JP3514056B2 - Image creation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is applied to, for example, a tape printing apparatus or the like and forms an image in which characters such as input characters, symbols and figures are arranged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, small tape printers, such as label printers and label word processors, for printing on tape have been commercially available. In this kind of tape printer, for example, in order to create a label or the like to be attached to an object of a standard size or a desired size such as a document file, a video tape, a music tape, etc., the size of the object is adapted. It is necessary to clearly print each character in a printing range, that is, a range of a predetermined width and length on the tape.
Therefore, even when the print image (output image) to be printed on the tape is edited, the area of the output image corresponding to the print range is
It is necessary to specify it on the display screen.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus in this type of tape printing apparatus, since the display screen is generally small, the entire edited image for editing the output image cannot be displayed. Therefore, in the conventional image creating apparatus, for example, a method of displaying the overall appearance on the screen by displaying a small image in which the set output image area and the input text data are overlapped (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7-164712). JP-A-8-3059
(See Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5), when the input text data is out of the set area, a warning is displayed and printing is stopped when the print key is operated (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-3188).
No. 86) is adopted.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image creating apparatus as described above, for example, it is necessary to switch between the text input screen and the image display screen, and not only is the screen switching operation troublesome, but the image display is also difficult. On the screen, there is a drawback that the position of the text data to be corrected is difficult to understand. Further, when a warning is given when the print key is operated, there is a drawback that it cannot be determined whether the text input range is appropriate and the range to be corrected cannot be determined until the print key is operated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even when the display screen is small, the input and designation of a character that is a constituent element of an output image is performed on the same display screen. You can check the area of the output image
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image creating apparatus capable of appropriately performing the editing work of an output image.

[0006]

The first image creating apparatus of the present invention is an image creating apparatus for creating an output image composed of a plurality of characters while editing it on a display screen. Input means, display means for displaying an edited image for arranging and editing the input character on the display screen, area designating means for designating an area of the output image on the edited image,
Control means for controlling the display means and displaying a character protruding from the output image on the edited image with a predetermined character decoration based on the designation of the area, and the control means. , By the area designating means
Immediately after the area is specified,
When there is a protruding character, that character
The cursor to the beginning of the current character
It is characterized by

[0007] In this image creating apparatus, the character protruding from the area is displayed with the character decoration based on the designation of the area of the output image, so that the same display screen is displayed even if the display screen is small. It is possible to input a character that is a constituent element of the output image and to confirm the area of the designated output image, whereby the editing work of the output image can be appropriately performed. That is, for example, while inputting a desired character on the display screen, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the character is within a predetermined area. Further, even if the area designation is changed while a character is being input in advance, it is possible to easily judge whether or not the area is changed. Further, the display range necessary for these determinations is only in the vicinity of the boundary of the area, and therefore it can be applied to an apparatus having a small display screen such as a tape printer. In addition, as the character decoration in this case, underline, cancellation line,
In addition to general character decoration such as shading and reverse display, a ruled line or the like indicating the boundary line may be added. Also, the output image area
Immediately after the area is specified, it extends out of the specified area.
If there is a character that is
At the beginning of the character that needs to be corrected or deleted,
Since the sol is also displayed, prompt the user for correction.
You can In this case, for example, if the number of characters in one line is
Insert a newline character when the number exceeds the range.
Immediately make corrections and edits on the screen, such as when entering
By doing this, you can easily and properly carry out editing work.
be able to.

[0008] In the image generating apparatus described above, the
An output instruction means for instructing output of an output image is further provided,
The control means, when the output is instructed,
If there is a character that is outputting,
Cancel the beginning of the character that is sticking out
It is preferable to move the cursor to the position and display it.
Yes.

In this image creating apparatus, the output of the output image is
When instructed, the key protruding from the output image
If there is a character, cancel the output instruction and
At the beginning position of the protruding character, that is, correction or
Move the cursor to the beginning position of the character that needs to be deleted.
Since this is displayed, the user can be prompted to make corrections.
The output instruction may be, for example, a tape printing device.
Print execution instruction by inputting print key when applied to
Is applicable, the output image is appropriate, and the character is protruding.
If there is no data, the output image is output for printing.

