JP3099643B2 - Label making device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus for producing a label by printing a relatively simple character string or the like on a long printing medium having a predetermined width.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, characters such as characters and symbols can be printed within a predetermined number of lines on a long printing medium, and a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both longitudinal ends of the printing medium. There is known a label producing apparatus capable of printing a decorative frame formed by connecting the patterns at both ends with two upper and lower horizontal lines. In this type of label producing apparatus, for example,
The decoration can be performed by surrounding the characters with a decorative frame in which a pattern such as a ribbon is formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the printing medium. In this case, the decorative frame has a pattern (ribbon-shaped pattern, etc.) of a predetermined area formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction when considered on the left and right sides of the character string, that is, on the basis of the print medium, and two horizontal lines between the patterns at both ends. Formed by tying.

[0003] A plurality of types of decorative frames are set, so that not only a ribbon but also other patterns can be selected.

[0004]

However, the arrangement of the decorative frame is conventionally determined by the width of the printing medium. If the width is the same, the height of the decorative frame is constant even if the type is different. Was. Therefore, when it is desired to arrange a character string in the decorative frame, it is necessary to adjust the character string based on the height of the decorative frame.

For example, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-267858, a plurality of frames for arranging character strings are allocated to form a model. In addition to the arrangement, the character size and the like are set, and a line feed or the like is automatically performed according to the frame. If the character string does not fall within the designated frame, the setting is changed to reduce the character size.

[0006] Even when the character string is sufficiently contained in the decoration frame, a slightly smaller decoration frame may be better based on the character string in some cases. Sometimes the top and bottom of the string are too empty and look bad. Furthermore,
Considering the character string as a reference instead of the decorative frame, the character string 1 arranged in the upper half of the printing medium
There is also a demand that a decorative frame be provided only on a line, or a decorative frame be provided only on two of three lines.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the size of the decorative frame, especially the height, is not determined based only on the width of the printing medium. A label creation device that can create a good-looking label by making it possible to change it according to the type of decorative frame, and by increasing the number of variations by enabling the decorative frame setting on a line basis or the decorative frame setting on multiple lines. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems According to the first aspect of the present invention which has been made to achieve the above object, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. Characters such as characters and symbols can be printed within a predetermined number of lines, and a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing medium, and the patterns at both ends are connected by two upper and lower horizontal lines. Character data input means for inputting the character data, decorative frame type designating means for designating the type of the decorative frame, and the width and width of the print medium. A decorative frame information storage means corresponding to a print medium for storing information such as the height of the decorative frame corresponding to each type of the decorative frame, and a print medium for detecting the width of the print medium currently mounted. Print medium width detecting means and the decorative frame The print medium corresponding decorative frame information corresponding to the type of the decorative frame specified by the class specifying means and the width of the currently mounted print medium is read from the print medium corresponding decorative frame information storage means, and the character data is read. A label producing apparatus, comprising: a print control unit that prints on the print-receiving medium in an editing form that fits within the decorative frame.

[0009] The second aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As illustrated in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1B, characters such as characters and symbols can be printed on a long printing medium within a predetermined number of lines, and predetermined characters are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing medium. A decorative frame formed by forming a pattern having an area, and connecting the patterns at both ends by two upper and lower horizontal lines; and a character data input means for inputting data of the character; Decorative frame type specifying means for specifying the type of frame; decorative frame forming line specifying means for specifying a desired line on which the decorative frame is to be formed in units of one line; height of the line and the decorative frame Corresponding to each type of
A line-corresponding decorative frame information storing means for storing information such as the height of the decorative frame; a line height detecting means for detecting the height of the line specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying means; Line type decorative frame information corresponding to the type of the decorative frame input by the type input unit and the line height specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying unit is read from the line corresponding decorative frame information storage unit, A label producing apparatus, comprising: a print control unit that prints on the printing medium in an editing form such that character data of a line fits within the decorative frame.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as illustrated in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 15C, characters such as characters and symbols can be printed on a long printing medium within a predetermined number of lines. In addition, a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing medium, and a decorative frame formed by connecting the upper and lower patterns with two upper and lower horizontal lines can be printed. Character data input means for inputting a character, a decorative frame type specifying means for specifying the type of the decorative frame, and a decorative frame forming line for specifying a desired line on which the decorative frame is to be formed in a plurality of lines. A designating means, a plurality of rows of decorative frame information storage means for storing information such as the height of the decorative frame corresponding to the height of the plurality of rows and the type of the decorative frame; The height of multiple lines specified by the specification means A plurality of line height detecting means to be detected, and a plurality of lines corresponding decorative frame information corresponding to the type of the decorative frame input by the decorative frame type input means and the height of the plurality of lines specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying means. Print control means for reading out from the plurality of lines corresponding decorative frame information storage means, and printing on the print medium in an editing form such that the specified plurality of lines of character data fits within the decorative frame,
A label producing apparatus characterized by comprising:

