JPH07205482A - Tape printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tape printing device capable of indicating the area corresponding to the width of tape in a display in an identifying manner. CONSTITUTION:When the width of tape in a tape cassette loaded in a tape printing device is set at 9mm, the display magnification at R=1 and the pattern No. at P=1, the widths from a table of upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b corresponding to the tape width are computed. A dot pattern data for displaying is formed to display the upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b and cursor K and the upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b are indicated by the shadows produced by the slanting lines provided extending from the upper and lower edges of a display 22 to the borders of the portions of the image plane of the display 22 corresponding to the width of the cut areas. The cursor K is displayed between the cut areas and the input character is displayed in the form of an image similar to the printed condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus for printing characters such as characters and symbols on a tape as a printing medium, and more particularly to a tape printing apparatus having an improved display form.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the applicant of the present application has filed an actual application of 1-850.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50, a tape printer which is equipped with a keyboard, a display and a printing mechanism and can print characters and symbols on a tape as a printing medium (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 mm). Therefore, we have put into practical use a tape printer suitable for making a tape-like label suitable for being attached to the spine of a file, and have proposed a tape printer provided with various editing functions.
In the tape printer, the width of the tape can be changed by exchanging the tape cassette, and the character is printed in a character size according to the tape width. Furthermore, recently, in certain display modes,
A tape printing apparatus configured to display a print image similar to that of printing characters on a tape is being put to practical use.

[0003]

In the conventional tape printer, since the display size of the character displayed on the display is set independently of the tape width, even if the character is displayed on the display as a print image, There is a problem that the printing state of the character cannot be grasped in relation to the tape width. Therefore, it is conceivable to divide the area corresponding to the tape width by a boundary line and display it on the display, but in the area division only by the boundary line,
Sometimes it is difficult to grasp the area corresponding to the tape width,
Further, if the boundary line is uniformly set to, for example, a solid line, a dotted line, a chain line, or the like, there is a problem that the boundary line is confused with a framing line based on the input information. An object of the present invention is to enable a tape printing device to grasp the printing state of a character in relation to the tape width, to enable an area corresponding to a tape to be displayed on a display in a distinguishable manner, and the like. .

[0004]

A tape printer according to a first aspect of the present invention, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, has input means for inputting characters such as characters and symbols and various commands. Data storage means for storing character data, display means including a display capable of displaying characters, font storage means for storing dot pattern data of many characters, and display image data to be displayed on the display. A display data buffer, a display control means for receiving the display image data of the display data buffer and controlling the display means, a printing means for printing characters on a tape as a print medium, and a detachably mounted tape cassette. For detecting the width of the tape in the tape cassette in a tape printing apparatus having In order to set the effective display area having a width proportional to the tape width in the widthwise central portion of the display, receiving the tape width data detected by the detection means and the tape width detection means, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the display And a first display data creating means for creating display image data for distinguishably displaying the upper cut area and the lower cut area and developing the display image data in the display data buffer, and the character stored in the data storage means. Second display data creating means for reading the dot pattern data from the font storing means, creating display image data for displaying the character in the effective display area in an image similar to a printed state, and developing the display image data in the display data buffer. It is equipped with and.

Here, the first display data creating means is
You may comprise so that the display image data which carries out the shadow display of the said upper end cut area and a lower end cut area may be created (Claim 2 dependent on Claim 1). Further, the first display data creating means may be configured to create display image data for displaying the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area with boundaries, respectively (claims subordinate to claim 1). 3). A line type setting means for setting the line type of the boundary line may be provided (claim 4 dependent on claim 3).

[0006]

According to the tape printing apparatus of the present invention, as its prerequisites, the input means, the data storage means, the display means including the display, the font storage means, the display data buffer, the display control means, and the character on the tape as the print medium are used. And a tape cassette that is detachably mounted. The tape width detecting means detects the width of the tape of the tape cassette, and the first display data creating means receives the data of the detected tape width, and the effective display area of the width proportional to the tape width is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the display. In order to set, the display image data for distinguishably displaying the upper cut region and the lower cut region at the upper end and the lower end of the display are created and expanded in the display data buffer.

The second display data creating means is for displaying the dot pattern data of the character stored in the data storage means from the font storage means and displaying the character in the effective display area in the same image as the printed state. Create image data and expand it in the display data buffer. Therefore, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the display respectively display the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area in an identifiable manner, and a width proportional to the tape width is provided between the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area. Is displayed, and the character read from the data storage means is displayed in this effective display area in the same image as the printed state.

In the tape printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first display data creating means creates the display image data for shadow-displaying the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area. Therefore, the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area are formed. And are shadowed on the display. In the tape printing apparatus according to claim 3, the first display data creating means creates the display image data for displaying the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area with the boundary lines, respectively. Are displayed on the display as border lines. In the tape printer of the fourth aspect, the line type of the boundary line can be set via the line type setting means.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus capable of printing a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters, numbers and symbols on a printing tape. As shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard 3 is arranged in the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printing apparatus 1, a printing mechanism PM is arranged in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3, and the keyboard 3 is arranged. Immediately behind it, a liquid crystal display 22 is provided which can display input characters and symbols as a print image. The display 22 has a display screen composed of 32 dots in the vertical direction and 121 dots in the horizontal direction. Here, reference numeral 4 is a release button for opening the cover frame 6 when the tape cassette CS attached to the printing mechanism PM is attached or detached.

The keyboard (corresponding to the input means) 3 is a character key for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor K vertically and horizontally, and a display. Size setting key, format setting key for changing and setting format information including character decoration, display character size and print character size, execution key for ending various setting processing, print key for instructing printing, power ON / OFF There is a power key and so on.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. A rectangular tape cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM. The tape cassette CS has a laminated film tape. 7, a tape spool 8 on which the print ribbon 9 is wound, a ribbon supply spool 10 on which a print ribbon 9 is wound, a take-up spool 11 for winding the print ribbon 9, and a double-sided tape 12 having the same width as the laminate film tape 7. And a supply roller 13 wound with the release paper on the outside, and a joining roller 1 for joining the laminated film tape 7 and the double-sided tape 12 together.
4 and 4 are rotatably provided.

A thermal head 15 is provided upright at a position where the laminate film tape 7 and the print ribbon 9 overlap each other, and the platen roller 1 for pressing the laminate film tape 7 and the print ribbon 9 against the thermal head 15.
6 and a feed roller 17 that presses the laminated film tape 7 and the double-sided tape 12 against the joining roller 14 to create the printing tape 19 are rotatable on a support 18 pivotally attached to the body frame 2. Is pivoted to. In the thermal head 15, a heating element group composed of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged.

Therefore, when the tape feed motor 45 (see FIG. 4) is driven in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 14 and the take-up spool 11 are driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heat of the thermal head 15 is generated. When the elements are energized, characters or bar codes are printed on the laminated film tape 7 by a plurality of dot rows, and the laminated film tape 7 is used as the printing tape 19 with the double-sided tape 12 bonded to the tape feeding direction A. 2 is fed to the outside of the main body frame 2 as shown in FIGS. For details of the printing mechanism PM, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-106555.

Next, a cutting device 30 for automatically cutting the printing tape 19 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. A plate is provided immediately inside the main body frame 2 corresponding to the left side of the tape cassette CS. -Shaped auxiliary frame 31 is erected, and fixed blade 32 is fixed to this auxiliary frame 31 upward. A pivot shaft 33 in the left-right direction fixed to the auxiliary frame 31 rotatably pivots a portion near the front end of an operation lever 34 extending in the front-rear direction, and the pivot lever 33 extends forward of the pivot shaft 33 of the operation lever 34. In the corresponding part,
The movable blade 35 is attached so as to face the fixed blade 32. Further, the rear end portion of the operation lever 34 is provided with the cutting motor 4
6 (see FIG. 4) is configured to be swingable up and down by a swing drive mechanism (not shown), and the movable blade 35 is always held in a state of being separated from the fixed blade 32.

The printing tape 19 printed by the thermal head 15 extends from the tape cassette CS to the outside of the main body frame 2 through the space between the fixed blade 32 and the movable blade 35, and is therefore driven by the cutting signal. The cutting motor 46 vertically swings the rear end portion of the operation lever 34 via the swing drive mechanism, the movable blade 35 approaches the fixed blade 32, and the printing tape 19 is cut by these both blades 32, 35. It

By the way, as the printing tape 19 fed from the tape cassette CS, the tape widths are 6 mm and 9
mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm are prepared, and in order to detect any of these five kinds of tape widths on the bottom wall of these tape cassettes CS,
A protruding piece 20 is provided that combines the presence or absence of four protruding claws. A cassette sensor 42 (see FIG. 4) that detects the tape width from the combination of the protruding claws of the protruding piece 20 is attached to the main body frame 2 that supports the lower side of the tape cassette CS. That is, this cassette sensor 4
2, the combination of the protruding claws forming the protruding piece 20 outputs a 4-digit cassette signal in which 1 and 0 are combined as shown in the table of FIG. 5, and the tape cassette CS is not mounted. At times, a cassette signal of "0000" is output.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The input / output interface 50 of the control device C includes a keyboard 3, a cassette sensor 42, a display controller (LCDC) 23 having a video RAM 24 for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22, and a warning buzzer 43. A driving circuit 44 for driving the thermal head 15, a driving circuit 47 for driving the thermal head 15, a driving circuit 48 for driving the tape feed motor 45, and a driving circuit 49 for driving the cutting motor 46. It is connected.

The controller C has a CPU 52 and a CPU 5
2 is composed of an input / output interface 50, a CGROM 53 (character generator ROM), a ROM 55, a RAM 60, etc., which are connected via a bus 51 such as a data bus. In the CGROM 53, dot pattern data for display and printing is stored as character font data for each of a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters, numbers, and symbols in each typeface (Gothic typeface,
9 types (7, 10, 16, 21, etc.) for each Mincho typeface
Sizes of 24, 32, 48, 64, 96 dots) are stored in association with code data (see FIG. 6).

In the ROM 55, a character inputted from the keyboard 3 is displayed on the display 22, and then a tape printing control program for printing on a tape and data in the print data buffer 66 are sequentially read out to read the thermal head 15 and the tape feed motor. A print drive control program for driving 45 and tables TB1 and TB3 to TB6 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 to 10 are stored in advance.
In the ROM 55, a search table in which nine types of character sizes shown in the table TB2 are associated with the start address (index address) of the CGROM 53 in which dot pattern data of a group of characters and symbols related to each character size are stored, An index table in which this index address and the storage start address of each character or symbol in the CGROM 53 are associated is stored.

Regarding the RAM 60, the text memory 61
In, the document data input from the keyboard 3 is stored. The parameter memory 62 includes a text memory 61
Pointer value SP of the start address pointer that indicates the start address of the, the pointer value EP of the end address pointer that indicates the end address thereof, and the data count value DC
Data such as is stored. The arrangement position information memory 63 stores the display position information in the display data buffer 64 of each character or symbol to be displayed.

The display data buffer 64 stores display dot image data obtained by synthesizing display dot pattern data of a plurality of input characters and symbols, and the print data buffer 65 stores a plurality of characters and characters to be printed. The printing dot image data in which the printing dot pattern data of the symbol is combined is stored. In the tape width memory 66,
The tape width data of the tape cassette CS determined from the table TB1 is stored based on the cassette signal from the cassette sensor 42. In the display magnification memory 67, as the data of the display magnification R, R = 1 is stored at the initial setting, and thereafter, the data of the display magnification R changed every time the display magnification is changed via the display size setting key. To be done. The pattern memory 68 stores the data of the area display pattern No. P of the area display pattern shown in FIG. The RAM 60 is also provided with a work memory 69.

Next, the tables TB1 to TB6 will be described. A table TB1 shown in FIG. 5 sets the relationship between the detection signal of the cassette sensor 42 and the tape width of the tape cassette CS mounted in the tape printing apparatus 1. This table TB1 is used for tape printing control. It is built into the control program. Table T shown in FIG.
B2 indicates the character size of the character font stored in the CGROM 53, the range of the display font, and the range of the print font. The table TB3 shown in FIG. 7 is a table in which the correspondence relationship between the tape width, the number of dots of the printable width of the tape, the number of lines of characters or symbols printed, and the size of the printed character (point value: number of dots) is set in advance. When the tape width and the number of print lines are determined, the print character size is determined from this table.

The table TB4 shown in FIG. 8 has a print character size (point value) and three types of display magnifications (basic magnification,
(2 times, 3 times), the correspondence relationship with the display character size is set in advance. For example, the table TB3 determines the print character size from the tape width and the number of print lines, and based on this table TB4 and the display magnification R. In addition, the display character size is determined from the print character size. In the table TB5 shown in FIG. 9, the tape width, the display magnification R, the width Wa of the upper end cut area 22a of the display 22, the width Wc of the image display area 22c (effective display area) and the lower end cut area 2 are shown.
The pair relationship with the width Wb of 2b is preset.

As shown in the remarks column of the table TB5, in the display 22, the image display area 22c is an effective display area for displaying characters and symbols,
The width Wc of the image display area 22c is changed according to the tape width. The upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b are areas that are not used as the image display area 22c. Since the width of the image display area 22c is increased substantially in proportion to the increase of the tape width and the display character size is increased substantially in proportion to the increase of the tape width, the width of the image display area 22c falls within the width of the image display area 22c. , Characters and symbols can be displayed in a manner substantially similar to the printed state.

The table TB6 has an upper end cut area 22a.
The five types of area display pattern No. P indicating the display mode of the bottom edge cut area 22b, the display method, and the display mode are set. In the case of the area display pattern No. 1, the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b are shadow-displayed with diagonal lines, and the area display pattern N
In case of o.2, the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b are displayed as shadows in reverse video, and in the case of area display pattern No. 3, the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b and the image display area 22c. The border between and is displayed as a double border.

In the case of the area display pattern No. 4, the boundaries between the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b and the image display area 22c are displayed by broken line boundaries, and in the area display pattern No. At this time, the boundaries between the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b and the image display area 22c are displayed as solid boundary lines. The initial value of the five types of area display patterns is P = 1, but a desired area display pattern can be selectively set as described later.

Next, the main routine of tape printing control performed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.
In the figure, reference numeral Si (i = 1, 2, 3, ...) Indicates each step. When the power is turned on by the power key on the keyboard 3, this control is started, and first, each memory 61 to 66 of the RAM 60 is cleared, and an initialization process for initializing the printing mechanism PM is executed (S1). next,
The cassette signal from the cassette sensor 42 is read,
The tape width is determined based on the cassette signal and the table TB1, and the tape width data is stored in the tape width memory 6
6 and the width Wc of the image display area 22c is calculated based on the tape width and the table TB5 (S2).

Next, standard format information data (print line number, print character size, typeface, etc.) is stored in the first 2 bytes of the text memory 61 (S3). For example, the number of print lines is set to 1, and the print character size SZ is
The print character size calculated from the table TB3 is set based on the tape width and the print line number "1", and the Mincho typeface is set as the typeface. Next, a document input screen display process is executed on the display 22 to display a document input screen as an image display area 22c corresponding to the tape width calculated in S2. Regarding this document input screen display processing, FIG.
Describing with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the tape width data in the tape width memory 66, the display magnification R data in the display magnification memory 67, and the pattern in the pattern memory 68 are described.
The data of No. P is read (S20). However, in the initial setting state, display magnification R = 1, pattern No. P = 1
Is.

Next, the area widths Wa and Wb corresponding to the tape width are calculated from the table TB5 (S21), and then the upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b and the cursor K are calculated.
Display dot pattern data for displaying (see FIG. 20) is created, and the data is stored in the work memory 69 (S22). In this case, the size of the cursor K is determined from the table TB4 based on the print character size determined from the table TB3 according to the tape width and the initial value of the number of print lines “1” and the basic display magnification R = 1. It is set equal to the determined display font size.

Next, the display dot pattern data stored in the work memory 69 is expanded in the display data buffer 64 (S23), and the display image data expanded in the display data buffer 64 is output to the video RAM 24. , Is displayed on the display 22 as shown in FIG. 20 (S24), and then the process returns. In this case, since the pattern No. P is set to "1" in the initial state, the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b are displayed in the shadow of the diagonal line on the screen of the display 22. .

Next, in the main routine, a print image display process for displaying the characters and symbols stored in the text memory 61 on the display 22 as a print image is executed (S5). The print image display process will be described. For convenience, it will be described later. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a key input (S6), and if there is no key input, S
If 6 is repeated and there is a key input (S6: Yes), S7
Move to. When the display size setting key is operated to change the display magnification displayed on the display 22, (S
7: Yes), display size setting processing is executed (S
8).

FIG. 16 shows the display size setting process.
The tape width data is stored in the tape width memory 66, and the current display magnification R data is stored in the display magnification memory 67. Therefore, based on these data, S60, S62, The determinations in S64 and S66 are executed. First, when the tape width is 6 mm (S60: Yes
), The display magnification R is incremented by 1 (S6
1) If the display magnification R becomes 4 as a result (S6
2: Yes), and the display magnification R is set to 1 (S63).

That is, when the tape width is 6 mm, since the display character size at the basic magnification is small, there is a large room for enlarged display, so that the display magnification R indicates the basic magnification "1" → "2". → It can be switched like "3" → "1",
The data of the display magnification R is stored in the display magnification memory 67 (S69). On the other hand, when the tape width is 9 mm (S60: No, S64: Yes), the display magnification R is incremented by 1 (S65), and the display magnification R is 3 as a result.
If (S66: Yes), the display magnification R is set to 1 (S67).

That is, when the tape width is 9 mm, since there is not much room for enlarged display, the display magnification R is switched to "1" → "2" → "1" indicating the basic magnification, and The data of the display magnification R is stored in the display magnification memory 67 (S69). When the tape width is 12 mm or more (S60: No, S64: No), there is no room for enlarged display, so the display magnification R is fixed at 1 (basic magnification) (S6).
8). Thereafter, the data of the display magnification R is stored in the display magnification memory 67 (S69), and then the area display for changing the display image data of the upper cut area 22a and the lower cut area 22b according to the change of the display magnification. Change processing (processing similar to S84 to S87 in FIG. 17) is executed (S70),
After this display size setting process, the process returns to S5. The area display changing process will be described later with reference to FIG. 17, and thus description thereof will be omitted here.

In the main routine, when the area display change key is operated to change the display form of the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b (S9: Yes),
The area display changing process shown in FIG. 17 is executed (S10).
The area display changing process will be described with reference to FIG. 17. The pattern No. P initially stored in the pattern memory 68 is incremented by 1 (S80), and then,
It is determined whether or not P = 6 (S81), and when P = 6 is not satisfied (S81: No), the process proceeds to S83. When P = 6 (S81: Yes), pattern No. P = 1 is set and then the process proceeds to S83. Transition. That is, each time the area display change key is operated, the pattern No. P is incremented by 1 and "1" →
It is cyclically changed like “2” → “3” → “4” → “5” → “1”.

Next, the data of the area display pattern No. P is stored in the pattern memory 68 (S83), then the tape width data of the tape width memory 66, the display magnification R of the display magnification memory 67, and the pattern memory. The data of the area display pattern No. P of No. 68 is read (S84), and then the area widths Wa and Wb of the upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b corresponding to the tape width are calculated from the table TB5 (S85). Based on the area widths Wa and Wb, the area display pattern No. P, and the table TB6, the display dot pattern data for the upper and lower cut areas 22a and 22b are created and stored in the work memory 69 ( S8
6) Next, the display dot pattern data stored in the work memory 69 is expanded in the display data buffer 64 and displayed on the display 22 (S87), and then the process returns.

In the main routine, when the format setting key is operated (S11: Yes), the format information setting process is executed (S12), and then the process proceeds to S5. In this format information setting process, the number of print lines, print character size,
The display 22 displays a format screen that allows you to collectively set the font name and other format settings. Use the cursor movement keys to move the cursor to the setting item "Print font size name" or "Font name". When the user moves and inputs the numeric key corresponding to the desired setting content and then operates the execute key, the format information is stored in the text memory 61 as the modified format information. The modified format information including the modified setting information is stored in the text memory 61 in 2 bytes following the standard format information, and then the process proceeds to S5 (see FIG. 19).

Next, when a printable key, which is a key for alphabetic characters, numbers, symbols, etc., is operated (S1
3: Yes), the document data storage process of storing the code data of the operated printable key as the document data in the text memory 61 is executed (S14), and then the process proceeds to S5, and the print image display process is executed (S14). S5). Next, the print image display process will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, the text memory 6
19, the standard format information, the first modified format information, the character "ABCD", the second modified format information, ...
・ Sequentially stored.

When this control is started, first the data in the text memory 61 is sequentially searched from the top address,
Based on the format information, the character code, and the line feed code, the arrangement position information for expanding the display dot pattern data into the display data buffer 64 is obtained for each of the characters and symbols to be displayed, and the arrangement position information is the arrangement position. It is stored in the information memory 63 (S30). For the layout position information, for example, the character layout position at the time of printing is obtained from the format information, the character code, the line feed code, and the printing dot pattern data, and the coordinate value is multiplied by a predetermined value (for example, 1/3 times). It is obtained by setting the display layout position.

Next, an initialization process for initializing the parameter information relating to the printing process in the parameter memory 62 is executed (S31). That is, in the parameter memory 62, the start address pointer value SP is set to the start address of the text memory 61 (see FIG. 15), and the end address pointer value EP is set to the address next to the current end address of the text memory 61 (end Address +2) is set (see FIG. 19), and the initial value “0” is set as the data count value DC.

Next, since the format information data and the character code are each composed of 2 bytes, the search address data obtained by adding the doubled data count value DC to the start address is read (S32), and the data is read. Is the format information data (S33: Yes), the format information data is stored in the work memory 68 (S34), and then S37.
Move to. When the data read from the search address is data of printable characters, symbols, or spaces (S33: No, S35: Yes), the display image generating process is executed (S36), and the process proceeds to S37. .

Next, the data count value DC is incremented by 1 (S37), and then the search address and the end obtained by adding the address obtained by doubling the data count value DC to the start address pointer value (start address) SP. If the address designated by the address pointer value EP does not match and there is a character to be displayed in the text memory 61 (S38: No), S32 to S38 are repeatedly executed.

Next, the display image data generating process executed in S36 will be described with reference to FIG.
When this control is started, the print character size SZ of the format information stored in the work memory 69 in S34 described above.
And the display magnification R of the display magnification memory 66 in the table TB
4, the display character size is calculated (S50), and based on the display character size and the search table, the index address of the CGROM 53 storing the dot pattern data of a group of characters and symbols of the character size is determined. It is read (S51), and based on the index address, the index table and the character code, the storage start address of the character code in the CGROM 53, that is, the font storage address is read (S52) and stored in the font storage address. The dot pattern data is read from the CGROM 53 and temporarily stored in the work memory 68 (S53).

Next, the dot pattern data stored in the work memory 69 is stored in the storage position of the display data buffer 64 designated by the layout position data of the character stored in the layout position information memory 63. And (S5
4), end this control, S3 of the print image display processing
Return to 7.

Next, in the print image display process, S
After executing 37, when the search address obtained by adding the doubled data count value DC to the start address and the address designated by the end address pointer value EP match (S38: Yes), the display data buffer 64 stores Expanded and stored display dot image data is video R
It is output to the AM 24 and displayed on the display 22 (S
39) and terminates this control, and returns to S6 of the main routine.

Next, in the main routine, when the print key is operated (S15: Yes), the printing process on the tape is executed (S16), and the process returns to S5. Since this printing process is similar to the normal printing process, a brief description will be given. Format information and character codes are sequentially read from the text memory 61, and the dot pattern data in the CGROM 53 of the character code is read based on the search table and the index table. The read dot image data is read out, expanded in the print data buffer 65, and combined and stored. The print dot image data in the print data buffer 65 is output to the printing mechanism PM,
It is printed on the printing tape 19. On the other hand, when any key other than the display size setting key, the format setting key, the printable key and the print key is operated (S17: No), the process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S17), and the process returns to S5. .

Here, the text memory 61 shown in FIG.
In the example of the display on the display 22 in the state where the data “ABCD” has been input among the document data shown in, the area display pattern No. P is P = 1 and the basic display magnification is
This is as shown in FIGS. 21 to 25
Have tape widths of 24 mm, 18 mm, and 12 m, respectively.
In the case of m, 9 mm, and 6 mm, the cursor K is omitted. However, "ABCD", "EFG", "HIJ"
When all the data of "K" are input, "EFG" and "HIJK" are displayed in two lines as shown in FIG. The cursor K is also shown.

Next, display switching control at the time of tape replacement when the tape cassette CS is replaced while the document data of one document is being created will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The display switching control at the time of tape replacement is a control executed in the main routine by an interval interrupt process at every predetermined minute time. At the start of interruption, first, the cassette signal and the key input signal from the cassette sensor 42 are read (S90), and then the tape width is calculated in the same manner as described above based on the cassette signal (S9).
1) Next, it is determined whether or not the flag TF is 0 (S92), and the flag TF is 0 while the tape cassette CS is not replaced.
Therefore, the process proceeds to S93, it is determined whether or not the tape width is changed in S93, and when it is not changed (S93:
No), the process returns, but when the tape width is changed (S93: Yes), the flag TF is set to 1 (S9
4) Then return.

At the next interruption after the flag TF is set to 1, it is determined as No in S92, so S
The process shifts to 95, it is determined whether or not there is a key input, and if there is no key input, the process returns. In the subsequent interrupt process, if the flag TF is 1 and there is a key input, the process proceeds from S95 to S96. Then, the data of the changed tape width is stored in the tape width memory 66, and the width Wc of the image display area 22c is calculated based on the tape width and the table TB5 (S96), and then the text memory 61. The data of the print character size SZ in the standard format information is changed to the print character size corresponding to the tape width, as in S3 (S97).

Next, if there is change format information (S9
8: Yes), it is determined whether or not the number of print lines and the print character size of the changed format information match the updated tape width of the tape width memory 66 (S99), and the determination is Yes.
If s, the area display changing process for changing the display dodge image data of the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b is executed in order to set the image display area 22c according to the tape width in S100, and then the flag TF is set.
Is reset to 0 (S101), and then returns.
If there is no change format information (S98: No), the processing from S100 onward is executed. The area display changing process in S100 is the same as the above-described S84 to S87 in FIG. On the other hand, the judgment in S99 is No.
In the case of, the warning buzzer 43 is driven (S102),
Next, a predetermined message (for example,
"Please change and set change format information") is displayed (S103), and then the process returns.

As described above, while the document data of one document is being created, after the tape width is changed by exchanging the tape cassette CS, the contents displayed on the display 22 are not immediately changed and the exchange of the tape cassette CS is completed. , The width of the print character size SZ of the standard format information and the width of the image display area are changed to a value according to the tape width after any key is operated, and the display character size according to the print character size is changed. And the display content of the display 22 is changed so as to have the display character size.

The operation of the display control included in the tape printing control described above will be described. In this control,
Basically, the print character size is set to be substantially proportional to the tape width, and the display character size is set to be substantially proportional to the print character size. In this way, since the display character size is set substantially in proportion to the tape width, it becomes easier to understand the printing state of the character in relation to the tape width, and the operability is improved.

Moreover, the upper end and the lower end of the display 22 have an upper end cut region 22a and a lower end cut region 22 respectively.
b is distinguishably displayed, and an image display area 22c having a width substantially proportional to the tape width is set in the center of the display 22 in the width direction, and a character or a symbol is displayed in the image display area 22c. Since it is configured to display in the same image, the printing status of the characters printed on the tape can be grasped more accurately in relation to the tape width, so that the operability at the time of inputting the document data can be improved and the print character size can be improved. It is possible to prevent setting mistakes.

In particular, the display form of the upper end cut area 22a and the lower end cut area 22b is changed through the area display change key.
Since it can be set to a desired one of the five types of patterns in the table TB6, the degree of freedom in selecting the above-mentioned display form is increased, and the upper and lower end cuts are made like the patterns P = 1 and 2. When the areas 22a and 22b are displayed in shadow, it is possible to prevent confusion with the input framing line or the like to be printed.

Further, since the display magnification, that is, the display character size can be enlarged and set via the display size setting key, the character can be appropriately enlarged and displayed on the display 22 as necessary, so that the tape width is reduced. If it is small, it can be enlarged and displayed when inputting on a plurality of lines, and the operability is improved. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 18, when the tape width is changed, the tape cassette C
Since the display content of the display 22 is changed after any key is operated after the exchange of S is completed, the display caused by ON / OFF of the cassette signal when the tape cassette CS is exchanged, etc. Since there is no disturbance on the screen of 22, the operability is improved,
The reliability of the tape printer 1 will not be questioned.

Here, the correspondence between each means described in the claims and the configuration in the above embodiment will be described. The data storage means corresponds to the text memory 61 of the RAM 60 and the font storage means. Corresponds to the CGROM 53, the display data buffer corresponds to the display data buffer 64 of the RAM 60, and the tape width detecting means corresponds to the cassette sensor 42 and the protruding piece 20 attached to the tape cassette CS. The table TB1 corresponding to the first display data creating means is the control device C (in particular, the tables TB3 to TB6).
11 to 13 and FIG. 17, etc.), and the one corresponding to the second display data creating means is the control device C (particularly, tables TB3 and B4, FIGS. 11 and 12).
14 and 15), which correspond to the line type setting means, include the area display change key and the control device C (particularly, the table TB6, the pattern memory 68, and FIG. 1).
7).

Instead of the cassette sensor 42,
It is also possible to apply a detection means for directly detecting the tape width with an optical sensor or the like in the middle of the tape transport path,
Instead of the CGROM 53, a display CGROM and a printing CGROM independent of the display CGROM may be provided, a tape of 24 mm or more may be used as the tape, and the thermal head may be increased in size. The display 22 is configured to have a width equal to or larger than the maximum tape width so as to display an image corresponding to the print image of the character in a one-to-one manner. Tape printing device, or the print line number data in the standard format information of the text memory 61 is omitted, and the print line number is automatically set based on the line feed code. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications may be made based on existing technology and technology obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0058]

According to the tape printing apparatus of the first aspect, the tape width detecting means and the first display data creating means are provided in the tape printing apparatus provided with the prerequisite structure described in the section of the operation.
By providing the second display data creating means, an upper end cut area and a lower end cut area are displayed on the upper end and the lower end of the display in a distinguishable manner, respectively, and the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area are displayed. In between, an effective display area having a width proportional to the tape width is displayed, and the character read from the data storage means can be displayed in this effective display area in the same image as the printed state. Therefore, since the effective display area having a width proportional to the tape width can be clearly grasped on the display, the operability in character data input and the like can be remarkably improved, and the printing state of the character can be changed to the tape width. Since it is easy to understand in relation to, it is possible to eliminate erroneous settings such as the print character size and the number of print lines.

According to the tape printing apparatus of the second aspect, since the upper cut region and the lower cut region are shadow-displayed on the display, the upper and lower cut regions can be clearly displayed, and the upper and lower cut regions and the effective display region. The boundary of is not confused with the framing line displayed based on the input information. According to the tape printing apparatus of the third aspect, since the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area are displayed on the display by the respective boundary lines, the display control for displaying these cut areas is simplified. According to the tape printing apparatus of claim 4, since the line type of the boundary line can be set, the degree of freedom in selecting the boundary line increases, and by changing the line type as necessary, the boundary line can be input information. It can be prevented from being confused with the framing lines and the like displayed based on the.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism equipped with a tape cassette.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between cassette signals and tape widths.

FIG. 6 is a table showing a character size of a character font stored in a CGROM.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a table in which the relationship between the tape width, the number of print lines, and the print character size is set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a table in which a relationship between a print character size and a display character size is set.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a table in which the relationship between the tape width and the area width is set.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an area display pattern No., a display method, and a display form.

FIG. 11 is a part of a flowchart of a main routine of tape printing control.

FIG. 12 is the rest of the flowchart of the main routine of tape printing control.

13 is a flowchart of the document input screen display process of FIG.

14 is a flowchart of the print image display process of FIG.

15 is a flowchart of a display image generation process of the flowchart of FIG.

16 is a flowchart of the display size setting process of FIG.

17 is a flowchart of the area display changing process of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of display switching control at the time of tape replacement.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a text memory in which a plurality of format information and character string codes are stored.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a document input screen when the tape width is 6 mm.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 24 mm.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 18 mm.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 12 mm.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 9 mm.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 6 mm.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display when the tape width is 9 mm.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 Keyboard 13 Thermal Head 19 Printing Tape 22 Liquid Crystal Display 22a Upper Cut Area 22b Lower Cut Area 22c Image Display Area (Effective Display Area) 52 CPU 53 CGROM 55 ROM 60 RAM 61 Text Memory 64 Display Data Buffer 68 Pattern Memory C controller PM printing mechanism

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location G06F 3/12 V 17/21 (72) Inventor Minako Ishida 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting characters such as characters and symbols and various commands, data storage means for storing data of the input characters, and display means including a display capable of displaying the characters. A font storage means for storing dot pattern data of a large number of characters, a display data buffer for storing display image data to be displayed on the display, and a display for receiving the display image data in the display data buffer and controlling the display means. In a tape printing device comprising a control means, a printing means for printing characters on a tape as a print medium, and a detachably mounted tape cassette, a tape width detection means for detecting the width of the tape of the tape cassette, When the tape width data detected by the tape width detection means is received, An image for display that distinguishes the upper cut area and the lower cut area from the upper and lower edges of the display in order to set an effective display area with a width proportional to the tape width in the center of the ray width direction. First display data creating means for creating data and developing the data in the display data buffer; and a character stored in the data storage means,
Second display data creating means for reading the dot pattern data from the font storing means, creating display image data for displaying the character in the effective display area in an image similar to a print state, and developing the display image data in the display data buffer. A tape printing apparatus comprising: 2. The first display data creating means is configured to create display image data for shadow-displaying the upper end cut region and the lower end cut region. Tape printer. 3. The first display data creating means is configured to create display image data for displaying the upper end cut area and the lower end cut area with boundary lines, respectively. The tape printer described in 1. 4. The tape printer according to claim 3, further comprising line type setting means for setting a line type of the boundary line.