JP3592125B2 - Character information display - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character information display device having a function capable of simultaneously displaying, on a same screen, a display of an input character string and a cursor consisting of one or more lines and a display of a print image of the character string. For example, the present invention can be applied to a tape printing device and a seal making device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The tape printing apparatus is an apparatus that prints an arbitrary character string (concept including symbols, pictograms, and the like) on a tape surface and can easily create a user's original label. A variety of uses can be considered for the created label. For this reason, current tape printers are designed to be able to print a plurality of lines of input character strings on a tape surface so as to be adaptable to various uses.
[0003]
In addition, this type of tape printer has an input screen (in the case where the number of characters or lines exceeds the display capacity of the display screen, a cursor near the cursor) in order to respond to the desire to input a character string while checking the completed state of the label. Is displayed.) And a print image of the entire label created from the already determined character string (in general, a reduced image is displayed because the entire label image is displayed in a limited area). ) Is provided on the same screen at the same time. Hereinafter, this function is referred to as a “mi-mi-e” function.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the conventional tape printer, the range of movement of the cursor during character string input is limited to a specific area (usually two lines), and that area has priority over the number of lines allocated to the "miamie" function. It is set to make it. For example, if the number of lines that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display mounted on the tape printer is four, the maximum number of lines that can be assigned to the “miamie” function is two, and the remaining two lines move the cursor. For the convenience of the assignment, these two lines are set so that they cannot be used as the "miamie" function.
[0005]
However, although it is possible to input a character string with only one line, it is not optimal from the viewpoint of effective use of the display area to always limit the assignment of the display area to the “miamie” function. .
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to propose a character information display device capable of realizing more effective use of a display area and improving visibility at the time of inputting character information.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the first invention isDisplay means for displaying at most X (X is a natural number of 3 or more) lines of the input character string,The display of the input character string and the cursor consisting of one or more lines and the display of the print image of the character string are performed on the same screen.Divided into two areas verticallyA character information display device capable of displaying simultaneously includes the following means.
[0008]
That is, (1) display a character string and a cursor, Make the area of at least one line of character strings the minimum areaCharacter string display areaWhen,Print image display area for displaying the print image of the character stringAnd in rowsDisplay area storage means for storing, (2)In response to an instruction to change the combination of the number of displayed rows,Character string display area and print image display areaNumber of rowsDisplay area changing means for interlocking and changing the display area, (3) cursor display position detecting means for detecting the display position of the cursor displayed in the character string display area, and (4) print image display by the display area changing means AreaIncrease or decrease the number of rowsIs instructed, while changing the storage contents of the display area storage means in accordance with the instruction,Increase or decreasePrint image display area afterNumber of rows(5) a print image updating means for updating the display of the print image according toWhen the display area changing means instructs to increase the number of lines in the print image display area,When the pre-update cursor display position detected by the cursor display position detection unit is included in the updated print image display area, a character string is displayed so that the cursor is displayed outside the post-change print image display area. Update displayThen, when the display area changing unit instructs to reduce the number of lines in the print image display area, the display of the character string is updated so that the display position of the line where the cursor is located is moved upward for each cursor.And character string display updating means.
[0009]
In the second invention, the display of the input character string and the cursor including one or more lines and the display of the print image of the character string are performed on the same screen.Divided into two areas verticallyA character information display device capable of displaying simultaneously includes the following means.
[0010]
That is, (1) A display area storage unit for storing a character string display area for displaying a character string and a cursor, a character string display area in which a minimum area is determined, and a print image display area for displaying a print image of the character string in units of lines; (2) Display area changing means for changing a character string display area and a print image display area in conjunction with each other in response to a change instruction operation of a combination of display line numbers; (3) Menu input instructing means for instructing input of a character string using a menu screen set in the same vertical direction as the display side of the character string and the cursor, (Four) When the menu input is instructed by the menu input instructing unit while the print image is displayed on the screen, a part of the print image display area that currently displays the print image and the area that displays the menu screen are displayed. Determining means for determining whether or not they overlap; (Five) When the determination unit determines that a part of the current print image display area and the area for displaying the menu screen overlap, a menu display that prioritizes the display of the menu screen for the part of the overlapped print image display area And control means.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the character information display device according to the present invention is applied to a tape printer will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
(A) Overall electrical configuration of the embodiment
First, the overall electrical configuration of the tape printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG.
[0013]
In the case of this tape printing apparatus, as in the case of other information processing apparatuses, the tape printing apparatus mainly includes an input unit 10, a control unit 20, and an output unit 30. Then, the control unit 20 executes a process corresponding to the information provided from the input unit 10 and the processing stage at that time, and causes the output unit 30 to display or print out the processing result. .
[0014]
Although a detailed configuration is omitted, the input unit 10 includes a key input unit 11 having a press key and the like, and a tape width detection sensor 12. The key input unit 11 is used to generate character code data to be given to the control unit 20 and various control data. The tape width detection sensor 12 detects the width of the loaded tape and supplies tape width information to the control unit 20. In practice, the tape is housed in a tape cartridge together with the ink ribbon, and the tape cartridge is provided with a physical identification element such as a hole for defining the tape width. Reads elements and outputs tape width information. Information on the detected tape width is used for determining the character size of each line. In the case of this embodiment, the key input section 11 is provided with a "miamie" key 11a used for activating the "miamie" function and changing the number of lines for performing the "miamie" display.
