JP5206041B2 - Document editing device for tape printer, tape printer, and document editing method for tape printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a document editing apparatus of a tape printing apparatus , a tape printing apparatus, and a document editing method of the tape printing apparatus capable of selecting a printing form and a printing format when editing input information.

  Conventionally, a tape printing apparatus that prints input information on a printing tape is configured to be able to select a specific printing form such as “normal form”, “name form”, etc., so as to facilitate document editing. In addition, this tape printer is configured to be able to select a print format such as “typeface” and “between characters”, as in a general word processor. In this tape printer, each print form is not associated with a print format, and a desired format can be selected from a single print format menu when changing the print format of input information entered in any print form. Select an option and change it.

  In such a conventional tape printing apparatus, since a format option is selected from a single print format menu, there is a problem that the selection operation becomes complicated depending on the print form. For example, in the “name form” consisting of a name and its name, “fixed length printing” that sets the tape label length is frequently used to create a tape label of the same length, and the “heading form” for the file index. ”Often uses“ margins ”to create short tape labels. However, since the format choices are displayed in a menu in a common arrangement in each print form, there is a problem that depending on the print form, many key operations are required for the selection operation, and the work becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a document editing apparatus for a tape printing apparatus , a tape printing apparatus, and a document editing method for the tape printing apparatus that can eliminate the complicated work in selecting a printing format and improve operability. .

A document editing apparatus for a tape printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a form selection means for selecting a print form related to a layout of input information for label creation from a plurality of form options, and a print format for changing the format of the input information. Format selection means for selecting a plurality of format options and a plurality of common format options for each of the plurality of form options, and the frequency of use of the plurality of format options for each of the plurality of form options. a storage means for storing a predetermined order that is previously set have based the input information, a plurality of forms choices read from the storage means, and displays the in printing each form that is selected by the form selection means Display means for displaying a plurality of format options read from the storage means in a predetermined order.
The document editing method of the tape printer of the present invention includes a plurality of form selection steps for selecting a print form related to the layout of input information for label creation from a plurality of form options, and a plurality of print formats for changing the format of the input information The format selection step for selecting from among the format options and a plurality of common format options in the storage means are stored for each of the plurality of form options, and the plurality of format options are used for each of the plurality of form options. a storage step of storing a predetermined order that is previously set have based the input information, a plurality of forms choices read from the storage means, and displays the in the form each printing form that is selected by the selection step And a display step of displaying a plurality of format options read from the storage means in a predetermined order.

According to these configurations, each printing form to be selected, since the format choices frequently used order are respectively menu display can be selected with relatively few keystrokes desired formatting options. Therefore, the operability in selecting the print format can be improved regardless of which print form is used.

In the document editing apparatus of the tape printer, the plurality of form options include a normal form corresponding to normal input information, a name form corresponding to input information related to a person name, and a heading form corresponding to input information related to a file index. It is preferable that it is contained.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily change the print format of the input information of the normal form, name form, and heading form.

  In this case, it is preferable that the storage unit stores at least one form option by omitting a format option candidate that is used infrequently from among format option candidates common to each print form.

  According to this configuration, format options that are not frequently used are not displayed, but only format options that are frequently used are displayed, so that the user can easily change the print format without hesitation in selecting format options. It can be carried out.

  A tape printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the document editing apparatus of the tape printing apparatus described above, and a printing unit that prints input information edited by the document editing apparatus on a printing tape.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly create a print tape on which input information is printed using a desired print form.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printer is for producing a desired tape label by printing on a printing tape based on input information, and various printing forms are prepared in consideration of input information specific to the tape label, and Various print formats are prepared for each print form.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 has an outer case formed by a device case 2, and a keyboard 3 having various input keys is arranged on the front upper surface of the device case 2, and on the rear upper surface, An opening / closing lid 4 is attached to the left part, and a display (display means) 5 is arranged on the right part. A cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting a tape cartridge C is recessed inside the opening / closing lid 4, and the tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 4 opened. The The open / close lid 4 is formed with a viewing window 7 for visually confirming mounting / non-mounting of the tape cartridge C in the closed state.

  On the keyboard 3, a character key group 11 and a function key group 12 for designating various operation modes are arranged. The character key group 11 has a full key configuration based on the JIS layout, and is similar to a general word processor or the like including a shift key for suppressing an increase in the number of keys to be operated. The function key group 12 includes a “form” key 13, a “format” key 14, a “print” key 15, a cursor key 16, and a “select” key 17.

