JPH08112941A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To print an italic character in nice looking by providing a means setting a reference position on the basis of the setting from a character direction setting means and a means setting a region reference position. CONSTITUTION: A keyboard 3 in provided with an italic start key 8, and when an italic modifying command is given, respective pattern regions are inclined by definite quantity and moved along a printing direction by the value determined on the basis of the shift between the F-side of a printing line and the lower sides of the respective pattern regions in the case of lateral writing and by the value determined on the basis of the shift between the upper side of the printing line and the upper sides of the pattern regions in the case of vertical writing based on the shift between the reference position of the printing line and that of the respective pattern regions according to the setting of a character to be printed due to a vertical writing setting key 12. By this constitution, a character modified in italic type can be printed while a proper character interval is provided between characters.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of printing characters on a printing medium by modifying characters such as characters in italic type, and more particularly to printing characters in italic type and changing the character direction of the characters. The present invention relates to a printing device capable of performing printing that is possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various printing apparatuses have been proposed which are capable of modifying characters such as characters in italics and changing the character direction of the characters. In such a conventional printing apparatus, for example, characters are modified by italics to print by the following method.

A conventional method of printing characters by modifying italics will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 for horizontal writing and FIGS. 15 and 16 for vertical writing. FIGS. 13 and 15 are explanatory diagrams schematically showing dot pattern data and pattern areas before modification to italics, and FIGS. 14 and 16 schematically show dot pattern data and pattern areas after modification to italics. FIG.

First, a method for printing a character in horizontal writing by modifying italic font will be described. FIG.
In FIG. 13A, the dot pattern data consists of a normal Gothic character “roller”.
In (b), pattern areas A, B, and C representing the range in which the dot pattern data of each character "b", "-", and "la" are created are shown. That is, the dot pattern data for each character is created within each pattern area A, B, C. When each dot pattern data is printed via the thermal head, the Gothic character shown in FIG. 13A is printed as it is.

In order to modify the Gothic dot pattern data in italics, the positions of the lower ends x, y and z of the respective pattern areas A, B and C are not changed and the predetermined amount is right. Tilted toward the side (the tilt amount is usually set to a ratio of the height of the pattern area and the amount of shift in the horizontal direction to about 3: 1), and the tilted pattern area A ′ as shown in FIG. B'and C'are secured and the dot pattern data of each character is developed in each pattern area A ', B', C'to create italic dot pattern data.

The italic dot pattern data created in this way is shown in FIG. 14A. When such italic dot pattern data is printed through the thermal head, italicized dots are obtained as shown in FIG. 14A. The result is a modified character.

Next, a method of modifying a vertically written character with italics to print it will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In FIG. 15A, the dot pattern data is a normal Gothic character “roller”.
In addition, FIG.
Pattern areas A, B, and C representing the range in which the dot pattern data of “−” and “La” are created are shown. That is, the dot pattern data for each character is created within each pattern area A, B, C. When each dot pattern data is printed through the thermal head, the Gothic character shown in FIG. 15A is printed as it is.

To modify the dot pattern data of the Gothic type into italic type, the positions of the right ends s, t, u of the respective pattern areas A, B, C are not changed and the predetermined amount is lowered in the figure. (The tilt amount is usually set to a ratio of the horizontal direction and the shift amount to the height of the pattern region to about 3: 1), and the tilted pattern region A ′ as shown in FIG. B'and C'are secured and the dot pattern data of each character is developed in each pattern area A ', B', C'to create italic dot pattern data.

The italic dot pattern data thus created is shown in FIG. 16 (a). When such italic dot pattern data is printed through the thermal head, italicized dots as shown in FIG. 16 (a) are obtained. The result is a modified character.

[0010]

However, in the method of modifying the italic type in the above-mentioned conventional printing device, the lower end x, y, z or the right end s of the pattern area,
Since no special consideration is given to characters in which the positions of t and u are relatively large vertically (horizontal writing) or left and right (vertical writing), between the characters modified in italics. There is a problem in that the intervals provided in step 1 will vary.

For example, in horizontal writing, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), it is not possible to provide a proper space between the character "b" and the character "-", so that the two characters become unnecessary to each other. It will overlap. In addition, the space provided between the character "-" and the character "La" becomes unnecessarily large.

