JP6299360B2 - Printing control apparatus and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and a printing apparatus that print a destination on a postal medium such as a postcard or an envelope.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a document processing apparatus that lays out address information such as an address and a name on a postal address. When this document processing apparatus prints address data in the address data type (address, address, sender) according to the size of the area for printing the address data of that type and the number of characters to be printed in the area. The character size and the print position (line pitch, digit pitch) of each character are determined, and the address data is printed based on the character size of the determined size and the print position of each character. The areas include an address address area, an address print area, and a sender area. Further, the character size and the character position are determined so that the character size in the address address area is smaller than the character size in the address print area based on the determined character size in the address print area. The address address area is divided into “address address 1” indicating the first line and “address address 2” indicating the second line when the address is two lines.

JP-A-5-73563

  Incidentally, in the document processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of areas are arranged side by side on the postcard area at intervals in the width direction intersecting the row direction. For this reason, there is a problem that the interval (line spacing) between the character string of the last line in one area and the character string of the first line in another area located next to it may be too wide. For example, when there are a plurality of addresses and the lines are divided into two or more areas, the address lines are too wide between the different areas because the areas are different. The problem that the line spacing is too wide between different regions as described above is not limited to postcards, but also exists in postal media such as envelopes on which a destination is printed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a printing control apparatus and a printing apparatus capable of laying out adjacent character strings arranged in different areas of a postal medium at appropriate intervals. There is.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A printing control apparatus that solves the above problems includes an input unit that inputs a destination character to be printed on a postal medium, a display unit that displays a postal medium area in which the character input by the input unit is arranged, and the input unit A first region and a second region in which the character strings input by the first and second regions are arranged at positions that partially overlap in the width direction intersecting the row direction of the arranged character strings; And a position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the character strings arranged in the second area and the second area at positions that do not overlap in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, the first area and the second area are arranged at positions that overlap each other in the width direction intersecting the line direction of the character string arranged in each area. In the first area and the second area, both character strings are adjusted to positions that do not overlap in the width direction. Therefore, the destination character string can be arranged in the postal medium area at an appropriate interval (line spacing) in the width direction even between different areas.

  In the print control apparatus, the area arrangement unit has at least a part of the row area of the last line among the maximum number of lines that can be arranged in the first area and the maximum number of lines that can be arranged in the second area. Of these, it is preferable to overlap at least part of the first row region.

  According to this configuration, at least a portion of the row region of the last row of the first region overlaps at least a portion of the row region of the first row of the second region. That is, the first area and the second area overlap with each other with a value within a range equal to or less than the width in which the character string for one line is arranged in the width direction. For this reason, the space | interval (namely, line spacing) of the width direction of the character string in a 1st area | region and a character string in a 2nd area | region does not become too large or too narrow. Therefore, the character string in the first area and the character string in the second area can be arranged at an appropriate interval.

  In the print control apparatus, it is preferable that the position adjustment unit centers the characters in both areas when the number of lines of the characters arranged in the first and second areas is one line. .

  According to this configuration, when characters are arranged one line at a time in the first and second areas, the characters on each line are centered together, so that the characters on the two lines are spaced at an appropriate interval ( (Line spacing).

  In the print control apparatus, the position adjustment unit may set the second area to two lines when the characters in the first area are two lines and the characters in the second area are one line. It is preferable to arrange the characters on the second line.

  According to this configuration, when the characters in the first area are two lines and the characters in the second area are one line, the second area is two lines and the characters in one line are arranged on the second line. Therefore, it is possible to ensure an appropriate interval between the characters on the first line and the characters on the second line.

  In the print control apparatus, if the number of characters for one line arranged in the first and second regions is equal to or greater than a set value, the character size is reduced continuously or stepwise as the number of characters for one line increases. A size adjusting unit that performs the first line at the beginning of the second line of at least one of the first area and the second area in which a plurality of lines of characters are arranged. It is preferable to add a number of spaces within a range in which the character size determined from the number of characters and the second line have the same character size.

  According to this configuration, a range having a character size that is the same as the character size determined from the number of characters in the first line at the beginning of the second line in at least one of the first area and the second area. The number of spaces in is added. Therefore, even if a blank is added to the second line, the character string of the second line is shifted from the character string of the first line to the end in the line direction while avoiding the decrease in the character size of the first line. Is easier to read.

  In the print control apparatus, if the number of characters for one line arranged in the first and second regions is equal to or greater than a set value, the character size is reduced continuously or stepwise as the number of characters for one line increases. A size adjusting unit that, when the character arranged in the second region is one line, the position adjusting unit has a character size of the last line of the first region at the beginning of the second region. It is preferable to add a number of spaces within a range in which one line of the second area has the same character size.

  According to this configuration, when the number of characters arranged in the second area is one line, the number of characters within the range in which the character size is the same as the character size of the last line of the first area at the beginning of the second area. White space is added. Therefore, even if a blank is added, the character string of the second region is prevented from being smaller than the character size of the character in the first region, while the character string of the second region is Since the character string of the last line in the area 1 is arranged so as to be shifted toward the end in the line direction, it is easy to read.

  In the print control apparatus, the position adjustment unit may determine that the number of characters in the first line of the first area is less than the set value and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines of the first area is the setting. If it is less than the value, it is preferable to add a blank at the beginning of the second line so that the last character of the first line and the first character of the second line of the first area are arranged next to each other in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, when the number of characters in the first line of the first area is less than the set value and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines of the first area is less than the set value, The last character on the first line of the region 1 and the first character on the second line are arranged next to each other in the width direction. The character string on the first line is located near the beginning of the line, and the character string on the second line starts from the same position in the line direction as the last character. It is easy to read because the amount of transferring the line of sight to the second line character string is small.

  In the printing control apparatus, the position adjustment unit may determine that the number of characters in the last line of the first area is less than the set value and the number of characters in the last line of the first area and the number of characters in the first line of the second area. If the sum is less than the set value, the last character of the last line of the first area and the first character of the first line of the second area are as many as possible so as to be arranged next to each other in the width direction. It is preferable to add a blank at the beginning of the first line of the area 2.

  According to this configuration, the last character of the last line of the first region and the first character of the first row of the second region are arranged side by side in the width direction. Therefore, when reading the destination, the amount of shifting the line of sight from the last line of the first area to the first line of the second area is small, so the destination is easy to read.

In the printing control apparatus, it is preferable that the area arranging unit arranges the second area by shifting the second area toward the end in the row direction with respect to the first area.
According to this configuration, the beginning of the character string in the second region starts from a position shifted from the beginning of the character string in the first region toward the end in the row direction. Therefore, it is easier to see the destination character string compared to the case where the line head position of the character string is the same between the first and second regions. For example, when a character string such as a destination address is arranged in order from the right line to the left line in vertical writing, the character string at the beginning of the character string on the left side (second area) of the character string on the right side (first area) It starts from the lower position. For example, when characters such as a destination address are arranged in order from the top row to the bottom row in horizontal writing, the beginning of the character string below (second region) is on the right side of the top of the upper (first region) character string. It starts from the position shifted. As described above, the position of the head of the second character string is shifted toward the end in the line direction rather than the head of the first character string, so that the destination such as an address becomes easy to see.

  In the printing control apparatus, the destination includes a zip code and an address, a display processing unit that displays an input screen on which the destination characters input by the input unit are output, and the zip code is input. The first address that is a part that can be specified from the zip code in the address is output to an input area corresponding to the first area on the input screen, and a part of the address is input. It is preferable that the supplement processing unit further outputs at least a part of the first address from the top of the first address to the first line of the first area to make a line break.

  According to this configuration, automatic completion of an address using a zip code can be used, so that the user can easily input an address, and at least a part of the first address to be automatically supplemented is arranged on the first line to start a line feed. Is done. For this reason, at least a part of the first address among the addresses is arranged in the first line, and if there is a part not arranged in the first line in the first address, it is arranged in the second line. Therefore, since the number of characters on the first line can be reduced, even if the character size decreases as the number of characters increases, all the characters in the address are arranged on the first line in the first area. The character size can be increased compared to.

  In the print control apparatus, the display unit displays the input screen on which an address input by the operation of the input unit is output, and the complement processing unit, when a zip code is input by the input unit, It is preferable that the first address specified from the zip code is acquired, the first address is output to the first line of the first area, and the cursor is moved to the second line.

