JPH0639979Y2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a page printer such as a laser printer and a liquid crystal printer, and more particularly to a tabulation device for creating a basic table on a sheet.

[Conventional technology]

As a printing apparatus, a page printer such as a laser printer or a liquid crystal printer has a form overlay function as one of its characteristic functions. This function stores chart data of frequently used forms (hereinafter referred to as form data) in the format memory in the printer in advance, and only the data (form data) to be printed over this form data from the host device. It is a function to send to a printer and print the form data over the form data. Therefore, when using this function, it is necessary to register the form data in the printer in advance.

Conventionally, registration of form data in a printer has been performed by inputting addresses of start and end points of a plurality of ruled lines forming a chart and commands connecting these points with ruled lines in a program form from a keyboard. Then, in determining the coordinates of the start point, the end point, and the like, the necessary charts are drawn in advance on commercially available layout paper or graph paper to obtain the coordinates.

[Problems of conventional technology]

However, when the form data is registered by the above processing, the dot print interval (resolution) of the page printer
Is determined by the dot image resolution capability of the printing unit and does not correspond to the ruled line spacing of commercially available layout paper or graph paper. That is, on commercially available layout paper, etc., the ruled line interval is set to 1 mm or 2 mm, and when printing a chart with a printer, the coordinates of the above points are converted into addresses corresponding to the dot array density of the printing section. There must be. Therefore, when the form data is registered in the printer in advance, the coordinate data obtained from the layout paper or the like must be calculated to match the resolution of the printer, and the tabulation process cannot be easily performed.

[Purpose of device]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tabulation device capable of easily creating form data.

[Key points of device]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing a pattern corresponding to printing information given from a higher-level device on a paper with a predetermined dot density, and a minimum dot printing interval of the printing unit. A storage means for storing a grid-like mesh pattern consisting of a group of ruled lines provided at intervals of an integral multiple of and a mesh chart creating program for printing scale characters in dot units at positions corresponding to the ruled lines,
And a print control means for executing self-printing of the data generated by executing the mesh chart creating program in response to the operation of the print designating means by the printing means independently from the host device. Characterize.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printer including the tabulation device of this embodiment. In the figure, the printer 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a host interface (hereinafter referred to as a host I / F) 3, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, an operation / display unit 6, a layout form memory 7, an image data generation unit 8, a paper size. It is composed of a detector 9, a frame memory 10, and a printer 11.

The host computer 12, which is an external host device, is a circuit that outputs print data such as character codes and control data to the host I / F 3.

The CPU 2 controls each part according to the program stored in the ROM 4. For example, the above-mentioned character code or control data input via the host I / F 3 is temporarily stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 5, and the above-mentioned character code or control data stored in the reception buffer is read and output to a predetermined circuit. . Further, the table creation program data stored in the layout form memory 7 is read according to the key operation (selection) on the operation / display unit 6, and the processing according to this program is also performed.
In the RAM 5, an N counter, which will be described in detail later, is provided in addition to the above-mentioned reception buffer.

The paper size detection unit 9 is composed of a sensor that detects a protrusion provided on the paper cassette according to the size of the paper to be stored, and the paper size data detected by the paper size detection unit 9 is output to the CPU 2.

The layout form memory 7 is a memory for storing program data for creating a table, and stores a plurality of program data having different vertical and horizontal ruled line intervals forming the table.
This table preparation program data is based on the resolution of the printer 1, that is, the density of the print elements (dots) (not shown) arranged in the printing unit 11. Therefore, for example, the layout form memory 7 is a table of program data for printing fine line ruled lines (1 dot width) in the vertical and horizontal directions at intervals of 20 dots, and program data for similarly printing thick ruled lines (2 to 3 dot width) every 10 dots. A plurality of creation program data are stored.

