JP3327316B2 - 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, and more particularly to a print control function of a tape printer for producing a lettering tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional tape printer of this type, there is known a printer that prints on an adhesive tape or an electric wire tube using a tape cassette containing an adhesive tape with release paper or an electric wire tube.

[0003] Characteristic features of this type of tape printer are that character blocks can be printed at a set block pitch, and that continuous printing and serial number printing are possible. In other words, the terminal number of the electrical equipment or the like is continuously or serially printed at a constant pitch on the adhesive tape with release paper or the wire tube, and a display label is created to be attached to the terminal block, or the label is attached to the end of the wire. The terminal numbers can be printed on the tube to be coated in a continuous or sequential manner.

For example, to create a display label in which the same character string is printed at equal intervals, a character size, a font, the number of printing lines, etc. are input in the format setting mode, and the block pitch and the number of printing times are set using the function keys. By setting, the same character data is printed at a set block pitch for a set number of times.

In order to create a serial number display label in which numbers increase or decrease in order for each character block, character data is input to set a serial number function and the number of sheets, and a serial number character string is set according to the serial number data. Is printed at the specified block pitch.

It is to be noted that another example of this type is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-7943.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional tape printer, when the same character string is repeatedly printed, a character size, a font, a number of print lines, and the like are input in a format setting mode. The block pitch and the number of prints must be set using the function keys.

For this reason, the operation is complicated and it is difficult to say that the convenience of use is good.

In the case where the same character string is repeatedly printed, if a different character string is to be inserted and printed repeatedly, the same character string is repeatedly printed in a required number, and then the character input first is repeated. The column setting is canceled, a different character string is set, and the different character string is printed. Then, it is necessary to release the setting of the different character string again and reset the previously released character string, and there is a problem that a complicated operation must be repeated several times alone. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printer which is easy to operate when printing the same character string repeatedly and has good usability.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention controls a character string to be printed and an output form of the character string for each print block set on a label tape or a label tube. Input means for inputting a control command for performing the operation, display means for displaying the input character string or control command, storage means for storing the input character string or control command, and storage in the storage means. A printing means for printing, on a label block or label tube basis, each printing block based on a control command stored with the stored character string, wherein the screen of the display means is a registration screen. Registration key
And a confirmation key to confirm the character string to be registered, and this confirmation key
Key is operated and entered and displayed on the registration screen.
Allocation registering means for allocating and registering all of the control commands and character strings assigned to predetermined keys, and each time the predetermined key is operated, the allocated control commands and character strings are normally displayed on the display means . And a copying means for copying after a character displayed on the screen .

According to the present invention, the control command
Once you assign a key and a character string to a given key and register it,
Thereafter, by simply operating the predetermined key, the control command and the character string registered after the character displayed on the display means can be copied. Therefore, the same control
When entering command and string into multiple locations, by operating a predetermined key in place of the input point, the allocated control
Since a command and a character string are input, the input operation becomes very simple.

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

Also, the characters displayed on the display means
Assign and register columns and operate the assigned keys
By doing so, after the character string,
Can be repeatedly and continuously displayed.

For this reason, even if the number of times of printing is not set by the function keys as in the prior art, printing can be performed repeatedly by pressing the predetermined key the desired number of times, and the convenience in use is good.

If a plurality of predetermined keys to be assigned are prepared, different character strings are assigned to the respective keys, and if they are registered by the assignment registering means, different character strings are repeated between certain repeated character strings. Complex repetitive printing such as printing can be easily performed.

In addition, since not only characters but also output control commands can be repeatedly displayed, there is no need to set the output control commands for each character string, and the usability is good in this respect as well.

[0021]

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Of the tape printer 1
Is for printing on an adhesive tape or an electric wire tube 2 using an adhesive tape with release paper or a tape cassette 3 containing an electric wire tube 2.

The input of character data and the printing operation are performed by the main unit 1a.
This is performed via a keyboard 4 as input means provided on the upper surface portion. That is, when a predetermined character key on the keyboard 4 is pressed, a character is input, and when a predetermined command key is pressed, an output control command for controlling an output form of these characters is input. It is configured.

The signal from the keyboard 4 is input to the CPU 7 of the print control unit 6 via the interface 5 and is written into the memory unit 8.
Reference numeral 7 denotes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as a part of the display means for driving the display driver circuit 9 as a part of the display means and displaying input contents such as characters or output control commands on the screen. 10 is displayed.

