JP5052210B2 - Tape printer and display method of display unit of tape printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printer having a predictive conversion function in input editing and a display method of a display unit of the tape printer.

  Conventionally, a portable communication terminal having this type of predictive conversion function is known (see Patent Document 1). In this mobile communication terminal, prediction conversion candidates predicted from input characters or the like are displayed on the lower half or right half of the display screen (input editing screen). Here, the predictive conversion function refers to searching for a character string that matches one or several characters of the input character string without inputting all the reading characters of the desired character string, and using this as a predictive conversion candidate To display.

Also, a tape printing apparatus is known that includes an input editing area for displaying a character string that is being edited and a layout display area for displaying a print layout of a print image corresponding to the input editing area in the display screen ( Patent Document 2). In this tape printer, the character string being input / edited is displayed in the input editing area, and the input size is displayed in the layout display area so that the print image size and placement balance can be checked against the tape (label) width and tape length. The print layout is displayed one by one according to the editing status.
JP 2002-101178 A International Publication No. 96/016813 Pamphlet

  However, the tape printing apparatus belonging to a small OA device has a small display screen, and displays the input edited characters and the like, the layout display, and the prediction conversion candidate in the input editing area. Is difficult. If these are displayed at the same time, the display area of the predictive conversion function cannot be secured sufficiently. For this reason, when the predictive conversion function is used, the user confirms a plurality of predictive conversion candidates by performing a scroll operation or the like. The usability of the predictive conversion function is poor.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the layout display area in the display screen, and has a predictive conversion function even when the entire input edit area is small, and appropriately displays the predictive conversion candidates in the input edit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printing apparatus and a display method for a display unit of the tape printing apparatus.

The tape printer of the present invention displays a character string input for creating a print image, an input editing area for displaying a character string being input edited, and a print layout of a confirmed character string whose conversion has been confirmed. a display unit having a layout display area, the,
If there is undetermined character string on the input character string, e prepare for the layout display area, and the conversion candidate display means for displaying the candidate words to be predicted from the undetermined character array of the input string, the and wherein the octopus.

According to the display method of the display unit of the tape printer of the present invention, a predictive conversion candidate predicted from an undetermined character string among input character strings is displayed on a display unit that displays a character string input for print image creation. A display method of a display unit of a tape printer to be displayed, wherein the display unit includes an input editing area for displaying a character string being input edited, and a layout display area for displaying a print layout of a confirmed character string whose conversion is confirmed When the input character string includes an undetermined character string, the predictive conversion candidate is displayed in the layout display area .

According to these configurations, the predictive conversion candidate predicted from the undetermined character string among the input character strings is displayed on the display unit, so that the input editing work in creating the print image can be performed easily and efficiently.
In addition, since the predicted conversion candidate is displayed in the layout display area for displaying the print layout of the confirmed character string whose conversion is confirmed, the unconfirmed character of the character string being input edited and the predicted conversion candidate can be displayed simultaneously. . For this reason, even when the entire display unit is small, the display area can be used effectively and the input editing work can be promoted. Note that the character string includes kana kanji, romaji, numbers, pictograms, and the like.

  In this case, a confirmation means for selecting a desired candidate from the prediction conversion candidates displayed in the layout display area and confirming an unconfirmed character string, and when an unconfirmed character string is confirmed by the confirmation means, the layout In the display area, it is preferable to further include switching means for switching from the display of the predicted conversion candidate to the display of the print layout of the confirmed character string.

  According to these configurations, when a desired candidate is selected from the prediction conversion candidates and an undetermined character string is determined by the determination unit (that is, the print image is determined), the prediction conversion candidate is displayed in the layout display area. The display is switched from the display to the display of the print layout of the fixed character string, so that the input editing work can be performed easily and efficiently, and when the candidate display is not performed, the display is switched to the layout display. For example, the tape width of the print tape In addition, the size, arrangement balance, and blank area of the print image data with respect to the tape length can be confirmed before printing is performed, and the layout display function is not impaired.