  According to this configuration, compared to the case where all characters of the address are input on the first line, the address character size can be increased, and the first of the addresses on the second line can be directly moved without moving the cursor. Since the remaining part other than the address may be input by the input unit, the user can input the address relatively easily.

  In the print control apparatus, when the postal code is input by the input unit, the complement processing unit acquires the first address specified from the postal code, and is a part from the top of the first address. A second address is input to the first line of the first area to start a line feed, and the remaining part of the first address other than the second address is output to the second line of the first area. It is preferable to move the cursor to the end of the output character string on the second line.

According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the input operation of the address by the user by the automatic complementing function by the complementing processing unit, and it is possible to represent an easy-to-read address with a large character size.
A printing apparatus that solves the above problem includes the print control apparatus and a printing unit that prints on a mail medium based on print data generated by the print control apparatus. According to this configuration, the destination character string can be printed on the mail medium at an appropriate interval (line spacing) in the width direction by the printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a computer in the printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows an address input screen. The schematic diagram which shows the input example of an address input screen. The schematic diagram which shows the input example of an address input screen. The schematic diagram which shows the input example of an address input screen. The schematic diagram which shows the screen of an address surface area | region. The schematic diagram explaining the layout of the character to an address surface area | region. The schematic diagram explaining the arrangement | positioning process of a text box. (A) is a schematic diagram explaining the character position adjustment processing in the text box when the character string of address 1 is one line, and (b) is the character string of address 1 when there are two lines. (A)-(d) is a schematic diagram explaining the arrangement | positioning process of the text box for addressing. The table figure referred in the case of a 1st position adjustment process and a 2nd position adjustment process. (A)-(e) is a schematic diagram explaining the position adjustment process of the character of the addresses 1 and 2. FIG. (A) is a comparative example showing the address surface when the number of characters per line of address 1 is large, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the address surface when automatic line feed processing is performed at address 1. The flowchart which shows an address arrangement | positioning process. The flowchart which shows a 1st position adjustment process routine. The flowchart which shows a 2nd position adjustment process routine. The flowchart which shows an input assistance process routine. The schematic diagram which shows the example of the automatic line feed in the address input screen in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the character position adjustment result by automatic line feed processing. The flowchart which shows an input assistance process routine. The schematic diagram explaining the position adjustment process of the character in the text box at the time of horizontal writing.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a printing apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 includes a substantially rectangular apparatus body 12, a feeding unit 13 that feeds (feeds) a postcard P as an example of a postal item, and a postcard from the apparatus body 12. And a discharge unit 14 that discharges (discharges) P. The feeding unit 13 has a feeding tray 15 that supports a postcard P to be fed, and the discharging unit 14 has a discharging tray 16 that supports the discharged postcard P.

  The printing apparatus 11 includes a display unit 17 including a liquid crystal display, a handle unit 18 that is a handle when carrying the printing device 11, and an operation unit 30 as an example of an input unit that can input characters. I have. The display unit 17 can display various types of information of the printing apparatus 11 and displays a setting screen of the printing apparatus 11, a postcard P address screen, a communication screen editing screen, and the like. The operation unit 30 is a wireless keyboard capable of short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication with the apparatus main body 12. For this reason, the user of the printing apparatus 11 operates the printing apparatus 11 via the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a key operation unit 31 operated to input characters and the like, a selection operation unit 32 including, for example, a cross key operated to select various setting items on the setting screen, And a confirming operation unit 33 operated to confirm and execute the selected item.

  On the side surface of the apparatus main body 12, a power button 21 is provided that is operated when the printing apparatus 11 is turned on or off. In addition, a wireless communication port 22 constituting a part of an interface for communicating with the operation unit 30 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 11 includes a transport roller 23 that transports the postcard P from the feeding unit 13 to the discharge unit 14, a transport motor 24 that drives the transport roller 23, and a postcard in the apparatus main body 12. A print head 25 that prints characters and images by ejecting ink onto P and a controller 40 that controls the printing apparatus 11 are provided. In this way, the printing apparatus 11 performs a series of printing operations by printing on the postcard P fed from the feeding tray 15 and discharging the printed postcard P to the discharge tray 16 based on the control of the controller 40. Do. Note that the printing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment is a printer capable of performing a single operation from the creation of the address and communication surfaces of the postcard P to the printing of the postcard P.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 40 includes a head unit 41 that drives the print head 25, a motor driver 42 that drives the transport motor 24, a display driver 43 that drives the display unit 17, and a computer 50. Yes. The printing apparatus 11 also has a communication interface 44 (hereinafter also referred to as I / F 44) for communicating with the operation unit 30 and a card interface 45 (hereinafter also referred to as I / F 45) for connecting the memory card 35. And. The computer 50 includes a CPU 51, an ASIC 52 (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a nonvolatile memory 53, and a RAM 54.

  The RAM 54 temporarily stores data generated when the printing contents of the address side and the communication side to be printed on the postcard P are created / edited. At this time, first, in the RAM 54, as a virtual canvas for arranging each layer of destination information, image, character information, and the like, an address surface area 100 (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the address surface of the postcard P and a postcard P And a communication area (not shown) corresponding to the communication area. A layer refers to data having hierarchical information.

  Here, the address plane area 100 is a blank (blank) address plane image corresponding to a postcard (for example, a new year postcard) selected by the operation unit 30 by the user, read from the non-volatile memory 53, and stored in this area of the RAM 54. Generated by writing. The address surface area 100 is visualized on the address surface editing screen by the display driver 43 displaying an image of the address surface based on the data in the RAM 54 on the display unit 17 (see FIG. 5).

  In the printing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, the user operates the operation unit 30 on the input screens 80 and 90 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) displayed on the display unit 17, and the address to be printed on the address face of the postcard P. And an address book in which address information including address is registered is created for each address. If at least one address book on the input screens 80 and 90 has been created, and the operation unit 30 is used to switch the display content of the display unit 17 to the address screen, the CPU 51 has already entered the selected address book. A process for laying out character information such as the address and address of the user at an appropriate position on the address image of the postcard is performed. Then, the address surface area 100 acquired as the processing result is displayed on the display unit 17. When the user operates the operation unit 30 to instruct printing, the postcard P set in the printing apparatus 11 can be printed as displayed on the address surface area 100.

  Here, the input screen will be described with reference to FIGS. On the input screen, an address input screen 80 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “input screen 80”) as an example of the input screen shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 for inputting a zip code and an address, and an address are input. There is an address input screen 90 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “input screen 90”) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the address input screen 80 has an input field 81 for inputting a zip code and an input field 82 for “address 1” for inputting a part of the address up to the address (hereinafter referred to as “No. And an input field 83 for “address 2” (hereinafter also referred to as “second input field 83”) for inputting the building name when the address includes a building name such as an apartment name. Say). In the input field 82 of “Address 1”, the portion of the address up to the prefecture, the municipality, and the address can be input in a maximum of two lines. Therefore, the first input field 82 includes an “first line” input field 82A (hereinafter, also referred to as “first input field 82A”) for inputting characters in the first line of the address, and two of the addresses. There is provided a “second line” input field 82B (hereinafter also referred to as “second input field 82B”) for inputting characters on the line.

  A 7-digit number can be entered in the postal code input field 81. In addition, in the two input fields 82A and 82B of “Address 1”, it is possible to input characters with the number of characters up to P characters (where P is a natural number within a range of, for example, 15 to 50). Furthermore, in the input field 83 of “Address 2”, it is possible to input characters up to Q characters (where Q is a natural number within a range of 15 to 50, for example). In the present embodiment, as an example, P = 30 and Q = 30, and characters can be input in the input fields 82A and 82B with the number of characters up to 30 characters (including line feeds).

  For example, when inputting an address in the input field 82 of “address 1”, the input key 82A is operated by operating the character key of the operation unit 30 with the cursor C positioned at the head of the input field 82A as shown in FIG. Enter characters in. When the line feed key is operated with the cursor positioned at the end of the character string after the character input on the first line is completed, a line feed is made as shown in FIG. The cursor moves to the top of the input field 82B on the second line due to a line feed. Then, the character key of the operation unit 30 is operated to input the character in the input field 82B on the second line. Further, when the address includes a building name, as shown in FIG. 6, characters of a building name such as a condominium name are entered in the input field 83 of “Address 2”.

