JPH05177900A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a printer which can easily set a printing format at the time of character printing. CONSTITUTION:When a register key is operated succeeding to a store key after the input of a global format(GFM) and a document, a document name and a GFM name are respectively specified on a display for specifying these two names by operating a numeric key and an alphabet key. In a data area corresponding to the document name in a text memory 42, GFM name data and document data in a line buffer are stored in a corresponding manner.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly, it stores various document data and print format data in separate memories and prints each document data in various preset print formats. It relates to the one that is selected and set from.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a word processor having a display or a dot printing type printing mechanism, a text memory for storing data of a plurality of documents is provided in its control device, and this document data is printed in various ways. It can be printed in the format. By the way, usually
Since one print format is basically set for one document, this print format should be set in the format memory dedicated to the document provided corresponding to one document data. The print format includes a plurality of items such as a format for the entire document data, that is, a print character size, a typeface, the number of lines on one page, the number of characters on one line, and the like. Therefore, when printing a document, while inputting the document data, the print format of this document is set based on the format screen.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional word processor or the like, since only one type of print format can be set for one document, it is possible to print the same document in a different print format, for example. In such a case, the operation of displaying the format screen of the document on the display and setting the desired print format is repeated for each type of format, which causes a problem that the print format setting work becomes very complicated. is there.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which can easily set the printing format when printing a document.

[0005]

As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, a printer according to the present invention is provided with a printing means including a print head for printing in a dot pattern, and can print in various printing formats. In a simple printing device, an input unit for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, a text memory for storing a plurality of document data consisting of a plurality of characters and symbols input from the input unit, and an input unit are used. A plurality of print format memories for respectively storing data of various print formats to be respectively set, and one of various print formats stored in the print format memory for each document data stored in the text memory.
And a print control means for controlling the printing means so that when printing each document, the printing means prints the document in the print format set by the format setting means. It is a thing.

[0006]

In the printer according to the present invention, a plurality of data of a document consisting of a plurality of characters and symbols input from the input means are stored in the text memory. Data of various print formats set respectively via the input means are stored in each of the plurality of print format memories. On the other hand, the print format for each document data stored in the text memory is selectively set by the format setting means from the various print formats stored in the print format memory. When printing each document, the print control unit controls the print unit to print the document in the print format set by the format setting unit, so that the document data is printed in a dot pattern by the print head of the print unit. Are printed in various print formats.

As described above, since each document stored in the text memory is printed in the print format which is selectively selected from various print formats, several kinds of print formats for printing each document are previously set. Only by setting the settings, it is possible to easily set the print format for printing the document.

[0008]

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, as described in the section [Operation], the input means, the text memory, the plurality of print format memories, the format setting means, and the print control means are provided. Since each document stored in the text memory is printed in the print format which is selectively selected from various print formats, several print formats for printing each document are set in advance. Only by doing so, it is possible to easily set the print format for printing the document.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an English-only tape printer capable of printing a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols on a printing tape. As shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard 3 is arranged in the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, and the keyboard 3
A printing mechanism PM is arranged in the main body frame 2 behind, and a liquid crystal display 22 capable of displaying characters and symbols is provided behind the keyboard 3.

The keyboard 3 includes character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor to the right or left, a document creation key for creating document data, GF
G to start setting control of M (global format)
FM key, setting key for setting GFM, store key for starting storage or reading control of the data of the input document,
A registration key for storing document data and set GFM data, a read key for reading out these data, a delete key for deleting document data, a cancel key for invalidating input data, a print key for instructing printing, and a power ON・ A power key to turn it off is provided. Here, the global format (GFM) is a printing format (format) used when printing the data of a document, and since it is applied to the whole document, this name is used.

The printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM, and the tape storage cassette CS is transparent. Width of about 2 films
Tape spool 6 around which 4mm printing tape 5 is wound
And a ribbon supply spool 8 around which the ink ribbon 7 is wound.
And a take-up spool 9 for taking up the ink ribbon 7,
A supply spool 11 in which a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 is wound with a release paper outside and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatably provided. Has been. A thermal head 13 is erected at a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap each other, and a platen roller 14 that presses the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 against the thermal head 13, and the printing tape 5 are provided. A feed roller 15 for pressing the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 is rotatably supported by a support body 16. In this thermal head 13,
A heating element group including 128 heating elements is arranged in a row in the vertical direction.

Therefore, when the tape feed motor 24 (see FIG. 4) is driven in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 are driven in synchronism with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating elements are energized. When printing tape 5
Characters are printed by a plurality of dot rows on the upper side, and the printing tape 5 is fed in the tape feeding direction A with the double-sided tape 10 joined. For details of the printing mechanism PM, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
The block diagram of FIG. A keyboard 3, a display controller (LCDC) 23 having a display RAM for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22, a drive circuit 25 for driving the thermal head 13, and a tape feed motor 24. The drive circuit 26 for operating the warning buzzer 20 and the drive circuit 21 for the warning buzzer 20 are the input / output interface 27 of the controller C.
Connected to each. The control device C includes a CPU 29,
An input / output interface 27, CGROM 3 connected to the CPU 29 via a bus 28 such as a data bus
0, ROM 31, 32 and RAM 40.

CGROM (pattern data memory) 30
For each of a large number of characters, the dot pattern data for display is stored in the column corresponding to the code data. A ROM (outline data memory) 31 has contour data (outline data) that defines the contour of each character for printing characters, such as a Gothic typeface and a Mincho typeface. It is classified for each and stored corresponding to the code data.

The ROM 32 has a display drive control program for controlling the display controller 23 in accordance with character code data such as characters, numbers and symbols input from the keyboard 3, and an outline corresponding to each code data in the text memory 42. An image development processing control program for converting data into dot data and developing it in the print buffer 46, and sequentially reading data in the print buffer 46 to read the thermal head 13 and the tape feed motor 2.
A print drive control program for driving the drive No. 4 and a tape print control control program, which will be described later, peculiar to the present application are stored. The image development processing control program includes various subroutines for controlling character modification processing such as bolding, underlining, and whitening of characters.

The line buffer 41 of the RAM 40 temporarily stores document data including code data of a plurality of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 3. The text memory 42 stores the document data from the line buffer 41. The GFM buffer (whose contents are referred to as GFB) 43 temporarily stores the set GFM data. A plurality of GFM data from the GFM buffer 43 are stored in the GFM data memory 44. The print pointer (whose content is the print pointer value PP) 45 stores one address of the text memory 42 for reading the code data to be printed. Print buffer 46
In, the print data of characters and symbols that have been image-developed is stored.

The text memory 42 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, document names "1", "2",
"3" ... "10" is preset, and each of the document names "1" to "10" is associated with a GFM name and a predetermined amount (for example, 50 characters) of document data. It can be stored. Further, the GFM data memory 44 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, “A”, “B”, “C” ... “Z” are preset as GFM names, and the GFM name “A” is set. ] To “Z”, for example, 2
GFM data consisting of bytes can be stored.
The size data of the print character is stored in the first 1 byte, and the flag data for character decoration such as bold, underline, white space, etc. and the font name is stored in the next 1 byte in correspondence with a predetermined bit. To be done.

Next, the tape print control routine executed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral Si (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) Indicates each step. When the power is turned on by operating the power key, this control is started, and initialization such as clearing each of the memories 41 to 46 is executed (S10). Particularly, in the GFM data memory 44, the GFM name "A" to While writing "Z", all GFM data is cleared (S11),
Default GFM data is stored in the first GFM name "A" (S12). As the default GFM data, for example, as shown in FIG.
4 "points, Gothic font (bit 4 is" 1 ") is set.

