JP3597038B2 - Character information processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character information processing apparatus, and can be applied to, for example, a tape printing apparatus, a seal making apparatus, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional tape printing apparatus, keys and the like for inputting characters are arranged on an operation panel, and these keys for inputting characters are operated to operate a desired character string (here, the term “character” is a concept including symbols and figures). ) Can be entered. In addition, the tape printing apparatus is formed so that the tape can be sent out from a tape discharge port by driving a tape feeding mechanism, and a printing mechanism including a thermal head and a tape cutting mechanism are sequentially arranged in a path of the tape. It has been made to be.
[0003]
When the print key is operated, the control means of the tape printing apparatus controls the tape feeding mechanism to feed the tape at a predetermined speed, and controls the printing mechanism to control a character string previously input to the sent tape. To print. Further, the control means of the tape printing apparatus continuously controls the tape feed mechanism even when printing of the character string is completed, and feeds the tape until the printed tape portion comes out of the apparatus (idle feed). Thereafter, the running of the tape is stopped.
[0004]
For example, the user operates the tape cutting mechanism after stopping the tape running to obtain a user original label formed by printing a desired character string.
[0005]
By the way, the printed matter of the tape printing apparatus is a label, and the user often requests that the characters of various character sizes be mixed and printed more than the printed matter by another character information processing apparatus. Has various character sizes, and the character size can be partially changed easily. Such various character sizes include not only a character size having the same number of dots vertically and horizontally but also a character size reduced in the horizontal direction. As described above, since there are many types of full-size characters and switching between them is easy, conventional tape printers do not provide half-width characters, and users can print characters of about half-width size. When asking for it, the user is required to use a smaller full-width character size.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Labels, which are printed materials of tape printers, are often used for applications such as attaching to the spine of a file or a cassette tape for AV equipment. In such applications, the date printed in the character string printed on the label is used. Is often present. Also, files and cassette tapes are often placed vertically, and therefore, labels that are printed vertically are often attached.
[0007]
When the date such as “October 23” is present in the character string as described above, as shown in FIG. 10, “1”, “0”, “month”, “2”, “3” "And" date "are obtained in a label in which each character is separately printed side by side in the vertical direction (stacked printing), and the character string becomes quite uncomfortable to read. As described above, even if the numeric character in the date is smaller than the character size of the other characters, or if the reduced character size is selected, "1", "0", "month", "2" The characters ",""3," and "day" are printed independently in the vertical direction, and a character string that is quite uncomfortable to read is obtained.
[0008]
Not only in the case of vertical writing but also in the case of horizontal writing, the user may feel uncomfortable when a plurality of numbers are arranged. For example, "123 address" in a character string of an address may appear as if the number portion is extended when printed.
[0009]
By the way, a stamp creating apparatus for creating a stamp having irregularities corresponding to an input character string has already been proposed, and the input function and the character size selecting function of the stamp creating apparatus are almost the same as those of the tape printing apparatus. There is an address stamp as a use of the seal created by the stamp creating apparatus, and the address string on the seal such as "123" is prolonged, so that the above-mentioned user may feel uncomfortable with the address string number. Also occurs in the stamp making device.
[0010]
In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant has already proposed a character information processing apparatus in which a variety of output modes of a number part is enhanced (see International Publication WO96 / 16812). In the method described in this publication, when inputting a half-width numeral output in the size of another character with two numbers, it is necessary to perform an independent symbol selection operation for each half-width numeral, The operation and processing were complicated.
[0011]
The present invention enhances the variety of the output mode of the number part, and can obtain a print label or a seal that does not give a sense of discomfort even for a multi-digit number such as a month, a day, and an address. It is intended to provide a better character information processing apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a character information processing apparatus that prints out or displays an input character string, and (1) M (M is an integer of 2 or more) M characters similar to another character. M-digit full-width numeral input capture means for inputting an M-digit full-width number consisting of a set of M consecutive numbers to be output in size; and (2) M-digits in a character string to be printed or displayed. Output means for printing out or displaying the M numbers constituting the M-digit full-width number in the size of another character when the full-width number is included, (1 ′) The M-digit full-width numeral input capture means captures an M-digit full-width numeral by a symbol input capture method according to a menu selection method. It is characterized by the following.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a character information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a tape printer will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
(A) Overall electrical configuration of the embodiment
First, the overall electrical configuration of the tape printing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.