  The address input screen 90 shown in FIG. 7 is an example for “to company”, and there is also a personal address input screen (not shown). As shown in FIG. 7, the address input screen 90 includes a company name input field 91, a department name input field 92, a title input field 93, a last name input field 94, a name input field 95, and a reading input. A field 96 and a title input field 97 are provided. In addition, the address input screen for individuals is the same as that for companies, except that the company name, department name and post name entry fields 91 to 93 are not provided, and it is also possible to input joint names. As another input screen, a sender input screen (not shown) for inputting the sender's postal code, address and full name is prepared.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a layout method of input character information such as an address in the address area 100 will be described. The address surface area 100 is displayed for confirming the layout and character size of characters such as the address and address of the address printed on the address surface. As shown in FIG. 8, in the address plane area 100, a zip code area 101 in which the destination zip code is arranged, an address area 102 in which the address of the destination is arranged, and an address area 103 in which information on the address of the destination is arranged. The placement areas 104 to 106 where the sender's zip code, address, and surname are respectively placed are set at appropriate positions and in appropriate sizes. Character information such as a destination input on the input screens 80 and 90 is laid out in the areas 101 to 16 on the address plane area 100, respectively.

  That is, the postal code entered in the input field 81 of the input screen 80 is arranged in the postal code area 101. The address input in the first input field 82 and the building name input in the second input field 83 of the input screen 80 are arranged in the address area 102. Furthermore, the address character information input in the input fields 91 to 95 of the input screen 90 is arranged in the address area 103. In addition, the character information of the sender's zip code, address, and surname entered on the sender input screen (not shown) is arranged in the arrangement areas 104 to 106, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the address area 102 in the address area 100, there is one text box 111 (hereinafter also referred to as “first text box 111”) corresponding to the input field 82 of “Address 1”. By arranging another text box 112 (hereinafter also referred to as “second text box 112”) corresponding to the input field 83 of “Address 2”, the character information in the text boxes 111 and 112 is laid out. Is done. In the first text box 111, the address input in the input field 82 of “Address 1” is arranged. In the second text box 112, the building name input in the input field 83 of “Address 2” is arranged.

  In the address area 100, a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 9) text boxes 115, 116, and 118 corresponding to the input fields 91 to 95 on the address input screen 90 are arranged in the address area 103. Is done. In the text boxes 115 and 116, company names, department names, and job titles in which characters are input in the input fields 91 to 93 are arranged. In the text box 118, the first and last names input in the first and last name input fields 94 and 95 are arranged. Of the sender information input on the sender input screen, text boxes (not shown) corresponding to the zip code, address, and surname are arranged in the arrangement areas 104 to 106.

  In the present embodiment, the text box 111 of “address 1” and the text box 112 of “address 2” partially overlap in the width direction (inter-row direction) intersecting the row direction as shown in FIGS. Are laid out. As an example, the overlapping amount of two text boxes for displaying addresses is one line (1/2 of the width). For example, the overlap amount is in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 rows. For example, in the case of an N-line text box, the overlap amount may be in the range of 0.8 · W / N to 1.2 · W / N. In this embodiment, the amount of overlap is a constant value, but it may be changed according to the conditions at that time.

  Note that the amount of overlap of the text boxes is not limited to the above, and may be a value corresponding to the number of lines in the text box. If the text box is, for example, N lines, the overlap amount may be 0.5 lines to (N-1) lines. Moreover, the range of 1/4 to 3/4 of the width | variety of the narrower width of two text boxes may be sufficient. It is sufficient that one of the two text boxes does not overlap over the entire width direction. This is because the layout that can be made by two text boxes is the same as the layout that can be made by one text box if both line spaces are the same if they overlap in the entire width direction.

  The text box is a unit for moving, enlarging / reducing, editing, etc. the character string inside the text box. The user can move the text box and edit characters by operating the operation unit 30. However, the range in which the address text box can be moved is limited within the address area 102.

  The user can change the arrangement position of the text box (see FIG. 9) arranged on the address surface area 100 by operating the operation unit 30. The text box position information (coordinate information) is stored in the RAM 54. These pieces of position information are expressed, for example, in relative coordinates with respect to arbitrary reference coordinates on the address plane area 100 (for example, coordinates (0, 0) with the upper left corner as the origin), and are located at diagonal positions of the rectangular area of the text box, for example. Indicated by the coordinates of the two corners.

  In addition, the nonvolatile memory 53 shown in FIG. 2 stores programs and data necessary for various controls of the printing apparatus 11. In addition, the non-volatile memory 53 stores address data of a plurality of types of postcards including the above-mentioned New Year postcards and blank image data of the communication side.

Next, a functional configuration of the controller 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 40 includes a functional part constructed as software by the CPU 51 that executes the program, and a functional part constructed by a circuit in which the program in the ASIC 52 is written. Specifically, the controller 40 edits the address and address to be printed on the address face of the postcard P and generates print data necessary for printing the edited result according to the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user. 60 and a print control unit 75 that drives and controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the generated print data. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 75, the print head 25, and the transport motor 24 constitute a print engine 46.

  The print control device 60 includes a main control unit 61, an area arrangement unit 62 (text box arrangement processing unit), a position adjustment unit 63, a size adjustment unit 64, a complement processing unit 65, as functional components for realizing the functions. A display processing unit 66, a print data generation unit 67, and a storage unit 68 are provided. The storage unit 68 is constituted by a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 53, for example, and the data stored therein is retained even when the printing apparatus 11 is turned off. The storage unit 68 stores a reference table RD and a conversion table CD in which a zip code and a part of an address that can be specified from the zip code are associated with each other. The complement processing unit 65 uses the conversion table CD from the zip code input in the input field 81 to acquire the address portion (first address) associated with the zip code in the address.

  The area arranging unit 62 performs processing for arranging the text box on the address plane area 100. The area arrangement unit 62 performs a process of arranging the text box 111 corresponding to the address 1 and the text box 112 corresponding to the address 2 at positions that partially overlap in the width direction intersecting the row direction. Further, the area arrangement unit 62 arranges the text box 112 corresponding to the address 2 with a shift to the end side in the row direction from the text box 111 corresponding to the address 1. Furthermore, the area arrangement unit 62 performs processing for setting the number of lines in the text box. For example, if the character string input in the input field 82 of “Address 1” is one line, the first text box 111 is made into one line so that only one line can be input, and the input field of “Address 1” If the character string input in 82 is a plurality of lines (in this example, two lines), the first text box 111 is made into a plurality of lines (in this example, two lines) in which the plurality of lines can be input. To do.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the area arrangement unit 62 arranges the address related text boxes 115 to 118 at appropriate positions in the address area 103. The address text box 118 is the widest and can be arranged with a large character size. The company name, department name and title text boxes 115 to 117 are narrower than the address text box 118 and are smaller than the address. Characters can be arranged with a small character size. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), when there is only one address text box 118, text boxes 118 having almost the same height in the row direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the address area 103 are placed in the address area. 103 is arranged at the address arrangement position in the width direction 103 (the horizontal direction in the figure).

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 12B to 12D, in the case of a plurality of lines in which at least one of the company name, department name, and title is added to the address, At least two corresponding to the plurality of lines are arranged at positions shifted by a predetermined amount stepwise toward the end in the line direction as the line heads from the first line to the last line. That is, at least two of the text boxes 115 to 118 corresponding to a plurality of lines are arranged at positions where the heads of the lines are descending to the left.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, when there are two text boxes, the right company name text box 115 is generated with a height equal to the entire height direction of the address area 103, and the address text box 118 has a height. It is generated in a shorter size by a predetermined amount (for example, a half character of the standard font size) smaller than one character in the direction. The two text boxes 115 and 118 are both arranged in the address area 103 in a bottom-aligned manner. Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, when there are three text boxes, the rightmost “company name” text box 115 is generated with a height equal to the entire height direction of the address area 103, and the second The “Department name” text box 116 is generated in a height that is shorter by a predetermined amount (for example, a half character) than a single character in the height direction. Further, the “address” text box 118 is generated in a height that is shorter than twice a predetermined amount (for example, about one character) in the height direction. Each text box 115, 116, 118 is arranged in the address area 103 in a bottom-aligned manner.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12D, when there are four text boxes, the text boxes 115 to 117 of “company name”, “department name”, and “title” are displayed in the order of the height of the address area 103. It is generated at a height equal to the entire area in the horizontal direction and a height shorter by a predetermined amount (for example, half characters of the standard font size) than the text box located next to the first line side. The text boxes 115 to 117 are arranged in the address area 103 in a bottom-aligned manner. The character strings arranged in the address area 103 in this way are arranged in a downward-sloping array in which the beginning of the line descends in order from the first line by a predetermined amount less than one character. This makes it easy to see the company name, department name, title, and address placed in the address area 103. The predetermined amount may be a value of one character or more of the standard font size, for example, a value of one character or a value of one character half. Further, not only the standard font size but also a predetermined amount (for example, a predetermined amount smaller than one character) can be determined based on the font size of the line (text box) adjacent to the first line side (right adjacent in FIG. 12), for example. Good.

