JPH06124077A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tape printer which easily generate an optional external character even as to a display or a device which has no operation key for external pattern generation. CONSTITUTION:Characters '.' and 'O' received in external registration mode from an external device are transferred to a working buffer (S210 S270) by rotating document data, arrayed in 24 rows and 24 columns, clockwise by 90 deg.. One piece of character data is read out of the document data transferred to the working buffer and when the character data are 'O' (S320: YES), '1' is set at the bit position of an external registration memory corresponding to the read character data (S330). When the read character data are '.', on the other hand (S320: NO), 'O' is set at the bit position of the external registration memory corresponding to the read character data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for converting document data consisting of a large number of character data input from the outside into printing or display data and outputting the data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, document creation devices such as word processors and printing devices such as dot printers have been known as devices incorporating this type of device. In these devices, a keyboard or an external device is known. Document data composed of a large number of character data input from is displayed on a display as it is, or printed from a printer head onto a print medium.

And, in some document creation devices,
Some users can create and register a desired character (external character). When creating and registering an external character in such a device, the operation mode of the device is switched to the external character registration mode. Then, a predetermined matrix (for example, 24 × 24) for creating an external character pattern is displayed on the built-in display, and by operating a predetermined key on the keyboard, a plurality of dots are arranged in an arbitrary shape to generate arbitrary pattern data. It was created and this pattern data was registered as an external character.

[0004]

However, in order to be able to create and register such an external character, the device is provided with a display capable of displaying a predetermined matrix for creating an external character pattern as described above. An operation key that can form an arbitrary dot pattern must be provided on this predetermined matrix, and a device that has no display or operation key, or a display that can display only a few characters at a time. A device having only a few operation keys cannot be provided with such an external character creating / registering function.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an information processing apparatus capable of easily creating an arbitrary external character even if the apparatus has no display or operation keys. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

That is, the present invention made to solve the above problems is to print or display document data consisting of a large number of character data inputted from the outside, as shown in FIG. In an information processing apparatus for converting and outputting to data, a switching means for switching the operation mode of the apparatus from a mode of converting document data composed of a large number of character data input from the outside to printing or display data to an external character registration mode. And when the external character registration mode is switched by the switching means, the document data input from the outside is fetched as document data of a predetermined matrix,
By recognizing specific character data in the document data as dots, pattern data creating means for creating pattern data for printing or display consisting of dot groups arranged on the predetermined matrix, and the pattern data creating means. It is characterized by comprising a storage means for storing the created pattern data as an external character.

[0007]

In the information processing procedure of the present invention configured as described above, the operation mode of the apparatus is changed by the switching means to the document data consisting of a large number of character data input from the outside to print or display data. When the conversion mode is switched to the external character registration mode, the pattern data creating means takes in the document data input from the outside as the document data of a predetermined matrix, and recognizes the specific character data in the document data as dots, Pattern data for printing or displaying, which consists of a group of dots arranged on the predetermined matrix, is created. Then, the storage means stores the pattern data created by the pattern data creating means as an external character.

Therefore, according to the information processing procedure of the present invention, by inputting document data created by an external document creation device or the like into the device, specific character data in this document data is converted into dots on a predetermined matrix. Since it is possible to create external character characters that have been created, it is possible to use a device that does not have a display that can display a predetermined matrix for external character pattern creation or an operation key that can create external character patterns, unlike conventional devices. Also, it becomes possible to create and register an external character.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 2 is an external view showing an external appearance of a Japanese tape printing apparatus 2 to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard 6 is provided on the front surface of the main body frame 4 of the tape printer 2, and the characters are printed on the printing tape 8 inside the main body frame 4 above the keyboard 6. A printing mechanism PM for printing is provided. A curved frame portion 4a that is curved is provided on the surface of the main body frame 4 above the keyboard 6, and a small liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) capable of displaying six characters or symbols on the curved frame portion 4a. 10
Is provided.