[0015]
In FIG. 2, this tape printing apparatus, similarly to other character information processing apparatuses, is largely composed of an input unit 10, a control unit 20, and an output unit 30, and the control unit 20 A process corresponding to the information and the processing stage at that time is executed, and the processing result and the like are displayed on the output unit 30 or printed out.
[0016]
The input unit 10 includes a key input unit 11 having a press key, a dial key, and the like, although not described in detail, and a tape width detection sensor 12. The key input unit 11 generates a character code and various control codes to be given to the control unit 20 according to a key operation by a user. 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, and the tape cartridge is provided with a physical identification element such as a hole that defines the tape width. The tape width detection sensor 12 reads this physical identification element. Output tape width information.
[0017]
The output unit 30 has 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 96 dots can be printed simultaneously. 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).
[0018]
In the case of the tape printing apparatus according to this embodiment, a liquid crystal display 35 is provided as a display unit. The liquid crystal display 35 is driven by a display driving circuit 36 under the control of the control unit 20, and receives input character strings and various types of characters. It directly displays attribute information and the like, and turns on, blinks, and turns off an indicator that indicates on / off of an attribute corresponding to a character string indicating an attribute described around the display 35 of the apparatus main body.
[0019]
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 25, and an output interface 26 via a system bus 27. I have.
[0020]
The ROM 22 stores various processing programs and fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data. The RAM 23 is used as a working memory and stores fixed data relating to user input. The RAM 23 is backed up even when the power is turned off.
[0021]
Processing programs and fixed data stored in the ROM 22, data stored in the RAM 23, and the like will be described in detail later. The ROM 22 stores a processing program 22a for fetching input symbols, which will be described later, and a development program 22b for printing. When the programs 22a and 22b are executed, a work area for the processing is appropriately formed in the RAM 23. Is done. For example, a print buffer 23a and a display buffer 23b are formed.
[0022]
The CG-ROM 24 stores font information of characters prepared in the tape printer, and outputs corresponding font information when code data for specifying the characters is given. Here, the font information stored in the CG-ROM 24 may be an outline font or a bitmap font. Also, different font information may be stored for display and print.
[0023]
In the case of this embodiment, the CG-ROM 24 also stores font information 24a (see FIG. 5) for two-digit full-width numerals described later and font information 24b (see FIG. 6) for three-digit full-width numbers described later. Is what it is.
[0024]
The input interface 25 performs an interface between the input unit 10 and the control unit 20, and the output interface 26 performs an interface between the output unit 30 and the control unit 20.
[0025]
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).
[0026]
(B) Input capture processing of 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers
In this embodiment, two digits are printed in the same size (double-width character size) as one other character with two numbers (these are referred to in order to distinguish them from two-byte numbers). It is characterized by introducing the concept of three-digit full-width numbers printed in the same size as one other character with three numbers (to be distinguished from three digits of full-width numbers). Things. In the case of this embodiment, the two-digit full-width number is different from the concept of the half-width number, because the two digits are always processed as a group of input characters. Also, a three-digit full-width number is different from the concept of a 1/3 reduced number, because these three digits are always processed as a group of input characters.
[0027]
Hereinafter, first, a process of inputting 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0028]
In the case of this embodiment, a two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number can be input as one type of symbol, and when a key for instructing symbol input (for example, a dedicated key for symbol input) is operated. The CPU 21 starts the processing program 22a for input symbol capture shown in FIG.
[0029]
In this embodiment, any of "00" to "99" can be input as a two-digit full-width number, and any of "000" to "999" can be input as a three-digit full-width number.