  3 adjusts the position of the character strings in the text boxes 111 and 112 corresponding to the address 1 and the address 2, respectively. The position adjustment unit 63 adjusts the position of the character string in the width direction in the second text box 112, and adjusts the position of the character string in the row direction in the first and second text boxes 111 and 112. And a second position adjustment unit 72.

  The first position adjustment unit 71 adjusts the position of the character string in the width direction in the second text box 112 corresponding to “Address 2” according to the number of lines of the first text box 111 corresponding to “Address 1”. Process. As shown in FIG. 11A, the first position adjustment unit 71, when one line of character string T1 is arranged in the first text box 111, one line of character string T2 in the second text box 112. Center. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the first position adjustment unit 71 converts the second text box 112 into two lines when the two lines of character strings T11 and T12 are arranged in the first text box 111. The first line in the second text box 112 is broken, and the character string T2 of one line is arranged on the second line.

  When “address 1” has a plurality of lines (in this example, two lines), the second position adjustment unit 72 determines the number of characters such as the number of characters on the first line and the sum of the number of characters on the first and second lines. Processing for adjusting the position of the character string T12 in the second row in the row direction (first position adjustment processing) is performed. In addition, the second position adjustment unit 72 sets “address 2” according to the number of characters such as the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” and the sum of the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” and “address 2”. Processing for adjusting the position of the character string in the line direction (second position adjustment processing) is performed. Details of the position adjustment processing performed by the second position adjustment unit 72 will be described later.

  The size adjustment unit 64 adjusts the character size (font size) of the characters in the text box. The size adjustment unit 64 performs processing for adjusting the character size according to the number of characters per line in the text boxes 111 and 112. When the number of lines in the text box is a plurality of lines, the size adjustment unit 64 sets the number of characters in the line that is the maximum number of characters among the plurality of lines as the number of characters per line used when determining the character size. If the number of characters per line is equal to or less than the set value K (K = 17 as an example), the size adjusting unit 64 sets the characters in the text boxes 111 and 112 to a predetermined character size and the number of characters per line. Exceeds the set value K, the larger the number of characters, the smaller the character size. In this case, the character size may be continuously reduced for each character whose number exceeds the set value K, or the character size may be reduced stepwise for each of a plurality of characters.

  In the case where the text box has a plurality of lines, if the first line of the text box of address 1 is 10 characters and the second line is 20 characters, it corresponds to 20 characters, which has the larger number of characters per line. The character size. For example, if the address is 30 characters, the address is changed from the beginning to the number of characters less than the set value K, and the characters in the text box are changed to the number of characters less than the set value on the first and second lines. It is possible to increase the character size.

  When the number of characters per line exceeds K characters, the second position adjustment unit 72 performs character position adjustment processing without reducing the character size under the condition that the character size decreases as the number of characters increases. .

  There are a plurality of patterns shown in FIG. 13 as the character position adjustment method performed by the second position adjustment unit 72 according to the character number condition. FIG. 13 shows a combination of the number of characters in the first and second lines of “Address 1” and a position adjustment pattern for adjusting the character string in the second line of “Address 1” in the line direction according to the combination. Show the relationship. There are five types of position adjustment patterns shown in FIG. Up to Z characters can be entered in the first and second lines. Note that the position adjustment process is not performed in the pattern 5 corresponding to the combination in which the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines is equal to or more than Z characters.

  In the combination of the number of characters belonging to the pattern 1, a process of aligning the character string T12 on the second line with the character string T11 on the first line is performed. Specifically, if the number of characters on the first line is greater than that on the second line and more than K characters, a double-byte space (blank) is added at the beginning of the second line by the number that can be the same character string length (number of characters) as the first line. insert. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, even if the number of characters on the second line is increased by inserting full-width spaces, the character size on the first line is prevented from becoming smaller than the character size determined by the number of characters, The character string on the second line is aligned with the character string on the first line.

  In the combination of the number of characters belonging to pattern 2, if the first line is less than K characters and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines (total character string length) is greater than or equal to K characters, the second line is K characters. Insert as many full-width spaces (blanks) at the beginning of the second line. As a result, the first and second lines both have the maximum character size set, and the second line is aligned downward.

  In the combination of the number of characters belonging to pattern 3, if the first line is less than K characters and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines is less than K characters, the first character in the second line and the last character in the first line Are inserted at the beginning of the second line as many double-byte spaces (blanks) that can be arranged in the width direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14C, even if a full-width space is inserted in the second line, the character size in the first line is prevented from being smaller than the character size determined by the number of characters, and the maximum character size is obtained. In addition, the character string T11 on the first line and the character string T12 on the second line are prevented from being laid out in the line direction.

  In the combination of the number of characters belonging to the pattern 4, when the number of characters in the second line is larger than that in the first line and K characters or more, the character string is expanded using the maximum area in the line direction, so that the first line Adjust so that the head is half-spaced down so that it does not align with the head. Similarly, when the first line is only one character, the process of pattern 4 is performed. The table shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the storage unit 68 as a reference table RD. The computer 50 refers to the reference table RD, identifies the position adjustment pattern from the combination of the number of characters in the first and second lines at that time, and stores the line in the second character string in a manner corresponding to the identified pattern. Adjust the position of the direction.

  The second position adjustment unit 72 also performs a second position adjustment process for adjusting the position of the character string T2 of “address 2” in the row direction. The second position adjustment process is basically the same as the first position adjustment process. That is, in FIG. 13, a pattern corresponding to the combination of the number of characters of the last line of “Address 1” and the number of characters of “Address 2” shown in () is specified, and “Address 2” is determined in a manner corresponding to the specified pattern. "Is adjusted in the line direction. At this time, if a full-width space is inserted in the last line of “address 1” in the first position adjustment process, the number of characters including the full-width space is used. By this second position adjustment processing, the character string T2 of “address 2” is arranged at the end of the line direction with the same character size as “address 1”.

  For example, in the combination of the number of characters belonging to the pattern 3, if the last line of “Address 1” is less than K characters and the sum of the number of characters of the last line of “Address 1” and “Address 2” is less than K characters, The number of full-width spaces that the first character of “2” and the last character of the last line of “address 1” can be arranged in the width direction are inserted at the beginning of the character of “address 2”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14E, even if a full-width space is inserted in “address 2”, the character size of the last line of “address 1” is prevented from being smaller than the character size determined from the number of characters. In addition, the maximum character size can be achieved, and the character string T12 in the last line of “Address 1” and the character string T2 in “Address 2” are prevented from being separated in the line direction.

  Further, the complement processing unit 65 shown in FIG. 3 acquires an address portion corresponding to the postal code. The complement processing unit 65 includes a conversion table CD stored in the storage unit 68. When the complement processing unit 65 acquires the zip code input in the input field 81 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the input screen 80, the supplement processing unit 65 refers to the conversion table CD based on the acquired zip code and converts the zip code to the zip code. Get a part of the corresponding address (address part). Then, the acquired address part (first address) is output to the input field 82 of “Address 1” on the input screen 80. For this reason, the user only has to input a portion of the address following the address portion in the input field 82.

  In the present embodiment, when the postal code is input on the input screen 80, the main control unit 61 acquires the address part corresponding to the postal code and outputs it to the input field 82A on the first line when the postal code is input. A line feed is performed at the end of the character string of the output address portion, and automatic line feed processing is performed to move the cursor C to the beginning of the next line (second line in this example). By this automatic line feed processing, as shown in FIG. 5, a line break is made at the end of the address portion corresponding to the postal code (character string T11 in the example of FIG. 5), and the cursor C moves to the beginning of the second line. Then, the user inputs the continuation of the address part from the top of the second line. That is, the address part specified by the zip code in the address is arranged in the first line, and the part that cannot be specified by the zip code is arranged in the second line.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the address character string T1 is input with a predetermined number of characters exceeding K characters in one line, the character size becomes too small to read the characters, and the address and address The font size is not well balanced and looks bad.

