Tape printing device, printing method, and program

Abstract

This reduces the processing load for printing text that has a sense of perspective. [Solution] A tape printing device that performs printing on a tape-shaped printing medium includes an input unit that accepts input of a string and specification of printing conditions, a control unit that controls the tape printing device, a storage unit that stores a definition table used when performing a specific printing operation in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, the definition table which defines the size of each character in the string in correspondence with the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, and a printing unit that performs printing on the printing medium. When the printing conditions specify a specific printing operation, the control unit sets the size of each character in the string based on the definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, and generates specific printing data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tape printing device, a printing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a desire to print a string with a sense of perspective. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, for characters of a proportional font with different character widths for each character, a string with a sense of perspective is printed in a proportionally spaced state, that is, with a character feed corresponding to the character width. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, (i) a medium variable representing the delimiter position of each character with respect to the entire string is obtained, (ii) the medium variable is substituted into a string arrangement function for each character to determine the character frame coordinates of each character, and (iii) for each character, a new coordinate system is set by changing the origin of the coordinates according to the character width, and a process of converting the coordinate system of the character frame into a coordinate system corresponding to the font body size is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a lot of processing is required to print a string with a sense of perspective. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the mode of printing a string with a sense of perspective.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] According to a first embodiment of this disclosure, a tape printing apparatus is provided for printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. The tape printing apparatus includes an input unit for receiving input of a string and specification of printing conditions, a control unit for controlling the tape printing apparatus, a storage unit for storing at least one definition table used when performing a specific printing operation in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, wherein the size of each character in the string is defined in correspondence with the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, and a printing unit for printing the input string on the printing medium. When the printing conditions specify the specific printing operation, the control unit sets the size of each character in the string based on the definition table corresponding to the number of characters and the width, and generates specific printing data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character. The printing unit prints the string on the printing medium based on the specific printing data.

[0007] A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a printing method performed by a tape printing apparatus for printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. This printing method includes the steps of: receiving input of a string and specification of printing conditions; performing printing on the printing medium; and, when the specification of the printing conditions specifies a specific print in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, setting the size for each character in the string based on at least one definition table that defines the size of each character in the string, corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium; generating specific print data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character; and printing the string on the printing medium based on the specific print data.

[0008] According to a third embodiment of this disclosure, a program is provided for causing a tape printing device to perform printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. This program enables the tape printing device to have a function for receiving input of a string and specification of printing conditions, and a function for performing printing on the printing medium. The function for performing printing on the printing medium includes, when the specification of the printing conditions specifies a specific print in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, a function for setting the size for each character in the string by referring to at least one definition table that defines the size of each character in the string, corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, a function for generating specific print data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character, and a function for printing the string on the printing medium based on the specific print data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the tape printing apparatus in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of each part of a tape printing device. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the print result. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing other examples of print results. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a definition table for the step-down mode. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a definition table for the step-by-step expansion mode. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing examples of other definition tables for the step-up mode. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing examples of other definition tables for the step-down mode. [Figure 9A] This is a flowchart showing the printing process in a tape printing device. [Figure 9B] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection screen. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a definition table according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the printing result according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the printing result according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram showing other examples of selection screens. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram of the definition table used when printing in combined mode 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the tape printing apparatus 100 in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of each part of the tape printing apparatus 100. The tape printing apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1 performs printing on tape TP, which is a printing medium. Tape TP is installed in the tape printing apparatus 100 while stored in a tape cartridge TPC. The tape cartridge TPC is replaceable. The tape cartridge TPC stores an ink ribbon R along with the tape TP. In the tape printing apparatus 100, ink is thermally transferred from the ink ribbon R to the surface of the tape TP, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the surface of the tape TP.

[0011] Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of printing results. The tape printing device 100 is capable of both horizontal and vertical printing, but in this embodiment, an example of horizontal printing will be described. In horizontal printing, the string is arranged so that the tape TP feed direction Dlt and the direction in which the characters should be read, Drc, are parallel. The direction in which the characters should be read, Drc, is the direction that intersects the width direction of the tape TP, which is the printing medium. Here, printing is assumed to use a language that supports horizontal writing and in which characters are arranged sequentially from left to right. In Figure 3, the arrow labeled Dlt represents the tape TP feed direction Dlt during printing. The arrow labeled Drc represents the direction in which the characters should be read, Drc. In this specification, a string is a collection of characters, symbols, emojis, etc., arranged in the direction in which they should be read. The same applies to other figures. In the following description, the characters, symbols, emojis, etc. that make up a string are collectively referred to as characters. The tape TP feed direction during printing is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tape TP. In labels printed horizontally, when the user views the tape TP with its longest side facing left or right, the text is printed horizontally on the tape TP. Furthermore, in this specification, it is assumed that a single line of text is printed on the tape TP, and configurations in which two or more lines of text are printed are not considered.