[0011]

According to the label producing apparatus of the first aspect, character data such as characters and symbols can be input by the character data input means. For example, when a decorative frame is arranged so as to surround the character. The type of the frame can be specified by the decorative frame type specifying means.

The printing medium width detecting means detects the width of the currently mounted printing medium. As a supplement to the detection of the width, instead of actually measuring the width, a printing medium having a predetermined type of width is prepared in advance, and the width of the printing medium is determined. The width can be detected.

Therefore, for example, when the user designates the type of the decorative frame by the decorative frame type designating means, the print control means responds to the designated type of the decorative frame and the width of the currently mounted printing medium. Read the decorative frame information corresponding to the print medium from the decorative frame information storage means corresponding to the print medium,
The character data is printed on the printing medium in an editing form such that the character data fits in the decoration frame.

As a result, characters having a predetermined number of lines or less are printed on the printing medium, and patterns having a predetermined area are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing medium so as to surround the characters.
The decorative frame formed by connecting the upper and lower patterns with two upper and lower horizontal lines is printed. Thus, the decorative medium information storage means corresponding to the print medium stores the width of the print medium and the type of the decorative frame. Since information such as the height of the decorative frame is stored for each case, it is needless to say that the same type of decorative frame changes its height according to the width of the printing medium and becomes an appropriate size. That is, even in a printing medium having the same width, the height is changed according to the type of the decorative frame, and the size is set to an appropriate size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, character data can be input, the type of a decorative frame can be specified when a decorative frame is arranged, and the decorative frame forming line specifying means can be used. A desired line for forming a frame can be specified in units of one line.

The line height detecting means detects the height of the line specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying means. The height of the line is detected based on the maximum height of the character data existing in the line. If the character size can be changed, for example, the character data whose size is enlarged is used as a reference.

Therefore, when the type of the decorative frame and the line forming the decorative frame are specified, the print control means determines the line-corresponding decoration corresponding to the specified type of the decorative frame and the height of the specified line. The frame information is read out from the line-corresponding decorative frame information storage means, and is printed on the print medium in an editing form such that the character data fits within the decorative frame.

As a result, characters within a predetermined number of lines are printed on the printing medium, and the decorative frame is printed on a line-by-line basis. And the information such as the height of the decorative frame is stored in correspondence with each type of the decorative frame. Therefore, even if the decorative frame is of the same type, the height is determined according to the height of the line to be formed. Changes to the appropriate size. Conventionally, the character string has been adjusted based on the height of the decorative frame, so it is necessary to change the setting, for example, to reduce the character size, which is cumbersome. Often. Also, considering the character string as a reference, sometimes a slightly smaller decorative frame is better, but if the height of the decorative frame is constant, the top and bottom of the character string will be too empty and it will not look good . With respect to such a problem, according to the present invention, a decorative frame having a size (especially, height) suitable for the row height can be set and the number of variations is increased, so that a label with good appearance can be created.

The above-mentioned claim 2 is based on one line, but the third embodiment is based on a plurality of lines. The input of the character data and the designation of the decoration frame type at the time of arranging the decoration frame are the same as those described above. In the present invention, the desired line for which the decoration frame is to be formed by the decoration frame forming line specifying means is set in a plurality of lines. Specify with.

The plurality of rows height detecting means detects the heights of the plurality of rows specified by the decorative frame forming row specifying means. The heights of the plurality of lines are detected based on the maximum height of the character data existing in each line, taking into account the distance between lines and the like. If the character size can be changed, for example, the character data whose size is enlarged is used as a reference.