Similarly, in vertical writing as well, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is not possible to provide a proper space between the character “b” and the character “-”, and the two characters unnecessarily overlap each other.
In addition, the space provided between the character "-" and the character "La" becomes unnecessarily large.

As described above, when proper intervals are not formed between the italicized characters, there is a problem that the characters are extremely unattractive and difficult to read.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. When the italic dot pattern data of a character is created, the character direction of the character to be printed on the print medium can be changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device that can print italic characters that look very good by providing appropriate intervals between the characters.

[0015]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a character input means for inputting characters and the like, and a text memory for storing code data corresponding to the characters and the like input from the character input means. Character data storage means for storing dot pattern data such as characters and dot pattern data stored by the character data storage means based on the code data stored in the text memory are expanded and stored in a predetermined pattern area. Buffer, the italic designating means for designating that characters etc. entered by the character input means are italicized, and the pattern area in the buffer is tilted by a certain amount based on the designation from the italic designating means and Italic dot pattern data that creates italic dot pattern data according to the inclination Composition means, character direction setting means for setting characters or the like input from the character input means to be printed vertically or horizontally on the print medium, and the contents of the buffer are printed based on the settings from the character direction setting means. In a printing device having a printing means for printing on a medium, a reference position setting means for setting a reference position based on the setting from the character direction setting means, and a pattern area based on the setting from the character direction setting means Area reference position setting means for setting the area reference position, and the pattern based on the deviation between the reference position set by the reference position setting means and the area reference position set by the area reference position setting means A moving amount determining means for determining a moving amount for moving the region along the printing direction, wherein the italic dot pattern data creating means is configured to move the area. Are those configured to create italics dot pattern data in the while the pattern area by moving the pattern area in accordance with the movement amount determined by the amount determining means.

[0016]

In the printer having the above construction, the code data corresponding to the character such as the character inputted from the character input means is stored in the text memory. Next, based on the dot pattern data stored in the character data storage means corresponding to the code data stored in the text memory, a predetermined pattern area is secured in the buffer, and the dot pattern data is expanded in the pattern area. Remembered.

When it is set that the characters or the like are printed vertically or horizontally through the character direction setting means, the reference position setting means sets the reference position based on the setting, and the area reference position is set. The area reference position is set for the pattern area by the setting means, and
Based on the deviation between the reference position and the area reference position set in this way, the movement amount for moving the pattern area in the printing direction is determined by the movement amount determining means. After that, the italic dot pattern data creating means moves the pattern area in accordance with the movement amount determined by the movement amount determining means based on the designation from the italic designating means, while tilting the pattern area in the buffer by a certain amount. Italic dot pattern data is created in the pattern area according to the inclination. Then, the italic dot pattern data thus created is printed on the print medium via the printing means based on the character direction set by the character direction setting means.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a tape printer for printing a large number of characters such as hiragana, kanji and symbols on a tape.

As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 3 is provided in the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, and a thermal printing mechanism PM is provided in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3. There is. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 4 is provided immediately behind the keyboard 3, and the liquid crystal display 4 is controlled by a display controller (LCDC) 36, which will be described later, and is input from various keys arranged on the keyboard 3. The displayed characters are displayed over multiple lines. Here, reference numeral 5
Is an operation knob for opening the cover case of the thermal printing mechanism PM.

The keyboard 3 includes a plurality of character keys 6 for inputting characters such as hiragana, alphabetic characters, numbers and symbols, a character size key 7 for designating a character size, and italic for designating an italic font. A start key 8 and an italic end key 9, a cursor key 10 for moving the cursor up and down, left and right, a return key 11 for issuing a line feed command and commanding block division of an input character, a vertical writing setting key 12 for setting vertical writing printing, About the contents of the text Print key 13 to instruct printing by the thermal printing mechanism PM, power ON / OFF
In order to operate the tape printer 1, various function keys necessary for operating the tape printer 1 are provided.

In the italic start setting process and italic end setting process, which will be described later, the cursor key 10 has a function as a setting range changing key and a return key 11
Has a function as a set range confirmation key.

Similarly, in the character size setting process described later, the cursor key 10 is given a function as a setting change key, and the return key 11 is given a function as a setting confirmation key.

Next, the thermal printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. This thermal printing mechanism P
A rectangular tape cassette 14 is detachably attached to M, and a tape spool 16 on which a laminating tape 15 as a printing tape is wound and an ink ribbon 17 are wound on the tape cassette 14. Ribbon spool 18, a ribbon take-up spool 19 for winding the ink ribbon 17, a supply spool 21 in which a double-sided tape 20 having the same width as the laminating tape 15 is wound with a release paper outside, and these laminating tapes. A joining roller 22 that presses and joins 15 and the double-sided tape 20 is rotatably provided.

A thermal head 23 is erected at a position where the laminating tape 15 and the ink ribbon 17 overlap each other, and a platen roller 24 for pressing the laminating tape 15 and the ink ribbon 17 against the thermal head 23.
And a feed roller 25 that feeds the laminate tape 15 and the double-sided tape 20 against the joining roller 22 while forming the tape 27, and a roller support 26 that is rotatably attached to the body frame 2. It is rotatably supported. In this thermal head 23, 128 heating elements are vertically arranged.

Therefore, by driving the tape feed motor 39 in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 22 and the ribbon take-up spool 19 are driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, while the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 23 are driven. When energized, characters and symbols are printed in a mirror image on the back surface side of the laminating tape 15 by a plurality of dot rows, and the double-sided tape 20 is joined to the back surface side of the laminating tape 15 to form a tape 27. It is fed in the feeding direction T and fed out to the outside of the main body frame 2 as shown in FIGS. For details of the thermal printing mechanism PM, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555.

Next, regarding the control system of the tape printer,
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the tape printer 1, which basically includes a control unit C, a keyboard 3, a thermal printing mechanism PM, and a display unit DM. Then, the keyboard 3 and the thermal printing mechanism P
M and the display section DM are respectively input / output interface 30.
Is connected to the control unit C via.

The control section C will be described. The control unit C includes a CPU 32, which is connected to the input / output interface 30 via a bus 31, as a core.
32, a CGROM 33, a ROM via a bus 31
34 and the RAM 35 are connected.

The CPU 32 operates the tape printer 1 according to various programs stored in the ROM 34 described later.
It carries out various arithmetic processes necessary for the control of.

The ROM 34 stores various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1. RO
The programs stored in M34 include a text creation program that creates text on the text memory 40 described later by dot pattern data corresponding to code data of characters such as characters that have been keyed in, and the contents of the text. Display control program for controlling the display controller 36 to display characters such as characters, the thermal head 23 and the tape feed motor 39 when printing on the tape based on the content of the text.
A print control program for driving the printer and various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer are stored. In particular, the control programs shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 described later are stored.

The CGROM 33 of the control section C stores dot pattern data, character information, etc. for each of a large number of characters in association with code data and character size.

The RAM 35 of the control section C is the CPU 32.
The result of execution by each program in the ROM 34 executed by is temporarily stored and used, and has various areas. Areas to be used will be described below based on the processing of the control program of FIG. 4 described later.

A text memory 4 for storing, as code data, a text created based on an input character.
0 is used in the text creation process described later. The character direction setting flag 41 that identifies whether the character direction of the character is vertical writing (flag on) or horizontal writing (flag off) when printing is used in the vertical writing print setting process described later.

The italic setting area 47 for storing the italic setting flag for identifying for each character whether the character corresponding to each code data in the text memory 40 is italicized (flag on) or not (flag off) is stored in the italic setting area 47. It is used for italic start setting processing described later and italic end setting processing described later. The character size memory 42 that stores the character size code of the character based on the set character size is used in the character size setting process described later.

In addition to the areas described above, the following areas are used in the printing process described below. That is, text memory 4
Position information area 43 for storing character information such as the size and position of the pattern area of 0 character, text memory 4
In the text pointer 44 for sequentially pointing each code data in 0, in the expansion buffer 45 and the expansion buffer 45 used when expanding the dot pattern data read from the CGROM 33 based on each code data in the text memory 40 Modification buffer 46 used to modify the dot pattern data in italics, a vertical expansion buffer 48 used to rotate the dot pattern data when printing in vertical writing, and the character printing state An area of a print buffer 49 for storing pattern data, and an X position memory 50 for storing information on the arrangement position of the pattern area of each dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 49. In addition, various storage areas necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 are provided.