[0015]
The output unit 30 mainly includes a print configuration and a display configuration. For example, the tape / ribbon feed motor 31, which is a stepping motor, feeds a loaded tape or ink ribbon (not shown) to a predetermined printing position or outside the apparatus. The thermal head 32 is fixed and prints on a running tape by thermal transfer. For example, a maximum of 192 dots can be printed simultaneously. Note that the thermal head 32 may be of a movable type, or may be a printing method other than thermal transfer. The tape / ribbon feed motor 31 and the thermal head 32 are driven by a motor drive circuit 33 and a head drive circuit 34 under the control of the control unit 20, respectively. Cutting of the printed tape is performed by, for example, an external force from a user or a cutter (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown).
[0016]
In the case of the tape printing apparatus according to this embodiment, a liquid crystal display 35 is used for the display unit. The liquid crystal display 35 is driven by a display drive circuit 36 under the control of the control unit 20. The display area of the liquid crystal display 35 includes a text display area 35a, an indicator display area 35b, and a line number display area 35c, as shown in FIG.
[0017]
The text display area 35a is used for displaying an input character string, for displaying a menu screen at the time of selecting and inputting (at the time of kana-kanji conversion, at the time of code input, at the time of symbol input), and for displaying a print image at the time of the "miamie" function. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a text display area 35a having 12 characters × 4 lines is used. The indicator display area 35b is used to indicate a state of an attribute represented by a character string described on the device main body around the liquid crystal display 35. The line number display area 35c is used to indicate the number of the line of the input character string, which is actually the character string displayed in the text display area.
[0018]
The control unit 20 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, and is configured by connecting a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a character generator ROM (CG-ROM) 24, an input interface unit 25, and an output interface unit 26 via a system bus 27. Have been.
[0019]
The ROM 22 stores various processing programs, fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data and paragraph style data stored in the device. The ROM 22 stores a print image display switching program 22a as a processing program unique to the present embodiment. The RAM 23 is a memory used as a working area and for storing fixed data relating to user input. The RAM 23 is backed up so that its stored contents are not erased even when the power is turned off. In FIG. 3, the memory is described as the RAM 23, but a part thereof may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.
[0020]
The CG-ROM 24 stores font information of characters and symbols prepared in the tape printer, and outputs corresponding font information when code data for specifying the characters and symbols is given. It is. Here, the font information stored in the CG-ROM 24 may be an outline font or a bitmap font. Further, it may have different font information for display and for printing.
[0021]
The input interface 25 performs an interface between the input unit 10 and the control unit 20, and the output interface unit 26 performs an interface between the output unit 30 and the control unit 20.
[0022]
The CPU 21 uses a processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to an input signal from the input unit 10 and a processing stage at that time, while using the RAM 23 as a working area, and also stores a fixed program stored in the ROM 22 or the RAM 23 if necessary. The processing is performed by appropriately using the data, and the processing status, the processing result, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 or printed on a tape (not shown).
[0023]
(B) "Mie Mie" function
As described above, an object of the present invention is to further effectively use the text display area 35a at the time of the “miamie” function. More specifically, all areas other than one line, which is the minimum required for inputting an input character string, can be used for displaying a print image based on the “miamie” function. The display is realized by a print image display switching program 22a to be described later. Prior to the description, a display mode example realized by the program will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying how the text display area 35a is used during the “miamie” function. FIG. 5A shows a case where all display lines are used for displaying a character string and a cursor, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the first line is used for displaying a print image, and the second to fourth lines are used for displaying a character string and a cursor. FIG. 5C shows a case where the first and second lines are used for displaying a print image, and the third and fourth lines are used for displaying a character string and a cursor. 5 (D) shows the case where the first to third lines are used for displaying a print image, and the fourth line is used for displaying a character string and a cursor. As described above, according to the present invention, the display as shown in FIG.
[0025]
Hereinafter, an area where a character string and a cursor are displayed is referred to as a “character string display area”, and an area where a print image is displayed is referred to as a “print image area”. Further, in the following description, the case where the area allocated to the print image is 0 lines is referred to as G0 display, the case of 1 line is referred to as G1 display, the case of 2 lines is referred to as G2 display, and the case of 3 lines is referred to as G3 display.
[0026]
In addition, it is assumed that these four display modes are set so as to be cyclically switched as shown in FIG. 6 in conjunction with the depression of the “miamie” key 11a. In other words, it is assumed that the number of lines assigned to the print image is set to be switched in a cyclic manner from 0 line → 1 line → 2 lines → 3 lines → 0 lines each time the “miamie” key 11a is pressed.
[0027]
(C) First Embodiment of Print Image Display Switching Program 22a
1 and 2 show an outline of a processing procedure executed by the print image display switching program 22a according to the first embodiment.
[0028]
In the case of the present embodiment, the following terms appearing in the processing program are used in the meaning shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, “cursor position line n” is used to indicate the position of a currently inputtable line specified by the cursor among all input lines input by the user. The “cursor position row n” takes a natural number equal to or less than a value L (eight rows in FIG. 7A) representing the number of all input rows.