[0030]
First, in step 101, the CPU 21 causes the liquid crystal display 35 to display initial candidates for the symbol type. For example, various types of symbols, such as symbols for VTR cassettes, unit symbols, symbols for description, creature symbols, vehicle symbols, mathematical symbols, and the like are prepared. In this embodiment, as described above, Two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers are also prepared as one symbol type. As the initial candidates, the most frequently used symbol type or the symbol type selected immediately before by the learning function is displayed. In the case of a device that displays a plurality of symbol types at once, for example, the cursor is positioned at the current candidate and blinked.
[0031]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 determines in step 102 whether a selection key or a change key (for example, a cursor movement key corresponds) has been operated, and when the change key has been operated, in step 103, the current candidate of the symbol type ( Then, the process returns to step 102 described above.
[0032]
FIG. 3A shows a display example in step 101 or 103. The term “symbol” indicating the symbol input mode and the term specifying the symbol type, in this case, “two-digit number” are displayed. The term specifying the symbol type is basically displayed blinking to indicate that it is a candidate. In the display of the initial candidates, the display may be lit.
[0033]
When the selection key is operated in a situation where a certain symbol type is currently a candidate, the process proceeds from step 102 to step 104, where the CPU 21 determines the selected symbol type.
[0034]
When a symbol type that is neither a two-digit full-width numeral nor a three-digit full-width numeral is selected, the CPU 21 proceeds to a processing routine represented by step 105 and performs a symbol selection process within the symbol type.
[0035]
When a two-digit two-byte number is selected as the symbol type, the CPU 21 first takes in the tens of digits of the two-digit number (step 106). FIG. 3B shows an example of the capture display surface in this case. In this display example, the term "two-digit number" indicating that the symbol type is a two-digit full-width number is displayed, and "10" indicating that the current candidate is in the ten's range. Is blinking. Further, “00” indicating the 0-th order and “20” indicating the 20-th order, which indicate that the current candidate “10” can be a candidate when the candidate is changed, are displayed. In this capture, in response to the operation of a candidate change key (e.g., a cursor movement key), the two-digit number indicating the tens of the display position of the current candidate is changed, and 10 or more digits ahead of the candidate are displayed. A number that is smaller by 20 and a number that is larger by 10 behind the candidate are also displayed, and when the selection key is operated, a number that indicates the number of the tens of digits of the two-digit number currently blinking at the display position of the candidate Take in as. In the case of FIG. 3B, since there is no 0 or a positive number smaller than the current candidate by 20, the display is not performed.
[0036]
After fetching the tens of digits of the two-digit number, the CPU 21 then fetches which two-digit number (step 107). FIG. 3C shows an example of the capture display surface in this case. This display example displays the term “10s” indicating that the number selected as the tens is the tens, and “12” indicating that the current candidate is the number 12. Is blinking. Further, "10", "11", and "13", which indicate that the candidate can be a candidate when the candidate is changed from the current candidate "12", are also displayed. In this capture, the two-digit number of the display position of the current candidate is changed according to the operation of the candidate change key (for example, a cursor movement key corresponds thereto), and a number smaller by 1 and 2 than the candidate in front of the display position. A number larger by one than the candidate is also displayed at the rear, and when the selection key is operated, the two-digit number blinking and displayed at the display position of the candidate is taken in as the commanded number.
[0037]
If it is determined in step 104 that the three-digit full-width numeral has been selected as the symbol type in the determination of the selected symbol type, the CPU 21 first fetches hundreds of three-digit numbers (step 108), Hundreds and tens are captured (step 109), and then a three-digit number is captured (step 110). The method of capturing three-digit numbers is the same as the method of capturing two-digit numbers described above, and a detailed description of the processing will be omitted. Note that FIG. 3D shows an example of the capture display surface in step 108, and FIG. 3E shows an example of the capture display surface in step 109. () Shows an example of the display screen for capturing in step 110.
[0038]
As described above, when the capture of two-digit full-width numbers or three-digit full-width numbers to be printed in one full-width character size is completed, the CPU 21 determines whether the symbol key in the buffer area of the input character string in the RAM 23 is In the area corresponding to the position of the cursor when operated, the captured 2-digit full-width number or 3-digit full-width number code (a plurality of code strings may be stored) is also stored, and the display buffer area is also operated. The display is returned to the character input screen at the stage when the symbol key was operated, and the two-digit or three-digit number selected at the character input position indicated by the cursor when the symbol key was operated is defined. Is displayed, and a series of processing ends.
