JPS63282833A - Data processor equipped with mobile type printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the printing out of images on a body to be printed which can not be set up on a printer without restricting the kind of bodies to be printed by outputting piciture data to a mobile type printer to print out the data when a printing mode based upon the mobile type printer is set up by a mode setting means. CONSTITUTION:The titled device is provided with a printing range display means 19 for displaying the printing range of the mobile type printer 16 on a printing image and a printing condition setting means 21for setting up the printing condition of the printer 16, and when the printing mode based upon the printer 16 is set up by the mobile type printer mode setting means 11, picture data are outputted to the printer 16 print out the data. Consequently, restrictions such as the kind or size of bodies to be printed, a printing range and the array of characters can be removed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is suitable for use in various data processing systems having character and pattern printing functions such as word processors, personal computers, and data processing systems (DPS). In particular, by connecting a small portable printer to a type printing device, when printing created character strings or edited image data, it is possible to cut out an arbitrary range and print it at an arbitrary position on an arbitrary printing material. The present invention relates to a mobile printing device that expands the scope of use of a data processing system by allowing users to print freely.

Simply put, you can cut out an arbitrary range from character string data or image data created with a word processor, etc., and print it like a label at any position on a normal-sized paper, just as if you were pressing a rubber stamp. It allows you to print freely on small paper, cardboard, notebooks, etc., and even on wooden products such as wooden tags and desks, expanding the range of use of word processors, etc. The present invention relates to a mobile printing device that is an enlarged version of the mobile printing device.

Traditionally, various data processing systems such as word processors and personal computers have been connected to printing means such as printers as one of the output devices, and can print created document data and edited image data. It is configured as follows.

However, conventional data processing systems, such as word processors, have a structure in which paper is loaded into a printer, which not only limits the shape and type of printing material, but also limits the printable positions. .

For example, firstly, there are restrictions on the type of printing medium, that is, the printing material, and only paper that can be set in a printer can be used.For example, printing on cardboard, notebooks, wooden tags, etc. It is not possible.

Secondly, regarding the size of the paper that is the printing medium,
Many constraints have made it difficult to directly print onto extremely small substrates, such as labels.

Furthermore, thirdly, there are also restrictions on the printing position; even paper that can be set must be located within a preset printing range, and it is not possible to select an arbitrary position for printing. For example, it is not easy to print near the bottom or top edge of the paper, the right corner, the left corner, etc. using normal methods.

In other words, in conventional printing devices, if you specify the print range from the 1st line, 1st column to the 10th line, 50th column in the print condition settings, the printer determines whether or not that range can be printed. If it is outside the printing range, an error message will be displayed to inform you that printing is not possible.

In addition, fourth, there are restrictions on the arrangement direction of character strings, such as printing a character string diagonally, or printing the same character string in its normal state and in a rotated or reversed state. cannot be performed in one printing operation. For example, printing a character string diagonally on small paper
Although this is possible to some extent, it was not possible to print on paper that was too large to be set diagonally.

In this way, with conventional word processors, even documents and images that have been created with great effort can be cut out from within the data and printed on any type of printing material of any size. Printing in any position and in any direction is not easy and in many cases impossible.

In short, printing means such as printers connected to conventional systems can only print in positions that can be set in the printing means and set as the print range, and can only print edited documents and images. There are also many restrictions on the ability to freely cut out and print an arbitrary range, which has the disadvantage that the scope of use is extremely narrow.

Purpose Therefore, in the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention, such inconveniences and problems in the conventional printing device can be solved.
In other words, there are many restrictions on the type and size of the printing material, printing range, character arrangement, etc., and it solves the inconvenience of not being able to print on small paper such as labels, cardboard, notebooks, wooden tags, etc. , It is a matter of fact that you can print anywhere on regular sized paper with the feeling of pressing a rubber stamp, and it also works well on small paper such as labels, cardboard, notebooks, wooden tags, etc.
By creating a mobile printing device that can easily cut out any print range of edited text or images and print them,
The purpose is to expand the scope of use of word processors, etc.

Configuration To this end, the present invention includes an input device, a display device,
In a conventional data processing device that is equipped with a printing device, a system memory, and a central processing unit that controls each of these parts, and has functions for creating and printing calligraphy and drawings, a mobile printing device is connected to the mobile printing device. a mobile printing device mode setting device for setting a mode for printing by the mobile printing device; a print image display device for displaying a print image of the mobile printing device on the display device; a printing range displaying means for displaying a printing range of the mobile printing device on a print image; and a printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions of the mobile printing device; When the print mode using the mobile printing device is set, the calligraphic data is output to the mobile printing device to perform printing.