[0012] In this embodiment, the tape printing device 100 has a function to print a string of characters in a manner that gives a sense of perspective by gradually changing the size of each character in the string of characters during printing. In this specification, printing a string of characters in a manner that gives a sense of perspective by gradually changing the size of each character in the string of characters during printing is called "perspective distortion printing". Perspective distortion printing is also called "specific printing".

[0013] In the example shown in FIG. 3, a character string is printed in such a manner that the size of characters gradually decreases as the direction Drc in which the characters are to be read proceeds. Such a perspective transformation printing method is called a "stepwise reduction mode". In FIG. 3, only the direction Drc of Example 1 is indicated, but in other examples of FIG. 3 and in each example of FIG. 4, the direction Drc in which the characters are to be read is the same. The direction Drc in which the characters are to be read is sometimes referred to as the character arrangement direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a sense of depth is expressed such that the first character in the character arrangement direction is arranged closest to the front and the last character in the character arrangement direction of the character string is arranged farthest to the back. Printing in the "stepwise reduction mode" is also called "second perspective transformation printing".

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 4, a character string is printed in such a manner that the size of characters gradually increases as the direction Drc in which the characters are to be read proceeds. Such a perspective transformation printing method is called a "stepwise enlargement mode". In the example shown in FIG. 4, a sense of depth is expressed such that the first character in the character string arrangement direction is arranged farthest to the back and the last character in the character arrangement direction is arranged closest to the front. Printing in the "stepwise enlargement mode" is also called "first perspective transformation printing".

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the tape printing device 100 includes a width detection unit 110, an input unit 120, a display unit 130, a printing unit 160, a cutting unit 170, a control unit 180, and a storage unit 190. In FIG. 1, the control unit 180 and the storage unit 190 are not shown.

[0016] The width detection unit 110 detects the tape width Wt0, which is the width of the tape TP attached to the tape printing device 100 (see Example 1 in Figure 3). Specifically, the width detection unit 110 is a sensor that detects the tape width Wt0 based on the irregularities provided on the outer surface of the tape cartridge TPC attached to the tape printing device 100. The irregularities provided on the outer surface of the tape cartridge TPC represent the tape width Wt0 of the tape TP stored in the tape cartridge TPC. The type of tape cartridge TPC is determined according to the tape width Wt0. The tape printing device 100 can be fitted with tape cartridge TPCs with tape widths Wt0 of 4 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, and 36 mm.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the input unit 120 is a keyboard that accepts input from the user. The display unit 130 is a monochrome liquid crystal display that displays characters and images in monochrome. The printing unit 160 shown in Figure 2 performs printing on the attached tape TP. The printing unit 160 includes a thermal head 161 and a feed motor 162. The thermal head 161 is equipped with multiple heating elements (not shown). The thermal head 161 thermally transfers ink from the ink ribbon R to the surface of the tape TP to form multiple dots. The feed motor 162 drives the tape TP and the ink ribbon R to move.

[0018] The cutting unit 170 cuts the tape TP that has been printed by the printing unit 160. The cutting unit 170 includes a cutter 171 for cutting the tape TP and a cutter motor 172 for driving the cutter 171. The tape TP cut by the cutter 171 is discharged from the tape discharge port of the tape printing device 100. One of the cut tape TPs is used as a label.

[0019] The control unit 180 is a processor that controls the tape printing device 100. The control unit 180 realizes various functions of the tape printing device 100 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 190.

[0020] The memory unit 190 stores information. The memory unit 190 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Various programs and parameters are stored in the memory unit 190. The memory unit 190 also stores a print width information set Itw, a character shape data set CFS, and a character size definition table set Itb.

[0021] The print width information set Itw stores the print width Wtp in association with each of the tape widths Wt0 of the tapes TP that can be attached to the tape printing device 100. The print width Wtp is the width dimension of the tape TP for the printable area on the tape TP (see Example 1 in Figure 3).

[0022] The character shape dataset CFS contains data that specifies the shape of each character used when the tape printing device 100 prints characters. The data specifying the shape of a character is a set of ON / OFF data associated with each of the multiple pixels arranged within a rectangular area where a single character should be recorded. Recording is performed on pixels associated with ON. Recording is not performed on pixels associated with OFF. The shape of the character is represented by the set of pixels on the tape TP that have been recorded, i.e., the set of dots.