On the other hand, the image data generator 8 stores the pattern data of the character corresponding to the character code, and when the above-mentioned character code once stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 5 is read out to the image data generator 8 under the control of the CPU 2. This is a circuit for outputting the pattern data of the corresponding character to the frame memory 10. Frame memory 10 is layout form memory 7
This is a memory for storing the table pattern data created by the CPU 2 according to the table creation program data read from, or the pattern data read from the image data generator 8. The printing unit 11 is composed of a printing mechanism and a printing circuit for printing the pattern data of the above table or the pattern data of characters on the paper, and prints on the paper according to the above-mentioned pattern data.

The operation / display unit 6 has the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and has a 2-digit 7-segment display unit 13, a status display unit 14, and a key operation unit.
It consists of fifteen. The 7-segment display section 13 displays the number of continuously printed sheets and each mode described later. The status display section 14 displays various settings of the printer 1, the power (POWER) display LED (light emitting diode) 14a lights up when the main power of the printer 1 is turned on, and the wait (WAIT) display LED 14b. Lights up until the initial conditions of the printer 1 are met, the ready (READY) display LED 14c lights up after the above conditions are met, and the following data (DATA) display LE
D14d lights up while receiving data, and the select (SELECT) display LE
D14e lights up while online, and auto paper feed (AP
F) The display LED 14f lights up during this process when the APF key described later is pressed.

The key operation unit 15 is composed of a mode I key 15a, a mode II key 15b, a select key 15c, an FF key 15d, and an APF key 14e. The select key 15c is a key for setting the printer 1 and the host computer 12 online or offline. is there. The mode I key 15a is a key for setting the printer 1 in various modes when the printer 1 and the host computer 12 are offline. One of the modes set by the mode I key is the tabulation mode based on the tabulation program. When the table creation mode is set, the mode II key 15b is pressed to sequentially select a plurality of table creation program data stored in the layout form memory 7. The FF key is normally pressed when instructing forced paper ejection, but when it is pressed when the CPU 2 is set to the above-mentioned tabulation mode, execution of the above-mentioned table preparation program data is instructed.

A corresponding mode display is displayed on the 7-segment display unit 13 in accordance with the above key operation. For example, FIG. 3 shows this example, and the display of "0" by the operation of the select key 15c indicates that the printer 1 and the host computer 12 are in the offline state. Further, the display of "L0" by operating the mode I key 15a indicates that the printer is set to the tabulation mode. The display of "L1", "L2", etc. by operating the mode II key 15b indicates that different table creation program data are sequentially selected. In addition, "FF" by operating the FF key 15d
The display indicates that the selected tabulation program data is being executed.

The processing operation of the printer 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the printer 1 and the host computer 12 are online (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). Online / offline setting is performed by operating the select key 15c as described above. At this time, if online (S1 is YES), the print data is output from the host computer 12, and the characters included in the print data are output. The pattern data based on the code is written from the image data generating unit 8 to the frame memory 10, and the printing unit 11 prints the pattern data (S2). On the other hand, in the off-line state, "0" shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the 7-segment display unit 13, and the CPU 2 judges whether it is in the tabulation mode (S3, S4). The selection of the tabulation mode is executed by pressing the mode I key 15a as described above. At this time, when the CPU 2 is set to a mode other than the tabulation mode, the process corresponding to the selection mode is executed ( S4 is NO, S5).

On the other hand, if the tabulation mode is selected at this time, "L0" is displayed on the 7-segment display section 13 (YES at S4, S6). After that, CPU2 resets the N counter in RAM5, and the mode II
It is determined whether the key 15b has been pressed (S7, S8). This mode II key 15b is pressed when selecting a plurality of table creation program data having different vertical and horizontal ruled line intervals based on the dot arrangement interval from the layout form memory 7, as described above. 7 by pressing
"L0" is displayed on the segment display 13 (YES at S8, S
9).

Here, the operator confirms the "L0" display displayed on the 7-segment display unit 13, and if he / she wants to use the table pattern corresponding to this "L0" display (for example, table pattern A in FIG. 5 (a)). For example, press the FF key 15d (S10 is NO, S11).
On the other hand, if the user does not want to use the pattern A corresponding to the display of "L0", the mode II key 15b is pressed again (S10:
YES). In this case, the CPU 2 increments the N counter by 1 and determines whether the value n of the N counter exceeds the maximum count value (N) (S12, S13). When executing the processing (S12, S13) for the first time, n
= 1 and does not exceed the maximum count value (however, if the maximum count value N is other than 0), return to processing (S9),
"L1" is displayed on the 7-segment display section 13.

