[19]
`United States Patent
`5,399,030
`[11] Patent Number:
`Mar. 21, 1995
`Niwa et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`l||||||l||||lllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIHIII
`US005399030A
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0073975 4/1987 Japan ................................... .. 400/61
`1281963 11/1989 Japan ................................... .. 400/61
`2-106555 4/1990 Japan .
`2241807 9/1991 United Kingdom .................. 400/61
`
`Primary Exarrzirzer—EdgaI S. Burr
`Assistant Examirzer—John S. Hilten
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-Oliff & Berridge
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`The document data of a plurality of blocks are input and
`an auto size is set. After this, when a print key is oper-
`ated, the data concerning the width of a tape is read out
`by a cassette distinction sensor. Then, the block number
`is calculated based on the document data stored in the
`text memory, and further, the linage of the first block is
`calculated. The print size is calculated based on the size
`table corresponding to the tape width data and the
`linage to be printed. The base line position of each print
`line is calculated based on the print size, the document
`data, the tape width data and the Image. The dot pattern
`data in each line which is formed based on the print size
`and the document data is developed into the print buffer
`based on the base line position. When the processing in
`each block is completed, the print processing is exe-
`cuted. Thus, various blocks of print on the tape may be
`set to different sizes.
`
`18 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`[54] TAPE PRINT DEVICE HAVING PRINT
`FORMAT CONTROL
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Akihiko Niwa, Toki; Hideo Ueno;
`Shoji Sakuragi, both of Nagoya, all
`of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,
`Nagoya, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 28,267
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Mar. 9, 1993
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`Apr. 30, 1992 [JP]
`Japan ................................ .. 4.139931
`
`Int. c1.6 .............................................. .. B4-1J 5/30
`[51]
`[52] U.S.C1. ........................................ .. 400/61; 400/3;
`400/76; 400/586
`[53] Field of Search ............. .. 400/120, 208, 586, 708,
`400/61, 76, 3
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`5,066,152 11/1991 Kuzuya et a1.
`5,078,523
`1/1992 McGourty et a1.
`5,222,818
`6/1993 Akiyama et al. .................... 400/120
`5,253,334 10/1993 Kimura et a1.
`5,314,256
`5/1994 Niwa ................... ................ .. 400/61
`
`.
`
`zeL(052)'824—2B3_8
`2 nagowshi
`mizuhoku
`kawagishichc
`1-1
`_ _
`
`.
`'
`_|
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 1
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 2
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`Page 3
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`
`
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`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 4
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`I Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`Fig.4
`
`TB (24)
`
`
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 5
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
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`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 6
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`I
`
`5,399,030
`
`
`
`START CHARACTER SIZE
`
`SET PROCESSING CONTROL
`
`
`
`Fig.6
`
`
`DISPLAY CHARACTER SIZE SET SCREEN
`
`
`
`FIGURE KEY FDR
`
`
`
`SELECTING THE
`CHARACTERISIZE
`
`OPERATED ?
`
`YES
`
`S36
`
`S37
`
`
`535
`
`STORE THE SELECTED
`SIZE DATA PZ
`
`RETURN
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 7
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 7
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`START DOT PATTERN DATA MAKING PROCESSING CONTROL
`
`Figrm
`
`NO
`
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`
`51
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`
`RETURN
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 8
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`
`
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`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 9
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`Ipi§§-53
`
`41
`
`
`
`
`
`DOCUMENT DATA OF
`
`THE FIRST BLOCK
`
`
`
`
`——_ N
`
`Z
`
`F71
`
`JD
`
`EW LINE CODE
`
`NEW BLOCK CODE
`
`
`
`NEN BLOCK CODE
`
`DOCUMENT DATA OF
`
`THE SECOND BLOCK
`
`NEN LINE CODE
`
`DOCUMENT DATA OF
`
`THE THIRD BLOCK
`
`NEN BLOCK CODE
`
`
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 10
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`Fig.9 ‘
`
`SET CHARACTER SIZE
`
`5:38
`
`6:111!
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 11
`
`7:AUTO
`
`1:10
`
`2:13
`
`3:19
`
`4:26
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 1995
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,399,030
`
`: nagoyashi mizuhoku
`
`kawagishicho
`1~1
`_ _
`
`’tei.(052)—824-283-8-
`
`.
