JPH10157255A - Image-forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and properly edit an output image even when a display screen is small, by displaying after applying a predetermined character decoration to characters going beyond the output image on an edited image on the basis of the designation of an area of the output image on the edited image. SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display device 9 of a tape-printing apparatus 1 is provided with a display screen 9a which can display 6 lines when one line accommodates 6 characters. A printing image is edited and formed on the display screen 9a. At this time, an area of an output image on an edited image can be designated by an area-designating means so as to arrange and edit characters input through a keyboard 2. Before the characters are displayed, a predetermined character decoration is applied to characters beyond the output image on the edited image on the basis of the designation of the area. If there appear characters beyond the area immediately after the area is designated, a cursor is moved to a position of a leading character to display the characters.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is applied to, for example, a tape printer and creates an image in which characters such as input characters, symbols, and figures are arranged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, small-sized tape printers, such as label printers and label word processors, for printing on tape have been marketed. In this type of tape printing apparatus, for example, in order to create a label or the like to be attached to an object of a fixed size or a desired size such as a document file, a video tape, and a music tape, the size of the object is adjusted. It is necessary to clearly print each character in a printing range, that is, a range of a predetermined width and length on the tape.
Therefore, even when editing the print image (output image) to be printed on the tape, the area of the output image corresponding to the print range is
It must be clearly indicated on the display screen.

On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus of this type of tape printing apparatus, the display screen is generally small, so that an entire edited image for editing an output image cannot be displayed. For this reason, in a conventional image creating apparatus, for example, a method of displaying a general overview on a screen by displaying a small image in which a set area of an output image and input text data are superimposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-164712) JP-A-8-3059
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-3188), when input text data is out of a set area, a warning is displayed when a print key is operated to stop printing.
No. 86 gazette) and the like.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, for example, it is necessary to switch between a text input screen and an image display screen. On the screen, there is a disadvantage that the position of the text data to be corrected is difficult to understand. In addition, when a warning is issued when a print key is operated, there is a disadvantage that it is not possible to determine whether the text input range is appropriate or not and to determine a range to be corrected until the print key is operated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even when the display screen is small, it is possible to input and designate a character which is a component of an output image on the same display screen. You can check the area of the output image
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image creating apparatus that can appropriately perform an output image editing operation.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image creating apparatus for creating an output image composed of a plurality of characters while editing the image on a display screen, wherein a character is input. Character input means,
Display means for displaying an edited image for arranging and editing the input character on the display screen, area specifying means for specifying an area of the output image on the edited image, and controlling the display means And a control means for giving a predetermined character decoration to a character protruding from the output image on the edited image based on the designation of the area and displaying the character.

[0007] In this image forming apparatus, based on the designation of the area of the output image, the character that protrudes from the area is given a character decoration and displayed. Therefore, even if the display screen is small, it can be displayed on the same display screen. The input of a character as a component of the output image and the confirmation of the area of the specified output image can be confirmed, whereby the output image can be edited appropriately. That is, for example, while inputting a desired character on the display screen, it can be easily determined whether or not the character is within a predetermined area. In addition, when the character is input in advance and the area designation is changed, it can be easily determined whether or not the character matches the changed area. Further, the display range necessary for these determinations may be only in the vicinity of the boundary between the regions, and therefore, the present invention can be applied to a device having a small display screen such as a tape printing device. In this case, the character decorations include underline, cancellation line,
In addition to general character decoration such as shading and reverse display, a ruled line indicating the boundary may be added.

[0008] In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the control means, when there is a character which protrudes from the specified area immediately after the area is specified by the area specifying means, protrudes the character. It is preferable that the cursor be moved to the head position of the character and displayed.

In this image forming apparatus, immediately after the area of the output image is specified, if there is a character that extends beyond the specified area, the start position of the character, that is, the start position of the character that needs to be corrected or deleted. Is displayed with the cursor positioned on the display, the user can be prompted to make a correction. In this case, for example, when the number of characters in one line exceeds the number in the specified range, a line feed character can be inserted and the correction and editing can be performed immediately on the screen, thereby making it easy and simple. Editing work can be performed appropriately.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: output instruction means for instructing output of the output image, wherein the control means, when the output is instructed,
When the protruding character is present, canceling the output instruction and moving a cursor to the leading position of the protruding character to display it.
preferable.

