JPH05324641A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tape printer by which only the minimum necessary format information necessary for a printing can be arranged and stored in a line buffer by a simple operation, and the line buffer can be validly utilized. CONSTITUTION:When a printing key is operated, code data are retrieved from an address next to the leading address of the line buffer. When more than format codes are continuously retrieved, and a character code is retrieved (S32, S33: Yes, S37: No), the format codes except the format code at the end among the continuous format codes are deleted from the line buffet (S40). and the following code data are moved to the leading side according to the number (S41). On the other hand, the format information corresponding to the deleted format codes is deleted from the line buffer (S43), and the previously suceeding format information is moved to the end side according to the number (S44).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer,
In particular, the present invention relates to a control code for setting print format unnecessary for print processing of document data and format information thereof which can be easily deleted from the line buffer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-85050, the applicant of the present invention is a tape capable of printing characters and symbols on a tape (for example, a tape having a width of 10 mm or about 24 mm) as a printing medium. Although a printing device has been put into practical use, this tape printing device is suitable for making a tape on which a file name is printed which is to be attached to the spine of a file. Also,
The applicant of the present application has proposed a tape printer which adds a multi-line printing function capable of printing an input character string over a plurality of lines on the tape by instructing a print line of the character string in a format (special feature: See Japanese Patent Application No. 3-91492).

Further, the applicant of the present application proposes a tape printer having a format setting function capable of setting a global print format for the entire document and setting a local print format for a part of the document. (See Japanese Patent Application No. 4-18500). Therefore, in a tape printer with these multi-line printing functions and format setting functions added, it is possible to combine multiple editing keys such as copy keys, delete keys, move keys, etc. Various format settings are possible. The data of these documents, the control code for format settings, and the information of these formats are all stored in the line buffer provided in the control device, and correspond to the contents and control codes of these documents. The format mark and so on are displayed on the display.

[0004]

As described above, in the tape printer to which the plural line printing function and the format setting function are added, a large number of editing keys are operated to select an arbitrary plurality of character strings of a document. Various formats can be set in the position, but it is unnecessary as a result of complicated editing work such as copying the control code to multiple positions using the copy key operation and deleting the character string following the local format. A large number of control codes of various formats and unnecessary format information corresponding thereto are stored in the line buffer, resulting in a problem that the data storage capacity of document data is reduced. Further, when a large number of unnecessary format setting control codes and corresponding format information are manually erased from the line buffer by the delete key to be organized, there is a problem that the organization process becomes complicated. ..

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of organizing only the minimum format information required for printing by a simple operation and storing it in a line buffer and effectively utilizing the line buffer. is there.

[0006]

As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, a tape printer according to a first aspect of the present invention has an input means for inputting characters and symbols and various control commands. Includes a line buffer that stores character and symbol data, and a print head that prints in a dot string.It receives the data in the line buffer, prints while feeding the tape as the print medium, and receives the data in the line buffer. In a tape printer having display means including a display for displaying, a print format setting control code inputted from the input means and the print format information are converted into character and symbol data inputted subsequently thereto. The data storage control means for storing the data in the line buffer in association with each other, and the predetermined key of the input means or one of a plurality of predetermined keys are When it is created, it searches the multiple consecutive control codes stored in the line buffer, and outputs the control code other than the last control code among the multiple consecutive control codes and the corresponding print format information from the line buffer. And a data erasing control means for erasing.

[0007]

In the tape printer according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print format setting control code and the print format information inputted from the input means are inputted from the input means after the data storage control means. It is stored in the line buffer in association with character and symbol data. On the other hand, when the predetermined key of the input means or one of the plurality of predetermined keys is operated, the data erasing control means first retrieves a plurality of consecutive control codes stored in the line buffer, and a plurality of consecutive control codes are retrieved. When the control code to be detected is detected, the control code other than the control code at the end of these continuous control codes and the print format information corresponding thereto are erased from the line buffer.

As described above, by operating a predetermined key, unnecessary control codes other than the necessary end control code among a plurality of consecutive control codes stored in the line buffer and corresponding unnecessary control codes. Since the print format information is erased from the line buffer, it is possible to store only the minimum control code required for printing and the format information corresponding to it in the line buffer with a simple operation.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an English-only tape printer capable of printing two lines of 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, a printing mechanism PM is arranged in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3, and the keyboard 3 A liquid crystal display 22 capable of displaying characters and symbols is provided on the rear side.