Also, in these cases, after the character string is confirmed from the prediction conversion candidate by the connection prediction candidate display means for displaying the connection prediction candidate connected to the confirmed character string confirmed by the confirmation means, and the confirmation means is confirmed by the switching means. A mode setting means for setting any one of a layout display mode for switching to display of the print layout of the column and a connection prediction conversion candidate display mode for displaying a connection prediction candidate by the connection prediction candidate display means ; It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, since the mode setting means can set any one of the layout display mode and the prediction conversion candidate display mode, the optimum mode is selected according to the print image to be created, Input editing work can be performed. For example, when input editing of a print image is performed using words that are frequently used, the input editing work can be efficiently performed by setting the connection prediction conversion candidate display mode. On the other hand, when performing input editing of a printed image using words that are not frequently used, set the layout display mode to ensure input editing work, and select the connection prediction candidate display mode for subsequent input editing. Thus, the input editing work can be performed efficiently.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention and a display method of a display unit of the tape printer will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printer has a predictive conversion function, displays predictive conversion candidates predicted from input edited characters and the like on a display, and creates a label based on the confirmed print image.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the tape printer 1 contains a device main body 11 that performs a printing process on a processing tape (printing tape) T, a processing tape T, and an ink ribbon R. And a tape cartridge C which is detachably mounted.

  The apparatus main body 11 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 12, and a plurality of character input keys 13 for inputting characters and the like on the upper surface of the front half of the apparatus case 12 and various selection and confirmation processes, etc. A keyboard 17 having a plurality of function keys 15 is provided. Here, the function key 15 includes various setting keys 15a for setting the tape width, tape length, margin area, character format, etc. of the processing tape T, and up / down (left / right) for selecting options displayed on the display 24 described later. ) Key 15b, a confirm key 15c for confirming a character string as a print image from the above options, a delete key 15d for deleting a character being input and edited, a print key 15e for executing print processing, and the like.

  An opening / closing lid 21 is widely provided on the upper left surface of the rear half of the device case 12, and a viewing window 22 is formed on the upper surface of the opening / closing lid 21 for visually confirming the mounting / non-mounting of the tape cartridge C. On the front side of the opening / closing lid 21, a lid opening button 23 for opening the lid is provided. A display 24 for displaying an input result from the keyboard 17 and the like is formed on the upper right side of the rear half.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display (display unit) 24 has a horizontally long display screen, and is set at the bottom of the display screen and is set at the top of the display screen and the input editing area 24a for input editing. And a layout display area 24b for displaying the layout of the confirmed character string (printed image) one by one. In the layout display area 24b, the detected tape width and the set tape length are numerically displayed, and the print image determined by the input editing is a layout corresponding to the set print format (character size, font, etc.). Displayed as an image. As a result, the size, arrangement balance, margin area, and the like of the print image can be confirmed before the printing process. Specifically, in the layout display area 24b shown in FIG. 3, the layout of the determined print image (“Today”) corresponds to the tape with respect to the tape width (18 mm) and the tape length (4.5 cm). The portion corresponding to the character is highlighted as a shadow dot, and the portion corresponding to the character is highlighted as a positive dot. In the layout display area 24b, during input editing, a plurality of prediction conversion candidates predicted from characters and the like input and edited are displayed instead of layout display (details will be described later). In addition to the above display contents, various setting menus and the like are also displayed on the display 24 by operating the setting keys 15a and the like.

  Inside the opening / closing lid 21, a cartridge mounting portion 31 in which the tape cartridge C is mounted is recessed, and the cartridge mounting portion 31 has a print head for performing a printing process on the processing tape T fed out from the tape cartridge C. 41 is disposed (see FIG. 2).

  A tape discharge port 32 is formed on the left side of the device case 12 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 31 with the outside of the device. The device case 12 faces the tape discharge port 32 to cut the processing tape T. A cutter unit 33 is incorporated. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circuit board constituting a control unit 60 (see FIG. 4) that performs overall control of the apparatus main body 11 is mounted inside the apparatus case 12.

  A print head 41 having a heating element and covered with a head cover 40, a positioning projection 42 for positioning a tape reel 51 described later, a processing tape T and an ink ribbon R of the tape cartridge C are sent to the cartridge mounting portion 31. A platen drive shaft 43 facing the print head 41 and a take-up drive shaft 44 that winds up the ink ribbon R are projected. Further, the cartridge mounting portion 31 is provided with a tape identification sensor 26 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to a plurality of detection holes formed on the back surface of the cartridge case C. Further, the cartridge mounting portion 31 incorporates a print feed motor 46 (see FIG. 4) and a reduction gear train (not shown) for driving the platen drive shaft 43 and the winding drive shaft 44.

