JPH02258378A - Document forming device capable of many column printing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform a many column printing with an optimum column gap by a method wherein a user sets a column gap using a column gap setting means while identifying a printing image displayed on a display. CONSTITUTION:A display mechanism D of an electronic typewriter is connected to a main CPU 50 of a controller C via a data bus or the like. The controller C consists of the main CPU 50, a ROM 60, and a RAM 70, which are connected to the main CPU 50 via a data bus or the like. In a program memory 62 in the ROM 60, a control program for controlling a printing mechanism PM and the display mechanism D, a control program for setting a column gap when a double-column printing is selected, and others are stored correspondingly to code data inputted from respective character keys and various types of function keys of a keyboard 14. Therefore, a user can visually identify a printing image at the time of double-column printing while watching a column gap setting plane 110, thus setting a column gap (d) to a optimum width.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a document creation device capable of printing an input document as a plurality of columns on one printing paper, and in particular, the present invention relates to a document creation device capable of printing an input document as a plurality of columns on a single printing paper, and in particular, the present invention relates to a document creation device capable of printing an input document as a plurality of columns on one printing paper, and in particular, an apparatus that can arbitrarily set the interval between the columns. The present invention relates to an improvement in a document production device configured to do the following.

[Prior Art 4] A document creation device is capable of printing an input document displayed on a display not only as a single column on one print sheet, but also as a plurality of columns as necessary. There are many things.

This type of document creation device is provided with column spacing setting means for setting the spacing between each column. When double-column printing is selected, the column spacing setting means is used to arbitrarily set the spacing between columns and layout the printing pattern.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional technology, the interval between each column was set by numerical input. For this reason, the user cannot sufficiently visualize the actual printing pattern, and if the column spacing of the printed document is different from the image, the user must set the column spacing again and reprint the document, which is extremely troublesome. There was a problem that.

In particular, it is extremely difficult for people who are not familiar with the operation of document creation devices to set the column spacing according to their own imagination during double column printing, and an effective countermeasure has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a document creation device that allows a user to easily set column spacing while visually checking the printed image. It is to propose (to do).

[Means for Solving the Problems] A document creation device according to the present invention is a document creation device capable of printing an input document as a plurality of columns on one printing paper, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. , comprising column interval setting means for setting the interval between each column, and display means for displaying a printed image consisting of a plurality of columns on a display based on the set column interval, The column III interval is set by the column interval setting means while visually confirming the printed image.

[Function] In the document creation device of the present invention, when performing multi-column printing, a printed image consisting of a plurality of columns is displayed on the display.

Then, when the user sets the column spacing using the column spacing setting means while checking the print image displayed on the display, the print image on the display changes based on the set value. Therefore, even if the user is inexperienced in handling the document creation device, it is possible to print a plurality of columns at optimal column intervals.

[Example] Next, a preferred example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an electronic typewriter to which the present invention is applied. A keyboard 14 is arranged at the front of the main body frame 12 of the electronic typewriter 10 of the embodiment, and a printing mechanism PM is arranged at the main body frame 12 behind the keyboard 14. A liquid crystal display 90 is provided for displaying symbols and the like.

The keyboard 14 includes character keys 18, including alphabet keys and symbol keys. Return key 20, space key 22. Backspace key 24, Collection key 26. A cursor movement key 28° and various other function keys are provided as in a normal typewriter.

The printing mechanism PM includes a platen 30 that feeds printing paper.
, the motor that drives it, its drive circuit, and the platen 30
A carriage 34 supported by a guide 32 parallel to the carriage 34, a motor for reciprocating the carriage in the left-right direction and its drive circuit, a type wheel 38 housed in a wheel cassette 36, a motor for driving it and its drive circuit, and a ribbon cassette 40.
The printing ribbon 42 stored in the printer, the motor that winds it, and its drive circuit, the printing hammer that strikes the type 44 of the type wheel 38, the solenoid 46 that drives it, and its drive circuit, and the printing ribbon 42 or correction ribbon 48 selected. A ribbon switching mechanism, etc., which is placed at the printing position, is provided, and this printing mechanism PM is similar to the printing mechanism of a normal electronic typewriter.

Next, the overall configuration of the control system of the electronic typewriter will be explained based on the block diagram of FIG.

The electronic typewriter 10 basically has a keyboard 14.
It is composed of a printing mechanism PM, a display mechanism, an R713 control device C, etc. Keyboard 14. The printing mechanism PM and display mechanism are connected to 1111ii! via a data bus, etc. It is connected to the main CPU 50 of the Il device C.