The keyboard 6 includes character keys for inputting alphabets, hiragana, numbers, symbols, etc., a space key, cursor keys for scrolling the character string displayed on the LCD 10 left and right, non-conversion keys, conversion keys,
Input mode switching key for selectively setting the character input code among "Roman alphabet", "Hiragana" and "Alphabet", format setting key for setting the print format, print key for executing printing , A tape feed key for feeding the printing tape 8 and a power key for turning the power on and off,
Various keys are provided.

Further, the printing mechanism PM has a well-known thermal head 12 in which a predetermined number of energization heating elements are arranged in a vertical direction.
(Refer to FIG. 3), and the energized thermal head 1
2, a certain width of transparent film (for example, 12m
By supplying the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon of m), characters or symbols composed of a plurality of dot rows are printed on the surface of the printing tape 8. Then, a double-sided tape is joined to the printing tape 8 thus printed, and is sent out from the side surface portion of the main body frame 4 to the outside.

The printing tape 8, the ink ribbon, the double-sided tape, and the like are integrally incorporated in a rectangular tape storage cassette (not shown) and can be easily replaced. Next, the configuration of the control system of the tape printer 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 14 forming the core of the control system of the tape printer 2 is a central processing unit (CP).
U) 16 and a pattern data memory (hereinafter CGROM
18), ROMs 20 and 22, RAM 24,
It is composed of an input / output interface 26 and a bus 28 connecting these.

The input / output interface 26 has a keyboard 6, a display controller (hereinafter referred to as LCDC) 30 having a display RAM for outputting display data to the LCD 10, and the thermal head 1.
A drive circuit 32 for driving the printing tape 2, a tape for sending the printing tape 8 to the outside by rotating a plurality of spools around which the above-described printing tape 8, ink ribbon, double-sided tape, etc., and various rollers are rotated. A drive circuit 36 for driving the feed motor 34, a drive circuit 40 for driving the warning buzzer 38, and an interface board (hereinafter, I) for receiving document data sent from an external device WP such as a word processor. / F board)
42 are connected to each other.

Dot pattern data for displaying each character is stored in the CGROM 18 in correspondence with each code data, and in the ROM 20, the contour line of each character for printing each character. The contour line data (outline data) that defines is classified for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) and stored corresponding to each code data.

Further, the RAM 24 is a text memory tm for storing code data such as characters and symbols input from the keyboard 6 as document data, set character size data, typeface data, and printing direction (vertical writing, horizontal writing).
A print format buffer fb that stores various print format information such as a print buffer, and a print buffer p that stores dot pattern data of a plurality of characters and symbols that have been image-developed
b, a flag memory fm for storing flag data necessary for each control process, a work buffer w used during each control process
b, a reception buffer r for storing reception data sent from the external device WP and fetched via the I / F board 42
b and a storage area such as an external character registration memory gm for storing an external character created by an external character registration process described later.

Further, in the RAM 24, a reception pointer P1 indicating a storage position in the reception buffer rb of the data received in the reception process described later, and an acquisition indicating a data read position in the reception buffer rb in the read process described later. The pointer P2 is stored. This reception pointer P
1 and the acquisition pointer P2 indicate the start position of the reception buffer rb when the communication main screen described later is displayed.

Further, the RAM 24 includes a counter i for counting the number of lines of document data, a counter j for counting the number of columns of document data, a counter k for counting the address of the external character registration memory gm, and an external character registration memory gm. And a counter n for counting bit positions.

At least the text memory tm, the print format buffer fb, the flag memory fm, and the external character registration memory gm are always backed up so that the stored contents do not volatilize. And, in the ROM 22,
A display drive control program for controlling the LCDC 30 corresponding to the code data of each character such as characters and symbols input from the keyboard 6, and outline data corresponding to each code data in the text memory tm to dot pattern data for printing. Conversion processing and print buffer pb
Image deployment control program to deploy images to
A print drive control program for sequentially reading data from the print buffer pb to drive the thermal head 12 and the tape feed motor 34, a tape print control program, and an external character registration processing program unique to the present application, which will be described later, are stored.