In this image forming apparatus, when an output of an output image is instructed, if there is a character that extends beyond the output image, the output instruction is canceled and the leading position of the character that extends is corrected. Since the cursor is displayed at the head position of the character that needs to be deleted or deleted, the user can be prompted to make correction. Note that the output instruction corresponds to, for example, a print execution instruction by a print key input when applied to a tape printer, and when an output image is appropriate, that is, when there is no protruding character, an image is output. The creation device outputs an output image for printing.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: output instructing means for instructing output of the output image; and forcible selection instruction means for selecting whether or not to force the output. When the output is instructed, the control means cancels the output instruction when there is the protruding character, and is instructed not to force the output, and protrudes the output. It is preferable that the cursor be moved to the head position of the character being displayed.

This image forming apparatus is provided with a forced line selection instructing means capable of selecting forced line output. Therefore, even if the output is instructed, if the forced line output is not instructed, the same advantage as in the second aspect is utilized. On the other hand, if the forced output is instructed, the output image can be forcibly output. For example, when the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus, the above-mentioned output instruction corresponds to a print instruction as in claim 2, and even if a character protrudes from an output image, a test print is desired. If the user selects and instructs the forced output and does not want to print an inappropriate output image, it is sufficient to select that the output is not the forced output.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means adds the predetermined character decoration to the image and displays the character decoration, and at the same time, issues a warning that the protruding character is present. It is preferable to display it on a screen.

In this image forming apparatus, when there is a character that protrudes from the output image, a character decoration is given and a warning to that effect is displayed at the same time, so that the user is more clearly notified of the protruding character. I can let you know.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of a tape printing apparatus to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in both figures, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 2 on the near side on the upper surface thereof, and a lid 3 on the back side. A liquid crystal display 9 is provided on the back right side so that it can be seen from the window of the lid 3. This liquid crystal display 9 can display six characters for one line in a normal text display state. It has a screen 9a. The image creating apparatus of the present invention is applied to create a print image (output image) to be printed on a tape while editing it on the display screen 9a.

On the keyboard 2, a character key group 21 including alphabet keys and symbol keys, a function key group for designating various operation modes and the like are arranged. The function keys include a cancel key 22 for canceling processing by another function key, a format key 31 for selecting and specifying a format, right ("→"), down ("↓"), up ( “↑”), 4 for moving the cursor to the left (“←”) direction
Cursor keys 25, 26, 27, and 28, a print key 29 for starting a printing operation, and a selection key 30 for selecting various modes and line feed at the time of text input.

As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 5 for mounting the tape cartridge 4 is provided below the lid 3. The tape cartridge 4 has a built-in tape T of a fixed width, and a plurality of small holes (not shown) on the back surface so that types of the tape T having different widths or the like can be identified.
Is provided at the bottom of the mounting portion 5 with a tape type detection switch 43 composed of a microswitch or the like for detecting the presence or absence of this hole.
And its type can be detected.

The tape T has a structure in which an adhesive surface (adhesive material) is formed on the back surface and is covered with a release paper. In the tape cartridge 4, the ink ribbon R is housed together with the tape T. The tape T and the ink ribbon R run while overlapping each other at the position of the window 42 formed in the case 41, and only the tape T is discharged to the outside, and the ink ribbon R is wound inside. ing.

A thermal head 6 is disposed in the mounting section 5 so as to face the window 42. With the tape cartridge 4 mounted in the mounting section 5, the thermal head 6 (printing means) is The rear surface of the ink ribbon R exposed from the window 42 of the tape cartridge 4 is hit. Then, by driving the thermal head 6 to generate heat, desired characters and the like are printed on the surface of the tape T. The mounting section 5 is provided with drive shafts 7, 8 and the like with which a driven section of the mounted tape cartridge 4 is engaged. Then, the ink ribbon R is fed.

Next, referring to FIG.
The configuration of the control system will be described. The control system is CPU 40, R
OM50, RAM60 and character generator R
A control circuit 80 having an OM (hereinafter referred to as “CG-ROM”) 70 is provided. The keyboard 2 and the tape type detection switch 43 are connected to the input port side of the control circuit 80. On the output port side of the control circuit 80,
The thermal head 6 via the driver 81 for driving the head
Are connected, and the liquid crystal display 9 is connected via a driver 82 for driving the display.