  On the other hand, when the automatic line feed process is performed, the user automatically inputs the address portion that can be specified from the postal code in the input field 82A on the first line of the address input screen 80, as shown in FIG. An address portion that cannot be specified from the zip code is input in the input field 82B on the line, and the address is input in two lines. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, the address character strings T11 and T12 are both K characters or less in both lines, and the address characters have the maximum character size. As a result, the address is easy to read with a large character size and the balance between the character size of the address and the address is good.

  The display processing unit 66 shown in FIG. 3 displays a setting screen on the display unit 17 or displays various screens corresponding to the selection result selected by the user operating the operation unit 30. For this reason, the display processing unit 66 causes the display unit 17 to display a postcard P address screen and a communication screen editing screen, and causes the display unit 17 to display a postcard P print preview screen.

  The print data generation unit 67 generates print data for printing characters arranged on the address side of the postcard P and characters and images arranged on the communication side. Specifically, the print data generation unit 67 generates print data for the address plane based on the address plane data including characters arranged in the address plane area 100 in the RAM 54. The print data generation unit 67 generates print data for the communication surface based on the communication surface data including characters and images arranged in the communication surface area in the RAM 54. Here, the color systems of the address plane data and the communication plane data are not particularly limited, but here, as an example, data of the RGB color system is used. The print data includes CMYK color system print image data corresponding to the color of ink ejected from the print head 25 and a command (command) used by the print control unit 75 for print control.

  The print data generated by the print data generation unit 67 is input to the print control unit 75 constituting the print engine 46. The print control unit 75 includes a head control unit 76 that controls driving of the print head 25 based on print image data in the print data, and a conveyance control unit 77 that controls the conveyance motor 24 based on commands in the print data. have. When printing on the postcard P, the head control unit 76 performs ejection control for ejecting ink from the nozzles of the print head 25 based on the print image data, and the transport control unit 77 transports the postcard P based on the command. I do. In this respect, in this embodiment, the print engine 46 corresponds to an example of a “printing unit”.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, a description will be given of address surface generation processing for laying out address character information input on the input screens 80, 90 and the like in the address surface area 100 to generate an address surface. The computer 50 executes this processing routine by executing the address generation program read from the nonvolatile memory 53.

  The user displays the input screens 80, 90, etc. corresponding to the address book on the display unit 17, and operates the operation unit 30 under the display state, so that the destination zip code, address, address, sender information, etc. input. When the input or editing on the input screens 80 and 90 is completed, the one address book is created or updated. When one of the address books is selected, an operation for previewing the address surface or an operation for instructing execution of printing is performed, and then the computer 50 displays the destination character information input on the input screens 80 and 90 as the address surface. By laying out on the area 100, an address surface generation process for generating an address surface is started. At this time, the computer 50 expands the postcard blank address surface image selected from the storage unit 68 in a predetermined area of the RAM, and executes the following processing to a predetermined area of the address surface area 100. A text box including a character string such as a postal code, an address and an address is arranged at an appropriate position. Further, the computer 50 adjusts the position of the character string in the text box, thereby generating an address surface in which the character string is arranged at an appropriate position and in an appropriate size.

  First, in step S1, the computer 50 arranges the first and second text boxes 111 and 112 corresponding to “address 1” and “address 2” partially overlapping in the width direction, and sets the second text box 112. The first text box 111 is shifted from the end in the line direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the first text box 111 of the address 1 and the second text box 112 of the address 2 are arranged in the address area 102 so as to overlap, for example, one line area in the width direction. At this time, the text box of the address 2 is shifted from the first text box 111 of the address 1 by one character at the end in the row direction (lower side in FIG. 10). At this time, if the character string of “address 1” is one line in the first text box 111, the character string T1 of the one line is centered and arranged. On the other hand, if the character string of “address 1” is two lines, the character string T11 is arranged on the first line, and the character string T12 is arranged on the second line.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not “address 1” is one line. That is, if the address characters are input to the first line of “Address 1” and the second line is a blank line, it is determined that “Address 1” is one line. Further, if the address characters are input in both the first and second lines of “Address 1”, it is determined that “Address 1” is not one line. If “address 1” is one line, the process proceeds to step S3, and if “address 1” is not one line (for example, if it is two lines), the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S3, the second text box corresponding to “address 2” is made into one line. Here, the text boxes 111 and 112 have a width of two lines with a predetermined character size when the number of characters per line is K or less. In this process, one line of characters can be arranged in the second text box 112.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the character string T1 of “address 1” is arranged in the first text box 111 in one line in the center of the width. As described above, the character string T1 of the address 1 and the character string T2 of the address 2 are arranged in different text boxes 111 and 112, respectively, but are laid out at an appropriate interval (between lines).

  In the next step S4, the character string “address 2” is centered and arranged in the second text box. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the character string “Address 1” is arranged in one line in the center of the width in the first text box 111, and the character “Address 2” is placed in the second text box 112. Columns are arranged in one row in the middle of the width. At this time, since the first text box 111 and the second text box 112 overlap each other in the width direction, the character strings in the text boxes 111 and 112 of “Address 1” and “Address 2” are in the width direction. The layout is made at an appropriate interval in the width direction without being too wide.

In step S5, the second text box corresponding to “address 2” is divided into two lines. That is, the second text box 112 can be arranged with two lines of characters.
In the next step S6, a line feed code is added to the first line of the second text box. That is, the first line in the second text box 112 that has been made into two lines is made a blank line by a line feed, and the character string “address 2” is arranged on the second line. At this time, since the first text box 111 and the second text box 112 overlap each other in the width direction, the character strings in the text boxes 111 and 112 of “Address 1” and “Address 2” are in the width direction. The layout is made at an appropriate interval in the width direction without being too wide.

  In step S7, a first position adjustment process is performed to adjust the position of the second character string “address 1” in the line direction. The first position adjustment process is performed by the computer 50 executing a first position adjustment routine shown in FIG. As a result of the first position adjustment processing, the second character string T12 has the same character size as the first character string T11 of “address 1” in the first text box 111, as shown in FIG. And it is arranged at a lower position. Details of the first position adjustment processing will be described later.

  In step S8, a second position adjustment process for adjusting the position of the character string of address 2 in the row direction is performed. The second position adjustment process is performed by the computer 50 executing a second position adjustment routine shown in FIG. When “address 1” is one line as shown in FIG. 11A by the second position adjustment processing, the last line of “address 1” in the second text box 112 (in the example of FIG. 11A) The first character string T2 of “address 2” is arranged at the lower position with the same character size with respect to the character string T1 of the first line).

  In addition, when “address 1” has two lines as shown in FIG. 11B by the second position adjustment processing, the last line of “address 1” in the second text box 112 (in FIG. 11B). In the example, the character string T2 in the first line of “Address 2” is arranged with the same character size and aligned below the character string T12 in the second line). However, since the second text box is shifted to the end in the line direction from the first text box, the character string T2 is positioned to be shifted to the end in the line direction from the last character of the character string T12 by the shift amount. . Details of the second position adjustment processing will be described later.

  Next, details of the first position adjustment processing routine and the second position adjustment processing routine will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. First, the first position adjustment processing routine executed by the computer 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the first line of “address 1” is greater than the number of characters in the second line and is equal to or greater than a set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S12. If this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, a number of spaces having the same character string length as the first line are added to the head of the second line. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, the character string of the second line in the first text box 111 of “address 1” is arranged at the same character size as the first line and aligned at the bottom. .

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the first line of “address 1” is less than the set value K and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines is greater than or equal to the set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S14, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S14, the number of blanks in which the number of characters on the second line is the same as the set value K is added to the head of the second line. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14B, the second character string T12 in the first text box 111 of “address 1” has the same character size as the first character string T11 and a lower position. Placed in.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the first line of “address 1” is less than the set value K and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines is less than the set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S16, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S16, the number of blanks that allow the last character of the first line of “address 1” and the first character of the second line to be arranged in the width direction are added to the head of the second line. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14C, in the first text box 111 of “address 1”, the character string T11 on the first line and the character string T12 on the second line both have the number of characters per line K. The final character in the first row and the first character in the second row are arranged at positions adjacent to each other in the width direction with a predetermined character size at the following times.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the number of characters on the second line of “address 1” is greater than the number of characters on the first line and is equal to or greater than the set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S18. If this condition is not satisfied, nothing is done and the routine is terminated.