Next, various operation modes of the tape printer 2 thus constructed will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in the tape printer 2 of this embodiment, when the power key is turned on and the power is turned on,
First, the LCD 10 becomes a normal editing screen, and the document data can be created by inputting an arbitrary character key. Then, in this normal edit screen, the input characters and symbols are displayed on the LCD 10 by 6 characters each.

Next, when the shift key and the select key are pressed at the same time in this state, the LCD 10 becomes the communication main screen, and then any of the mode key, the symbol key, the print key, the tape feed key, and the select key. By pressing any key, the following mode screen corresponding to each key is displayed. When the delete key is pressed on this communication main screen, the normal edit screen is unconditionally returned.

(1) When the mode key is pressed, a mode setting screen as a switching means is displayed, the document data transmitted from the external device WP is received, and the document data indicates the print format transmitted together with the document data. Based on the control code or the normal reception mode for printing on the printing tape 8 in the print format set on the format setting screen described later, and the document data transmitted from the external device WP is received, and based on the document data It is possible to select an external character registration mode, which will be described later, for creating an external character. Then, at this time, one of the operation modes is selectively selected with the cursor key and is confirmed with the selection key. Then, when the selection key is pressed, the screen returns to the communication main screen. The relationship between the cursor key and the selection key is the same in each of the following modes.

(2) When the symbol key is pressed, a parameter setting screen is displayed, and it becomes possible to set communication parameters such as communication speed and data length in document data communication with the external device WP. (3). Press the print key to display the format setting screen, and you can set the print format such as character size, print typeface, print direction.

(4) When the tape feed key is pressed, the printing tape 8 is simply fed out for a predetermined length. (5). When the selection key is pressed, the online state is set, and the receiving process of the document data transmitted from the external device WP is started. Then, the received document data is processed according to the operation mode set on the mode setting screen described above.

In this online state, if the selection key is pressed further, the offline state is entered, and the receiving process is interrupted and each key process becomes possible. Then, pressing the selection key again restores the online state. Also, when the delete key is pressed in the offline state, the main communication screen is returned to.

The external character registration process (hereinafter referred to simply as the registration process) executed in the control circuit 14 when the external character registration mode is set on the mode setting screen will be described below with reference to FIGS. explain. In this example,
When the tape printer 2 is set to the external character registration mode,
As shown in FIG. 8A, the document data created and transmitted by the external device WP must have two characters “•” and “O” arranged in 24 rows and 24 columns. Is pre-arranged, and the external device WP creates this document data so that the arrangement of “Os” in this row / column becomes an image of a desired character shape.

In the following description, for convenience,
As shown in FIG. 8A, an example will be described in which the external device WP creates and transmits document data in which an image of the letter E of the alphabet is created and transmitted. First, in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a document data reception process executed in the online state when the operation mode of the apparatus is set to the external character registration mode. The receiving process is an interrupt process that is preferentially executed when the document data transmitted by the external device WP is received.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the receiving process is started, first, a step (hereinafter, the step is simply referred to as S)
At 110, the received document data is read and S11
In 5, the document data read in S110 is sequentially stored in the reception buffer rb, the reception pointer P1 is counted up, and the present reception process ends. In the process of S110, although not shown, it is determined whether or not the reception buffer rb can store the reception data, and when the reception data is stored by the storage capacity of the reception buffer rb, the reading of the reception data is stopped. Then, it waits until a free area is formed in the reception buffer rb. In addition, in the processing of S115, when the reception pointer P1 indicates the end position of the reception buffer rb, the reception pointer P is incremented by counting up.
1 indicates the start position of the reception buffer rb.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a reading process for reading the received data stored in the receiving buffer rb into the text memory tm. This reading process is also executed in the online state described above. As shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started, first, in S120, a counter i for counting the number of lines of the received document data (hereinafter, also referred to as received data) is cleared to zero, and then in S125, the received data is received. The counter j for counting the number of columns of is cleared to zero.