  The tape cartridge C is configured such that a tape reel 51 around which a processing tape T is wound and a ribbon feeding reel 52 and a ribbon take-up reel 53 around which an ink ribbon R is wound at the lower right are housed in a cartridge case 50. Has been. A through opening 54 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 51 to be inserted into the head cover 40 that covers the print head 41. Further, a platen roller 55 that is fitted to the platen drive shaft 43 and is driven to rotate is disposed corresponding to the portion where the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 31, the through opening 54 is formed in the head cover 40, the tape reel 51 is positioned on the positioning projection 42, the ribbon winding reel 53 is positioned on the winding drive shaft 44, and the platen roller 55 is positioned on the platen driving shaft 43. When the open / close lid 21 is closed in this state, the print head 41 is in contact with the platen roller 55 with the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R interposed therebetween, and enters a print standby state. . When the print data is generated by the input editing, the platen drive shaft 43 and the take-up drive shaft 44 are synchronously rotated based on the generated print data, and the print head 41 feeds the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R. Printing processing is performed. At the same time, the ink ribbon R fed from the ribbon feeding reel 52 goes around the opening wall of the through opening 54 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 53. The printed part of the processing tape T after the printing process is cut by the full cutter 34, and the cut processing tape T is discharged to the outside from the tape discharge port 32 as a label.

  A plurality of types of processing tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, ink ribbon color, tape material, etc.) are prepared, and a recording tape T1 having an adhesive layer coated on the back surface, It is composed of a release tape T2 attached to the recording tape T1 with an adhesive layer. A plurality of small detection holes (not shown) are formed on the back surface of the cartridge case 50, and the plurality of detection holes are detected by the tape identification sensor so that the type of the processing tape T can be identified. It has become.

  Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape printing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 61, a detection unit 62, a printing unit 63, a cutting unit 64, a driving unit 65, and a control unit 60 that is connected to these units and controls the entire tape printing apparatus 1. ,have.

  The operation unit 61 functions as a user interface such as data input from the character input keys 13 and function keys 15 on the keyboard 17 and display of print data and the like on the display 24 by the layout keys 15f. The detection unit 62 includes a tape identification sensor 26 and detects the type of the processing tape T (tape cartridge C). The printing unit 63 includes a tape cartridge C, a print head 41, and a print feed motor 46. The print head 41 performs a printing process on the processing tape T based on the generated print data, and the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R are removed. Printing is performed on the processing tape T based on the generated print data while being conveyed. The cutting unit 64 includes a cutter unit 33 including a full cutter 34 that cuts the processing tape T and a full cutter motor 35 that drives the cutting tape T, and the processing tape T that has been printed by the printing unit 63 is cut to a predetermined length. And create a label. The drive unit 65 includes a display driver 66, a head driver 67, a print feed motor driver 68, and a cutter motor driver 69, and drives each unit.

  The control unit 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 having a control program for performing various control processes by the CPU 71, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73 serving as a work area for various control processes. And an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 74 for inputting / outputting input data and control signals to / from each unit of the tape printer 1, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 75. Yes. In the ROM 72, a predictive conversion dictionary 72a in which a plurality of character strings such as kana kanji, romaji, numbers, and pictograms are registered, and an unconfirmed character string (of the input character strings based on the predictive conversion dictionary 72a) A prediction conversion program 72b for converting from an unconfirmed character string) to a predicted character string (prediction conversion candidate) and a prediction conversion display control program 72c for displaying the prediction conversion candidate in the layout display area 24b of the display 24 are stored. ing. And CPU71 inputs various signals and data from each part in the tape printer 1 via IOC74 according to various control programs in ROM72 by the above-mentioned composition. Also, various data and data in the RAM 73 are processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part in the tape printer 1 via the IOC 74, thereby enabling input editing processing (print data generation). Control) and print cutting processing.

  Specifically, the CPU 71 displays a character or the like input in the input editing area 24a of the display 24 and a predictive conversion program in the ROM 72 when a character or the like is input by the character input key 13 during input editing. In accordance with 72b, a character string predicted from the first character or several characters of the unconfirmed character string in the input character string is extracted from the predictive conversion dictionary 72a as a plurality of predictive conversion candidates. And according to the prediction conversion display control program 72c, these extracted some prediction conversion candidates are displayed on the layout display area 24b (conversion candidate display means). Further, when the CPU 71 selects a desired character string from the prediction conversion candidates by pressing the confirm key 15c and confirms the unconfirmed character string (confirming means), the CPU 71 determines the character string (confirmed character string) confirmed in the input editing area 24a. At the same time, in the layout display area 24b, the display is switched from the display of the predicted conversion candidate to the display of the print layout of the confirmed character string (that is, the print image) (switching means).

  Next, a control operation of the tape printer 1 in input / editing will be described with reference to a display transition diagram of the display 24 in FIG.