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 M (global format) setting process
FM key, setting key for setting GFM, store key for storing or reading input document data, registration key for storing document data and set GFM data, read key for reading these data, LFM ( LFM setting key to set (local format), upper row instruction key to print characters on the upper row in line printing, lower row instruction key to print characters on the lower row, delete key to delete document data, and document data A copy key for copying, a cancel key for invalidating input data, a print key for instructing printing, a power key for turning the power on and off, and the like are provided.

Here, the global format (GF
M) is a printing format used when printing the data of a document, and this name is used because it applies particularly to the entire document. The local format (LFM) is a format for printing that is partially applied to a part of document data, and is a format that is stored in a document, so this name is used for the global format. GFM set as this GFM
The data consists of, for example, 2 bytes, and the first 1 byte stores the size data of the print character, and the next 1 byte contains flag data for character decoration such as bold, underline, white space, etc. Is stored in association with a predetermined bit. The LFM data set as the LFM consists of, for example, 1 byte, and is basically the same as the above-mentioned GFM data.

Next, 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. Film width of about 9
Alternatively, a tape spool 6 around which a 12 mm printing tape 5 is wound, a ribbon supply spool 8 around which an ink ribbon 7 is wound, and a take-up spool 9 around which the ink ribbon 7 is wound up.
And a supply spool 11 in which a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 is wound with the release paper outside, and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatable. It is provided in. 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 the thermal head 13, a heating element group composed of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged.

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 pattern data and developing it in the print buffer 45, a print drive control program for sequentially reading the data in the print buffer 45 and driving the thermal head 13 and the tape feed motor 24, which is unique to the present application. A control program for tape print control, which will be described later, and the like are stored. The image development processing control program includes various subroutines for controlling character modification processing such as bolding, underlining, and whitening of characters.

In the line buffer 41 of the RAM 40, document data consisting of code data of a plurality of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 3 and a set format code which is a control code for GFM and LFM is at the head. The format information such as GFM and LFM is sequentially stored from the end address toward the start address, and the format information such as GFM and LFM is sequentially stored from the end address toward the start address.
The text memory 42 stores the document data from the line buffer 41. The pointer memory 43 stores in the pointer value TXP of a text pointer that indicates document data.
And a pointer value FDP of a format data pointer which indicates format information and a pointer value RLP of a relocate pointer which indicates the address next to the last code of the document data, that is, the end of the sentence. Counter memory 44
In the field, the number FC of format codes in the document data is stored. The print buffer 45 stores dot pattern data for printing characters and symbols that have been image-developed.

Next, a 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. Incidentally, reference numeral S in the figure
i (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) Is each step. This control is started when the power is turned on by operating the power key, and when the GFM setting key is operated to set the GFM prior to the input of the document data (S10.
(S11: Yes), the GFM setting process control is executed (S12). In this setting processing control, since the setting screen for setting the GFM is displayed on the display 22, the contents of the setting items relating to the character size, the character decoration, and the typeface are sequentially switched by the cursor movement keys to be displayed in a desired format. The content is set.

Further, the set GFM data is stored for 2 bytes from the end address in the line buffer 41, and the GFM code which is a control code is stored in the start address in the line buffer 41. To be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the line buffer 41
A GFM code is stored in the head address TA of the GFM according to the setting of the GFM, and G corresponding to the GFM code is stored.
FM information is stored in 2 bytes from the end address BA. Next, the GFM mark GM corresponding to this GFM code is displayed on the display 22 by the display processing control (S15), and the process returns to S10. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the GFM mark GM is displayed at the top display position of the display 22 in which the GFM is set.

Next, when the document creation key is operated to create the document data (S10: Yes, S11:
No, S13: Yes), the document creation / editing process control for storing the document data composed of the plurality of input code data in the line buffer 41 is executed (S14), and the characters and symbols corresponding to these document data are displayed. Display 2
2 is displayed (S15), and the process returns to S10. Therefore, GF
The M code and its GFM information are stored in the line buffer 41 in association with the document data input subsequently to them. For example, when the character "ABC" is input, these code data are sequentially stored in the line buffer 41 as shown in FIG. 7, and these character strings "ABC" are displayed on the display 22 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. The symbol K is a cursor.