  The “form” key 13 is a key for displaying a plurality of form options on the display 5 as a menu. The “format” key 14 is a key for displaying menu options on the display 5 for each print form. The “print” key 15 is a key for instructing execution of printing. The cursor key 16 is composed of up / down / left / right keys ([↑], [↓], [←], [→]), and is a key for moving (selecting) the cursor K and performing a scroll operation. The “select” key 17 is a key for performing a confirmation operation and a line feed operation for the selected print form and print format.

  A tape discharge port 21 is formed on the left side of the apparatus case 2 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the outside. The tape discharge port 21 is exposed to a tape cutter 22 for cutting the printing tape T that has been sent out. It is out. Then, the printed printing tape T is fed out from the tape discharge port 21 by a predetermined length, and the printed printing tape T is cut by the tape cutter 22 in a state where the feeding is temporarily stopped. Tape label L (see FIG. 4) is created. The cutting process can be switched between automatic cutting and manual cutting. It is automatic (automatic) for fixed-length printing, etc., and manually (manual) by operating the cut key for arbitrary-length printing. Thus, the cutter motor 23 (see FIG. 2) is driven.

  On the other hand, the cartridge mounting portion 6 has a head unit 33 in which a thermal type print head 32 is built in a head cover 31, a platen drive shaft 34 facing the print head 32, and a winding for winding an ink ribbon R described later. A drive shaft 35 and a positioning projection 37 of a tape reel 36 to be described later are provided. In addition, a tape feed motor 38 (see FIG. 2) for rotating the platen drive shaft 34 and the take-up drive shaft 35 is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6. Further, the cartridge mounting portion 6 is provided with a tape identification sensor 39 composed of a plurality of microswitches or the like at the corners, and the type of the print tape T mounted on the tape cartridge C (tape width, tape color, etc.). ) Is detected.

  The tape cartridge C has a tape reel 36 in which a printing tape T having a certain width (about 4.5 mm to 48 mm) is wound at the upper center portion inside the cartridge case 41, and a ribbon in which an ink ribbon R is wound in the lower right portion. The printing tape T and the ink ribbon R are configured to have the same width. A through hole 43 for inserting the head cover 31 covering the head unit 33 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 36. Further, the head unit 33 inserted into the through-hole 43 is provided with a platen roller 44 fitted to the platen drive shaft 34 and driven to rotate, corresponding to the portion where the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. ing. On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 45 is arranged in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 42, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 42 is arranged so as to go around the head cover 31 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 45. It is like that.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6, the through hole 43 is formed in the head cover 31, the center hole of the tape reel 36 is positioned on the positioning protrusion 37, and the center hole of the ribbon take-up reel 45 is positioned on the winding drive shaft 35. The print head 32 is inserted and the print tape T and the ink ribbon R are sandwiched between the print head 32 and the platen roller 44 so that printing can be performed. Thereafter, the user inputs desired input information with the keyboard 3 while confirming the display 5, changes the print format of the input information as necessary, and instructs printing (press the “print” key 15). The printing apparatus 1 feeds the printing tape T from the tape cartridge C by the tape feed motor 38 and selectively heats the heating elements of the print head 32 to perform desired printing on the printing tape T. The printed part of the printing tape T is sent to the outside from the tape discharge port 21 at any time. When printing is completed, the tape feeding motor 38 feeds the printing tape T to the position of the tape length including the margin, The feeding is stopped (then, the process proceeds to the cutting process).

  On the other hand, the printing tape T is composed of a recording tape Ta having an adhesive layer formed on the back surface and a release tape Tb attached to the recording tape Ta by the adhesive layer. The printing tape T is wound in a roll shape with the recording tape Ta on the outside and the release tape Tb on the inside, and is accommodated in the cartridge case 41. A plurality of types of printing tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, background pattern, material (texture), etc.) are prepared, and each cartridge case 41 has one type. Printing tape T (and ink ribbon R) are accommodated. The back surface of the cartridge case 41 is provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) for specifying the type of the tape cartridge C, and the type of the print tape T is determined by the tape identification sensor (such as a microswitch) 39 described above. It can be done.

  Next, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. The tape printer 1 includes a display 5, a keyboard 3, a cutter motor 23, a tape cutter 22, a tape feed motor 38, a print head 32, a tape identification sensor 39, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) (memory). Means) 52 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53. The CPU 51 is connected to the ROM 53, the display 5, the keyboard 3, the cutter motor 23, the tape feed motor 38, the print head 32, and the tape identification sensor 39 via the bus 54.

  The display 5 functions to display the editing result and the print layout. The keyboard 3 functions as an information input unit for inputting various information and a designation / setting unit for performing various designations and settings.

  The cutter motor 23 is connected to the tape cutter 22 and functions as a cutting means. The tape feed motor 38 and the print head 32 function as printing means for performing printing on the printing tape T. As described above, the print head 32 and the tape identification sensor 39 are provided in the cartridge mounting unit 6, and the tape identification sensor 39 detects the type of the print tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge C.

  The RAM 52 is directly connected to the CPU 51 and is used as a work area when the CPU 51 performs various controls. The RAM 52 has a form option storage area 55 that stores form options for various print forms, and a format option storage area 56 that stores format options displayed for each print form.

  The ROM 53 stores a control program and control data for the CPU 51 to perform various controls. Specifically, the control program includes an editing process program for performing various editing processes and a printing process program for performing printing processes. Based on the detection result of the tape identification sensor 39, the CPU 51 is suitable for producing the tape label L with the tape cartridge C mounted (the tape width, material, etc. of the printing tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge C). Whether the number of lines and characters that can be input as text is limited. In addition, the CPU 51 controls display processing of the display 5 and print data generation processing, and also performs drive control of printing operation and cutting operation.

  Next, the print form and the print format will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the print form includes a “normal form” corresponding to normal input information, a “name form” corresponding to input information related to a person name, a “heading form” corresponding to input information related to a file index, and the like. It is out. Each print form is cyclically displayed by operating the cursor key 16.

  In the “normal form”, the user inputs input information using the character key group 11 and creates an arbitrary tape label L as shown in FIG. Specifically, any character type such as letters, numbers, symbols, simple figures, etc. can be used, and input can be made over a plurality of lines. Further, the whole is a single input area, and the arrangement (layout) of input information to be input can be arbitrarily determined by the user (see FIG. 6 (D3)).

  The “name form” is for creating a tape label L including a name and a pseudonym of the name. Specifically, the number of characters that can be input is limited, and it is configured with a two-level layout of a narrow input area for a Japanese name and a wide input area for a name (see FIG. 6 (D6)). After inputting the name and the name, by inputting the name corresponding to the name and the name, the tape label L to which the name corresponding to the name and the name is assigned is created (see FIG. 4B). . Accordingly, it is impossible to create a tape label L of two or more lines, the number of characters is limited, the length of the created tape label L is limited, and the arrangement of input information is limited. At least different from "normal form". Although not shown in particular, it is possible to create a tape label L without a pseudonym with only a name.

  The “headline form” is input by inputting the input information used for the file index, and is attached so as to be bent at the end of the filing object. Specifically, the number of lines that can be input is limited, and a two-stage layout having an input area of the same width is used. When input information serving as a headline is input, a tape label L in which the same input information is input to the two-stage input area is automatically created (see FIG. 4C). Therefore, at least one line of input information cannot be input and the arrangement of the input information cannot be changed at least different from the “normal form”. Although FIG. 4C shows the tape label L for a vertically written file index, a tape label L for a horizontally written file index can also be created (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the print format has a one-layer or two-layer structure, and includes “outer frame / table assembly”, “typeface”, “margin”, “between characters”, “decorative characters”, “ It has a plurality of format options (option candidates) such as “enclosed / mesh”, “fixed length printing”, “character size”, and “background pattern printing” for creating a label including a background pattern. This print format is set for each print form, and is stored in the format option storage area 56 described above. Specifically, the printing format of “Normal Form” is all of the choice options “Outer frame / table”, “Typeface”, “Margins”, “Between letters”, “Decoration”, “Box / net” "," Fixed length printing "," background pattern printing ", and" character size ". The "Name form" print format is "fixed length printing", "outer frame / table", "decoration", "typeface", "box / mesh", and "background pattern printing", which are some of the choices The “Heading Form” print format is also composed of “Margins”, “Between Characters”, “Constant Print”, “Character Size”, “Box / Mesh”, and “Typeface”, which are some of the options. It is configured.