  When the user turns on the power of the tape printer 1, the layout display area 24b and the input edit area 24a are displayed on the display 24 (see FIG. 5A). Here, on the left side of the layout display area 24b, the tape width (18 mm) of the processing tape T detected by the tape identification sensor 26 and the tape length set manually or automatically are displayed, and the input edit area 24a is displayed. Displays a cursor 81 indicating the input start position. The following input editing example will be described assuming that the label “love” 80 shown in FIG. 6 is created.

  When the user presses the character input key 13 and inputs the character “A” (“A” in the case of Roman character input), the CPU 71 displays the input character “A” 82 input in the input editing area 24a. At the same time, a plurality of prediction conversion candidates 83 predicted from the input unconfirmed character “A” 82 are displayed in the layout display area 24b (see FIG. 5B). Here, the unconfirmed character indicates a character string in a state where the input character string is not confirmed by the confirm key 15c, and the confirmed character string indicates a character string confirmed from the prediction conversion candidate by the confirm key 15c. Point to. If the input character “A” 82 is erroneously input and the delete key 15d is pressed to delete the input character “A” 82, the display 24 returns to the initial state shown in FIG. When there is no predictive conversion candidate 83 predicted from the input character or the like, the display 24 remains unchanged in the initial state of FIG.

  Next, the user operates the up / down key 15b to select a desired conversion candidate from the plurality of prediction conversion candidates 83, and operates the confirmation key 15c to confirm the character string from the prediction conversion candidate 83 (FIG. 5). (See (c) and (d)). At this time, the number of prediction conversion candidates is displayed on the left side of the layout display area 24b, and in the present embodiment, 30 prediction conversion candidates 83 are shown. Further, among the plurality of prediction conversion candidates 83, the selected prediction conversion candidate is shaded (for example, the prediction conversion candidate “partner” 83a shown in FIG. 5C). In the present embodiment, the user has selected the prediction conversion candidate “love” 83 b displayed second from the options of the 30 prediction conversion candidates 83. Then, the CPU 71 displays the confirmed character string “Ai” 84a in the input editing area 24a and displays the print layout 84b of the confirmed character string “Ai” in the layout display area 24b (see FIG. 5E). Thereafter, when the input editing process is continued, the same process as described above is repeated. On the other hand, when a confirmed character string (print image) is printed, a print cutting process is executed by the printing unit 63 and the cutting unit 64 by pressing the print key 15e, and a label 80 (see FIG. 6) is generated.

  As described above, according to the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of prediction conversion candidates by the prediction conversion function are simultaneously displayed in the layout display area 24b that displays the print layout of the confirmed character string. That is, during the input editing, the layout display area 24b can be used as a prediction conversion candidate display area. Therefore, even when the entire display unit is small, the display area can be used effectively and easily. Input editing work can be performed. When a desired character string (print image) is confirmed from the predicted conversion candidate, the layout display area 24b is switched from the predicted conversion candidate display to the print layout display of the confirmed character string, so that the print image for the tape width and tape length is displayed. Data size, arrangement balance, and the like can be confirmed before printing is performed, and the layout display function is not impaired.

  Note that during input editing, the prediction conversion candidate display and the layout display may be switched by the key operation of the function key 15. Further, instead of the key operation of the function key 15, switching may be performed by operating the layout key 15f, or a dedicated switching key may be provided separately from the layout key 15f.

  In this embodiment, the prediction conversion candidate display is set to two lines in accordance with the two-line display of the layout display. However, the prediction conversion candidate display is adjusted to match the one-line display of the layout display or the three-line display of the layout display. May be displayed in one line or three lines. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prediction conversion candidate display may always be a two-line display.

  Next, a tape printer 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the connection prediction conversion for displaying the connection prediction candidates connected to the confirmed character string in the ROM 72 of the control unit 60 using the confirmation of the unconfirmed character string as a trigger. A candidate display control program 72d is further provided. When the user operates the setting key 15a to confirm the character string from the prediction conversion candidate, the layout display mode for switching to the display of the print layout of the confirmed character string, the connection prediction conversion candidate display mode for displaying the connection prediction candidate, Is set (mode setting means). That is, after the print image is confirmed, the user can display a layout display mode in which the print layout is displayed and, if there is a connection prediction candidate, a connection prediction conversion candidate display that preferentially displays the connection prediction candidate as compared to the layout display. Select one of the modes.

  Next, the control operation of the tape printer 1 when the connection prediction conversion candidate display mode is set will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where a label “compatibility fortune-telling” 95 shown in FIG. 9 is created will be described as an example.

  When the power of the tape printer 1 is turned on, the layout display area 24b and the input editing area 24a are displayed on the display 24 (see FIG. 8A). Then, the user operates the setting key 15a to select a layout display mode in which the layout of the print image of the confirmed prediction conversion candidate is displayed, and a connection prediction conversion candidate display mode in which the connection prediction candidate is displayed. The connection prediction conversion candidate display mode is set (S1).

  When the character “A” 82 is input by the character input key 13 (S2), the input character “A” 82 is displayed in the input editing area 24a, and the corresponding input character “A” 82 is displayed in the layout display area 24b. A predicted conversion candidate 83 is displayed based on the confirmed character “A” 82 (S3: see FIG. 8B). Then, by operating the up / down (left / right) key 15b, the conversion candidate “compatibility” 83d is selected from the plurality of predictive conversion candidates 83 and confirmed by the confirm key 15c (S4: refer to FIGS. 8C and 8D). .

  Next, when the confirmed character string “compatibility” 91 is displayed in the input editing area 24a and there is a connection prediction candidate connected to this confirmed character string “compatibility” 91 (S5: Yes), the CPU 71 displays the layout display area 24b in the layout display area 24b. A connection prediction candidate 90 connected to the confirmed character string “compatibility” 91 is displayed (S6: see FIG. 8E). Then, similarly to S4, the up / down key 15b and the confirmation key 15c are operated to select and confirm the conversion candidate “divination” 90a from the plurality of connection prediction candidates 90 (S7). As a result, the confirmed character string “Affinity fortune-telling” 92a is displayed in the input editing area 24a, and the print layout 92b of the confirmed character string “Affinity fortune-telling” is displayed in the layout display area 24b (see FIG. 8F). When the print key 15e is pressed, the print cutting process is performed by the printing unit 63 and the cutting unit 64, and the label 95 is generated. In S5, when there is no connection prediction candidate 90 (S5: No), the print layout of the confirmed character string “compatibility” 91 is displayed in the layout-out display area 24b (S8). In S7, when there is a further connection prediction candidate 90 connected to the confirmed character string, the processing from S5 to S7 is repeated in the same manner.

  In the description of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 described above, the case where the mode setting of the layout display mode or the connection prediction conversion candidate display mode is performed at the beginning of the input editing operation is described as an example. Rather than any of the above during input editing (for example, after confirming a desired conversion candidate from the predicted conversion candidates shown in S4 of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8D and before switching to the display of FIG. 8E) It is also possible to set the mode.

  Moreover, it is also possible to provide each component (predictive conversion means, switching means, and mode setting means) of the tape printer 1 shown in the above embodiment as a program. Further, the program can be provided by being stored in various recording media (CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.).

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. It is an external appearance perspective view in the open lid state of the tape printer concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a display. It is a control block diagram of a tape printer. It is a display transition diagram for explaining a control operation during input editing of the tape printer. It is a schematic diagram of the created label. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control operation of the tape printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a display transition diagram for explaining a control operation during input editing of the tape printer. It is a schematic diagram of the created label.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape printer 24 ... Display part 24b ... Layout display area 83 ... Prediction conversion candidate 90 ... Connection prediction candidate T ... Printing tape

Claims (4)

A display having an input editing area for displaying a character string input for creating a print image , a character string being input edited, and a layout display area for displaying a print layout of a confirmed character string whose conversion is confirmed and parts,
Conversion candidate display means for displaying , in the layout display area, a predicted conversion candidate predicted from an undetermined character string in the input character string when the input character string includes an undetermined character string. tape printing device comprising a Etako. Confirming means for confirming an unconfirmed character string by selecting a desired candidate from the prediction conversion candidates displayed in the layout display area;
When the unconfirmed character string is confirmed by the confirmation means, the layout display area further comprises switching means for switching from displaying the prediction conversion candidate to displaying the print layout of the confirmed character string. The tape printer according to claim 1 . Connection prediction candidate display means for displaying a connection prediction candidate connected to the confirmed character string confirmed by the confirmation means;
After the character string is confirmed from the prediction conversion candidates by the confirmation means, a layout display mode for switching to display of the print layout of the confirmed character string by the switching means, and the connection prediction candidate by the connection prediction candidate display means The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a mode prediction unit that sets any one of a connection prediction conversion candidate display mode for displaying the mode. A display method of a display unit of a tape printer that displays a predicted conversion candidate predicted from an unconfirmed character string among input character strings on a display unit that displays a character string input for print image creation. ,
The display unit includes an input editing area for displaying a character string being input edited, and a layout display area for displaying a print layout of a confirmed character string whose conversion is confirmed.
A display method for a display unit of a tape printer, wherein the predictive conversion candidate is displayed in the layout display area when an input character string includes an undetermined character string.

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