Next, when the LFM setting key is operated in order to change the print format for only a part of the document data (S10: Yes, S11 / S13: No, S16: Y).
es), the LFM setting process control is executed (S17).
In this setting process control, since the setting screen is displayed on the display 22 as in the GFM setting process, the desired format contents can be displayed while sequentially switching and displaying the contents of the setting items related to character decoration and typeface with the cursor movement keys. Is set. Further, the set LFM data is set to 1 at a predetermined address on the end side in the line buffer 41.
This line buffer 41 is stored with bytes.
At a predetermined address on the head side of the
The M code is stored.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the LFM code is stored in a predetermined address on the head side of the line buffer 41 in accordance with the setting of the LFM, and the LFM information corresponding to this LFM code is stored in the predetermined address on the end side. It is stored in 1 byte. Then, the LF corresponding to the LFM code
The M mark LM is displayed on the display 22 (S1
5) Return to S10. For example, as shown in FIG.
The LFM mark LM is displayed at the display position of the display 22 where M is set. When the upper instruction key or the lower instruction key is operated (S10: Yes, S11.
S13 / S16: No, S18: Yes), the print command processing control corresponding to the upper instruction key or the lower instruction key is executed (S19), and the process returns to S10 through S15.
That is, in this print command processing control, the upper instruction code or the lower instruction code which is a control code corresponding to the upper instruction key or the lower instruction key is the line buffer 4
The upper instruction information or the lower instruction information corresponding to the upper instruction code or the lower instruction code is stored in a predetermined address on the end side of the line buffer 41 in 1 byte.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper instruction code and the lower instruction code are stored in a predetermined address on the head side of the line buffer 41, and the upper instruction information and the lower instruction information corresponding to them are stored in the line buffer 41. It is stored in 1 byte at a predetermined address on the end side of. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper instruction mark UM corresponding to these upper instruction codes and the lower instruction mark DM corresponding to the lower instruction codes are displayed on the display 22, respectively. on the other hand,
When the delete key or copy key is operated (S1
0: Yes, S11, S13, S16, S18, S2
0: No), the process corresponding to these operated keys is executed (S23), and the process returns to S10 via S15. Incidentally, S
As a result of execution of the processing control in 12, S14, S17, S19 and S23, the relocate pointer value RLP indicating the next address of the final input data is incremented or incremented every time the data in the line buffer 41 is added or deleted. Decremented.

Next, when the print key is operated to print the document (S10: Yes, S11, S13, S).
16. S18: No, S20: Yes), the format information organization process is first executed (S21), the printing process is then executed (S22), and the process returns to S10. This format information organization processing control (see FIG. 6) will be described. At this point, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the line buffer 41 sequentially stores document data at the head side and at the tail side at the end side. It is assumed that various types of format information are sequentially stored, and this document data is shown in FIG.
It is supposed to be displayed as shown in. These G
The FM code, the LFM code, the upper instruction code, and the lower instruction code are used as the format code.

When this control is executed, the start address TA of the line buffer 41 is first stored in the text pointer TXP.
Next address is set, the format data pointer FDP is set to two addresses on the leading side of the end address BA of the line buffer 41, and "0" is stored in the format count value FC (S30).
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the GFM code stored at the head address TA and the GFM information corresponding to this GFM code are necessary and need not be deleted.

Next, when the text pointer value TXP is smaller than the relocate pointer value RLP (S31: N).
o), the code data in the line buffer 41 designated by the text pointer value TXP is searched (S32), and when the code data is a character code (S33: Yes), when the format count value FC is 1 or less (S3).
7: Yes), the format count value FC is cleared (S38), the text pointer value TXP is incremented by 1 (S39), and the process returns to S31. by the way,
When the retrieved code data is the format code (S33: No), the format count value FC is incremented by 1 (S34), and when the format code is not the GFM code (S35: No), the format data pointer value FDP is one. It is decremented (S36) and returns to S31 via S39. When the retrieved format code is the GFM code (S3
5: Yes), and returns to S31 through S39.

On the other hand, when S31 to S39 are repeated and two or more format codes are continuously searched, the format count value FC is 2 or more and the next searched code data is the character code. When (S32, S33: Yes), it is determined as No in S37, and based on the text pointer value TXP, one of the character code is the first format code, that is, other than the last format code of the consecutive format codes. Is deleted from the line buffer 41 (S40), and each subsequent code data is moved to the head side according to the number a of the deleted code data. The head side address corresponding to the number a of code data is set (S4
1) Further, the relocate pointer value RLP is similarly set to the head side address corresponding to the number a of code data (S42).