The second image creating apparatus of the present invention is
An output image consisting of several characters can be displayed on the display screen.
In the image creation device created while editing,
Character input means to input data and the input character
The edited image for arranging and editing
Display means for displaying on the surface and the output on the edited image
The area specifying means for specifying the area of the image and the display means
Control, and based on the designation of the area, on the edited image
Predetermined sentence on the character protruding from the output image
And control means for displaying by applying a character decoration, an output instruction means for instructing the output of the output image, wherein the control means, when the output is instructed, when there is a character that the protruding , to cancel the instruction of the output, characterized in that to display by moving the cursor to the beginning position of the character that the protruding.

In this image forming apparatus, the above-mentioned first one is used.
In the same way as for,
When the display screen is small, it is displayed with text decoration.
In the same case, on the same display screen, the character
You can check the input and output image areas and edit the output image.
The gathering work can be performed appropriately. Also, with the above
Similarly, when the output of the output image has been instructed if there is a character that has issued seen, by canceling the output instruction, the cursor to the beginning of the Osamu (protrudes) positive or deletion is necessary characters Is also displayed, so that the user can be prompted to make corrections. Incidentally, similarly, print execution instruction or the like is applicable as the output instruction, the output image is appropriate,
If there is no protrusion to have character outputs the output image for printing.

[0012] Further , the output instruction can be canceled as described above.
In each of the image creation apparatus, prior Symbol further comprising whether a possible instruction to select a forced selection instruction manual stage to force the output,
Wherein, when it does not force a pre SL output is instructed, to perform a movement of cancellation and the car <br/> Sol indication of the output is, preferably.

Since the image creating apparatus is provided with the forced line selection instructing means capable of selecting the forced line output, if the forced line output is not instructed even if the output is instructed, the above-mentioned cancellation is performed.
The advantages due to leverage, whereas, if an instruction to force the output,
The output image can be forcibly output. For example, an instruction of output is the case, such as described above <br/> Likewise print instruction, even if not protrude the character from the output image, when it is desired to have the trial print or the like, and instructs to select the forced output, If you do not want to print inappropriate output images, you can select not to perform forced output.

Further , in each of the above-mentioned image producing devices,
It is preferable that the control means adds and displays the predetermined character decoration, and at the same time displays a warning that there is the protruding character on the display screen.

In this image creating apparatus, when there is a character protruding from the output image, a character decoration is added and a warning to that effect is displayed at the same time. Therefore, it is more clear to the user that the character is protruding. I can inform you.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show the overall construction of a tape printer to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in both figures, this tape printer 1 is provided with a keyboard 2 on the front side portion of its upper surface, and a lid 3 is attached on the back side. A liquid crystal display 9 is provided on the far right side so that it can be seen from the window of the lid 3, and the liquid crystal display 9 can display 6 lines of 6 characters in one line in a normal text display state. It has a screen 9a. The image creating apparatus of the present invention is applied to create a print image (output image) to be printed on a tape while editing it on the display screen 9a.

The keyboard 2 is arranged with a character key group 21 including alphabet keys and symbol keys, and a function key group for designating various operation modes. The function keys include a cancel key 22 for canceling processing by other function keys, a format key 31 for selecting and specifying a format, right (“→”), down (“↓”), and up ( "↑"), 4 for moving the cursor to the left ("←")
This includes cursor movement keys 25, 26, 27, 28, a print key 29 for starting a printing operation, and a selection key 30 for selecting various modes and for line feed when text is input.

As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 5 for mounting the tape cartridge 4 is provided below the lid 3. The tape cartridge 4 contains a tape T having a constant width and a plurality of small holes (not shown) on the back surface so that the types of the tape T such as different widths can be identified.
And a tape type detection switch 43 including a micro switch for detecting the presence / absence of this hole is provided at the bottom of the mounting portion 5.
It is possible to detect the presence or absence and the type.