[0023] Figures 5 to 8 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of definition tables used for perspective distortion printing. The character size definition table set Itb contains multiple definition tables. Each definition table defines the size of the characters printed on the tape TP during perspective distortion printing, corresponding to the tape width Wt0 of the tape TP, which is the printing medium. Each definition table is associated with the number of characters to be printed. In this embodiment, perspective distortion printing is not intended to be performed when the number of characters to be printed is less than 3. This is because, when the number of characters is less than 3, it is difficult to create a sense of depth in the printed string, even if the character size is changed in stages.

[0024] The definition table Tbl1 shown in Figure 5 is used when printing a 5-character string in "gradual reduction mode". Definition table Tbl1 defines the size of the characters printed on the tape TP when printing in "gradual reduction mode" for each tape width Wt0 of the tape TP. In definition table Tbl1, the tape width Wt0 of the tape TP is denoted as "width". Furthermore, in definition table Tbl1, the position in which the characters are placed within the printed string, i.e., the order of the characters, is denoted as "IDX". The same applies to other definition tables described later. In definition table Tbl1, the size of each character constituting the string is defined so that the size of the characters decreases gradually in the direction of the characters' arrangement. Although the tape printing device 100 can print on tape TP with a tape width Wt0 of 4 mm, tape TP with a tape width Wt0 of 4 mm is excluded from definition table Tbl1 because it is difficult to express perspective even when performing perspective distortion printing.

[0025] In this embodiment, the maximum character size corresponding to the tape width Wt0 defined in the definition table Tbl1 is set to the largest character size that can be printed on a tape TP having that tape width Wt0. For example, the largest character size that can be printed on a tape TP with a tape width Wt0 of "36 mm" is "80 pt".

[0026] For example, in definition table Tbl1, it is defined that when printing a string of 5 characters on a tape TP with a tape width Wt0 of "36mm", the size of each character should be set as follows. First font size: 80pt Size of the second character: 64pt Size of the third character: 51pt Size of the fourth character: 38pt Size of the 5th character: 32pt

[0027] By setting the size of each character as described above and performing printing in "gradual reduction mode," the print result shown in Example 1 of Figure 3 can be obtained.

[0028] The definition table Tbl2 shown in Figure 6 is used when printing a 5-character string in "gradual enlargement mode". Definition table Tbl2 defines the size of the characters printed on the tape TP when printing in "gradual enlargement mode" for each tape width Wt0 of the tape TP. In definition table Tbl2, the size of each character that makes up the string is defined so that the size of the characters increases in stages in the direction of the characters' arrangement. For example, in definition table Tbl2, when printing a 5-character string on a tape TP with a tape width Wt0 of "36mm", the size of each character is defined as follows. First font size: 32pt Size of the second character: 38pt Size of the third character: 51pt Size of the fourth character: 64pt Size of the 5th character: 80pt

[0029] By setting the size of each character as described above and performing printing in "gradual enlargement mode," the print result shown in Example 5 of Figure 4 can be obtained.

[0030] The definition table Tbl3 shown in Figure 7 is used when printing a 10-character string in "gradual enlargement mode". Definition table Tbl3 defines the size of the characters printed on tape TP when printing in "gradual enlargement mode" for each tape width Wt0 of the tape TP. In definition table Tbl3, the size of each character that makes up the string is defined so that the size of the characters increases gradually in the direction of the characters' arrangement. In definition table Tbl2, the sizes of two adjacent characters were set to be different, but in definition table Tbl3, the sizes of two adjacent characters may be set to be the same. This is to make the gradual change in character size smoother and to prevent the vertical dimension of the smallest printed character from becoming extremely small relative to the tape width Wt0.

[0031] By setting the font size using the definition table Tbl3 and performing printing in "gradual enlargement mode," the print result shown in Example 8 of Figure 4 can be obtained. Note that the definition table used when printing a 10-character string in "gradual reduction mode" is omitted from the diagram.

[0032] The definition table Tbl4 shown in Figure 8 is used when printing a 15-character string in "gradual reduction mode". Definition table Tbl4 defines the size of the characters printed on tape TP when printing in "gradual reduction mode" for each tape width Wt0 of the tape TP. In definition table Tbl4, the size of each character that makes up the string is defined so that the size of the characters decreases gradually in the direction of the characters' arrangement. Similar to definition table Tbl3, in definition table Tbl4, the size of two adjacent characters may be set to be the same. This is to make the gradual change in character size smoother and to prevent the vertical dimension of the smallest printed character from becoming extremely small relative to the tape width Wt0.

[0033] By setting the font size using definition table Tbl4 and performing printing in "gradual reduction mode," the print result shown in Example 4 of Figure 3 can be obtained. Note that the illustration of the definition table used when printing a 15-character string in "gradual enlargement mode" is omitted.