[0029]
The “cursor display row K” is used to indicate where the cursor is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 as shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in the figure, “cursor display row K” takes a natural number equal to or smaller than the maximum display row (four rows in FIG. 7B). Therefore, in the display examples of FIGS. 7A and 7B, n = 4, L = 8, and K = 3.
[0030]
Further, in the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the moving range of the cursor during the input of the character string is limited to the third and fourth lines of the text display area 35a.
[0031]
Returning to the description of the print image display switching program 22a in FIG. 1 and FIG. The program 22a is executed immediately after the power is turned on or at the time of normal character input.
[0032]
The CPU 21 executing the program 22a first reads from the RAM 23 the value of a parameter (hereinafter, referred to as a "line number parameter") i that gives the number of lines for displaying a print image in a first step S1. Although the initial value of the row number parameter i is 0, the final state of the previous execution is read from the RAM 23 after the "miamie" function is executed even once. Here, the description will be made assuming that the “miamie” function is executed for the first time (ie, i = 0). In this case, the display screen at the time of character input is as shown in FIG.
[0033]
Next, in step S2, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has instructed the execution of the “miamie” function (specifically, has pressed the “miamie” key 11a).
[0034]
If the execution of the “miamie” function has not been instructed (if a negative result has been obtained), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2 to determine whether menu input has been instructed (specifically, kana-kanji conversion has been instructed). , Code input, symbol input, etc.).
[0035]
Here, if the instruction has not been confirmed, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result and returns to step S2 to repeat the above determination. If a character string is input during this time, the input and confirmed character string is sequentially displayed on the text display area 35a. Display examples are shown in FIGS. In addition, if neither the execution of the “miamie” function nor the instruction of the menu input is performed once during the determination, the input mode is ended through a determination step (not shown), and the mode proceeds to the print mode or another mode. become.
[0036]
Hereinafter, the description will be continued on the assumption that execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed at any point during the input of the character string. In this case, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S2 and proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the CPU 21 stores the current character string display area and the print image display area, and fetches the cursor display line K at the same time. Thereafter, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S4, and determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 3.
[0037]
However, in this case, the line number parameter i is determined to be 0 (that is, it is determined to be G0 display), as described above, since it is assumed that the “miamie” key 11a is pressed first, and the CPU 21 determines that the result is negative. And proceeds to step S5. This processing is the same when the row number parameter i is 1 or 2 (that is, when G1 display or G2 display).
[0038]
The CPU 21 that has proceeded to step S5 adds 1 to the number-of-lines parameter i, and executes a process of updating the number-of-lines parameter i in response to the pressing of the “miamie” key 11a. Then, after this update, in step S6, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the updated row number parameter i is 3 (ie, whether or not to display G3).
[0039]
Here, since it is assumed that the row number parameter i has been updated to 1, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result and proceeds to step S7. This determination is the same when the updated row number parameter i is 2.
[0040]
When the process proceeds to step S7, the CPU 21 deletes the character string displayed on the first line, if any (if there is no character string), and displays the character string on the second line and thereafter as it is. After that, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S8 and displays the changed content in G1.
[0041]
Note that changes in the display screen in this case are shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A shows a case in which the total number of input lines L is 2 and the "miamie" key 11a is pressed while the cursor is displayed on the fourth row (K = 4) of the G0 display screen. FIG. 9B shows an example of a display screen. FIG. 9B shows a state in which the total number of input lines L is 4 and the cursor is displayed on the third line (K = 3) of the G0 display screen, and the “miamie” key 11a is displayed. 6 is an example of a display screen when is pressed. In any case, only the first line of the cursor display line K is deleted by the processing based on step S7.
[0042]
When the G1 display is performed, the CPU 21 returns to step S2 again, determines whether or not the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed again, and if a negative result is obtained, the menu input in step S18 is performed. It is determined whether or not an instruction has been issued. Of course, when any character is input or edited, the content of the screen display is also changed. Here, it is assumed that execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed.
[0043]
This corresponds to the case where the display is switched from the G1 display to the G2 display. Also in this case, the CPU 21 obtains an affirmative result in step S2 and proceeds to step S3, as in the case of switching from G0 display to G1 display, and thereafter stores the character string display area and the print image display area, and displays the cursor display line K. Perform capture. Further, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result in step S4 and proceeds to step S5, changes the number-of-rows parameter i from 1 to 2, obtains a negative result in the determination processing in step S6, and proceeds to step S7. However, this time, if there is a character string displayed up to the second line, it is deleted (if there is no character string), the character string existing in the third and subsequent lines is displayed in G2 as it is.
[0044]
Note that changes in the display screen in this case are shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D. FIG. 9C shows a case where the total number of input lines L is 2 and the “miamie” key 11a is pressed while the cursor is displayed on the fourth row (K = 4) of the G1 display screen. FIG. 9D shows an example of a display screen. FIG. 9D shows a state in which the total number of input lines L is 3 and the cursor is displayed on the third line (K = 3) of the G1 display screen, and the “miamie” key 11a is displayed. 6 is an example of a display screen when is pressed. In any case, the character string corresponding to the first and second lines is deleted by the processing based on step S7 while keeping the cursor display line K as it is.