`‘
`J
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 12
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 12
`
`

`
`1
`
`5,399,030
`
`2
`
`TAPE PRINT DEVICE HAVING PRINT FORMAT
`CONTROL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a tape print device,
`and more particularly, to a tape print device capable of
`setting a character size according to the linage to be
`printed in each block, thereby a plurality of characters
`and symbols in each block are printed with the set char-
`acter size.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Conventionally,
`as described in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,066,152, a tape print device is capable of printing
`characters and symbols on a tape as a printing medium
`(for instance, the tape being about 10 mm or 24 mm in
`width). The tape print device is suitable for printing a
`file name on a tape to be pasted to the back cover of the
`file, for example.
`However, known tape print devices can not print
`more than three lines. Moreover, when a tape print
`device prints two lines, the character size is fixed for
`two lines. That is, when the tape print device prints two
`lines, the tape print device recognizes the tape area to be
`printed as an upper line and a lower line by dividing the
`tape area into two parts in the longitudinal direction.
`The conventional tape print device prints characters
`and symbols with the fixed character size on the upper
`line and/or the lower line. Moreover, the conventional
`tape print device does not have a block key for setting
`the character column according to the linage to be
`printed.
`On the other hand, there is another tape print device
`having a function for printing characters and symbols in
`a plurality of lines on the tape.
`When the document data stored in a text memory is
`printed in the desired linage, for example, in two or
`three lines, the tape print device sets the character size
`fixed according to the linage to be printed.
`Suppose that there are some character columns com-
`prising two lines or three lines. Then, there is an occa-
`sion when the tape print device has to continuously
`print these character columns as a character string. In
`this case, the tape print device sets the character size so
`as to be able to print characters and symbols in maxi-
`mum linage. Therefore, even if the linage to be printed
`is changed, the tape print device prints characters and
`symbols with the fixed character size. Then, when the
`tape print device prints characters and symbols in mini-
`mum linage, the character size of the character column
`comprising the minimum linage is small with respect to
`the width of the tape. Therefore, there is a problem that
`the characters and symbols are not printed in a well-
`balanced arrangement on the tape.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`.
`
`55
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`provide a tape print device capable of setting a charac-
`ter size in each block according to the linage to be
`printed.
`The tape print device of the present invention com-
`prises: an input means for inputting characters, symbols
`and various commands; a print means including print
`heads for printing on a tape as a print medium with dot
`patterns; an input data storing means for storing the data
`of characters and symbols inputted from the input
`means; a print control means for making the dot pattern
`
`65
`
`data based on the data of the input data storing means
`and for controlling the print means such that the print
`means executes the print operation; a block specifying
`means for grouping characters and symbols and for
`specifying the group as block data comprising one or a
`plurality of lines; and a size set means for receiving the
`data of characters and symbols stored in the input data
`storing means and the block data specified by the block
`specifying means, thereby setting the size of characters
`and symbols to print each block according to the linage
`of the block.
`
`In the tape print device of the present invention, the
`print control means creates the dot pattern data based
`on the data of characters and symbols stored in the
`input data storing means and controls the print means
`such that the print means executes the print operation.
`The block specifying means groups characters and sym-
`bols and specifies the group as block data comprising
`one or a plurality of lines. The size set means receive the
`data of characters and symbols stored in the input data
`storing means and the block data specified by the block
`specifying means, thereby setting the size of characters
`and symbols to print each block according to the linage
`of the block.
`
`Thus, the size of characters and symbols to be printed
`is set according to the linage in each block. Therefore,
`even if the linage of each block increases or decreases,
`characters and symbols are printed in each block in a
`well-balanced arrangement with respect to the width of
`the tape.
`The tape print device of the present invention com-
`prises the block specifying means and the size set means.
`The block specifying means groups characters and sym-
`bols and specifies the group as block data comprising
`one or a plurality of lines. The size set means automati-
`cally sets the size of characters and symbols in each
`block. That is, the size of characters and symbols to be
`printed is automatically set in each block according to
`the linage of the block. Therefore, even if the linage of
`each block increases or decreases, the characters and
`symbols are printed in each block in a well-balanced
`arrangement with respect to the width of the tape.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
`be described in detail with reference to the following
`figures wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape print device in accor-
`dance with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a print mechanism
`of the print device of FIG. 1;
`.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the
`tape print device;
`FIG. 4 is a table for indicating a sample content of a
`size table in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of the routine of a
`tape print control in accordance with the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of the routine of a
`character size set processing control;
`FIG. 7A is a schematic flowchart of the routine of a
`dot pattern data making processing control for the
`Print;
`FIG. 7B is a chart listing the steps of the flow chart of
`FIG. 7A;
`FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the data con-
`struction in a text memory;
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 13
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 13
`
`

`
`5,399,030
`
`3
`FIG. 9 is a view showing a sample character size set
`screen; and
`FIG. 10 is a view showing a sample tape which is
`printed with a set character size in each block.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention
`will be explained with reference to the appended fig-
`ures.