The ROM 50 has a program memory area 51
This stores a control program for controlling the thermal head 6 and the liquid crystal display 9 and processing programs to be described later. The RAM 60 temporarily stores text data such as characters and symbols input from the keyboard 2, and a display image data memory 62 which stores image data corresponding to display contents on the display screen 9 a of the liquid crystal display 9. , A register group 63 for temporarily storing the processing results of the CPU 40, a work area 64 for creating image data and the like in various kinds of processing described later, and the like. The CG-ROM 70 stores font data such as characters and symbols prepared in the tape printer 1, and outputs corresponding font data when code data specifying characters or the like is given.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent drawings, the overall control flow of the tape printer 1 will be described. However, the processing flow of the basic operation such as the movement of the cursor by the cursor key 25 or the like and the operation flow by the function key or the like not directly related to the present invention are collectively referred to as “processing corresponding to other function keys (S11). ) ", And detailed description is omitted.

When the processing is started by turning on the power or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the control flags that have been saved are restored in order to return the tape printer 1 to the state when the power was last turned off. Initial settings such as are performed (S1), and then display screen processing is performed (S2). As described above, the display screen 9a is capable of displaying six lines of text data of six characters. Hereinafter, the state of the display screen 9a is represented by a screen Txx, and is indicated by reference numerals.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the state where text is being input after “Haru wa” is input on the first line and “Akebo” is input on the second line, “no” is input as shown in FIG. When a key input is made, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that a key input is present (S3: Y
es), it is determined that the key is not a function key (S4: No),
A text input process (of a character) is performed (S5). In this text input processing (S5), the text data "no" is taken into the text memory 61, the corresponding font data is read out from the CG-ROM 70, and the corresponding inverted "no" image data is displayed in the display image data memory 6.
2 is stored at a position corresponding to the cursor in the display image data stored in the second image data.

Subsequently, when the selection key 30 is pressed in order to determine the "no", as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that there is a key input (S3: Yes), and it is determined that the key is a function key (S3).
4: Yes), and determine that it is not the format key 31 (S
6: No), it is determined that it is not the print key 29 (S
8: No), and then perform a process of determining “NO” (S1)
1). That is, the inverted image data of "no" in the display image data memory 62 is exchanged with the normal image data. As a result,
When the display screen processing (S2) is performed again, the screen T11 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

After the input of the text data, four cursor movements for moving the cursor to the right (“→”), down (“↓”), up (“↑”) and left (“←”) directions, respectively. Keys 25, 26, 27, 28 (hereinafter, "cursor" → "key 25", "cursor" ↓ "key 26",
“Cursor“ ↑ ”key 27” and “Cursor“ ← ”
Key 28 "), the entire text data can be confirmed.

When the print key 29 is pressed in these display states, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that there is a key input (S3: Yes), and it is determined that the key is a function key (S4). : Yes), determine that it is not the format key 31 (S6: No), determine that it is the print key 29 (S8: Yes), and then print based on the display image data in the display image data memory 62. Create image data (S
9), printing is performed based on the print image data (S)
10). Then, after that, the state of waiting for the next key input is displayed again (S2). In the tape printer 1, regardless of the display state at that time, printing can be performed by pressing the print key 29, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the format key 31 is pressed while the display screen processing (S2) is being performed, it is determined that a key input is present (S3: Yes), and the function key is set. (S4: Yes), the format key 31 is determined (S6: Yes), and a format selection / designation process is performed (S7). When the format selection / designation process (S7) starts, the above-described text input process (S7) is started.
5) and display screen processing (S2) are also text input processing for format selection / designation processing (S5) or display screen processing (S2).
2).

FIG. 5 shows a process corresponding to the format selection / setting process (S7), in particular, a fixed-length print setting process (S7) to be described later with reference to FIG.
The process corresponding to the fixed length print value input process (S71) of (0) is shown by an image of a screen display on the display screen 9a.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a format key 31 is pressed in a text input screen display (screen T11; hereinafter, "screen" is omitted), a predetermined format for printing can be selected. (T12). That is, one of the three patterns of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing, fixed length printing, and margin is displayed in reverse video by operating the cursor “↓” key 26 or the cursor “↑” key 27, and the selection key 30 is pressed. The displayed items can be selected and specified. The fixed-length printing is designated when setting a print range (area of an output image) which is a feature of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the cursor "↓" key 2
6 or by pressing the cursor "↑" key 27,
Highlight “fixed-length printing” (T12) and select key 3
When 0 is pressed, fixed-length printing is selected, and each setting in fixed-length printing can be selected (T13). On the other hand, Cancel key 22
When is pressed, the processing by the previous format key 31 is canceled as described above, and the screen returns to the screen T11 one level higher. In the following processing, the cancel key 22 is used for canceling the processing by another function key.