[0045]
Also in this case, when the G2 display is executed, the CPU 21 returns to step S2 again, determines whether or not the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed again, and if a negative result is obtained, the CPU 21 returns to step S18. It is determined whether an instruction for menu input has been issued. It goes without saying that, when any character is input or edited, the contents of the screen display are also changed. Here, it is also assumed that the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed.
[0046]
This corresponds to the case where the display is switched from G2 display to G3 display. Also in this case, the processing up to step S5 operates in the same manner as in the case described above. However, since the line number parameter i is changed from 2 to 3 this time, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in the determination processing of step S6 and proceeds to step S9, where the cursor display line K at the time of displaying G2 is displayed. It is determined whether it is the third line. Note that the cursor display row K takes either K = 3 or 4.
[0047]
Here, when it is determined that the cursor display row K at the time of displaying G2 is 3 (when an affirmative result is obtained), the CPU 21 switches to the G3 display and the cursor display row is not displayed as it is. In step S10, the display position is shifted down by one line so that the character line including the character specified by the cursor is displayed in the fourth line of the text display area 35a, and the display position is corrected. After that, the process shifts to step S11 to display G3. FIG. 9E shows a display screen example in this case.
[0048]
On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S9 that the cursor display line K at the time of displaying G2 is 4 (a negative result is obtained), the cursor display line is displayed even if the display is switched to G3. Since there is no possibility of interference with the print image, the CPU 21 corrects the character string displayed up to the third line of the text display area 35a in step S12, and then proceeds to step S13 to change the G3 display. Do. FIG. 9F shows an example of a display screen in this case.
[0049]
In any case, when the G3 display is executed, the CPU 21 returns to step S2 again, determines again whether execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed, and, if a negative result is obtained, returns to step S18. Is used to determine whether a menu input instruction has been issued. Then, it is assumed that execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed again.
[0050]
This is a case where the display is switched from G3 display to G0 display. In this case, since the number-of-lines parameter i before switching is 3, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S4, proceeds to step S14, and sets the number-of-lines parameter i to 0. Thereafter, the CPU 21 fetches the cursor position line n in step S15, corrects the display position so that the display position of the cursor position line n matches the third line of the text display area 35a in step S16, and corrects the cursor position. The display of the rows other than the row n is also corrected accordingly. Then, G0 is displayed in step S17 (FIG. 9 (G)).
[0051]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 returning to the G0 display executes any one of the above-described processes each time the “miamie” key 11a is pressed, and displays the entire label image together with the input content as the number of lines assigned to the print image. Display at the scale corresponding to.
[0052]
Next, when the menu input is instructed instead of the “miemie” function during the character string input (specifically, when kana-kanji conversion is instructed, when code input is instructed, or when symbol input is instructed) Will be described. In this case, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S18 of FIG. 2, and proceeds to the processing of step S19.
[0053]
Here, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 0 (that is, whether or not the current display is the G0 display).
[0054]
If the display is the G0 display, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S21 to delete the currently displayed character string on the third and fourth lines of the text display area 35a from the screen (if there is no character string). Then, the menu screen is displayed on the third and fourth lines. FIGS. 10A and 10B show display examples. These are all examples of screens when a symbol input is instructed while a character string is being input.
[0055]
If the display is G1 display or G2 display, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result in step S19 and proceeds to step S20, and further determines whether or not the line number parameter i is 3 (that is, whether or not the current display is G3 display). J) is determined. Of course, in this case, G1 display or G2 display is performed. In this case, a negative result is obtained and the process proceeds to step S22, and the graphic display based on the “miamie” function is not changed, and the third and fourth lines of the text display area 35a are displayed. Display the menu screen. If there is a character string currently displayed on the third and fourth lines of the text display area 35a, it goes without saying that this is deleted from the screen. FIG. 10C and FIG. 11D are display examples. FIG. 10C is an example of a screen when Kana-Kanji conversion is instructed, and FIG. 11D is an example of a screen when a symbol input is instructed.
[0056]
On the other hand, in the case of the G3 display, the CPU 21 obtains an affirmative result in step S20 and proceeds to the process in step S23, and corresponds to the third line of the print image displayed using the three lines of the text display area 35a. The display of the print image is erased only for the portion to be printed. As a result, on the first and second lines of the text display area 35a, an image having contents obtained by deleting a part of the image at the time of displaying G3 is displayed. In this state, the CPU 21 displays the menu screen on the third and fourth lines of the text display area 35a. FIG. 11E shows an example of the display.
[0057]
In the case of FIG. 11E, the display of the character string of the line number "2" is partially missing. However, when the menu screen is displayed, it is not always necessary to accurately grasp the entire print image. After the selection on the menu screen is confirmed, the display returns to the original G3 display again. Therefore, even if a part of the G3 display is lost due to the display of the menu screen, no trouble occurs. Rather, the existence of this function that prioritizes menu screen display over print image display enables effective use of the display area, and allows menu input without any problem regardless of the state in which the print image is displayed. Therefore, the usability of the user can be improved.