[0034] Ideally, it would be desirable to prepare a separate definition table for each character in the string to be printed. However, considering the effort required to create the definition tables and the capacity they occupy in the storage unit 190, it is not practical to prepare separate definition tables for each character in the string to be printed.

[0035] In this embodiment, a single definition table may be shared when printing different numbers of characters. A single definition table is shared when the difference between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to the definition table is within a certain range. In this case, the definition table is used even if the number of characters to be printed exceeds or falls short of the number of characters corresponding to that definition table. Specifically, the definition table Tbl1 shown in Figure 5 is used when printing strings of 4 to 8 characters in "stepped reduction mode". The definition table Tbl2 shown in Figure 6 is used when printing strings of 4 to 8 characters in "stepped expansion mode". The definition table Tbl3 shown in Figure 7 is used when printing strings of 9 to 13 characters in "stepped expansion mode". When printing strings of 9 to 13 characters in "stepped reduction mode", a 10-character definition table (not shown) for stepped reduction mode is used. The definition table Tbl4 shown in Figure 8 is used when printing strings of 14 to 18 characters in "stepped reduction mode". When printing a string of 14 to 18 characters in "gradual enlargement mode," a definition table for 15 characters (not shown) for gradual enlargement mode is used.

[0036] The following explains how to share a definition table. In Example 2 of Figure 3, a 7-character string is printed in "gradual reduction mode". As mentioned above, when printing a 4- to 8-character string in "gradual reduction mode", definition table Tbl1 (see Figure 5) is used. In this case, the number of characters printed is 2 more than the number of characters that definition table Tbl1 corresponds to.

[0037] Therefore, a rule (hereinafter referred to as Rule 1) is applied, which sets the size of some characters in a string to the size of the adjacent characters. The number of characters to be applied, N1, is defined as the difference D1 between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to them in the definition table Tbl1, doubled. Rule 1 applies to N1 characters from the end of the string, in the opposite direction to the direction of character arrangement. In Example 2 of Figure 3, the difference D1 between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to them in the definition table Tbl1 is 2, so the number of characters to be applied, N1, is 4. Therefore, the last 4 characters of the string, in the opposite direction to the direction of character arrangement, are to be subject to Rule 1.

[0038] The size of the fourth and fifth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the fourth character defined in definition table Tbl1, i.e., the size of the character IDX "4". The size of the sixth and seventh characters in the printed string is set to the size of the fifth character defined in definition table Tbl1, i.e., the size of the character IDX "5". The character size is set according to the tape width Wt0. By setting the size of each character in this way and performing printing in "stepped reduction mode", the print result shown in Example 2 of Figure 3 is obtained.

[0039] In Example 3 of Figure 3, 8 characters are printed. Spaces are not included in the character count. The number of characters printed is 3 more than the number of characters corresponding to definition table Tbl1. In Example 3 of Figure 3, the difference D1 between the number of characters printed and the number of characters corresponding to definition table Tbl1 is 3, so the number of characters to be applied N1 is 6. Therefore, the last 6 characters of the string, in the opposite direction to the character order, are subject to the application of Rule 1.

[0040] The size of the third and fourth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the third character defined in definition table Tbl1, i.e., the size of the character with IDX "3". The size of the fifth and sixth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the fourth character defined in definition table Tbl1, i.e., the size of the character with IDX "4". The size of the seventh and eighth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the fifth character defined in definition table Tbl1, i.e., the size of the character with IDX "5". The character size is set according to the tape width Wt0. By setting the size of each character in this way and performing printing in "step-by-step reduction mode", the print result shown in Example 3 of Figure 3 is obtained.

[0041] In Example 6 of Figure 4, 7 characters are printed. As mentioned earlier, when printing strings of 4 to 8 characters in "gradual expansion mode," the definition table Tbl2 (see Figure 6) is used. In this case, the number of characters printed is 2 more than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table Tbl2.

[0042] Therefore, a rule (hereinafter referred to as Rule 2) is applied, which sets the size of some characters in a string to the size of the adjacent characters. The number of characters to be applied, N2, is defined as the difference D2 between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to them in the definition table Tbl2. Rule 2 applies to the first 4 characters of the string to be printed, up to N2 characters in total. In Example 6 of Figure 4, the difference D2 between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to them in the definition table Tbl2 is 2, so the number of characters to be applied, N2, is 4. Therefore, the first 4 characters of the string are subject to Rule 2.

[0043] The size of the first and second characters in the printed string is set to the size of the first character defined in definition table Tbl2, i.e., the size of the character IDX "1". The size of the third and fourth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the second character defined in definition table Tbl2, i.e., the size of the character IDX "2". The character size is set according to the tape width Wt0. By setting the size of each character in this way and performing printing in "step-by-step enlargement mode", the print result shown in Example 6 of Figure 4 is obtained.