The display section DM in the control system of FIG. 3 comprises a display controller 36 connected to the input / output interface 30 and a liquid crystal display 4. Characters and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 via the display controller 36 which is drive-controlled by the control unit C.

The thermal printing mechanism PM in the control system of FIG. 3 is driven via the drive circuit 37 based on the print data sent from the control buffer C of the print buffer 49 of the RAM 35 via the input / output interface 30. The thermal head 23 and the tape feed motor 39 which is also driven via the drive circuit 38 cooperate to perform tape printing.

The keyboard 3 in the control system shown in FIG.
In addition to keying in a character, various commands are given to the control section C via the input / output interface 30 as described above.

Next, the operation of the tape printer 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. First, the basic processing flow of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The basic processing of the tape printer 1 is started by pressing the power-on switch, and ends with an interrupt by pressing the power-off switch.

When the power source of the tape printer 1 is turned on, first, in step (hereinafter referred to as "S") 1, a predetermined initial setting for clearing the liquid crystal display 4 and various areas in the RAM 35 described above is performed, and the basic processing state is set. Becomes Next, in S2, the contents of the text memory 40 are displayed on the display. Immediately after the power is turned on, nothing is displayed because the content of the text memory 40 has been cleared. Then, the key input waiting state of S3 is entered.

When there is a key input from the keyboard 3, (S
3: Yes) Proceeds to S4, where it is determined whether the input key is the character key 6. When it is determined that the character key is 6 (S4: Yes), the process proceeds to S5 and S5.
Then, the text creation processing is executed, the input code data of the character key 6 is stored in the text memory 40, and S
Return to 2. That is, the characters such as the input characters are displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, and the key input waiting state of S3 is entered again.

When it is determined in S4 that the key is not the character key 6 (S4: No), the process proceeds to S6, and in S6, it is determined whether the key input in S3 is the vertical writing setting key 12. If it is determined that the key is the vertical writing setting key 12 (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to S7, where the vertical writing printing setting process is executed. That is, the value of the character direction setting flag 41 in the RAM 35 is set to "1" (flag on). The character direction setting flag 41 is normally set to a value "0" (flag off) and is set to print horizontally in a printing process S15, which will be described later, but when set to a value "1", it is printed vertically. Is set. When the vertical writing print setting process is completed, the process returns to S2 and waits for key input in S3.

If it is determined in S6 that the key is not the vertical writing setting key 12 (S6: No), the process proceeds to S8, and in S8, S3.
It is determined whether or not the key entered in is the italic start key 8. When it is determined that the key is the italic start key 8 (S8: Yes), the process proceeds to S9, where the italic start setting process is executed. That is, after the italic start code is stored at the position of the cursor in the text memory, the process returns to S2 and waits for key input in S3.

When it is determined in S8 that the key is not the italic start key 8 (S6: No), the process proceeds to S10, and in S10, it is determined whether the key input in S3 is the italic end key 9. If it is determined that the italic end key 9 is pressed (S10: Yes), the process proceeds to S11 and S1.
At 1, the italic end setting process is executed. That is, the italic end code is stored at the position of the cursor in the text memory, and the value of the italic setting flag corresponding to the data code of the character such as the character sandwiched between the italic start code and the italic end code is set to "1" (flag on. ) And stores it in the italic setting area 47. After the italic end setting process is completed, the process returns to S2,
The key input waiting state of S3 is entered.

If it is determined in S10 that it is not the italic end key 9 (S10: No), the process proceeds to S12 and S1.
In 2, it is determined whether the input key is the character size key 7. When it is determined that the character size key 7 is selected (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to S13, where the character size setting process is executed. That is, the set character size is stored in the character size memory 42 as a character size code. The character size can be set for each character block such as a character.

As an example of the method of setting the character size in the character size setting process, when the character setting key 7 is pressed, "S" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 first.
One of the four letters representing the fixed size of "M" and "L" and the auto size of "Auto", for example, "S"
Is displayed, and each time the cursor key 10 is pressed, the displayed alphabet is "S" → "M" → "L" → "Auto" →
The size is changed to "S" and the size corresponding to the character displayed at that time is set as the character size by pressing the return key 11. Here, the automatic size is the maximum size that can be printed on the tape 27. The size is the size, and the character size is calculated in the character size calculation process (S17), which will be described later.

If it is determined in S12 that it is not the character size setting key 7 (S12: No), the process proceeds to S14 and S1.
At 4, it is determined whether the input key is the print key 13. When it is determined that the print key 13 is pressed (S
14: Yes) Proceeding to S15, the printing process described later is executed in S15. When the printing process is completed, the process returns to S2,
The key input waiting state of S3 is entered.

If it is determined in S14 that the key is not the print key 13 (S14: No), the process proceeds to S16, and in S16, S
The function processing corresponding to the key input in 3 is performed, the process returns to S2, the display of the liquid crystal display 4 is switched if necessary, and the key input waiting state in S3 is entered. The above is the flow of the basic processing of the tape printer 1.

Next, S15 described with reference to FIG.
The printing process performed in step 2 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the print processing program. First, in S17, the character information corresponding to the character size code stored in the character size memory 42 is stored in the CGROM 3 for each character corresponding to the code data in the text memory 40.
3 is stored in the position information area 43.

The character information will be described with reference to FIG. The contents of the text memory 40 are characters "L", "-" having a character size L as shown in FIG.
Let's say "La". For example, the character information about the character "b" is the size of the pattern area A corresponding to the character size L, or the distance a in the printing direction between the leftmost end of the pattern area A and the leftmost end of the pattern area B of the character "-". Etc. are stored as the number of dots. This distance a
Determines the placement position of the next character.

Here, the distance between the leftmost ends of adjacent pattern areas in the printing direction is referred to as the X-position pitch amount. Specifically, the pitch amount at the X position in each of the pattern areas A, B, and C in FIG. 10B is a, b, and c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the position in the printing direction at the leftmost end of the pattern area serves as a reference for character arrangement. Hereinafter, the leftmost position of the pattern area in the printing direction is referred to as the X position. Specifically, the X positions in the pattern areas A, B, and C of FIG. 10B are XA, XB, and XC.

Similarly, for each of the characters "-" and "LA", the size of each pattern area B, C, the pitch amount b, c, etc. are similarly stored as the number of dots. When the automatic size is set, the maximum character size printable on the tape 27 is calculated, and then the character information is displayed in the position information area 4.
It is stored in 3, and the process proceeds to S18.

In S18, if the character size of the character corresponding to the code data in the text memory 40 is set for each block, the position information of the block is stored in the position information area 43, and the process proceeds to S19.

In S19, the maximum print width when the content of the text memory 40 is printed on the tape 27, that is, the print line position information is stored in the position information area 43. Specifically, it is the positions of the upper side HL and the lower side FL of the printed line as shown by the two-dot broken line in FIG.

In this way, S17, S18, S19
After the position information regarding the character is stored in the position information area 43, a character position calculation process S20 described later is performed.

Next, the character position calculation processing S20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the character position calculation processing program. First, in S23, the text memory 40 is set to the pointer value P of the text pointer 44.
The start address of the code data in the
The value of the position memory 50 is initialized, and the process proceeds to S24.

In S24, after the code data of the text memory 40 designated by the pointer value P is read, S
It is determined whether the code data read in 25 is a line feed code. When it is not judged to be a line feed code (S25: N
o), an X position calculation process described later is performed in S26.

Next, the X position calculation processing S26 will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be explained based on. FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the X position calculation processing program. First, in S29, whether it is instructed to modify italics by using the italic start key 8 and the italic end key 9, that is, the pointer value P is read. It is determined whether the value of the italic setting flag in the italic setting area 47 corresponding to the code data is "1". When it is instructed to modify the italic type, that is, when the value of the italic setting flag is "1" (S29: Yes), the process proceeds to S30.

In S30, it is determined whether the vertical writing printing is instructed by pressing the vertical writing setting key 12, that is, whether the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "1". When vertical writing printing is instructed, that is, when the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "1" (S30:
Yes) In S31, the quotient is obtained by dividing the shift between the upper side of the character pattern area corresponding to the code data designated by the pointer value P and the upper side HL of the printed line by 3 in S31.

The contents of S31 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12A is a diagram in which the character information of the characters “RO”, “−”, and “LA” shown in FIG. 10A is extracted. For pattern area A, the quotient is 0 because the upper side of the pattern area and the upper side HL of the printed line match, and for pattern area B, the deviation between the upper side of the pattern area and the upper side HL of the printed line is g, The quotient is g /
It becomes 3. Further, for the pattern area C, the quotient is 0 because the upper side of the pattern area and the upper side HL of the print line match.
Is.

On the other hand, when vertical writing printing is not instructed in S30, that is, when the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "0" (S30: No), the process proceeds to S32, S30.
In 32, the lower side F of the character pattern area corresponding to the code data designated by the pointer value P and the lower side F of the print line
The quotient is obtained by dividing the deviation of L by 3.

The contents of S32 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram in which the character information of the characters “RO”, “−”, and “LA” shown in FIG. 10A is extracted. For the pattern area A, the lower side of the pattern area and the lower side FL of the printed line match, so the quotient is 0, and for the pattern area B, the shift between the lower side of the pattern area and the lower side FL of the printed line is f, The quotient is f /
It becomes 3. Further, in the pattern area C, the quotient is 0 because the lower side of the pattern area and the lower side FL of the print line match.
Is.

In the following S33, the S31 or the S
The quotient obtained in 32 is added to the value of the X position memory, and the process proceeds to S34.

On the other hand, when it is not instructed to modify the italic type in S29, that is, when the value of the italic setting flag is "0" (S29: No),
Immediately proceed to S34.

At S34, the value of the X position memory is stored in the position information area 43 as the X position of the pattern area of the character corresponding to the code data designated by the pointer value P, and the character position calculation processing program of FIG. Return to S
Proceed to 27.

In S27, the X position pitch amount in the pattern area of the character corresponding to the code data designated by the pointer value P is added to the value of the X position memory and S28 is added.
And the pointer value P is incremented by 1 in S28,
Return to S25.

On the other hand, when the code data read in S25 is determined to be a line feed code (S25:
If Yes, the process returns to the print processing program of FIG. 5 and the italic modification processing S21 described later is performed.

Next, the italic modification process S21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 show a flow chart of the italic modification processing program. First, in S35 of FIG. 8, the head address of the code data in the text memory 40 is stored in the pointer value P of the text pointer 44, and then in S36, the pointer value. The code data of the text memory 40 designated by P is read.

In S37, the character pattern area corresponding to the code data thus read is CGR.
It is secured from the OM 33 to a predetermined storage area of the expansion buffer 45, and other areas are cleared, and the dot pattern data is expanded.

Further, in S38, whether it is instructed to modify italics by using the italic setting start key 8 and the italic setting end start key 9, that is,
It is determined whether or not the value of the italic setting flag in the italic setting area corresponding to the read code data designated by the pointer value P is "1". If it is instructed to modify italics, that is, if the value of the italic setting flag is "1" (S38: Yes), S
Proceed to 39.

In step S39, in order to modify the dot pattern data stored in the expansion buffer 45 into italics, the modification buffer 46 is inclined so that the ratio of the pattern height to the horizontal shift is 3: 1. Secure the pattern area in the specified state and clear the other areas. Specifically, as shown in the pattern area A of FIG. 11B, the ratio of the height d to the horizontal displacement e is set to 3: 1. The same applies to the pattern areas B and C.

Thereafter, in S40, the modification buffer 4
6, the italic dot pattern data is created by transferring the dot pattern data in the expansion buffer 45 to the inclined pattern area secured in FIG. 6, and the italic dot pattern data is created from A in the flowchart of FIG. 8 to A in the flowchart of FIG. And proceeds to S42.

On the other hand, if it is not instructed to modify the italic type in S38, that is, if the value of the italic setting flag is "0" (S38: N).
o), the dot pattern data stored in the expansion buffer 45 in S41 is transferred to the modification buffer 46 as it is, and the process moves from A in the flowchart of FIG. 8 to A in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and proceeds to S42.

In S42, it is determined whether the vertical writing printing is instructed by pressing the vertical writing setting key 12, that is, whether the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "1". When vertical writing printing is instructed, that is, when the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "1" (S42:
Yes), in S43, in order to convert the dot pattern data stored in the modification buffer 46 into the vertical direction, the vertical expansion buffer 4 is rotated 90 ° to the left.
Transfer to 8.

Next, in S44, the dot pattern data stored in the vertical expansion buffer 48 is transferred into the print buffer 49. At this time, the characters are transferred to the print buffer 49 so that the leftmost end of the pattern area is located at the X position indicated by the pointer value P so that an appropriate space is provided between the characters that are modified by italics.
Proceed to S46.

Specifically, as shown in FIG.
Regarding the pattern area A, the leftmost end of the pattern area is arranged at XA which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. Regarding the pattern area B to be arranged next, the leftmost end of the pattern area is arranged at XB which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. XB adds the pitch amount a of the pattern area A in S27 to XA which is the X position of the pattern area A,
Further, it becomes a value obtained by adding g / 3 in S33. That is, XB is X
It is moved in the printing direction from A by (a + g / 3).

As a result, as compared with the X position of the pattern area (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 12B) in the case where modification to italics is not specified, the leftmost end of the pattern area B is g / This means that only 3 moves in the printing direction.
Therefore, when it is designated to modify italics, an appropriate space is provided between the pattern area A and the pattern area B.

Regarding the pattern area C to be arranged next,
The leftmost end of the pattern area is placed at XC which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. XC has a value obtained by adding the pitch amount b of the pattern area A in S27 to XB which is the X position of the pattern area B, and further adding 0 in S33. That is, XC is moved in the printing direction by b from XB.

As a result, as compared with the X position of the pattern area (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 12B) in the case where modification to italics is not designated, the leftmost end of the pattern area C is g / This means that only 3 moves in the printing direction.
Therefore, when it is specified to modify italics, an appropriate space is provided between the pattern areas B and C.

From the above, in the case of vertically italicized printing as shown in FIG. 12C, it is possible to provide an appropriate interval between each character.

On the other hand, if vertical writing printing is not instructed in S42, that is, if the value of the character direction setting flag 41 is "0" (S42: No), the dots stored in the modification buffer 46 in S45. The pattern data is transferred to the print buffer 49. At this time as well, similarly to S44, the print buffer is arranged so that the leftmost end of the pattern area is arranged at the X position indicated by the pointer value P so that an appropriate space is provided between the characters modified in italics. It transfers to the inside of 49, and progresses to S46.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 (b),
Regarding the pattern area A, the leftmost end of the pattern area is arranged at XA which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. Regarding the pattern area B to be arranged next, the leftmost end of the pattern area is arranged at XB which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. XB adds the pitch amount a of the pattern area A in S27 to XA which is the X position of the pattern area A,
Further, it becomes a value obtained by adding f / 3 in S33. That is, XB is X
It is moved in the printing direction from A by (a + f / 3).

As a result, as compared with the X position of the pattern area (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 11B) in the case where modification to italics is not designated, the leftmost end of the pattern area B is f /. This means that only 3 moves in the printing direction.
Therefore, when the modification is designated in italics, an appropriate space is provided between the pattern areas A and B.

Regarding the pattern area C to be arranged next,
The leftmost end of the pattern area is placed at XC which is the X position indicated by the pointer value P. XC has a value obtained by adding the pitch amount b of the pattern area A in S27 to XB which is the X position of the pattern area B, and further adding 0 in S33. That is, XC is moved in the printing direction by b from XB.

As a result, as compared with the X position of the pattern area (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 11B) in the case where modification to italics is not designated, the leftmost end of the pattern area C is f / This means that only 3 moves in the printing direction.
Therefore, when it is specified to modify italics, an appropriate space is provided between the pattern areas B and C. From the above, in the case of horizontal italic printing as shown in FIG. 11C, it is possible to provide appropriate intervals between the characters.

In S46, it is determined whether the pointer value P of the text pointer 44 is the final value. If it is not the final value (S46: No), one pointer value P is added in S47, and then the flow shifts from B in the flowchart of FIG. 9 to B in the flowchart of FIG. 8 and returns to S36.

On the other hand, when the pointer value P is the final value (S46: Yes), the process returns to the print processing program of FIG. 5 and advances to S22, where the contents of the print buffer 49 are changed via the thermal print mechanism PM. Printing is completed and the printing process ends. When the printing process is completed, the process returns to S2 of the basic processing program of FIG. 4, and enters the input waiting state of S3.

As described in detail above, in the tape printer according to this embodiment, the italic start key 8 of the keyboard 3 is used.
When there is an italic modification command for each character such as a character using the and italic end key 9, each pattern area A, B, C is tilted by a certain amount and the vertical writing setting key 12
Based on the deviation between the reference position of the print line and the reference position of each pattern area according to the setting of the character to be printed by, specifically, in the case of horizontal writing, between the lower side of the print line and the lower side of each pattern area. In the case of vertical writing, each pattern area is moved along the printing direction by a value determined based on the deviation between the upper side of the print line and the upper side of each pattern area. Therefore, when each character is modified to italic and printed on the print medium, the character spacing formed between the characters varies even if the character direction of the character printed on the print medium is horizontal writing or vertical writing. It is possible to print characters modified in italics while providing proper character intervals between the characters.

As a result, it looks very good and
It is possible to print easy-to-read italic characters.

The above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and it goes without saying that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the italic dot pattern data of a character such as a character is created, it is possible to change the character direction of the character to be printed on the print medium, and it is possible to appropriately change the character direction. By providing the interval, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of printing italicized characters having a very good appearance, and the industrial effect thereof is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a tape cassette is stored in the tape printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the tape printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a basic operation of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a character position calculation process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an X position calculation process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of italic modification processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of italic modification processing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing character information before being modified to italics.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area after modification in italics in horizontal writing in the tape printer of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area after modification in italics in vertical writing in the tape printer of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area before being modified to italics in horizontal writing in a conventional tape printer.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area after modification to italics in horizontal writing in a conventional tape printer.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area before modification to italics in vertical writing in a conventional tape printer.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing dot pattern data and a pattern area after modification in italics in vertical writing in a conventional tape printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 Keyboard 4 Liquid Crystal Display 6 Character Key 7 Character Size Key 8 Italic Start Key 9 Italic End Key 10 Cursor Key 11 Return Key 12 Vertical Writing Setting Key 13 Print Key 23 Thermal Head 27 Tape 32 CPU 33 CGROM 34 ROM 35 RAM 40 Text memory 41 Character direction setting flag 42 Character size memory 43 Position information area 44 Text pointer 45 Expansion buffer 46 Modification buffer 47 Italic setting area 48 Vertical expansion buffer 49 Print buffer 50 X position memory C Control unit PM Thermal printing mechanism A , B, C Pattern area XA, XB, XC X position of pattern area a, b, c Pitch amount HL Upper side of print line FL Lower side of print line f, g Shift

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Sachiko Nakagawa 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A character input means for inputting characters and the like, a text memory for storing code data corresponding to the characters and the like input from the character input means, and character data storage for storing dot pattern data of characters and the like. Means, a buffer for expanding and storing dot pattern data stored by the character data storage means in a predetermined pattern area based on the code data stored in the text memory, a character input by the character input means, and the like. Italic dot pattern data that creates an italic dot pattern data according to the inclination of the pattern area and a certain amount of the pattern area in the buffer based on the specification from the italic specifying means Characters input from the creation means and the character input means In a printer having a character direction setting means for setting to print vertically or horizontally on a print medium, and a printing means for printing the content of the buffer on the print medium based on the setting from the character direction setting means, Reference position setting means for setting a reference position based on the setting from the character direction setting means, and area reference position setting means for setting an area reference position for the pattern area based on the setting from the character direction setting means Determining the amount of movement for moving the pattern area along the printing direction based on the deviation between the reference position set by the reference position setting means and the area reference position set by the area reference position setting means A moving amount determining means, wherein the italic dot pattern data creating means is configured to move in accordance with the moving amount determined by the moving amount determining means. A printing apparatus, wherein italic dot pattern data is created in the pattern area while moving the pattern area.