The tape T has an adhesive surface (adhesive material) formed on the back surface and is covered with release paper. An ink ribbon R is stored in the tape cartridge 4 together with the tape T. The tape T and the ink ribbon R run in a state of overlapping each other at the position of the window 42 formed in the case 41, and only the tape T is discharged to the outside, and the ink ribbon R is wound inside. ing.

The thermal head 6 is arranged in the mounting portion 5 so as to face the window 42, and when the tape cartridge 4 is mounted in the mounting portion 5, the thermal head 6 (printing means) The tape cartridge 4 contacts the back surface of the ink ribbon R exposed through the window 42. Then, by driving the thermal head 6 to generate heat, desired characters or the like are printed on the surface of the tape T. Further, the mounting portion 5 is provided with drive shafts 7 and 8 with which the driven portion of the mounted tape cartridge 4 is engaged, and these drive shafts 7 and 8 allow the tape T in the tape cartridge 4 to be mounted. Then, the ink ribbon R is fed.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the tape printer 1
The configuration of the control system will be described. The control system is CPU 40, R
OM50, RAM60 and character generator R
A control circuit 80 having an OM (hereinafter referred to as “CG-ROM”) 70 is provided. The keyboard 2 and the tape type detection switch 43 are connected to the input port side of the control circuit 80. Further, on the output port side of the control circuit 80,
The thermal head 6 is driven through the driver 81 for driving the head.
Are connected, and the liquid crystal display 9 is connected via a driver 82 for display driving.

The ROM 50 is a program memory area 51.
The control program for controlling the thermal head 6 and the liquid crystal display 9 and each processing program to be described later are stored therein. The RAM 60 is a text memory 61 for temporarily storing text data such as characters and symbols input from the keyboard 2, and a display image data memory 62 for storing image data corresponding to the display contents of the display screen 9a of the liquid crystal display 9. A register group 63 for temporarily storing the processing result of the CPU 40, a work area 64 for creating image data and the like in various kinds of processing described later, and the like. The CG-ROM 70 stores font data such as characters and symbols prepared in the tape printer 1 and outputs corresponding font data when code data for specifying characters is given.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures, the overall processing flow of control of the tape printer 1 will be described. However, the basic operation such as the movement of the cursor by the cursor key 25 or the like and the processing flow of the operation by the function key or the like not directly related to the present invention are collectively referred to as "processing corresponding to other function key (S11). ) ”, And detailed description is omitted.

When the processing is started by turning on the power, etc., first, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to restore the tape printer 1 to the state when the power was turned off last time, the saved control flags are restored. Initial settings such as the above are performed (S1), and then display screen processing is performed (S2). As described above, the display screen 9a can display 6 lines of text data of 6 characters. Hereinafter, the state of the display screen 9a will be represented by the screen Txx and will be illustrated by the reference numbers.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, while the text is being input after "Spring is" on the first line and "Akebo" on the second line, "no" is displayed as shown in the figure. When a key input is made, it is determined that there is a key input as shown in FIG. 4 (S3: Y
es), determine that the key is not a function key (S4: No),
A (character) text input process is performed (S5). In this text input process (S5), the "no" of the text data is loaded into the text memory 61, the corresponding font data is read from the CG-ROM 70, and the corresponding "no" reverse image data is displayed in the display image data memory 6.
The display image data stored in 2 is stored at a position corresponding to the cursor.

Subsequently, when the selection key 30 is pressed to confirm "NO", as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that there is a key input (S3: Yes), and it is determined that the key is a function key (S).
4: Yes), it is determined that it is not the format key 31 (S
6: No), it is determined that it is not the print key 29 (S
8: No), and then the process of confirming "no" is performed (S1).
1). That is, the reverse image data of "in" in the display image data memory 62 is replaced with the normal image data. As a result,
When the display screen processing (S2) is performed again, the screen T11 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

After this text data is input, four cursor movements for moving the cursor in the right (“→”), down (“↓”), up (“↑”), and left (“←”) directions, respectively. Keys 25, 26, 27, 28 (hereinafter, “cursor“ → ”key 25”, “cursor“ ↓ ”key 26”,
"Cursor" ↑ "key 27" and "Cursor" ← "
The entire text data can be confirmed by the key 28).