  In step S18, one half-width space is added to the head of the second line of “Address 1”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14D, the character string T12 of the second line in the first text box 111 of “Address 1” has the same character size as the character string T11 of the first line and the second line. The first character is shifted downward by one half-width space from the first character on the first line. That is, the character string on the second line is indented by one half-width space with respect to the character string on the first line.

The second position adjustment process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” is larger than the number of characters in “address 2” and is equal to or greater than a set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S22, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, a number of spaces having the same character string length as the last line of “Address 1” are added to the beginning of the character of “Address 2”. As a result, the character string in the second text box 112 of “Address 2” is arranged at the same character size as the last line of “Address” and at the bottom aligned position.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” is less than the set value K and the sum of the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” and “address 2” is greater than or equal to the set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S24, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S24, the number of blanks in which the number of characters in “address 2” is the same as the set value K is added to the beginning of the characters in “address 2”. As a result, the character string T2 in the second text box 112 of “Address 2” has the same character size as the character string T12 of the last line of “Address 1” and is arranged at a lower position.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not the number of characters in the last line of “Address 1” is less than the set value K and the sum of the number of characters in the last line of “Address 1” and “Address 2” is less than the set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S26, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S26, a number of spaces that allow the last character of the last line of “address 1” and the first character of “address 2” to be arranged in the width direction are added to the beginning of the character of “address 2”. As a result, when the character string T12 in the last line in the first text box 111 of “Address 1” and the character string T2 in the second text box 112 of “Address 2” are both K or less in number of characters. And the last character of the last line of “Address 1” and the first character of “Address 2” are arranged at positions adjacent to each other in the width direction.

  In step S27, it is determined whether or not the number of characters of “address 2” is greater than the number of characters in the last line of “address 1” and is equal to or greater than a set value K. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S28. If this condition is not satisfied, nothing is done and the routine is terminated.

  In step S28, one half-width space is added at the beginning of the characters of “address 2”. As a result, the character string T2 in the second text box 112 of “Address 2” has the same character size as the character string T12 of the last line of “Address 1”, and the first character of “Address 2” is “Address 1”. The first line of the last line is arranged so as to be shifted downward by one half-width space. That is, the character string of “Address 2” is indented by one half-width space with respect to the character string of the last line of “Address 1”.

  In addition, since the second text box 112 is arranged at a position shifted by one character toward the end of the line in the line direction from the first text box 111, the number of characters in the character string T2 of the address 2 is K characters or more and 2 Even if characters are arranged from the top of the text box 112, the first character (at the beginning of the line) of the character string T2 of the address 2 is indented from the character string T1 of the address 1.

  Next, the input support process will be described with reference to FIG. When inputting a postal code and an address on the address input screen 80, the user's input operation is supported so that the address character string is laid out in an appropriate position with an appropriate character size. When the address input screen 80 is in the display state, the computer 50 executes an input support processing routine shown in FIG.

First, in step S31, it is determined whether a postal code has been input. If the postal code is input, the process proceeds to step S32. If the postal code is not input, the routine ends.
In step S32, a postal code automatic complement process is executed to obtain an address portion corresponding to the postal code.

In the next step S33, the address portion corresponding to the postal code is output to the first line of “Address 1” on the input screen.
In the next step S34, a line feed process is executed to move the cursor to the beginning of the second line of address 1.

  In this way, a part of the address can be output from the postal code input in the input field 81 to the input field 82 </ b> A of “Address 1” using the automatic completion function. In this case, the address portion corresponding to the postal code is output to the input field 82A of “Address 1” and a line feed is made at the end thereof, and the cursor C moves to the top of the input field 82B on the second line. The user inputs the continuation of the address as it is, so that the first stage of the address specified from the zip code is input to the first line, and the second stage of the address that cannot be specified from the zip code is input to the second line. In this way, the address is divided into two lines, the first stage and the second stage, so that the number of characters per line can be relatively reduced compared to the case where all addresses are stored in one line. it can. As a result, the address can be printed with relatively large characters. For example, if the number of characters per line is less than the set value K, printing can be performed with the maximum character size for addresses.

  For example, when the user operates the operation unit 30 to instruct execution of printing, the computer 50 generates print data based on address surface data including character information arranged in the address surface area 100 shown in FIG. Then, the print control unit 75 controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the print data, so that the same print content as the address information shown in FIG. 8 is printed on the address face of the postcard P. On the address face of this postcard P, since the character string constituting the address is printed with an appropriate character size and at an appropriate position between appropriate lines, the address printed on the address face is easy to read. Since the character strings T11, T12, and T2 to be configured are arranged in a layout close to that of handwriting, the appearance is good.

According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Width at which the first text box 111 (an example of the first area) and the second text box 112 (an example of the second area) intersect with the line direction of the character string to be arranged by the area arrangement unit 62 It is arranged at a position that partially overlaps in the direction. Then, both the character strings arranged in the first text box 111 and the second text box 112 are adjusted to positions that do not overlap in the width direction by the position adjusting unit 63. Therefore, the character strings T1, T2 or T12, T2 of the adjacent lines arranged in the different text boxes 111, 112 can be arranged in the address plane area 100 at an appropriate interval (between lines). For example, when the first text box 111 has two lines, it is possible to secure the same line spacing as the character strings T11 and T12 in the same text box 111 in the character strings T12 and T2 in the different text boxes 111 and 112.

  (2) The area arrangement unit 62 includes at least a part of the last line area among the maximum number of lines that can be arranged in the first text box 111 and one line out of the maximum number of lines that can be arranged in the second text box 112. Overlap at least part of the row area of the eye. For this reason, the space | interval (namely, line space) of the width direction of the character in the 1st text box 111 and the character in the 2nd text box 112 does not become too wide or too narrow. Therefore, as compared with the conventional configuration in which the text boxes (areas) do not overlap, the destination character string can be arranged at an appropriate interval (between lines) even between different text boxes.

  (3) When the number of lines of characters arranged in the first text box 111 and the second text box 112 is both one, the position adjustment unit 63 centers the characters in both the text boxes 111 and 112. Therefore, two lines of character strings arranged one by one in different text boxes 111 and 112 can be arranged at an appropriate interval (inter-line) in the width direction.

  (4) When the position adjustment unit 63 has two lines of characters in the first text box 111 and one line of characters in the second text box 112, the second text box 112 has two lines and one line. Is placed on the second line. Therefore, an appropriate interval can be secured between the characters on the first line and the characters on the second line.

  (5) If the number of characters for one line arranged in the first text box 111 and the second text box is greater than or equal to the set value K, the print control device 60 provided in the printing apparatus 11 has the number of characters for one line. A size adjusting unit 64 that reduces the character size continuously or stepwise as the number increases is provided. The position adjustment unit 63 then determines the character determined from the number of characters in the first line at the beginning of the second line of at least one text box in which a plurality of lines are arranged in the first text box 111 and the second text box 112. Add the number of blanks within the range where the size and the second line have the same character size. Therefore, even if a blank is added to the second line, the character string of the second line is shifted from the character string of the first line to the end in the line direction while avoiding a decrease in the character size of the first line. It becomes easier to read.

  (6) When the number of characters arranged in the second text box 112 is one line, the position adjustment unit 63 is the same as the character size of the last line of the first text box 111 at the beginning (the beginning of the line) of the second text box 112. A number of blanks within the range of character size are added (FIGS. 14A and 14B). Therefore, even if a blank is added, the character size of the character string T2 in the second text box 112 can be prevented from being smaller than the character size of the characters in the first text box 111. Furthermore, since the character string of the second text box 112 is shifted from the last character string of the first text box 111 to the end in the line direction, it is easy to read and the adjacent text boxes 111 and 112 are adjacent to each other. Two lines of character strings T12 and T2 can be arranged in a balanced manner in the line direction.

  (7) The position adjustment unit 63 determines that the number of characters in the first line of the first text box 111 is less than the set value K and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines of the first text box 111 is less than the set value K. In this case, a blank is added at the beginning of the character on the second line so that the last character on the first line of the first text box 111 and the first character on the second line are arranged next to each other in the width direction. For this reason, the last character of the first line of the first text box 111 and the first character of the second line are arranged next to each other in the width direction (FIGS. 14C and 14E). The character string T11 on the first line is located closer to the beginning of the line, and the character string T12 on the second line starts from the same position as the last character in the line direction. Therefore, the character strings T11 and T12 on the second line are arranged in a balanced manner in the line direction. In addition, when reading a destination (for example, an address), it is easy to read because the amount of shifting the line of sight from the first character string to the second character string is small.