[0044] In Example 7 of Figure 4, 8 characters are printed. Spaces are not included in the character count. The number of characters printed is 3 more than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table Tbl2. In Example 7 of Figure 4, the difference D2 between the number of characters printed and the number of characters corresponding to the definition table Tbl2 is 3, so the number of characters to apply N2 is 6. Therefore, the first 6 characters of the string are subject to the application of Rule 2.

[0045] The size of the first and second characters in the printed string is set to the size of the first character defined in definition table Tbl2, i.e., the size of the character IDX "1". The size of the third and fourth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the second character defined in definition table Tbl2, i.e., the size of the character IDX "2". The size of the fifth and sixth characters in the printed string is set to the size of the third character defined in definition table Tbl2, i.e., the size of the character IDX "3". Note that the character size is set according to the tape width Wt0. By setting the size of each character in this way and performing printing in "step-by-step enlargement mode", the print result shown in Example 7 of Figure 4 is obtained.

[0046] In some cases, the number of characters printed may be less than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table. For example, definition table Tbl1 may be used to print a 4-character string. In this case, only a portion of the information defined in definition table Tbl1 is used. Specifically, when printing in "step-by-step enlargement mode," the size of the 2nd to 5th characters (IDX "2" to IDX "5") defined in definition table Tbl1 is set for each character that makes up the printed string. This prevents the vertical dimension of the largest printed character from becoming extremely small relative to the tape width Wt0. Similarly, when printing in "step-by-step reduction mode," the size of the 1st to 4th characters (IDX "2" to IDX "5") defined in definition table Tbl1 is set for each character that makes up the printed string. This prevents the vertical dimension of the largest printed character from becoming extremely small relative to the tape width Wt0.

[0047] As described above, by sharing a single definition table when printing different numbers of characters, instead of preparing separate definition tables for each number of characters to be printed, the effort required to create definition tables and the capacity used by the storage unit 190 can be reduced.

[0048] Figure 9A is a flowchart showing the printing process in the tape printing device 100. Figure 9B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection screen, which will be described later. Before the process shown in Figure 9A is started, the tape cartridge TPC is installed in the tape printing device 100.

[0049] In step S101, the tape width Wt0, which is the width of the tape TP of the tape cartridge TPC attached to the tape printing device 100, is detected. Specifically, the width detection unit 110 reads the uneven pattern formed on the bottom surface of the tape cartridge TPC and transmits it to the control unit 180. The uneven pattern formed on the bottom surface of the tape cartridge TPC represents the tape width Wt0 of the tape TP stored in the tape cartridge TPC.

[0050] In step S103, the control unit 180 obtains the print width Wtp of the tape TP attached to the tape printing device 100 by referring to the print width information set Itw in the storage unit 190 based on the detected tape width Wt0.

[0051] In step S105, the control unit 180 receives input from the user. The user enters the string to be printed via the input unit 120.

[0052] In step S107, the control unit 180 receives a specification from the user regarding the font to be printed. The user can specify the print mode by the following operation. For example, the user operates the input unit 120 and enters a predetermined key. In response to this operation, the control unit 180 displays a selection screen SC1 on the display unit 130 for selecting a font to be printed, as shown in Figure 9B. The selection screen SC1 displays multiple font options, such as the following. The user can select their desired option on the selection screen SC1. [1] Font A [2] Font B [3] 3D: left to right [4] 3D: Right to left

[0053] If "Font A" and "Font B" are selected on the selection screen SC1 shown in Figure 9B, the entered text will be printed in the selected font in step S115. In this case, printing with gradually changing font size will not be performed. If "3D: Left to Right" is selected, the entered text will be printed in "gradual enlargement mode" in step S115. If "3D: Right to Left" is selected, the entered text will be printed in "gradual reduction mode" in step S115.

[0054] In step S109 shown in Figure 9A, the control unit 180 determines whether the user input instructs for perspective distortion printing. If "3D: left to right" or "3D: right to left" is selected in the font selection above, the control unit 180 decides to perform perspective distortion printing.

[0055] If the control unit 180 is instructed to perform perspective distortion printing (step S109; YES), it executes the process in step S111. If the control unit 180 is not instructed to perform perspective distortion printing (step S109; NO), it executes the process in step S113.

[0056] In step S111, the control unit 180 determines the size of each character in the input string by referring to the definition table included in the character size definition table set Itb based on the tape width Wt0.

[0057] In step S113, the control unit 180 generates print data. When perspective distortion printing is performed, the print data is generated based on the size of each character determined in step S111 and the printing conditions specified by the user. Print data for perspective distortion printing, that is, printing a string by gradually changing the size of each character contained in the string, is also called "specific print data". Also, for example, when perspective distortion printing is not performed, the size of the characters is set to a size predetermined according to the print width Wtp, for example. The control unit 180 outputs the generated print data to the printing unit 160.