  In this case, the print formats for each print form are displayed in a menu in order of increasing frequency of use of the format options. Also, depending on the print form, the menu options are displayed by omitting format options that are extremely infrequently used. For example, in the “normal form”, “outer frame / table”, “typeface”, “margins”, “between letters”, “decorative letters”, etc. are used frequently, and are displayed in this order. . Similarly, in “Name form”, “Constant length printing”, “Outer frame / table”, “Decoration”, etc., and the print format of “Heading form” are part of the choices. Menus are displayed in the order of “margin”, “between characters”, “fixed length printing”,. On the other hand, the format option “character size” is considered to be frequently used in “normal form” and is set as an option, but in “name form” it is considered to be used infrequently and is not set as an option (see FIG. 3).

  If the format option “decorative” is selected, the selection range is shifted to the first layer, and “white shadow” or “white” can be selected. Then, when “white shadow” is selected in the first hierarchy, the process moves to the second hierarchy, and “slanting strength” and “italic” can be selected (see FIG. 5). Each option group (including the first and lower layers) is cyclically displayed by operating the cursor key 16 (see FIG. 5).

  Next, a method for creating the tape label L will be described with reference to the screen transition diagrams shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 while comparing the “normal form” and the “name form”. It is assumed that the tape label L is created by inputting input information to the selected print form, changing the print format of the input information, and printing on the print tape T.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (D1), when the power is turned on, an initial screen (not shown) is displayed, and a line head mark (mark with “1” surrounded by a square) M indicating that the input is the first line; The cursor K indicating the editing position is displayed (normal form editing screen 61). When the tape label L is created using the print form, the “form” key 13 in FIG. 6 (D1) is pressed to display each print form stored in advance on the form selection screen 62 and the default. As shown in FIG. 6 (D2), the uppermost “normal” is displayed in black and white reversed (form selection means).

  In the case of creating the tape label L with “normal form”, the [Select] key 17 is pressed in the state of FIG. 6 (D2) to display the normal form edit screen 61, and then input information is input (FIG. 6). 6 (D3)). Further, as described above, when the power is turned on, the display 5 automatically shifts to the normal form editing screen 61, and therefore, it is possible to input without changing the “form” key 13 (FIG. 6). (D1)). As shown in FIG. 6 (D3), the input result is that after the input information is input, the “Select” key 17 is pressed to start a line feed, whereby the line head mark M of the next line is displayed and the line head of the input line is displayed. The mark M is reversed in black and white.

  When the “name form” is used, the “name” is displayed in black and white reversed by pressing the [↓] key once in the state of FIG. 6 (D2) (FIG. 6 (D5)). Then, by pressing the “select” key 17, the display 5 is changed to the name form editing screen 63 and input information is input (FIG. 6 (D 6)). Although not particularly illustrated, as described above, first, a name and a name are first input, and then a kana corresponding to the name and the name is input. As the input result, as shown in FIG. 6 (D6), only a name and a name corresponding to the name are displayed. To select “Heading Form”, press the [↓] key again to highlight “Heading” in black and white, and then press the [Select] key 17 to display the heading form editing screen to display the input document. (Not shown). Further, as described above, since the print form is cyclically displayed, it is possible to select the “normal form” again by pressing the [↓] key several times.

  After the input information is confirmed, the print format is changed. When the “format” key 14 is pressed in the state of FIG. 6 (D3) and FIG. 6 (D6), the display 5 transitions to the format option display screen 64, and “print format” is displayed at the upper left of the uppermost stage of the display 5. Is displayed, and format options are displayed below it (format selection means). In the case of “regular form” and “name form”, the corresponding print format format options are displayed in a menu in order of frequency of use (FIG. 6 (D4) and FIG. 6 (D7)). . As with the form selection screen 62, the topmost format option is displayed in black and white reversed as a default (see the figure). For example, in the “normal form”, only “outer frame / table”, “typeface”, and “margin” are displayed on the display 5 as menus (FIG. 6 (D4), “character spacing”, “decorative characters”, “box”). The “network”, “fixed length printing”, “background pattern printing”, and “character size” are scroll-displayed in order with the cursor key 16 (not shown), and in the “name form”, “fixed length printing”, Only “outer frame / table” and “decorative” are displayed on the display 5 as a menu (FIG. 6 (D7)), and “enclosed / mesh” and “background pattern printing” are scrolled (not shown).