`
`The present embodiment described below applies the
`present invention to a tape print device for English
`capable of printing a plurality of characters, such as
`alphabets, symbols, or the like, on a tape for printing (a
`tape as a print medium).
`As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 3 is disposed at the
`front of a main frame 2 of a tape print device 1. At the
`rear of the keyboard 3, a print mechanism PM is in-
`stalled in the main frame 2. A liquid crystal display 22
`capable of displaying characters and symbols is dis-
`posed at the rear of the keyboard 3.
`The keyboard 3 comprises character keys for input-
`ting alphabets, figures and symbols, a space key, a new
`line key for starting a new line, a new block key for
`starting a new block, cursor movement keys for moving
`a cursor in leftward and rightward directions, a docu-
`ment making key for making document data, a format
`set key for setting a print format, a size set key for set-
`ting the size of characters to be printed, a type face set
`key for setting the type face of characters to be printed,
`a print key for executing a print operation, and a power
`supply key for turning on or off the power supply.
`Next, the print mechanism PM will be explained with
`reference to FIG. 2. A tape storage cassette CS having
`a substantially rectangular shape is detachably installed
`in the print mechanism PM. A tape spool 6, a ribbon
`supply spool 8, a take-up spool 9, a supply spool 11 and
`an adhering roller 12 are rotatably disposed in the tape
`storage cassette CS. A tape 5 for printing which is made
`of a transparent film, preferably being about 24 mm in
`width, is wound on the tape spool 6. An ink ribbon 7 is
`wound on the ribbon supply spool 8. The take-up spool
`9 takes up the ink ribbon 7. A dual sided adhesive tape
`10 having the same width with the tape 5 for printing is
`wound on the supply spool 11 such that a releasable
`sheet faces the outside. The tape 5 for printing is super-
`posed on and adhered to the dual sided adhesive tape 10
`by the adhering roller 12.
`A thermal head 13 is disposed at a position where the
`tape 5 for printing is superposed on the dual sided adhe-
`sive tape 10. A platen roller 14 and a feeding roller 15
`are rotatably supported on a supporter 16. The tape 5
`for printing and the ink ribbon 7 are pressed to the
`thermal head 13 by the platen roller 14. The tape 5 for
`printing and the dual sided adhesive tape 10 are pressed
`to the adhering roller 12 by the feeding roller 15. A
`heat-generating element group preferably having 128
`heat-generating elements arranged in a vertical direc-
`tion is provided on the thermal head 13.
`Therefore, when a tape feeding motor 24 (see FIG. 3)
`is driven so as to rotate in a predetermined rotating
`direction, the adhering roller 12 and the take-up spool 9
`are driven so as to rotate in a predetermined rotating
`direction in synchronization with each other. Further,
`when the heat-generating element group is turned on by
`an electric current, characters are printed on the tape 5
`for printing by a plurality of dot lines. After this, the
`tape 5 for printing is adhered to the dual sided adhesive
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`tape 10 and is discharged in a tape feeding direction A
`(see
`Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
`2-106555).
`A cassette distinction member 17 for indicating the
`kind of the tape storage cassette CS, that is, for indicat-
`ing the width of the tape 5 for printing stored in the tape
`storage cassette CS, is provided on the bottom wall of
`the tape storage cassette CS. A cassette distinction sen-
`sor 18 (see FIG. 3) comprising a photo interrupter for
`detecting a projection splinter (not shown) formed on
`the cassette distinction member 17 is provided on the
`main frame 2. Therefore, the width of the tape 5 for
`printing can be distinguished based on the distinction
`signal from the cassette distinction sensor 18. In total,
`there are five kinds of tape storage cassettes CS. Each
`tape storage cassette CS stores a tape 5 for printing
`having 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, l8 mm or 24 mm widths.
`Next, the control system of the tape print device 1 as
`constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3 is
`described.