In subsequent S130, it is determined whether or not there is data to be read in the reception buffer rb based on whether or not the reception pointer P1 and the acquisition pointer P2 match. Then, when the reception pointer P1 and the acquisition pointer P2 match, that is, when there is no data to be read in the reception buffer rb, the processing of S130 is repeated, and when the pointers P1 and P2 do not match, the processing of S135 is performed.

In S135, the character data of the received data designated by the acquisition pointer P2 is read from the reception buffer rb by one character, and in the subsequent S140, S1 is read.
The text memory t at the addresses corresponding to the values of the counters i and j at that time
m (hereinafter referred to as text memory tm [i] [j]). That is, the character data in the i-th row and the j-th column is stored in the text memory tm [i] [j].
Then, in subsequent S145, the acquisition pointer P2 is counted up, and in S150, the counter j is incremented.

In subsequent S160, the value of the counter j is 24.
If it is determined that the value of the counter j is not 24, the process returns to S130 and S130 to S16.
The process up to 0 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in S160 that the value of the counter j is 24, the data currently pointed to by the acquisition pointer P2 is the line feed data, so the line feed data is skipped and the next received data is read. Then, in S165, the acquisition pointer P2 is counted up. Then, the process proceeds to S170, in which the counter i is incremented. And then S
If it is determined at 180 that the value of the counter i is 24 and it is determined that the value of the counter i is not 24, S
Returning to 125, the processing from S125 to S180 is repeated.

Then, when it is determined in S180 that the value of the counter i is 24, this reading process is terminated. As described above, in the main reading process, S13
By processing from 0 to S160, one line of received data,
That is, 24 character data from the 0th to 23rd columns are sequentially stored in the text memory tm [i] [j], and S125
Through the processing from S180 to S180, all the character data of 24 lines from the 0th to 23rd lines of the received data are sequentially stored in the text memory tm [i] [j].

Therefore, after the execution of the main reading process, the text data tm [corresponding to the line (i) and column (j) in which the document data stored in the reception buffer rb is arranged for each character. i] [j]. Next, based on the received data stored in this way,
An external character registration process of creating and storing an external character will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the registration process is executed, first, in step S210, the counter i is cleared to zero, and in step S220, the counter j is cleared to zero. Then, in subsequent S230, the text memory tm [i] [j] in which the received data is stored by the above-mentioned reading process.
, The character data corresponding to the respective values of the counters i and j at that time are read out, and the work buffer wb (hereinafter, work buffer wb [j] [23] at the address corresponding to the j-th row and the (23-i) th column) is read. -I]). That is, the character data in the i-th row and the j-th column is the j-th row, (23-
i) The array is converted and stored in the column. Then, in subsequent S240, the counter j is incremented.

In subsequent S250, the value of the counter j is 24.
If it is determined that the value of the counter j is not 24, the process returns to S230 and S230 to S25.
The process up to 0 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined in S250 that the value of the counter j is 24, the process proceeds to S260, and the counter i is incremented in S260. Then, in the subsequent S270, the value of the counter i is 24
If it is determined that the value of the counter i is not 24, the process returns to S220 and S220 to S270.
Repeat the process up to.

When it is determined in S270 that the value of the counter i is 24, the process proceeds to S280. That is, the character data for one line of the received data is processed into the work buffer wb [j] by the processing from S230 to S250.
All the character data of 24 lines from the 0th to 23rd lines of the received data are sequentially stored in the work buffer wb [j] [23] by the processing of S220 to S270.
-I].