Accordingly, when the type of the decorative frame and the plurality of lines forming the decorative frame are designated, the print control means determines the plurality of lines corresponding to the type of the designated decorative frame and the height of the designated plurality of lines. The decorative frame information corresponding to the line is read from the decorative frame information storage unit corresponding to a plurality of lines, and is printed on the print medium in an editing form such that the designated plural lines of character data are contained in the decorative frame.

As described above, the information such as the height of a plurality of rows and the height of a decoration frame is stored in the storage means for a plurality of rows corresponding to the decoration frame information. Even with the same type of decorative frame, the height changes according to the height of the row to be formed, and the frame becomes an appropriate size.

[0023]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the above-described label producing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a label producing apparatus 1 capable of printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana, alphabetic characters and symbols on a printing tape (medium for printing) 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 3 is provided in front of a main body frame 2 of the label producing apparatus 1, and a printing mechanism PM as printing means is provided in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 2 is provided behind the keyboard 3 and capable of displaying characters and symbols.
2 are provided. A terminal 4 of an interface (RS232C) for receiving transmission data from an external device is provided on a right side surface of the main body frame 2.

The keyboard 3 has a character input key for inputting characters such as alphabets, numbers and symbols, a cursor movement key 50 for moving a cursor up, down, left and right, a return key 51 for line feed or determination, and a return key 51. A new block key 52 for blocking,
Decorative frame key 5 for setting the type of decorative frame surrounding characters
3. A power key 54 for turning on / off the power, a print key 55 for executing printing, a delete key 56 for deleting input data, and the like are provided. In addition,
For example, it is possible to convert what is input in the alphabet into kanji, hiragana and katakana by using the conversion key.
In this embodiment, the keyboard 3 corresponds to the character data input unit, the decorative frame type specifying unit, and the decorative frame forming line specifying unit of the present invention.

Next, the printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably mounted on the printing mechanism PM. Approximate width 2 consisting of film
Tape spool 6 on which a 4 mm printing tape 5 is wound
And a ribbon supply spool 8 around which the ink ribbon 7 is wound.
A winding spool 9 for winding the ink ribbon 7;
A supply spool 11 on which a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 is wound with the release paper on the outside, and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatably provided. Have been.

At a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap with each other, a thermal head 13 is erected, and the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 are attached to the thermal head 13.
And a feed roller 15 for pressing the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 are rotatably supported by a support 16. The thermal head 13 has a printing tape 5 of about 24 mm.
Is provided with a heating element group consisting of 128 heating elements arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the width of.

Accordingly, the driving of the tape feed motor 24 (see FIG. 3) in a predetermined rotation direction causes the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 to be driven in synchronism with each other in the predetermined rotation direction to form 128 heating element groups. When energized, characters and bit images are printed on the printing tape 5 by a plurality of dot rows (maximum 128 dots) almost completely to the tape width, and the printing tape 5 is in a state where the double-sided tape 10 is joined. To feed the tape in the tape feeding direction A.

A cassette discriminating member 17 for setting the type of the tape accommodating cassette CS, ie, the tape width of the stored printing tape 5, is attached to the bottom wall of the tape accommodating cassette CS. Cassette discriminating sensor 18 (see FIG. 3) composed of a photo interrupter for detecting the provided projecting piece (not shown)
Is attached to the main body frame 2. Therefore, the tape width can be detected based on the discrimination signal from the cassette discrimination sensor 18. Also, set the tape width to "6m
Various tape storage cassettes CS around which printing tapes 5 of "m", "9 mm", "12 mm", and "18 mm" are wound are separately prepared.

The tape storage cassette CS storing the printing tape 5 having a width other than the 24 mm width is mounted on the label producing apparatus 1 like the tape storage cassette CS storing the printing tape 5 having a width of 24 mm. . By defining which of the heating elements in the heating element group is to generate heat in accordance with the width of each printing tape 5, the mounted printing tape 5 is almost completely filled with the tape width. Printing is performed.

Next, the control system of the label producing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG.
Is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. A display R for outputting display data to the keyboard 3, the cassette discrimination sensor 18, and the liquid crystal display (LCD) 22.
Display controller (LCDC) 2 with AM
3, a communication interface 19 for receiving data transmitted from an external device, a drive circuit 25 for driving the thermal head 13, and a tape feed motor 24.
Is connected to an input / output interface 27 of the control device C. The control device C includes a CPU 29, an input / output interface 27 connected to the CPU 29 via a bus 28 such as a data bus, a CGROM 30, ROMs 31 and 32, and a RAM.
40.