`
`A keyboard 3, the cassette distinction sensor 18, a
`driving circuit 21 for a warning buzzer 20, a display
`controller (LCDC) 23 having a RAM for displaying
`data, thereby outputting display data into a liquid dis-
`play (LCD) 22, a driving circuit 25 for driving the
`thermal head 13 and a driving circ11it 26 for driving the
`tape feeding motor 24 are respectively connected to an
`input/output interface 27 of a control device C. The
`control device C comprises a CPU 29, the input/output
`interface 27 which is connected to the CPU 29 through
`a bus 28, such as a data bus, a CGROM 30, ROMs 31, 32
`and a RAM 40.
`
`The CGROM (pattern data memory) 30 stores dot
`pattern data for displaying each of a plurality of charac-
`ters such that the dot pattern data corresponds to code
`data for each character. The ROM (outline data mem-
`ory) 31 stores outline data such that the outline data
`corresponds to the code data for each character. The
`outline data is used for regulating the outline of each
`character in order to print each character. Besides, the
`outline data for each character are classified into a type
`face, such as Gothic style, Mincho style, or the like.
`Moreover, the outline data includes various sizes in the
`vertical direction and in the horizontal direction of the
`print image.
`The ROM 32 stores a display drive control program,
`an image develop processing control program, a print
`drive control program and a control program. The
`display drive program is used for controlling a display
`controller 23 when characters, such as alphabets, fig-
`ures, symbols, or the like are input from the keyboard 3.
`At this time, each character is made to correspond to
`the code data. The image develop processing control
`program is used for changing the outline data corre-
`sponding to each code data in a text memory 41 into the
`dot pattern data for printing, thereby developing a print
`buffer 47. The print drive control program is used for
`reading out in sequence the data in the print buffer 47,
`and driving the thermal head 13 and the tape feeding
`motor 24. The control program is used for controlling a
`tape print operation of the present invention to be de-
`scribed later. Further, the ROM. 32 stores size tables TB
`for setting the character size. Each size table TB corre-
`sponds to each tape 5 for printing of the five kinds of
`tapes. According to the size table TB, the character size
`is set based on the linage to be printed such that charac-
`ters can be printed on the tape 5 for printing. For exam-
`ple, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the size table TB
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 14
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 14
`
`

`
`5,399,030
`
`6
`
`5
`(24) for a tape being 24 mm in width, the character size
`is set for each linage from 1 to 5 such that characters can
`be printed on the tape. Since other size tables TB are
`similar to the size table TB (24), illustrations of other
`tables are omitted.
`The text memory 41 of the ROM 40 stores the code
`data of the characters and symbols inputted from the
`keyboard 3 as document data. A print format memory
`42 stores a plurality of print format information about
`the character size data PZ, the type face data, or the
`like. A block number counter 43 stores the block num-
`ber N of the document data stored in the text memory
`41. A character size memory 44 stores the size data PZ.
`A linage memory 45 stores the linage L of the block
`document data. A work memory 46 stores the block
`document data which is read out. The print buffer 47
`stores the dot pattern data of a plurality of characters
`and symbols, which are developed in the image. There-
`fore, the print buffer 47 comprises a memory capacity
`for 128 bits (16 bytes) corresponding to 128 dots in the
`vertical direction (dot column direction) and a predeter-
`mined bits for 50 characters to the horizontal direction,
`thereby the dot pattern data of one or a plurality of lines
`is developed. A flag memory 48 stores flag data of an
`auto flag AF which is set such that the data is to be “I”
`when the auto size for characters is selected. Further,
`the ROM 40 has a buffer which temporarily stores the
`result calculated by the CPU 40, a counter and a
`pointer.
`Next, the routine of the tape print control which is
`executed by the control device C of the tape print de-
`vice 1 will be explained with reference to the flowchart
`of FIG. 5. Si (i: 10, 30, 60 . . . ) corresponds to each step
`in the figure.
`When the power supply is started by way of a power
`supply key, the control operation is started. Next, docu-
`ment making keys are operated. After this, document
`data input/editing processing for inputting the code
`data as the document data is executed. The code data
`corresponds to the character keys, the space key, the
`new line key and the new block key which are operated
`in S10.
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`auto size is selected (S34: No), the auto size flag AF is
`reset (S36), and the selected size data PZ is stored in the
`character size memory 44 (S37). Then, the control is
`completed, and the processing returns to the tape print
`control. However, when the auto size is selected (S34:
`Yes), the auto size flag AF is set, and thereby the auto
`size mode is set (S35). Then, the processing returns to
`the tape print control.