[0058]
(D) Effects of the first embodiment
As described above, the following effects can be obtained by installing the print image display switching program 22a according to the first embodiment in the tape printing apparatus.
[0059]
That is, according to the present embodiment, when the "miamie" key 11a is operated while the print image based on the "miamie" function is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 capable of displaying four lines in G2, the liquid crystal display 35 is displayed. Of the display area is released on the condition that the fourth line is reserved for displaying the input character string (for moving the cursor) and the G3 display is enabled by canceling the priority setting for the “miamie” function in the display area. The completed image of the label, which could only be confirmed using the line area, can be confirmed using the three line area, and the visibility of the user can be further improved together with the effective use of the display area.
[0060]
In connection with this function, in the present embodiment, when switching the display based on the “miamie” function from the G2 display to the G3 display, the cursor display line is moved from the third line to the fourth line of the liquid crystal display 35. (Ie, by moving the contents of the character string displayed on the third line before the switching to the fourth line), the cursor position line is displayed on the screen according to the switching. It is possible to avoid the possibility of disappearance, and the user can immediately continue inputting the character string immediately after switching without scrolling the screen so that the cursor position line is displayed on the screen.
[0061]
Further, in the present embodiment, the function of prioritizing the menu screen display over the print image display is provided, so that the display area can be effectively used and the usability of the user can be improved.
[0062]
(E) Second embodiment of print image display switching program 22a
FIG. 12 and FIG. 2 show a processing procedure executed in the second embodiment of the print image display switching program 22a. FIG. 12 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 1, and the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the processing contents shown in FIG. That is, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of using the display area when executing the “miamie” function.
[0063]
Note that the processing contents at the time of menu input shown in FIG. 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted below. Further, the following terms appearing in the processing program of FIG. 12 are also used in the meaning shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the first embodiment.
[0064]
However, in the case of the present embodiment, there is no limitation on the moving range of the cursor during the input of the character string, and the cursor can be moved to the first and second lines of the text display area 35a.
[0065]
The program 22a is also started immediately after power-on or in a normal character input state. The CPU 21 executing the program 22a first reads from the RAM 23 the value of the line number parameter i that gives the number of lines for displaying the print image in the first step S31. Here, the description will be made assuming that the “miamie” function is executed for the first time (that is, i = 0).
[0066]
Next, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S32, and determines whether the user has instructed execution of the “miamie” function. Then, when execution of the “miamie” function is not instructed (when a negative result is obtained), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment, and determines whether a menu input is instructed. Determine whether or not. Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Of course, when a character string is input, the input and confirmed character string is sequentially displayed on the text display area 35a.
[0067]
When the execution of the “miamie” function is instructed, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S32 and proceeds to step S33 to store the character string display area and the print image display area at the present time. Thereafter, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S34, and determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 3. Again, as described above, it is assumed that the "miamie" key 11a is pressed first. Therefore, the row number parameter i is 0 (that is, G0 display). Therefore, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result and proceeds to step S35. This processing is the same when the row number parameter i is 1 or 2 (that is, when G1 display or G2 display).
[0068]
When the CPU 21 proceeds to step S35, the CPU 21 first adds 1 to the number-of-lines parameter i, and executes a process of updating the number-of-lines parameter i in response to the pressing of the “view” key 11a. Next, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S36, and takes in the values of the total number of input lines L, the cursor display line K, and the cursor position line n of the character string input and confirmed so far. This does not fix the position of the cursor display line immediately after the switching of the number of lines allocated to the print image as in the first embodiment, but adapts the cursor display line according to the change in the number of lines allocated to the print image. This is in order to be able to move.
[0069]
When all values have been captured, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S37 to determine whether or not the cursor display row K matches the row number parameter i. This is to prevent the cursor display line K in which the cursor before the change is displayed from disappearing from the screen by increasing the number of lines allocated to the display of the print image.
[0070]
Here, since it is assumed that the row number parameter i has been updated to 1, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the cursor display row K is 1. Therefore, when the cursor display line K is 1, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result and proceeds to step S38, and corrects the display position of the character string so that the cursor display line is the (i + 1) th line. That is, in this case, the display positions of other lines are also updated so that the cursor display line K is the second line. Then, the CPU 21 displays the content after the correction in G1 in step S39. FIG. 13B shows a change in the display screen in this case. As shown in the figure, the display position is corrected so that the character string of line number "1" moves from the first line to the second line on the screen, that is, the entire character string is shifted down by one line. .
[0071]
On the other hand, if the cursor display line K has a value of 2 or more, a negative result is obtained and the process proceeds to step S40, and the cursor display line K is left as it is until the i-th line (in this case, only the first line). Delete the displayed character string. If there is no displayed character string, the display is maintained as it is. Then, the CPU 21 displays the contents after the processing in G1 in step S41. FIG. 13A shows a change in the display screen in this case. FIG. 13A is an example of a display screen when the “miamie” key 11a is pressed while the total number of input lines L is 4 and the cursor is displayed on the second row of the G0 display screen. . As shown in the figure, there is no change in the cursor display line, and a print image is displayed instead of the character string displayed in the first line.