  Subsequently, in the “normal form”, when the [↓] key is pressed twice from the state of FIG. 7 (D4), “margin” is displayed in black and white inversion (FIG. 7 (D8)). Here, if the [Select] key 17 is pressed, the options in the first hierarchy are displayed (FIG. 7 (D8)). In the first hierarchy, “none”, “less”, etc. can be selected (FIG. 7 (D9)). Here, when “less” is selected, the margin when printing on the printing tape L is set to be less than the default, and then the display transitions to the format option display screen 64 for the print format. At that time, the next format option “between characters” is displayed in black and white reversed (FIG. 7 (D10)).

  On the other hand, when “decorative characters” is selected in the “name form”, the options in the first hierarchy are displayed (FIG. 7 (D12)). Here, when the selection is performed by pressing the “select” key 17, the options of the second hierarchy are displayed (FIG. 7 (D 13)). When the second hierarchy option is selected with the cursor key 16 and the “select” key 17, the selected format is reflected in the input information. Further, after the format is selected, the display 5 transitions to the format option display screen 64 again, and the next format option “typeface” is displayed in black and white inversion (FIG. 7 (D14)).

  By the above operation, after the user inputs the input information, the desired print format is changed (selected), and then the “print” key 15 is pressed to print the input / edited input information on the print tape T. Each desired tape label L is created (see FIG. 4).

  According to the above configuration, since the format options are displayed in a menu for each print form and in the order of frequency of use, the user can change the desired print format with a few key operations. Therefore, the operability in selecting the print format can be improved regardless of which print form is used.

  In this embodiment, the format options are displayed in a menu in a preset order. However, for each print form, the previously selected format option is displayed first (top row) with priority next time. Also good (learning function).

  In this embodiment, the format options are preset for each print form. However, the user selects an arbitrary print format from all the format option candidates, and the display order of menus displayed on the display 5 is changed. It may be possible to change it.

It is an external application perspective view of a tape printer. It is the block diagram which showed the control structure of the tape printer. It is a figure showing each printing form and the format choice corresponding to it. It is the figure which showed the tape label produced with a printing form. It is the figure which showed the hierarchical structure of the format option. It is the screen transition diagram (1) which showed the process of tape label creation. It is the screen transition diagram (2) which showed the process of tape label creation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape printer 5 ... Display 26 Printing feed motor 32 ... Print head 52 ... RAM 61 ... Form edit screen 62 ... Form selection screen 63 ... Name edit screen 64 ... Format selection screen C ... Tape cartridge T ... Printing tape L ... Tape label

Claims (5)

Form selection means for selecting a print form related to the layout of input information for creating a label from a plurality of form options;
Format selecting means for selecting a print format for changing the format of the input information from a plurality of format options;
A common of the plurality of formats option, stores for each of the plurality of forms choice, and stores the plurality of formats choices in a predetermined order which is set in advance based on the frequency of use of each of the plurality of forms choice Storage means;
The input information and the plurality of form options read from the storage means are displayed, and the plurality of format options read from the storage means for each of the print forms selected by the form selection means A document editing device for a tape printer, comprising: a display means for displaying in the order of:   The plurality of form options include a normal form corresponding to normal input information, a name form corresponding to input information related to a person name, and a heading form corresponding to input information related to a file index. Item 2. A document editing apparatus for a tape printer according to Item 1.   The storage means stores at least one form option by omitting the format option candidates that are used infrequently from among the format option candidates common to the print forms. Or a document editing apparatus of the tape printing apparatus according to 2; A document editing device for a tape printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A tape printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing the input information edited by the document editing apparatus on a printing tape. A form selection process for selecting a print form related to the layout of input information for creating a label from a plurality of form options;
A format selection step of selecting a print format for changing the format of the input information from a plurality of format options;
In the storage means, the common of said plurality of formats option, stores for each of the plurality of foam alternatives, the plurality of formats choice, given previously set based on the frequency of use of each of the plurality of forms choice A storage process for storing in order;
The input information and the plurality of form options read from the storage means are displayed, and the plurality of format options read from the storage means for each of the print forms selected by the form selection step is the predetermined form. A document editing method for a tape printing apparatus, comprising: a display step of displaying in the order of:

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