Next, embodiments of the printing apparatus of the data processing system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a word processor will be described as an example of a data processing system to which a printing device is connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of a word processor having a mobile printing device according to the present invention. In the drawings, 1 indicates the main body of the system, 2 indicates its display section, 3 indicates a keyboard, 4 indicates a small mobile printer, and 5 indicates its print switch.

In this invention, in addition to the conventional printer for the system, a mobile printing device can be connected. In the external view shown in FIG. Illustrated as.

The external feature is that this small mobile printer 4 can be connected, and the other configurations are basically the same as conventional word processors. 'The printer for the system is arranged on the back side of the system body 1, although it is not clear in the drawings. Note that this printer may be constructed separately from the system main unit 1 and configured to be connectable to the system main unit 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a small mobile printer 4 is provided with a print switch 5. As shown in FIG. This print switch 5 is a switch for generating a signal to start printing, and is added to the small mobile printer 4 side for easy operation, but it is not necessarily provided on the small mobile printer 4 side. It is not necessary and may be provided on the word processor side, that is, on the keyboard 3 of the system main unit 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the keyboard 3 shown in FIG. 2. In the drawing, 3A is a small printer key, 3B is a print condition setting key, 3c is a print key, 3D is an arrow key, 3E
is an execution key, 3F is a cancel key, 3G and 3H are keys to specify the amount of movement of the arrow key 3D, 3G is a specification key in units of 100 dots, 3H is a specification key in units of 10 dots, 3 is a character key, etc. Indicates the normal key.

The print key 3C, arrow key 3D, execution key 3E, cancel key 3F, and normal keys 3 such as character keys are basically the same keys as those provided on a conventional keyboard. When the small printer mode is set using the small printer key 3A, it functions as a key for controlling printing for the small printer.

For example, the cancel key 3F has the function of canceling the set small printer mode, and the arrow key 3D
has the function of specifying the print range of the small printer when the small printer mode is set. The same applies to the print key 3C and execution key 3E.

The small printer key 3A has a function of setting a small printer mode in order to perform a printing operation using the mobile small printer 4 shown in FIG.

In the present invention, it is possible to set various printing conditions for the mobile small printer 4, such as specifying a printing range, specifying an enlargement ratio, and whether or not to invert black and white.

Printing conditions such as whether or not to perform a copying operation and specifying the copying method can be set.

The printing condition setting keys 3B are keys for setting these printing conditions when the small printer mode is set, and the functions are assigned to the respective corresponding keys 3B.

The arrow keys 3D instruct the print range frame to move one dot at a time in the direction of the arrow displayed on the key top of each key, thereby specifying the print range, etc.

Keys 3G and 3H for specifying the amount of movement are keys for specifying changes in the amount of movement of the arrow key 3D. For example, the key 3G moves the arrow key 3D in units of 100 dots, and the key 3H moves the same <10 dots. move in position. The operation method is to press this key 3G (or 3H) and one of the arrow keys 3D successively.

In this way, by operating the arrow key 3D in combination with the keys 3G and 3H, the amount of movement of the arrow key 3D is changed, so that the printing range etc. can be quickly specified.

Next, an embodiment of a data processing apparatus having a mobile printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a functional block diagram.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a main part of a printing device of a data processing system according to the present invention. In the drawing, 11 is an input device, 12 is an input control section, 13 is an editing section, 14 is a document text data storage area, and 15 is a print control section.

16 is a printing device, 17 is an area for storing data such as images, 1
8 is a display control unit, 19 is a display device, 20 is a print position designation unit, 21 is a print condition setting unit, 22 is a cutting information storage area, 23 is a print data set unit, 24 is a printer buffer, and 25 is a small printer print control Section 26 indicates a small printer.

The basic configuration of FIG. 1 is the same as that of a conventional data processing system, such as a word processor, as described above in connection with FIG. In order to be able to do this, in particular a small printer 26 (small printer 4 in FIG. 2) is connected as a mobile printing device, and blocks numbered 21 to 25 are added.

Note that, in order to facilitate understanding, the drawings are simplified and some parts common to conventional data processing systems are omitted.

The functions of each part of the block shown in FIG. 1 are outlined as follows.

The input device 11 is composed of a keyboard, etc., and is an input means for inputting system startup and other commands, information on necessary characters and ruled lines, and the like. Regarding the case of the keyboard, see the previous section 3.
The small printer mode is set by pressing the small printer key 3A, which is shown in the top view in the figure.
be done.

The input control unit 12 transmits commands input from the input device 111 to each control unit, and switches input codes depending on the mode.

The editing section 13 performs normal editing processing on the characters of the document, character information, document information, etc. using the code input from the input control section 12 .

The document text data storage area 14 is a storage means for storing character codes, character information, document information, and the like.

The print control unit 15 creates data for printing.

The printing device 16 is a dot image printing device such as a thermal dot printer, an inkjet printer, a plunger magnet type printer, etc., and prints documents, images, etc. in a dot pattern based on the created data.

The data storage area 17 for images, etc. is a storage means for storing data such as edited images.

The display control unit 18 creates data for display.

The display device 19 is a CRT display, LCD display, or other display means, and includes VRAM (video memory).
□Character/numeric information of documents being edited or created by the display control unit 18, guidance necessary for operation, and other data are written to the VRAM to display the display screen. Visibly displayed as a dot pattern on top.

The print position designation unit 20 moves the print range frame using the cursor movement key to designate the print range.

Each of the above units has a common configuration with a conventional word processor.

Each of the units 21 to 25 added to the data processing apparatus having the mobile printing device of the present invention has the following functions in order to control the small printer 26 which is a mobile printing means.

The printing condition setting section 21 sets printing conditions for the small printer 26.

The cutout information storage area 22 is a storage means for storing printing ranges and printing conditions.

The print data set section 23 has a cutout information storage area 22.
VR by referring to the print range and print conditions stored in
AM data is stored in the printer buffer 24.

The printer buffer 24 is a storage means in which calligraphy data created for printing is set.

The small printer print control unit 25 controls the C of the small printer 26.
Printing is performed by controlling the R (carriage) motor, print head, solenoid, etc., and controlling print data in the printer buffer 24.

The small printer 26 is a printing means including a CR motor, a print head, a solenoid, etc., and prints the print data set in the printer buffer 24.

As already explained, in the circuit shown in FIG. 1, operations when creating a document or editing an image are similar to those of a conventional word processor, and the processing is mainly carried out by each section 11 to 20.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document created by a word processor.

For example, suppose that a document has been created in which an image has been inserted, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main processing flow in the small printer mode in the data processing apparatus having the mobile printing device of the present invention shown in FIG. In the drawings, tt1 to #8 indicate steps.

As already mentioned many times, when the small printer key 3A of FIG. 3 (provided on the input device ll of FIG. 1) is pressed, the key presses the step # of the flow of this FIG. 1, and the small printer mode is set.

The flow of FIG. 5 then proceeds to the step below step #1, and the screen of the 1 display bag rn19 becomes a screen showing the print image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print image display in the mobile printing device of the present invention.

In this print image display, character strings are arranged in the same manner as the print result according to formatting conditions 9 that have already been set, such as enlargement, line spacing, character spacing, etc., and image data is also arranged in the same manner as the print result. The results are also displayed on the screen in the same arrangement as the printed results.

The flow in FIG. 5 further advances to the next step, and the range that can be printed at one time by the small printer 26 is displayed on the screen according to the printing conditions.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the range that can be printed at one time by the small printer 26 in the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention. In the drawings, F indicates the frame of the printable range.

As shown in FIG. 7, the range that can be printed at one time by the small printer 26 is displayed on the screen by exclusive OR processing (XOR processing) in a frame F of number and dot width.

This frame F has a dot pitch that can actually be printed.

Since it is converted to the dot pitch of the display screen,
It looks large on the display. Hereinafter, the screen shown in FIG. 7 will be abbreviated as the position designation screen.

In the flow shown in FIG. 5, the process is now waiting for key human power.

Then, when the print key 3C shown in FIG. 3 is input,
This is determined by step #2 of the flow, and the printing operation is executed according to the steps shown below.

If the arrow key 3D is input, this is determined in step #3 of the flow in Figure 5, and on the position specification screen in Figure 7, printing is performed in accordance with the direction of the input arrow key 3D. Shift the position of frame F in the possible range by one dot vertically and horizontally.

In this case, when the frame F of the printable range is moved by inputting the arrow keys 3D, it is determined in step #4 below step #3 whether scrolling of the screen is necessary or not. If so, the display start position of the print image display screen in FIG. 6 is shifted, a new printable range frame F is displayed again, and a position designation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

In step #4, if it is determined that scrolling is not necessary, the frame F of the printable range is once erased, and the frame F of the printable range after the movement is written by XOR processing.

In this case, if significant movement is required.

As already mentioned, if you press the key 3G (or 3H) for specifying the amount of movement and one of the arrow keys 3D in succession, the movement will move 10 times in the direction displayed on the key top of the arrow key 3D.
Since the frame F of the printable range can be moved in increments of 0 dots (or about 10 m), the printable range can be specified quickly.

If the printing condition setting key 3B is input.

This is determined in step #5 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, and the one-screen display becomes a printing condition setting screen.

As already mentioned in the description of the keyboard in FIG. 3, various printing conditions can be set for the small mobile printer 26. On the printing condition setting screen, desired printing conditions are set by operating the printing condition setting key 3B.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen in the mobile printing device of the present invention. In the drawing, n and m
is the initial value indicating the printable range and the maximum value.

As shown in Figure 8, the printing conditions include specifying the print range, specifying the enlargement ratio, whether or not to invert black and white, whether or not to perform copying operations,
Specifying the copying method, etc.

Then, for each of the print condition setting keys 3B, for example, "1" specifies the print range, "2" specifies the enlargement magnification, "3" specifies the presence or absence of black and white inversion, and "4" specifies the presence or absence of copying operation.
It is assigned in advance such that "5" specifies the copying method.

When the print condition setting key 3B of rlJ corresponding to the specification of the print range is selected on the print condition setting screen in Fig. 8, the maximum printable range is displayed on the screen by n mm for the vertical direction and m for the horizontal direction. Displayed by default as millimeters.

Therefore, in order to reduce one or both of these print ranges, a desired change value is input.

Then, when the execution key 3E is input, that effect is determined in step #6, and the frame F of the print range is changed to correspond to the specified size.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the print range specification screen and print results in the mobile printing device of the present invention, (1) is the position specification screen before setting, (2) is the position specification screen after setting, ( 3
) is a diagram showing the printing result. The reference numerals in the drawings are the same as in FIGS. 7 and 8.

If you shorten "vertical" and "horizontal" to 1/2 each on the initial screen of (1) in Figure 9, as shown in (2) of Figure 9,
The frame F of the printable range is changed.

Therefore, a printing result as shown in (3) in FIG. 9 is obtained.

In this case as well, it is determined in step #4 whether or not scrolling is necessary, and if necessary, the screen is scrolled.

Also, on the print condition setting screen in Figure 8, as the print condition,
If you select the designation of magnification of "2", you can input the magnification.

FIG. 1O is a diagram showing an example of the magnification designation screen and the print result in the mobile printing device of the present invention, (1) is the position designation screen before setting, (2) is the position designation screen after setting, (
3) is a diagram showing the printing result. The symbol in the drawing is
It is similar to FIG.

When the "vertical" and "horizontal" sides of the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 (1) are enlarged twice, the printable range frame F is changed as shown in FIG. 10 (2). During this enlargement, the frame F of the printable range is displayed smaller in inverse proportion to the enlargement magnification.

Therefore, a printing result as shown in (3) in FIG. 1O is obtained. Other processing is the same as in the case of FIG.

If the printing conditions are set on the printing condition setting screen shown in Figure 8,
If you select "Yes" for black and white reversal in "3", a print result with black and white reversed is obtained. In this case, it is also possible to change the printable range "1" and specify the enlargement magnification "2", and it is also possible to perform reduction or enlargement according to a desired magnification.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a black and white reversal designation screen and a print result in the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention, in which (1) is a position designation screen and (2) is a diagram showing a print result. The symbols in the drawings are the same as in FIG. 10.

If you select whether or not to invert black and white, it will look like this in Figure 11.
A print result with black and white reversed is obtained.

If the printing conditions are set on both sides of Figure 8,
If you select ``Yes'' for the copy operation in ``4'', you will be asked to specify ``vertical copy'' or ``horizontal copy'', and you will also be asked to specify ``reverse'', ``rotate'', or ``rotate'' in the r5J copy method specification. normal"
A choice is required.

This copying operation is selected when, for example, it is desired to print the same character string on both sides of a label.

In other words, from one character string stored on VRAM,
This is a function used when creating multiple print patterns with the same content, and can not only simply copy the same character string but also copy patterns such as 1 inversion and rotation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a copy operation designation screen and print results in the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention. The symbols in the drawings are the same as those in FIG. 11, and H indicates a broken auxiliary line.

As shown in the print result column of FIG. 12, three types of copying operations are possible: "reverse", "rotation", and "normal" (copying in the same state).

For example, on the print condition setting screen in Figure 8, if you select J with 1 for the copy operation "4" and specify "vertical copy", the "vertical copy" shown in the upper left corner of Figure 12 will be displayed. As in the position designation screen after setting, a vertical auxiliary line H is additionally displayed in the form of a broken line within the print range frame F.

In this case, if you select the character string on the left side of this auxiliary line H and specify "reverse" as the copying method, the same character string will be printed as shown in "reverse" in the print result on the left side of Figure 12. Columns are printed as is and inverted.

Furthermore, if "rotation" is specified, the same character string is printed in its original state and in its rotated state, as in "rotation" in the print result on the left side of FIG. 12.

Similarly, if "Normal" is specified, the same character string will be printed twice without change, as in "Normal" in the print result on the left side of FIG.

On the other hand, if you select "Yes" for the copy operation in "4" and specify "horizontal copy" on the print condition setting screen in Figure 8, the "horizontal copy" shown in the upper right corner of Figure 12 will be displayed. As in the position designation screen after setting, a horizontal auxiliary line H is additionally displayed in the form of a broken line within the frame F of the print range. - In this case, if you select the character string above this auxiliary line H and specify "reverse" as the copying method, the same copy will be printed as shown in "r reversal" of the print result on the right side of Fig. 12. The string is printed as is and inverted.

The same is true when specifying "rotation" or "normal"; the same character string is printed as-is, rotated or as-is.

Note that when the cancel key 3F is input on the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 8, this is determined in step #6, and the seventh position designation screen is displayed again.

Further, a case will be described in which the cancel key 3F is input in the display state of the position designation screen shown in FIG. 7.

Each step #2 above. $3. In the judgment in #5, it is determined that none of the key personnel are available, so step #5
The process advances to step 7, where it is determined whether or not the cancel key 3F is pressed.

If cancel key 3F is input, step t
From t7, the process advances to step #8 at the upper right, where the small printer mode is canceled and the normal editing screen is displayed.

Note that the input key is one of these four types of keys 3C, 3
When it is not D, 3B, or 3F.

The error is notified by a buzzer, etc., and the process returns to the step of waiting for key power.

As described above, in the present invention, the printing conditions for the small printer 26 include "1" designation of the print range, "2" designation of the enlargement magnification, "3" designation of black and white inversion, and "4" copying operation. By setting the specification of , and the specification of the copying method in ``5'', (3) in Figure 9 and (3) in Figure 10 can be set.
, (2) in FIG. 11, and the printing results shown in FIG. 12, it becomes possible to perform various types of printing.

As described above, the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention displays documents, ruled lines, images, etc. created with a data processing system such as a word processor as a printed image on the screen, and prints them on the screen using a small printer 26 connected to the outside. Display the print range on both sides, move this print range using the arrow keys, specify the location where you want to print, and press the print switch provided on the small printer 26 to print the VRAM within the print range. data to a small printer 26
It can be transferred to and printed.

In other words, the portable compact printer 26 can print at any position on any printing medium as easily as pressing a rubber stamp.

Furthermore, by setting various printing conditions for the small printer 26, printing not only on small paper such as labels but also on
A wide variety of printing is also possible on printing materials having approximately flat surfaces.

By the way, in the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention, print data is created using the data in the VRAM provided in the display device ff19 in FIG.
By setting the image on the printer, it is possible to print with a small printer 26.

Therefore, the operation of setting VRAM data in the display device 19 to the printer buffer 24 will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of print information specified by the user in the mobile printing device of the present invention. In the drawing, X and y are the printing start position, the unit is dots, n' is the printing range in the vertical direction, m' is the printing range in the horizontal direction, and the unit is the dot conversion value of the millimeter value specified in the condition settings. .

It is assumed that the information set on the position designation screen shown in FIG. 7 and the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 8 are set as variables as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 (1) and (2) show the display device 19 (7) VR
2 is a memory configuration diagram showing an example of an AM and a printer buffer 24, in which (1) is a VRAM and (2) is a printer buffer 24. FIG. The symbols in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 13, m is the maximum printable range in the horizontal direction, n is the maximum printable range in the vertical direction, the unit is dot, Px and Py are the pointers of the dot images in the printer buffer 24, and A indicates the maximum printable range, and A' indicates the set print range.

First, let us explain VRAM as shown in Figure 14 (1).
), it is a two-dimensional array in byte units.

In the case of this VRAM, print information is declared as avv (number of vertical bytes yb) and [number of horizontal bytes xbl.

Further, the printer buffer 24 is also a two-dimensional array in units of bytes, as shown in FIG. 14(2).

In the case of the printer buffer 24, b is the print information.
Declare with uf (maximum number of printable horizontal dots m) and [maximum number of printable vertical bytes n/2].

Setting of print data from this VRAM to the printer buffer 24 is performed by a print start signal outputted by pressing a print switch provided on the small printer 26.

Next, the peripheral circuits of the print data setting unit 23 and the small printer print control unit 25 in which such print data is set will be described in detail.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the main configuration of peripheral circuits in the print data set section 23 and small printer print control section 25 of the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention shown in FIG. It is a block diagram. Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 1, and 27 is a bit data set section, 231 is a transfer source bit data calculation circuit based on condition setting, 232 is a bit data set position calculation circuit, and 251 is a head energization data generation section. , 252 is a printing operation control section, 253 is a head current supply/temperature correction control section, and 254 is a head movement direction control section.

255 is a head movement speed control section, 256 is a head pressure contact control section, 261 is a print head, 262 is a space motor, 263 is a head pressure contact section, and 264 is a print switch.

The functions of each part of the block shown in FIG. 15 are outlined as follows.

As already explained in connection with FIG. 1, the print data set unit 23 refers to the print range and print conditions stored in the cutout information storage area 22 and sets the print data in the VRAM. Store the data in printer buffer 24. The operation will be explained later in relation to the flow shown in FIG. 17.

The print data set section 23 is composed of the following sections denoted by numerals 231 and 232.

The transfer source bit data calculation circuit 231 based on the condition settings,
If the condition setting is the default (a condition that is usually used in large quantities and a default value set as an initial condition), V
Bit information is extracted from a horizontally arranged byte string on RAM. If conditions such as designation of print range, enlargement, black and white inversion, copying operation, etc. are set, bit information is extracted according to the conditions.

The bit data set position calculation circuit 232 calculates a position to set the bit information extracted by the printer buffer 24, and sets the data.

The printer buffer 24 was also explained in connection with FIG. 1 above, and is a storage means in which data such as documents and images created for printing is set.

The small printer print control unit 25 controls the C of the small printer 26.
Printing is performed by controlling the R (carriage) motor, print head, solenoid, etc., and controlling print data in the printer buffer 24.

This small printer print control section 25 includes symbols 251 to 25.
It consists of the following parts marked with 6.

The head energization data generation unit 251 generates data for the length of dots to be printed at one time.

The print operation control unit 252 is a small printer print control unit 25
, that is, the head energization data generation section 251,
Printing is performed by controlling each block numbered 253 to 256 below.

The head energization/temperature correction control unit 253 turns on/off the energization of the head, performs temperature correction, and the like.

The head movement direction control section 254 controls the movement direction of the print head 261.

The head movement speed control section 255 controls the print head 261
control the speed of movement.

The head pressure contact control unit 256 controls the pressure contact or separation of the head and paper, etc., with the ink ribbon in between.

The small printer 26 is a printing means including a CR motor, a print head, a solenoid, etc., and prints the print data set in the printer buffer 24.

This small printer 26 is composed of the following parts labeled 261 to 264.

The print head 261 is connected to the head energization/temperature correction control section 25
A voltage is applied by a signal from 3 to melt the ink ribbon and print.

Space motor 262 is a motor for moving print head 264. This space motor 262 is
In the case of a normal type printer in which the print head 264 is mounted on a carriage and moved together with the carriage in the printing direction, it is also called a CR motor.

The head pressure contact portion 263 is made of, for example, a solenoid.
It has a function of bringing the print head 261 into pressure contact with paper or the like.

The print switch 264 is a switch that has the function of instructing the start of printing, as already explained with reference to FIG.

The bit data setting unit 27 sets bit data.

Next, in the peripheral circuits of the print data set section 23 and the small printer print control section 25 shown in FIG.
The operation of setting AM data will be described.

FIG. 16 shows the V in the display device 19 in the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for setting RAM data into the printer buffer 24. FIG. The symbols in the drawings are the same as those in FIGS. 13 and 14, and #ll
~#21 indicates steps.

The flow shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the print switch 26 shown in FIG.
The printing starts in response to a printing start signal generated by pressing 4.

First, in step all, for the printer buffer 24, buf[m], (n/8) are initialized to "O", and the current positions apx and Py of the dot image in the printer buffer 24 are also initialized to "0". initialize.

Next, the process proceeds to step #12, where the current position Px is determined.

It is determined whether py is within the specified print range. In this case, a comparison is made between Px and m, and Py and n.

Current position [If Py is outside the print range, step #18
Then, add "+1" to py.

In the next step #19, if py≧n, step #2
Proceed to 0, return py to 0", and set Px to "+1"
do.

If py≧n is not found in step #19, the process returns to step #12 and it is determined whether the current positions Px and Py are within the printing range.

In step #20, when Px is incremented by ``+1'', in the next step #21, it is checked whether or not it is the end of the printer buffer 24 by Px≧m, and if it is the end, the process ends;
Otherwise, the process returns to step 312 and checks whether it is within the printing range.

In step #12, if it is within the print range, the process advances to the next step #13.

FIG. 17 shows the print data set section 23 shown in FIG. 15.
3 is a flowchart showing the flow of extraction processing of transfer source bits in FIG. Reference numerals in the drawings are the same as in FIGS. 13 and 14, and a indicates a flag indicating on/off of a dot, and 331 to 641 indicate steps.

In step #13, according to the flow shown in Fig. 17,
Set a to determine whether the transfer source bit is on or off. This a is "1" when the flag is on.

When it is off, it is set to "0".The flow shown in FIG. 17 will be described in detail later.

Next, in the flow of FIG. 16, proceed to step #14,
Check whether black and white is inverted.

If there is no inversion and a=1 (step #15), or if there is inversion and a=0 (step #16), the bit of the current position pxtpy of the printer buffer 24 is turned on in step 1t17. do.

Then step #18. At tt20, current position PX+
PY is updated, the process returns to step #12, and a determination is made as to whether or not it is within the designated print range.

When the printing operation ends, the flow shown in Fig. 16 also ends.
The display returns to the position designation screen shown in FIG. 7 again.

Here, the extraction process of the transfer source bits shown in FIG. 17 will be explained.

The print data set unit 23 receives V according to the printing conditions explained in connection with FIG.
Data is transferred from RAM.

First, in step #31 of the flowchart of FIG. 17, it is determined whether there is a copying operation, and if the printing conditions indicate that the copying operation is "yes", it is also determined whether the copying operation is vertical or horizontal.

When vertically dividing, it is determined in step #32 whether or not it is within the print range. If it is within the print range, it is inverted, rotated, or left as it is, and the bytes of the transfer source are transferred as in steps #34 to #36. The position is calculated and the process proceeds to step #41.

In addition, in the case of horizontal division, in step #33, it is similarly determined whether or not it is within the printing range, and if it is within the range, it can be reversed, rotated,
Correspondingly, the byte position of the transfer source is calculated as in steps #37 to #39, and the process proceeds to step #41.

If it is determined in step #31 that the copying operation is "no" as the print condition, the process proceeds to step #40, where the byte position of the transfer source is calculated, and the process proceeds to step #41.

Next, the printing operation of the small printer used in this invention will be described.

FIG. 18 is a time chart for explaining the printing operation of a small mobile printer connected to the system of a data processing apparatus having a mobile printing apparatus according to the present invention. In the drawings, ■ to ■ indicate operation periods, respectively.

The printing operations of the small-sized printer of this invention can be broadly classified into the following 1 to 2.

■ When the printer head moves down, the printing light (material to be printed) and the printer head are pressed together with the ink ribbon in between. This operation is performed gradually by turning on the solenoid while the motor is rotating in the forward direction.

■ This is an acceleration operation of the printer head, which is performed to increase the moving speed of the head to the printing speed.

(2) During the printing operation, the motor is rotated at a constant speed, and the head is energized once for each dot of head movement.

In synchronization with the energization of this head, the printer buffer 24
Transfer n dots (1 column) of data from to the printer,
By energizing the head, data for one column is printed, and this operation is repeated m times to perform printing. Note that signal lines for n dots are connected to the printer head.

■ This is a deceleration operation after printing is completed.

■ The phase of the motor is reversed and the motor is rotated in the opposite direction. At this time, the printer head is gradually raised upward by turning on the solenoid.

■ During carriage return, the printer head is returned to the home position while the motor continues to rotate in reverse.

Through the operations described above, printing is performed by the small printer 26.

Next, a case will be described in which printing is performed on a label, which is a small-sized printing medium, using the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention.

Figures 19 (1) to (3) are diagrams showing examples of labels printed by the mobile printing device of the present invention, in which (1) is in use, (2) is in vertical writing, and (3) is in use. is for horizontal writing.

The following Figures 20 (1) and (2) are diagrams showing examples of position specification screens for explaining the label printing method shown in Figure 1.9. ) is for horizontal writing. Reference numerals in the drawings are the same as in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 19 (1), when it is desired to attach a label to the binding of a document, a character string indicating the content is created using a word processor.

In the mobile printing device of the present invention, it is possible to write vertically as shown in FIG. 19(2), or horizontally as shown in FIG. 19(3).

As shown in Figure 19 (2), when writing vertically, the 20th
In the position specification screen shown in Figure (1), specify the print range frame F,
On the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 8, specify the copy operation as horizontal split and the copy method as normal (as is) and print.

Also, when writing horizontally as shown in Figure 19 (3),
After specifying the print range frame F on the position specification screen in FIG. 20(2), print by specifying the copy operation as horizontal split and the copy method as rotation on the print condition setting screen.

As explained in detail above, the present invention includes an input device, a display device, a printing device, a system memory, and a central processing unit that controls each of these parts, and has calligraphy and drawing creation and printing functions. In conventional data processing equipment,
a mobile printing device; a connection means for connecting the mobile printing device; a mobile printing device mode setting means for setting a mode for printing by the mobile printing device; a print image display means for displaying a print image of the mobile printer; a print range display means for displaying a print range of the mobile printer on the print image; and a print condition setting means for setting print conditions of the mobile printer. and when a printing mode for the mobile printing device is set by the mobile printing device mode setting means, the calligraphy data is output to the mobile printing device to perform printing.

Effects Therefore, according to the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention, since the printing device itself can be moved to any position, there are no restrictions on the type of printing material, and there is no need to set it in the printer. It becomes possible to print on various printing materials such as cardboard, notebooks, and even wooden tags.

In addition, there are no restrictions on the size of the printing material, so even extremely small printing materials, such as labels, can be printed on.
Can be printed directly.

Furthermore, since the operation of cutting out the printing range is simple and clear, there are no restrictions on the printing position, and printing positions that were previously impossible, such as near the bottom or top edge of the paper,
You can also print freely on the right corner, left corner, etc.

In addition, there are no restrictions on the direction in which character strings are arranged, so character strings can be printed diagonally, and the same character string can be printed repeatedly in the normal state (output as is). Image printing and printing in a normal state and in a rotated or reversed state can be performed in one printing operation.

Furthermore, since the print data is simply rearranged data on the VRAM and set in the printer buffer, the program size can also be small.

In this way, you can cut out an arbitrary range from document or image data created with a data processing device such as a word processor, and print it on a regular-sized sheet of paper as if you were pressing a rubber stamp. Printing on location is a hot topic, and it has the excellent effect of making it possible to easily print on small paper such as labels, cardboard, notebooks, wooden tags, etc., and significantly expanding the scope of use of word processors etc. It can be played.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the essential parts of a printing device of a data processing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of a word processor having a mobile printing device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the keyboard 3 shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document created by a word processor; FIG. 5 is the same as that shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing in the small printer mode in the data processing device having the mobile printing device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the range that can be printed at once by the small printer 26 in the mobile printing device of the second invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the print range specification screen and print result in the mobile printing device of the present invention, in which (1) is the position specification screen before setting, (2) ) is the position specification screen after setting, (3
) is a diagram showing a print result, and FIG. 1O is a diagram showing an example of an enlargement ratio designation screen and print result in the mobile printing device of the present invention, (1) is a position designation screen before setting, and (2) is a diagram showing an example of a print result. The position designation screen after setting, (3) is a diagram showing the print result, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the black and white inversion designation screen and the print result in the mobile printing device of the present invention, and (1) is a diagram showing an example of the print result. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the copy operation designation screen and print result in the mobile printing device of the present invention; FIG. 14(1) and (2) are diagrams showing an example of print information specified by the user in the display device 19.
15 is a memory configuration diagram showing an example of the VRAM and printer buffer 24 in the mobile printing device of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of peripheral circuits in the print data set section 23 and small printer print control section 25 of the data processing device. V in one display device 19 in a data processing device having a device
17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for setting RAM data into the printer buffer 24.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the transfer source bit extraction process in the data processing apparatus having the mobile printing apparatus of the present invention, for explaining the printing operation of the mobile small printer connected to the system. Time chart, Figures 19 (1) to (3) are diagrams showing an example of a label printed by the mobile printing device of the present invention, where (1) is in use, (2) is in vertical writing, (3) is for horizontal writing; Figures 20 (1) and (2) are diagrams showing an example of the position specification screen for explaining the label printing method shown in Figure 19;
1) is for vertical writing, and (2) is for horizontal writing. In the drawings, 11 is an input device, 12 is an input control unit, 1
3 is an editing department, 14 is a document text data storage area, 1
5 is a print control unit, 16 is a printing device, 17 is an area for storing data such as images, 18 is a display control unit, 19 is a display device, 2
0 is a print position designation section, 21 is a print condition setting section, 22 is a cutting information storage area, 23 is a print data set section, 24
is a printer buffer, 25 is a small printer print control unit,
26 is a small printer. Shibori 4 Zuzaka 6 Zujin 7 Zukan 8 Diagram (1) O, 11 Zujin 12 Zuchu 14 Diagram 19 Diagram 20 Diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is equipped with an input device, a display device, a printing device, a system memory, and a central processing unit that controls each of these parts,
A data processing device having calligraphy creation and printing functions includes a mobile printing device, a connection means for connecting the mobile printing device, and a mobile printing device mode for setting a mode for printing by the mobile printing device. a setting means, a print image display means for displaying a print image of the mobile printing device on the display device, a print range display means for displaying a print range of the mobile printing device on the print image, printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions of the printing device, and when a printing mode for the mobile printing device is set by the mobile printing device mode setting means, calligraphy data is sent to the mobile printing device. A mobile printing device characterized by outputting and printing.