[0072]
When the G1 display is performed in this manner, the CPU 21 returns to step S32 again, and shifts to the determination process again to determine whether execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed. Of course, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2, but it is assumed here that the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed.
[0073]
This corresponds to the case where the display is switched from the G1 display to the G2 display. Also in this case, as in the case where the display is switched from G0 display to G1 display, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result in step S34, proceeds to step S35, and changes the row number parameter i from 1 to 2. Next, the CPU 21 fetches the values of the total input line number L, the cursor display line K, and the cursor position line n in step S36, and then determines in step S37 whether the cursor display line K matches the line number parameter i. Make a decision. However, this time, the row number parameter i is 2.
[0074]
Here, when the cursor display row K is 2 (in the case of a positive result), the CPU 21 executes the processing of steps S38 and S39, and when the cursor display row K is 3 or 4 (in the case of a negative result), in step S40. And the processing of S41. FIGS. 13C and 13D show display examples in each case.
[0075]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 returns to the determination processing of step S32, and determines whether or not there is any further depression of the “miamie” key 11a. When it is confirmed that the “view” key 11a has been pressed, a process is performed to switch the display of the print image from the G2 display to the G3 display. In the subsequent process, the value of the line number parameter i is “3”. The description is omitted because it is the same except for the following.
[0076]
Lastly, a case will be described in which the press of the “miamie” key 11a is confirmed while the print image is displayed in G3. That is, a case where the display is switched from the G3 display to the G0 display will be described. In this case, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S34, proceeds to step S42, and sets the row number parameter i to 0.
[0077]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 fetches the total number of input lines L and the cursor position line n in step S43, and determines whether or not the total number of input lines L is larger than 4 in next step S44. This is because, in the G0 display, if the total number of display lines L of the input character string is four or less, all the character strings can be displayed on the text display area 35a, and the input line including the character specified by the cursor can be displayed. Is always displayed somewhere on the screen.
[0078]
Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step S44, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S47 to correct the display position to display the input character string from the first line of the text display area 35a (the cursor position line). n is displayed so that n = K), and G0 display is executed in step S48. A display example in this case is shown in FIG.
[0079]
On the other hand, if the total number of input lines L of the input character string is larger than four, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result and proceeds to step S45, where the cursor position line n is displayed so as to be displayed on the first line of the text display area 35a. Correct the position. Thereafter, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S46, and displays the contents after correction on G0. FIG. 13E shows a display example in this case. FIG. 13E shows a case where the total number of input lines L is 5 and the character string of the line number “2” is displayed on the fourth line of the G3 display screen (n = 2). 5 is an example of a display screen when the “view” key 11a is pressed.
[0080]
(F) Effect of the second embodiment
As described above, when the print image display switching program 22a according to the second embodiment is installed in the tape printing apparatus, as in the first embodiment, three lines are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 capable of displaying four lines. Line images can be displayed, and not only can the display area be effectively used and visibility can be improved, but also the efficiency of menu input operations during print image display can be improved.
[0081]
Further, as a function unique to the present embodiment, the position of the cursor display line immediately after the switching of the number of lines allocated to the print image is not fixed, and the display position is adaptively changed according to the change in the number of lines allocated to the print image. By allowing movement, that is, when the number of allocated lines increases (when switching from G0 display to G1 display, switching from G1 display to G2 display, switching from G2 display to G3 display), the cursor display line is displayed. Is not moved or moved down by one line, and when the number of allocated lines decreases (when the display is switched from G3 display to G0 display), the cursor display line is not changed or moved upward, so that the cursor display line is moved. Can be matched with the direction of change in the number of lines assigned to the print image. It can be achieved with little display forms of discomfort.
[0082]
(G) Third Embodiment of Printed Image Display Switching Program 22a
FIGS. 14 and 2 show a processing procedure of the print image display switching program 22a executed in the third embodiment. Note that the processing contents at the time of menu input shown in FIG. 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0083]
The difference between this embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the number of display lines of the print image is reduced in conjunction with the pressing of the “miamie” key. In other words, the display screen is switched in the reverse direction from the above-described embodiment, such as G0 display → G3 display → G2 display → G1 display → G0 display, in conjunction with the pressing of the “miamie” key.
[0084]
Hereinafter, the contents of the print image display switching program 22a that realizes the print image display switching function will be described with reference to FIG. Note that terms appearing in the processing program are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. Also in the case of the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, there is no limitation on the moving range of the cursor during character string input, and the cursor can be moved to the first or second line of the text display area 35a. And
[0085]
Returning to the description of the print image display switching program 22a in FIG. 14 and FIG. The program 22a is also started immediately after power-on or in a normal character input state. The CPU 21 executing the program 22a first reads from the RAM 23 the value of the line number parameter i that gives the number of lines for displaying the print image in the first step S51. Here, the description will be made assuming that the “miamie” function is executed for the first time (that is, i = 0).
[0086]
Next, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S52, and determines whether the user has instructed execution of the “miamie” function. Then, when execution of the “miamie” function is not instructed (when a negative result is obtained), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment, and determines whether a menu input is instructed. Determine whether or not. Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Of course, when a character string is input, the input and confirmed character string is sequentially displayed on the text display area 35a.