As shown in FIG. 6, as a setting method for fixed-length printing, as shown in FIG. 6, a fixed-length printing is not performed on the second hierarchy as a lower hierarchy of the fixed-length printing of the selection of the first hierarchy.
A4 file for creating a label for the spine of A4 file, B5 file for B5 file, ...
…, And so on.
In the third hierarchy, whether the print is to be printed front-aligned, to be center-aligned, to assign characters evenly,
There are options such as whether to back-align.

For example, in the state (T13) in which the fixed-length printing option shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the second layer “A4 file” is highlighted by the cursor “↓” key 26 or the cursor “↑” key 27. When the select key 30 is pressed, the third layer is displayed (T14). Similarly, the "middle shift" is highlighted, and when the select key 30 is pressed, the setting of the fixed length printing is completed. Return to the text screen (T15). on the other hand,
As described above, by pressing the cancel key 22 from the state of the screen T14, it is possible to return to the second hierarchical level (T13) of the upper hierarchical level.

The state of the second layer of the fixed length printing (T1
3) In the character key group 21, a numeric key, for example,
Pressing "3" allows the print length to be specified directly. On the other hand, when a selection option such as the above “A4 file” is selected, it is read as a predetermined length,
This is the set value for fixed-length printing (see FIG. 7).

The format selection / setting process described above with reference to FIG. 5 (S7)
Among them, "fixed-length printing" is highlighted (T12), and when the selection key 30 is pressed, the fixed-length printing setting process (S70) shown in FIG. 8 is started, and the screen returns to the above-described text screen (FIG. 8). At time T15), the first process in FIG. 8, that is, the fixed-length print value input process (S71) ends.

The processing which characterizes the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding, the above-described text input screen (T in FIG. 5)
Instead of 11), only a part of the screen in which a character string of one line is input is shown, and the line numbers and the like are omitted. For example, a screen in a state where four characters (four characters) of “ABCD” are input is shown as a screen T21 in FIG. The value set as the fixed-length print value is a length (a length equivalent to four characters) in which four characters can be input, such as “ABCD” described above.

When the text input screen is in the state (T21) of FIG. 11A and the format selection / setting process (S7) is started and the fixed length print setting process (S70) is started, FIG.
As shown in the figure, first, the fixed-length print value input processing (S
71: see FIG. 5 to FIG. 7), for example, after a length equivalent to four characters is set, the print length of the text is calculated (S72), and then the print length of the text is fixed length printing. It is determined whether the value is larger than the set value (S73).

In this case, since the print length of the text is a length corresponding to four characters (the screen T21 in FIG. 11A), the print length of the text (corresponding to four characters) is the set value of the fixed length printing (corresponding to four characters). (S73: No). Next, display processing immediately before the fixed-length printing setting is performed (S76), and this processing (S73) is performed.
70) is ended (S77). As a result, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, when the display screen processing (S2) is performed next,
The screen returns to the original screen T21 of FIG. In this case, the processing flow is changed from the screen T17 of FIG. 5 to the original screen T11.
Corresponds to the flow of the processing returned to.

On the other hand, if this processing (S70) is started while, for example, six characters "ABCDEF" are input as text data, the print length of the text (equivalent to six characters) is determined. Since it becomes larger than the set value of long printing (corresponding to 4 characters) (S73: Yes), next, a text display process of moving the cursor to the first character of the fixed-length printing protruding portion of the text is performed (S74). That is, in the case of the six characters "ABCDEF", a process of moving the cursor to the position of "E" which is the first character of the portion "EF" protruding from the fixed length (corresponding to four characters) and performing display processing is performed (S74). ).