When the print key 29 is pressed in these display states, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that there is a key input (S3: Yes), and it is determined that the key is a function key (S4). : Yes), it is determined that it is not the format key 31 (S6: No), and it is determined that it is the print key 29 (S8: Yes), and then printing is performed based on the display image data in the display image data memory 62. Create image data (S
9), printing is performed based on the print image data (S
10). Then, after that, the state of waiting for the next key input is displayed again (S2). The tape printer 1 can print by pressing the print key 29 regardless of the display state at that time, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the format key 31 is pressed while the display screen processing (S2) is being performed, it is determined that a key input has been made (S3: Yes), which is a function key. After that (S4: Yes) and the format key 31 (S6: Yes), format selection / designation processing is performed (S7). When the format selection / designation process (S7) starts, the above-described text input process (S
5) and display screen processing (S2) are also text input processing (S5) or display screen processing (S) for format selection / designation processing.
2).

FIG. 5 is a process corresponding to the format selection / setting process (S7), particularly the fixed length print setting process (S7) described later with reference to FIG.
The process corresponding to the constant length print value input process (S71) of 0) is shown by the image of the screen display on the display screen 9a.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the text input screen is displayed (screen T11: hereinafter, "screen" is omitted), when the format key 31 is pressed, a predetermined format for printing can be selected. (T12). That is, one of the three patterns of tint block printing, fixed length printing, and margin is highlighted by operating the cursor “↓” key 26 or the cursor “↑” key 27, and the selection key 30 is pressed to reverse the display. You can select and specify the displayed one. Then, the fixed length printing is designated when setting the printing range (the area of the output image) which is a feature of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the cursor "↓" key 2
6 or by pressing the cursor “↑” key 27,
Highlight "Constant length printing" (T12) and press the Select key 3
When 0 is pressed, fixed length printing is selected, and each setting of fixed length printing can be selected (T13). On the other hand, the cancel key 22
When is pressed, as described above, the process by the preceding format key 31 is canceled and the screen T11 one level higher is returned. Also in the following processing, the cancel key 22 is used for canceling processing by other function keys.

As a setting method of constant length printing, as shown in FIG. 6, as a lower layer of the constant length printing of the selection branch of the first layer, the second layer is not subjected to the constant length printing.
A4 file for creating labels for A4 file back cover, B5 file for B5 file, ...
There are selection branches such as…, and as a lower hierarchy of each selection branch,
Whether to print the print on the third layer in advance, center, or evenly allocate characters,
There is a choice, such as whether to make it late.

For example, in the state (T13) in which the fixed length printing selection branch of FIG. 5 is displayed, the cursor “↓” key 26 or the cursor “↑” key 27 is used to highlight the second layer “A4 file”. , When the selection key 30 is pressed, the third layer is displayed (T14). Similarly, when "centering" is highlighted and the selection key 30 is pressed, the fixed length printing setting is completed, Return to the text screen (T15). on the other hand,
As described above, by pressing the cancel key 22 from the state of the screen T14, it is possible to return to the second upper layer (T13).

The state of the second layer of fixed length printing (T1
In 3), a numeric key from the character key group 21, for example,
By pressing "3", the print length can be directly specified. On the other hand, when the selection branch such as the above-mentioned “A4 file” is selected, it is read as a predetermined length,
It becomes the set value for constant length printing (see FIG. 7).

The format selection / setting process described above with reference to FIG. 5 (S7).
Among them, when “fixed length printing” is highlighted (T12) and the selection key 30 is pressed, the fixed length printing setting process (S70) shown in FIG. 8 is started, and the screen returns to the above-mentioned text screen ( At the time of T15), the first process of FIG. 8, that is, the constant-length print value input process (S71) ends.

The processing which characterizes the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding, the above text input screen (T in FIG. 5) is displayed.
Instead of 11), only the screen in the range where a character string of one line is input is shown as a part thereof, and line numbers and the like are omitted. For example, a screen in which four characters (4 characters) “ABCD” have been input is shown as a screen T21 in FIG. 11A. Further, the value set as the fixed length print value is set to a length that allows input of 4 characters (the length corresponding to 4 characters), such as the above-mentioned "ABCD".