CGROM (Pattern Data Memory) 30
Stores dot pattern data for display in association with code data for each of a large number of characters. ROM (outline data memory) 31
For each of a large number of characters in order to print a character, outline data (outline data) defining the outline of the character is written in a typeface (Gothic typeface,
(Mincho typefaces, etc.) and stored in correspondence with the code data. Note that each of these multiple outline data stores a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension of the print image.

The ROM 31 stores information on the decorative frame. As shown in FIG. 13, this decorative frame information has one table for each combination of tape width and decorative frame type, and the table stores the font numbers of the decorative frames corresponding to the total number of dots. ing. FIG. 13A is a table in the case where the tape width is 18 mm and the type of decorative frame is. Font numbers 1 to 11 are assigned to 11 patterns from a total of 16 dots to a maximum of 96 dots. Is set. FIG.
3 (B) is a table in the case where the tape width is 18 mm and the decoration frame type is the same. The font numbers 12 to 22 correspond to 11 patterns from a total of 16 dots to a maximum of 96 dots. Is set. Examples of the type of decorative frame include "ribbon" (a type of decorative frame in which a ribbon pattern is formed on both sides of the frame in the longitudinal direction of the tape),
"Soccer" (a kind of decorative frame in which the entire frame is regarded as a soccer field and a goal-like pattern is formed on both sides of the frame in the longitudinal direction of the tape) and the like are set.

The ROM 32 stores a program for operating the label producing apparatus 1. RAM40
In the text memory area 41, character data input from the keyboard 3 is stored. The print buffer area 47 stores print dot pattern data developed as an image. The RAM 40 also has a predetermined number of decorative frame information buffers for storing decorative frame information, which will be described later, a work area for temporarily storing the calculation results calculated by the CPU 29, a buffer, a counter, a pointer, and the like. An area is provided.

Next, the operation of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the label producing apparatus 1 is equipped with a tape storage cassette CS that stores the printing tape 5 having a width of 18 mm. In this state, when the power is turned on by operating the power key 54, the label producing apparatus 1 starts operating.

When the operation is started, first, each data in the RAM 40 is initialized according to the program in the ROM 32, and the editing screen is also initialized (step 10. Hereinafter, the steps are simply referred to as S). In the present embodiment, up to two lines can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 22. When initialized, a line start mark and a cursor are initially displayed on the liquid crystal display 22.

Subsequently, it is determined whether a key input has been made from the keyboard 3 (S20). If there is any key input, the process exits S20 and the detected key input is the print key 55.
If the operation is, the printing process (S60) is performed, and the process returns to S20. Details of this printing process will be described later.

If the operation is not the operation of the print key 55 (S30: NO), it is determined whether or not the input is by a character key (S40).
0: YES), the process corresponding to the character key (S7)
0), and then return to S20. In the process of S70, the character data is stored in the text memory area 41 of the RAM 40, and an edit screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 22. The display of the editing screen in this case is the insertion display of the input character.

On the other hand, when neither the print key 55 is operated nor the character key is input (S30: NO, S40: NO)
It is determined whether the operation is the operation of the decorative frame key 53 (S
50), when the operation is the operation of the decorative frame key 53 (S50: Y)
ES) includes processing corresponding to the operation of the decorative frame key 53 (S).
80), and then return to S20. Details of the processing in S80 will be described later.

When neither the print key 55 nor the character key input is performed, nor is the decoration frame key 53 operated (S30: NO, S40: NO, S50: N)
In O), various processes corresponding to the key operation are executed while determining whether or not the key operation for other processes, such as the cursor movement key 50 and the new block key 52, is performed (S90). .

Next, the details of the print processing in S60 and the processing of the decorative frame key in S80 will be described. First, the detailed contents of the processing of the decorative frame key in S80 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the number of the decorative frame information buffer of the RAM 40 is set to an initial value (here, it is 0 because it is the first decorative frame information buffer) (S610), and the process proceeds to the setting processing of the entire decorative frame (S620). Here, the setting processing of the entire decorative frame in S620 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the setting process of the whole decorative frame, first, a setting screen of the whole decorative frame type is created (S710), and the key input is waited (S720). The whole decorative frame type setting screen displays one candidate name of the whole decorative frame type, and when the up / down key among the cursor movement keys 50 is operated (S730:
YES), sequentially change the type candidate names of the other decorative frames (S)
780). Then, returning to S720, the following processing is repeated.