The t4gm equipped WC has a main CPU50 and a sono main C
ROM60 connected to PU50 via data bus etc.
and a RAM 70.

The program memory 62 of the ROM 60 contains the keyboard 1.
The control program that controls the printing mechanism PM and display HID corresponds to the code data input from each character key 18 of 4 and various function keys, and the column spacing when double column printing is selected as described later. Control programs and the like for setting are stored.

The RAM 70 includes an input buffer 72 that stores data such as characters input from the keyboard 14 or read from the text memory 74 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 90 in the display mode, and stores input data as file data. Various memories, such as a text memory 74, are provided.

The main CPU 50 causes the printing mechanism PM to print characters and symbols corresponding to data input from each character key 18 of the keyboard 14 based on the control program, and sequentially stores the print data in the text memory 74 in correspondence with the print position. let

Further, the electronic typewriter 10 of the embodiment is configured to be selectable between single column printing and double column printing. For this reason, in addition to the memory, the RAM 70 is provided with a double column flag 76 that is turned ON when double column printing is selected. And main C
When the double column flag 76 is turned on, the PU 50
Any text file registered in the text memory 74 is printed in double columns on one printing paper using the printing mechanism PM.

The display mechanism includes an interface 80 and a display CPU.
82, a character generator 84, a display controller 86, and a display RAM 88, which are connected as shown.

In order to display characters and symbols on the display 90, the character generator 84 stores approximately 400FJi dot matrix display data corresponding to the code data.

The display CPU 82 reads out display data corresponding to the command data and character data output from the main CPU 50 via the interface 80 from the character generator 84, and then outputs the display data to the display controller 86. The display controller 86 transfers the display data to the display RAM 88.
At the same time as writing, a display signal corresponding to the display data is output to the display 90. Furthermore, display CP
The U82 is connected to the main CP via the interface 80.
In response to the cursor movement data from U50, cursor movement control is also performed in the display controller 86 to support the address to which the block cursor 92 is to be moved.

Next, the control operation for setting the column spacing performed by the control device C of the electronic typewriter 10 will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The electronic typewriter 10 selects an arbitrary file from the text files registered in the text memory 74 and starts the print mode. Then, in step Sl (hereinafter simply referred to as 81 and other steps are handled in the same way), initial settings are executed, in S2 the print menu screen 100 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 90, and in S3 key, waits for input.

In addition to the double column print selection display field 102, the print menu screen 100 displays various print menu fields such as a print start page, a print end page, and the like.

Then, to set each print menu,
Numeric keys 18. When the space key 22 and cursor movement key 28 are operated, it is determined in S4 whether the double column flag is set. The double column flag has not been set yet, so in the next 85,
It is determined whether the operated key is the return key 20 or not.

At this time, the return key 20 is not operated, so
The print menu change (setting) process in S6 is executed.

Specifically, by operating the cursor movement key 28, the block cursor 92 is moved to the position of the desired item. This allows the setting of the item where the block cursor 92 is present to be changed.

For example, in the case of items such as print/start page, numerical values are set by operating the number keys 18, and in the case of items such as double column printing selection, the space key 22 is turned ON/OFF.
It functions as an OFF key, and each item can be alternately set or canceled by operating the space key 22.

Here, when the key instructing the selection of double column printing is operated, the print menu is changed from single column printing to double column printing in S6, and YES is displayed in the double column printing selection display field 102 of the print menu screen 100. is displayed and the process returns to S3. Note that if double column printing is not selected, No is displayed in this display field 102.

The print menu thus input is set by operating the return key 20 (S5, YES), and the control device C shifts the process to 87.

At this time, if double column printing is not selected (
If S7-NO), the return key 20 functions as a print start command key, and the process moves to S8, where printing is executed according to the set print menu. This results in
For example, data on a display screen as shown in FIG. 6(A) is printed in a single column as shown in FIG. 6(B).

Also, if double column printing is selected (S7
If YES), the return key 20 functions as a key to switch to the column interval setting screen, and the process moves to S10. Then, after setting the double column flag 76 to ON,
The process moves to S11, and the column interval setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 7(A) is displayed on the display 90, and the process proceeds to step S3.
Return to

On this column setting screen 110, two columns C1 and C3, which are printed as double columns, are displayed together with a scale 94 indicating the column display position. In the same figure, L
M, , RM represent the left margin position and right margin position of the left column C3, respectively. LM,,RM2 are
Similarly, the left margin position and right margin position of the right column C7 are shown.

Also, in the lower area of this column interval setting screen 110, there is a space key 22. A display indicates that the backspace key 24 and coleccidine key 26 are keys for adjusting the column spacing d. Further, a display is also displayed to the effect that printing will be started by operating the return key 20 after the column interval setting is completed.

