JPH0586352B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a print format control device that uses a serial printer to facilitate printing in a predetermined position, thereby simplifying and speeding up document creation.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, when printing by controlling a serial printer with a host computer, in order to obtain the desired print formation, a command that changes the position of the print head (hereinafter also referred to as "receiving position"), such as an operation position specification command, is used. It was necessary to create a complex program. Therefore, in order for a user to print a special format document, it is necessary to develop a special program for that purpose, which is extremely inconvenient. Furthermore, even with a so-called word processor, which is a general-purpose document creation device, formatting can only be selectively set within a certain range, and it is difficult to set or modify print formation completely freely.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In any of the above methods, it is not possible to print at a desired position on the paper unless the user carefully designs the relationship between the printing paper and the printing position. In particular, when printing only specified data in a specified printing position on a specified pre-printed sheet of paper, it is necessary to set the sheet of paper in the printer many times and repeat trial and error until the data appears in the specified position. It was necessary to set the print format so that it would be printed. The present invention solves these problems.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate printing of data at a predetermined position on a sheet of paper. In particular, we provide a formatting device that makes it easy to print only predetermined data in predetermined locations on preprinted paper, and also improve the usability of the device by providing a device that allows you to easily check the preset format. The purpose is to improve.

[Means to solve the problem]

The first part is a block diagram showing the structure of the present invention. The present invention includes an operation panel 10 for inputting various manual operations, a signal to send paper to the printer (S1), and a signal to move the print head 92 in the horizontal direction (S2). a head position control section 12 that controls the movement of the print head 92 relative to the paper, and a print control section 18 that outputs a signal (S3) for causing the print head 92 to print on the paper.
Then, the head position control unit 12 is driven based on key operations on the operation panel 10 to sequentially move the print head 92 to each printing location on the paper, and the position of the print head 92 at that time is adjusted. A print format control data storage unit 16 that sequentially stores horizontal and vertical coordinates (S4), and print data (S5) consisting of a set of unit data to be printed at each printing location are input from the host computer 50, and the units are At the start of data printing, the control data (S6) stored in the print format control data storage section 16 is sequentially output to the head position control section 12 (S7), and the head position control section 12 is driven to control the print head 92. an input control unit 14 that sequentially moves the unit data to a set printing location, outputs the unit data to the print control unit 18 (S8), and drives the print control unit 18 to sequentially print the unit data; When confirming the print position set in the control data (S10) stored in the print format control data storage section 16, use the key operation on the operation panel to confirm the print position set in the control data (S10) stored in the print format control data storage section 16. The data is output to the head position control section 12 (S11), and the data is output to the print head 92.
a data confirmation control unit 22 that controls the print control unit 18 to move the data to a set position on the paper and print a predetermined symbol indicating a print start position at that position (S12); This is a format control device. The operation panel may be provided in the printer main body, or may be configured separately from the printer main body. The head position control section 12 receives a control signal (S9) from the operation panel 10 and a control signal (S7) from the input control section 14.
is input to drive the drivers 74 and 78 to move the print head to a predetermined position. The input control section 14 inputs print data from the host computer 50 during actual printing, drives the head position control section, and presets the print head based on the control data stored in the print format control data storage section 16. It has the function of moving the unit print data to the specified position, and also has the function of driving the print control section 18 to control printing of the unit print data from that position. The print format control data storage section 16 is used to move the print head to a printing start position of unit data by operating the operation panel 10 and store the position of the print head at that time. The host computer 50 has a function of outputting print data consisting of a set of unit data to the input control unit 14, and each unit data is identified by, for example, a termination code indicating the end of the data, a data number, or the number of characters. and are set to be distinct from each other. In addition to the unit data to be printed, the print data output from the host computer may also include annotation character data that ignores printing of the data during printing. The input control unit 14 selects unit data to be printed at a specific location from a series of print data input from the host computer. The print control unit 18 receives the unit data from the input control unit 14 and sends the unit data to the driver 74,
It has a function of driving 78 and 82 and printing the data. When confirming the print position set in the control data (S10) stored in the print format control data storage unit 16, the data confirmation control unit 22
In response to the operation signal (S13) from the operation panel 10, the control data (S10) is input from the print format control data storage section 16, and the control signal (S11) is output to the head position control section 12 to drive it. The print head 92 is moved to a set position, and a control signal (S12) is output to the print control section 18 to drive it and print a predetermined symbol. The predetermined symbol here may be any symbol. For example, it is a number of print data, etc. This data confirmation control section 22
In addition to the function of printing a predetermined symbol while sequentially moving the print head to the set receiving position to confirm the data after all the print format control data has been determined for one sheet of paper, It also has the function of calling only the corrected control data when correcting the print format control data that has been set, and actually moving the receiving position of the print head according to the control data to check only the corrected data. Further, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the second invention includes, in addition to the first invention, a printing pitch control section 20 that sets the printing pitch of printing data;
The present invention is characterized in that it includes a data confirmation control section 22a that controls the print control section so as to print predetermined symbols indicating the print start position and print pitch when confirming the print format control data. Here, the printing pitch information can be displayed in such a manner that, for example, one character including the character spacing is shown as a grid, or the character spacing is shown as vertical ruled lines.