In the tape cassette 3 containing the adhesive tape with release paper and the tube 2 for electric wires, identification information such as the type and width of the adhesive tape with release paper and the tube 2 for electric wires to be incorporated is provided in the cassette body. The information is recorded by means such as an identification hole or an identification code display label, and the tape printer 1
A known printing medium identification mechanism that reads identification information recorded in an identification hole, an identification code display label, and the like is configured by a cassette identification sensor 1b such as a limit switch or a photosensor provided in a cassette holder portion of the main body 1a.

In the tape printer 1, the characters displayed on the LCD 10 are arranged on the adhesive tape with release paper or the electric wire tube 2, which is a printing material, based on the input output control command. Driver circuit 11, tape feed motor 12, Samar head 13, head driver circuit 1 as output means for printing
4 are provided.

At the time of printing, the CPU 7 controls the motor driver circuit 11 and drives the tape feed motor 12 so that the adhesive tape with the release paper or the electric wire tube 2 is driven.
, The print data is transferred to the Samar head 13.

Then, a control signal is output to the head driver circuit 14 to synchronously drive the Samar head 13 and the tape feed motor 12 to thermally transfer characters from the ink ribbon to the adhesive tape with release paper or the tube 2 for electric wires. It is configured to be.

At the end of printing, the tape cutter (not shown) is manually operated to cut the adhesive tape with release paper or the electric wire tube 2 at a predetermined cutting position.

The tape printer 1 has an automatic half-cutting function that operates a tape cutter at a designated position to cut only the adhesive tape of the adhesive tape with release paper, or to cut the wire tube 2 in half. A boundary line printing function for printing a vertical line on the boundary between each print block is provided. These functions are turned on / off by key operations on the keyboard 4.
Can be turned off.

For example, when the automatic half-cutting function is selected, the CPU 4 controls the cutter driver circuit 16 to cut the adhesive tape with release paper or the electric wire tube 2 halfway at the boundary of each printing block. . By performing such a half-cutting process, it is easy to separate and affix each printing block printed on the adhesive tape with release paper and to attach the electric wire tube 2 to the end of the electric wire. Can be done.

Then, the CP of the tape printer 1 is used.
U7 includes an assignment registration unit 17 for assigning and registering characters or output control commands displayed on the LCD 10 to predetermined keys, and by pressing these predetermined keys,
Assign the registered characters or output control commands to the LC
D10 for displaying on D10, format control means 19 for performing dot conversion to dot data so that character data can be printed according to the output control command and format setting,
A continuous / serial number printing control unit 20 for performing continuous / serial number printing is provided.

The assignment registering means 17 calls up a predetermined registration screen on the LCD 10 and designates a character or an output control command displayed on the registration screen when an arbitrary one is designated and registered. The keys are assigned to predetermined keys on the keyboard 4 related to the registration screen, and are stored in the memory unit 8 and registered.

In the copying means 18, the LCD
When the registered characters or output control commands are displayed on the LCD 10, the characters or output control commands assigned to the corresponding keys are read from the memory unit 8 after the characters displayed on the LCD 10. It is configured to invoke and display commands.

The format control means 19 is configured to convert the character data stored in the memory unit 8 into dot data at the time of printing.

In the continuous serial number printing control means 20, the same character is repeatedly output according to the number of continuous printings set by the keyboard 4, and continuous printing is performed. The serial number printing control means 20 is configured to perform the serial number printing in accordance with the numbers or alphabetical start and end characters set by the keyboard 4. Next, Embodiment 1
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in Step 1, when the main switch of the tape printer 1 is turned on to start each circuit, St.
In ep2, a normal screen is displayed on the LCD 10. Format settings such as character size and block pitch, and settings such as continuous printing and serial number printing are started by selecting a desired setting mode from the normal screen using the function selection keys on the keyboard 4.

In accordance with the setting menu displayed on the LCD 10, the character data is set by setting the character size, block pitch, continuous printing, serial number printing, and the like.

Setting data such as a format, serial number / continuous print data, and character data are stored in the memory unit 8.

In Step 3, if a registration key, which is one of the function selection keys on the keyboard 4, is input, the process proceeds to the next Step 4, and if not, the current screen is maintained.