Further, the format data pointer value FDP
Based on this, the format information other than the format information indicated by the format data pointer value FDP among the consecutive format information at this time is deleted from the line buffer 41 (S43), and the format information is deleted according to the number b of the deleted format information. As the preceding format information is moved to the end side, the format data pointer value FDP is set to the end address corresponding to the number b of the format information (S44), and returns to S31 via S39. ..

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the text pointer value TXP moves to the address indicated by the chain double-dashed line and the character code of the character "D" is detected, the format count value FC is "4". A format code consecutive from the "lower instruction code" immediately before the character code of the character "D" indicated by the pointer value TXP to the start address side, that is, "upper instruction code", "GFM code", and "L"
The “FM code” is deleted from the line buffer 41.
On the other hand, when the format data pointer value FDP indicates the "lower instruction information" indicated by the two-dot chain line, the "upper instruction information" and "LFM information" on the end address side of this "lower instruction information" are lines. It is deleted from the buffer 41. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Format codes and character codes that follow one format code are moved to the head address side, respectively, and format information that follows the two deleted format information are moved to the end address side and are arranged.

Then, when the text pointer value TXP and the relocate pointer value RLP become equal and unnecessary format codes and format information are deleted from all the document data (S31: Yes), this control is ended and the printing process is performed. The control is executed (S22), and the process returns to S10 of the tape print control. In this print processing control, the enlargement ratio is calculated based on the set character size, while the enlargement / reduction processing is performed using this enlargement ratio, and dot pattern data for printing is created from this outline data. Print buffer 4
5, and the dot pattern data in the print buffer 45 is output to the printing mechanism PM for printing. For details of dot pattern data conversion processing control for converting outline data into dot data using the enlargement ratio, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-129447. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
Since the code is deleted, as shown in FIG. 10, the document data as a result of deleting the unnecessary GFM code is displayed on the display 22, and this document data is printed on the printing tape 5.

As described above, only by operating the print key, an unnecessary format code other than the necessary end format code among a plurality of continuous format codes stored in the line buffer 41 and the corresponding unnecessary format code. Unnecessary format information is line buffer 41
Therefore, the minimum format code necessary for printing and the format information corresponding thereto can be organized and stored in the line buffer 41 by a simple operation, and the line buffer 41 can be effectively used.

A tape length display key for calculating and displaying the tape length obtained by adding the total character width of the input character string to the left and right margins of the input character string and setting the tape length is set. Tape length setting key for
It may be configured to start by various key operations that require a process of organizing data in the line buffer 41, such as a phrase memory key for registering or reading a phrase character string. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various tape printers having a printing mechanism for printing a document using a dot pattern.

[0033]

According to the tape printer of the first aspect of the present invention, the data storage control means and the data erasing control means are provided, and a plurality of consecutive data stored in the line buffer can be stored only by operating a predetermined key. The unnecessary control codes other than the necessary tail control code among the control codes to be generated and the corresponding unnecessary print format information are erased from the line buffer, so the minimum control code required for printing can be Only the format information corresponding to this can be organized and stored in the line buffer, and the line buffer can be effectively used.

[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 a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of format information organization processing control.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure in a line buffer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 with unnecessary format information deleted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of document data including unnecessary format marks.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of organized document data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 Keyboard 13 Thermal Head 22 Liquid Crystal Display 24 Tape Feed Motor 29 CPU 31 ROM 32 ROM 40 RAM 41 Line Buffer C Controller CS Tape Storage Cassette PM Printing Mechanism

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A line buffer including an input means for inputting characters and symbols and various control commands, a line buffer for storing data of the input characters and symbols, and a print head for printing in dot rows. A tape printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that receives data and prints while sending a tape as a printing medium; and a display unit that includes a display that receives and displays data in a line buffer, and a printing format input from the input unit. Data storage control means for storing a control code for setting and its print format information in a line buffer in association with character or symbol data to be input subsequently thereto, and a predetermined key or a plurality of keys of the input means. A plurality of consecutive control codes stored in the line buffer when one of the predetermined keys is operated A tape printing apparatus comprising: a data erasing control unit that retrieves and erases a control code other than the last control code of a plurality of consecutive control codes and corresponding print format information from a line buffer. ..