[Effect]

The print format control data storage unit 16 drives the head position control unit 12 in response to key operations on the operation panel 10 to actually move the reception position of the print head 92, and moves the head to the location where unit data is to be printed. , and sequentially memorize the receiving positions.
Create print format control data. Print data is transmitted from the host computer 50 to the input control section 14, and the input control section 14 selects unit data and sends the control data stored in the print format control data storage section 16 to the head position control section 12. The print head 92 is moved to a preset printing start position, the unit data is output to the print control section 18, and the data is printed at that position. In order to confirm that the print format control data once set is correct, the data confirmation control section 22 controls the head position control section 12 based on the set print format control data before printing formal data. The printer is driven to move the print head to its set position and print a predetermined symbol. It is also possible to check the print format control data set for each unit of data, making it easy to modify the control data. Further, in the second invention, the print pitch control section 20 arbitrarily specifies the pitch of characters to be printed when registering or modifying print format control data.
The data confirmation control section 22a can display information on the set character pitch. Therefore, in the second aspect of the present invention, the print pitch of the print data can be variably set, and the setting can be confirmed. As a result, the operation of printing only data in a predetermined field of a preprinted document sheet and the setting of print format control data are extremely easily performed.

【Example】

The present invention will be explained below based on specific examples. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment device. This device consists of a handy operating device 30 separate from the printer body and a main device mainly consisting of a computer system built into the printer body. The operating device 30 includes a keyboard 34 for inputting various operations, a CPU 32 for creating print format control data, a RAM 38 for storing print format control data, etc., and a RAM 38 for storing the stored contents even when power is not being supplied from the printer main body. It consists of a battery 40 for holding, and an input/output interface 36 for transmitting and receiving data with a CPU 68 constituting the main device on the printer main body side. The printer includes a buffer register 62 for inputting print data from the host computer 50, a status register 64 for informing the host computer of its status, and a CPU 6 for performing print processing.
8. RAM 70 that stores this processing program and various parameters, and RAM 6 that stores print format control data, print data, etc.
6. An output interface 72 is connected to the CPU 68, and includes a driver 7 that drives a paper feeding motor (LF motor).
4 is connected, and its driver has LF motor 7.
6 is connected. Also connected to output interface 72 is a driver 78 for laterally moving the print head, which drives a CR motor 80 for moving the print head. or,
The output interface 72 has a printing solenoid 84.
A driver 82 for driving is connected. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outer shape of the operating device 30. The keyboard 34 has a mode 1 key, a mode 2 key, and a cursor key. The mode 1 key is a registration key 341 for creating and registering print format control data, a modification key 342 and a deletion key 343 for modifying or deleting registered print format control data, and a key for storing print format control data in the RAM 66 of the main device. and a call key 344 for transferring data to and controlling printing.
The mode 2 keys are the enter key 345 for setting the registration number and print head reception position, the end key 346 for ending the mode 2 state, and the reception position of registered print format control data, print pitch, etc. for formal printing. Confirmation key 34 to print and confirm beforehand
7. Space key 348 to set the print pitch;
Data insertion key 349 and data deletion key 350 for inserting and deleting print format control data, etc.
Consists of. In addition, the operating device 30 has a registration number representing the number of the print format control data group, a data number representing the number of the print position of the print data in one registration group,
It also has a liquid crystal display panel 300 for displaying messages such as errors. Furthermore, a CPU 32, a RAM 38, an input/output interface 36, a battery 40, etc. are arranged inside the frame. FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram showing the connection relationship between the operating device 30 and the printer main body, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the logic of the signals. Switch SW
0, SW1, SW2, and SW3 correspond to cursor keys 353, 352, 354, and 351, respectively. Output signal line L of gate circuits 361 and 362
1 and L2 are connected to the main device on the printer side. Further, the signal lines L1 and L2 are input to the gate circuit 363, and the output line L3 is input to the microcomputer 4.
5. Furthermore, the output signal line L4 of the switch SW3 is connected to the microcomputer 45. When either of the signal lines L3 and L4 is at a low level, it indicates that one of the cursor keys has been operated, so the CPU 32 outputs a low level signal to the main unit via the signal line L5 to While the signal line L5 is at a low level, the device
By analyzing the logic levels of the signal lines L1 and L2, it is possible to determine which cursor key has been operated. The main device can also control the print head and paper feed using this signal. Further, the microcomputer 45 and the main device are connected to the data line L6,
It is connected by L7, and transmits and receives control signals and transmits print format control data. The CPU 32 of the microcomputer 45 is
Cursor key SW for determining the logic level of signal lines L3 and L4 and incrementing the registration number
It is possible to determine which of the cursor key SW1 (352) and the cursor key SW1 (352) for decrementing has been operated. Next, registration of print format control data will be described. FIG. 7 shows the CPU 32 of the operating device 30.
Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the main processing program of the main unit of the printer.
68 is a flowchart showing the main program of processing. When the power switch of the operating device 30 is turned on, in step 100, a message indicating that the interface with the main device is being adjusted is displayed. In step 102, counter C is set to 0, and in step 104,
SOH signals are transmitted until a response signal is received from the main device, DCI signals from the main device are received in steps 106 and 108, counter C is updated in step 110, and five DCI signals are received in step 112. When it is determined, an ACK signal is transmitted and the number of remaining registrable data is displayed in step 116. On the other hand, the main device is
Meanwhile, in the process of steps 600 to 610 in FIG.
0 and the main device of the printer body is completed.
Thereafter, the operating device 30 executes the registration number selection program in step 118. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the registration number selection program. When a key input is received from the keyboard 34 in step 200, it is determined in step 202 whether the mode selection key for mode 1 has been pressed, and if the registration key has been pressed in step 204, the next key input is determined in step 206. Wait for step 208 and press increment key SW3 (351)
is operated, search the data in ascending order excluding the registration number registered in RAM38,
In step 212, the unset registration number is displayed on the display panel 300.
to be displayed. If it is determined in step 214 that the decrement key SW1 (352) has been operated, unregistered numbers are searched in descending order in step 216, and unregistered numbers are displayed on the display panel 300 in step 212 in descending order. indicate. If the desired registration number is displayed by the above key operation, press the enter key 345, the key input is judged in step 218, and the displayed registration number is set in the RAM 38 in step 220. and the subsequent steps
At 222, a program for registering print format control data of the group belonging to the registration number is executed. To display the registration number for modifying or deleting the print format control data once registered in the RAM 38 and for calling to transfer the print format control data to the RAM 66 of the main unit of the printer, proceed to step 230. ~The processing of block B in step 246 is performed. The process is to search only for registered numbers, display the registration numbers in ascending or descending order according to the operation of the increment key or decrement key, and select the displayed registration number by operating the enter key. It is done by folding. Next, the processing of the registration program will be explained.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart explaining the process. The registration number is displayed in step 300, the SOH signal is sent to the main device in step 302, and the main device sends the SOH signal in steps 612, 614, and 616 (Figure 12).
When it receives a signal, it sends a DCI signal. If the DCI signal is received in step 304, the operating device 30 outputs an ACK signal in step 306 and returns to step 306.
Move to 308 and 310 to display the data number. Data number 0 is used to control the centering of the print head relative to the paper. In step 314, DCI
Send a signal to put the main device into cursor reception position control mode. Next, in step 316, the first
The receiving position control program A shown in FIG. 5 is executed. The main device decodes the DCI signal and executes the receiving position control program B (FIG. 16) in step 622. Next, the reception position control means will be explained according to the programs shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 shows the processing procedure for the operating position, and FIG. 16 shows the processing procedure for the main device. At step 800, a decision key is determined, and at steps 802 and 804, it is determined whether or not a cursor key has been operated. That is, the determination can be made by detecting whether either the signal line L3 or L4 in FIG. 5 is at a low level. When the operation of the cursor key is detected, the process moves to step 806, and the signal line L5 is set to a low level to notify the main device of this fact. Also, when both signal lines L3 and L4 become high level in steps 808 and 810, it means that the cursor key presses have been stopped, so in step 812 the signal line L
5 to a high level and informs the main device of this information. On the other hand, in the main device, it is determined in step 850 whether there is a response request signal for the head position caused by pressing the enter key, and in step 852, the signal level of the signal line L5 is detected, and if it is at a low level, the cursor key is pressed. It is determined that there is a keystroke, and in step 854, according to the logic level of signal lines L1 and L2 (Fig. 6).
The CR motor 80 is driven to move the print head one dot, or the LF motor 76 is driven to feed the paper by the minimum unit amount. After waiting for 0.5 seconds in step 856, in step 858, if the signal line L5 is still at a low level, the cursor key continues to be pressed, so in steps 860 and 862, the head or paper is pressed until the signal line L5 becomes high level. Feed control is performed continuously. Therefore, while the cursor key continues to be pressed, the receiving position of the print head changes continuously. In this manner, when the print head is moved to a desired position by operating the cursor keys and the enter key 345 is then pressed, the operating device transmits a reception position response request signal ENQ in step 814. The main unit determines reception of this signal in step 850 and transmits the receiving position of the print head to the operating device in step 864. The operating device receives the coordinate data of the received position in steps 816 and 818 and stores it in the RAM 38. Repeat the above operations in order and start printing all the unit data on the paper shown in Figure 17.
By setting the coordinates of , the registration of print format control data is completed. In the above process, when the space key 348 is pressed in step 326 (FIG. 9), the process proceeds to step 328.
The printing pitch size is displayed in increments or decrements on the display panel by operating the cursor keys at step 330, the pressing of the enter key 345 is detected, the displayed value is selected, and the printing pitch is set at step 332. Created as part of format control data. This print pitch setting is set independently of the print head receiving position setting. In other words, the print pitch can be set at any time, and the first print pitch setting is valid for the reception position settings between the first print pitch setting and the next print pitch setting. Steps to register print format control data
At 334, the pressing of the end key 346 is detected, and the step
336 by sending an SOH signal. At this time, the main device receives the SOH signal, outputs the DCI signal in step 620, and waits for reception of the next control data. Next, the processing procedure for modifying the format control data once registered will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. A previously set registration number is selected according to the procedure shown in FIG. 8, and the correction program shown in FIG. 10 is started in step 250 via step 248 by pressing the correction key. Steps 400 to 408 are steps 300 to 308 in FIG.
It has the same function as . Step 410~Step 414
is a step for sequentially displaying the data numbers of the format control data. After a given data number is selected, the step
When confirmation key 347 is pressed in step 416, step 418
Then, signal DC3 to move the print head to the set receiving position corresponding to that data number and format control data are transmitted, and the main device starts the step.
In steps 630 to 634, the receiving position of the print head is moved to the print start position of the data of that data number. Through this operation, it is possible to check how the previously set print format control data has been set. At this time, a predetermined symbol including the print pitch may be printed at the print start position of the data. By doing so, you can further accurately check how the reception position and print pitch are set. When the enter key is pressed in step 422, the data number is selected and the step
In steps 424 to 426, the receiving position control program A (FIG. 15) is started, which moves the receiving position of the print head directly by operating the cursor keys in the same way as in the registration mode. At this time, the main device detects the DCI signal in step 618, so it is in the registration mode. When the enter key is pressed, the current receiving position is transmitted to the operating position at step 864 in FIG. 16, and the correction of the print format control data is completed. Next, in step 428, the font parameters of the next data number are updated. At step 430, pressing of the end key is detected and the correction program is ended. Next, a description will be given of test printing based on the format control data created in this manner and the processing procedure for receiving print data from the host computer and printing the data. As shown in FIG. 18, the print data consists of a comment text that is not printed and underlined in the order of the data number, followed by CR and LF codes that separate the unit print data and the unit data. However, in this embodiment, the data number is not input as print data. In the case of test printing, as shown in FIG.
and squares M1 to M14 indicating the printing pitch are printed.
The horizontal length of the square M is the sum of the character width and the character spacing, and the vertical length of the square M is the height of the characters. In addition, when printing data, the print head automatically moves to each registered receiving position 1 to 14 as shown in Figure 17, and the unit data of data numbers 1 to 14 corresponding to that position is printed. It will be printed. The registration number of the print format control data is selected through the process shown in FIG.
At 252, the calling program shown in FIG. 11 is executed. Steps 500 to 506 are the steps in Figure 9.
Same as 300-306. Control signal in step 508
When DC2 is transmitted, the main device executes the program shown in FIG. 13 via step 628. step
In step 512, print format control data is transmitted. The main device is step 650
The data number is received at steps 652 and 654, and print format control data is received at steps 652 and 654. At this stage, the print format control data of the specified registration number has been transferred from RAM 38 to RAM 66 all at once. Next, when the pressing of the confirmation key is detected in step 514, a control signal for test printing is sent in step 516.
ENQ is sent, and the main device reads this control signal in step 656 and executes a test print program in step 658. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the process of test printing. In step 900, the data number parameter is set to 0, and in step 902, the print head is moved to the center position when the paper is fed, according to the reception position setting value of data number 0. move it. Next, in step 904, it is determined whether paper is being fed, and if paper is not being fed, then in step 906, a message to that effect is displayed to inform the operator, and the operator feeds the paper. At this time, since the print head is set at the center position of the paper, the paper can be fed accurately. Next step 908
Go to and update the parameter values and step
Read the print format control data with 912,
In steps 912 and 914, the print head is moved to the set receiving position and a predetermined symbol (square and data number) is printed at that position. At step 918, it is determined whether the test printing has ended, and if the final number of data has not been reached, the process moves to step 908 and the above process is repeated to perform test printing at the next receiving position.
When all test printing is completed, test printing as shown in FIG. 20 is obtained. By looking at this result, it is possible to determine whether the data printing position and character pitch are set correctly.
When the test print is completed, a DCI signal is output in step 660 to notify the end of the test print. Furthermore, when the pressing of the end key is detected in step 520, a control signal for data printing command is output in step 522.
EOT is sent. At this time, the main device is in step 662.
A printing program that moves to and prints the print data sent from the host computer (Figure 14)
is executed. At step 700, the BUSY bit of the status register 64 is turned off, making it possible to input print data from the host computer. Steps 702 and 704 are processes related to paper feeding. Step 706 indicates whether or not data has been received, and steps 708 and 710 indicate command processing.
Steps 740 to 742 are steps for skipping data in the case of annotation sentences. step 712
-718 are steps in which when an LF code is detected, it is regarded as a delimiter of unit data and is printed at a predetermined position based on print format control data. By repeating steps 706 to 718, data is printed at all printing locations. Step 720 is automatic paper ejection, step 722 is from the operating device.
When the SOH signal is received, step 612 in Figure 12
and return to the operating device 3 from the host computer.
This is a step to switch the connection to 0. Steps 724 to 734 are steps for performing processing based on key operations on the console of the printer body. With the above-described configuration and operation, this embodiment can print only necessary data at predetermined printing locations on preprinted paper, and is particularly effective in printing data from a database system. Furthermore, since the reception position and print pitch can be tested and displayed, the print format control data can be set and corrected accurately.