Therefore, after the processes of S210 to S270 are executed, the character data arranged in the i-th row and the j-th column of the received document data is changed to the j-th row and the (23-i) -th column. Stored in the work buffer wb,
When the document data stored in the work buffer wb is sequentially viewed from the 0th row and the 0th column, the original document data is rotated clockwise by 90 ° as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

After the storage of the document data in the work buffer wb is completed in this way, in the subsequent S280, the counter i
Is cleared to zero, and then in S290, 8 per address
The counter k for counting the address of the external character registration memory gm of bits is cleared to zero and the subsequent S30
At 0, the counter n for counting the bit position of the external character registration memory gm is set to 7.

Then, in subsequent S310, the counter j is cleared to zero, and the process proceeds to S320. In S320, the work buffer wb (hereinafter, work buffer wb [i] [j]) having addresses corresponding to the respective values of the counters i and j at that time.
Character data stored in () is read and it is determined whether or not it is "O". When it is determined that the read character data is "O",
The process proceeds to S330, and in this S330, the external character registration memory g
At the bit position corresponding to the value of the counter n at that time of the external character registration memory gm (hereinafter referred to as external character registration memory Mg + k) at the address obtained by adding the value of the counter k at that time to the head address Mg of m, "1" is set. "Set.
Then, the process proceeds to S350.

If it is determined in S330 that the read character data is not "O", that is, ".", The process proceeds to S340, and in S340, the external character registration memory Mg + k at that time is stored. "0" is set to the bit position corresponding to the value of the counter n. And S35
Move to 0.

The counter n is decremented in S350, the counter j is incremented in the following S360, and the process proceeds to S370. In S370, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter n is smaller than 0, and when it is determined that the value of the counter n is 0 or more, the process returns to S320 and S320 to S3.
The processes up to 70 are repeated.

That is, by the processing of S320 to S370, 1 or 0 is set to 1 byte of the external character registration memory Mg + k (corresponding to 8 characters stored in the work buffer wb [i] [j], respectively). 7th to 0th bit). On the other hand, when it is determined in S370 that the value of the counter n is smaller than 0, the process proceeds to S380,
In step S380, the counter n is set to 7, and in step S390, the counter k is incremented.

Then, in subsequent S400, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter j is 24, and the value of the counter j is 24.
If not, the process returns to S320, and S320-
The processing up to S400 is repeated. Also, in S400,
When it is determined that the value of the counter j is 24, S41
The process proceeds to 0 and the counter i is incremented in S410. Then, in subsequent S420, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter i has reached 24, and when it is determined that the value of the counter i has not yet reached 24, the process returns to S310 and the steps S310 to S420 are executed. Repeat the process.

When it is determined in S420 that the value of the counter i is 24 or more, the main registration process ends. As described above, in the main registration processing, S320-
By the processing up to S400, the work buffer wb [i]
The external character registration memory Mg + k is set to 1 or 0 in correspondence with the characters of one line (24 characters) stored in [j].
~ Sequentially set to 3 bytes of Mg + k + 2, S310
Through the processing up to S420, the work buffer wb [i]
The external character registration memory Mg + 0 to Mg + 71 is set to 1 or 0 in correspondence with the characters of 24 lines stored in [j].
Are sequentially set to 72 bytes.

That is, the processing from S280 to S420 is
As the pattern data creating means, as shown in FIG. 8B, the character data stored in the work buffer wb [i] [j] is sequentially read from the 0th row and 0th column, which is “O”.
If there is a dot, 1 indicating that there is a dot and 0 if there is no dot are recorded as dot data, respectively, and stored in the external character registration memory gm as a storage means in order from the head address Mg to 8.
Stores bit by bit.

Therefore, after execution of the main registration processing, as shown in FIG. 9, the work buffers wb [0] [0] to wb [2].
3] All the dot data based on each character data in the 24th row and 24th column of [23] is sequentially stored in all 72 bytes from the Mg address of the external character registration memory gm, and the pattern data for displaying and printing the external character is obtained. Will be formed.

Then, the above-mentioned receiving process, reading process,
The external character pattern data stored in the external character registration memory gm by the external character registration process is addressed by the print command from the keyboard 6, and the address Mg + k + 2 of the external character registration memory gm is output.
1 byte from the 0th bit to the 7th bit in order, 1 byte from the 0th bit of the address Mg + k + 1 to the 7th bit in order, 7 bytes from the 0th bit of the address Mg + k
One byte up to the bit is transferred to the print buffer pb in order and printed on the print tape 8 by the thermal head 12.

In the main registration process, the document data is rotated 90 ° clockwise as shown in FIG. 8, then the external character pattern data is created and stored in the external character registration memory gm. When printing a character, the dot data (1 or 0) is read from the start address of the print buffer pb by 3 bytes, and the dot data is arranged in the vertical direction to form dot data for one column. Since the pattern is drawn in the right direction one column at a time, the dot data for creating the external character pattern data can be easily transferred to the print buffer pb.

As described above, in the tape printer 2 of this embodiment, 24 lines 24 consisting of the two characters "." And "O" transmitted from the external device WP.
The external character pattern data is created based on the document data of the row, and the external character is printed on the printing tape 8 based on the pattern data.

Therefore, although the tape printer 2 of this embodiment is provided with only the compact LCD 10 for displaying characters for 6 characters, it is very easy to create a desired external character, This can be printed on the printing tape 8.

In the present embodiment, only the case of creating one external character has been described. However, for example, when creating document data with the external device WP, the document illustrated in FIG. If the registration number of the external character is inserted in the line before the 0th line of the data and the tape printer 2 stores the pattern data of the external character in correspondence with this registration number, how many You will be able to register different types of external characters.

Further, in the tape printer 2 of this embodiment,
Although the external device WP creates document data of a predetermined number of rows and columns in advance, for example, the document data created by the external device WP does not have such a restriction, and the tape printer 2 side Alternatively, the document data may be set to be recognized by breaking each predetermined number of characters.

[0055]

As described above, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when switched to the external character registration mode, the document data input from the outside is taken in as a predetermined matrix of document data, and further, this document By recognizing specific character data in the data as dots, pattern data for printing or display consisting of dots arranged on the predetermined matrix is created, and this pattern data is stored as an external character. There is.

Therefore, if the information processing apparatus of the present invention is used, even if the apparatus has no display or operation keys, the document data corresponding to the desired external character character pattern data can be created by an external document creation apparatus or the like. do it,
By inputting this document data into the device, a desired external character can be created and registered.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the external appearance of the tape printer 2 of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the tape printer 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation mode in the tape printer 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a document data receiving process in the tape printer 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reading process in the tape printer 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an external character registration process in the tape printer 2 of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating document data created and transmitted by the external device WP in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pattern data stored in the external character registration memory by the registration processing of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... tape printer 4 ... body frame 6 ...
Keyboard 8 ... Printing tape 10 ... Liquid crystal display (LC
D) 12 ... Thermal head 14 ... Control circuit 16
... CPU 18 ... pattern data memory (CGROM) 2
0, 22 ... ROM 24 ... RAM 26 ... Input / output interface 28 ... Bus 32, 36, 40 ... Drive circuit 34 ... Tape feed motor 38 ... Warning buzzer 42
… I / F board PM… Printing mechanism WP… External device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G09G 5/22 8121-5G

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for converting document data composed of a large number of character data inputted from the outside into printing or display data and outputting the data, wherein the operation mode of the apparatus is set to a large number of a number inputted from the outside. Switching means for switching the mode for converting the document data consisting of character data into the printing or display data to the external character registration mode, and the document data input from the outside when the external character registration mode is switched by the switching means. Pattern data creating means for creating pattern data for printing or display, which is formed as a group of dots arranged in the predetermined matrix by recognizing specific character data in the document data as dots. The pattern data created by the pattern data creating means is used as an external character. An information processing device, comprising: