JPH07205490A - Tape printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make printing possible extending input character strings automatically to a length within a desired printing range by providing a printing length setting means, a character space operating means and a space command means. CONSTITUTION:A tape printing device 1 is provided with an annular selecting dial 3 for selecting letters or symbols (hereinafter referred to as character) in a freely rotating manner, a keyboard part 4 and a printing machine housed in a body frame 2 behind the character selecting dial 3. After inputting printing data, a printing length key is operated to render the device into a 'tape length' acceptable mode, and then the character selecting dial 3 is rotated to set 'printing length' at an arbitrary one. When a printing key is operated, a set printing length is compared with the length of a printing character string to judge whether or not the printing can be made to the printing length. If so, the total value of character widths is deducted from the printing length and the resulting remaining open space is allocated to the space between each character.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer, and more particularly to a tape printer in which a plurality of input characters are evenly distributed so as to have a print length within a set print range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, various proposals have been made for a small-sized tape printer for printing a desired character string on a printing tape having a width of about 10 mm. Therefore, the applicant of the present application filed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 152070/1989, regarding a double-byte character that can be printed and a double-byte character, a center printing mode in which the printing position of the printing character is aligned with the center position in the width direction of the printing tape and the width direction We have proposed a printing device that can change the printing position, which is configured so that the bottom-aligned printing mode for printing on the lower side can be selected.

By the way, generally, the dot pattern of a character printed by a tape printer has a size of 24 dots (vertical) × 24 dots (horizontal), 48 dots (vertical) × 48 dots (horizontal), and the like. The dot pattern data is stored in advance in a non-volatile memory (ROM) and the character size of the character to be printed can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of character sizes. Moreover,
The space between characters provided between characters is configured to be automatically determined according to the size of the selected character size.

[0004]

Generally, using this tape printer, for example, the "title" and "contents" of a file can be obtained.
Is often printed on a printing tape, and the printed printing tape is attached to a predetermined attachment position of a file. Moreover, it is sometimes desired to expand the character strings of the "title" and "contents" to the length of the pasting range at the pasting position and evenly allocate and print each character of these character strings.

However, as described above, since the character spacing of the characters to be printed is determined by the character size, there is a problem that it is not possible to evenly allocate and print each character of the character string.

Therefore, it is conceivable to add one or two spaces each time each character is input, but the length of the printed character string is long corresponding to the number of added spaces. However, there is a problem similar to the above.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a tape printer capable of automatically expanding and printing an input character string to a desired print range length. To do.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, a tape printer of the present invention stores an input means for inputting character code data and various command signals, and the input code data. Input data buffer, a pattern data storage means for storing dot pattern data of many characters, a print buffer for receiving the dot pattern data of the character to be printed from the pattern data storage means, and a character print A print medium including a print head capable of printing in a dot row on a tape and a control means for sequentially receiving dot row data of dot pattern data from a print buffer and controlling the print head. Print length setting means to set the length of the print range to be printed on the tape, and the input data Inter-character space for receiving the code data supplied from the user and the output from the print length setting means, and calculating the inter-character space value for printing the input character with the same inter-character space in the set print range. The calculation means and the space command means for receiving the output from the inter-character space calculation means and instructing the control means to provide the inter-character space between the characters at the time of character printing.

[0009]

In the tape printer of the present invention having the above construction, the print length setting means sets the length of the print range for printing on the print medium tape. When the code data input from the input means is stored in the input data buffer, the inter-character space calculation means receives the code data supplied from the input data buffer and the output from the print length setting means, and sets the set print Calculates the inter-character space value for printing the input characters with the same inter-character space in the range. The space commanding means receives the output from the inter-character space calculating means, and commands the control means to provide the inter-character space between the characters when printing the characters. As a result, the control means sequentially receives the dot row data of the dot pattern data from the print buffer and controls the print head to print the characters, while providing the inter-character space between the characters so that the input character is set. It is automatically evenly distributed and printed so that the specified print length is obtained.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a tape printer for printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana and alphabetic characters on a printing tape (print medium tape).

As shown in FIG. 2, at the front portion of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, an annular character selection dial 3 for selecting characters or symbols (hereinafter referred to as characters) for printing is rotated. In addition to being freely arranged, a keyboard portion 4 is arranged, and a liquid crystal display 19 capable of displaying six characters is provided behind the character selection dial 3.
The character selection dial 3 is provided at the center of the character selection dial 3.
There is provided a setting key 5 for confirming the character selected by the rotating operation or for confirming the setting contents concerning printing. Further, a printing mechanism PM is built in the main body frame 2 behind the character selection dial 3.

The character selection dial 3 is provided with 50 stop positions for one rotation, and an image of a character is provided on the upper surface of the character selection dial 3 in correspondence with each of these 50 stop positions. It is drawn in two columns. Incidentally, reference numeral 6
Is a character selection position mark.

The keyboard unit 4 has a character type switching key, a conversion key and a non-conversion key for selectively switching the input of "Hiragana", "Katakana" and "Alphabet".
2-line print key for instructing 2-line print, 1-line print key for instructing 1-line print, fixed-length key for setting print by input characters evenly distributed according to the length of the print range set, print There are provided a print key for executing, a font selection key for selecting a character font, a tape feed key for feeding the printing tape 9 to the tape, a power switch for turning the power on and off, and the like.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. In the rectangular tape storage cassette CS, the tape spool 8 on which the printing tape 9 made of a transparent film is wound, and the ink. A ribbon supply spool 13 around which a ribbon 12 is wound, a take-up spool 14 around which the ink ribbon 12 is wound, and a double-sided tape 15 having the same width as the printing tape 9 are wound with a release paper outside. A spool 16 and a joining roller for joining the printing tape 9 and the double-sided tape 15 are rotatably provided.

A thermal head 7 is erected at a position where the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 overlap each other.
The platen roller 17 which presses the tape 9 and the feed roller 45 which presses both the tapes 9 and 15 against the joining roller 10 are a support member 46.
It is rotatably pivoted to. In this thermal head 7, as shown in FIG. 5, a heating element group 11 including 48 heating elements is vertically arranged.

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

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The display mechanism DM includes a liquid crystal display 19,
A display controller (LCD having a display RAM for outputting display data to the display 19)
Controller) 20 and a general controller. The absolute encoder 21 connected to the character selection dial 3
50 corresponding to the 50 stop positions of the character selection dial 3
It is for outputting each type of absolute value encoder signal ENS, and is the code data of the character selected in correspondence with the character selection position mark 6 based on the absolute value encoder signal ENS and the signal from the character type switching key. And the absolute value encoder signal EN before the selection operation
By comparing S with the current absolute value encoder signal ENS, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the character selection dial 3 can be obtained. Reference numeral 22 is a drive circuit for driving the thermal head 7, and reference numeral 23 is a drive circuit for driving the tape feed motor 18.

The controller C has a CPU 27 and a CPU 27.
An input / output interface 25, ROMs 28 and 29, and a RAM 3 connected to a bus 26 such as a data bus.
It is composed of 0 and 0.

A ROM (program memory) 28 has a display control program for controlling the display mechanism DM corresponding to the code data selected by the character selection dial 3, and character code data when the setting key 5 is operated. Control program for storing various setting data relating to print and print setting contents in the input data buffer 31, print buffer 39
A drive control program for sequentially reading the data of 1 to control the thermal head 7 and the tape feed motor 18 and a control program for tape printing control, which will be described later, are stored.

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

The input data buffer 31 of the RAM 30 stores the code data of the character to be printed and various setting data relating to the print setting contents (see FIG. 19, the leading address is A0000). The first rearrangement memory 32 stores the code data for one-line printing and the code data for the upper row of two-line printing (see FIG. 20, the leading address is a0000), and the second rearrangement memory 3
In 3, the code data of the lower line of the two-line print is stored (see FIG. 20, the start address is b0000). The first pointer 34 stores one address of the first rearrangement memory 32, and the second pointer 35 stores one address of the second rearrangement memory 33.

The character number counter 36 stores the number of characters to be printed including spaces. The set inter-character space memory 37 stores an equal space value provided between characters during fixed length printing. Extra space memory 3
In 8, the number of remaining dot rows obtained by dividing the blank space YS by the number of characters is stored. As shown in FIG. 24, the print buffer 39 has a size of 48 bits (6 bytes) corresponding to 48 dots in the vertical direction (dot row direction) and 48 bits (6 bytes) corresponding to 48 dots in the horizontal direction. Is provided, and the dot pattern data of the character to be printed is read from the pattern data memory 29 and stored. The print length memory 40 stores data of the set print length. In the flag memory 41,
Two-line print flag F1 that is set (data is "1") when printing two lines, upper-line flag F2 that is set when two-line printing upper line printing (first-line printing), and print base line position change A display flag F3 that is set during the display of the selection content relating to the printing, a base line position change flag F4 that is set when the printing base line position is changed, a display flag F5 that is set during the display of the selection content regarding the amount of change of the printing base line position, Fixed-length print flag F6 that is set during constant-length printing, remainder flag AF that is set when a remainder occurs during character space calculation, error flag EF, and other flags such as flags related to typeface The data is stored respectively.

Next, the tape print control routine executed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. In the figure, S
i (i = 1, 2, 3, ...) Is each step. Here, in this control, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing tape 9 corresponding to the heating element group 11 of the thermal head 7 is based on the L character pattern data, as indicated by the character "A" when printing one line. The entire upper printing area PE is printed on the printing tape 9, and when printing two lines, the upper row is printed on the upper printing row UL in this printing area PE based on the SS character pattern data. The lower row is printed on the lower print row LL of the print area PE. Furthermore, L
The normal print base line position PS1 of the character corresponds to the lowest position of the heating element group 11, and the print base line position PS2 of the upper row for the SS character is more than the center line CL corresponding to the center position of the heating element group 11 in the width direction. The normal printing base line position PS of the lower line for the SS character is provided at a position above "4" dots.
3 is provided at a position above the print base line position PS1 by "4" dots. Also, in this control,
It is called a character including characters, symbols and spaces.

When the tape printer 1 is powered on, this control is started. First, the display mechanism DM and each memory 3
Clear 1-40 and display 1 on 1
The line print mark ">" is displayed and the initial setting such as storing the one line print command data corresponding to the one line print mark ">" at the head address of the input data buffer 31 is executed (S1). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), and when none of the flags F1, F3, F5, F6 ... Is set (S17, S22, S27).・ S29 ・ S3
1: No), the character selected based on the encoder signal ENS from the absolute value encoder 21 is displayed on the display 19 (S33), and the process returns to S2.

When the setting key is operated (S
2 · S3: Yes), when none of the flags F1 to F6 is set (S34 · S41 · S46 · S4).
9. S51: No), the character being displayed on the display 19 is confirmed, and the code data thereof is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S53). For example, when the setting key is operated each time the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are displayed on the display 19, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 19, the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are displayed. Code data “C” is sequentially stored in the input data buffer 31.

Next, when the 2-line print key is operated to execute the 2-line print (S2: Yes, S3: No, S
4: Yes) The selection contents at the beginning regarding two-line printing, for example, “upper print line” is displayed on the display 19 (S
5), the flag F1 is set (S6). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S1
6: Yes), since the flag F1 is set (S
17: Yes), the next selection content regarding 2-line printing, for example, "lower print line" is displayed on the display 19 (S1).
8) When the "upper print line" is displayed (S1
9: Yes), but the flag F2 is set (S2
0), when the "lower print line" is displayed (S1
9: No), the flag F2 is reset (S21).

When the setting key is operated (S2
If both flags F1 and F2 are set (S34: S35: Yes), the upper print line mark "△" is displayed on the display 19 and the upper row corresponding to this mark "△" is displayed. The line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S36). When the flag F2 is reset (S3
4: Yes, S35: No), the lower row print line mark “▽” is displayed on the display 19, and the lower row print command data corresponding to the mark “▽” is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S37). ). For example, when the setting key is operated while the “upper print line” is displayed on the display 19, the upper print line mark “Δ” is displayed and the address A0004 of the input data buffer 31 is displayed as shown in FIG. Stores upper row print command data.

Then, the flag F1 is reset (S3
8) The first selection content regarding the change of the print base line position, for example, "normal base line position" which does not change the print base line position with respect to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3 is displayed on the display 19 (S39), and the flag F3 is set. (S4
0).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), the flag F3 is set (S17: No, S22: Ye).
s), the next selection content regarding the print base line position change, for example, "base line position change" for changing the print base line position is displayed on the display 19 (S23), and when "base line position change" is displayed (S24: Yes). ), The flag F4 is set (S25), but when the "normal base line position" is displayed (S24: No), the flag F4 is reset (S26).

When the setting key is operated (S2
-S3: Yes), when the flag F3 is set (S34: No, S41: Yes), this flag F
3 is reset (S42), and when the flag F4 is set (S43: Yes), the first selection content regarding the print base line position, for example, the print base line position is set to the normal print base line positions PS2 and PS3 as the printing tape. “Baseline position + 4” for changing by 4 dots on the upper end side of 9 is displayed on the display 19 (S44), and the flag F5 is set (S45).

Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S16: Yes), the flag F5 is set (S17 / S22: No, S27:
Yes), the next selection content regarding the print base line position, for example, "base line position +3" is displayed on the display 19 (S).
28). After that, when the character selection dial 3 is continuously rotated, the selection content “baseline position + 2” → “baseline position +
1 ”→“ baseline position-1 ”→“ baseline position-2 ”→“ baseline position-3 ”→“ baseline position-4 ”→“ baseline position + 4 ”... In addition, "baseline position-
1 "to" baseline position-4 "is a change of the print baseline position to the lower end side of the printing tape 9 with respect to the normal print baseline positions PS2 and PS3.

When the setting key is operated (S2
・ S3: Yes) and the flag F5 is set (S34 ・ S41: No, S46: Yes), so the print baseline position change amount data corresponding to the selection contents displayed on the display 19 is the upper row print command data. Alternatively, it is stored in the lower row print command data (S47), and the flag F5 is reset (S48).

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

Next, when the one-line print key is operated to print one line (S2: Yes, S3.S4: No,
(S7: Yes), the one-line print mark ">" is displayed on the display 19, the one-line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S8), and the flag F1 is reset (S9). For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the input data buffer 31 stores the print command data for one line at the address A000D, and the code data for the characters “K”, “L”, and “M” selected thereafter. Address A0
Stored from 00E to address A0010. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S1
6: Yes), and flags other than the flags F1, F3, F5, and F6 are set (S17, S22, S).
27, S29: No, S31: Yes), and the selection content corresponding to the set flag is sequentially displayed (S32).

By the way, when the fixed length key is operated for fixed length printing (S2: Yes, S3, S4, S7:
No, S10: Yes), and the setting screen "print length 10" for setting the length of the print range to 10 cm is displayed (S1
1), the flag F6 is set (S12). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: No, S
16: Yes) and the flag F6 is set (S17, S22, S27: No, S29: Yes),
Along with the clockwise rotation of the character selection dial 3, the print length setting screen "print length 11" is displayed (S
30). After that, when the character selection dial 3 is continuously rotated, the setting contents "printing length 12" → "printing length 13" → "printing length 14" → "printing length 15" →
->"Print length 54" is sequentially displayed on the display 19. When the character selection dial 3 is rotated counterclockwise, the setting contents are displayed up to "printing length 5" in the reverse display order. here,
When the character selection dial 3 is rotated clockwise while "printing length 54" is displayed, "printing length 5" is displayed. Further, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated counterclockwise while "printing length 5" is displayed, "printing length 54" is displayed.

When the setting key is operated (S2
-S3: Yes) and the flag F6 is set (S34, S41, S46: No, S49: Yes),
A value obtained by multiplying the print length displayed on the setting screen by 10 is stored in the print length memory 40 as data (S5).
0). Also, when operating the setting keys (S2, S3: Ye
s), when other flags are set (S
34, S41, S46, S49: No, S51: Ye
s), the selection content corresponding to the flag is set (S)
52).

Next, when the print key is operated (S
2: Yes, S3, S4, S7, S10: No, S1
3: Yes), and the print processing control (see FIGS. 12 and 13) is executed (S14). When this control is started, various flags relating to printing and initialization of the memory are first executed (S60), and rearrangement processing control (see FIG. 14) is executed (S61). The control will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 23. When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 20, first, the input data buffer 31
All the code data stored in is stored in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S90). However, “FF” is additionally stored as the end data at the end of the code data.

Next, the first address a0000 of the first rearrangement memory 32 (hereinafter, the content is referred to as P1 and the first pointer P1) is set in the first pointer 34 (S9).
1) The data in the first rearrangement memory 32 designated by the first pointer P1 is read (S92), and when the read data is the one-line print command data (S93 / S105).
-S103: No), the next address is set to the first pointer P1 (S104), and the process returns to S92. When the read data is character code data, the same control as above is repeated.

Next, the first pointer P1 moves to "address a000.
If it is "4", it means the upper row print command data (S93:
Yes), the first rearrangement memory 3 by the first pointer P1
2 is retrieved (S94), and when the lower row print command data is stored as the instruction data next to the upper row print instruction data (S95: Yes), as shown in FIG.
The "address b0004" of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the pointer P1 is set in the second pointer 35 (hereinafter, also referred to as the second pointer P2), and the lower row print command data and the subsequent lower row print line LL are set. The code data of the character to be printed is stored in each address after the second pointer P2 (S96).

Next, when the code data number UDN of the character to be printed on the upper print line UL is smaller than the code data number LDN of the lower print line LL (S98 / S100:
No), the space code "SP" is stored in "address a0008" of the first rearrangement memory 32 as shown in FIG. 22 (S101). However, when the code data number UDN is larger than the code data number LDN (S98: Ye
s), the space code "SP" is stored at a predetermined address of the second rearrangement memory 33 (S99). When both code data numbers UDN and LDN are equal (S98: N
o, S100: Yes) and S102. next,
As shown in FIG. 23, in the first rearrangement memory 32, the data stored in the second rearrangement memory 33 is deleted and each data “>, K, L, M, FF” after the deleted data is moved. Arrangement processing such as is executed (S102),
When data to be searched exists in the first rearrangement memory 32 (S103: No), "address b0009" is set in the first pointer P1 as an address to be searched next (S104).

Then, each of the following data ">, K, L,
For “M”, S90 to S92, S93 and S105:
No, S103 to S104 are repeatedly executed, and with the end data “FF” (S103: Yes), this control is ended and the process returns.

By the way, when the lower row print command data does not exist (S95: No), the second rearrangement memory 33 is used.
The space code "SP" corresponding to the code data number UDN of the upper print line UL is stored therein (S9).
7). When the data read based on the first pointer P1 is the lower row print command data (S93: No, S
105: Yes), the address of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is set to the second pointer P2, and the lower row print command data and the code data of the character to be printed on the subsequent lower print row LL are displayed. It is stored in each address after the second pointer P2 (S106).
In the rearrangement memory 32, all the lower row print command data and the code data of the characters to be printed on the lower row print line LL are converted into space codes (S107).

Next, returning to the print processing control, when the flag F6 is set, that is, when the fixed length printing is performed (S62: Yes), the inter-character space calculation processing control (see FIGS. 15 and 16) is executed. (S63). When this control is started, first, the character number count value MN of the character number counter 36, the set space value SA of the set inter-character space memory 37, and the total character width value MW are cleared (S1).
10), the start address of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set in the first pointer P1 (S111), and the first pointer P
When the data designated by 1 is read (S112), and the read data is neither end data nor code data (S113 / S114: No), the character width of L size or SS size is read based on the read print command data. P
W (the number of dot rows) is set (S115), and the first pointer P1 is incremented (S118). On the other hand, when the read data is code data (S113:
No, S114: Yes), the character number count value MN is 1
Is incremented by one (S116), and the total character width value MW
(Number of dot rows) is increased by the character width PW (S11
7), through S118, the process returns to S112.

Then, when the read data is the end data (S113: Yes), the print length that cannot be printed at the print start portion and the print end portion from the set print length SL stored in the print length memory 40. 34 mm (17 mm x
It is set to the actual print length JL after subtracting 2) (S11
9) About 71 dot rows can be printed on 10 mm, so the number of dot rows ND that can be printed on this actual print length JL is ND =
It is calculated by 71 × JL (S120). Next, when the number of printable dot rows ND is greater than or equal to the total character width value MW, that is, all the input characters have the actual print length JL.
When it is possible to print inside (121: Yes), the total character width value MW is subtracted from the printable dot row number ND to calculate the remaining blank space YS (dot row number) (S1).
22). Further, this blank space YS is the number of characters (M
When it is N-1) or more (S123: Yes), a space of one dot row can be provided between each of these characters, and a new blank space YS is calculated (S).
124), the set space value SA is added for one dot row (S125), and the process returns to S123.

Then, when S123 to S125 are executed and the new blank space YS becomes smaller than the number of characters (S123: No), this blank space YS.
When is not "0" (S126: No), the blank space YS is stored as the remaining space Sd in the existing space memory 38 (S127), the flag AF is set (S129), and this control is ended and the process returns. However, when the blank space YS is "0" (S126:
Yes), the flag AF is reset (S128).
Further, when all the input characters cannot be printed within the actual print length JL (121: No), error processing such as displaying an error message "fixed length print impossible" on the display 19 is executed ( In step S130, the flag EF is set (step S131). And flag E
When F is reset (S64: No), S
When the flag EF is set (S64: Yes), both flags F6 and EF are reset (S65) and the process returns.

On the other hand, after the inter-character space calculation process and when the fixed length printing is not performed (S62: No), the first pointer P
The first address of the first re-arrangement memory 32 is set to 1 (S66), the data of the first re-arrangement memory 32 is read based on the first pointer P1 (S67), and the read data is a one-line printing command. When it is data (S68 ・ S
69: No, S70: Yes), the flag F1 is reset (S71), and the character width value PW (48 dots) of the L character size used for printing one line is RAM3 based on the flag F1.
It is stored in 0 (S73), the first pointer P1 is incremented (S74), and the process returns to S67. Next, when the read data is the code data of the character "A" (S68:
No, S69: Yes), if the fixed length printing is not performed (S
75: No), the process proceeds to S77, but when the fixed length printing is performed (S75: Yes), the process proceeds to S77 via character space value setting process control (see FIG. 17).

This inter-character space value setting processing control will be described. When the flag AF is set (S140: Yes), the value obtained by incrementing the set space value SA by one dot row is newly set.
It is stored as B (S141), and the remaining space value Sd is 1
It is decremented by the dot row (S142), and when the remaining space value Sd is larger than "0" (S143: N
o), this control is terminated and the process returns. However, when the remaining space value Sd becomes "0" (S143:
Yes), the flag AF is reset (S144).
Further, when the flag AF is reset (S1
40: No), the set space value SA is stored as a new set space value SB (S145). Then, since the flag F1 is reset (S78: No), the dot pattern data corresponding to the code data is read from the pattern data memory 29 and stored in the print buffer 39 as shown in FIG. 24 (S79), and the character The printing of "A" is executed (S81), and the process proceeds to S74. In the case of constant-length printing, the set space value SB obtained in S141 is provided after printing each character other than the last character in this printed character. By the way, when the fixed length printing is not performed (S75: No), the inter-character space value corresponding to the L character size, for example, "3 dots" is set (S7).
7), S78 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as above.

Next, when the read data is the upper row print command data (S68, S69, S70: No), the flag F1 is set (S72), and the SS character size used for two-line printing is set based on the flag F1. Character width value PW (16
The dot) is stored in the RAM 30 (S73), and returns to S67 via S74. Then, when the code data of the character "D" is read next (S68: No, S69: Y
es), S75 to S77 are executed. Here, when the fixed-length printing is not performed (S75: No), the inter-character space value corresponding to the SS character size used for two-line printing, for example, "1 dot" is set (S77).

Next, since two lines are printed and the flag F1 is set (S78: Yes), the data synthesizing process control (see FIG. 18) is executed (S80). When this control is started, first, the address "b0005" of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1 is set to the second pointer P.
2 is set (S150), and the code data of the character "D" designated by the first pointer P1 is read (S15).
1) As shown in FIG. 25, the dot pattern data of this code data is stored in the print buffer 39 at the position corresponding to the center line CL (S152), and the print base line position change amount d is added to the upper row print command data. Is stored (S153: Yes), the baseline position change amount d (+
(4 dots) is read (S154), and as shown in FIG. 26, the number of dots obtained by adding this baseline position change amount d to "4 dots" for shifting this dot pattern data to the normal print baseline position PS2 in the upper row. It is shifted by the amount in the dot row direction (S156).

Further, the code data of the character "G" designated by the second pointer P2 is read (S157), and FIG.
As shown in, the dot pattern data of this code data is combined and stored on the lower end position in the print buffer 39 (S158). Similarly, when the print base line position change amount d is stored in the lower row print command data, (S159: Y
es), the base line position change amount d (-4 dots) is read (S160), and the base line position change amount d is set to "4 dots" for shifting the dot pattern data to the normal print base line position PS3 in the lower row. The number of added dots is shifted in the dot row direction (S162), the control is terminated, and the process returns. When it is determined No in S153 and No in S159, "0" is stored as the print baseline position change amount d.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27, the character print processing is executed based on the dot pattern data for two characters which are combined and stored in the print buffer 39 (S81). Hereinafter, similarly, the data stored in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 as shown in FIG.
Printing is performed by the print processing control 81.

Therefore, when the fixed length printing is not performed as shown in FIG. 28, the character string "ABC, KL" is printed on the printing tape 9.
One line of "M" is printed corresponding to the print area PE, the character string "DEF" is printed on the upper print line UL, and the character string "GHIJ" is printed on the lower print line LL. Moreover, the character strings "DEF" and "GHIJ" are printed with their print positions changed based on the designated print base line position change amount d. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, in the case of constant-length printing, between each of these printing characters,
The calculated set space value SA is provided, and the input character string is automatically expanded and printed within the print range of the actual print length JL of the set print length SL.

[0055]

[Second Embodiment] Here, similarly to a typewriter dedicated to English, the tape printer 1 can print an input character at a pica print pitch or an elite print pitch and can also print it at a fixed length. For that purpose, a print pitch key for designating a print pitch such as a pica print pitch or an elite print pitch is provided in the keyboard portion 4, and the print pitch corresponding to the L character size and the SS character size is set in the pattern data memory 29. The print pitch tables stored for each minute are stored respectively, and the routine for controlling the inter-character space calculation processing is executed as shown in FIG.
You may change by providing S170 between 14 and S116.

That is, when the read data is not code data (S113 / S114: No), the pitch table is selected based on the read print command data and the signal from the print pitch key (S115), and then read. About code data (S113: No, S114: Y
es), the character width value PW is set by the print pitch data read from the selected pitch table (S170).
Then, the same control is performed thereafter.

Further, it is possible to provide a proportional space function. At this time, the pattern data memory 29 is provided with a pitch table for storing the character width data of each character corresponding to the type of the printing pitch in association with the L character size and the SS character size, and the print command data read in S115. While selecting the pitch table corresponding to, the character width data corresponding to the code data read from the pitch table in S170 may be set to the character width value PW.

The pattern data memory 29 may store dot pattern data of 3 to 4 different character sizes so that a desired character size can be selected for one-line printing and two-line printing.

A print buffer may be added to store dot string data for the next printing in a print buffer other than the print buffer in which the dot string data is read out for printing.

As described above, at the start of printing, the character code data stored in the input data buffer 31 is rearranged in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 (S90 to S104), and the first rearrangement is performed. Based on the data of the number of code data of the array memory 32 and the set print length, the equal inter-character spaces provided between the characters are calculated (S110 to S129), and this inter-character space is set for each character when printing the characters. Since it is automatically provided in between, the input character string can be automatically expanded and printed in a desired printing range.

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

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, the tape printer according to the present invention is provided with the print length setting means, the inter-character space calculation means and the space command means, so that the number of input characters and Based on the length of the print range that has been set, equal space between characters is required for even allocation, and spaces are provided between the characters, and the input character string is automatically expanded to the length of the desired print range. Can be printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

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

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of a printing mechanism showing a printing tape and a thermal head.

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

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

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

FIG. 9 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 10 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 11 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 12 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine included in the tape print control.

FIG. 13 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine included in the tape print control.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of a rearrangement process control routine included in print process control.

FIG. 15 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine for inter-character space calculation processing control included in print processing control.

FIG. 16 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine for character space calculation processing control included in the print processing control.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for character space value setting processing control included in print processing control.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a data composition process control routine included in the print process control.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in an input data buffer.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data in first and second rearrangement memories.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data in a print buffer.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary diagram showing a printing example in which character strings of one line and two lines are printed on a printing tape without being printed in a fixed length.

FIG. 29 is an exemplary diagram showing a printing example in which character strings of one line and two lines are printed on a printing tape in a fixed length with a set printing length.

FIG. 30 is a part of a schematic flowchart of a routine for inter-character space arithmetic processing control of inter-character space arithmetic processing control according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape printing device 3 Character selection dial 4 Keyboard section 5 Selection key 7 Thermal head 9 Printing tape 27 CPU 28 ROM (program memory) 29 ROM (pattern data memory) 30 RAM 31 Input data buffer 37 Set character space memory 39 Print buffer 40 Print length memory C Controller

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 25, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer, and more particularly to a set print length for a plurality of input characters.
It is related to the one that is printed .

Conventionally, compact tape printer have been proposed to print a desired character string in a width of about 10 mm before and after the printing tape. Therefore, the applicant of the present application filed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-15
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2070, a center print mode for printing the printing position of the printing character of the full-width character and the full-width character of the quadruple-width character in the widthwise central position of the printing tape and the widthwise lower position. We have proposed a printing device that can change the printing position and is configured to select the bottom-aligned printing mode that prints on the side. Incidentally, in general, character data to be printed by the tape printer is adapted to be selected from a plurality of size optionally, printing tape
The length is configured to be determined according to the selected size .

Generally, using this tape printer, for example, the "title" and "contents" of a file can be obtained.
Is often printed on a printing tape, and the printed printing tape is attached to a predetermined attachment position of a file. This
Therefore, adapted to the length of the sticking range in attachment position the length of the
Sometimes you want to get a tape of Sao . However, as described above, since the tape length is determined by the selected character size, the tape length to be created is previously determined.
There is a problem that it is difficult to know . Word process
Characters that exceed the specified paper width are
It is possible to print with a line of
At the time of printing, the character string is printed along the longitudinal direction of the tape.
And use it as the "title" above
Print text with a word processor for the purpose of
Such control is not possible. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an input character
Whether or not it is possible to print on the tape of the set print length
The purpose is to provide a tape printing device that can judge .

To achieve this object, a tape printer according to the present invention is provided with a longitudinal direction of a print medium tape.
A print head for printing a character string along the direction;
Input means for inputting characters to be printed on the tape, and
Based on the character input by the input means of
Print driving means for driving the print head, and the length of the tape
Print length setting means for inputting and setting the print length in the hand direction,
Arithmetic means for determining the length of the input character string
And the set print length and the character string length
And the result of the comparison by that comparison means.
As a result, the character string can be printed with the set print length.
And a control means for determining whether or not. Further invention
The tape printer of the above has a printing head by the printing drive means.
Print start means for starting the print operation of the
Before starting the printing operation by the output of the character starting means,
As a result of comparison by the comparison means,
When the character string cannot be printed, the control means causes the error.
Output and the print drive means
Stop the start. In the tape printer of the present invention,
More preferably, the print length setting means sets the desired tape length.
The comparison means is input to the desired table.
The print start part and print end part cannot be printed due to the
Compare the length of the character string with the subtracted length
It Further, the tape printer of the present invention can be used as a print medium tape.
Input means for inputting code data of characters to be printed
And the code data input by the input means is stored
Input data buffer and a pattern of many characters
Pattern data storing means storing the pattern data, and
The input character string along the longitudinal direction of the
Relative movement in the longitudinal direction to the tape for printing
Available print head and stored in the input data buffer
Pattern data corresponding to the code data
Read from the data storage means,
Print driving means for driving the print head based on
Enter the print length in the longitudinal direction of the tape and set the print length.
Setting means and the code stored in the input data buffer.
The total width of the characters corresponding to the data
Calculating means for obtaining the length of the ink jet line, and the set printing
Comparing means for comparing the length and the length of the character string,
As a result of comparison by the comparison means,
When the character string cannot be printed, the print drive
Stop printing before the printing operation of the print head by the step starts
And a control means for Further, the tape printing apparatus of the present invention
Set the print length entered by the print length setting means.
Display and output of the control means when printing is not possible
A display means for displaying more error is provided. The calculation means
Preferably has multiple lines of characters to be printed
The long line of the multiple lines,
Find the length of the Kuta string. Of printable characters
There are multiple sizes, and the calculation means supports each size.
Sum the widths of the characters you did.

In the tape printer of the present invention having a [action] having the above-Printout length to be printed on the printing medium tape printing length setting means is set. Also input from the input means
The length of the character string is calculated by the calculation means. Comparison means
The print length set in is compared with the character string length.
As a result of the comparison, the characters are printed in the set print length.
Whether it is possible to print the column Ru is determined. Furthermore, the above judgment
The print length is set before the printing operation starts and the character
When the printer line cannot be printed, the control unit outputs an error.
At the same time, the printing operation is stopped. Print length above
The print length input by the setting device is the desired tape length.
The print start portion and the print start from the desired tape length.
If you subtract the unprintable length at the end of the
The length of the lacta string is compared with the comparison means. The present invention
The tape printing device of the
The code data of the Kuta is stored in the input data buffer.
It It corresponds to the code data stored in the input data buffer.
The corresponding pattern data is read from the pattern data storage means.
The print head is detected based on the pattern data.
Driven and its print head is longer than the tape
Are moved relative to each other and printed on the tape. Printing motion
The length of the tape entered by the print length setting means before starting
Print length in the hand direction and stored in the input data buffer
The length of the character string is compared, and as a result of the comparison, the setting
If the character string cannot be printed within the specified print length
Printing is stopped. Display of the above print length, and
When printing is not possible, an error is displayed by the display means.
It When there are multiple lines of characters to be printed, the multiple
The length of the character string is determined by determining the long line
Is calculated by the calculation means. Further printable characters
There are multiple types of kuta, and there are
The width of the lacta is summed by the computing means.

An embodiment embodying the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
It will be described with reference to FIG. This example uses kanji, hiragana, and katakana.
Many characters such as kana and alphabet characters
Tape printing for printing on printing tape (printing media tape)
This is a case where the present invention is applied to an apparatus. Shown in Figure 2
In the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1,
Characters and symbols for printing (hereinafter referred to as characters)
The ring-shaped character selection dial 3 for selection is rotatably arranged.
A keyboard section 4 is provided for character selection
LCD display that can display 6 characters behind dial 3.
Ray 19 is provided. In this character selection dial 3
In the center part, the character selected by rotating the character selection dial 3 is selected.
Confirm the character or the settings related to printing
A setting key 5 is provided to do this. In addition, the character selection
The printing mechanism PM is provided in the main body frame 2 behind the ear 3
It is built in. The character selection dial 3 has 5 turns per rotation.
There are 0 stop positions and the character selection dial 3
The upper surface of the table should correspond to each of these 50 stop positions.
The image of the character is drawn in two columns. Note that
No. 6 is a character selection position mark. The keyboard section 4 has
Between "Hiragana", "Katakana" and "Alphabet"
Character type switching key for changing input selectively, conversion key
Key and non-conversion key, two-line printing key to instruct two-line printing,
1-line print key to instruct 1-line print, input character
Is evenly distributed according to the length of the set print range.
Fixed length key to set printing, print key to execute printing
-, A font selection key for selecting the font of the character, for printing
A tape feed key and a power supply for feeding tape 9
There is a power switch to turn it on and off.
It Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
When revealed, the rectangular tape storage cassette CS is transparent.
Tape around which a printing tape 9 made of a transparent film is wound
A spool provided with a spool 8 and an ink ribbon 12
Supply spool 13 and take-up for winding the ink ribbon 12
Both the spool 14 and the printing tape 9 have the same width.
Supply spun with surface tape 15 wrapped with release paper on the outside
16 and the printing tape 9 and the double-sided tape 15
A joining roller for joining the
It Position where the printing tape 9 and the ink ribbon 12 overlap
A thermal head 7 is erected on the printing head, and these printing
The ink head 9 and the ink ribbon 12 against the thermal head 7.
Platen roller 17 and both tapes 9 and 15
It is possible to rotate the support roller 46 with the feed roller 45 pressing against 10.
It is pivotally supported by Noh. This thermal head 7 has
As shown in FIG. 11, a heating element group 11 including 48 heating elements
Are lined up in the vertical direction. Therefore, the joining roller 10
The take-up spool 14 and the take-up spool 14 are a tape feed motor (see FIG. 4).
18) are not driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction.
When the heating element group 11 is energized from the
As shown in Figure 5, characters are printed with multiple dot rows.
Moreover, the printing tape 9 is formed by joining the double-sided tape 15.
The tape is fed in the tape feed direction A while
It is sent out of the room 2. Details of the printing mechanism PM
See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555. Then tape
The control system of the printer 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
Is made. The display mechanism DM is a liquid crystal display 19
And to output the display data to this display 19.
Display controller (L
CD controller) 20 and
It Absolute encoder 2 connected to dial 3 for character selection
1 corresponds to 50 stop positions of the character selection dial 3.
Output 50 kinds of absolute encoder signals ENS respectively.
These absolute value encoder signals ENS
And the character selection position marker based on the signal from the character type switching key.
Code data of the character selected to correspond to item 6
And the absolute value encoder signal before the selection operation
No. ENS and current absolute encoder signal ENS
The rotation direction of the character selection dial 3 and its rotation
The transfer amount is obtained. Reference numeral 22 drives the thermal head 7.
Drive circuit for driving the tape feed motor 18
It is a drive circuit for moving. The control device C has a CPU 27.
To the CPU 27 via a bus 26 such as a data bus.
Input / output interface 25, ROM 28.2.
9 and RAM 30. ROM (Pro
(Gram memory) 28 is selected by the character selection dial 3.
Table for controlling the display mechanism DM corresponding to the code data
Display control program, the key when the setting key 5 is operated.
Various types of character code data and print settings
A control process for storing the setting data in the input data buffer 31.
Program and the data in the print buffer 39 are sequentially read to support
Drive control of the round head 7 and the tape feed motor 18
Drive control program, the tape print control control
It stores programs and so on. ROM (Pattern day
The memory 29 is drawn on the upper surface of the character selection dial 3.
Dot pattern data for each of many characters
Is an SS consisting of 16 dots (vertical) x 15 dots (horizontal)
Character pattern data and 48 dots (vertical) x 48 dots
Of L character pattern data consisting of (horizontal)
It is stored in association with each code data. Incidentally, S
S character pattern data is used for printing and displaying 2 lines
It The L character pattern data is used for printing one line.
It The reference numeral 24 indicates dot pattern data of various typefaces.
To connect an optional ROM card that stores
It is a connector for. Input data buffer of RAM30
31 is the code data of the character to be printed and the
Various setting data relating to the setting contents are stored (Fig. 1
See 9 and the start address is A0000). First redistribute
In the column memory 32, code data for printing one line and a two-line mark
The code data of the upper row of characters is stored (see FIG. 20,
The start address is a0000), and the second rearrangement
The code data of the lower row of two-line printing is stored in the memory 33.
(Refer to Fig. 20. Note that the start address is b0000.
). The first pointer 34 contains the first rearrangement memory 32.
One address is stored, and in the second pointer 35
Stores one address of the second rearrangement memory 33.
It Character count counter 36 prints including spaces
Stores the number of characters. Space between setting characters
The memory 37 has an equal space provided between characters during fixed length printing.
The pace value is stored. In the extra space memory 38,
Margin space YS remainder dots divided by the number of characters
The number of columns is stored. The print buffer 39 is shown in FIG.
So that it supports 48 dots in the vertical direction (dot row direction)
48 bits (6 bytes), 48 dots horizontally
A memory with a size of 48 bits (6 bytes)
A dot pattern of the character to be printed with a capacity
Data is read from the pattern data memory 29 and stored.
Be done. The print length memory 40 stores the set print length.
Data is stored. Two lines printed on the flag memory 41
2-line print flag set (data is "1") when
F1 and 2 line printing upper line printing (1st line printing)
Upper row flag F2, which is sometimes set, and print baseline position change
Display flag that is set during the display of selections for changes
F3, baseline position set when changing the print baseline position
Change flag F4, selection regarding change amount of print baseline position
Display flag F5, which is set while displaying
Fixed length print flag F6, which is set at the time, spacing between characters
The remainder flag that is set when a remainder occurs during
Lag AF, error flag EF and typeface related flags
Flag data of other flags are stored respectively.
Next, the tape controller 1 of the tape printer 1 performs a tape operation.
6 to FIG. 18 for the print control routine
Description will be given based on the chart. In the figure, Si (i = 1,
2, 3 ...) are each step. Where this control
In case of 1 line printing,
As shown by "A", the size is based on the L character pattern data.
The printing table corresponding to the heating element group 11 of the round head 7
On the printing tape 9 over the entire printing area PE on the
When printing, or when printing two lines, SS character pattern
Based on the data, the upper row is printed in this print area PE.
Printing is performed on the column print row UL, and the printing of the lower row is the print area PE.
This is performed on the lower print line LL. In addition, a normal L letter mark
The character base line position PS1 corresponds to the lowest position of the heating element group 11.
Also, the print base line position PS2 of the upper line regarding the SS character
Is a center line corresponding to the center position of the heating element group 11 in the width direction.
It is provided at a position "4" dots above CL, and SS
The normal print base line position PS3 in the lower line for characters is the above-mentioned mark.
Set the position "4" dots above the character base line position PS1.
It has been burned. Also, in this control, characters and symbols
Characters including and spaces. This tape stamp
This control is started when the power of the character device 1 is turned on.
Without clearing the display mechanism DM and each memory 31-40
One line print mark ">" is displayed on display 19
And one-line print corresponding to this one-line print mark ">"
Command data to the start address of the input data buffer 31
Initial setting such as storing is executed (S1). next,
When the character selection dial 3 is rotated (S2: N
o, S16: Yes), any of the flags F1, F3, F5
・ When F6 ... is not set (S17.
S22 / S27 / S29 / S31: No), absolute value
Selected based on the encoder signal ENS from the coder 21.
The displayed character is displayed on the display 19 (S3
3) Return to S2. And when the setting key is operated
(S2, S3: Yes), the flags F1 to F6 are all
When not set (S34, S41, S46
・ S49 ・ S51: No), displaying on display 19
Character is confirmed and its code data is entered
It is stored in the data buffer 31 (S53). For example, Di
Display the letters "A", "B", "C" on the spray 19
When the setting key is operated each time
As you can see, code data for each letter "A", "B", "C"
Data are sequentially stored in the input data buffer 31. next,
When the 2-line print key is operated to execute 2-line print
Is (S2: Yes, S3: No, S4: Yes), 2 lines
The first selection regarding printing, for example, "Upper print line"
Displayed on the display 19 (S5), the flag F1 is set.
(S6). Next, the character selection dial 3 is rotated.
When created (S2: No, S16: Yes), flag
Since F1 is set (S17: Yes), 2 lines
The next selection for printing, for example "Lower print line", is
Displayed on the display 19 (S18), "Upper print line"
Is displayed (S19: Yes), the flag F is displayed.
2 is set (S20), but the "lower print line" is displayed
Flag is reset (S19: No), the flag F2 is reset.
(S21). And the setting key was operated
At this time (S2, S3: Yes), both flags F1 and F2 are set.
When it is turned on (S34 / S35: Yes),
The upper print line mark “△” is displayed on the display 19.
In addition, the upper line printing finger corresponding to this mark "△"
Command data is stored in the input data buffer 31 (S3
6). When the flag F2 is reset,
(S34: Yes, S35: No), lower line print line mark
Ku “▽” is displayed on the display 19 and
Input the lower row print command data corresponding to the mark "▽"
It is stored in the data buffer 31 (S37). For example,
When the "upper print line" is displayed on the display 19
When the setting key is operated during
“△” is displayed and the input data bar is displayed as shown in FIG.
The upper row print command data is stored in the address A0004 of the buffer 31.
Is stored. Then, the flag F1 is reset (S
38), selection contents at the beginning for changing the print baseline position, example
For example, change the print baseline position to the normal print baseline position PS2 / PS3.
The “normal baseline position” that does not change is displayed 19
(S39) and the flag F3 is set (S39).
40). Next, when the character selection dial 3 is rotated
(S2: No, S16: Yes), flag F3 is set
(S17: No, S22: Yes)
The next selection for changing the character baseline position, for example, the print baseline
"Change Baseline Position" to change the position is displayed 19
Is displayed (S23), and "Baseline position change" is displayed.
Sometimes (S24: Yes), the flag F4 is set.
(S25), but the "normal baseline position" is displayed
(S24: No), the flag F4 is reset.
(S26). When the setting key is operated (S2
・ S3: Yes), when the flag F3 is set
(S34: No, S41: Yes), this flag F
3 is reset (S42), and flag F4 is set.
If it is (S43: Yes), the print base line position
The first selection item related to
On the printing tape 9 with respect to the character base line positions PS2 and PS3
“Baseline position + 4” that changes by 4 dots on the edge side is
Displayed on the spray 19 (S44), the flag F5 is set.
(S45). Next, the character selection dial 3 is rotated.
When created (S2: No, S16: Yes), flag
Since F5 is set (S17 / S22: No,
S27: Yes), within the next selection regarding the print base line position
Content, for example, "baseline position +3" is displayed on the display 19.
(S28). After that, the character selection dial 3 is continuously
When rotating, select "baseline position +2" →
"Baseline position + 1" → "Baseline position -1" → "Baseline position-
2 "→" Baseline position-3 "→" Baseline position-4 "→" Baseline position "
. + 4 "... are sequentially displayed on the display 19.
In addition, "base line position-1" to "base line position-4" are print base lines.
Position is normally printed for printing on the base line positions PS2 and PS3
This is a change to the lower end side of the tape 9. And the setting key
When operated (S2 / S3: Yes), the flag F5
Since it is set (S34 / S41: No, S4
6: Yes), the selection displayed on the display 19
Prints the base line position change amount data corresponding to the contents and prints the upper row
It is stored in the command data or the lower line print command data.
(S47), the flag F5 is reset (S48).
For example, the selected content “baseline position + 4” is displayed on the display 19
When the selection key is operated when is displayed on
As shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG.
The change amount data of "+4 dots" is stored in the data.
Further, in the input data buffer 31, it is selected later.
Code data of characters "D", "E", "F", "-"
Lower row print command that stores "4 dots" change amount data
Data, selected letters "G", "H", "I",
Each code data of "J" is sequentially stored. Then one line
When the one-line print key is operated for printing (S
2: Yes, S3 / S4: No, S7: Yes), 1 line
The print mark “>” is displayed on the display 19 and 1
The line print command data is stored in the input data buffer 31.
(S8), the flag F1 is reset (S9). example
For example, as shown in FIG.
When 1-line print command data is stored at address A000D
Each of the characters "K", "L", and "M" selected after
Code data goes from address A000E to address A0010.
Stored. The character selection dial 3 was rotated.
When (S2: No, S16: Yes), flags F1 and F
When flags other than 3 ・ F5 ・ F6 are set
(S17 / S22 / S27 / S29: No, S31:
Yes), selection corresponding to the set flag
The contents are sequentially displayed (S32). By the way, fixed length printing
When the fixed length key is operated for (S2: Ye
s, S3, S4, S7: No, S10: Yes), printing
Setting screen for setting the range length to 10 cm "Print length 1
"0" is displayed (S11) and the flag F6 is set.
(S12). Next, the character selection dial 3 was rotated.
At this time (S2: No, S16: Yes), the flag F6 is set.
(S17, S22, S27: No,
S29: Yes), in the clockwise direction of the character selection dial 3
The print length setting screen “Print Length 1
"1" is displayed (S30). After that, character selection dial 3
If you rotate the
12 "→" Print Length 13 "→" Print Length 14 "→
"Print length 15" → ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ → "Print length 54"
Are sequentially displayed on the display 19. In addition, character selection
When rotating the ear 3 in the counterclockwise direction,
Display the setting contents up to "Print length 5" in the reverse display order.
Shown. Here, "Print length 54" is displayed.
The character selection dial 3 was rotated clockwise while
At times, "print length 5" is displayed. In addition, "print
With the length 5 "displayed, select the character selection dial 3.
When rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the “print length 5
4 ”is displayed. And when the setting key is operated
(S2 / S3: Yes), flag F6 is set
(S34, S41, S46: No, S49: Ye
s), the print length displayed on the setting screen is multiplied by 10.
The value is stored as data in the print length memory 40 (S
50). Also, when operating the setting keys (S2, S3: Ye
s), when other flags are set (S
34, S41, S46, S49: No, S51: Ye
s), the selection content corresponding to the flag is set (S)
52). Next, when the print key is operated (S2:
Yes, S3, S4, S7, S10: No, S13: Y
es), print processing control (see FIGS. 12 and 13) is executed.
(S14). When this control is started, first print
Initialization of various flags and memory related
(S60), the rearrangement processing control (see FIG. 14) is actually executed.
(S61). In addition, referring to FIG. 19 to FIG.
This control will be described. When this control is started, FIG.
As shown in 0, it is first stored in the input data buffer 31.
All code data stored in the first rearrangement memory 32
It is stored (S90). However, these multiple codes
"FF" is additionally stored as the end data at the end of the data.
It Next, in the first pointer 34,
Start address a0000 (Hereinafter, this content is referred to as P1,
The pointer P1) is set (S91),
Data of the first rearrangement memory 32 designated by the 1 pointer P1
Data is read (S92), and the read data is printed in one line.
When it is command data (S93, S105, S103:
No), the next address is set to the first pointer P1.
(S104), and returns to S92. And the read data
Is the character code data, the same control as above
God is repeated. Next, the first pointer P1 is
"A0004", it means the upper row print command data (S
93: Yes), the first rearrangement method by the first pointer P1.
The memory 32 is searched (S94), and the upper row print command data
The lower row print command data is stored as the command data next to
21 (S95: Yes), as shown in FIG.
To the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the first pointer P1.
The “address b0004” of is set in the second pointer 35 (below
Below, it is also called the second pointer P2)
Command data and the key to print on the lower print line LL following this
The character code data of each character after the second pointer P2
It is stored in the dress (S96). Next, the upper print line UL
Number of character code data UDN printed on
When it is smaller than the code data number LDN of the character line LL
(S98 / S100: No), as shown in FIG.
A space code is assigned to "address a0008" of the rearrangement memory 32.
The mode "SP" is stored (S101). But the code
When the number of data UDN is larger than the number of code data LDN
(S98: Yes), the predetermined rearrangement memory 33
The space code "SP" is stored in the address (S9
9). If both code data numbers UDN and LDN are equal,
By time (S98: No, S100: Yes), S102
Move to. Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the first rearrangement memo
In the memory 32, the data stored in the second rearrangement memory 33
Data, and each data after the deleted data ">,
"K, L, M, FF" are moved, respectively.
Is executed (S102), and is searched in the first rearrangement memory 32.
If there is data to be stored (S103: No), the first
As an address to be searched next to the pointer P1, "address
b0009 "is set (S104). And later
For each data “>, K, L, M”, S90 to S9
2, S93 / S105: No, S103 to S104 are repeated.
It is returned and executed, and by the end data “FF” (S10
3: Yes), the control is terminated and the process returns. Toko
If there is no lower row print command data (S
95: No), in the second rearrangement memory 33, the upper row
Space equivalent to the number of code data UDN of print line UL
The code "SP" is stored (S97). Also, the first poi
The data read based on the printer P1 is the lower row print command data.
If it is (S93: No, S105: Yes),
Addition of the second rearrangement memory 33 corresponding to the 1 pointer P1
Is set to the second pointer P2 and the lower line print command is issued.
Characters to be printed on the data and the subsequent lower print line LL
The code data of Kuta is the address after the second pointer P2.
Stored in the first re-arrangement memory 32 (S106).
The lower row print command data and the lower row print line LL.
All the code data of the characters to be printed on
Is converted to a code (S107). Next, for print processing control
When returning and flag F6 is set
When printing with constant length (S62: Yes), the space between characters
Arithmetic processing control (see FIGS. 15 and 16) is executed.
(S63). When this control is started, the number of characters
Character count value MN and the space between the set characters
The set space value SA of the memory 37 and the total character width value MW are
Each of them is cleared (S110), and the first pointer P1 receives the first
The start address of the rearrangement memory 32 is set (S11
1), the data pointed by the first pointer P1 is read
(S112), the read data is not the end data and
If it is not code data (S113 / S114:
No), L size or not based on the read print command data
Is set to SS size character width PW (number of dot rows)
(S115), the first pointer P1 is incremented
(S118). On the other hand, the read data is code data.
(S113: No, S114: Yes),
The character number count value MN is incremented by 1 (S1
16), the total character width value MW (the number of dot rows) is the character width PW
Is increased (S117), and through S118 to S112
Return. When the read data is the end data,
Is stored in the print length memory 40 (S113: Yes).
From the set print length SL, the print start part and print end
Difference in printing length of 34 mm (17 mm x 2) that cannot be printed
The actual print length JL is subtracted and set (S119), 1
It is possible to print about 71 dot lines on 0 mm, so this actual printing
The number of dot rows ND that can be printed in the length JL is ND = 71 × J
It is calculated by L (S120). Then print this printable
Input column number ND is greater than or equal to the total character width value MW
All the printed characters are printed within this actual print length JL.
Printable dots when possible (121: Yes)
Subtract the total character width value MW from the number of columns ND
The pace YS (the number of dot rows) is calculated (S122).
Furthermore, this blank space YS is the number of characters (MN-1).
In the above case (S123: Yes), between these characters
It is possible to provide a space for each 1 dot row
Therefore, a new blank space YS is calculated (S12
4), the set space value SA is added for one dot row (S
125), and returns to S123. Then, S123 to S12
5 is executed and the new blank space YS is the number of characters
When it becomes smaller (S123: No), this margin
When the space YS is not "0" (S126: N
o), there is a blank space YS as a surplus space Sd
Stored in the space memory 38 (S127), flag A
F is set (S129), this control is ended and
To learn. However, when the blank space YS is “0”
(S126: Yes), the flag AF is reset
(S128). Also, all entered characters are
When it is impossible to print within the actual print length JL of (12
1: No), error message "Fixed length printing is not possible"
Error processing such as displaying on the spray 19 is executed.
(S130), the flag EF is set (S13).
1). Then, when the flag EF is reset
(S64: No), the process proceeds to S66, but the flag EF
When is set (S64: Yes), both
Lags F6 and EF are reset (S65), and litter
To On the other hand, after character space calculation processing and fixed length printing
If not (S62: No), the first pointer P1
The start address of the first rearrangement memory 32 is set (S
66), the first rearrangement memo based on the first pointer P1
The data in the memory 32 is read (S67), and the read data is read.
When the data is one-line print command data (S68 / S6
9: No, S70: Yes), the flag F1 is reset
(S71), L used for printing one line based on the flag F1
The character width character width value PW (48 dots) is the RAM 30
(S73), the first pointer P1 is incremented.
(S74) and the process returns to S67. Next, the read data
When the data is code data of the character "A" (S68: N
o, S69: Yes), if it is not fixed-length printing (S7)
5: No), and proceeds to S77, but when performing fixed length printing
(S75: Yes), character space value setting process control
After that (see FIG. 17), the process proceeds to S77. This character spacing
The pace value setting process control will be described. Flag AF
When is set (S140: Yes), the
The constant space value SA is incremented by one dot row
The value is stored as a new set space value SB (S14
1), the remaining space value Sd is decremented by one dot row
(S142), the remaining space value Sd is larger than "0".
If it is larger (S143: No), end this control.
To return. However, the remaining space value Sd becomes "0"
When it becomes (S143: Yes), the flag AF is reset.
It is set (S144). Also, the flag AF is reset.
If it is turned on (S140: No), the setting space
Store the value SA as a new set space value SB
(S145). Then, the flag F1 has been reset.
(S78: No), the code corresponding to the code data
Pattern data is read from the pattern data memory 29.
Stored in the print buffer 39 as shown in FIG.
(S79), the character "A" is printed (S81),
The process proceeds to S74. When printing in fixed length, this print character
In, each character except the last character is marked.
After the letter, the set space value SB obtained in S141 is provided.
Be done. By the way, if it is not fixed length printing (S75: N
o), space value between characters corresponding to L character size, eg
For example, "3 dots" is set (S77), and S is the same as above.
78 and subsequent steps are executed. Next, the read data is
When it is print command data (S68, S69, S70:
No), the flag F1 is set (S72), and the flag F
Character width value of SS character size used for 2-line printing based on 1
PW (16 dots) is stored in the RAM 30 (S7
3), returns to S67 through S74. And then the letter
When the code data of "D" is read (S68:
No, S69: Yes), S75 to S77 are executed.
It Here, when the fixed length printing is not performed (S75: N
o) Characters corresponding to SS character size used for 2-line printing
A space value such as "1 dot" is set (S7).
7). Next, if two lines are printed and the flag F1 is set,
(S78: Yes), data synthesis processing control (Figure
18) is executed (S80). This control is started
Then, first, the second rearrangement method corresponding to the first pointer P1 is
The address "b0005" of the memory 33 is set to the second pointer P2.
(S150), the sentence pointed by the first pointer P1
The code data of the letter "D" is read out (S151), and as shown in FIG.
As shown in 5, the dot pattern data of this code data
The position corresponding to the center line CL in the print buffer 39.
It is stored in the table (S152) and used as upper row print command data.
When the print base line position change amount d is stored (S1
53: Yes), the baseline position change amount d (+4 dots)
Is read (S154), and as shown in FIG.
Pattern data to the normal print base line position PS2 in the upper row
The amount of this baseline position change d to "4 dots" for shifting
Is shifted in the dot row direction by the number of dots added
(S156). Furthermore, the character designated by the second pointer P2
The code data of "G" is read (S157), and FIG.
Dot pattern data of this code data as shown in
Is synthesized and stored on the lower end position in the print buffer 39.
(S158) Similarly, the print base line is added to the lower row print command data.
When the position change amount d is stored (S159: Y
es), the baseline position change amount d (-4 dots) is read out.
(S160), the dot pattern data is normally set in the lower row.
To "4 dots" to shift to the print base line position PS3
Dots for the number of dots obtained by adding this baseline position change amount d
It is shifted in the column direction (S162), and this control is terminated.
To return. If it is determined No in S153,
And No in S159, the print base line position
“0” is stored as the change amount d. After that, Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 7, the data is combined and stored in the print buffer 39.
Character printing processing based on dot pattern data for 2 characters
Is executed (S81). Then, similarly, in FIG.
Stored in the first and second rearrangement memories 32 and 33 as shown
The printed data is controlled by the print processing control in S60 to S81.
Is printed. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
If not, the character string "ABC, KL
"M" is printed in one line corresponding to the print area PE.
, The character string "DEF" is printed on the upper print line UL and
The character string "GHIJ" is printed on the lower print line LL. Shi
Maybe, these character strings "DEF" and character strings "GHIJ"
Is the print position based on the specified print baseline position change amount d.
The text is changed and printed. Also, as shown in FIG.
When printing, between each printing of these print characters,
The calculated setting space value SA is provided and the input sentence
Set character string Mark of actual print length JL of print length SL
It is automatically expanded and printed to the length of the character range.

[Second Embodiment] Here, with the tape printer 1,
Just like the sentence typewriter,
Can only print at pica print pitch or elite print pitch
It is also possible to print a fixed length. For that, the key
There is no pica print pitch or elite print pitch on the board 4.
A print pitch key that specifies which print pitch is provided
In the data data memory 29, L character size and SS character size
A mark that stores the print pitch for each type in correspondence with the size
Each character pitch table is stored, and the character spacing
As shown in FIG.
You may change by installing S170 between 14 and S116.
Yes. That is, when the read data is not code data
(S113 / S114: No), the read print command
The pitch test is performed based on the data and the signal from the print pitch key.
Table is selected (S115), and the next read code
Data (S113: No, S114: Yes),
Print pitch data read from the selected pitch table
To set the character width value PW (S170). And
The same control is performed thereafter. In addition, proportional space
It is also possible to provide a scanning function. When it ’s time to go
In the pattern data memory 29, L character size and SS sentence
Character width data for each character in correspondence with the character size
The pitch table that stores
The command corresponding to the print command data read in S115
Switch table while selecting the
Character corresponding to the code data read from the touch table
The width data may be set to the character width value PW. Incidentally, putter
Data memory 29 has 3 to 4 different character size dots
Storing pattern data and printing 1 line and 2 lines
Alternatively, the desired character size may be selected. still,
Add a print buffer to print dot string data
Next to the print buffer other than the read print buffer,
You may store the dot string data for printing
Yes. As described above, the input data
The character code data stored in the buffer 31 is
1 and 2 are rearranged in the rearrangement memories 32 and 33.(S
90-S104). When fixed length printing is set,
Total number of characters stored in the first rearrangement memory 32
The width value is calculated, and the set print length and total character width value
Be compared. When printing is not possible within the set print length
Displays an error message on the display 19
It When printing is possible,The code of the first rearrangement memory 32
Number of data and set print lengthSanoBased on the data
Equal inter-character spaces provided between characters are calculated
(S110 to S129), this text is printed when the character is printed.
Space between characters is automatically set between each character
To print the input character string as desiredTo lengthExpand and print
You canIf the fixed length print is not set
Set a space value corresponding to the character size (S7
7) Printing is performed (S81). The tape length is
It is determined based on the sum of the character sizes including the scan value.
While pulling out the printing tape 9 manually,
Or a printer configured to print characters on
Various types of tape printing devices such as the ear dot system
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a printer.

As is apparent from the above description, the tape printing apparatus of the present invention has a printing length and a character string length.
To determine whether printing is possible within that print length.
So that you have the desired length for the "title" of the file, etc.
When creating the tape, there are no mistakes and it is extremely practical.
Der what is Ru.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 17

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 17

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting character code data and various command signals, an input data buffer for storing input code data, and pattern data storing dot pattern data for many characters. A storage unit, a print buffer for receiving and storing dot pattern data of a character to be printed from the pattern data storage unit, a print head capable of printing a dot array on a print medium tape on which the character is printed, and a print A tape printing device comprising a control means for sequentially receiving dot string data of dot pattern data from a buffer and controlling a print head, wherein a print length setting means for setting a length of a print range to be printed on the print medium tape, , Code data supplied from the input data buffer and output from print length setting means In the set printing range, receiving the output from the inter-character space calculating means for calculating the inter-character space value for printing the input character with the same inter-character space, A tape printing apparatus comprising: space command means for instructing the control means so as to provide a space between characters when printing characters.