KR100244017B1 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tape printer for printing an arbitrary character string on a tape, wherein the character string data to be printed from the key input unit 2 to the printing medium tape 11 is operated by inputting a character input key 2a and simultaneously formatted. By operating the key 2c, it is determined whether to print the entirety of the input character string data as a vertical factor that prints the vertical character in the longitudinal direction of the tape 11 or a horizontal character that prints the horizontal character. Any character string in the character string data displayed on the display section 3 and displayed on the display section 3 by operating the horizontal key 2g when a seed factor is set based on the operation of the format setting key 2c. When the data is specified, a partial horizontal factor that prints horizontally in the width direction of the tape 11 is set, and when such a setting is instructed to start printing, the vertical and horizontal characters are mixed. The child data is created. At this time, the length of the pattern data of the character string data set by the horizontal key 2g is equal to the width of the pattern data of the character string data set by the formatting key 2c. The pattern data of the character string data in which the vertical factor and the partial horizontal factor are set are arranged in correspondence with the width of the tape 11 to create printing data, which are in turn to the printing head 8 of the printing section 7. It is supplied, and it prints on the tape 11, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Description

Tape Printer

The present invention relates to a tape printer for printing arbitrary character strings onto a tape.

Tape printers are used to create titles and nameplates for video and audio cassettes.

In this tape printer, when character string data to be printed is inputted and the argument of the string data is instructed, pattern data corresponding to the input string data is taken out from the character generator and expanded as print data in the register for printing. Is supplied to the printer portion and printed along the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In the conventional tape printer, by setting the vertical or horizontal line, the entire inputted character string can be printed as the vertical or horizontal line with respect to the tape.

It is also possible to partially set the combination of the vertical and horizontal lines to print by combining the strings of the vertical and the horizontal lines.

In other words, when the end factor and the runner factor are mixed in one tape factor, the string data to be printed in each format after the format of the end and the runner is set by key operation for each of the end part and the runner part. I was entering the argument size. If necessary, input data such as argument character type and character expression.

However, in the conventional tape printer, when the vertical and horizontal arguments are mixed in one tape factor, the format setting operation is complicated. For example, when the horizontal character string is combined in the vertical character string, the size of the character to be used as the vertical character is determined. It was difficult to determine the print size of the character to be balanced horizontally, and the print width size of the vertical string and the print length size of the horizontal string were inconsistent, resulting in unsatisfactory printing results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a tape printer which can easily perform the format setting operation when a seed factor and a horizontal factor are mixed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer in which a string of strings and a string of strings can be arranged in a balanced manner and printed on a tape, whereby a tape factor result in which a good seed and strings are mixed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input means for inputting character string data to be printed on a printing medium tape, and a seed factor and a horizontal line for characterizing character string data input from the input means in a longitudinal direction of the tape. A tape printing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting printing on either of the printing and printing factors, and printing means for printing the character string data input from the input means to the tape according to the setting of the setting means. Setting changing means for changing the setting to a partial transverse factor which prints any character string data among the character string data set by the setting means in a transverse direction in the width direction of the tape, and the partial transverse factor by this setting changing means. The length of the pattern data of the character string data whose setting is changed to The pattern data of the string data having the argument equal to the width of the pattern data of the string data set, the pattern data of the string data of which the end factor is set by the setting means, and the pattern data of the string data whose setting is changed to the partial transverse factor by the setting changing means. Is arranged so as to correspond to the width of the tape to create printing data, and has control means for supplying the printing data to the printing means.