`Next, the routine of the dot pattern data creating
`processing control for printing which is executed in step
`S60 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7A and
`7B. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the text memory 41
`stores in sequence the document data of the first block,
`the second block and the third block. New block code
`input by way of the new block key is stored between
`each block, and the character data for printing two lines
`is stored as the document data of the first block. The
`character data for printing one line is stored as the doc-
`ument data of the second block. The character data for
`printing five lines is stored as the document data of the
`third block (see FIG. 10).
`When the control is started, first the data concerning
`the width of the tape is read out based on the distinction
`signal from the cassette distinction sensor 18 (S61).
`When the document data to be printed is stored in the
`text memory 41 (S62: Yes), the block number N is calcu-
`lated based on the number of the new block codes (S63).
`The block number N is stored in the block number
`counter 43 as the block number BC (S64). Next, when
`the auto size mode is set (S65: Yes), the block document
`data of the first block is read out and stored in the work
`memory 46 (S66). For example, the first block docu-
`ment data comprising the first line “WEAK” and the
`second line “POINT”, is stored in the work memory 46
`from the text memory 41 shown in FIG. 8. Next, the
`linage L of the block document data is calculated based
`on the number of new codes and new block codes, and
`is stored in the linage memory 45 (S67).
`Next, the size data is calculated as the auto size AP
`based on the size table TB corresponding to the tape
`width data and the linage L. That is, according to the
`size data, characters can be printed on the tape for print-
`ing 5. The auto size AP is stored in the size memory 44
`(S68). Suppose that the width of the tape for printing 5
`is 24 mm and the linage to be printed is 2. Then, as
`shown in FIG. 4, 20 points is calculated from the size
`table TB as the auto size AP. The base line position of
`each print line is calculated based on the auto size AP,
`the tape width data, the linage L and the outline data
`(S69). Next, the code data of each line to be printed is
`read out from the work memory 46 based on the base
`line position. While the outline data is modified or re-
`duced, the dot pattern data for printing is formed based
`on the outline data. Then, the dot pattern data is devel-
`oped in sequence into the print buffer 47 (S70), and the
`block number BC is decremented at one (S71). When
`the block number BC is not “O”, that is, when the fol-
`lowing block document data is stored in the text mem-
`ory 41 (S72: No), the processing returns to step S65.
`The dot pattern data for the following block document
`data are formed in sequence and are developed into the
`print buffer 47.
`When the dot pattern data for all block document
`data stored in the text memory 41 are formed (S72: Yes),
`the processing is completed. After this, the print pro-
`cessing is executed based on the dot pattern data stored
`in the print buffer 47 (S90). Similarly, the document
`data of the second block comprising one line and the
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 15
`
`Next, the processing for setting the print format such
`as the character size, the type face, the embroidery
`specification, or the like, is executed by way of a format
`set key (S30). That is, the print format set processing
`comprises a plurality of format set processings, such as
`the character size set processing, the type face set pro-
`cessing, or the like. Next, the dot pattern data making
`processing is executed by way of the print key (S60).
`The dot pattern data making processing develops the
`dot pattern data for printing which is used for printing
`the document data, into the print buffer 47. The print
`processing for outputting the dot pattern data read out
`from the print buffer 47, into the print mechanism PM,
`is executed in S90.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Next, the routine of the character size set processing
`control of the print format set processing will be ex-
`plained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.
`When the size set key is operated, the character size
`set processing control is started. First, a character size
`set screen is displayed on the display 22 (S31). For
`example, as shown in FIG. 9, each character size is
`displayed in point value. These point values respec-
`tively correspond to numbers 1-6. Further, the auto size
`is displayed as a number 7. Next, the figure key for
`selecting the character size is operated (S32, S33: Yes).
`Further, when an arbitrary character size other than the
`
`65
`
`Esselte Exhibit 1011
`Page 15
`
`

`
`7
`document data of the third block comprising five lines
`are read out in sequence from the text memory shown in
`FIG. 8. The dot pattern data for each document data is
`formed in sequence so as to get the auto size AP calcu-
`lated in each block and stored in the print buffer 47.
`Thus, the print processing is completed. As shown in
`FIG. 10, each ‘character size of the first block B1, of the
`second block B2 and of the third block B3 are respec-
`tively set based on the linage L in each block automati-
`cally. Therefore, even if the linage L is increased or
`decreased, the characters and symbols in each block
`B1—B3 can be printed in a well-balanced arrangement
`on the tape. Further, the characters and symbols are
`printed in the same size in each block B1—B3. Therefore,
`the characters and symbols can be printed in a well-
`balanced arrangement in each block Bl—B3.