Instead of the up and down keys (S730: YES),
In the case of operating the decorative frame key 53 (S740: YE
S), the end flag is turned on, and the routine goes to S770. On the other hand, if the operation is not the decorative frame key 53 (S740: YES), but the return key 51 is operated (S750: YE
S), the end flag is turned off, and the routine goes to S770. If the operation is not the operation of the return key 51, the process returns to S720.

In S770, the decorative frame of the candidate name displayed when the return key 51 is operated is set as the set decorative frame, and the data of the frame type designating the decorative frame is designated as the decorative frame of the designated number. The information buffer is stored together with data indicating that the frame is the entire decorative frame.

Thereafter, returning to the processing of FIG. 9, it is determined in S630 whether or not the end flag is ON. If the end flag is ON, the processing of the decorative frame key of FIG.
It returns to the main processing of. On the other hand, if the end flag is OFF (S630: NO), the number of the decorative frame information buffer is updated (S640), and the frame setting start flag is initialized (OF).
F) (S650), and the process proceeds to a line decoration frame setting process (S660). Here, the setting process of the line decoration frame in S660 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the line decoration frame setting process, first, a line decoration frame type setting screen is created (S81).
0), and waits for a key input (S820). The line decoration frame type setting screen displays one candidate name of the line decoration frame type, and when the up or down key of the cursor movement keys 50 is operated (S830: YES), the decoration frame type candidate is displayed. The names are sequentially changed (S840). Then, returning to S820, the following processing is repeated.

Instead of the up and down keys (S830: YES),
In the case of the operation of the decorative frame key 53 (S850: YE
S), the end flag is turned ON (S860), the process is temporarily ended as it is, the process returns to the process of FIG. 9, and shifts to the process of S670. On the other hand, if the operation is not the decoration frame key 53 but the return key 51 (S870: YES), S8
Move to 80. If the operation is not the operation of the return key 51, the process returns to S820.

In S880, the decorative frame of the candidate name displayed when the return key 51 is operated is set as the set decorative frame, and the data of the frame type designating the decorative frame is designated as the decorative frame of the designated number. The information buffer is stored together with data indicating that the frame is a line decoration frame.

At S890, a screen for setting the head position of the set line decoration frame is created, and the process proceeds to S890.
At 895, the frame setting start flag is turned off, and a key input is awaited (S900 in FIG. 12). The line decoration frame head position setting screen displays the created character data line by line, and when the up / down key of the cursor movement keys 50 is operated (S910: YES), the frame setting start flag Is O
It is determined whether it is N or not (S970). If the frame setting start flag is OFF, other lines are sequentially displayed to change the decoration frame start line (S980). Then, the process returns to S900 and waits for a key input.

In the case of operating the decorative frame key 53 (S920: YES) instead of the up / down key (S910: NO),
The end flag is turned on (S1010), this process is once ended, the process returns to the process of FIG. 9, and shifts to the process of S670. On the other hand, when the operation is not the decoration frame key 53 but the return key 51 (S930: YES), it is determined whether or not the frame setting start flag is ON (S940), and if the frame setting start flag is OFF. If (S940: NO),
The line displayed when the return key 51 is operated is set as a line decoration frame start line in the work (S95).
0). Here, since the frame setting start flag is OFF, S
The flow shifts to 955, where the frame setting start flag is turned ON. Now that the line decoration frame start line has been determined, a screen for setting the end position of the line decoration frame is created (S960).
Wait for key input (S900).

Similarly to the above-described head position setting screen, the end position setting screen of the line decoration frame displays the created character data line by line, and when the up and down keys of the cursor movement keys 50 are operated. (S910: YES), it is determined whether or not the frame setting start flag is ON (S97).
0). In this case, since the frame setting start flag is ON, the flow shifts to S1000 to sequentially display other lines and change the decorative frame end line. Then, the process returns to S900 and waits for a key input.