In such a tape printer, the width of the string data in which the end arguments are set and the length of the string data in which the partial horizontal arguments are set in the vertical argument are equal to be printed, and the vertical string and the horizontal string are arranged in a balanced manner so that a good print result is obtained. Obtained. In addition, the setting of the partial horizontal shift factor in the vertical factor can be performed simply by selecting arbitrary character string data by the setting change means.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus main body, a printing medium tape accommodated in a cassette and mounted on the apparatus main body, and a width size of a tape installed in the apparatus main body and mounted on the apparatus main body. Tape width detection means for detecting by identifying the shape, Input means for inputting character string data to be printed on the tape, Vertical factor and horizontal line for printing character string data input from the input means in a longitudinal direction of the tape. And a setting means for setting printing on either of the horizontal and horizontal printing factors to be printed on the tape; and a printing means for printing the character string data input from the input means to the tape according to the setting by the setting means. Data of a character string in which a seed factor is set by the setting means. Setting changing means for setting and changing the data of any character string of the character string of the character data of the character string data inputted from the input means, and setting-change means for setting and changing the partial character of the character character in the width direction of the tape horizontally; Printing means sizing means for determining the maximum size to be stored in the width size of the tape detected by the tape; and the length of the pattern data of the character string data set by the setting change means by the setting change means. The punctuation data of the character string data having the end factor set by the setting means and the setting changing means being equal to the width of the pattern data corresponding to the factor size determined by the factor sizing means. The pattern of the string data whose setting is changed to the partial horizontal argument by The data was arranged in correspondence with the width of the tape to create printing data, and the control means for supplying the printing data to the printing means was configured.

In such a tape printer, the width of the string data in which the end factor is set is equal to the length of the string data in which the partial horizontal factor is set in the end factor, and the string data of the end factor is settled in the width direction of the tape mounted on the main body of the apparatus. The largest print size is selected and printed, and the vertical and horizontal strings are arranged in a nicely balanced manner, resulting in a good print result. In addition, the setting of the partial horizontal shift factor in the vertical factor can be performed simply by selecting arbitrary character string data by the setting change means.

1 is a perspective view of a tape printer of an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tape cassette receptacle provided in the main body of the tape printer;

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the tape printer;

4 is a view showing the configuration of a register provided in the RAM of the tape printer;

5 is a diagram showing a data structure of one character of character string data stored as text data in an input buffer in RAM of the tape printer;

6 is a flowchart showing text creation processing by the tape printer;

7 is a flowchart showing a tape printing process by the tape printer;

8 is a view showing an input display state of text data accompanying text creation processing of the tape printer;

9 is a diagram showing a printing state of text data accompanying the tape printing process of the tape printer.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

1 device main body 2 key input unit

2a: Character input key 2c: Menu key

2c: Formatting key 2d: Character size key

2e: Character Font Key 2f: Character Modification Key

2g: Horizontal key 2h: Cursor key

3: liquid crystal display section 4: cover

7: printing part 8: thermal head

9: platen roller 11: tape

12: ink ribbon 14: ink ribbon winding axis

16: axis 17: support

22: cutter 23: fixed blade

24: operation day 30: control unit (CPU)

31: RAM 32: ROM

35: display driver 36: motor

37, 41: drive circuit 40: stepping motor

43: detector

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a tape printer of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a key cassette 2 and a liquid crystal display 3 are provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, and a tape cassette accommodating portion 5 covered with a lid 4 that can be opened and closed is provided.

The key input section 2 is provided with character input keys 2a such as character keys, numeric keys, and symbol keys for inputting text data (string data) and menu keys 2b operated when displaying a menu selection screen. To display the character size key (2d) and the character font selection screen to be operated when displaying the formatting key (2c) and character size (factor size) selection screen operated when formatting is performed in the text creation mode. Horizontal tone to be operated when specifying the range in which partial character printing is performed on the input character string data by setting the character font key 2e to be operated, the character expression key 2f to be operated when displaying the character expression selection screen, and vertical printing. The key 2g and a key such as a cursor key 2h to be operated when moving the cursor on the display screen or selecting data are provided.

The format setting key 2c is for setting a vertical print (hereinafter simply referred to as a vertical letter) or a horizontal print (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a horizontal letter) in the text writing mode. The printed character string data is printed in the longitudinal direction of the tape as a vertical letter. The horizontal print is the character string input in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In the partial horizontal printing set by the horizontal key 2g, when character string printing is set in the entirety of the character string data input by the format setting key 2c, a portion of the character string data is shifted horizontally in the width direction of the tape. It is to print.

"6" is a tape discharge port through which the printed tape 11 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 1.

Fig. 2 shows the inside of the cassette accommodating portion 5 with the lid 4 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 of the tape printer open. Inside the cassette accommodating part 5, the printing part 7 which consists of a thermal printer is provided.

In the cassette accommodating portion 5, a tape cassette 10 containing a printing tape 11 and a thermal transfer ink ribbon 12 is mounted.

The printing section 7 has a printing head (thermal head) 8 which is driven to generate heat on the basis of the printing data, and is rotated when the thermal head 8 is driven to drive the tape 11 and the ink ribbon 12. The platen roller 9 and the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 to convey are provided.

The thermal head 8 includes a plurality of heat generating elements 15 arranged in a line along the width direction of the tape 11, and is attached to a support 17 which is rotatable about an axis 16. The thermal head 8 is pivoted about the shaft 16 and press-bonded to the platen roller 9 at the time of printing, and the platen roller 9 at the time of replacing the tape cassette 10 by opening the lid 4. ). At the time of printing, the platen roller 9 is rotated by a predetermined angle counterclockwise for every one line of the thermal head 8 to convey the tape 11 and the ink ribbon 12 by a predetermined distance. At this time, the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 is also rotated in a clockwise direction to wind the used ink ribbon 12.

The rotation driving means of the platen roller 9 and the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 has the same configuration as a well-known tape printer, and is composed of a driving source such as a stepping motor and a gear train transmission mechanism for slowing down and transmitting the rotational movement of the driving source. do.

The tape cassette 10 mounted on the cassette accommodating portion 5 includes a tape supply roll 18 having the printing tape 11 wrapped in the cassette case 17, and an ink ribbon supply reel having the unused ink ribbon wound thereon ( 19) and a winding roll 20 for winding the used ink ribbon. In addition, a recess 21 for accommodating the thermal head 8 is provided in a portion of the cassette case 17, and the tape 11 and the ink ribbon 12 are moved from the cassette case 17 to the recess 21. It is withdrawn and set between the thermal head 8 and the platen roller 9.

The printing tape 11 is composed of a synthetic resin sheet having an adhesive applied to the rear surface thereof to form a printing surface, and a release paper attached to the rear surface of the synthetic resin sheet.

The printing tape 11 is prepared with different width sizes, for example, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, and the like, and a plurality of types of tape cassettes 10 each containing tapes 11 having different width sizes are prepared. It is. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the cassette accommodating portion 5 detects the shape of the tape cassette 10 accommodated therein to obtain information on the width size of the printing tape 11 accommodated in the tape cassette 10. Detector is installed. The tape cassette 10 differs in part of its external shape depending on the width of the printing tape 11 accommodated therein. On the other hand, the detector is composed of a plurality of switches, and the switches are fitted to the other shaped portions of the tape cassette 10. As a result, the combination of the operations of ON and OFF of the plurality of switches is different depending on the type of the tape cassette 10, and the combination of the operations of ON and OFF of the switches is used as information on the width size of the printing tape 11. To extract.

The cassette accommodating part 5 is provided with a cutter 22 for cutting the finished tape 11 adjacent to the tape outlet 6. The cutter 22 is provided with the fixed blade 23 and the movable blade 24, the movable blade 23 is moved with respect to the fixed blade 22 by the drive of a motor, and cutting of the printed tape 11 is performed. do.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of the tape printer of the present invention.

The electronic circuit of this tape printer is provided with a control unit (CPU) 30.

The control unit 30 activates the system program stored in the ROM 31 in advance in accordance with the key operation signal from the keyboard 2 and performs operation control of each circuit unit.

A keyboard 2, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, and a character generator 33 are connected to the control unit 30, and a printing unit 7 is connected to the printing unit 35 through the printing control unit 34. The display unit 3 is connected via the motor, and the cutter drive unit 38 including the motor 36 for driving the cutter 22 and the drive circuit 37 is connected.

The print portion 7 is provided with a thermal head 8 and a thermal head driver 39 for driving the thermal head 8.

Moreover, the tape ink ribbon conveyance drive part 42 including the stepping motor 40 and its drive circuit 41 is provided. The rotational output of the stepping motor 40 is transmitted to the platen roller 9 and the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 through a transmission mechanism consisting of a gear train (not shown). The conveying drive part 42 conveys the printing tape 11 and the ink ribbon 12 by a predetermined length each time the heat generating element of one line of the thermal head 8 is heat-driven.

The ROM 31 stores in advance a system control program by the control unit 30, such as an input control program or a print control program for text data in various data input modes.

In the character generator 33, pattern data for display and printing corresponding to the entire character / symbol code that can be input by the key input unit 2 is stored in advance.

The control unit 30 is also connected with a detector 43 for obtaining width information of the printing tape 11. The detector 43 is provided in the cassette housing portion 5 as described above, and is provided with a plurality of switches that operate ON and OFF according to the external shape of the tape cassette 10 mounted on the cassette accommodation portion 5. It is composed.

Also, when the character size key 2d of the key input unit 2 is operated, the character size selection screen displayed on the display unit 3 is, for example, "1 x 1"-when the standard character size is "1 x 1". Character font displayed on the display unit 3 when 40 kinds of size designation data of "1 x 8", "2 x 1" to "5 x 8" are displayed, and the character font key 2e is operated. On the selection screen, for example, designated data of character types such as "Gothic" and "Moll" is displayed, and the character expression selection screen displayed on the display unit 3 when the character expression key 2f is operated is for example. Character expression designation data such as "network processing", "underscore" and "border strip" are displayed.

4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a register provided in the RAM 32 of the tape printer.

In the RAM 32, a bitmap in which the input buffer 32a in which the keyed text data is stored as text data and the display data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3 are read from the character generator 33 for each character Display buffer 32b, which is developed and stored in the data, and print data to be printed by the printing unit 7 are printed and stored in the bitmap pattern read out from the character generator 33 for each character, and the printing buffer 32c, which is text. When the operation mode flag register 32d is set to "A = 0" in the creation mode and "A = 1" in the print mode, and when "paper printing" is set in the text creation mode, "B = 1" and " Character size data memo that stores the selected character size data in the format mode flag register 32e set to "B = 0" and the character size selection screen in the text creation mode when horizontal printing is set. (32f), the character font data memory 32g in which the type data of the font selected and selected in the character font selection screen is stored; and the character expression data memory 32h in which the modified pattern data of the font selected and selected in the character expression selection screen is stored. A pointer register 32j in which pointer data P for sequentially instructing individual character data of text data stored in the input buffer 32a is stored in the print mode, and the input buffer 32a in the print mode. The counter register 32j and the detector 43 in which count data c which counts the consecutive number of character data having the horizontal tone flag &quot; H = 1 &quot; Tape width data resist 32k in which tape width data detected by the memory is stored, work memory 32m for processing data, and the like A data register is provided.

The liquid crystal display unit 3 has a dot matrix display screen and is driven by the control unit (CPU) 30 in accordance with the display data stored in the display buffer 32b in the RAM 32.

The printing section 7 is formed of a thermal transfer printer, and the ink ribbons are supplied to the tape 11 into which the printing data stored in the printing buffer 32c in the RAM 32 is fed from the tape supply roll 18. 12) is dissolved and printed by 1 dot line data.

Fig. 5 shows a data structure of one character of character string data stored as text data in an input buffer 32a in the RAM 32 of the tape printer.

The data for one character stored in the application buffer 32a is composed of character data stored as code data, attribute data indicating the type of font, modification pattern, printing size, and horizontal tone flag data indicating whether or not partial horizontal printing is specified. The print size data, the font font data, and the text formula data are set and stored in the corresponding memories 32f to 32h, respectively. When data is stored in correspondence with attribute data, and a range of partial horizontal printing is specified by operating the "horizontal tone" key on the input character string data, the horizontal tone flag "H = 1 for each character data corresponding to the specified range. Will be associated and remembered.

Next, the operation of the tape printer according to the above configuration will be described.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing text creation processing by the tape printer.

7 is a flowchart showing a tape printing process by the tape printer.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an input display state of text data accompanying the text creating process of the tape printer.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a printing state of text data accompanying the tape printing process of the tape printer.

If the text creation menu is selected while the menu selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3 by operating the &quot; menu &quot; key 26 of the key input unit 2, the text in the operation mode flag register 32d in the RAM 32 is selected. When the creation mode flag &quot; A = 0 &quot; is set, the text magnetic processing in Fig. 6 is started, and data stored in the various registers in the RAM 32 are cleared and initialized (step S1).

Then, the control unit (CPU) 30 enters the state of waiting for key input, and when the &quot; format setting &quot; key 2c of the key input unit 2 is operated, the &quot; paper &quot; and the &quot; window &quot; A style selection screen for selecting authorization is displayed (step S2-> S3).

When "paper" is selected in accordance with the display of the format selection screen, the seed paper flag "B = 1" is set for the format mode flag register 32e in the RAM 32 (steps S3 to S4 and S5).

On the other hand, when &quot; window &quot; is selected on the format selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 3, the crosswinder flag &quot; B = 0 &quot; is set for the format mode flag register 32e in the RAM 32 (step S3? S4? S6).

In the format selection screen, the print size of the character string to be input as a seed from now on is selected in the state in which "seed" is selected and the seed flag "B = 1" is set for the format mode flag register 32c in the RAM 32. To set the character type and the character expression, first of all, by operating the &quot; character size &quot; key 2d of the key input unit 2, the &quot; 1 x 1 &quot; to &quot; 1 x 8 &quot; A character size selection screen in which 40 types of print size data in total from x1 &quot; to &quot; 5 x 8 &quot; are arranged is displayed (steps S7 to S8). In addition, since the tape width information is obtained by the detector 43, only the print size that can be printed on the currently set tape is displayed.

If an arbitrary print size is selected in accordance with the display of this character size selection screen, the selected print size data is stored in the print size data memory 32f in the RAM 32 (steps S8? S9).

Subsequently, when the "character font" key 2e of the key input unit 2 is operated, the character font selection screen in which the type of the character font composed of, for example, "gothic" and "mohair" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3 is displayed. (Step S10-> S11).

If an arbitrary character font is selected in accordance with the display of the character font selection screen, the selected character font data is stored in the character font data memory 32g in the RAM 32. (Steps S11 to S12).

When the "character formula" key 25 of the key input section 2 is operated, the character formula selection in which the pattern of character formula consisting of "hatched", "underline" and "border" is arranged for the liquid crystal display section 3, for example. The screen is displayed (from step S13 to step S14).

When an arbitrary mathematical pattern is selected in accordance with the display of the character formula selection screen, the selected mathematical data is stored in the character formula data memory 32h in the RAM 32 (steps S14 to S15).

In this way, the character input key 2a of the key input unit 2 is operated by setting the attribute data factor size, character font, and character expression for the character data to be input as the text data. When B, "C", "D", and "E" are input, the individual character data inputted are stored as character code data in order in the input buffer 32a in the RAM 32, and at the same time, the print size data for each character code data. Attribute data set and stored in the memory 32f, the character font data memory 32g, and the character expression data memory 32h are added and stored (steps S16 to S17 and S18).

In this case, it is determined that the text creation mode flag &quot; A = 0 &quot; is set in the operation mode flag register 32d in the RAM 32 for every one character input, and the state enters the standby mode for the next character (steps S19 to S16).

In this way, when an arbitrary character string "ABCDE" as text data is input and stored in the input buffer 32a in the RAM 32, the individual character data constituting the input text data is in accordance with the corresponding character code data and attribute data, respectively. The character generator 33 reads out the font pattern data, expands the display buffer 32b, and displays the same on the liquid crystal display 3 (see FIG. 8).

In this way, when the vertical format is set and the partial horizontal printing of the arbitrary character string "CD" is performed among the character string "ABCDE" of the input and displayed text data, the "tone" key 2g of the key input section 2 is operated. It is determined that the seed paper flag "B = 1" is set in the format mode flag register 32e in the RAM 32, and it is determined whether or not the character data inputted at the cursor instruction position on the liquid crystal display unit 3 exists (step S20). → S21 → S22).

If it is determined that the vertical flag "B = 1" is set in the format mode flag register 32e, and it is determined that an input character exists, it is determined whether or not the range of the character string to be subjected to partial horizontal printing is specified (step S22). → S23).

The designation of the partial horizontal coefficient is performed by combining the cursor with the character string data displayed on the display section 3 and operating the horizontal key 2g. Fig. 8 shows a case where partial horizontal printing is designated for C and D of the character strings A to E. Figs.

After this designation, if it is determined that the number of characters corresponding to the designated range is less than or equal to the prescribed number of characters (α) or less than the maximum number of characters capable of partial cross-printing (α), the individual character data "C" and "D" corresponding to the above-mentioned horizontal and horizontal designation ranges are determined. The horizontal tone flag &quot; H = 1 &quot; is added to the input buffer 32a (see Fig. 5) (steps S23? S24? S25). The prescribed number alpha is predetermined in accordance with the data of the print size, which is input and stored in the print size data memory 32f. The data of the prescribed number alpha is stored in the ROM 31.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of characters corresponding to the above-mentioned horizontal tone specification range is larger than the number of prescribed characters α, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3, and the user is prompted to reset the horizontal tone specification range (steps S24-S26).

That is, in the above text creation process, when the vertical format is set and the desired character string "CD" in the input character string "ABCDE" is to be partially printed side by side, the range of the arbitrary character string "CD" is set to "" in the key input section 2. It is only necessary to designate by operating the horizontal tone &quot; key 2g and the cursor key 2h.

Next, an operation of printing the text data "ABCDE" created by the text creating process will be described.

The operation mode in the RAM 32 is selected by selecting "Print" displayed on the menu selection screen while operating the "menu" key 2b of the key input section 2 and displaying the menu selection screen on the liquid crystal display section 3. The print mode flag "A = 1" is set for the flag register 32d, and the print process in FIG. 7 is started.

When this print process is started, the pointer register 32i and the counter register 32j in the RAM 32 are cleared to "0" and initialized (step A1).

First, it is judged whether or not the seed paper flag "B = 1" is set in the format mode flag register 32e in the RAM 32, and when it is determined that the seed paper flag "B = 1" is set, the pointer register 32i is set. The pointer data P is set to &quot; 1 &quot; and the first character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is instructed (steps A2 to A3).

In this case, when the text data "ABCDE" is stored in the input buffer 32a, and it is determined that "A" is the first character, it is determined whether or not the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is added to the character data ( Step A4-> A5).

In this case, since the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is not added to the first character "A" of the text data, the font corresponding to the character code data indicated by the pointer data "P = 1" and its attribute data. The pattern data "A" is read from the character generator 33 and developed vertically in the printing buffer 32c in the RAM 32 (steps A5-> A6).

Then, the pointer data P of the pointer register 32i is (+1) updated to " 2 " and the second character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is instructed (step A7).

In this case, if it is determined that "B" is present as the second character of the text data, it is determined that the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is not added to the second character "B". The character code data supported and the font pattern data "B" corresponding to the attribute data are read from the character generator 33 and expanded to the printing buffer 32c in the RAM 32 vertically (steps A8-> A5-> A6). ).

After that, the pointer data P of the pointer register 32i is set to (+1) and set to " 3 " and the third character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is instructed to indicate whether there is an input character. It is judged whether or not (steps A7 and A8).

In this case, if it is determined that "C" is the third character of the text data, it is determined that the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is added to the third character "C", and thus the counter register 32j in the RAM 32 is used. The count data C is +1 and is counted up to &quot; 1 &quot; and the number of consecutive characters having the horizontal tone flag &quot; H = 1 &quot; is set as &quot; 1 &quot; (steps A8-> A5-> A9).

Then, the pointer data P of the pointer register 32j is (+1) set to " 4 " and the fourth character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is indicated to indicate whether or not the input character exists. (Step A10, A11).

In this step A11, for example, if it is determined that the fourth character of the text data does not exist, the character data to which the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is added becomes only one character of the third character "C". After the first character "A" and the second character "B", the third character "C" is also a normal seed font, and the pattern data read from the character generator 33 is developed in the printing buffer 32c (step A11-&gt; A6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step A11 that "D" is present as the fourth character of the text data, it is determined that the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is also added to the fourth character "D". The count data C of the counter register 32j is also (+1) and counted up to &quot; 2 &quot; and the number of consecutive characters having the horizontal tone flag &quot; H = 1 &quot; is set as &quot; 2 &quot; (Steps A11 to A12 to A9). ).

Then, the pointer data P of the pointer register 32j is (+1) set to " 5 " and the fifth character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is indicated and whether the input character exists or not. It is determined whether it is (step A10, A11).

If it is determined that "E" is the fifth character of the text data, it is determined that the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is not added to the fifth character "E". Therefore, the counter register 32j in the RAM 32 is determined. Count data C) is counted, and it is determined whether the number of consecutive characters "C = 2" having the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" up to that time is more than one character (steps A11 to A12 to A13 and A14). ).

In this step A14, when it is determined that the number of consecutive characters C having the horizontal tone flag " H = 1 " represented by the count date C of the counter register 32j is one character or less, for example, the count data. (C) clears &quot; 0 &quot; and the corresponding character data develops pattern data read from the character generator 33 into the printing buffer 32c as a normal seed font (steps A14 to A15 and A6).

In step A14, the count data C stored in the counter register 32j is " 2 ", and the number of consecutive characters C having the horizontal tone flag &quot; H = 1 &quot; If it is determined that the number of characters exceeds one character by character, the font pattern data "C" and "D" corresponding to the character code data to which the corresponding horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is added are read from the character generator 33, and these two characters are read. Font pattern data is stored horizontally in the width direction of the tape 11 detected by the detector 43, and the length L (see Fig. 9) of the pattern data of the horizontal portion is character size data memory 32f. Is reduced so as to be equal to the width W (see Fig. 9) of the pattern data corresponding to the character string data of the vertical section portion set in step (steps A14 to A16).

In this case, the character data specified by the horizontal adjustment is two characters of "C", "D", and the same as the maximum width of the font width (W) of other normal fonts "A", "B", and "E". The width of each of the character data "C" and "D" is reduced to 1/2, and the half reduction processing of the normal font pattern data is performed on the font pattern of the set factor size read from the character generator 33. This is accomplished by taking a logical sum of the presence or absence of black data by two dot patterns in the direction. This reduction process is performed in the working memory 32m of the RAM 32.

The reduction processing is to reduce the width of the pattern data of the font by 1/2, but the reduction ratio is determined in accordance with the number of characters for which the partial transverse factor is set. For example, if the number of characters in the partial horizontal argument is three, the width is reduced to 1/3 with respect to the pattern data of the vertical argument, and if it is four, the width is reduced to 1/4.

In the above example, the width direction of the pattern data of the font is reduced, but if the pattern data of a small size suitable for the character generator 33 is stored, it may be used.

In this way, when the pattern data of the horizontal adjustment portion is created, the font pattern data "CD" is the pattern data of the normal seed fonts "A" and "B" of the first and second characters that are developed in the printing buffer 32c. Subsequently, partial horizontal writing is performed (step A17).

Then, the pointer data P of the pointer register 32i is also (+1) updated to " 6 " and the sixth character of the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is instructed (step A7).

In this case, since it is judged that the sixth character of the text data does not exist, the creation of the print data consisting of the pattern data of the vertical pattern including the partial transverse range developed in the print buffer 32c in the RAM 32 is completed. Since the print size that can be specified is determined based on the tape width information by the detector 43, the vertical and horizontal portions are arranged so that the printing data is stored within the width of the tape.

This print data is output to the print section 7 and printed on the tape 11 as shown in FIG. 9 (from step A8 to A19).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step A2 that the horizontal mode flag "B = 0" has been set for the format mode flag register 32c in the RAM 32, the text data stored in the input buffer 32a is The font pattern data read from the character generator 33 corresponding to the entire character code data and the attribute data are spread out horizontally to the printing buffer 32c and output to the printing section 7 so as to be horizontal to the tape 11. It is printed (steps A2 to A20 and A19).

Therefore, according to the tape printer of the above-described configuration, the key input unit 2 is used to partially cross-print an arbitrary character string "CD" in the character string data "ABCDE" stored in the input buffer 32a in the RAM 32 as text data. When the range is specified by operating the "row tone" key 2g, the horizontal tone flag "H = 1" is added to and stored in the character data of the horizontal tone specification range. When the print process is started, the range of partial horizontal printing is determined from the number of consecutive characters of the horizontal flat flag (H) added to the individual text data, and the total length (L) of the pattern data of the horizontal text of the corresponding part is different. The user inputs the text because it is reduced to be equal to the width W of the pattern data of the vertical text and expanded to the printing buffer 32c and printed as text data of the vertical text including the partial transverse text by the printing section 7. By simply specifying the range that you want to perform partial cross-printing on the data, the character font of the specified range is automatically reduced and horizontally printed after the character font of the vertical line. It can be carried out.

In the above description, the print size data is input from the key input unit 2 together with the character string data. However, the print size can be automatically set to the maximum size to be stored within the width of the tape 11. The width information of the tape 11 is obtained from the detector 43. The maximum factor size is determined in advance for each tape width therein and stored in the ROM 31 automatically based on the tape width information obtained from the detector 43 and the data stored in the ROM 31 in the text creation mode. The print size is set and stored in the print size data memory 32f.

This eliminates the user's operation of inputting the print size and prints to the maximum of the width of the tape 11, resulting in a good print result.

Claims (9)

An input means for inputting character string data to be printed on a printing medium tape, one of a seed factor for printing the character string data input from the input means as a vertical letter in the longitudinal direction of the tape and a horizontal factor for printing a horizontal letter; A tape factoring device having setting means and a printing means for printing the character string data input from said input means to said tape in accordance with the setting of said setting means, wherein any of the character string data set by the setting means has a seed factor set. The setting changing means for changing the setting to the partial transverse factor for printing the character string data in the width direction of the tape, and the length of the pattern data of the character string data whose setting has been changed to the partial transverse factor by the setting changing means. The width of the pattern data of the character string data in which the seed factor is set by means; The pattern data of the string data in which the end factor is set by the setting means and the pattern data of the string data whose setting is changed to the partial transverse factor by the setting changing means are arranged in correspondence with the width of the tape so as to print the print data. And a control means for creating and supplying the interest data to the printing means. 2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes: pattern data storage means for storing pattern data corresponding to each character data of character string data inputted from said input means, and character string data set by partial setting parameters by said setting change means; The pattern data corresponding to each character data of the string data set by the setting changing means is set so that the length of the pattern data is equal to the width of the pattern data of the string data on which the end factor is set by the setting means. A size change means for receiving from the pattern data storage means and changing the size, and pattern data corresponding to each character data of the character string data set by the setting means from the pattern data storage means; The setting change number whose size is changed by the changing means Print data creation means for composing the print data arranged in correspondence with the width of the tape by combining with the pattern data of the character string data set by the partial transverse factor; and the print data created by the print data creation means. And a data supply means for supplying the data to the tape argument device. A key according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising display means for displaying character string data input from said input means, said key for indicating any character string data for setting and changing said setting changing means on a display screen of said display means. Tape argument device further comprising an input means. 3. The tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said setting changing means comprises an input buffer for storing setting data of the partial transponder factor corresponding to each character data of the character string data input by said input means. Printing device. 2. The character string setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether or not the number of character data of the character string data set and changed by the setting changing means exceeds a predetermined number, and the character string set and changed by the setting changing means. And a means for invalidating the change of the setting by said setting changing means when the number of character data of data exceeds a predetermined number. A tape width detecting means for detecting the width of the tape of the apparatus main body, the printing medium accommodated in the cassette and mounted on the apparatus main body, and the width size of the tape mounted on the apparatus main body by identifying the shape of the cassette; Setting an input means for inputting character string data to be printed on the tape, a seed factor for printing the character string data input from the input means in a longitudinal direction of the tape and a transverse factor for printing the transverse characters; A tape factoring device having setting means and a printing means for printing character string data input from said input means to said tape in accordance with the setting by said setting means, comprising: Data of any character string in the data in the width direction of the tape Setting changing means for changing the setting to the partial horizontal and horizontal coefficients, and the maximum size to store the print size of each character data of the character string data input from the input means in the width size of the tape detected by the tape width detecting means. The factor size determining means for determining the size of the pattern data of the character string data set by the setting changing means and the character data set by the setting means. The pattern data of the character string data having the same width as the pattern data corresponding to the determined print size, and the pattern data of the character string data whose setting is changed to the partial transponder factor by the setting changing means are stored. Place the print data in correspondence with the width of the tape. Sex, and the tape printing apparatus comprising control means for supplying the print data to the print means. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising display means for displaying character string data input from said input means, said setting changing means being key input means for instructing arbitrary character string data to be changed on a display screen of said display means. Tape factor device comprising a. 7. The tape factoring device according to claim 6, wherein the setting changing means includes an input buffer for storing setting data of the partial transverse factor corresponding to each character data of the character string data input by the input means. The character string setting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the number of character data of the character string data set and changed by said setting means exceeds a predetermined number, and said character string data set and changed by said setting changing means. And a means for invalidating the change of the setting by said setting changing means when the number of characters of data exceeds a predetermined number.

Images