When the display process of the cursor movement (S74) is completed, next, a character decoration is given to a fixed-length printing protruding portion of the text display, that is, a portion of "EF".
After performing display processing for changing to reverse display, and performing display processing for warning that set fixed-length printing cannot be performed as it is (S75: see screen T24 in FIG. 11D), this processing (S70) ) Is ended (S77). In this case, the process of giving the character decoration is performed in the display image data memory 6 in the same manner as the process of the undetermined character described above on the screen T11 in FIG.
This is performed by arranging the reverse image data in the “EF” portion of the display image data in 2.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the tape printer 1, based on the designation of the area of the print image (output image) to be printed on the tape T (in the above case, the range of the print length), Characters that extend out of the area are displayed with character decoration (in the above case, inverted display), so when the designation of the area of the output image is changed while text data (of the character) is input in advance. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11D, it can be easily determined whether or not the image data matches the changed area. Further, the display range necessary for this determination is only required to be in the vicinity of the boundary of the area, so that the present invention can be applied to a case where the display screen is small as shown in FIG. That is, the present invention can be applied to a device having a small display screen such as a tape printing device without any problem.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, when there is a character protruding from the output image, a warning to that effect (for example, a warning of "impossible for fixed length printing" in FIG. 11D).
Is displayed, so that the user can be clearly informed,
As a result, the user can respond to the correction / editing more quickly. Further, in this case, the cursor is displayed at the top position of the protruding character, that is, the top position (“E” position) of the character (“EF”) whose arrangement needs to be corrected or deleted. Can be encouraged.

Although the number of printable lines varies depending on the type of tape mounted on the tape printer 1, particularly the difference in tape width, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a lengthwise direction as described above. Not only the range specification but also the range specification in the width direction can be similarly handled. That is, for example, when three lines are already input as text data and a tape T having a width (for example, 6 mm width) capable of printing only up to two lines is mounted, as described above with reference to FIG.
The type is detected by the tape type detection switch 43,
It is determined that only two lines can be printed, and each character of the text data in the third and subsequent lines may be displayed with character decoration. In this case, similarly to the above-described restriction on the area in the length direction, it can be easily determined whether or not the input text data matches the changed area.

As the character decoration, in addition to the above inverted display, general character decoration such as underline (see screen T25 in FIG. 11E), cancellation line, shading, etc., or its area (for example, A ruled line or the like may be added to a boundary character (“E”) having a set length equivalent to four characters (FIG. 11).
(See screen T26 in (f)). These character decorations are CG
-If the corresponding font data (decorated characters) is present in the ROM, the font data is developed as display image data; otherwise, for example, the ruled line image data and the character image data are overlaid. It can be provided by creating by superposition processing and arranging it on display image data.

Next, the processing in the case where the text input of the character is performed after the fixed-length print value is set (for example, equivalent to four characters) by the above-described fixed-length print setting processing in FIG. This will be described below with reference to FIGS.

For example, when the fourth character "D" is key-input at the cursor position after the three characters "ABC", it is determined that key input is present as described above with reference to FIG. 4 (S3: Yes),
It is determined that the key is not a function key (S4: No), and a text input process (of a character) is performed (S5).

When the text input processing (S5) is started, as shown in FIG. 9, first, as in the case of input of "NO" on the screen T11 of FIG. To perform a display process to determine (S5)
1). Here, if the fixed-length printing is not set, it is determined that the fixed-length printing is not set by the determination process (S52) of whether or not the next fixed-length printing is set (S52).
52: No), this process (S5) ends (S56).
Therefore, as in the case described above with reference to FIG. 5, when the display screen processing (S2) in FIG. 4 is performed again, the display (T21) illustrated in FIG.

However, here, since the fixed length printing is set (S52: Yes), the print length of the text is calculated (S53: the same processing as S72 of FIG. 8).
It is determined whether or not the print length of the text is larger than the set value of the fixed length printing (S54: S73). Here, since the print length of the text is a length equivalent to four characters, the print length of the text is equal to or less than the set value (equivalent to four characters) for fixed-length printing (S54:
No), the process (S5) ends (S77). Therefore, also in this case, when the display screen processing (S2) is performed, the display (T21) shown in FIG.

When the text input screen is in the state (T21) shown in FIG. 11A, for example, when the fifth character "E" is input, the same as when the fourth character "D" is input is performed. Then, a text confirmation display process (S51) is performed, it is determined that the fixed length printing is set (S52: Yes), and the text printing length is calculated (S53). It is determined whether the value is larger than the set value (S54).

Here, the print length of the text is a length equivalent to five characters, and the print length of the text (equivalent to five characters) is larger than the set value for fixed length printing (equivalent to four characters) (S54:
(Yes) Next, a character decoration is added to the portion of the text display that is outside the fixed-length printing, that is, the portion of “E”, and, for example, display processing for changing the display to reverse display is performed. After performing a display process to warn that it is impossible (S55), the process (S5) is ended (S56), and the display (T22) shown in FIG.

Next, in the state (T21) of FIG. 11B, for example, when the sixth character “F” is input, similarly,
A text confirmation display process (S51) is performed, it is determined that fixed length printing is set (S52: Yes), a text print length is calculated (S53), and the text print length (6) is set.
(S54: Yes), and then the character decoration is also applied to the portion of "F" as a fixed-length printing protruding portion of the text display. Is added (S55), the process (S5) ends (S56), and the display (T23) shown in FIG.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the tape printer 1, based on the designation of the area of the output image, the character that protrudes from the area is given a character decoration and displayed. While inputting a desired character, it can be easily determined whether or not the character is within a predetermined area. That is, in addition to the advantages described above with reference to FIG. 8, in this image creating apparatus, even if the display screen is small as shown in FIG. 11, the input of a character as a component of an output image can be performed on the same display screen. Then, the area of the designated output image can be confirmed, whereby the output image can be edited appropriately.

More specifically, for example, when the number of characters in one line exceeds the number within the designated range (ie, 6 characters "ABC"
(Such as when "DEF" is input), such as inserting a line feed character (after "D"), it is possible to immediately make corrections and edits on the screen, thereby easily and appropriately editing Work can proceed. As aforementioned,
In the direction of the number of rows, while checking the area of the output image,
It goes without saying that the output image can be edited (for example, omitting extra line breaks).

Next, when the fixed-length print value is set (for example, corresponding to four characters), the processing for performing the print processing will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 10 and 11. .

For example, the text input screen is shown in FIG.
In the state (T21), when the print key 29 is pressed, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, it is determined that a key input is present (S3: Yes), it is determined that the key is a function key (S4: Yes), and the format key is pressed. 31 (S6: No), the print key 2
9 (S8: Yes), print image data is created based on the display image data in the display image data memory 62 (S9), and print processing is performed based on the print image data. After that (S10), the state of waiting for the next key input is displayed again (S2).

If the fixed length print value is not set and the printing process (S10) is started, first, as shown in FIG. 10, a display process during printing preparation is performed (S10).
1) Then, the print length of the text is calculated (S102: the same as S72 in FIG. 8 and S53 in FIG. 9), and it is determined that the fixed length printing is not set (S103: No), and the printing is performed. (S109), the display is returned to the original display screen, that is, the display of FIG. 11A (S111), and the printing process (S10) ends (S112).

On the other hand, when the fixed length print value is set (for example, corresponding to four characters), the print length of the text (corresponding to four characters) is calculated (S102), and then the print length of the text is fixed. It is determined whether the value is longer than the set value for long printing (S
104: S74, S54). The state of FIG. 11A (T2
In 1), the print length of the text (corresponding to 4 characters) is equal to or less than the set value for fixed-length printing (corresponding to 4 characters) (S104: No).
Then, after the fixed length printing is performed (S110), the display is returned to the original display of FIG. 11A (S111), and the printing process (S111) is performed.
10) is completed (S112).

As shown in FIG. 11, when the text input screen is displayed, even if there is a character which goes beyond the area of the output image, the character is noticed by the character decoration. Is rarely executed, but in rare cases, test printing may be performed as it is. Further, as described above, in the tape printer 1, printing can be performed by pressing the print key 29 regardless of the display state at that time. Therefore, for example, a text input screen such as the screens T12 to T17 in FIG. In some cases, the user may press the print key 29 without noticing that there is a character that protrudes from the area of the output image in a state where a character other than is displayed. That is, for example, the print key 29 may be pressed while the text input screen is in the state shown in FIGS. 11B to 11F.

Therefore, in the following, the case where the text input screen is in the state (T23) of FIG. 11C (the currently displayed screen is another display screen and the text input screen as the back screen is the screen T23) The following describes a case where the print key 29 is pressed. In this state, when the print key 29 is pressed to start the print processing (S10),
Since the print length of the text (equivalent to six characters) becomes larger than the set value of the fixed-length printing (equivalent to four characters) (S104: Yes), a warning and a forced printing selection message for printing are displayed (S105). In this process, regardless of the display screen when the print key is pressed, a warning display, that is, a warning display indicating that “fixed length printing is not possible” and a printout in that state, such as the above-described test print, are performed. A selection of whether or not to perform the forcing is displayed (S105).

Here, for example, as described above, when the print key 29 is pressed without noticing that there is a character that extends beyond the area of the output image, the cancel key 22 is pressed. Next, it is determined that the printing is not the forced printing (S106: No), and the cursor movement display processing (S107: FIG.
After the process (same as 74), a character decoration is given to the fixed-length printing protruding portion (S108: S75 in FIG. 8 and S5 in FIG. 9).
5), and the process ends (S112). In this case, the text input screen, that is, the display (T24) shown in FIG. 11D is displayed regardless of the original screen display, and the user can be prompted to make correction based on the position of the cursor.

On the other hand, if the user wants to print, knowing that there is a character that extends beyond the area of the output image as in the above-described test printing, the user presses the print key 29 again or uses the key to confirm the processing. By pressing the selection key 30 to be printed, it is determined that printing is forced (S106: Ye).
s), normal printing other than fixed-length printing is executed (S10).
9) Display processing for returning to the original screen was performed (S111).
Thereafter, the process ends (S112).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the tape printer 1, it is possible to select whether or not printing is to be performed (output of an output image is performed). After the warning, unless the print key 29 is input again (instruction of forced output), the print instruction (output instruction) is cancelled, and the leading position of the protruding character, that is, the character that needs to be corrected or deleted, is arranged. Since the cursor is positioned at the top position and displayed, the user can be prompted to make corrections. On the other hand, if printing is forced (forced output) by inputting the print key 29 again, etc.
Printing can be forced (output image is forcibly output).

If there is no need for forced printing as in the above-described test printing, when there is a character that is out of print, the print instruction (output instruction) is simply canceled and the leading character of the protruding character is canceled. The text input screen may be displayed by moving the cursor to the position to prompt the user to make a correction. In addition, printing forced printing (forced printing output)
Also in the case of FIG. 10, the normal printing (S109) which is not the fixed length printing is executed in FIG. 10, but the fixed length printing (S110) is executed as shown by the processing flow indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The possible range, that is, the area of the output image may be confirmed by test printing. In addition, FIG.
In this example, the print key 29 and the like and the cancel key 22 are used to select printing forced printing (forced printing output) (S106). However, as in the fixed-length printing setting screen of FIG. May be displayed on the screen and selected.

In addition, the detailed configuration can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0067]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even when the display screen is small, it is possible to input a character which is a component of an output image and specify the character on the same display screen. It is possible to confirm the area of the output image, and thereby, it is possible to perform an editing operation on the output image appropriately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape printer of FIG. 1 in a state where a lid is opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control system of the tape printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process of overall control of the tape printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

5 is a diagram showing, among the format selection / designation processing in FIG. 4, processing related to the fixed-length print setting processing in FIG. 8 in particular, as an image of a display screen of a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical configuration of selection options for fixed-length print settings.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reread table of fixed length setting values for each selection branch of the second hierarchy in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a fixed length print setting process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a text input process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a printing process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a simplified image of a display screen when fixed-length printing is set.

[Description of Signs] 2 Keyboard (character input means, area specifying means) 9 Liquid crystal display (display means, area specifying means) 80 Control circuit (control means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image creating apparatus for creating an output image composed of a plurality of characters while editing on a display screen, a character input means for inputting a character, and a character input means for arranging and editing the input character. Display means for displaying the edited image on the display screen, area specifying means for specifying an area of the output image on the edited image, and controlling the display means, based on the specification of the area, Control means for adding a predetermined character decoration to a character protruding from the output image on the edited image and displaying the character. 2. The control means, immediately after the area is specified by the area specifying means,
2. The image creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is a character protruding from the designated area, a cursor is moved to a leading position of the protruding character to be displayed. 3. An output instructing means for instructing output of the output image, wherein the control means cancels the output instruction when the output is instructed, when the protruding character is present. hand,
The image creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cursor is moved to a leading position of the protruding character to be displayed. 4. An output instructing unit for instructing output of the output image; and a forcible selection instructing unit capable of instructing whether or not to forcibly perform the output, and further comprising: Is instructed, when there is the protruding character, and when it is instructed not to force the output, the output instruction is canceled and the cursor is moved to the leading position of the protruding character. The image creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined character decoration is given and displayed, and at the same time, a warning that the protruding character is present is displayed on the display screen. Item 5. The image creation device according to any one of Items 1 to 4.