When the text input screen is in the state (T21) of FIG. 11A, the format selection / setting process (S7) is started, and the fixed length print setting process (S70) is started.
As shown in FIG. 1, first, the fixed length print value input process (S
71: see FIG. 5 to FIG. 7), for example, after the length corresponding to 4 characters is set, the print length of the text is then calculated (S72), and then the print length of the text is fixed-length printed. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the set value of (S73).

Here, since the text print length is a length corresponding to 4 characters (screen T21 in FIG. 11A), the text print length (corresponding to 4 characters) is the set value for constant length printing (4 characters equivalent). ) Below (S73: No), the display process immediately before the fixed length print setting is performed (S76), and the main process (S
70) is ended (S77). As a result, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the next time the display screen processing (S2) is performed,
The screen returns to the original screen T21 of FIG. The process flow in this case is from the screen T17 of FIG. 5 to the original screen T11.
It corresponds to the flow of processing returned to.

On the other hand, if the present process (S70) is started while 6 characters "ABCDEF" are input as the text data, the print length of the text (equivalent to 6 characters) is determined. Since it becomes larger than the set value for long printing (equivalent to 4 characters) (S73: Yes), next, text display processing for moving the cursor to the first character of the constant length printing protruding portion of the text is performed (S74). That is, in the case of the above-mentioned 6 characters "ABCDEF", the cursor is moved to the position "E" which is the first character of the portion "EF" which is outside the fixed length (corresponding to 4 characters) and displayed (S74). ).

When the cursor movement display processing (S74) is completed, next, a character decoration is added to the fixed-length print protruding portion of the text display, that is, the portion of "EF".
After performing display processing for switching to reverse display, and performing display processing for warning that the set fixed-length printing cannot be performed as it is (S75: see screen T24 in FIG. 11D), this processing (S70) is performed. ) Is ended (S77). In this case, the process of adding the character decoration is similar to the process of the undetermined character described above on the screen T11 of FIG.
This is performed by arranging the inverted image data in the "EF" portion of the display image data in 2).

As described above, in the image creating apparatus of the tape printing apparatus 1, based on the designation of the area of the print image (output image) to be printed on the tape T (in the above case, the range of printing length), Characters that extend from the area are displayed with a character decoration (in the above case, it is displayed in reverse), so when the area of the output image is changed while (character) text data is input in advance. Also, as shown in FIG. 11D, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the changed area fits. Further, since the display range necessary for this determination is only near the boundary of the area, it can be applied even when the display screen is small as shown in FIG. That is, it can be applied to a device having a small display screen such as a tape printer without any problem.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, when there is a character protruding from the output image, a warning to that effect (for example, a warning of "fixed length printing impossible" in FIG. 11D) is issued.
Is displayed so that the user can be clearly notified,
As a result, the user can respond to corrections / edits, etc. faster. Further, in this case, since the cursor is displayed at the start position of the protruding character, that is, the start position (position of "E") of the character ("EF") whose layout needs to be corrected or deleted, the correction is made to the user. Can be encouraged.

The number of lines that can be printed differs depending on the type of tape mounted on the tape printer 1, particularly the difference in tape width. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention, as described above, can be printed in the length direction. Not only range specification but also range specification in the width direction can be dealt with in the same manner. That is, for example, when three lines of text data have already been input and a tape T having a width capable of printing only up to two lines (for example, 6 mm width) is loaded, as described above with reference to FIG.
The tape type detection switch 43 detects the type,
If it is determined that only two lines can be printed, each character of the text data on the third and subsequent lines may be displayed with a character decoration. In this case, similarly to the restriction on the area in the length direction described above, it can be easily determined whether or not the input text data matches the changed area.

As the character decoration, in addition to the above-mentioned reverse display, a general character decoration such as an underline (see screen T25 in FIG. 11E), a cancellation line, a shaded area, or its area (for example, A ruled line or the like may be added to a boundary character (“E”) having a set length equivalent to four characters (FIG. 11).
(See screen T26 of (f)). These character decorations are CG
-When there is corresponding font data (decorated characters) in the ROM, the font data is expanded as display image data, and when there is no corresponding font data, for example, image data for ruled lines and image data for characters are superposed. It can be given by being created by superimposing processing and arranged on the display image data.

Next, regarding the processing when the text of the character is input after the fixed-length print value is set (for example, equivalent to 4 characters) by the above-described fixed-length print setting processing of FIG. , And will be described below with reference to FIGS.

For example, when the fourth character "D" is keyed in at the cursor position after the three characters "ABC", it is determined that there is a key input as described above with reference to FIG. 4 (S3: Yes),
It is determined that the key is not a function key (S4: No), and (character) text input processing is performed (S5).

When this text input process (S5) is started, as shown in FIG. 9, first, as in the case of inputting "NO" on the screen T11 in FIG. The display processing for confirming is performed by (S5
1). Here, if the fixed length printing is not set, it is determined that it is not set by the determination processing (S52) of whether or not the next fixed length printing is set (S52).
52: No), this process (S5) is ended (S56).
Therefore, similarly to the case described above in FIG. 5, when the display screen processing (S2) of FIG. 4 is performed again, the display (T21) shown in FIG. 11A is obtained.

However, since the fixed length printing is set here (S52: Yes), the print length of the text is calculated next (S53: the same process as S72 of FIG. 8), and then
It is determined whether the print length of the text is larger than the set value for the fixed length print (S54: S73). Here, since the print length of the text is equivalent to 4 characters, the print length of the text becomes equal to or less than the set value (corresponding to 4 characters) of the fixed length printing (S54:
No), this processing (S5) is ended (S77). Therefore, also in this case, when the display screen processing (S2) is performed, the display (T21) shown in FIG. 11A is obtained.

When the text input screen is in the state (T21) of FIG. 11 (a) and next, for example, the fifth character "E" is input, the same as when the fourth character "D" is input. Then, the text confirmation display process (S51) is performed, it is determined that the fixed-length printing is set (S52: Yes), the print length of the text is calculated (S53), and then the print length of the text is fixed-length printed. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the set value of (S54).

In this case, the print length of the text is equivalent to 5 characters, and the print length of the text (corresponding to 5 characters) is larger than the set value for constant length printing (corresponding to 4 characters) (S54:
Yes), next, a character decoration is added to the fixed-length print protruding portion of the text display, that is, the portion of “E”, for example, display processing is performed to switch to reverse display, and the set fixed-length print is performed as it is. After the display processing for warning that it is impossible is performed (S55), this processing (S5) is terminated (S56), and the display (T22) shown in FIG. 11B is obtained.

In the state (T21) of FIG. 11 (b), next, for example, when the sixth character "F" is input, similarly,
The text confirmation display process (S51) is performed, it is determined that the fixed length printing is set (S52: Yes), the print length of the text is calculated (S53), and the print length of the text (6
It is determined that the (character equivalent) is larger than the set value (equivalent to 4 characters) for constant length printing (S54: Yes). Next, as the constant length print protruding portion of the text display, the character decoration is also applied to the "F" portion. Is added (S55), the present process (S5) is ended (S56), and the display (T23) shown in FIG.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus in the tape printer 1, the character protruding from the area is displayed with the character decoration based on the designation of the area of the output image, so that it is displayed on the display screen. While inputting a desired character, it is possible to easily judge whether or not the character is within a predetermined area. That is, in addition to the advantages described above with reference to FIG. 8, in this image creating apparatus, even if the display screen is small as shown in FIG. 11, a character that is a constituent element of the output image is input on the same display screen. Then, the specified area of the output image can be confirmed, whereby the editing work of the output image can be appropriately performed.

Specifically, for example, when the number of characters in one line exceeds the number within the specified range (that is, 6 characters "ABC
You can make corrections and edits immediately on the screen, such as inserting a line feed character (after "D") when "DEF" is entered), which allows easy and appropriate editing. You can proceed with the work. As aforementioned,
Even while checking the area of the output image,
It goes without saying that the output image can be edited (for example, omitting extra line breaks).

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a description will be given of the process when the print process is performed when the fixed length print value is set (for example, equivalent to 4 characters). .

For example, the text input screen is shown in FIG.
In the state (T21), when the print key 29 is pressed, it is determined that the key input is present (S3: Yes), the function key is determined (S4: Yes), and the format key is pressed as described above with reference to FIG. It is determined that it is not 31 (S6: No), and the print key 2
After determining 9 (S8: Yes), print image data is created based on the display image data in the display image data memory 62 (S9), and print processing is performed based on the print image data. After that (S10), the state of waiting for the next key input is displayed again (S2).

If the fixed length print value is not set and the printing process (S10) starts, first, as shown in FIG. 10, a display process during printing preparation is performed (S10).
1) Next, the print length of the text is calculated (S102: same as S72 of FIG. 8 and S53 of FIG. 9), it is determined that the fixed length printing is not set (S103: No), and the printing is performed. After performing (S109), the screen is returned to the original display screen, that is, the display of FIG. 11 (a) (S111), and the printing process (S10) ends (S112).

On the other hand, when the fixed length print value is set (for example, equivalent to 4 characters), the print length of text (corresponding to 4 characters) is calculated (S102), and then the print length of text is determined. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the set value for long print (S
104: S74, S54). The state of FIG. 11A (T2
In 1), the print length of the text (corresponding to 4 characters) is less than or equal to the set value for constant-length printing (corresponding to 4 characters) (S104: No).
Therefore, next, after the fixed length printing is performed (S110), the original display of FIG. 11A is returned (S111), and the printing process (S
10) is ended (S112).

As shown in FIG. 11, when the text input screen is displayed, even if there is a character that extends beyond the area of the output image, it will be noticed by the character decoration. Although it is considered that there are few cases where it is executed, there are rare cases where it is desired to perform trial printing as it is. Further, as described above, in the tape printer 1, regardless of the display state at that time, printing can be performed by pressing the print key 29. Therefore, for example, a text input screen such as screens T12 to T17 in FIG. There is a case where the print key 29 is pressed without noticing that there is a character that protrudes from the area of the output image in a state where other than is displayed. That is, for example, it is possible that the print key 29 is pressed while the text input screen is in the state shown in FIGS.

Therefore, in the following, in the case where the text input screen is the state (T23) of FIG. 11C (the currently displayed screen is another display screen, and the text input screen as the back screen is the screen T23). The case where the print key 29 is pressed will be described. In this state, when the print key 29 is pressed to start the print process (S10),
Since the print length of the text (corresponding to 6 characters) becomes larger than the set value for constant-length printing (corresponding to 4 characters) (S104: Yes), a warning and forced line selection message for printing are displayed (S105). In this process, regardless of the display screen when the print key is pressed, a warning display, that is, a warning display indicating that "fixed length printing is impossible" is displayed, and printing is performed in that state, for example, in the trial printing described above. A selection branch as to whether or not to enforce is displayed (S105).

Here, for example, as described above, when the print key 29 is pressed without noticing that there is a character that protrudes from the area of the output image, the cancel key 22 is pressed. Next, it is determined that the printing is not forced (S106: No), and the cursor movement display process (S107: S in FIG. 8) is performed as in the case described above with reference to FIG.
After the same processing as 74), character decoration is added to the fixed-length print protrusion (S108: S75 of FIG. 8 and S5 of FIG. 9).
(Same process as 5), and the process ends (S112). In this case, regardless of the original screen display, the text input screen, that is, the display (T24) shown in FIG. 11D is displayed, and the user can be prompted to make a correction depending on the position of the cursor.

On the other hand, when the user wants to print, knowing that there is a character that extends beyond the area of the output image, as in the above-described test printing, the print key 29 is pressed again or the character is used to confirm the process. By depressing the select key 30 that is selected, it is determined that the printing is forced (S106: Yes).
s), normal printing other than fixed length printing is executed (S10).
9), display processing for returning to the original screen was performed (S111).
After that, the process ends (S112).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the tape printing apparatus 1, it is possible to select whether or not the printing is forcibly performed (the output of the output image is forcibly performed). Therefore, even if the print key 29 is instructed to print (output), After the warning, unless the print key 29 is input again (forced output instruction), the print instruction (output instruction) is canceled, and the start position of the protruding character, that is, the character whose layout needs to be corrected or deleted. Since the cursor is moved to and displayed at the beginning position, the user can be prompted to make corrections. On the other hand, if the user instructs the forced printing (forced output) by inputting the print key 29 again,
You can force printing (force output of output image).

If there is no need for a forced printing operation such as the above-described trial printing, when there is a protruding character, the print instruction (output instruction) is simply canceled and the head of the protruding character is canceled. The cursor may be moved to the position to display the text input screen and prompt the user for correction. Also, forced printing (forced output)
In the above case as well, in FIG. 10 described above, the normal printing (S109) that is not the fixed-length printing is executed, but the fixed-length printing (S110) is executed as in the process flow indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The possible range, that is, the area of the output image may be confirmed by trial printing. In addition, FIG.
In the above, the print key 29 or the like and the cancel key 22 are used for the selection instruction (S106) of the forced printing (forced output), but Yes / No of the forced output is selected similarly to the fixed length print setting screen of FIG. May be displayed on the screen and selected.

In addition, the detailed configuration can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0067]

As described above, according to the image creating apparatus of the present invention, even when the display screen is small, the input of the character that is the constituent element of the output image and the designation of the character are specified on the same display screen. It is possible to confirm the area of the output image, which allows the output image to be edited properly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape printer of FIG. 1 with a lid open.

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic process of overall control of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image of a display screen of a liquid crystal display of a process related to the fixed length print setting process of FIG. 8 among the format selection / designation processes of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of selection branches of fixed length print setting.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a read-back table of fixed-length set values for each selection branch in the second layer in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a fixed length print setting process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a text input process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of print processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a simplified image of a display screen when fixed length printing is set.

[Explanation of symbols] 2 Keyboard (character input means, area designation means) 9 Liquid crystal display (display means, area designation means) 80 Control circuit (control means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-78131 (JP, A) JP-A-6-143694 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/42 B41J 3/36 B41J 21/00 G06F 3/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image creating apparatus for creating an output image composed of a plurality of characters while editing it on a display screen, for arranging and editing a character input means for inputting a character Of the edited image, display means for displaying on the display screen, area designating means for designating a region of the output image on the edited image, controlling the display means, and based on the designation of the area, A control unit for displaying a character protruding from the output image on the edited image with a predetermined character decoration , wherein the control unit controls the area designating unit to display the area.
Immediately beyond the specified area
When there is a character that
An image creation device characterized in that the cursor is moved to the beginning position of the cursor and displayed . 2. An output instruction for instructing output of the output image
The control means further comprises means for receiving the output when the output is instructed.
If there is a character that is outputting,
2. The image creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is created by canceling and moving the cursor to the beginning position of the protruding character to display it. 3. An output image composed of a plurality of characters
To an image creation device that creates while editing on the display screen
Oite, and character input means for inputting a character, editing images for editing by arranging the input character
Display means for displaying an image on the display screen, and an area finger for specifying an area of the output image on the edited image.
The control means and the display means, and based on the designation of the area,
Characters protruding from the output image on the edited image
Control means for displaying a character with a predetermined character decoration
When an output instruction means for instructing the output of the output image, wherein the control means, when the output is instructed, when there is a character that the protruding, to cancel the instruction of the output, it characterized in that to display by moving the cursor to the beginning position of the character that the protruding
Images creating apparatus. 4. Before Symbol further comprising a steerable forced selection instruction manual stage to select whether to force an output, wherein, when it does not force a pre SL output is instructed, the and performing the movement of the cancellation and the car <br/> Sol instructions output, according to claim 2 or 3
The image creating apparatus described in 1. 5. The control means causes the predetermined character decoration to be added and displayed, and at the same time displays a warning indicating that there is the protruding character on the display screen. Item 5. The image creating apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.