JPH0596790A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a variation to a layout of a printing character string by a method wherein dot pattern data stored in a printing buffer is shifted in a dot column direction so that a character can be printed on a set printing base line position on a printing medium tape. CONSTITUTION:When an electric current is passed to a heating element group while a bonding roller 10 and a take-up spool 14 are driven in a predetermined rotating direction by a tape feed motor 18 in synchronism with each other, a character is printed by a plurality of dot columns on a printing tape 9. The printing tape 9 is fed with an adhesive double coated tape 15 bonded to be delivered outside a body frame 2. A position of a character printing base line is set variably in an orthogonal direction to a tape feed direction. Dot pattern data in a printing buffer 37 is shifted in a dot column direction so that a character can printed on the set printing base line position.

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, it relates to a printing medium in which the printing base line position of a character to be printed on the tape can be variably set in the tape width direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, various proposals have been made for a small tape printer for printing a desired character string on a printing tape having a width of about 10 mm. Therefore, the applicant of the present application filed JP
In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 152070, a center print mode for printing the full-width character of the printable full-width character and the double-width character with the print position of the print character aligned with the center position in the width direction of the printing tape and the width direction thereof. We have proposed a printing device that can change the printing position and is configured to select a bottom-aligned printing mode that prints on the lower side.

[0003]

However, in the printing device capable of changing the printing position proposed by the applicant of the present application, the printing position of the double-byte characters to be printed on the printing tape is aligned with the center and the lower printing mode is arranged. Since only the alignment print mode is provided, there is a problem that the positional relationship between the quadruple-width character and the full-width character cannot be subtly changed, and the layout of the print character string becomes monotonous.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of varying the layout of a print character string.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tape printer according to the present invention comprises an input means for inputting character code data and various command signals, and an input data buffer for storing the input code data. , A pattern data storage means for storing dot pattern data of a large number of characters, a print buffer for receiving the dot pattern data of the character to be printed from the pattern data storage means, and a print medium tape on which the character is printed When printing on a print medium tape in a tape printer having a print head capable of printing in a dot row and a control means for sequentially receiving dot row data of dot pattern data from a print buffer and controlling the print head Base line position setting procedure to variably set the print base line position in the direction orthogonal to the tape feed direction. And pattern data shift means for receiving the output of the base line position setting means and shifting the dot pattern data in the print buffer in the dot row direction so that the print medium tape is printed at the set print base line position. It is a thing.

[0006]

In the tape printer according to the present invention, the code data input from the input means is read from the input data buffer, and the dot pattern data of the character to be printed based on the read code data is the pattern data storage means. Pattern data shift means receives the output from the baseline position setting means and prints on the print medium tape with the print baseline position variably set in the direction orthogonal to the tape feeding direction. As described above, the dot pattern data in the print buffer is shifted in the dot row direction. As a result, the control means sequentially receives the dot row data of the shifted dot pattern data from the print buffer to control the print head, so that the characters are printed in alignment with the set print base line position on the print medium tape.

[0007]

According to the tape printer of the present invention,
The base line position setting means and the pattern data shift means are provided so that the print base line position of the character can be variably set in the direction orthogonal to the tape feed direction, and the dot pattern data in the print buffer can be set to the set print base line position. Since it is shifted in the dot row direction and printed on the print medium tape, various variations can be applied to the layout of the character string printed on the print medium tape.

[0008]

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 a tape printer for printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana and alphabetic characters on a printing tape (printing medium tape). As shown in FIG.
At the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, an annular character selection dial 3 for selecting characters or symbols (hereinafter referred to as characters) for printing is rotatably arranged, and a keyboard part is provided. 4 is provided, and a liquid crystal display 19 capable of displaying six characters is provided behind the character selection dial 3.
Is provided. At the center of the character selection dial 3, there is provided a setting key 5 for confirming the character selected by the rotation operation of the character selection dial 3 or for confirming the setting contents concerning printing. Further, a printing mechanism PM is built in the main body frame 2 behind the character selection dial 3.