[0087]
When the execution of the “miamie” function is instructed, the CPU 21 obtains an affirmative result in step S52 and proceeds to step S53 to store the current character string display area and print image display area, and change the cursor display line K to the current position. take in. Thereafter, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S54, and determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 1.
[0088]
Again, as described above, it is assumed that the "miamie" key 11a is pressed first. Therefore, the row number parameter i is 0 (that is, G0 display). Therefore, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result and proceeds to step S55, and further determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 0. Such a determination is made in the case of G3 display or G2 display in order to proceed to step S59 to perform a process of subtracting 1 from the number-of-rows parameter.
[0089]
As described above, since the execution instruction of the “miamie” function is the first execution instruction after the start of the current input mode, a positive result is obtained in the determination processing of step S55, and the CPU 21 proceeds to the processing of step S56. In the case of this embodiment, since the display after G0 is switching to G3 display, the CPU 21 sets the row number parameter i to 3. Next, in step S57, the CPU 21 deletes the character string up to the third line, corrects the display so that the cursor display line K becomes 4, and displays the contents in G3 in the next step S58. FIG. 15A shows a display example in such a case.
[0090]
When the G3 display is performed in this manner, the CPU 21 returns to step S52 again, and shifts to the process of determining whether execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed again. Of course, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2, but it is assumed here that the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed.
[0091]
This corresponds to the case where the display is switched from G3 display to G2 display. Also in this case, as in the case where the display is switched from G0 display to G3 display, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result in step S54, proceeds to step S55, and determines whether or not the row number parameter i is 0. However, since the current line number parameter i is 3, the CPU 21 obtains a negative result and proceeds to step S59 to change the line number parameter i to 2. Thereafter, the CPU 21 updates the contents of the character string so that the cursor displayed on the fourth line before the update is displayed on the line adjacent to the print image area after the update, that is, the third line (step S60). ), G2 display is performed with the contents. FIG. 15B shows a display example in this case.
[0092]
When the G2 display is performed in this manner, the CPU 21 returns to step S52 again, and shifts to the process of determining whether execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed again. Of course, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2, but it is assumed here that the execution of the “miamie” function has been instructed.
[0093]
This corresponds to the case where the display is switched from G2 display to G1 display. The processing of the CPU 21 in this case is the same as the case of switching from G3 display to G2 display. That is, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S59 in which a negative result is obtained in each of steps S54 and S55, and decreases the number-of-rows parameter i from 2 to 1. Thereafter, the CPU 21 executes steps S60 and S61, corrects the display contents so that the cursor display line K is displayed on the adjacent line of the print image, and displays the corrected contents on G1. FIGS. 15C and 15D show display examples in this case. Finally, a case will be described in which the press of the "miamie" key 11a is confirmed while the print image is displayed in G1. That is, a case where the display is switched from the G1 display to the G0 display will be described. In this case, the CPU 21 obtains a positive result in step S54, proceeds to step S62, and sets the row number parameter i to 0. Next, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S63, and corrects the display content so as to newly display the character string corresponding to the first line while the cursor display line K remains as it is. Then, in step S64, G0 display is performed. FIGS. 15E and 15F show display examples in this case.
[0094]
(H) Effects of the third embodiment
As described above, when the print image display switching program 22a according to the third embodiment is installed in the tape printing apparatus, as in the case of the first embodiment, three lines are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 capable of displaying four lines. Line images can be displayed, and not only can the display area be effectively used and visibility can be improved, but also the efficiency of menu input operations during print image display can be improved.
[0095]
Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to cope with not only the case where the display lines of the print image sequentially increase but also the case where the display lines of the print image decrease as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and provide various display forms to the user. it can.
[0096]
(I) Other embodiments
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the movement range of the cursor during the character string input is limited to the third and fourth lines is described. The number of lines is not limited to this.
[0097]
In the above-described first embodiment, the moving range of the cursor during the character string input is normally set to two lines. However, when a text display area 35a that can display five or more lines is used, three or more lines are displayed. The same applies to the case where the region is set in the movement range of the cursor. In this case, the setting is made such that the number of lines allocated to the cursor movement range is reduced by the number of lines allocated to the image display, provided that at least a display area for one line is secured for displaying the input screen.
[0098]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the display lines of the print image are regularly increased one by one in response to the pressing of the “MIMEIE” key (G0 display → G1 display → G2 display → G3). Labeling), but the increase rule is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the number of rows is increased once at a time such as G0 display → G2 display → G3 display.
[0099]
Similarly, in the third embodiment described above, the display lines of the print image are regularly reduced one by one in response to the pressing of the “MIMEIE” key (G3 display → G2 display → G1 display → G0). Statement), but the reduction rules are not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the number of rows is reduced once at a time, such as G3 display → G2 display → G0 display.
[0100]
In the third embodiment described above, the case where the movement range of the cursor is not limited has been described, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the movement range is limited as in the first embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the cursor display row K is limited to the third row and the fourth row.