[0058] In step S115, the printing unit 160 performs printing on the tape TP based on the supplied print data.

[0059] As described above, the tape printing device 100 according to this embodiment prints a string of characters in a manner that gives a sense of perspective by printing with the size of each character in the string gradually changing. The tape printing device 100 determines the size of each character in the string by referring to a definition table that corresponds to the number of characters in the string and the width of the tape-shaped printing medium. Therefore, the processing load on the tape printing device 100 when printing a string of characters with a sense of perspective can be reduced compared to the method of calculating the size of each character using a mathematical formula. Thus, the effort required to create labels can be simplified.

[0060] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a definition table included in the character size definition table set Itb. The following description will focus on configurations that differ from the first embodiment, and will omit descriptions of configurations similar to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when the string to be printed has a certain length, the same size may be set for two adjacent characters in order to make the gradual change in character size smoother (see Figures 7 and 8). The definition table Tbl5 shown in Figure 10 is used when printing a 10-character string in "gradual enlargement mode". The definition table Tbl5 defines the character sizes when using tapes TP with tape widths Wt0 of 24 mm and 36 mm. Unlike the definition table Tbl3 shown in Figure 7, the definition table Tbl5 sets different sizes for two adjacent characters. The illustration of the definition table used when printing a 10-character string in "gradual reduction mode" is omitted.

[0061] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of print results for perspective distortion printing. Examples 9 and 10 in Figure 11 show print results in "stepped enlargement mode" using definition table Tbl5. In this embodiment, definition table Tbl5 is used when printing strings of 10 characters or less in "stepped enlargement mode". Since the number of characters printed shown in Examples 9 and 10 in Figure 11 is less than the number of characters corresponding to definition table Tbl5, only a portion of the information defined in definition table Tbl5 is used.

[0062] For example, the size of the 4th to 10th characters (IDX "4" to IDX "10") defined in definition table Tbl5 is set for each character that makes up the string shown in Example 9 of Figure 11. The size of the 3rd to 10th characters (IDX "3" to IDX "10") defined in definition table Tbl5 is set for each character that makes up the string shown in Example 10 of Figure 11.

[0063] Examples 11 and 12 in Figure 11 show the print results in "gradual reduction mode". Examples 11 and 12 in Figure 11 show the print results using a definition table (not shown) for "gradual reduction mode" in which two adjacent characters are set to different sizes, similar to the definition table Tbl5. In this embodiment, the gradual change in character size can be made more abrupt compared to the first embodiment. As a result, a print result that gives a greater sense of depth is obtained compared to the print result of the first embodiment (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0064] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the printing result of perspective distortion printing. The following description will focus on configurations that differ from the first embodiment, and will omit descriptions of configurations that are the same as the first embodiment.

[0065] The print results shown in Examples 13 and 14 of Figure 12 depict text strings that give a sense of depth, with the first and last characters positioned closest to the viewer and the characters in the middle of the string furthest back.

[0066] In Examples 13 and 14, when a string is split into two parts, the way the character sizes change in the first part differs from the way the character sizes change in the second part. The second part is the part of the string excluding the first part. More specifically, in the print results shown in Examples 13 and 14, the characters from the first character to the middle of the string are represented in a manner where the character size gradually decreases according to the direction of the characters, and the characters from the middle to the last character are represented in a manner where the character size gradually decreases according to the direction of the characters. This method of perspective distortion printing is called "composite first mode". Printing in "composite first mode" yields a print result that makes it appear as if the vanishing point in perspective is set in the center of the tape TP. Printing in "composite first mode" is also called "third perspective distortion printing".

[0067] In the print result shown in Example 15 of Figure 12, the characters in the middle of the string are positioned closest to the viewer, while the first and last characters are positioned furthest back, creating a sense of depth.

[0068] Example 15 in Figure 12 shows that when a string is divided into two parts, the way the character sizes change in the first part differs from the way the character sizes change in the second part. The second part is the part of the string excluding the first part. More specifically, in the print result shown in Example 15, the character size gradually increases from the first character to the middle of the string according to the direction of character arrangement, and the character size gradually decreases from the middle of the string to the last character according to the direction of character arrangement. This method of perspective distortion printing is called "composite second mode". Printing in "composite second mode" yields a print result that appears as if the vanishing points in perspective are set at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the tape TP. Printing in "composite second mode" is also called "fourth perspective distortion printing".