The operator is the "L1" displayed on the 7-segment display 13.
If the user wants to use the table pattern corresponding to this "L1" display (for example, table pattern B in FIG. 5B), the FF key 15d is pressed (NO in S10 and S11). Also,
If the user does not want to use the table pattern B corresponding to the display of "L1", the mode II key 15b is pressed again, the N counter is incremented by 1, and the value n of the N counter exceeds the maximum counter value (N) again. Judge (S12, S13).

Thereafter, the same process is repeated to display “L2” → “L3” → ... on the 7-segment display unit 13 and to generate, for example, a corresponding table pattern C (FIG. 5 (c)) or the like. Select data.

Also, when the value n of the N counter exceeds the maximum counter value (N), the N counter is reset again and "L0" → "L1" →
The display process of ... is repeated (YES in S13 → S14 → S9 → ...).

As described above, in the 7-segment display section 13, "L0" → "L1" → "L
If the display corresponding to the table pattern the operator wants to use is displayed while displaying 2 "→ ..., the FF key as described above.
By pressing 15d, the table creation program data of the corresponding table pattern is read from the layout form memory 7, and the data of the paper size currently used by the printer 1 is read from the paper size detection unit 9 (S15). The CPU 2 executes the read table creation program and writes the table pattern data in accordance with the paper size data in the frame memory 10. Then, the printing unit 11 creates (prints) the selected front pattern on the paper (S16). The table patterns thus created on the sheet are the above-mentioned table patterns A to C and the like, and the intervals of the vertical and horizontal ruled lines forming the table patterns A to C are different, but both are in the printing unit 11. It corresponds to the dot spacing. That is, the vertical and horizontal 10 shown in the table patterns A to C
The interval display of 0, 200, 300, etc. matches the arrangement distance of 100 dots, 200 dots, and 300 dots of the print element (not shown).

Then, for example, the above-mentioned table patterns A to C, etc. are printed on a transparent film-like sheet, a chart to be newly created is overlaid on this sheet, and the coordinates of the start point, the end point, etc. are read, and the coordinate data is immediately printed by the printer. It becomes the address of each point to be input to, and it is possible to create charts without performing any conversion process.

In this embodiment, a plurality of table creating program data are selected to create the table patterns A to C, etc. However, if a pattern matching the dot printing interval of the printing section can be created, a single table is created. It may be configured to create a pattern.

[Effect of device]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a table pattern matching the resolution of the printer can be created, so that the form data required when using the form overlay function can be easily registered.

Further, since the table pattern printing can be performed by the printer that registers the form data (including the tabulation device), it is not necessary to prepare layout paper or graph paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printer including the tabulation device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an operation / display unit, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a 7-segment display unit, and FIG. Is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the tabulation apparatus of this embodiment, and FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing examples of table patterns. 2 ... CPU, 4 ... RAM, 6 ... Operation / display section, 7 ... Layout form memory, 11 ... Printing section, 13 ... 7-segment display section, 15 ... Key operation section, 15a ... Mode I key, 15b …… Mode II key, 15c …… Select key, 15d …… FF key.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hideki Kudo Inventor Hideki Kudo 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Electronics Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-92877 (JP, A) JP-A-SHO 63-20681 (JP, A) JP-A-64-72876 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A printing apparatus comprising a printing means for printing a pattern corresponding to print information given from a higher-level device on a paper with a predetermined dot density, wherein an interval which is an integral multiple of the minimum dot printing interval of the printing means is set. Storage means for storing a mesh-shaped chart pattern forming program for printing a grid-shaped mesh pattern composed of a given ruled-line group and dot-unit scale characters at positions corresponding to the ruled lines, a mesh-chart chart print designation means, and the print designation means A printing control means for executing the mesh chart creation program in response to the above operation and printing the generated data independently from the host device by the printing means.