The character selection dial 3 is provided with 50 stop positions per rotation, and the upper surface of the character selection dial 3 has a character image corresponding to each of these 50 stop positions. It is drawn in two columns. Incidentally, reference numeral 6
Is a character selection position mark. The keyboard unit 4 includes a character type switching key for selectively switching between "Hiragana", "Katakana", and "Alphabet", a conversion key and a non-conversion key, and a two-line printing key for instructing two-line printing, 1-line print key to instruct 1-line print, print key to execute print,
A typeface selection key for selecting the typeface of the character, a tape feed key for feeding the printing tape 9 to the tape, and the power ON
-A power switch for turning it off is provided.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. In the rectangular tape storage cassette CS, the tape spool 8 on which the printing tape 9 made of a transparent film is wound, and the ink. A ribbon supply spool 13 around which a ribbon 12 is wound, a take-up spool 14 around which the ink ribbon 12 is wound, and a double-sided tape 15 having the same width as the printing tape 9 are wound with a release paper outside. A spool 16 and a joining roller for joining the printing tape 9 and the double-sided tape 15 are rotatably provided. A thermal head 7 is erected at a position where the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 overlap each other, and a platen roller 17 for pressing the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 against the thermal head 7 and both tapes 9 and 15 are provided. The feed roller 45 that presses the joining roller 10 is rotatably supported by the support 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the thermal head 7 is provided with a heating element group 11 composed of 48 heating elements arranged in a vertical direction.

Therefore, when the joining roller 10 and the take-up spool 14 are driven by the tape feed motor (see FIG. 4) 18 in synchronism with each other in a predetermined rotation direction to energize the heating element group 11, the printing tape is printed. Characters are printed by a plurality of dot rows on the printer 9 as shown in FIG. 5, and the printing tape 9 is fed in the tape feeding direction A with the double-sided tape 15 joined and sent out of the main body frame 2. It The details of the printing mechanism PM are described in JP-A-2-106.
See Japanese Patent No. 555.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG. Display mechanism DM
Is a general one having a liquid crystal display 19 and a display controller (LCD controller) 20 having a display RAM for outputting display data to the display 19. The absolute value encoder 21 connected to the character selection dial 3 is for outputting 50 kinds of absolute value encoder signals ENS corresponding to 50 stop positions of the character selection dial 3, respectively. Code data of the character selected corresponding to the character selection position mark 6 is obtained based on the value encoder signal ENS and the signal from the character type switching key, and the absolute value encoder signal ENS before the selection operation and the current absolute value are obtained. By comparing with the encoder signal ENS, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the character selection dial 3 can be obtained. Reference numeral 22 is a drive circuit for driving the thermal head 7, and reference numeral 23 is a drive circuit for driving the tape feed motor 18.

The controller C has a CPU 27 and a CPU 27.
An input / output interface 25, ROMs 28 and 29, and a RAM 3 connected to a bus 26 such as a data bus.
It is composed of 0 and. ROM (program memory)
Reference numeral 28 denotes a display control program for controlling the display mechanism DM in correspondence with the code data selected by the character selection dial 3, and various kinds of character code data and print setting contents when the setting key 5 is operated. The control program for storing the setting data in the input data buffer 31 and the data in the print buffer 37 are sequentially read to read the thermal head 7.
A drive control program for driving and controlling the tape feed motor 18, a control program for tape printing control, which will be described later, and the like are stored.

A ROM (pattern data memory) 29 is an SS character pattern in which dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters drawn on the upper surface of the character selection dial 3 is 16 dots (vertical) × 15 dots (horizontal). L consisting of data and 48 dots (vertical) x 48 dots (horizontal)
The character pattern data and the character pattern data are stored in association with each other. The SS character pattern data is used for printing and displaying two lines. The L character pattern data is used for printing one line. Incidentally, reference numeral 24
Is a connector for connecting an optional ROM card which stores dot pattern data of various typefaces.

An input data buffer 31 of the RAM 30 stores code data of a character to be printed and various setting data relating to print setting contents (see FIG. 12, the leading address is A0000). The first rearrangement memory 32 stores the code data for one-line printing and the code data for the upper row of two-line printing (see FIG. 13, the start address is a0000), and the second rearrangement memory 3
In 3, the code data of the lower line of the two-line print is stored (see FIG. 13, the start address is b0000). The first pointer 34 stores one address of the first rearrangement memory 32, and the second pointer 35 stores one address of the second rearrangement memory 33.

The print base line position change amount memory 36 stores the change amount d in the tape width direction of the print base line positions relative to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3. Print buffer 37
As shown in FIG. 17, a memory having a size of 48 bits (6 bytes) corresponding to 48 dots in the vertical direction (dot row direction) and 48 bits (6 bytes) corresponding to 48 dots in the horizontal direction. A capacity is provided, and dot pattern data of a character to be printed is read from the pattern data memory 29 and stored. In the flag memory 38, a two-line printing flag F1 that is set (data is "1") when two lines are printed, upper line printing in two-line printing (first line printing)
Upper row flag F2 that is set when, a display flag F3 that is set while the selection contents regarding the print base line position change are displayed, a base line position change flag F4 that is set when the print base line position is changed, and a print base line position change The flag data of the other flags such as the display flag F5 and the flag related to the typeface, which are set during the display of the selection content regarding the amount d, are stored.

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, S
i (i = 1, 2, 3, ...) Is each step. Here, in this control, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing tape 9 corresponding to the heating element group 11 of the thermal head 7 is based on the L character pattern data, as indicated by the character "A" when printing one line. The entire upper printing area PE is printed on the printing tape 9, and when printing two lines, the upper row is printed on the upper printing row UL in this printing area PE based on the SS character pattern data. The lower row is printed on the lower print row LL of the print area PE. Furthermore, L
The normal print base line position PS1 of the character corresponds to the lowermost position of the heating element group 11, and the print base line position PS2 of the upper row regarding the SS character is more than the center line CL corresponding to the center position of the heating element group 11 in the width direction. The normal print base line position PS of the lower line for the SS character is provided at a position above "4" dots.
3 is provided at a position above the print base line position PS1 by "4" dots.

When the tape printer 1 is powered on, this control is started. First, the display mechanism DM and each memory 3 are started.
Clear 1 to 38, and display 1
The line print mark ">" is displayed and the initial setting such as storing the one line print command data corresponding to the one line print mark ">" at the head address of the input data buffer 31 is executed (S1). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S13: Yes), none of the flags F1, F3, F5, ... Is set (S14, S19, S24, S26: No), the character selected based on the encoder signal ENS from the absolute value encoder 21 is displayed on the display 19 (S28), and the process returns to S2.

When the setting key is operated (S
2. S3: Yes), when none of the flags F1 to F5 are set (S29, S36, S41, S4)
4: No), the character being displayed on the display 19 is confirmed, and the code data is input to the input data buffer 31.
(S46). For example, when the setting key is operated each time the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are displayed on the display 19, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, the characters “A”, “B”, “ Code data “C” is sequentially stored in the input data buffer 31.

Next, when the 2-line print key is operated to execute the 2-line print (S2: Yes, S3: No, S
4: Yes) The selection contents at the beginning regarding two-line printing, for example, “upper print line” is displayed on the display 19 (S
5) The flag F1 is set (S6). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S1
3: Yes), since the flag F1 is set (S
14: Yes), the next selected content regarding two-line printing, for example, "lower print line" is displayed on the display 19 (S1)
5) When the "upper print line" is displayed (S1
6: Yes), the flag F2 is set (S1
7), when the "lower print line" is displayed (S1
6: No), the flag F2 is reset (S18).

When the setting key is operated (S2
・ S3: Yes), when both flags F1 and F2 are set (S29 ・ S30: Yes), the upper print line mark “Δ” is displayed on the display 19 and the upper print line mark “Δ” is displayed. The corresponding upper row print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31. When the flag F2 is reset (S2
9: Yes, S30: No), the lower row print line mark “▽” is displayed on the display 19, and the lower row print command data corresponding to the lower row print line mark “▽” is stored in the input data buffer 31. (S32).
For example, when the setting key is operated while the “upper print line” is displayed on the display 19, the upper print line mark “Δ” is displayed and the address A0004 of the input data buffer 31 is displayed as shown in FIG. Stores upper row print command data.

Then, the flag F1 is reset (S3
3), the first selection content regarding the change of the print base line position, for example, "normal base line position" that does not change the print base line position with respect to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3 is displayed on the display 19 (S34), and the flag F3 is set. (S3
5).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S13: Yes), the flag F3 is set (S14: No, S19: Ye).
s), the next selection content regarding the print base line position change, for example, "base line position change" for changing the print base line position is displayed on the display 19 (S20), and when "base line position change" is displayed (S21: Yes). ), The flag F4 is set (S22), but when the "normal base line position" is displayed (S21: No), the flag F4 is reset (S23).

When the setting key is operated (S2
-S3: Yes), when the flag F3 is set (S29: No, S36: Yes), this flag F
3 is reset (S37), and when the flag F4 is set (S38: Yes), the first selection content regarding the print base line position, for example, the print base line position is set to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3 as the printing tape. “Baseline position + 4” for changing by 4 dots on the upper end side of 9 is displayed on the display 19 (S39), and the flag F5 is set (S40).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S13: Yes), the flag F5 is set (S14 / S19: No, S24:
Yes), the next selection content regarding the print base line position, for example, "base line position +3" is displayed on the display 19 (S).
25). After that, when the character selection dial 3 is continuously rotated, the selected content “baseline position + 2” → “baseline position +
1 ”→“ baseline position-1 ”→“ baseline position-2 ”→“ baseline position-3 ”→“ baseline position-4 ”→“ baseline position + 4 ”are sequentially displayed on the display 19. "Baseline position-1"
"Base line position-4" is the amount of change of the print base line position to the lower end side of the printing tape 9 with respect to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3.

When the setting key is operated (S2
Since the flag F5 is set (S3: Yes) and the flag F5 is set (S29: S36: No, S41: Yes), the print baseline position change amount data corresponding to the selection content displayed on the display 19 is the upper row print command data. Alternatively, it is stored in the lower row print command data (S42), and the flag F5 is reset (S43).

For example, when the selection key is operated while the selection content "baseline position +4" is displayed on the display 19, as shown in FIG. 12, "+4 dots" is set in the upper row print command data at the address A0004. Change amount data is stored. Furthermore, in the input data buffer 31,
After that, the lower row print command data in which the respective code data of the selected characters "D", "E", "F" and the change amount data of "-4 dots" are stored, the selected characters "G", "H"",
Code data of "I" and "J" are sequentially stored.

Next, when the one-line print key is operated to print one line (S2: Yes, S3, S4: No,
(S7: Yes), the one-line print mark ">" is displayed on the display 19, the one-line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S8), and the flag F1 is reset (S9). For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the input data buffer 31 stores the one-line print command data at the address A000D, and the code data of the subsequently selected characters “K”, “L”, and “M”. A000
Stored from E to address A0010. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S13:
Yes), and when flags other than the flags F1, F3, and F5 are set (S14, S19, S24: N
o, S26: Yes), the selection contents corresponding to the set flags are sequentially displayed (S27). Also,
At the time of operating the setting key (S2, S3: Yes), when other flags are set (S29, S36,
(S41: No, S44: Yes), the selection content corresponding to the flag is set (S45).

Next, when the print key is operated (S
2: Yes, S3, S4, S7: No, S10: Ye
s), print processing control (see FIG. 9) is executed (S1).
1). When this control is started, various flags relating to printing and initialization of memory etc. are first executed (S
50), rearrangement processing control (see FIG. 10) is executed (S51). The control will be described with reference to FIGS. When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 13, first, all the code data stored in the input data buffer 31 is stored in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S70). However, “FF” is additionally stored as the end data at the end of the code data.

Next, the start address a0000 of the first rearrangement memory 32 (hereinafter, the content is referred to as P1 and the first pointer P1) is set in the first pointer 34 (S7).
1) The data in the first rearrangement memory 32 designated by the first pointer P1 is read (S72), and when the read data is the one-line print command data (S73, S85.
(S83: No), the next address is set in the first pointer P1 (S84), and the process returns to S72. When the read data is character code data, the same control as above is repeated. Next, when the first pointer P1 is "address a0004", since it is the upper row print command data (S73: Yes), the first pointer P1 is used to
When the rearrangement memory 32 is searched (S74) and the lower row print command data is stored as the instruction data next to the upper row print instruction data (S75: Yes), as shown in FIG. 14, the first pointer P1 "Address b0004" of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to is set in the second pointer 35 (hereinafter, also referred to as the second pointer P2), and the lower row print command data and the subsequent lower row print line LL are printed. The character code data is stored in each address after the second pointer P2 (S76).

Next, when the code data number UDN of the character to be printed on the upper print line UL is smaller than the code data number LDN of the lower print line LL (S78 / S80: N).
o) As shown in FIG. 15, the space code "SP" is stored in "address a0008" of the first rearrangement memory 32 (S81). However, when the code data number UDN is larger than the code data number LDN (S78: Yes),
The space code "SP" is stored at a predetermined address of the second rearrangement memory 33 (S79). When both code data numbers UDN and LDN are equal (S78: No, S
80: Yes), and proceeds to S82. Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in the first rearrangement memory 32, the data stored in the second rearrangement memory 33 is deleted and each data “>, K, L, M, FF” after the deleted data is deleted. When rearranging processing such as moving each is executed (S82), and there is data to be searched in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S8).
3: No), "address b0009" is set to the first pointer P1 as the address to be searched next (S84).

Then, each of the following data ">, K, L,
For “M”, S70 to S72, S73 and S85: N
o, S83 to S84 are repeatedly executed, and by the end data "FF" (S83: Yes), this control is ended and the process returns. By the way, when there is no lower row print command data (S75: No), the second rearrangement memory 3
Within 3, the number of code data UDN in the upper print line UL
A space code "SP" corresponding to is stored (S7
7). Further, when the data read based on the first pointer P1 is the lower row print command data (S73: No, S
85: Yes), the address of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is set in the second pointer P2, and the lower-row print command data and the lower-row print row L subsequent thereto are set.
The code data of the character to be printed on L is stored in each address after the second pointer P2 (S86), and the code data of the character to be printed on these lower row print command data and lower row print line LL in the first rearrangement memory 32. Are all converted into space codes (S87).

Next, returning to the print processing control, the first address of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set in the first pointer P1 (S52), and the data of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set based on the first pointer P1. Is read (S53), and when the read data is one-line print command data (S53)
54.S55: No, S56: Yes), the flag F1 is reset (S57), and the value "48 dots" of the character width of L character size used for one line printing is R based on the flag F1.
It is stored in the AM 30 (S59), the first pointer P1 is incremented (S60), and the process returns to S53. Next, when the read data is the code data of the character "A" (S54: No, S55: Yes), the inter-character space value corresponding to the L character size, for example, "3 dots" is set (S61), and the flag is set. Since F1 is reset (S62: No), the dot pattern data corresponding to the code data is read from the pattern data memory 29,
It is stored in the print buffer 37 as shown in FIG. 17 (S6
3), the character "A" is printed (S65), S60
Move to. However, when printing each character after the second character, a space between characters is first provided,
Next, character printing is executed.

Next, when the read data is the upper row print command data (S54, S55, S56: No), the flag F1 is set (S58), and the SS character size used for two-line printing is set based on the flag F1. The character width value "16 dots" is stored in the RAM 30 (S59), and returns to S53 via S60. Then, the next read character "D" is S
Because it is S character size (S54: No, S55: Ye
s), the inter-character space value corresponding to the SS character size, for example, "1 dot" is set (S61), and the flag F1 is set (S62: Yes). Therefore, the data synthesis processing control (see FIG. 11) is performed. It is executed (S64).

When this control is started, first, the address "b0 of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is stored.
"005" is set to the second pointer P2 (S90), the code data of the character "D" designated by the first pointer P1 is read (S91), and the dot pattern data of this code data is printed as shown in FIG. It is stored on the position corresponding to the center line CL in the buffer 37 (S92),
When the print base line position change amount d is stored in the upper row print command data (S93: Yes), the base line position change amount d (+4 dots) is read and stored in the print base line position change amount memory 36 (S94). ), As shown in FIG. 19, the dot pattern data is shifted in the dot row direction by the number of dots obtained by adding the baseline position change amount d to "4 dots" for shifting to the normal print baseline position PS2 of the upper row. (S96).

Further, the code data of the character "G" designated by the second pointer P2 is read (S97), and the dot pattern data of this code data is synthesized on the lower end position in the print buffer 37 as shown in FIG. Are stored (S98), and similarly, when the print base line position change amount d is stored in the lower row print command data (S99: Ye
s), the base line position change amount d (-4 dots) is read out and stored in the print base line position change amount memory 36 (S10).
0), the dot pattern data is shifted in the dot row direction by the number of dots obtained by adding the baseline position change amount d to "4 dots" for shifting to the normal print baseline position PS3 in the lower row (S102), and this control is performed. Ends and returns. Even if the data read in S92 is the lower row print command data, S93 to S102 are executed. Also,
When it is determined No in S93 and No in S99, "0" is stored as the change amount d in the print base line position change amount memory 36, respectively.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20, character printing processing is executed based on the dot pattern data for two characters which are combined and stored in the print buffer 37 (S65). Similarly, the data stored in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 as shown in FIG.
Printing is performed by the printing processing control of 65, and as shown in FIG. 21, the character string "ABC, KLM" is printed on the printing tape 9 for one line corresponding to the printing area PE, and the character string "DEF" is also printed. The character string "G" is printed on the upper print line UL.
"HIJ" is printed on the lower print line LL. Moreover, the character strings "DEF" and "GHIJ" are printed with their print positions changed based on the designated print base line position change amount d. When the data in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 shown in FIG. 16 is printed without changing the print base line position, the data is printed as shown in FIG.

As the dot pattern data for printing one line, dot pattern data having a number of dots smaller than 48 dots × 48 dots should be used so that the print base line position can be changed even when printing one line. Is also possible. Further, it is possible to set the maximum change amount of the print base line position to "± 4 dots" or more. The pattern data memory 29 may store dot pattern data of 3 to 4 different character sizes so that a desired character size can be selected. The print baseline position change amount data may be provided in a memory different from the input data buffer 31.

As described above, the character print base line position can be variably set in the tape feed direction and the direction orthogonal to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3, and the print buffer position is set to the set print base line position. Since the dot pattern data in 37 is shifted in the dot row direction and the shift result is printed on the printing tape 9, various variations can be applied to the layout of the character string printed on the printing tape 9.

The present invention is applied to various tape printers such as a printer configured to print characters on the print tape 9 by manually pulling out the print tape 9 or a wire dot tape printer. Of course you can get it.

[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 partial front view of a printing mechanism showing a printing tape and a thermal head.

FIG. 6 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

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

FIG. 8 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a rearrangement process control routine.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of data combination processing control.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in an input data buffer.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary diagram showing a print example in which the character string of each print line of two-line print is changed on the print base line and printed on the print tape.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary diagram showing a print example in which a character string of each print line of two-line print is printed on a printing tape without changing the print base line position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape printing device 3 Character selection dial 4 Keyboard section 5 Selection key 7 Thermal head 9 Printing tape 27 CPU 28 ROM (program memory) 29 ROM (pattern data memory) 30 RAM 31 Input data buffer 36 Printing baseline position change amount memory 37 Print buffer C Controller PS2 Normal print baseline position of upper row PS3 Normal print baseline position of lower row

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location B41J 3/46 9110-2C 5/30 A 8907-2C G06K 15/10 2116-5L 8804-2C B41J 3/12 C

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting character code data and various command signals, an input data buffer for storing input code data, and pattern data storing dot pattern data for many characters. Storage means, a print buffer for receiving and storing dot pattern data of a character to be printed from the pattern data storage means, a print head capable of printing a dot array on a print medium tape on which a character is printed, and a print In a tape printer having control means for controlling a print head by sequentially receiving dot row data of dot pattern data from a buffer, a print base line position when printing on the print medium tape is varied in a direction orthogonal to a tape feed direction. A base line position setting means for setting, and receiving the output of the base line position setting means, As printing with a constant been printed base line located on the print medium tape, the tape printing apparatus characterized by comprising a pattern data shift means for shifting the dot pattern data in the dot column direction in the print buffer.