Next, when the GFM setting key is operated to set the GFM (S13 / S14: Yes),
The GFM setting process control (see FIG. 8) is executed (S1).
5). When this control is started, first the GFM buffer 4
GF with GFM name "A" as the buffer data GFB of 3
M data is set (S30), a setting screen for setting GFM is displayed on the display 22, and
The setting contents are displayed at a predetermined display position based on the buffer data GFB, and the GFM name is also highlighted (S3).
1). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the GFM name “A” is highlighted, and the set Gothic typeface “G”, size “24” points, and “NORMAL” indicating no character decoration (style) are respectively displayed. It is displayed at a predetermined display position.

Next, the GFM name selection key, that is, the character "A"
When any one of the character keys from "Z" is operated (S
32.S33: Yes), the presence or absence of GFM data corresponding to the selected GFM name is searched in the GFM data memory 44, and when the GFM data exists (S).
34: Yes), G displayed on the display 22
The FM name is changed to the selected GFM name and highlighted (S35), and the GFM data is the buffer data GFB.
Is set as (S36), and the buffer data GF
The setting contents are changed and displayed based on B (S31).
When there is no GFM data as a result of the search (S34: No), the buzzer 20 is sounded for a warning (S46).

Next, when the setting key is operated (S
32: Yes, S33: No, S37: Yes), the change setting process of the already set GFM, or the process of setting the new GFM to the new GFM name is executed, and the GFM data of this setting process is the buffer data GFB. Is set to (S38). Next, when the registration key is operated (S32: Yes, S33 / S37: No, S39: Y
es), the buffer data GFB is collated with the GFM data in the GFM data memory 44 corresponding to the GFM name, and when the collation result has not changed (S4).
0: No), the buffer data GFB is cleared (S4
5) Then, this control is ended.

However, when it is changed (S40: Y
es, S41: No), the GFM data of the GFM name is changed and registered (S43), and when newly created (S40 / S41: Yes), the GFM name of G is G.
FM data is newly registered (S42). For example, G
FM name "B" is set to size "24" points and Mincho typeface (bit 3 is "1"), GFM name "C" is size "24" points, italic typeface (bit 4 is "2") ) Is set, as shown in FIG.
GFM data is created for each of the M name “B” and the GFM name “C”. On the other hand, when the cancel key is operated (S3
2: Yes, S33, S37, S39: No, S44:
Yes), the buffer data GFB is cleared (S4)
5) When a key other than these keys is operated (S32: Yes, S33, S37, S39, S44:
No), the buzzer 20 is sounded (S46).

Next, when the document creation key is operated to create the document data (S13: Yes, S14:
No, S16: Yes), document data consisting of a plurality of input code data is stored in the line buffer 41, and a creation process is executed to display the characters or symbols corresponding to the code data on the display 22 (S1).
7) and returns to S13. Next, when the store key is operated (S13: Yes, S14 / S16: No, S1
8: Yes), store processing control (see FIG. 9) is executed (S19).

When this control is started and the registration key is operated (S50 / S51: Yes), a screen display for designating a document name, for example, "document name = ", And a GFM name is displayed on the screen, for example," GFM name = Based on "," these two names are designated by the numeric key operation and the alphabet key operation, respectively (S52).
The GFM name data and the document data in the line buffer 41 are stored in association with each other in the data area corresponding to this document name (S53), and this control is terminated and the process returns. Next, when the read key is operated (S50:
Yes, S51: No, S54: Yes), when the document name is designated by the numeric key operation by the screen display for designating the document name (S55), and data exists in the data area corresponding to this document name of the text memory 42, (S56: Y
es), the GFM name data and the document data are read from this data area and stored in the line buffer 41 (S5).
7) The GFM name and the colon are displayed on the left end of the display 22, for example, "A:", and the document is displayed on the right side of the colon (S58).

When the delete key is operated (S
50: Yes, S51 / S54: No, S59: Ye
s), similarly, the document name by the screen display for designating the document name is designated by the numeric key operation (S60), and the text memory 4
When data exists in the data area corresponding to this document name of 2 (S61: Yes), G
The FM name data and the document data are deleted (S62).
By the way, when a key other than the registration key, the read key, and the delete key is operated (S50: Yes, S5).
1 / S54 / S59: No), the buzzer 20 is sounded for a warning (S64), and the process returns to S50. Incidentally, S56 and S
Even if the result in No. 61 is No, the buzzer 2
0 is sounded (S63). For example, when the GFM name “A” and the document data “ABCJKL” are input and then these data are instructed to be stored in the document name “1” by the store key operation, as shown in FIG. These data in the data area corresponding to "1" are stored.