After that, when the return key 51 is operated (S930: YES), the line displayed at the time when the return key 51 is operated is determined as the line decoration frame end line. Setting start flag is O
In this case, the determination is affirmative in S940, and the process proceeds to S1020. In S1020, the number of lines straddling the line decoration frame start line and the line decoration frame end line set in the work is calculated, and the start line
It is set in the decorative frame information buffer of the specified number together with the end line. Thereafter, the present process ends, the process returns to the process of FIG. 9, and shifts to the process of S670.

In S670 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the number of the decorative frame information buffer is “end”. If the number is “end”, the processing of the decorative frame key is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the main processing of FIG. On the other hand, if the number of the decoration frame information buffer is not the end, the processing from S640 is repeated. This is because the setting of the entire decorative frame in S620 can be performed only once for one label, but the setting of the line decorative frame in S660 can be performed plurally in one label.

The decorative frame is set by the processing of the decorative frame key 53 in S80 of FIG. 4 described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, and the character is also input by the processing of the character key in S70 of FIG. The printing process of S60 executed after the content to be printed is determined will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the outline of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The address of the print data is calculated (S11).
0), print image data is created (S120), and printing of one dot row is performed (S130). In S140, it is determined whether or not print data still exists. Printing is repeated for each dot row (S130) until there is no more print data. If there is no more print data (S140: NO), the printing process is temporarily terminated and FIG. Return to the main processing of.

Next, the address calculation processing of the print data in S110 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, depending on the address calculation target, if it is a character (S210: YE
S) The address of the character is calculated (S250),
If it is a ruled line (S220: YES), the address of the ruled line is calculated (S260), and if it is a decorative frame (S230: YE).
S) The address of the decorative frame is calculated (S270). If none of them is determined (S230: NO), the addresses of the other codes are calculated (S240), and the process is terminated. Note that the address calculation of characters and ruled lines (S250, S2
The method 60) is a general well-known method, and the description is omitted here. The calculation of the address of the decorative frame in S270, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the address calculation processing of the decorative frame, first, a pointer of the work YWORK for storing the position where the horizontal line of the decorative frame is drawn is initialized (the head of YWORK). The stored data is read from the first stored decorative frame information buffer (S310). This is because in the processing of the decorative frame key 53 in FIGS. 9 to 12 described above, since the entire decorative frame and the line decorative frame are set together with the corresponding frame types, the first decorative frame information is read. . That is, for example, 1
The second setting is a frame type for the entire decorative frame and the second type is a line decorative frame for the first line of the first block and the frame type is 3
The second setting stores the frame type in a multi-line decorative frame for the first and second lines of the second block, and reads the first decorative frame information.

First, it is determined whether or not the frame is a decorative frame for the entire tape (S320), and if so, the tape width is detected (S370). As described above, the tape width can be detected based on the discrimination signal from the cassette discrimination sensor 18. Subsequently, the font number of the decorative frame corresponding to the combination of the detected tape width and the frame type in the frame information is set (S380).

Then, information on the decorative frame font is extracted from the font number (S410), and the horizontal line of the decorative frame determined by the font information and the contents (mainly length) of the character data contained in the decorative frame is determined by YWORK. (S420). A supplementary description will be given of the position where the horizontal line of the decorative frame is drawn.

The shape of the decorative frame is defined by a rectangle, and is formed by connecting the patterns at both ends with two horizontal lines of upper and lower sides. The height of the decorative frame is known from the information on the decorative frame font, and the length of the decorative frame is determined from the content of the character data contained in the decorative frame. Therefore, on the printing surface of the printing tape 5, when the Y coordinate is taken in the longitudinal direction and the X coordinate is taken in the width direction, the coordinates of the lower left end of the decorative frame are (X1, Y1) and the coordinates of the upper right end are (X2, Y2). ), And the horizontal line is drawn from X1 to X2 at both positions of Y = Y1 and Y2. Therefore, the position where such a horizontal line of the decorative frame is drawn is set to YWORK in S420.

When the processing for the first decorative frame information is completed, it is determined whether or not data is still stored in the decorative frame information buffer (S350). Is read from the decoration frame information buffer (S360), the pointer of YWORK is updated (S365), and the process returns to S320. Normally, there is one overall decorative frame for one label, so if the previous processing related to the entire decorative frame,
Next is the processing related to the line decoration frame.