  (8) The position adjustment unit 63 determines that the number of characters in the last line of the first text box 111 is less than the set value K, and the sum of the number of characters in the last line and the number of characters in the first line of the second text box 112 is the set value K. If the number is less than the number, a blank is added to the beginning of the first line of the second text box 112 in such a number that the last character of the last line and the first character of the first line can be arranged next to each other in the width direction. For this reason, the last character of the last line of the first text box 111 and the first character of the first line of the second text box 112 are arranged next to each other in the width direction. Therefore, the character strings T12 and T2 of two lines can be arranged in a balanced manner in the line direction, and the amount of line of sight to be shifted from the last line of the first text box 111 to the first line of the second text box 112 when reading the destination is large. The address is easy to read because it is less.

  (9) The area arrangement unit 62 arranges the second text box 112 while shifting it from the first text box 111 toward the end in the row direction. For this reason, the beginning of the character string in the second text box 112 starts from a position shifted from the beginning of the character string in the first text box 111 toward the end in the row direction. Therefore, it is easier to see the destination character string compared to the case where the line head positions of the character strings are the same. For example, when characters such as a destination address are arranged in order from the right line to the left line in vertical writing, the character string T2 on the left side (second text box 112) of the character string T2 on the left side (first text box 111). Begins at the beginning of the line. Therefore, it is easy to see the destination such as an address, and a plurality of character strings of the destination can be arranged in a good-looking layout with a well-balanced position in the row direction.

  (10) The destination includes a zip code and an address, and includes a display processing unit 66 that causes the display unit 17 to display an address input screen 80 on which the zip code and address characters input by the operation unit 30 are output. When the zip code is input by the operation unit 30, the first address that is a portion that can be specified from the zip code is output to the input field 82 </ b> A on the first line of the address input screen 80, and a part of the address is input. A complement processing unit 65 for automatically complementing is provided. The complement processing unit 65 outputs the first address to the input field 82A on the first line and makes a line feed. Therefore, the address auto-completion function based on the zip code makes it easy for the user to input the address, and the first address of the address is arranged on the first line, and the subsequent part that cannot be specified from the zip code is 2 You can enter from the beginning of the line. For this reason, the number of characters in the first line can be reduced. Therefore, even if the character size is reduced as the number of characters increases, the character size of the address can be relatively increased as compared to the case where all the characters of the address are arranged in the first line. .

  (11) When the zip code is input, the complement processing unit 65 outputs the first address specified from the zip code to the input field 82A on the first line, and moves the cursor C to the second line. Therefore, compared with the case where all characters of the address are input on the first line, the address character size can be made relatively large, and the remaining address other than the first address can be left as it is without moving the cursor C. Since it is only necessary to operate the part 30 by operating the operation unit 30, the user can input the address relatively easily.

  (12) The printing apparatus 11 includes a print control device 60 and a print engine 46 that prints on the postcard P based on the print data generated by the print control device 60. For this reason, the printing device 11 can print the destination character string on the mail medium at an appropriate interval (line spacing) in the width direction.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the input support processing routine. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the portion related to the input support process will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 22, first, in step S41, it is determined whether or not a zip code has been input. If a zip code has been input, the process proceeds to step S42, where the zip code is automatically complemented and processed from the zip code. The specified address part (first address) is acquired. In the next step S43, the address portion (first address) corresponding to the postal code is separated into a preceding stage and a succeeding stage by a delimiter character. Here, the delimiter character refers to a character that becomes a break in the address, for example, “Metro”, “Road”, “Fu”, “Prefecture”, “City”, “Town”, “Village”, “Ward”, etc. Is mentioned. A search for a delimiter character from the end of the address portion corresponding to the postal code is performed, and the first address is separated into two immediately after the first delimiter character, and divided into a first stage and a second stage. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, since the delimiter “ku” is found, the first address is separated into two immediately after the delimiter “ku”. □□ Ward ”and“ XX ”in the latter part.

  In the next step S44, the preceding stage of the address portion is output on the first line of “address 1” on the input screen. That is, the first stage of the first address is output to the input field 82A on the first line of “Address 1”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the first stage before “ku” in the first address is output to the input field 82A on the first line. In the next step S45, line feed processing is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, a line feed is started immediately after “ku”.

  In the next step S46, the latter part of the address portion is output to the second line of “address 1” on the input screen, and the cursor is moved to the final position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, “XX” in the subsequent stage is output to the input field 82B on the second line of “Address 1”, and the cursor moves to the end of the subsequent stage. For this reason, after the address part corresponding to the input zip code is automatically supplemented, the user inputs a part of the address that is not automatically supplemented by operating the operation unit 30. After “XX”, for example, “1-2-3” that is not automatically complemented is input.

  As a result, when the address plane area 100 is generated, as shown in FIG. 21, the first line corresponding to the postal code in the first text box 111 corresponding to the address 1 is “ku”. The previous previous stage is arranged. Then, in the second line of the first text box 111, the latter part “XX” of the first address and “1-3 chome 2-3” input by the operation of the operation unit 30 are made into one line. "XX 1-chome 2-3" is entered. When the address plane area 100 is generated, a blank is added to the beginning of the second line of the first text box 111 and a blank is added to the beginning of the line of the second text box 112. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Are laid out at positions appropriately shifted in the row direction.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(13) When the postal code is input on the address input screen 80, the second address that is a part from the top of the first address that can be specified by the postal code is input to the first line of the first text box 111. A line feed is made, and the rest of the first address other than the second address is output to the second line of the first text box 111 and the cursor C is moved to the end of the output character string. Therefore, the user can easily input an address by the auto-completion function, and can display an easy-to-read address with a large character size.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed into the following forms.
The vertical writing shown in the above embodiment is not limited and horizontal writing may be used. As shown in FIG. 23, in the address area for horizontal writing (none of which is shown) in the address area, text boxes 111, corresponding to the address 1, address 2, and address in the order from the top line to the bottom line, respectively. 112 is arranged. Further, the text box 111 corresponding to the address 1 and the text box 112 corresponding to the address 2 are arranged so as to partially overlap in the width direction intersecting the row direction. Then, the position of the character string in the second text box 112 is adjusted in the width direction according to the number of lines in the first text box 111. For this reason, even in the horizontal writing, the line spacing of the character strings T12 and T2 is not too wide between the different text boxes 111 and 112, and the same line spacing as the character strings T11 and T12 in the same text box can be secured. Therefore, the line of the character string constituting the address is almost aligned, the address character string is easy to read, and the layout of the character string in the width direction can be well laid out. Further, when characters such as the address of the destination are arranged in order from the upper line to the lower line by horizontal position adjustment by adjusting the position of the character string in the line direction, the lower side of the upper line (first text box 111) than the beginning of the character string (the second text box 111) Starts at the position where the beginning of the line in the area is shifted to the right. As described above, the position of the head of the second character string is shifted toward the end of the line direction from the head of the first character string, so that the destination such as an address becomes easy to see and the destination character string is changed. It can be arranged in a good-looking layout arranged in a balanced manner in the row direction. Further, the second text box 112 is shifted from the first text box 111 toward the end in the row direction. For this reason, when the character string T12 in the last line of the first text box 111 and the character string T2 in the second text box 112 are arranged to be right-aligned by adding a blank space, for example, the character string T2 rather than the last character of the character string T12. The last character of is shifted to the end in the line direction. Therefore, the character strings in the different text boxes 111 and 112 can be arranged in a balanced manner in the row direction.

  The amount by which the text box 112 of the address 2 is shifted toward the end in the line direction with respect to the first text box 111 of the address 1 is not limited to one character in the maximum character size, but even a half character (one character) It may be two characters or three characters. For example, the number of characters to be shifted may be constant, and the amount to be shifted may be changed according to the character size of the characters in the first and second text boxes.

  An arrangement in which the text box 112 of the address 2 is shifted to the end in the row direction (downward in FIG. 10) with respect to the first text box 111 of the address 1 is not essential. The plurality of text boxes may be arranged at the same position in the row direction as long as they are arranged at positions that partially overlap in the width direction.

-Address 2 may be two lines. In this case, the first position adjustment process is performed on both the text boxes 111 and 112 corresponding to the address 1 and the address 2.
Address 1 may be one line and address 2 may be multiple lines. In this case, the first position adjustment process is performed on the character string in the second text box corresponding to the address 2 on the plurality of lines.

