display the numerical value and use the print length setting means on the setting screen.
Set the print length based on the displayed value
The print length can be easily set with simple operation.
You. And the print length which set the input character
Can be printed.

Further , the tape printer according to claim 2 is
The same effects as those of the tape printer according to claim 1 can be obtained.
In addition, the numerical value indicating the print length
Can be increased simply by rotating the tool in one direction,
It can also be reduced by simply rotating it in the other direction.
It is extremely important to increase or decrease the value on the setting screen to the desired value.
And easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

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

FIG. 4 is a partial front view of a printing mechanism showing a printing tape and a thermal head.

FIG. 5 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 6 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of tape print control.

FIG. 7 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of tape print control.

FIG. 8 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 9 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of tape print control.

FIG. 10 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 11 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine included in the tape print control.

FIG. 12 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine included in the tape print control.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of a rearrangement process control routine included in the print process control.

FIG. 14 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of character space calculation processing control included in print processing control;

FIG. 15 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of inter-character space calculation processing control included in print processing control;

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of a character space value setting process control included in the print process control.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a data synthesis process control routine included in the print process control.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in an input data buffer.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in the first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in the first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary diagram showing a print example in which a character string of one line and two lines is printed on a printing tape without performing fixed-length printing.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary view showing a print example in which a character string of one line and two lines is printed at a fixed length on a printing tape at a set print length.

FIG. 29 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine of character space calculation processing control of character space calculation processing control according to the second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 3 Character selection dial 4 Keyboard part 5 Selection key 7 Thermal head 9 Printing tape 27 CPU 28 ROM (program memory) 29 ROM (pattern data memory) 30 RAM 31 Input data buffer 37 Set character space memory 39 Print buffer 40 Print length memory C Controller

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-152070 (JP, A) JP-A-63-122568 (JP, A) JP-A-61-148085 (JP, A) JP-A-57-105093 (JP) , A) JP-A-2-62265 (JP, A) JP-A-2-255912 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 3/36 B41J 2/485 B41J 2/515 B41J 21/00 G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An input means for inputting character code data and various command signals, an input data buffer for storing input code data, and pattern data storing dot pattern data of a number of characters. A storage means, a print buffer for receiving and storing dot pattern data of the character to be printed from the pattern data storage means, a print head capable of printing in a dot array on a print medium tape on which the character is printed, A control means for sequentially receiving the dot string data of the dot pattern data from the buffer and controlling the print head , based on the code data input by the input means.
Display means for displaying a large number of characters, and setting of the length of a print range to be printed on the print medium tape.
Screen for displaying a setting screen for displaying on the display means
Display means for increasing the numerical value indicating the print length displayed on the setting screen.
The print length based on the numerical value displayed on the setting screen,
Print length setting means for setting, and the control means controls the print head to
Code data supplied from the
Based on the print length set by the step, the character
A tape printing device for printing data at a set printing length . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said increasing / decreasing means is displayed on a setting screen.
Increase in one direction, and increase in the other direction.
2. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the dial is a dial that is reduced by rolling .