Next, when the print key is operated (S
13: Yes, S14, S16, S18: No, S2
0: Yes), print processing control (see FIG. 10) is executed (S21). As a pre-stage of starting this print control, desired document data to be printed is read from the text memory 42 and stored in the line buffer 31 by the above-mentioned read key operation. When this control is started and the document data to be printed is stored in the line buffer 41 (S70: Yes), first the GFM name data attached to this document data is read (S7).
1), the head address of the line buffer 41 is set to the print pointer value PP (S72).

Next, the code data designated by the print pointer value PP is read (S73), and the enlargement ratio of the character size is obtained based on this GFM data, while the outline data is enlarged or reduced using this enlargement ratio. At the same time as processing, print data, which is dot data, is created from the outline data and stored in the print buffer 46 (S74), and the print data in the print buffer 46 is output to the printing mechanism PM for printing processing (S75). .. still,
For details of dot data conversion processing control that converts outline data to dot data using the enlargement ratio,
See, for example, JP-A-49-129447.

Next, the print pointer value PP is incremented by 1 (S76), and when code data exists in the line buffer 41 (S77: Yes), S73 and subsequent steps are repeated. When all the data in the line buffer 41 has been printed (S77:
No), a drive signal is output to cause the tape feed motor 24 to feed a predetermined amount of tape, and an instruction to execute a cutting process is issued (S78). When there is no document data in the line buffer 41 at the start of printing (S70: No), the buzzer 20 sounds for a warning (S79).

For example, in the document data "ABCJKL", G
When the FM name "A" is associated and printed, the Gothic typeface having a character size of "24" points is printed as shown in FIG. 12, and the GFM name "B" is associated with this document data and printed. Sometimes, as shown in FIG. 13, it is printed in Mincho typeface with a character size of “24” points. When this document data is printed in association with GFM name “C”, the character size is as shown in FIG. Is printed in italic typeface with "24" points.

On the other hand, when any key other than the GFM setting key, the document creation key, the store key and the print key is operated (S13: Yes, S14, S16, S18, 20: N).
o), the process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S2
2) Return to S13.

As described above, the text memory 42
Each document stored in is printed in the global format that is selectively set from multiple global formats, so you only need to set some global formats for printing each document in advance. It is possible to easily set the global format for.

The text memory 42 and the GFM data memory 44 can be provided in an external storage device such as a floppy disk which is detachably attached to a RAM card or a floppy disk drive device. Note that the document name and GFM name are merely examples, and various names can be used. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various printing devices provided with a printing mechanism that prints characters using a dot pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a text memory.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a global format data memory.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a subroutine for setting processing control.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a subroutine of store processing control.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a subroutine of print processing control.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing a setting screen for setting a global format.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a print example in which a Gothic typeface with “24” points is printed.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a print example in which a “24” point is printed in Mincho typeface.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a printing example in which a “24” point is printed in Mincho italic typeface.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printer 3 Keyboard 13 Thermal Head 24 Tape Feed Motor 29 CPU 31 ROM 32 ROM 40 RAM 42 Text Memory 44 Global Format Data Memory C Controller CS Tape Storage Cassette PM Printing Mechanism

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input device for inputting characters and symbols and various commands in a printing device that includes a printing device including a print head that prints in a dot pattern and is capable of printing in various printing formats, and the input device. A text memory for storing a plurality of data of a document consisting of a plurality of characters or symbols input from the means, a plurality of print format memories for storing data of various print formats respectively set via the input means, For each document data stored in the text memory,
Format setting means for selectively setting one of the various print formats stored in the print format memory; and, when printing each document, printing in the print format set by the format setting means for the document. And a print control unit for controlling the print unit so as to: