JPH09240103A - Character data processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the proper arrangement of an input character row by a simple operation by dividing the character row of a line exceeding the length of a threshold value to alter the same to character rows of two lines and developing the character row after line feed is added or an inputted character row on a buffer. SOLUTION: At a time of the developing command of an inputted character row to a printing or display buffer, the line length discrimination means of a control part 20 confirms the length data of each line of the inputted character row and discriminates the presence of the line exceeding the length of the threshold value determined by the kind of the size of a printing medium or a transfer medium and the line feed adding control means of the control part 20 divides the character row of the line exceeding the length of the threshold value to alter the same to character rows of two lines and a character row developing means develops the character row after line feed is added on a buffer to make it possible to develop the inputted character row on a printing buffer or a display buffer in a well-balanced state without inputting line feed at a time of the input of the character row.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character information processing apparatus for transferring or printing a character string of one or more lines. For example, ultraviolet rays are selected in a portion corresponding to an input character string of a stamp face member made of an ultraviolet curable resin. The present invention can be applied to a seal making apparatus that makes a seal by irradiating the film with light to cure it and removing the uncured portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a seal-making device which can be easily made by a person other than a seal-making expert or a specialist, a device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-278350 has been proposed.

Although not shown in the drawings, the seal-making device described in this publication is: (1) The part that receives a light beam (for example, ultraviolet ray) of a predetermined wavelength component is in a state different from other parts (for example, it is cured). ), A resin-made stamp face member capable of forming an uneven surface by the action of a predetermined fluid; (2) information processing means for the information of the seal imprint pattern, which is the pattern of the depressions or protrusions on the stamp face member, and (3) incorporation. Negative film creating means for creating a negative film having print seal pattern information through a printing process,
(4) Negative film transport means for transporting the created negative film to or from the irradiation position, and (5) the resin marking surface member, the light beam for irradiating the light beam of the predetermined wavelength component through the negative film. It is composed of irradiation means.

The above-mentioned publication describes in detail how to form the unevenness on the stamp face member based on the seal imprint pattern information fetched by the information processing means. Whether or not it is included is simply described. That is, as the information processing means for taking in the seal imprint pattern information, a means for taking in the input character string, which is adopted in a character information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a personal computer (including not only a keyboard but also a configuration for processing it) is included. ), Or so-called image scanner can be applied.

[0005]

However, in the information processing means for taking in the input character string adopted in the character information processing device such as a word processor or a personal computer, the seal imprint pattern information is reflected on the stamp face member. Is not considered. That is, there is no specific function or the like intended to reflect the seal imprint pattern information on the stamp face member.

Therefore, when the user tries to input the seal imprint pattern information consisting of a character string, the user determines the character size and the number of lines (insert a line feed) in consideration of the stamp member. , Many functions related to the arrangement of character strings are often used. There is little problem of operability if you simply enter the character string, but many operations are required if you include the operation for arranging the character string appropriately as the imprint pattern information (especially the operation that includes a line break). Operability is still insufficient. Also, if you forget the operation for proper placement of the character string (for example, the operation that includes a line feed), an unnatural seal will be created with a small proportion (black ratio) of the imprint pattern part to the entire stamp surface. .

Therefore, there is a demand for a seal-making device provided with an information processing means having a specific function intended to reflect the seal imprint pattern information on the stamp face member. Such a problem similarly occurs not only in the seal-making device that forms an uneven surface on the seal-making member, but also in the seal-making device that processes the seal-making member so that ink partially bleeds out and leaves a seal impression on the paper. ing. The above-described problems similarly occur in the character information processing device in which the printing or transfer medium has the same restrictions as to the arrangement of the character string on the stamp member.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can appropriately realize the arrangement of input character strings by a simple operation when the object to be printed or transferred is restricted in both vertical and horizontal directions such as a stamp member. It is intended to provide a character information processing device.

[0009]

In order to solve such a problem, the first aspect of the present invention involves a process of developing a dot pattern of an input character string in a buffer in accordance with the size of a printing area or a transfer area. In the character information processing device, (1) at the time of the expansion command, the length information of each line of the input character string is recognized, and the existence of a line exceeding the threshold length determined by the size of the print area or the transfer area is determined. Line length determination means,
(2) Line feed addition control means for dividing a character string of a line exceeding a threshold length into two and changing it to a character string of two lines, and (3) a character string after the line break is added, or an input character string. Is provided in the buffer.

In the character information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the line length discriminating means recognizes the length information of each line of the input character string at the time of commanding the expansion of the input character string into the buffer,
The presence of a line that exceeds the threshold length determined by the size of the print medium or transfer medium is determined, and the line feed addition control means divides the character string of the line that exceeds the threshold length into two and divides the characters into two lines. The character string expansion means expands the character string after the line feed is added, or the input character string into the buffer.

The second aspect of the present invention is a character information processing apparatus including a process of developing a dot pattern of an input character string in a buffer in accordance with the size of a print area or a transfer area. A character number recognition means for recognizing the total number of characters in the character string, (2) a character arrangement determination means for determining the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line according to the total number of recognized characters, and (3) character It is characterized by further comprising character string expanding means for expanding the input character string in a buffer according to the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line determined by the arrangement determining means.

In the character information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the character number recognition means recognizes the total number of characters of the input character string, and the character arrangement determination means determines the character size and the character size according to the recognized total number of characters. Determine the number of lines and the number of characters in each line. Then, the character string expanding means expands the input character string in the buffer according to the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line determined by the character arrangement determining means.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which a character information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a seal making apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The seal stamp creating apparatus of this embodiment is roughly divided into an electrical configuration section (information processing section, seal imprint transfer control section, etc.) shown in FIG. 2 and a mechanical optical configuration section (printing section, etc.) shown in FIG. Light beam irradiator, etc.). Note that FIG.
Also shows the structure of the stamp body. Further, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the seal making apparatus.

First, FIG. 2 shows the electrical components of this embodiment.
Will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

This electrical component is mainly for taking in the imprint pattern information and controlling the mechanical optical component, and corresponds to a kind of information processing device, and other information processing. Similar to the device, the input section 1
0, a control unit 20 and an output unit 30. The control unit 20 executes processing according to the information from the input unit 10 and the processing stage at that time, and controls the mechanical optical configuration unit via the output unit 30 according to the processing result and the like. is there.

The input section 10 has a detailed configuration omitted, but a key input section 11 having a push-down key 11A, a dial key 11B, etc., and a changeover switch 12 for switching the state of the apparatus.
And various detection sensor groups 13.

The key input unit 11 is for generating character code data and various control data given to the control unit 20. The change-over switch 12 is composed of, for example, a dial switch, and is for turning on / off the power source, starting the exposure of the stamp main body (stamp member), and the lid 6 of the space for accommodating the stamp main body.
It is also for instructing the release of 5. As the detection sensor, a sensor for detecting the stamp type, a sensor for detecting the mounting of the ink ribbon, and a sensor for detecting the mounting and position of a plate-making sheet described later are provided.

Here, as the stamp types, the stamp face member is suitable for application as a substantially square prismatic mark and a name stamp having a size suitable for application as a name stamp. An address stamp whose rectangular stamp face member has a rectangular shape,
There is prepared a business stamp or the like in which the stamp face member having a size suitable for being applied to a seal containing various character strings in business, that is, an intermediate size between the name stamp and the address stamp is rectangular.

The output unit 30 is composed of a mechanical optical constituent drive circuit group 31 for driving and controlling each of the mechanical optical constituents described later, and a drive circuit 32 of the display device 33. The circuits 31, 32 drive the corresponding components under the control of the control unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display device 33 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display 33A capable of displaying 6 characters, and a plurality of indicators 33B-1 to 33B-n formed of LEDs arranged around the liquid crystal display 33A. Consists of. On the liquid crystal display 33A, a guidance message for the user and a character string (seal pattern information) input by the user are displayed. Each indicator 33B-
, 33B-n are printed on the surface of the device associated with 1, ..., 33B-n, the characters 33C-1 ,. , 33B-n are turned on, turned off, or blinked to indicate the contents of the current attribute or state.

The mechanical optical component drive circuit group 31
, Which are composed of various drive circuits, are collectively shown here. Among the elements of the mechanical and optical components, there are various components that require drive control, as will be described later.
In reality, there is a drive circuit for each of the constituent elements.

The control unit 20 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and has a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and
RAM 23, character generator ROM (CG-R
OM) 24, an input interface 25, and an output interface 26 are connected via a system bus 27.

The ROM 22 stores various processing programs (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 9) for creating a stamp executed by the CPU 21, and fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data.

The RAM 23 is used as a working memory by the CPU 21, and also stores fixed data related to user input. RAM
23 is backed up even when the power is turned off.

The CG-ROM 24 stores the dot patterns of characters and symbols prepared in the seal making apparatus, and corresponds to the dot patterns corresponding to the code data specifying the characters and symbols. Is output. In addition, separate CG-RO for display and seal
M may be provided.

The input interface 25 serves as an interface between the input section 10 and the control section 20.
The output interface 26 includes an output unit 30 and a control unit 20.
Interface between the two.

The CPU 21 uses the processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to the input signal from the input unit 10 and the processing stage at that time, while using the RAM 23 as a working area, and if necessary, the ROM 22 and the RAM 2.
The fixed data stored in No. 3 is used as appropriate for processing, and the processing status, processing result, etc. are displayed on the display device 33, and each unit of the mechanical optical configuration unit (FIG. 3) is driven. I will make a seal.

Next, the structure of the mechanical optical structure portion and the seal body will be described with reference to FIG.

The stamp main body 40 has a stick-shaped base material (not necessarily wooden) 41 and a convex surface of the stamp surface member which is attached to one end portion of the base material 41 and absorbs a pressing force or a pressing resistance force at the time of pressing. Sponge member 43 for enhancing the familiarity with the paper surface
And a flat stamp member 42 provided on the surface of the sponge member 43. The stamp face member 42 is
UV-insensitive base layer 42A and UV-curable resin layer 4
2B, and the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B is exposed to the outside. The thickness of the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B is selected to be the amount of protrusion required for the convex portion of the stamp surface to which the print meat adheres. The ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B can be removed by a predetermined liquid (for example, water: gas may be used) except the cured portion.

A plurality of non-through holes (not shown) are provided on one side surface of the base 41 of the stamp main body 40. By fitting the plurality of projections provided in the apparatus main body with these non-through holes, The stamp body 40 is attached to the apparatus. Further, a physical identification element such as a hole for defining the stamp type is provided on the end surface of the stamp 41 of the stamp main body 40 on the side where the stamp face member 42 is not attached, and a stamp type detection sensor (not shown) is provided. (13) is adapted to read this physical identification element.

The mechanical and optical structure shown in FIG. 3 is mainly composed of a printing structure and an ultraviolet irradiation structure.

The printing configuration follows the thermal transfer method,
Fixed print head 50, platen roller 51, ink ribbon 52, supply reel 53, take-up reel 54
And a roller 55 for changing the traveling direction of the ink ribbon 52 and the like. Furthermore, a plate-making sheet (see Fig. 6)
Insertion hole 56, a plate-making sheet discharge hole 57, and a guide member (including a detection sensor for detecting the mounting and position of the plate-making sheet) 58 for guiding the plate-making sheet inserted from the plate-making sheet insertion hole 56 to the printing position. In addition, a separation mechanism 59 that separates the ink ribbon 52 and the plate-making sheet that have run from the printing position and guides the separated plate-making sheet to the discharge hole 57 is provided.

The plate-making sheet 60, as shown in FIG. 6 for a square mark, is composed of a sheet main body 62 having an adhesive applied to the back surface, and a release paper 61 provided on the back surface. is there. The plate-making sheet 60 has the same size regardless of the type of the stamp, and has through holes 63A and 63B symmetrically provided to provide a reference for the print start position. However, the sheet main body 62 is divided by a half cut into a portion 62A having the same shape as the outer shape of the stamp face member 42 that differs depending on the type of seal and another portion 62B,
Only the portion 62A can be peeled off.

When such a plate-making sheet 60 is inserted through the insertion hole 56, the end portion of the plate-making sheet 60 and the ink ribbon 52 are superposed, and the print head 50 is formed.
And the printing position between the platen rollers 51.

Under the control of the controller 20, the print head 50 generates heat when the heat generation drive circuit (see reference numeral 31 in FIG. 2) is driven to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 52 to the plate making sheet 60. is there.

Here, in the thermal transfer type ink ribbon 52, the transferred portion becomes transparent with no ink. That is, the ink ribbon 52 after transfer is composed of a portion that can transmit ultraviolet rays (a portion where ink has been removed) and a portion that blocks transmission of ultraviolet rays (a portion where ink remains). Therefore, in this embodiment, the imprint pattern is printed, and the transferred ink ribbon 52 in which a portion corresponding to the imprint pattern is transparent is used as a negative film. Since the sheet to be printed is used in the production of the negative film in this manner, it is referred to as a plate-making sheet as described above, and printing is referred to as plate-making in this specification.

At the time of plate making, the ink ribbon 52 and the plate making sheet 60 in a superposed state that have passed through the printing portion composed of the print head 50 and the platen roller 51 are transferred to the separating mechanism 59 by the platen roller 51 (or a driving roller not shown). The separation mechanism 59 separates the ink ribbon 52 and the plate-making sheet 60.

The separated plate-making sheet 60 is sent to the discharge hole 57. On the other hand, the separated ink ribbon 52 is
The stamp main body 40 is stopped at a position facing the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B. The ink ribbon 52 that has run during such plate making is wound on the take-up reel 54.
It is designed to be wound up by.

Plate-making sheet 60 discharged from discharge hole 57
By peeling off the printed portion 62A in and sticking it to the top of the stamp body 40, it is possible to visually recognize what kind of stamp surface the stamp body 40 has.

As an ultraviolet irradiation structure, for example, an ultraviolet irradiation light source (having a parabolic mirror, for example) 70 of a fluorescent lamp structure is fixedly provided, and the control unit 20 controls turning on and off. In addition, a transparent plate 71 that moves back and forth by a moving mechanism (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the marking surface member 42 from the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B, with the ink ribbon 52 interposed therebetween. That is, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation light source 70 pass through the transparent plate 71 and the ink ribbon (negative film) 52, and the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B.
It is designed to reach. The transparent plate 71 is an ink ribbon 5 that functions as a negative film in the advancing position (position taken when the changeover switch 12 is instructing to start exposure).
2 and the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B are improved in adhesion so that the running of the ink ribbon 52 at the retracted position is not hindered.

Both ends of the transparent plate 71 in the traveling direction of the ink ribbon 52 are rounded, for example, so as not to damage the ink ribbon 52 when they come into contact with each other. Further, both rounded ends of the transparent plate 71 are slightly projected from the general surface, and when the transparent plate 71 moves to bring the ink ribbon 52 into contact with the stamp face member 42, the tension is increased and the adhesiveness is improved. Function to increase.

Further, although depending on the mounting structure of the stamp body 40, a large pressing force is applied to the ink ribbon 52,
It is preferable to form the ink ribbon 52 with a sheet member having higher resistance to a pressing force in the vertical direction than a material of a sheet member of a general ink ribbon.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a flow of a general procedure performed by a user who creates a stamp using the stamp creating apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

Step 1: The user operates the changeover switch 12 to turn on the power source, and then operates various keys of the key input unit 11 to input the imprint pattern information. The input of the seal imprint pattern information involves not only the input of the character strings that make up the seal imprint, but also the input of various attributes such as the typeface of the character, vertical writing and horizontal writing, and the character size. The attribute value is fixed). Note that the seal stamp creating apparatus of this embodiment allows the input of seal imprint pattern information only when the seal stamp main body 40 is attached to the apparatus, and a line that accepts the input depending on the type of the seal stamp main body 40 attached. It is designed to vary the number and maximum number of characters allowed on each line.

Step 2: When the user finishes inputting the seal imprint pattern information, generally, the layout display key of the key input unit 11 is operated to execute the layout display, and whether or not the seal imprint is the desired one. To confirm. When the layout display key is operated, the CPU 21 of the stamp creating device displays the layout of the seal imprint by expanding the input character string in the display buffer on the RAM 23 according to various attributes of the input character string.

Step 3: After confirming the validity of the imprint by the layout display, the user inserts the plate-making sheet 60 through the insertion hole 56 until it abuts, and then operates the plate-making key of the key input unit 11 to execute the plate-making process. Then, the ink ribbon 52 is made to form a negative film. When the plate making key is operated, the CPU 21 of the seal making device stores the input character string in the RAM 2 according to various attributes of the input character string.
After being developed in the print buffer on No. 3, the print head 50, the platen roller 51, etc. are driven to execute printing to create a negative film, and the negative film is conveyed to a position facing the stamp face member 42.

Step 4: When the plate making process is completed, the user operates the changeover switch 12 to instruct exposure. At this time, the CPU 21 of the seal-making device causes the liquid crystal display 33A to display a confirmation message asking whether to execute the exposure, and when the execution key of the key input unit 11 is operated accordingly, the ultraviolet irradiation light source 70 is activated. Then, the stamp face member 42 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and at this time, the irradiation is continued until the irradiation time determined according to the type of the seal main body 40 attached has elapsed, and during irradiation, the remaining time is indicated by a bar graph display or the like. Is displayed, an exposure end message is displayed when a predetermined irradiation time has elapsed, and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation light source 70 is stopped. By such an exposure process, the ultraviolet curable resin layer 42B of the stamp face member 42
Only the portion corresponding to the imprint pattern is cured.

Step 5: When the exposure is completed, the user
Operate the changeover switch 12 to instruct to open the lid 65,
When the lid 65 is opened, the exposed stamp main body 40 is taken out. Then, in a container containing a predetermined liquid (eg water), preferably a container containing a brush therein,
The stamp face member 42 of the stamp body 40 thus taken out is dipped, reciprocated, and washed to remove the non-cured portion, thereby forming irregularities on the stamp face member 42. Then, the seal is completed by wiping off the predetermined liquid from the seal body 40 with a cloth or the like.

The most significant feature of the seal making apparatus of this embodiment is that line feed codes that do not exist in the input character string that constitutes the seal imprint pattern information at the time of a layout display or plate making command are used as a consistent plate making or layout displaying process.
The point is that plate making or layout display is performed automatically or by being generated by a user's command.

As a case where a line feed code is generated as a part of such plate making or layout display processing, (1)
There are cases where there are a large number of lines of characters, and (2) there is a case where a square mark form input is instructed. Below, the processing of the CPU 21 in these cases will be described sequentially with reference to the drawings.

When the plate making key or the layout display key is operated in a state where the input character string is displayed, although not shown, first, it is determined whether the input method is a normal input method or a form input method. If the result of this determination is that it is a normal input method, the routine proceeds to the subroutine shown in FIG.

Here, the form inputting method means an inputting method in a special inputting environment in which a stamp face for a use peculiar to a seal can be created. As a specific example, the form input method for the name stamp is a method of displaying the input field of Mr. and the input field of name separately, and separating and capturing the character string of Mr. In this case,
At the time of plate making and layout display, the character arrangement (the arrangement in which the name and the name portion are balanced) is automatically determined according to the number of characters of the person and the number of characters of the name. On the other hand, when inputting the name using the normal input method, in addition to entering the character string of the name, the user considers the array in which the name and the name part are well balanced, and You have to enter a space that separates and.

When the subroutine shown in FIG. 1 is entered, the CPU
21 determines the method for specifying the character size of each line specified in relation to the input character string (step 100). As a method for specifying the character size of each line, there are a method in which the user specifies a specific character size and a method in which the determination of the specific character size is left to the device. The designation method for entrusting the specific character size determination to the device is
The first method to assign the same character size to all lines based on the number of lines and the length of the longest line, and to make the length of each line on the stamp face as uniform as possible based on the number of lines and the difference in the length of each line. The second method is to allocate the character size of each line so that

If the user specifies a specific character size, the user's specification is respected and the process immediately proceeds to step 110 described later.

On the other hand, in the case of the designation method for entrusting a specific character size determination to the apparatus, the CPU 21
The length information of each line is calculated and the longest line is recognized (step 101). For example, assuming that the basic character size of each line is the smallest character size, the number of dots required for each line is used as the length information of each line.

After that, a threshold value (for example, stored in the ROM 22 as a table) for determining whether or not to prompt a line feed is taken out using the number of lines of the input character string and the type of the attached stamp as a key (step 102). And
The length of the longest line is compared with the threshold value (step 10).
3).

If the length of the longest line is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is not necessary to prompt a line feed, so that the process immediately proceeds to step 110 described later.

On the other hand, if the length of the longest line exceeds the threshold, a message prompting a line break is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3.
3A, and it is determined whether the user has instructed a line feed or the state as it is (steps 104, 10).
5).

If the user indicates the state as it is, it is not necessary to add a line feed, so that the process immediately proceeds to step 110 described later.

On the other hand, when the user gives a line feed,
The CPU 21 recognizes the position of the leading character of the character string on the rear side when the longest line is divided into two (step 106). Then, it is determined whether or not a mode mark exists near the position of the leading character recognized in step 106 in this way (step 107).

In the seal stamp creating apparatus of this embodiment,
As the attributes for the input character string, it is possible to set attributes for the entire input character string (for example, with an outer frame, vertical writing, horizontal writing, etc.) and attributes for each character (for example, typeface, blank characters, etc.). There is. Here, the latter character-by-character attribute is called a mode. When the user does not set the mode, the basic mode provided by the device is set for each character, but when the user sets the mode, the (text (On the data), a mode mark indicating that it is different from the mode of the immediately preceding character string is added. Of course, the contents of the mode (attribute) corresponding to this mode mark are also stored. In step 107 described above, it is determined whether or not such a mode mark exists.

Whether the mode mark exists near the leading character of the character string on the rear side is determined by, for example, the length information of the character string before the mode mark and the length information of the character string after the mode mark. Use the ratio of to determine. As a specific example, when the above-mentioned ratio is in the range of 7.5: 3.5 to 3.5: 7.5, it is determined that the mode mark exists near the first character of the character string on the rear side. To do.

If there are two or more mode marks near the leading character of the character string on the rear side, it is assumed that only the nearest mode mark exists, and step 108 to be described later is executed. Alternatively, step 108 to be described later may be executed on the assumption that only the foremost mode mark in the vicinity exists.
It is also possible to assume that the mode mark does not exist in the vicinity of the first character of the character string on the rear side and execute step 109 described later.

When a positive result is obtained in step 107, the CPU 21 inserts a line feed code immediately before the mode mark (step 108; FIG. 11 and FIG. 1 described later).
2). On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step 107, the CPU 21 divides the longest line into two parts (if the number of characters cannot be completely divided into two, such as an odd number, the length of the character string on the front side). Lengthen) to insert a line feed code (step 109). Further, also in the case of step 109, all the mode information set in the character string on the rear side of the line feed target is directly inherited by the character string on the rear side of the line feed (see FIG. 13 described later).

After a series of processes (steps 100 to 108 or 100 to 109) for adding such a line feed, it is expanded in the print buffer for plate making or in the display buffer for layout display. It is expanded (step 110).

The line feed code added in step 108 or 109 remains in the character string information even when the screen is returned to the normal input screen after the plate making or the layout display is completed. .

FIG. 8A shows the result of plate-making the inputted character string information (without mode mark) as it is,
FIG. 8B shows a platemaking result when the user selects automatic line feed by prompting for automatic line feed. As is clear from the comparison of these figures, a line with a large number of characters is more preferable as a seal imprint pattern by automatically feeding a line. Although the imprint pattern shown in FIG. 8 (B) can be realized by the user voluntarily instructing a line feed before instructing plate making, even if such a line feed instruction is forgotten, the automatic line feed function described above is used. Thus, the imprint pattern shown in FIG. 8B can be realized.

FIG. 11A shows the input character string of 10 characters per line, and shows the text data when the mode for instructing the blank characters is set for the fifth and subsequent characters. The character size of all the characters is set to be the same. Also, a black triangle represents a mode mark. When the user selects the automatic line feed for this input character string, the mode mark exists near the front of the first character “decoration” on the rear side after dividing the length information of this input character string into two. (The ratio of the length information of the character string before the mode mark to the length information of the character string after the mode mark is 4 to 6.3.
And the neighborhood condition is satisfied), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the text data is changed so that the input character string has two lines before and after the mode mark, and the plate-making result is as shown in FIG. Since white characters are 5% larger than normal characters, the length information of the character string of the six white characters is 6 as described above.
It becomes 3.

FIG. 12A shows the input character string of 10 characters per line, and shows the text data when the mode for instructing the blank characters is set for the 7th and subsequent characters. The character size of all the characters is set to be the same. When the user selects automatic line feed for this input string, the length information of this input string is set to 2
Since there is a mode mark in the vicinity of the back of the first character "constant" on the divided side (the ratio of the length information of the character string before the mode mark to the length information of the character string after the mode mark is 6
Since the pair is 4.2 and satisfies the above neighborhood condition), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the text data is changed so that the input character string has two lines before and after the mode mark, and the plate-making result is as shown in FIG. 12 (C).

FIG. 13A shows an input character string of 12 characters per line, in which a mode for designating white characters is set for the fifth and subsequent characters, and white characters are specified for the eleventh and subsequent characters. The text data in the case where a mode for designating a normal character other than (returning to a normal character) is set is shown. The character size of all the characters is set to be the same. When the user selects automatic line feed for this input character string, there is no mode mark in the vicinity of the first character "apparatus" on the rear side after halving the length information of this input character string ( The ratio for the front mode mark is 4 to 8.3, and the ratio for the rear mode mark is 10.3 to 2, both of which do not satisfy the above neighborhood condition), and FIG. As shown in the figure, after the first character "appearing" on the rear side is on the second line, and the text data of the input character string is on the second line so that the character string on the second line maintains the mode before automatic line feed. Changed to text data,
The plate-making result is as shown in FIG.

Next, the processing of the CPU 21 when the plate making key or the layout display key is operated in the state in which the form is input for the square mark will be described with reference to FIG.

When the plate making key or the layout display key is operated while the input character string is displayed, although not shown, first, as described above, whether the input method is the normal input method or the form input method. To determine. As a result of this determination, if the form input method is selected, the process proceeds to the subroutine shown in FIG.

When the subroutine shown in FIG. 9 is entered, the stamp type related to the form input is discriminated (step 200).
If it is not a square mark, the process corresponding to the seal type is performed (step 201). Here, since the processing for the square mark is characteristic, detailed description of the processing for other seal types will be omitted.

If the seal type related to the form input is the square mark, the CPU 21 determines which form input format is selected for the square mark (step 20).
2).

In this embodiment, four types of form input formats for the square mark are prepared: a mark with a frame, a collection mark, an inscription, and an evaluation mark. The framed stamp is a form input format in which the user simply enters the number of characters within the allowed number of characters (for example, 16 characters) without entering a line break, and the created seal is provided with a frame. is there. The collection mark is a form input format that displays an input field containing a character string "collection" in advance and allows the user to enter the character string. In this case as well, the user does not need to enter a line feed, and the "collection" There is a limit on the number of characters as well, including. The engraved mark is a form input format for creating a seal in which the character string portion is a recess, and the input of the character string is similar to the framed mark. The evaluation mark is added to the user by letting the user select an evaluation type such as "very well done" and displaying an input field containing a character string related to the evaluation (for example, "very well done") in advance. It is a form input format that allows you to enter a character string,
Also in this case, the user does not need to enter a line feed and the number of characters is limited. In the evaluation mark, the imprint is made up of a pictogram and a character string related to the evaluation.

When the form input format for the square mark is a mark with a frame, a collection mark, or an inscription, the CPU 21 recognizes the number of characters and uses the recognized number of characters as a key to determine the character size and the number of lines. And the information on the number of characters in each line are retrieved from the table prepared in advance in the ROM 22 (steps 203 and 204). Then, the input character string is expanded in the print buffer (during plate making) or the display buffer (during layout display) according to the extracted information and other attribute information (for example, typeface, vertical writing / horizontal writing, etc.) (step 205). ).

FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of the table used in this case. “H”, “G”, and “M” are character sizes that decrease in this order,
"Reduction H" and "Reduction G" indicate the character size obtained by reducing "H" and "G" by two stages in the sub-scanning direction, respectively.
"Reduction M" indicates the character size obtained by reducing "M" by one step in the sub-scanning direction. For example, if the number of input characters is 9, the buffer expansion processing will be executed with the character size “M” in 3 lines of 3 characters each. That is, the line feed process is automatically executed when the buffer is expanded.

On the other hand, if the form input format for the square mark is for the evaluation mark, the CPU 2
1 recognizes the number of characters and determines the position where the input character string is divided into two lines according to the recognized number of characters (step 20).
6, 207). Then, in accordance with the determined division position information and other attribute information, the input character string and the pictorial symbol representing the evaluation are expanded in the print buffer or the display buffer (step 2).
05).

As described above, the character string related to the square mark form input is buffer-expanded by the number of lines according to the number of characters without the user inputting a line feed.

According to the above-described embodiment, even if a line feed is not input in the input of the character string, when the number of characters is large or the form of the square mark is input, the dot pattern is changed to the dot pattern at the time of plate making or layout display. At the time of expansion, it is processed so that there is a line break based on user input or automatically, so the operation to be performed at the time of character string input is not complicated and The imprint pattern can be natural.

In the above embodiment, when the number of characters is large, the line that prompts a line break is the longest line whose number of characters exceeds the threshold value. However, all lines whose number of characters exceeds the threshold value are broken. Of course, it may be set as a urged line.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when there is a line in which the number of characters exceeds the threshold value, the user is asked whether or not to execute a line break. However, the line break is automatically confirmed without the user's confirmation. You may make it insert (two minutes of a character string).

In the above embodiment, the case where the text data is stored including the mode mark has been described. However, it is also applicable to an apparatus that manages an attribute (mode) in character units in a storage area other than the text data. The invention can be applied. Even in this case, the mode is changed (setting)
It is only necessary to execute the additional control of line break according to the position where the line feed is added.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the automatic line feed processing is performed only when the form of the square mark is input, but when the automatic line feed processing is also performed when the form of another type of seal is input. May be set. It can also be applied when the form is not filled. For example, when the area of the stamp member is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas and the input character string is taken in for each divided area, the characters are automatically arranged according to the total number of characters in one or more divided areas. You can In such a case, even if there is a line break in the input character string, the line break may be ignored and characters may be automatically arranged according to the total number of characters.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the information on the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line which need to be determined at the time of inputting the form is fetched from the storage table, but a predetermined arithmetic expression is prepared. It may be determined by calculation. Further, the number of lines and the number of characters in each line may be taken out from the table, and the character size may be determined by calculation.

In the above embodiment, the invention is applied to the stamp making device for forming the unevenness on the stamp face member, but the method for forming the unevenness on the stamp face member is not limited to that of the above embodiment. In addition, the invention can be similarly applied to a stamp creating apparatus that processes a stamp face member so that ink partially bleeds out and leaves a stamp impression on a sheet. In this case, the processing shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 is first performed not only at the time of displaying the layout but also when it is required to process the stamp face member so that the ink partially bleeds out and leaves a seal impression on the paper. Need to be done. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a character information processing apparatus in which the printing or transfer medium has the same restrictions as to the arrangement of character strings on the stamp member. For example, in the case of a tape printer, since the print medium is a tape, there is generally a limit to the number of lines, but there is no limit to the number of characters in each line, but when the length of the tape is determined and a character string is input. Limits the number of characters in each line,
In this case, the technical idea of the present invention described above can be applied.

[0088]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
At the time of commanding the expansion of the input character string to the buffer, the line length determining means recognizes the length information of each line of the input character string and exceeds the threshold length determined by the size of the print medium or transfer medium. Is detected, the line feed addition control means
Since the character string of the line that exceeds the threshold length is divided into two and changed to a character string of two lines, the character string expansion means expands the character string after the line feed is added to the buffer. It is possible to expand the input character string in the print buffer, display buffer, etc. in a well-balanced manner without inserting a line break when inputting the string.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the character number recognition means recognizes the total number of characters of the input character string, and the character arrangement determination means determines the character size and the character size according to the recognized total number of characters.
The number of lines and the number of characters in each line are determined, and the character string expansion unit determines the character size, the number of lines, and the number of lines determined by the character arrangement determination unit.
Since the input character string is expanded in the buffer according to the number of characters in each line, the input character string can be expanded in the print buffer, display buffer, etc. in a well-balanced manner without inserting a line break when inputting the character string. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a first characteristic process of a seal stamp creating apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration section of the seal stamp creating apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a layout view showing a mechanical and optical configuration unit of the seal stamp creating apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration example of a seal stamp creating apparatus according to an embodiment.

5 is a plan view of the display device 33. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a plate-making sheet 60.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a seal making procedure.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of usefulness of an automatic line feed function for a line having a large number of characters.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second characteristic process of the seal stamp creating apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a table that is referred to when a character string input by a square mark form input is expanded into a buffer.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram regarding a state of text data and a platemaking result when a line feed process is performed at a mode mark position and a character string on the rear side is long.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram regarding a state of text data and a platemaking result when a line feed process is performed at a mode mark position and a character string on the rear side is long.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram regarding a state of text data and a platemaking result when line feed processing is performed at a position where the longest line including a mode mark is simply divided into two.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Input unit, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... R
OM, 23 ... RAM, 30 ... Output section, 40 ... Seal body,
42 ... Stamp face member, 42B ... UV curable resin layer, 50 ... Print head, 52 ... Ink ribbon, 60 ... Plate making sheet, 7
0 ... Ultraviolet irradiation light source.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Niimura 2-10-18 Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside King Jim Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Hayama 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko -In Epson Corporation

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A character information processing apparatus, which involves processing for expanding a dot pattern of an input character string in a buffer according to the size of a print area or a transfer area, wherein at the time of an expansion command, each line of the input character string A line length discriminating means for recognizing the length information and discriminating the existence of a line exceeding the threshold length determined by the size of the printing region or the transfer region, and a character string of the line exceeding the threshold length is divided into two. Character information processing characterized by comprising line feed addition control means for changing to a two-line character string, and character string expansion means for expanding a character string after a line break is added or an input character string in a buffer. apparatus. 2. A display control means for displaying a message asking whether or not a line feed is to be performed on at least the longest line when the result of the determination by the line length determination means is that there is a line exceeding the threshold length. In response to this message display, the line feed addition control means divides the character string of the line for which a line feed has been made into two and changes it to a character line of two lines in response to this message display. The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the input character string at the time of the expansion instruction is maintained when the negative instruction of the line feed is input in response to the message display. . 3. The expansion command is one of a print command and a layout display command, and the character string expansion means determines the expansion method when the expansion command is a print command and when it is a layout display command. The character information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the character information processing device is switched. 4. The line feed addition control means, when dividing the length information of the characters forming the character string of the line exceeding the threshold length into two parts, when it cannot divide into two parts between the characters, The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character string is divided into two so that a line related to the character string on the front side becomes long. 5. The character information processing device according to claim 1, wherein a mode indicating a change of an attribute of each character is set in the middle of an input character string. When the length information of the characters that make up the character string of the line that exceeds the line is divided into two, the mode of the character string of the rear side is set at a position near the first character of the line of the character string of the rear side. In the character information processing device, the line feed addition control unit feeds a character string after the mode is set. 6. The character information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mode for changing an attribute of each character is set in the middle of an input character string. The means is configured to set a character string on the rear side of the input character string to a character string on the rear side when dividing the length information of the characters forming the character string of the line exceeding the threshold length. A character information processing apparatus, characterized in that the character string on the rear side is made to be a line break by maintaining the existing mode. 7. In a character information processing apparatus, which involves a process of expanding a dot pattern of an input character string in a buffer according to the size of a print area or a transfer area, the length information of each character of the input character string is A character string length information recognizing means for recognizing the total sum, and a character arrangement determining means for determining the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line according to the total sum of the length information of the recognized characters. A character information processing device comprising: a character string expanding unit that expands an input character string in a buffer according to the character size, the number of lines, and the number of characters in each line determined by the character arrangement determining unit. 8. The character information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a form input mode for inputting an entire character string to be printed or transferred without inputting a line feed is provided as a character string input mode. A character information processing device, wherein the character string length information recognizing means, the character arrangement determining means, and the character string expanding means function in a form input mode.