[0039]
Although the description has been omitted above, the symbol selection operation can be canceled halfway by the user pressing the cancel key during the symbol selection process.
[0040]
By the way, as a method of designating a two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number, a key for designating a two-digit full-width number input mode and / or a three-digit full-width number input mode is provided, and an input is made between two presses of this mode key. A method of taking in the entered number as a 2-digit full-width number or a 3-digit full-width number (which itself constitutes another embodiment) is also effective. When the two-digit full-width numeric key or the three-digit full-width numeric key is operated twice, the cursor is positioned at the first operation when the first operation is performed. The method of taking in the numbers up to the number as a two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number (which itself constitutes another embodiment) is also effective.
[0041]
However, in this embodiment, as described above, selection is made from symbols. Hereinafter, the reason will be described.
[0042]
In the above-described other input method of the two-digit full-width number or the three-digit full-width number, a new input processing routine that does not exist in the conventional tape printer must be provided, but the actual use frequency does not increase so much. Providing a new input processing routine for a possible two-digit or three-digit number is not efficient in view of the effective use of the memory capacity of the ROM 22. On the other hand, in the method of selecting from symbols, it is not necessary to provide a new input processing program, and it can be dealt with by partially changing the symbol selection processing program. In addition, even if a symbol is selected, it is not necessary to prepare many symbols (this will be described later), and the configuration of the apparatus (such as the CG-ROM 24) is hardly complicated. Furthermore, as described above, by introducing the concept of hierarchy such as hundreds or tens, it is possible to easily and quickly select from symbols.
[0043]
(C) Processing for printing 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers when printing
Next, expansion processing of each character at the time of printing (naturally, expansion processing of 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the CG-ROM 24 stores font information having a double-byte size for the second digit and font information for the first digit in the CG-ROM 24, as shown in FIG. Font information having a full-width size is stored. The font information for the second digit is, as shown in the example of the numeral “3” in FIG. 5A, in the left half of the full-width character size (24 × 24 dots in the illustration). Ten items of "0" to "9" having the numbers are prepared. As shown in FIG. 5B, the font information for the first digit is “0” to “9” having the first digit in the right half of the full-width character size. Are prepared.
[0045]
In the case of this embodiment, the CG-ROM 24 stores, as font information 24b for a three-digit full-width number, font information having a full-width size for the third digit and font information for the second digit as shown in FIG. Font information having a full-width size and font information having a full-width size for the first digit are stored. As shown in the example of the numeral “1” in FIG. 6A, the font information for the third digit divides a full-width character size (24 × 24 dots in the illustrated example) into three equal parts in the left-right direction ( In the case of dividing into three equal parts, ten pieces of "0" to "9" having a number for the third digit are prepared in the left area. As shown in the example of the number “2” in FIG. 6B, the font information for the second digit includes the numeral for the second digit in the central area when the full-width character size is divided into three equal parts in the horizontal direction. Ten items for “0” to “9” are prepared. As shown in the example of the number “3” in FIG. 6C, the font information for the first digit is the number for the first digit in the right area when the full-width character size is equally divided into three in the horizontal direction. Are prepared for "0" to "9" having.
[0046]
In character expansion at the time of printing, such font information 24a and 24b are extracted from the CG-ROM 24 as necessary.
[0047]
Character expansion at the time of printing is performed by repeatedly executing expansion of each character unit of a character string. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the expansion processing of each character which is repeatedly executed as described above. In the case of vertical printing, a method of rotating the font (dot pattern) from the CG-ROM 24 at the time of development and a method of storing the font (dot pattern) from the CG-ROM 24 as it is at the time of development and driving the thermal head 32 There is a method of rotating and reading out the data when it is performed, but the following description will be made on the assumption that the latter is used. In other words, the description will be made on the assumption that the development processing itself is the same for both horizontal writing and vertical writing.