If the user wishes to increase the column interval d, the space key 22 is operated. As a result, it is confirmed in S4 that the double column flag 76 is ON, and in S12 it is confirmed that the operation key is the return key 22, and 81
Move to 3. At step 813, it is confirmed that the operated key is the space key 22, and the process moves to S14.

Then, in S14, it is determined whether the right margin position RM2 of the currently displayed column C3 matches the right end position RE of the scale 94. If they match, a buzzer sounds in S15 to warn that the right column C2 cannot be moved any further to the right, and the process returns to S3. If they do not match (S14, No), in S16, the right column C2 is moved one column to the right as shown in FIG. 7(B), and the process returns to S3.

Furthermore, if the column interval d is desired to be narrowed, the backspace 24 or the correction key 26 is operated. As a result, S3. S4. S12゜Proceeds to S17 via S13, and the key operated here is the backspace key 2.
4 or coleccidin key 26. Then, at 818, the right margin position R of the left column C1
M, and the left margin position of right column C2 if L M
It is determined whether there is a space for one character between the two characters.

If there is only one character's worth of space, a buzzer sounds in S15 to warn that the column spacing cannot be narrowed any further, and the process returns to S3. If there is more than one character, the process moves to S19, moves the right column C2 to the left by one column, as shown in FIG. 7(C), and returns to S3.

In this way, according to the present invention, the user can visually check the printing image when double column printing is performed while looking at the column spacing setting screen 110, and set the column spacing d to the optimum width. .

Note that when the column interval setting screen 110 is displayed, press the space key 22. Backspace key 24. Even if you accidentally operate any key other than the correction key 26 and the button key 20, the S3, S4. S12. S13. S17
In step S15, it is determined that the key operation is incorrect, and a buzzer sounds to warn of this fact (S15).
Return to s3.

Then, when the return key 20 is operated after completing the setting of the column interval d, the judgment result in S12 becomes YES, and the operated key is the return key 2 that supports printing.
It is identified as 0 and the process moves to S8. Then, in S8, double column printing is executed at the set column interval d as shown in FIG. 6(C), and then the process moves to S9,
Reset the double column flag and end the printing operation.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the print menu screen 1
The user can select double column printing while looking at 00, visually confirm the image of double column printing while looking at the column spacing setting screen 110 that is displayed next, and set the column spacing d.

Therefore, even if the user is inexperienced in operating an electronic typewriter, double column printing can be performed in accordance with the user's image of printing.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where only the right flamm C3 is moved when performing double column printing has been explained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the left column CI can be formed to be moved as necessary. Also, both columns CI,
C2 may be formed to be movable.

Further, in the above embodiment, double column printing has been explained as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more columns may be printed on one printing paper. In this case, each column displayed on the display 9° may be selected and the column spacing may be adjusted by moving the selected column to the right or left. At this time, the moving column may be designated with a cursor or may be displayed blinking so that the selected column can be visually confirmed. As a result, even when there are three or more printing columns, it is possible to adjust the printing position of each column and set the column spacing.

Further, in the embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to an electronic typewriter, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various other types of document creation devices.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when an input document is printed as a plurality of columns on one printing paper, the column spacing is set not as a numerical value but as a printed image displayed on a display. By visually confirming and setting the column spacing, it becomes possible to easily and reliably set the column spacing according to the user's image of printing.

In particular, according to the present invention, even if the user is inexperienced in handling a document creation device, it is possible to easily set the column spacing without making mistakes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the document creation device of the present invention, and FIG.
17 show an embodiment of the document creation device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typewriter, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the typewriter, and FIG. 4 is a control routine. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the print menu screen displayed on the display, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printing example, and FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of the display screen on the display. (B) is an explanatory diagram of single column printing, (C) is an explanatory diagram of double column printing, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the column interval setting screen, and (A) is an explanatory diagram of the column interval setting screen. Figure, same figure (B). (C) is an explanatory diagram when the display column is moved to the right or left. 14...Keyboard, 20...Return key 22.
...Space key 24...Backspace key 26...Collection key 50...CPU. 60...ROM, 70...RAM. 76...Double column flag, 90...Liquid crystal display, 100...Print menu screen, 102...Double column printing selection display field, 0...Column interval setting screen,

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A document creation device capable of printing an input document as a plurality of columns on one printing paper, comprising a column interval setting means for setting an interval between each column; and a column interval setting means for setting an interval between each column; display means for displaying a printed image on a display, and the column spacing is set by the column spacing setting means while visually confirming the printed image displayed on the display. Document creation device capable of column printing.