Since the line decoration frame is set on a line basis, that is, only on one line, or on a plurality of lines, it is first determined whether or not the line decoration frame is on a line basis (S3).
30) In the case of a line unit, the font number of the decorative frame corresponding to the highest character height in the line where the decorative frame is to be placed is set in S390, and then the process proceeds to S410. Since all the characters in one line are not always the same height, for example, they are enlarged characters or reduced characters. For example, the character data of an enlarged size is used as a reference. Then, depending on how many dots the height is, the corresponding font number is read out and set by referring to the tables shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

If it is not a line unit (S330: N
O) It is determined whether or not the line extends over a plurality of lines (S340). If the line extends over a plurality of lines, in S400, the dot having the highest total character height in each line with respect to the plurality of lines over which the decorative frame is placed is placed. The number is calculated, the font number of the decorative frame corresponding to the number of dots is set, and the process proceeds to S410. If there is an editing function capable of changing the line spacing, it is necessary to calculate the total number of dots over the plurality of lines in consideration of the line spacing. Based on the number of dots thus calculated, the corresponding font number is read out and set by referring to the tables shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and the like.

After calculating addresses for all the set decorative frame information in this manner, the process proceeds to S1 of FIG.
The process proceeds to the creation of print image data of No. 20. This print image data creation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In the print image data creation processing, first, the character font is developed (S51).
0) When the development is completed (S520: YES), the font of the decorative frame is developed according to the font number of the decorative frame (S530). Then, a horizontal line of the decorative frame is drawn at the position set in YWORK (S540), and this processing ends. Thereafter, as described above, printing is performed for each dot row.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the printing tape 5 in which printing has been completed for all dot rows in this manner. In this case, a decorative frame of a frame type (in the figure, a fish motif) is formed on the entire label, and the character string of “ABCDEFG” in the first line of the first block has a decorative frame type. A frame is formed, and a decorative frame of a frame type is formed for the character strings of two lines of “Aioeo” and “Kakikukeko” in the first and second lines of the second block.

As described in detail above, according to the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a character frame such as a character or a symbol is input, and, for example, when the decorative frame is arranged so as to surround the character. Type can be specified. When a decorative frame is to be printed on the entire printing tape 5, decorative frame information corresponding to the designated type of the decorative frame and the width of the currently mounted printing tape 5 is stored in the ROM 31. The character data is read from the corresponding table, and is printed on the printing tape 5 in an editing form such that the character data fits within the decoration frame.

As described above, since the information for the entire decorative frame is stored in the ROM 31 as a table corresponding to the width of the printing tape 5 and the type of the decorative frame, the same type of decorative frame is printed. Not only the height changes according to the width of the printing tape 5 but also to an appropriate size, and even in the printing tape 5 having the same width, the height changes depending on the type of the decorative frame and the appropriate size. Be sized.

The decorative frame can be provided not only for the decorative frame on the entire printing tape 5 but also for one line unit or a plurality of lines. S3 in case of line unit
At 90, the number of the font of the decorative frame corresponding to the highest character height in the line where the decorative frame is to be placed is set, and then the process proceeds to S410. Since all the characters in one line are not always the same height, for example, they are enlarged characters or reduced characters. For example, the character data of an enlarged size is used as a reference. Then, depending on how many dots the height is, FIG.
The corresponding font number is read out and set by referring to the table shown in FIG.

If it is not a line unit (S330: N
O) It is determined whether or not the line extends over a plurality of lines (S340). If the line extends over a plurality of lines, in S400, the dot having the highest total character height in each line with respect to the plurality of lines over which the decorative frame is placed is placed. The number is calculated, the font number of the decorative frame corresponding to the number of dots is set, and the process proceeds to S410. If there is an editing function capable of changing the line spacing, it is necessary to calculate the total number of dots over the plurality of lines in consideration of the line spacing. Based on the number of dots thus calculated, the corresponding font number is read out and set by referring to the tables shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and the like.