[0069] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a selection screen. In this embodiment, in step S107 shown in Figure 9A, when the control unit 180 receives a specification of the font to be printed from the user, it can display, for example, the following font options on the selection screen SC2, which allows the user to select a font option to be printed, as shown in Figure 13. The user can then select their desired option on the selection screen. [1] Font A [2] Font B [3] 3D: left to right [4] 3D: Right to left [5] 3D: Towards the back [6] 3D: Forward

[0070] The display unit 130 displays a partial area PA2, which is a portion of the selection screen SC2. This is because the vertical size of the display area of ​​the display unit 130 is limited. The user can view the desired range of the selection screen SC2 by scrolling the selection screen SC2 using the input unit 120.

[0071] If "3D: Back" is selected on the selection screen SC2 as shown in Figure 13, the entered text will be printed in "Combined Mode 1". If "3D: Front" is selected, the entered text will be printed in "Combined Mode 2".

[0072] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the definition table Tbl6 used when printing in composite first mode. The definition table Tbl6 defines the character sizes when using tapes TP with tape widths Wt0 of 24 mm and 36 mm. When printing in "composite first mode," the control unit 180 refers to the definition table included in the character size definition table set Itb based on the tape width Wt0 to determine the size of each character in the input string. When printing Example 13, since the number of characters to be printed is less than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table Tbl6, only a portion of the information defined in the definition table Tbl6 is used. Specifically, when setting characters, at least the character with the smallest size defined in the definition table Tbl6 (minimum character) is excluded. Depending on the difference between the number of characters to be printed and the number of characters corresponding to the definition table Tbl6, when setting characters, in addition to the minimum character, one or more characters consecutive to the minimum character defined in the definition table Tbl6 can also be excluded. For example, information excluding the size information of the 9th to 11th characters (IDX "9" to IDX "11") is used.

[0073] Although the definition table used when printing in the second composite mode is not shown, in the definition table used when printing in the second composite mode, the size of the characters from the first character to the middle of the string is set to gradually increase according to the direction of the characters, and the size of the characters from the middle to the last character of the string is set to gradually decrease according to the direction of the characters. In this embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, there is a wider range of print modes with perspective that can be selected by the user.

[0074] D. Other embodiments: (D1) As shown in Example 3 of Figure 3 and Example 7 of Figure 4, the printed string may contain spaces as delimiters. In this case, the control unit 180 may set the size of the space to the size of the other character that is placed one character after the space in the character arrangement direction. This is to improve the appearance of the printed string. Note that the space and the other character that is placed one character after the space are consecutive, and there are no other characters between them. The same applies when the printed string contains a middle dot or a hyphen as a delimiter. Spaces, middle dots, and hyphens as delimiters are also called "secondary delimiters".

[0075] The string to be printed may contain a comma as a delimiter. In this case, the control unit 180 may set the size of the comma to the size of the other character that is placed one character before the comma in the character sequence. This is to improve the appearance of the printed string. Note that the comma and the other character that is placed one character before the comma are consecutive, and there are no other characters between them. The same applies when the string to be printed contains punctuation marks, question marks (?), and exclamation marks (!) as delimiters. Punctuation marks, commas, question marks (?), and exclamation marks (!) as delimiters are also called "first delimiters".

[0076] (D2) The user may specify the manner in which the character size changes for each substring separated by a string delimiter. Here, delimiters placed at the beginning or end of the string to be printed are excluded from the delimiters used to separate the strings. For example, when printing a string like the one shown in Example 3 of Figure 3, the user can specify whether to print the part before the space delimiter and the part after the space using one of the following modes: "stepped enlargement mode", "stepped reduction mode", "combined first mode", or "combined second mode". The tape printer 100 performs printing according to the specified content.

[0077] (D3) The user may specify a position to delimited the string and specify the manner in which the character size changes for each substring separated at the specified position. The user can specify whether to print the first half and the second half of the string separated at the specified position in "gradual enlargement mode", "gradual reduction mode", "composite first mode", or "composite second mode". The tape printer 100 performs printing according to the specified content.

[0078] (D4) In the first embodiment, an example of horizontal printing was described, but the tape printing device 100 may also perform vertical printing. In vertical printing, the characters are arranged so that the feeding direction Dlt of the tape TP and the direction in which the characters should be read, Drc, are parallel. The direction in which the characters should be read, Drc, is a direction that intersects the width direction of the tape TP, which is the printing medium. The feeding direction of the tape TP during printing is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tape TP. In vertical printing, when the user views the tape TP with its longitudinal direction positioned vertically, the characters are printed vertically on the tape TP.

[0079] (D5) In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the alignment of the characters in the width direction of the tape TP is centered. However, depending on the user's specification, the tape printing device 100 may perform printing with the alignment of the characters in the width direction of the tape TP to the top or bottom. Aligning the characters to the top means aligning the top edge of each character with the top edge of the printable area indicated by the print width Wtp. Aligning the characters to the bottom means aligning the bottom edge of each character with the bottom edge of the printable area indicated by the print width Wtp.