[0048]
When starting the processing shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 21 first determines whether or not the current character to be expanded is a three-digit full-width numeral (step 201). If it is not a three-digit full-width numeral, the CPU 21 further determines whether or not the current character to be expanded is a two-digit full-width numeral (step 202). If it is neither a three-byte full-width number nor a two-digit full-width number, the same expansion processing as in the past is performed on the character to be expanded this time, and the font expansion determined by the print pointer, character size, and the like in the print buffer 23a prepared in the RAM 23 is performed. The font information (dot pattern) for the current character to be expanded is stored in the area (step 203).
[0049]
On the other hand, if the character to be expanded this time is a two-digit full-width number, the CPU 21 places the two-digit number for the current two-digit full-width number in the font expansion area defined by the print pointer and the character size. The matching font information (dot pattern) for the second digit is read from the CG-ROM 24 and stored (step 204). Thereafter, the CPU 21 reads out the font information for the first digit that matches the first digit of the current two-digit full-width numeral from the CG-ROM 24 and overwrites it in the same font development area (step 205). This completes the expansion of the two-digit full-width numeral.
[0050]
For example, if the character to be expanded this time is a two-digit full-width numeral “32”, in step 204, the font information for the second digit shown in FIG. Is read out from the CG-ROM 24 and stored in the font development area as shown in FIG. 7A, and then, in step 205, as shown in FIG. The font information for the first digit shown is read from the CG-ROM 24 and overwritten on the font development area, and as a result, the stored contents of the font development area are as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0051]
The process of reading the font information for the second digit from the CG-ROM 24 and storing it (step 204) is performed with reference to the upper left corner of the storage destination, and the font information for the first digit is read from the CG-ROM 24 and stored. (Step 205) may be performed based on the upper right end of the storage destination. In this case, the process of storing the font information for the second digit and the process of storing the font information for the first digit can be performed almost in parallel.
[0052]
Thereafter, the CPU 21 reads out the font information for the first digit that matches the first digit of the current two-digit full-width numeral from the CG-ROM 24 and overwrites it in the same font development area (step 205). This completes the expansion of the two-digit full-width numeral.
[0053]
If the current character to be expanded is a three-digit full-width numeral, the CPU 21 matches the third digit of the three-digit full-width numeral in the font expansion area defined by the print pointer, character size, and the like. The digit font information is read from the CG-ROM 24 and stored (step 206). Thereafter, the CPU 21 reads the second digit font information that matches the second digit of the current three-digit full-width number from the CG-ROM 24 and overwrites it in the same font development area (step 207). Further, the CPU 21 reads the font information for the first digit that matches the first digit of the current three-digit full-width number from the CG-ROM 24 and overwrites it in the same font development area (step 208). This completes the expansion of the three-digit full-width numeral.
[0054]
For example, if the character to be expanded this time is a three-digit full-width numeral “123”, in step 206, the font information for the third digit shown in FIG. Is read from the CG-ROM 24 and stored in the font development area as shown in FIG. Then, in step 207, the font information for the second digit shown in FIG. 6B for the number "2" related to the three-digit full-width numeral is read from the CG-ROM 24 and overwritten in the font development area. As a result, the contents stored in the font development area are as shown in FIG. Further, in step 208, the first digit font information shown in FIG. 6C for the number “3” related to the three-digit full-width numeral is read out from the CG-ROM 24 and overwritten in the font development area. As a result, the contents stored in the font development area are as shown in FIG.
[0055]
When the development of the font development area of the print buffer 23a defined by the print pointer, character size, and the like is completed as described above, the CPU 21 increments the print pointer by one and performs a series of development for the current character to be developed. The process ends (Step 209).
[0056]
The character size required at the time of development is determined by the attribute of the character string to be printed, and the size of the font information read from the CG-ROM 24 differs depending on the character size. .
[0057]
When the font information expanded by such expansion processing is printed and the character string to be printed includes a two-digit full-width numeral, as shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. A label in which the number is printed in the size of one character of other characters (full-width character size) is obtained. FIG. 8A shows the case of horizontal writing, and FIG. 8B shows the case of vertical writing. In addition, when the font information expanded by the expansion processing described above is printed, if the character string to be printed includes three-digit full-width numbers, as shown in FIG. 8C or FIG. Is obtained in which the number is printed in the size of one character of other characters (full-width character size). FIG. 8C shows the case of horizontal writing, and FIG. 8D shows the case of vertical writing.
[0058]
In the above, the expansion processing which is different from the conventional processing has been described by introducing the two-digit full-width number and the three-digit full-width number. As a different process at the time of printing, which is a different process, although illustration of a flowchart is omitted, there are other processes depending on the number of characters, such as a tape length determining process and a character size determining process. A two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number includes two or three numbers, and the tape length, character size, and the like may be determined by capturing the number of characters with the entire number as one character.
[0059]
The process of accessing the CG-ROM 24 to extract font information and develop a character string is executed not only in the printing process but also in the display process. In the case of this embodiment, the development of the two-digit full-width number and the three-digit full-width number in the font development area of the display buffer 23b formed on the RAM 23 is also performed on the RAM 23 for the two-digit full-width number and the three-digit full-width number. In the font development area of the print buffer 23a formed in the same manner as described above. That is, if the expansion target character is a two-digit full-width numeral, the same processing as in steps 204 and 205 in FIG. 4 is executed. If the expansion target character is a three-digit full-width numeral, the same as steps 206 to 208 in FIG. Perform various processing. As a result, in the case of the present embodiment, two or three digits are displayed in the size of one character of other characters (full-width character size) for two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers.
[0060]
The process of displaying two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers is not only performed when displaying a character string input / edit screen, but also for capturing the above-described two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers as symbols. (See FIG. 3), and in any case, the above-described font development method is applied.
[0061]
Next, in order to obtain expanded font information for 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers as shown in FIGS. 7 (B) and (E), in this embodiment, the CG-ROM 24 is stored in FIGS. The reason why font information for each digit of the full-width character size as shown is prepared and expanded will be described.
[0062]
As a method for obtaining expanded font information for 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7E, the following three types of methods are applied in addition to this embodiment. It is possible (each constituting another embodiment of the present invention).
[0063]
The first method is to prepare the font information itself for two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7E in the CG-ROM 24, In this method, the font information of the target two-digit full-width number or three-digit full-width number is read from the CG-ROM 24 and stored in the print buffer 23a or the display buffer 23b. This method has an advantage that reading from the CG-ROM 24 only needs to be performed once.
[0064]
However, the dedicated font information for 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers prepared in the CG-ROM 24 includes 100 pieces of “00” to “99” and 1000 pieces of “000” to “999”. CG-ROM 24 has a drawback that the capacity of the CG-ROM 24, which is increased due to the function of outputting 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers, is enormous.
[0065]
On the other hand, in this embodiment, the exclusive font information for two-digit full-width numbers or three-digit full-width numbers is a total of 50 pieces of "0" to "9" for each digit of two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers. In addition, the capacity of the CG-ROM 24 which is increased due to the function of outputting 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers is extremely small. Compared with the first method, the processing time for the development is slightly longer, but is equivalent to one or two times of reading from the CG-ROM 24, and does not cause any problem.
[0066]
The second method is to prepare dedicated font information for two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers in the CG-ROM 24 without preparing dedicated font information for the two-digit full-width numbers or three-digit full-width numbers. The font information of the full-width number is reduced in the left-right direction, and the reduced characters are combined, and the font information of the two-digit full-width number or three-digit full-width number of the full-width character size is stored in the print buffer 23a and the display buffer 23b. Is the way. This method has an advantage that it is possible to respond to the development of 2-digit full-width numbers or 3-digit full-width numbers without increasing the capacity of the CG-ROM 24.
[0067]
However, this method has a drawback in that a process of reducing full-width numbers and a process of synthesizing them are required, and the processing time for developing 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers becomes large. For example, in the case of print processing, the expansion of a two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number is performed only once, so the degree of this defect is small. However, at the time of inputting a character or designating a two-digit or three-digit full-width number of a candidate, it is necessary to scroll the characters displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 in accordance with a character to be sequentially input or an operation of a candidate change key. However, the drawback of increasing the expansion processing time causes slow scrolling and the like, and the drawback becomes large.
[0068]
On the other hand, the development processing time in this embodiment is much shorter than that of the second method, and does not cause such a disadvantage.
[0069]
Therefore, in the development of 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers at the time of printing, even if the second method is adopted, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. May be displayed as full-width characters (prepared in the CG-ROM 24) that partially include the symbol (H or 1/3) S1 indicating that it is related to a 2-digit full-width number or a 3-digit full-width number. It is conceivable (this also constitutes another embodiment of the present invention). However, in the tape printing apparatus, the number of characters displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 is small. In such a case, the number of characters that are effectively displayed is reduced. Is treated as one character, the meaning of the display is weakened, and it is hard to say that this is an effective display method.
[0070]
The second method mainly focuses on software processing of reduction processing and synthesis of reduced characters. However, when various processing such as whiteout and italics is further performed, errors in the arithmetic processing in the software processing may occur. Is added, and a dot exceeding the size of one character may be indicated by calculation, which may lower print quality and display quality. On the other hand, in the method of the above-described embodiment centering on the transfer of full-width font information, even if it overlaps with various processes such as whiteout and italic, it does not protrude from the frame.
[0071]
In the third method, font information of half-width numbers and 1/3 reduced numbers is prepared (a difference from FIGS. 5 and 6 is that the number of dots in the left-right direction is different; 6, there is no dot in the blank part), and this is read out and developed. In this method, the number of font information prepared in the CG-ROM 24 is smaller than in the method of the embodiment.
[0072]
However, the full-width character size readout method cannot be applied to these readout methods, and there are three types of readout methods, which also slows down processing at the time of expansion and leads to an increase in programs. Inferior.
[0073]
In the case of a two-digit full-width number, for example, the same half-width number is applied to the tenth and the first digit, but "1" in the tenth digit is smaller than the center of the left half of the full-width character size. On the right side, there is no sense of incongruity. Conversely, in the 1s, "1" is slightly more to the left than in the center of the right half of the full-width character size, and there is no discomfort. Leveraging such things cannot be achieved. That is, it is better to change the font of half-width numbers between the case of applying to the tenth and the case of applying to the first. In this case, new font information is required by the same number as in the embodiment.
[0074]
For the reasons described above, in the case of this embodiment, the above-described expansion method is applied instead of the first to third methods.
[0075]
When the third method is applied, it is needless to say that the same half-width numeral may be applied without distinguishing the tenth and first half-width numerals. Similarly, also in the case of the embodiment, the left half dot pattern in the font information for the tenth series as shown in FIG. 5A and the font information for the first series as shown in FIG. If the dot pattern in the right half of the pattern relates to the same numeral, the pattern may be the same. The same applies to the font information of the embodiment for three-digit full-width numbers.
[0076]
In the case where the third method is applied to the expansion of two-digit full-width numbers, font information for the tenths is stored based on the upper left corner of the storage area at the time of expansion, and the font information for the firsts is expanded. The storing process may be performed based on the upper right end of the storage area at the time.
[0077]
(D) Effects of the embodiment
According to the above embodiment, the concept of two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers, which are a group of two-digit numbers and three-digit numbers handled in full-width size, is introduced. It is possible to realize a tape printing apparatus capable of obtaining a printed label or display that does not cause a sense of incongruity even with a plurality of digits such as a date and an address.
[0078]
Here, since a two-digit full-width number or a three-digit full-width number is input by a symbol input adopting a hierarchical selection method in which the number is determined from the one with the larger digit, the operability is good.
[0079]
Also, as font information for developing 2-digit full-width numbers and 3-digit full-width numbers, two- to three-times fonts having full-size character sizes as shown in FIGS. Since the data is expanded by reading from the CG-ROM 24, the output quality is good, the expansion processing time is short, and the required capacity of the CG-ROM 24 can hardly be increased.
[0080]
(E) Other embodiments
In the above description, other embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the following other embodiments can be further included.
[0081]
In the above-described embodiment, the one that can correspond to the two-digit full-width number and the three-digit full-width number has been described.
[0082]
Further, in the above embodiment, the two-digit full-width number and the three-digit full-width number indicate that all the digits are numbers. However, as some of the digits, “′”, “−” (hyphen), and “ Characters that may be included in a numeric string such as /, “” (blank) may be included. By doing so, for example, a three-digit full-width number that can correspond to the abbreviated notation “'98” (meaning 1998) of the year of the Christian era, a two-digit full-width number that can correspond to the address number notation using a hyphen, Can provide three-digit full-width numbers. The term "M-digit full-width number" in the claims is a term including this case, and the term "number" in the claims is a term including characters that may be mixed in a number sequence. .
[0083]
Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to other apparatuses, for example, a stamp making apparatus without a half-width character or 1 / M reduction function. The present invention is also applicable to a character information processing apparatus such as a general word processor having a half-width character and a 1 / M reduction function.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, (1) M (M is an integer of 2 or more) M-digit full-width consisting of a set of M consecutive numbers that is output in the same size as other characters An M-digit full-width numeral input fetching means for inputting a number; and (2) M characters constituting the M-digit full-width numeral when the character string to be printed includes the M-digit full-width numeral. Output means for printing out or displaying numbers in the size of one character of other characters is provided, so that the variety of output modes of the number portion is increased, and unpleasantness is obtained even for a multi-digit number such as month, day, and address. This makes it possible to obtain a character information processing apparatus that can provide a print output or a display output without any problem, and that has further improved operability and output quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process of inputting two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a process for inputting two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process for printing two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing two-byte full-width numeral expansion font information according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing expansion font information of three-digit full-width numbers according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a two-digit full-width numeral and a three-digit full-width numeral during printing according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing font information for developing two-digit full-width numbers and three-digit full-width numbers during display according to another embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional problem.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 input unit, 11 key input unit, 20 control unit, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 22a symbol processing program, 22b processing program for printing, 23 RAM, 23a Print buffer, 23b Display buffer, 24 CG-ROM, 24a Font information for 2-digit full-width numbers, 24b Font information for 2-digit full-width numbers, 30 Output unit, 31 Tape / ribbon feed motor, 32 Thermal Head, 35 ... Liquid crystal display.

Claims (4)

In a character information processing apparatus that prints out or displays an input character string,
M (M is an integer of 2 or more) output in the same size as another character. M-digit full-width numeric input consisting of a series of M numbers is taken. Means,
When a character string to be printed or displayed includes an M-digit full-width number, the M numbers forming the M-digit full-width number are printed out or printed in the size of one other character. for example Bei and an output means for displaying output,
The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said M-digit full-width numeral input fetching means fetches the M-digit full-width numeral by a symbol input fetching method according to a menu selection method . 2. The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the M-digit full-width numeral input capturing unit fetches each digit constituting the M-digit full-width numeral by hierarchical selection from an upper digit. 3. The output means,
This is font information for N (N is 1 to M) digits of an M-digit full-width number, including a dot pattern representing a number in an N-th region divided into M in the left-right direction, and a blank dot pattern in another region. A font information storage unit storing font information of one character size of other characters, including:
In accordance with each number constituting the M-digit full-width numeral to be output, the font information for the corresponding M number of digits is sequentially output from the font information storage unit, and the font information for each of the M number of digits is output. 3. The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an M-digit full-width numeral expansion unit that forms font information of an M-digit full-width numeral for output by superimposing and combining. A dot pattern representing the number X for the i-th area divided into M in the font information for i (i is 1 to M) digits stored in the font information storage unit, and j (j is 1 to M A dot pattern representing the number X for the j-th area divided into M in the font information for the digit (different from i) represents the same number X but different. 3. The character information processing apparatus according to 3 .

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