The CPU 29 corresponds to the print control means, but among the processing executed by the CPU 29, S60 in the main processing of FIG. 4, that is, the processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 corresponds to the processing as the print control means. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0071]

As described in detail above, according to the label producing apparatus of the present invention, the size of the decorative frame, particularly the height, is determined not only based on the width of the printing medium but also according to the type of the decorative frame. It is possible to create a better-looking label by increasing the number of variations by making it possible to change the setting or to set a decorative frame in units of rows or a decorative frame in units of multiple lines.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a label producing apparatus as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism of the label producing apparatus as an example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the label producing apparatus as an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a main process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine during main processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a routine for calculating an address of print data during the printing process of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a decorative frame address calculation routine during the print data address calculation process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a print image data creation processing routine during the print processing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of a decoration frame key during main processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall decorative frame setting processing routine during processing of the decorative frame key of FIG. 9;

11 is a flowchart showing the first half of a line decoration frame setting processing routine during the processing of the decoration frame key of FIG. 9;

12 is a flowchart showing the second half of the line decoration frame setting processing routine during the processing of the decoration frame key of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a table of decorative frame font information.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of printing on a printing tape.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label production device 3 ... Keyboard 5 ... Printing tape 18 ... Cassette discrimination sensor 22 ... Liquid crystal display 29 ... CPU 31 ... ROM 40 ... RAM 41 ... Text memory area 47 ... Print buffer area 50 ... Cursor movement key 51 ... Return key 53: decorative frame key 55: printing key C: control device PM: printing mechanism

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Sawada 15-1, Nashiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-7-314802 (JP, A) JP-A Heihei 6-83830 (JP, A) JP-A-4-347779 (JP, A) JP-A-3-75879 (JP, A) JP-A-62-267858 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl ^7, DB name) G06F 17/21 -. 17/27 B41J 2/485 G06F 3/12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A character such as a character or a symbol can be printed within a predetermined number of lines on a long printing medium, and a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both longitudinal ends of the printing medium. A decorative frame formed by connecting the patterns at both ends with two upper and lower horizontal lines can be printed; character data input means for inputting data of the character; and a character data input means for designating the type of the decorative frame. A decorative frame type designating unit; a decorative medium information storing unit for storing information such as a height of the decorative frame corresponding to each of the width of the print medium and the type of the decorative frame; A print medium width detecting means for detecting the width of the mounted print medium; and a print medium corresponding to the type of the decorative frame specified by the decorative frame type specifying means and the width of the print medium currently mounted. Decorative frame information for print media Print control means for reading out from the decorative medium information storage means corresponding to the print medium, and printing the character data on the print medium in an editing form such that the character data fits in the decorative frame. apparatus. 2. A character such as a character or a symbol can be printed within a predetermined number of lines on a long printing medium, and a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both longitudinal ends of the printing medium. A decorative frame formed by connecting the patterns at both ends with two upper and lower horizontal lines can be printed; character data input means for inputting data of the character; and a character data input means for designating the type of the decorative frame. Decorative frame type designating means; decorative frame forming row designating means for designating a desired line on which the decorative frame is desired to be formed in units of one row; corresponding to the height of the row and the type of the decorative frame, A line-corresponding decorative frame information storage unit for storing information such as the height of a decorative frame; a line height detecting unit for detecting a height of a line specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying unit; Decorative frame input by type input means The line-related decorative frame information corresponding to the type of the line and the height of the line specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying unit is read from the line-related decorative frame information storage unit, and the character data of the specified line is stored in the decorative frame. And a print control means for printing on the print medium in an editing form that fits in the label producing apparatus. 3. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein characters such as characters and symbols can be printed within a predetermined number of lines on a long printing medium, and a pattern having a predetermined area is formed at both ends in a longitudinal direction of said printing medium. A decorative frame formed by connecting the patterns at both ends with two upper and lower horizontal lines can be printed; character data input means for inputting data of the character; and a character data input means for designating the type of the decorative frame. Decorative frame type specifying means, decorative frame forming line specifying means for specifying a desired line on which the decorative frame is to be formed in units of a plurality of lines, corresponding to the height of the plurality of lines and the type of the decorative frame. ,
A plurality of lines corresponding decorative frame information storage means for storing information such as the height of the decorative frame; a plurality of line height detecting means for detecting the height of the plurality of lines specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying means; The multi-line corresponding decorative frame information storage unit corresponding to the type of the decorative frame input by the decorative frame type input unit and the multi-line corresponding decorative frame information corresponding to the height of the plurality of lines specified by the decorative frame forming line specifying unit. And a printing control means for reading the specified plurality of lines of character data in the decoration medium so as to fit in the decoration frame.