[0101]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of lines allocated to the display of the print image is cyclically increased or decreased cyclically in response to the pressing of the “miamie” key has been described. Has been described, the direction in which the number of lines used for displaying the print image is increased or decreased may be designated each time. For example, the first embodiment or the second embodiment may be applied when the change direction is increasing, and the third embodiment may be applied when the change direction is decreasing.
[0102]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the tape printer is described. However, other characters having the same display function as the tape printer (a graphic display function during character string input and a menu screen display function) are provided. The present invention can be applied to an information display device (for example, a seal making device).
[0103]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the character information display device of the present invention, even when the print image display area after update includes the cursor display position before update in the print image display area after update, the character string The display of is updated so that the cursor is displayed outside the changed print image display area, so that the cursor display does not disappear from the screen even if the display area is changed. Improvement can be realized.
[0104]
According to the character information display device of the present invention, when an instruction to increase the character string display area is issued, the display of the character string is updated according to the updated display area, and the character string is displayed. Since the print image is displayed in the area outside the updated character string display area, the use efficiency of the display area when the display area is changed can be further improved.
[0105]
Further, according to the character information display device of the present invention, a menu input is instructed in a state where the print image is displayed on the screen, and a part of the current print image display area overlaps with the area for displaying the menu screen. Even in the event that a part of the overlapped print image display area can be displayed with priority given to the display of the menu screen, a part of the menu screen can be displayed as an image except when the menu screen is displayed. This makes it possible to use the display area effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a visual function is executed according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when executing menu display.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the embodiment device.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a surface configuration of a liquid crystal display.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen at the time of executing a seeing function.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen switching in response to an operation of a view key.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cursor display line and a cursor position line.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen at the time of normal input.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen switching by execution of a visual function according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of screen switching by executing a menu input function (part 1).
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of switching screens by executing a menu input function (part 2).
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure at the time of executing a visual function according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of screen switching by execution of a visual function according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a visual function is executed according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen switching by execution of a visual function according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Input part, 11 ... Key input part, 11a ... Mie key, 12 ... Tape width detection sensor, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 22a ... Print image display switching program, 30 ... Output unit, 31 ... Tape / ribbon feed motor, 32 ... Thermal head, 35 ... Liquid crystal display, 35a ... Text display area, 35b ... Indicator display area, 35c ... Line number display area.

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying an input character string up to X (X is a natural number of 3 or more) lines; display of an input character string and a cursor consisting of one or more lines; and display of a print image of the character string Is divided into two regions in the vertical direction on the same screen and can be displayed simultaneously.
Displaying a character string and the cursor, the display area for storing a character string display region to minimize the area of the region of at least one row of character string, and a print image display area for displaying the print image of the character string in the row number of units Storage means;
Display area changing means for changing the number of lines in the character string display area and the print image display area in conjunction with each other in response to a change instruction operation of the combination of the number of display lines ;
Cursor display position detection means for detecting a display position of a cursor displayed in the character string display area;
When the display area changing unit instructs to increase or decrease the number of lines of the print image display area, the storage contents of the display area storage unit are changed according to the instruction, and the number of lines of the print image display area after the increase or decrease is changed. A print image updating means for updating the display of the print image,
When the display area changing means instructs an increase in the number of lines in the print image display area, the cursor display position before update detected by the cursor display position detection means is displayed in the updated print image display area. When included, the display of the character string is updated so that the cursor is displayed outside the print image display area after the change, and when the display area changing unit instructs to reduce the number of lines in the print image display area, the cursor is displayed. A character string display updating means for updating the display of the character string so as to move the display position of the line in which the character string is located upward for each cursor . The character information display device according to claim 1,
The character information display device, characterized in that the character string display updating means updates a character string display other than the cursor display line according to the update of the cursor display line. The character information display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The character string display updating means,
When the updated print image display area includes the cursor display position before update detected by the cursor display position detection means, the updated print image display area is outside the changed print image display area, and A character information display device for updating the display of a character string so that a cursor is displayed in an adjacent character string display area. The character information display device according to claim 1,
The character string display updating means,
When the pre-update cursor display position detected by the cursor display position detecting means is not included in the print image display area after increase / decrease update, the updated cursor is displayed at the detected pre-update cursor display position. A character information display device, characterized in that the display of a character string is updated so as to be performed. A character information display device capable of dividing a display of an input character string and a cursor consisting of one or more lines and a display of a print image of the character string into two regions in the vertical direction on the same screen and displaying them simultaneously. At
A display area storage unit for storing a character string display area for displaying a character string and a cursor, a character string display area in which a minimum area is determined, and a print image display area for displaying a print image of the character string in units of lines;
Display area changing means for changing a character string display area and a print image display area in conjunction with each other in response to a change instruction operation of a combination of display line numbers;
Menu input instructing means for instructing input of a character string using a menu screen set in the same vertical direction as the display side of the character string and the cursor ,
When a menu input is instructed by the menu input instructing means in a state where the print image is displayed on the screen, a part of a print image display area displaying a print image and the menu screen are displayed. Determining means for determining whether or not areas overlap;
When the determination unit determines that a part of the current print image display area overlaps with the area for displaying the menu screen, a menu that gives priority to the display of the menu screen for the part of the overlapped print image display area A character information display device comprising: display control means.

Images