`On the other hand, when the auto size mode is not
`selected (S65: No), the block document data of the first
`block is read out and the linage L of the block document
`data is calculated in a similar manner as described above
`in steps S66, S67 (S73, S74). The height of the character
`in each line is added up based on the size data PZ stored
`in the character size memory 44, the tape width data,
`the linage L and the outline data. When the total height
`of the characters of each line is smaller than the height
`of the area to be printed on the tape 5 for printing, that
`is, when all the characters can be printed on the tape
`(S75: Yes), the processing goes to the step S69. Then,
`the dot pattern for the document data in each block is
`formed in sequence and stored in the print buffer 47. On
`the other hand, if the control processing is started and
`the document data to be printed is not stored in the text
`_ memory 41 (S62: No), or the total height of the charac-
`ter of each line is larger than the height of area to be
`printed on the tape 5 for printing, that is, when all the
`characters can not be printed on the tape (S75: No), a
`buzzer 20 makes a warning sound (S76) and the process-
`ing goes to step S10 for the tape print Control.
`The linage and size stored in the size table TB as
`described above is only one example out of many possi-
`bilities. Any linage and various sizes may be set. More-
`over, various tape 5 for printing other than a tape for
`printing being 24 mm in width may be used. The present
`invention can also be applied to various tape print de-
`vices, such as a tape print device which stores the print
`image comprising the characters and symbols as dot
`pattern data. It will be understood by those skilled in the
`art that various changes and modifications can be made
`therein without departing from the scope of the inven-
`tion as defined in the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A tape print device comprising:
`input means for inputting characters, symbols and
`various commands;
`print means including a print head for forming an
`image on a tape;
`input data storing means for storing document data
`corresponding to the characters and symbols input
`from said input means;
`block designating means for designating a portion of
`the characters and symbols input by said input
`means as one of a plurality of block units with
`block unit data, and for storing the block unit data
`with block unit designating data into said input
`data storing means, said block unit designating data
`representing the characters and symbols forming
`said one of a plurality of block units;
`
`8
`linage determination means for determining a linage
`of each of said plurality of block units;
`size setting means for setting a size of the characters
`and symbols of each of said plurality of block units
`based on the block unit data, the block unit desig-
`nating data stored in said input storing means, and
`the linage; and print control means for producing
`image data based on the document data of said
`input data storing means, and for controlling the
`print means such that the print means executes a
`printing of a plurality of said block units along a
`tape.
`2. The tape print device as claimed in claim 1,
`wherein said size setting means sets the size of charac-
`ters and symbols of each block unit automatically.
`3. The tape print device as claimed in claim 2,
`wherein the tape has various widths and said size setting
`means sets the size of characters and symbols of each
`block unit based on the width of the tape.
`4. The tape print device as claimed in claim 3, further
`comprising a positioning means for positioning a base
`line at each line of each block unit based on the size of
`characters and symbols and said print control means
`produces the image from the base line.
`5. The tape print device as claimed in claim 1,
`wherein said size setting means sets the size of charac-
`ters and symbols of each block unit from a plurality of
`predetermined sizes.
`6. A method of printing blocks of characters on a tape
`wherein the size of characters in each block is individu-
`ally set, comprising the steps of:
`inputting characters, symbols and various commands;
`storing document data corresponding to the input
`characters and symbols;
`-producing image data based on the stored document
`data;
`designating each portion of the input characters and
`symbols as a block unit with block unit data;
`storing the block unit data with block unit designat-
`ing data representing the characters and symbols
`forming the block unit;
`determining a linage of the block unit;
`setting a size of the characters and symbols of the
`block unit based on the block unit data, the block
`unit designating data, and the linage; and
`printing the blocks of characters on a tape.
`7. The method of claim 6, wherein setting the size of
`the characters and symbols comprises the step of:
`positioning a base line at each line of each block unit
`based on the size of characters and symbols and
`producing the image from the base line.
`8. A tape print device comprising:
`an input inputting characters, symbols and various
`commands;
`a memory storing document data corresponding to
`the characters and symbols input from said input;
`a print controller producing image data based on the
`document data of said memory, and for controlling
`the printer such that the printer executes a print
`operation;
`a block designator designating a plurality of block
`units, each of the plurality of block units compris-
`ing a plurality of characters and symbols;
`a linage divider dividing the characters and symbols
`of each of said