-Address 1 may be a plurality of lines of three or more lines. Further, the address 2 may be a plurality of lines of three or more lines.
The first and second lines of address 1 may be arranged in separate text boxes. In this case, if the text box corresponding to the first line and the text box corresponding to the second line are arranged so as to partially overlap in the width direction, it is appropriate between the character strings T11 and T12 of the first line and the second line. A large interval (line spacing) can be secured.

  The first area may be an address text box, and the second area may be an address text box. For example, in the document processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the address area and the address area may be arranged so as to partially overlap in the width direction intersecting the row direction. In this case, the character string of the last line of the address and the character string of the first line of the address can be arranged between appropriate lines.

  ・ The characters are not limited to Japanese but may be English. For example, in Europe and the United States, addresses are written in reverse order from Japanese, and are written in order from detailed addresses to rough addresses. Therefore, the addresses displayed in the first area and the second area are reversed. That is, a character string such as a building name is arranged in one line in the text box 111 corresponding to the address 1, and an address up to the address is arranged in the second text box 112 corresponding to the address 2 in a range of up to two lines. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which inputs a part of address from a ZIP code by auto-completion by using the ZIP code used in the United States instead of a zip code.

  When the first area has two lines, the second area is not limited to the configuration in which the beginning of the character is broken. For example, the default attribute of the second area is set as centering, and the attribute of the second area is changed to the left according to the number of rows of the first area. Or, conversely, left alignment is the default attribute, and the centering is changed according to the number of rows in the first area. For example, when the first area is one row, the second area is changed to centering.

  In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 11 includes the print control apparatus 60. On the other hand, for example, in a printing system that includes a host device and a printing device 11 that can communicate with the host device in a wired or wireless manner, the host device may include a print control device 60. The host device is a personal computer, for example. In this configuration, when the user operates the operation unit of the host device to switch to the display of the address area 100 with one of the address books selected, the computer of the host device is shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 and 22. The computer functions as the print control device 60 by executing the program.

  In the printing system, the print control device 60 may exist separately for both the host device and the printing device 11. For example, the print data generation unit 67 of the print control device 60 is provided in the printing device 11, and other parts constituting the print control device 60 are provided in the host device. The host device is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, or a personal digital assistant (PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)). This type of portable host device has a relatively small memory capacity. If software with a relatively large capacity such as a print driver for configuring the print data generation unit is stored, a considerable part of the memory area is used. Therefore, the print data is generated on the printing apparatus 11 side. Therefore, the address data is transmitted from the host device to the printing device 11, and the print data generation unit 67 in the printing device 11 generates the print data based on the address data, and the print engine based on the generated print data. 46 prints on the address face of the postcard P.

  Each function unit constituting the print control device 60 is realized by software by the CPU 51 that executes the print control program. However, it is realized by hardware by an electronic circuit such as ASIC, or by cooperation of software and hardware. You may do it.

  The printing apparatus 11 may be a printing apparatus other than an ink jet printer as long as it can print on a postal matter such as a postcard P. For example, the printing apparatus may be a dot impact type or a laser type printer. The printing apparatus may be a multifunction machine. Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be a serial printer, a line printer, or a page printer. Further, the printing apparatus may be a postcard printer, a business printer, or a large format printer.

  The postal medium that is the printing object of the printing apparatus 11 is not limited to the postcard P, but may be other postal media such as an envelope. In addition, the postal medium may be delivered by putting a package to be delivered at a post office, for example, a package in which a letter or package is enclosed, or a package packed in a package. In this case, the address surface is composed of an address sticker (address label). After printing character information such as address information and sender information on the address sticker, the address sticker is affixed to a predetermined place on the pack or box and mailed. It is a medium. You may print on the address surface of the address sticker in the state separated from the pack and the box in this kind of postal media. That is, the address surface of the postal medium does not have to be integral with the postal medium at the time of printing, and the part forming the address surface may be separated from the postal medium like an address sticker. In this specification, it is assumed that the mail medium includes an object to be delivered by courier. The address sticker attached to the pack or box also serves as the address for the courier service.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printing apparatus, 17 ... Display part, 24 ... Conveyance motor which comprises an example of a printing part, 25 ... Print head which comprises an example of a printing part, 30 ... Operation part as an example of an input part, 46 ... Printing part Print engine as an example, 50 ... computer, 60 ... print control device, 61 ... main control unit, 62 ... area placement unit, 63 ... position adjustment unit, 64 ... size adjustment unit, 65 ... complement processing unit, 66 ... display process 67: Print data generation unit, 68 ... Storage unit, 71 ... First position adjustment unit, 72 ... Second position adjustment unit, 75 ... Print control unit, 80 ... Address input screen as an example of input screen, 82 ... First input field, 82A ... first input field, 82B ... second input field, 83 ... second input field, 90 ... address input screen, 100 ... address surface area as an example of mail medium area, 102 ... address area, 103 ... Address area, 111 ... No. A first text box as an example of the area, 112 ... a second text box as an example of the second area, P ... a postcard as an example of the postal medium, RD ... a reference table, CD ... a conversion table, C ... a cursor, T1, T11, T12, T2 ... character string (address 1), T2 ... character string (address 2).

Claims (13)

An input unit for inputting a destination character to be printed on a postal medium;
A display unit for displaying a postal medium area in which characters input by the input unit are arranged;
A region arrangement unit that arranges the first region and the second region in which the character string input by the input unit is arranged at a position that partially overlaps in the width direction intersecting the row direction of the character string to be arranged;
A printing control apparatus comprising: a position adjusting unit that adjusts positions of both character strings arranged in the first area and the second area so as not to overlap in the width direction.   The region placement unit includes at least a part of the row region of the last row among the maximum number of rows that can be placed in the first region and the first row of the maximum number of rows that can be placed in the second region. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the region is overlapped.   The position adjustment unit, when both the number of lines of characters arranged in the first and second areas are one line, center the characters in both areas. The printing control apparatus according to 2.   When the character in the first area is two lines and the character in the second area is one line, the position adjusting unit sets the second area to two lines and sets the character to two lines. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus is disposed in an eye. If the number of characters for one line arranged in the first and second areas is equal to or greater than a set value, the size adjusting unit further reduces the character size continuously or stepwise as the number of characters for one line increases. Prepared,
The position adjustment unit includes a character size determined from the number of characters in the first line, and a character size determined from the number of characters in the first line, at the top of the second line in at least one of the first area and the second area. 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a number of spaces within a range in which the second line has the same character size is added. If the number of characters for one line arranged in the first and second areas is equal to or greater than a set value, the size adjusting unit further reduces the character size continuously or stepwise as the number of characters for one line increases. Prepared,
When the character arranged in the second area is one line, the position adjustment unit has a character size of the last line of the first area and 1 of the second area at the beginning of the second area. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a number of blank spaces within a range in which lines have the same character size are added.   When the number of characters in the first line of the first region is less than the set value and the sum of the number of characters in the first and second lines of the first region is less than the set value, 7. The white space is added to the head of the second line so that the last character of the first line of the first region and the first character of the second line are arranged next to each other in the width direction. The printing control apparatus described.   In the position adjustment unit, the number of characters in the last line of the first area is less than the set value, and the sum of the number of characters in the last line of the first area and the first line of the second area is less than the set value. In this case, one line of the second region is as many as the number of the last character of the last line of the first region and the first character of the first row of the second region arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. The print control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a blank is added to the head of the eye.   The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the area arranging unit arranges the second area by shifting the second area toward the end in the row direction with respect to the first area. Control device. The address includes a zip code and an address,
A display processing unit that causes the display unit to display an input screen on which a destination character input by the input unit is output;
When a zip code is input by the input unit, a first address that is a portion that can be specified from the zip code in the address is output to an input area corresponding to the first area in the input screen, And a complement processing unit that complements part of the input,
10. The complement processing unit outputs a line feed by outputting at least a part of the first address from the top of the first address to the first line of the first area. Print control device. The display unit displays the input screen on which the address input by the operation of the input unit is output,
When the postal code is input by the input unit, the complement processing unit acquires the first address specified from the postal code, and outputs the first address to the first line of the first area, The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cursor is moved to the second line.   When the postal code is input by the input unit, the complement processing unit acquires the first address specified from the postal code, and the second address that is a part from the top of the first address is the first address. The first line of the first area is input and a line feed is performed, and the remaining part of the first address other than the second address is output to the second line of the first area and the second line is output. The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cursor is moved to the end of the character string. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A printing unit for printing on a mail medium based on the print data generated by the print control device;
A printing apparatus comprising: