JPH0561623A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The present invention, in a printing device such as a word processor, easily and accurately performs framed printing of a character string to be printed without separately inputting a frame line itself for the character string to be printed. The purpose is to [Structure] A frame control code and a line feed control code of individual character data are read for the frame-designated frame-designated first character coordinate and last character coordinate and a line feed character coordinate stored in the print data storage unit 42. When the control code register 46 is stored, it is stored in the control code register 46 in advance.
Based on the frame designation start character coordinates and the number of line breaks stored in
The print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame on the print start side are obtained, the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame on the print end side are obtained based on the frame designation end character coordinates and the number of line feeds, and these are determined. The print control section 43 is configured to obtain a print position corresponding to the designated frame.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device provided in a word processor or the like used for key-in inputting and printing out arbitrary character data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a word processor or the like, when an attempt is made to print a character string to be printed with a frame with a frame, a rectangular frame of an arbitrary size is created in advance and the frame is covered by the frame. Create a character string to be printed with a frame by inputting the character string to be printed or surrounding the character string with the ruled line function after inputting the character string to be printed, and print out this as the data to be printed. is doing.

[0003]

However, when creating the above rectangular frame, it is necessary to set the range of the frame in advance by assuming the number of input characters and the print length of the input characters to be accommodated in the frame. Therefore, not only is the frame size setting operation troublesome, but it is difficult to set a frame that accurately corresponds to the character printing range.

On the other hand, if the ruled line function is used, it is possible to obtain a frame that accurately corresponds to the character string to be printed. However, a plurality of (at least four) ruled lines forming the frame are input one by one. However, there is a drawback that the input operation is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device capable of easily and accurately performing framed printing of a character string to be printed without separately inputting a frame line itself to the character string to be printed.

[0006]

That is, a printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a character input means, a frame specifying means for specifying a frame for a character string of a plurality of lines input by the character input means, and A frame end determination unit that determines whether or not the last character designated by the frame designating unit is the end of a sentence, and a case where the last character designated by the frame end determination unit is determined to be the end of a sentence. Is a sentence end frame setting means for setting a frame within the range up to the longest line end in the frame designation character string, and the frame designation if the last character designated by the frame end determination means is not the sentence end. The last line in the character string sets the frame within the specified range, and in other lines, sets the frame within the range up to the end of the line, and the frame according to the range of the frame set by the frame setting unit. Equipped with printing means for printing characters It is obtained by configuration Te.

[0007]

In other words, if the character-printed character string designated by the frame is composed of a plurality of lines and the final character designating the frame is the last character (end of sentence) of the character-printed character string, the character-printed line designated by the frame is printed. By setting a frame that encloses the longest line end in the above, the printed character string consisting of the above multiple lines is surrounded by a frame with the start line and the end line between the head of the line and the longest line end. If the final frame designating character is a character in the middle of the print target character string, set the frame up to the specified range only for the print target line where the final frame designating character exists, and set the other lines. Is set by setting a frame that surrounds the longest line,
The printed character string consisting of multiple lines above starts at the beginning of the line,
The final frame designating part and the longest line end part are each surrounded by a frame having two ending lines.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the outer appearance of a label printer equipped with the printing apparatus of the present invention.
For example, it is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped casing that can be gripped by an adult's hand, the main body case 11 is provided with a key input unit 12 and a display unit 13, and the right side face is provided with a power switch 14.

The key input unit 12 has a character input key suitable for a word processor function for creating character string data such as a label print name, heading, and index.
Kana / Kanji conversion key, next candidate key, cursor key, line feed key, execution key, etc., as well as a "stop" key for demarcating the boundary of each character string data for one label, and the character string data within an arbitrary range A frame designation key for designating with a frame, a frame delimiter key, a print start key for starting a printing operation, and the like are provided. Character string data and frame designation data obtained by the key input operation are displayed on the display unit 13 according to the corresponding processing.

Further, on the lower surface of the main body case 11, a label discharge port 15 for discharging a label with adhesive (not shown) after printing the character string data, and a label discharged to the label discharge port 15 are cut off. Cutter button 1 to put out
6 is provided.

That is, after the power switch 14 is turned on, any character string data is created by using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, and the printing process is started by using this as a character string to be printed. The character string to be printed is printed on and is sequentially discharged from the label discharge port 15.

In this case, if a frame is designated in advance for the character string to be printed, the character string to be printed is automatically printed with a frame around the character string. Become.

When the character string to be printed is printed on a label (not shown) and discharged from the label discharge port 15,
The label is cut and used by sliding the label cutter 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow x. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the printing unit 21 of the above label printer.
In the print section 21, the ink tape cartridge 2
2 is attached and used.

The ink tape cartridge 22 is provided with an adhesive-attached label 23 on which the character string to be printed is printed and an ink ribbon 24 for printing on the label 23.
It is configured so as to be in parallel contact with and progress simultaneously, and to be ejected from the ink tape cartridge 22.

Here, the ink tape cartridge 22
For example, a label having a label 23 having a different width is selected and mounted according to, for example, a cassette tape label or a video tape label.

In contrast to the print section 21, the ink tape cartridge 22 has the key input section 12 and the display section 1.
The case cover 26 of the main body case 11 provided with 3 can be attached and detached by one-sided opening. The label feeding spool 27 of the ink tape cartridge 22 has a spool shaft 2
8 and the ribbon take-up spool 30 of the ink ribbon 24 has the ribbon take-up shaft 30 inserted and fitted therein, and the cartridge guide 32 is provided in the recesses 31a and 31b on the opposite side of the ink tape cartridge 22.
The a and the cartridge pressing hook 32b are engaged with each other for positioning.

In this case, the platen roller 33 is the label 23 in the transfer portion 25 of the ink tape cartridge 22.
The thermal print head 34 is also positioned along the ink ribbon 24 in the transfer section 25. Here, the thermal print head 34
Is, for example, 128 in the width direction of the ink ribbon 24.
It has dots (8 dots / mm).

That is, during the printing operation of the character string to be printed on the adhesive label 23, the label 23 and the ink ribbon 24 are the same in the transfer section 25 by the rotation of the platen roller 33 and the ribbon winding shaft 30. The label 23 and the ink ribbon 24 are sandwiched between the thermal print head 34 and the platen roller 33 while being conveyed at a speed, and a thermal transfer operation is performed. 15
Will be paid out from. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral a denotes a cutter for protruding the label discharge port 15 and cutting the label 23 as the cutter button 16 slides.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an electronic circuit in the above label printer. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 is a control section for controlling the operation of each section of the circuit.
In addition to the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, a print data storage unit 42 for storing the created print-target character string is connected.

The print data storage section 42 stores a print character string corresponding to each label separated by a stop code, and the print character string is a character data set by the start of printing. The data is sequentially read by the control unit 41 and sent to the printing unit 44 through the print control unit 43.

The print control unit 43 includes a print data storage unit 42.
The printing operation of the thermal print head 34 in the printing section 44 is controlled and the ribbon winding in the tape feeding section 45 is performed in order to perform the printing process of the printing target character data sequentially read from the printing section 44 in accordance with the preset printing format information. The rotation operation of each of the take-up shaft 30 and the platen roller 33 is controlled, and the rotational driving speed of each of the ribbon take-up shaft 30 and the platen roller 33 at the tape feeding portion 45, that is, the label 23 with an adhesive and the ink ribbon 24. The conveyance speed of the print head is controlled according to the print drive timing of the thermal print head 34 with respect to the print unit 43.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the character data stored in the print data storage section of the label printer. Each character data forming the character string to be printed consists of a character code area and a control code area. In the character code area, a character code indicating the character itself is given, and in the control code area, in addition to the control code indicating the contents such as character magnification and character modification, presence / absence of line break designation, frame designation, frame delimitation designation, etc. The indicated control code is given. On the other hand, a control code register 46 and a frame printing control register 47 are connected to the control section 41.

The control code register 46 has a frame control code when the character string to be printed read from the print data storage unit 42 is designated as a frame when the print mode is set in the control unit 41. The character address and the ending character address are stored as coordinate data, and the character address having the line feed control code in the print character string is stored as coordinate data. The start of the frame designating character stored in the control code register 46 is stored. Based on the end coordinate data and the line feed coordinate data, the leading print position and the end print position of the character string to be printed whose frame is designated, the number of print lines and each print length are determined.

Further, the frame print control register 47 is provided with a head print position and an end print position of the frame designated print character string determined by the data stored in the control code register 46, the number of print lines and each print length. The print dot coordinates of the head vertical frame and the print dot coordinates of the final vertical frame obtained based on the above are stored. Based on the print dot coordinates of the front and rear vertical frames for the print character string stored in the frame print control register 47. The print dot coordinates of the upper and lower horizontal frames can also be obtained. Next, the operation of the label printer having the above configuration will be described.

For example, by using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, arbitrary character string data is input, and the character string "A" to be printed is printed.
BC Company / Development Department / Third Development Section / 012-345-56
66 "is generated, the character string data is delimited by the stop code and stored in the print data storage unit 42.
FIG. 5 is a basic flowchart showing a print control process in the label printer. FIG. 6 is a branch flow chart showing the print control processing in the label printer.

FIG. 7 shows a label print state of a print-target character string whose frame is designated in the label printer. FIG. 7A shows a label print state when the entire print-target character string is designated as a continuous frame. The same figure (B) shows the label printing state when the latter half of the line feed of the character string to be printed is designated as a frame, and the same figure (C) is divided into the front part and the rear part of the character string to be printed. It is a figure which shows a label printing state when a frame is designated.

First, when the continuous printing mode is designated for all the sentences of the character string to be printed "ABC Company / Development Department / Third Development Section / 012-345-5666", the printing mode is set. , The control code of each character data of the character string to be printed stored in the print data storage unit 42 is sequentially read to the control unit 41, and the character coordinates of the first character “A” and the end character “6” having the frame control code are read. The character coordinates "" are stored in the control code register 46 as a frame start address and a frame end address, respectively (steps S1 and S2).
In addition, the three characters "company" and "part" that have a line feed control code
The character coordinates of each "section" are stored in the control code register 46 as a line feed address (step S3).

Here, the control unit 41 determines that the frame control code exists in the print target character string, that is, the print target character string is specified in the frame, and the start character address specified in the frame is determined. It is determined that it is the beginning of a line in the print character string, and there is a line feed control code in the print character string specified in the frame, that is, the print character string specified in the frame consists of multiple lines. If it is determined that
Since the print character string consisting of a plurality of lines is designated from the beginning of the frame, the frame designation start character coordinate as the frame start address stored in the control code register 46 and the line feed code number n are (+1). Based on the number of lines of the frame designation print character string (3 + 1 = 4 lines in this case), the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame column on the print start side are stored in the frame print control register 47 as the frame start column address ( Step S4
~ S7).

In this way, when the frame start column address corresponding to the vertical frame column on the print start side is obtained, the frame designation end character coordinates as the frame end address stored in the control code register 46 are printed to be composed of a plurality of lines. It is determined whether or not it matches the end of any line in the character string (step S8).

In this case, the frame designation end character coordinate corresponding to the frame end address is determined to match the character "6" which is the end of the line and the end of the sentence, and the frame designation printout stored in the control code register 46 is performed. The longest line end coordinate is determined based on each line feed code character coordinate of the character string, and the longest line end coordinate and the line feed code number n are (+1).
Number of lines of the specified frame-printed character string (3 + 1 = 4 in this case)
Line), the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame column on the print end side are stored in the frame print control register 47 as the frame end column address (steps S8 → S9).

Then, in the frame printing control register 47, the printed character string "ABC Company / Development Department /
Third development section / 012-345-5666 ", the print positions of the front and rear vertical frames are obtained so as to surround the whole sentence, and the print dot coordinates corresponding between the start point coordinates and the end point coordinates of the front and rear vertical frames are obtained. By setting the print positions of the upper and lower horizontal frames, respectively, by operating the print start key, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), the label printing with the rectangular frame surrounding the entire print-target character string designated by the frame can be performed. It will be done.

On the other hand, as the print character string stored in the print data storage unit 42, "ABC Company / Development Department Third Development Section /
"012-345-5666" is given, the second line "Development Department Third Development Section" is designated as double-width, and when the frame is designated for the second and subsequent lines, the same operation as described above is performed. Then, the print control process in steps S1 to S9 is executed.

In this case, the frame print control register 47 contains
A character string in the latter half of the character-printed character string "ABC Company / Development Department 3rd Development Section / 012-345-5666" designated by the above-mentioned three lines "Development Department 3rd Development Section / 012-345"
The print positions of the front and rear vertical frames are obtained so as to enclose only "-5666", and the print dot coordinates corresponding between the start point coordinates and the end point coordinates of the front and rear vertical frames are respectively set as the print positions of the upper and lower horizontal frames. As a result, by operating the print start key, as shown in FIG. 7B, a label with a rectangular frame surrounding the second and subsequent lines of the character string to be printed is printed.

Further, as a character string to be printed stored in the print data storage unit 42, "ABC Co., Ltd./Development Department: No. 3"
"Development Section / 012-345-5666" is given, and "Development Department: Third Development Section" on the second line is double-doubled, and the print character string from the beginning of the first line to the middle of the second line. The print mode is set when the frame designation is independently performed for "ABC Co., Ltd./Development Department" and the subsequent print character string "3rd Development Section / 012-345-5666". First, the control code of each character data of the character string to be printed is sequentially read to the control unit 41, and the first and second leading characters “A” and “first” having the frame control code are read.
Character coordinates and the corresponding first and second end characters "part"
And the character coordinates of "6" are stored in the control code register 46 as the frame start address and the frame end address, respectively (steps S1 and S2). Further, the character coordinates of each of the two characters "company" and "section" having the line feed control code are stored in the control code register 46 as a line feed address (step S3).

First, the first half of the frame designating character string "AB
It is determined by the control unit 41 that the frame control code exists in "C Corporation / Development Department", and that the start character address designated by the frame is the beginning of a line in the print character string. When it is determined that the line feed control code exists in the character-printed character string designated by the frame, the coordinates of the frame designating first character "A" as the first frame start address stored in the control code register 46 are determined. Based on the number of lines of the first half frame-designated character string (+1 in this case, 1 + 1 = 2 lines) obtained by adding (+1) to the line feed code number n, “A” corresponding to the vertical frame line on the print start side or double-width “ The print dot coordinates extending over two lines (substantially three lines because of the double-width character) are stored in the frame print control register 47 as the first frame start column address (steps S4 to S7).

In this way, when the frame start column address corresponding to the vertical frame column on the print start side for the first half frame designation character string is obtained, the frame designation end as the first frame end address stored in the control code register 46 is completed. It is determined whether or not the coordinates of the character "copy" coincide with the end of any line in the character string to be printed (step S8).

In this case, since the coordinates of the frame designation end character "part" corresponding to the first half frame end address are in the middle of the second line, it is determined that they do not match at the end of the line and stored in the control code register 46. The longest line end coordinate (in this case, the character coordinate of "company" in this case) is determined based on the line feed code character coordinate of the first frame designating character string, and this line end coordinate and the line feed code number n (= 1) Based on the above, the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame column on the first line of the first half frame designation character string on the print end side are obtained, and the frame designation end character as the first frame end address stored in the control code register 46 is obtained. The print dot coordinates corresponding to one column of the vertical frame on the print end side are obtained based on the coordinates of the "copy", and the respective print dot coordinates are recorded in the frame print control register 47 as the first frame end column address. Is (step S8 → S10).

In this way, when the first frame start column address and the first frame end column address corresponding to the vertical frame column of each row for the print start side and print end side for the first half frame designation character string are obtained, the second half Frame designation character string "Third Development Division / 012-
It is determined by the control unit 41 that the frame control code exists in "345-5666", and the leading character address designated by the frame is not at the beginning of a line in the print character string, that is, in the middle of the second line. Then, it is further determined that the line feed control code exists in the character-printed character string for which the frame is designated (steps S4, S5 → S11).

Then, the print dot coordinates corresponding to one column of the vertical frame on the print start side are calculated based on the coordinates of the first character "first" of the frame designation as the second frame start address stored in the control code register 46. The second frame designation second line added to the frame start line in which the second frame designation first character "first" coordinate is found and the coordinates of the first letter "0" and the line feed in the second frame designation character string Based on the code number n (= 1), the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame line on the print start side of the second line of the latter half frame designation character string are obtained, and the respective print dot coordinates are the second frame start column address. As frame print control register 47
(Steps S11 and S12).

In this way, when the frame start column addresses corresponding to the two vertical frame columns on the second frame printing start side are obtained, the frame designation end character as the second frame end address stored in the control code register 46. It is determined whether or not the coordinates of "6" match any of the line ends in the second frame designation character string (step S8).

In this case, the frame designation end character coordinate corresponding to the second frame end address is judged to match the character "6" which is the end of the line and the end of the sentence, and is stored in the control code register 46. 2 frame designation The coordinates of the longest line end character "section" are determined based on the line feed code character coordinates of the print character string, and the second frame designation in which the longest line end character coordinate and the line feed code number n are (+1) Based on the number of lines of the character string to be printed (1 + 1 = 2 lines in this case), 2 lines (for 1 character double angle) that correspond to the vertical division on the end side of printing The print dot coordinates over substantially three lines) are stored in the frame print control register 47 as the second frame end column address (steps S8 → S9).

Then, in the frame print control register 47, the printable character string of the first half of the printable character string "ABC Co., Ltd./Development Department: Third Development Section / 012-345-5666" consisting of three lines is displayed. ABC Corporation / Development Department ”and the second half of the printed character string“ 3rd Development Section / 012-345-566
6 "and the print positions of the front and rear vertical frames corresponding to the first frame start and end column addresses and the print positions of the front and rear vertical frames corresponding to the second frame start and end column addresses are obtained so as to respectively independently surround 6". By operating the print start key, as shown in FIG. 7C, a label with a frame surrounding a character string to be printed, which is divided into frames and specified, is printed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 or step S11 above that "No", that is, the line feed control code does not exist in the character-printed character string for which the frame is designated, the frame designation for the character-printed character string is 1 Printing is performed within the range of the line, and printing is performed based on the frame designation start character coordinate as the frame start address and the frame designation end character coordinate as the frame end address stored in advance in the control code register 46. The print dot coordinates corresponding to one column of vertical frames on the start side and the print end side are obtained and stored in the frame print control register 47 as frame start / end column addresses (step S13). Then, by operating the print start key, the label with a frame in which the frame is designated within the range of one line in the character string to be printed is printed.

Therefore, according to the label printer having the above-mentioned configuration, the first character coordinate and the last character coordinate designated by the frame of the character string to be printed stored in the print data storage unit 42, and the line feed character coordinate are set as individual characters. The frame control code and line feed control code of the data are read out and stored in the control code register 46 in advance.
Based on the frame designation start character coordinates and the number of line breaks stored in
The print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame on the print start side are obtained, the print dot coordinates corresponding to the vertical frame on the print end side are obtained based on the frame designation end character coordinates and the number of line feeds, and these are determined. Since the print position corresponding to the designated frame in the print control unit 43 is obtained,
Set the range of the frame by assuming the number of input characters and the print length of the input characters to be put in the frame in advance, or use the ruled line function to configure a plurality of (at least 4) ruled lines It is possible to automatically and accurately perform framed printing of the print target character string without the need to input one.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the character input means, the frame designating means for designating a frame for the character strings of a plurality of lines inputted by the character inputting means, and the frame designating means. Frame end determination means for determining whether or not the last character specified in the frame is the end of sentence, and if the last character specified in the frame is determined to be the end of sentence by the end of frame determination device, the frame designation A sentence end frame setting means for setting a frame within the range up to the longest line end in the character string, and when the last character designated by the frame end is not the end of the sentence by the frame end determination means, Non-sentence end frame setting means for setting a frame up to the specified range on the last line and up to the end of the longest line on other lines, and prints frames and characters according to the range of frames set by the frame setting means. Since it is configured with a printing means, Characters without the need to separate inputs the border itself to columns, it is possible to perform the framed print of easily and accurately be printed string.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing unit of the label printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit in the label printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of character data stored in a print data storage unit of the label printer.

FIG. 5 is a basic flowchart showing a print control process in the label printer.

FIG. 6 is a branch flowchart showing a print control process in the label printer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a label print state of a print-target character string whose frame is designated in the label printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Main body case, 12 ... Key input section, 13 ... Display section,
14 ... Power switch, 15 ... Label discharge port, 16 ... Cutter button, 16a ... Cutter, 21 ... Printing section, 22 ...
Ink tape cartridge, 23 ... Label with adhesive,
24 ... Ink ribbon, 25 ... Transfer part, 26 ... Case lid,
27 ... Label feeding spool, 28 ... Spool shaft, 29
… Ribbon take-up spool, 30… Ribbon take-up shaft, 31
a, 1b ... Indentation of cartridge, 32a ... Cartridge guide, 32b ... Hook for holding cartridge, 33 ... Platen roller, 34 ... Thermal print head, 41 ...
Control unit, 42 ... Print data storage unit, 43 ... Print control unit,
44 ... Printing unit, 45 ... Tape feeding unit, 46 ... Control code register, 47 ... Frame printing control register.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A character inputting means, a frame designating means for designating a frame for a plurality of lines of character strings inputted by the character inputting means, and a last character designated by the frame designating means at the end of a sentence. An end-of-frame determining means for determining whether or not there is, and when this end-of-frame determining means determines that the last character specified in the frame is the end of a sentence, the end-of-line within the frame-specified character string The sentence end frame setting means for setting a frame and the frame end determination means determine that the last character specified in the frame is not the end of the sentence, the last line in the frame specification character string is up to the specified range, and A line includes non-sentence end frame setting means for setting a frame up to the end of the longest line, and printing means for printing a frame and characters according to the range of the frame set by the frame setting means. And printing device.