【Effect of the invention】

The first aspect of the present invention is to input print data from a host computer and a print format control data storage section that actually moves the receiving position of the print head and stores the printing start position of unit data to create print format control data. It mainly includes an input control section that controls printing based on format control data, and a data confirmation control section that confirms the reception position of the set format control data. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the receiving position of the printing head is actually moved, it is extremely easy to create format data, and the data can be printed accurately at the desired printing location. This is particularly effective when printing data in a predetermined column of a sheet of paper that has been printed in a predetermined manner, and improves the work efficiency of document creation. Since print format control data can be stored for each paper of a predetermined format, once created, the data can be used again during actual printing, which is extremely convenient. Furthermore, since the control data is confirmed in the form of test printing, it is easy to determine whether the control data settings are correct or incorrect, and the operability of the apparatus is therefore improved. Furthermore, the second invention has a print pitch control section that can set the print character pitch for each unit of print data, and a data confirmation control section that displays the set print pitch, allowing for more detailed format control and confirmation. This improves the operability of the device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the concept of the first invention device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the concept of the second invention device, and FIG. 3 is the configuration of a specific embodiment of the device of the invention. 4 is a plan view showing the external appearance of the operating device used in the device of the same embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the operating device and the main device of the printer. The electrical circuit diagram, FIG. 6, is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cursor keys and head movement signals.
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the main program among the processing steps of the CPU used in the operating device, Figure 8 is a registration number selection program, and Figure 9 is a registration program that performs format control data registration processing. , FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a correction program for correcting the data, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a calling program for transferring the created print format control data to the main device of the printer. Also, Figures 12 and 13 show the main program for the processing procedure of the CPU of the main device installed in the printer body, and Figure 14 shows the print program that receives print data from the host computer and processes it. This is the flowchart shown.
FIG. 15 shows the reception position control program of the operating device for cursor control of the print head reception position.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a reception position control program of the main device for similarly controlling the reception position with a cursor. Figure 17 is a plan view of a sheet of paper printed in a predetermined format to explain how to set the printing start position of unit data, and Figure 18 is a plan view of a sheet of paper printed in a predetermined format to explain how to set the print data to a host computer. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the test printing program, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the results of the test printing. 300...Display panel, 351-354...Cursor key, 351...Increment key, 352
... Decrement key.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An operation panel for inputting various manual operations, and outputting a signal to send paper to the printer and a signal to move the print head in the horizontal direction to move the print head relative to the paper. a head position control section that controls the movement of the print head; a print control section that outputs a signal for printing on the paper by the print head; and a print control section that drives the head position control section based on key operations on the operation panel. a print format control data storage unit that sequentially moves the print head to each print location on the paper and sequentially stores the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the print head position at that time; and a print format control data storage unit that sequentially stores horizontal and vertical coordinates of the print head position at that time; Print data consisting of a set of unit data to be printed is input, and when printing of the unit data starts, the control data stored in the print format control data storage section is sequentially outputted to the head position control section. an input control unit that drives the print head to sequentially move the print head to a set printing location, outputs the unit data to the print control unit, and drives the print control unit to sequentially print the unit data; When confirming the print position set in the control data stored in the print format control data storage section, by operating the keys on the operation panel,
Outputting the control data stored in the print format control data storage section to the head position control section, moving the print head to a set position on the paper, and setting a predetermined symbol indicating a print start position at that position. A print format control device comprising: a data confirmation control section that controls the print control section so as to print . 2. An operation panel for inputting various manual operations, and a head position for controlling the movement of the print head relative to the paper by outputting a signal to send the printer's paper and a signal to move the print head in the horizontal direction. a control unit; a print control unit that outputs a signal for printing on the paper by the print head; and a print control unit that drives the head position control unit based on key operations on the operation panel to print each print on the paper. a print format control data storage unit for sequentially storing the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the position of the print head at each location; and character data to be printed based on key operations on the operation panel. a print pitch control unit that specifies the print pitch of the print pitch; and a print format control data storage unit that inputs print data consisting of a set of unit data to be printed at each print location from the host computer and selects the print format control data storage unit when printing of the unit data starts. sequentially outputs the control data stored in the head position controller to the head position controller, drives the head position controller to sequentially move the print head to the set printing location, and outputs the unit data to the print controller. an input control unit that drives the print control unit to sequentially print the unit data; and when confirming the print position set in the control data stored in the print format control data storage unit, the operation By operating the keys on the panel,
Outputting the control data stored in the print format control data storage section to the head position control section, moving the print head to a set position on the paper, and indicating a print start position and print pitch at that position. A print format control device comprising: a data confirmation control section that controls the print control section so as to print a predetermined symbol.