In Step 4, a registration screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD 10. In the first embodiment, registration screens assigned to ten types of keys from the M1 key to the M10 key 21 on the keyboard 4 are sequentially displayed. Here, a registration screen initially assigned to the M1 key is displayed.

In Step 5, for example, "COM" is input using the character keys on the keyboard 4.

In Step 6, when the enter key 22 on the keyboard 4 is pressed, the process proceeds to Step 7, and if not, the process proceeds to Step 8.

In Step 7, a registration process is performed, and M
The character string “COM” is assigned to the 1 key 21 and registered in the memory unit 8. After the registration process is completed, Step
Return to 2.

In step 8, when a character key is input, a character is displayed on the registration screen. When no character key is input, the process returns to step 5 and waits for input.

As described above, if the registration is performed using the registration screen, the allocation registration can be performed more easily, and the convenience in use is good.

As shown in FIG. 5, the characters or output control commands which have been assigned and registered are pressed by the copying means 18 by pressing the M1 key 21 which is a predetermined key.
It is displayed on the input screen on the LCD 10.

At this time, the sentence displayed on the LCD 10
By operating the M21 key after the character
To copy the character string assigned and registered to the M21 key
The same string can be displayed consecutively
You.

Therefore, even if the number of times of printing is not set by the function keys as in the prior art, if the predetermined key is pressed a desired number of times, printing can be repeated, and the convenience in use is good.

If a plurality of predetermined keys to be assigned are prepared, a different character string is assigned to each of the keys M1 to M10 and registered by the assignment registering means 17. Also, complicated repetitive printing such as repetitive printing of different character strings can be easily performed.

Moreover, since not only characters but also output control commands can be repeatedly displayed, there is no need to set output control commands for each character string, and the usability is good in this respect as well.

For example, the output control command "1" indicated by reference numeral 30 in FIG. 5 is a print line control command. Since this print line control command can also be registered by the allocation registering means 17, even when the number of lines is plural, a print line control command such as an output control command "2" for making the number of lines plural is a character string. Can be registered together with it. By simply pressing a predetermined key, these print line control commands with multiple lines can be copied repeatedly, and it is necessary to give output control commands with multiple lines again to the copied character string. Absent.

Accordingly, a complicatedly complicated character string such as a print line control command, a block pitch control command, a serial number / continuous print control command, a vertical / horizontal display change command, etc. can be registered and copied at a time. This eliminates the need for inputting each output control command into a character string and performing setting, thereby improving the convenience of use.

As described above, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the first embodiment, and the present invention can be implemented even if there is a design change within the scope of the present invention. include.

For example, the print control unit 6 of the first embodiment
Not limited to the configuration of, various modifications are possible, the present invention,
It goes without saying that these modifications are also covered.

Further, in the first embodiment, ten kinds of keys to be assigned are set to the M1 key to the M10 key 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single key or a plurality of keys of another quantity may be used. Thus, a character or an output control command may be assigned.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, once a control command and a character string are assigned to a predetermined key and registered, the predetermined key is operated thereafter. By simply doing so, the control command and the character string registered after the character displayed on the display means can be copied. For this reason, when inputting the same control command and character string to a plurality of locations, if a predetermined key is operated at the input location, the assigned control command and character string are input, so that the input operation is extremely difficult. It's easy.

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a tape printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a configuration of a main part.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the main operation of the tape printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the tape printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an appearance of a main body.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the LCD showing the tape printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a registration screen;

FIG. 5 shows the tape printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an LCD showing an example of an input screen in a normal screen display
FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Adhesive tape with release paper or tube for electric wire (substrate to be printed) 4 Keyboard (input means) 9 Display driver circuit 10 LCD output means 13 Samar head 14 Head driver circuit 17 Assignment registration means 18 Copy means 19 Format control means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An input means for inputting a character string to be printed and a control command for controlling an output form of the character string for each print block set on a label tape or a label tube. Display means for displaying the entered character string and control command; storage means for storing the input character string and control command; and the label based on the control command stored with the character string stored in the storage means. A printer for printing on a tape or label tube for each print block, comprising: a registration key for setting a screen of the display means to a registration screen; and a determination key for determining a character string to be registered. If, when the confirmation key is operated, it is input to the registration screen
Is a allocation registration means for registering all control commands and text that is displayed by assigning a predetermined key, each for operating the predetermined key, the system which is allocated
A tape printer, comprising: copying means for copying a control command and a character string after characters displayed on a normal screen of the display means.