[0080] (D6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control unit 180 of the tape printing device 100 performs the processing of steps S105 to S115 shown in Figure 9. The processing of steps S105 to S115 shown in Figure 9 may also be performed by another device that communicates with the tape printing device 100. The other device is a device that can communicate with the tape printing device 100 wirelessly or via a wired connection, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

[0081] (D7) In the first embodiment, when printing a string with more characters than the number of characters the definition table corresponds to in "stepped reduction mode", an example was described in which adjacent characters in a sequence of characters including a predetermined number of characters from the last character of the string are set to the same size in the opposite direction to the direction of character arrangement. Alternatively, when printing a string with more characters than the number of characters the definition table corresponds to in "stepped reduction mode", adjacent characters in a sequence of characters including a predetermined number of characters from the first character of the string may be set to the same size in the direction of character arrangement.

[0082] In the first embodiment, when printing a string with more characters than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table in "step-by-step expansion mode," an example was described in which adjacent characters in a sequence containing a predetermined number of characters from the first character of the string are set to the same size in the direction of character arrangement. Alternatively, when printing a string with more characters than the number of characters corresponding to the definition table in "step-by-step expansion mode," adjacent characters in a sequence containing a predetermined number of characters from the last character of the string may be set to the same size in the opposite direction to the direction of character arrangement.

[0083] When printing a string with more characters than the number of characters supported by the definition table in "gradual reduction mode," the same size may be set for consecutive characters including a predetermined number of characters from the first character of the string in the direction of character arrangement. Furthermore, the same size may be set for consecutive characters including a predetermined number of characters from the end of the string in the opposite direction to the direction of character arrangement. The same applies when printing a string with more characters than the number of characters supported by the definition table in "gradual expansion mode."

[0084] (D8) In this embodiment, an example was described in which the input unit 120 is a keyboard, but the input unit 120 may also be configured as a touch panel, or a combination of a microphone and voice recognition software.

[0085] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the display unit 130 is a liquid crystal display, but the display unit 130 may be made of an organic EL display or electronic paper. Furthermore, the method by which the width detection unit 110 detects the tape width Wt0 is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment, and any detection method can be adopted.

[0086] E. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms. The technical features in the embodiments described below that correspond to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of this disclosure. Furthermore, if such technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

[0087] (1) According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a tape printing apparatus is provided for printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. The tape printing apparatus includes an input unit for receiving input of a string and specification of printing conditions, a control unit for controlling the tape printing apparatus, a storage unit for storing at least one definition table used when performing a specific printing operation in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, wherein the size of each character in the string is defined in correspondence with the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, and a printing unit for printing the input string on the printing medium. When the printing conditions specify the specific printing operation, the control unit sets the size of each character in the string based on the definition table corresponding to the number of characters and the width, and generates specific printing data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character. The printing unit prints the string on the printing medium based on the specific printing data. According to the above configuration, the text is printed with a sense of perspective by gradually changing the size of each character in the text. The size of each character in the text is determined based on a definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the text and the width of the tape-like printing medium. Therefore, the processing load on the tape printing device when printing text with a sense of perspective can be reduced compared to the method of calculating the size of each character using a mathematical formula. Thus, the effort required to create labels can be simplified.

[0088] (2) The tape printing apparatus of the above form further comprises a display unit for displaying information. The control unit may cause a plurality of options representing the printing conditions to be displayed on the display unit, and may accept the selection of the options indicating the specific printing as the specification of the printing conditions.

[0089] (3) In the tape printing apparatus of the above form, the specific printing includes a first perspective distortion printing and a second perspective distortion printing, wherein the first perspective distortion printing prints the string in such a manner that the size of each character included in the string changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction in which the characters of the string are arranged, and the second perspective distortion printing prints the string in such a manner that the size of each character included in the string changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction in which the characters are arranged. According to the above configuration, the user can select their desired configuration from a selection of multiple different configurations that provide a sense of perspective.

[0090] (4) In the tape printing apparatus of the above form, the specific printing further includes a third perspective distortion printing. The third perspective distortion printing may be printed in such a manner that the size of each character included in the first half when the string is divided into two parts changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction of arrangement, and the size of each character included in the second half when the string is divided into two parts changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction of arrangement.

[0091] (5) The specified printing further includes a fourth perspective distortion printing, wherein the fourth perspective distortion printing is printed in such a manner that the size of each character included in the first half when the string is divided into two parts changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction of arrangement, and the size of each character included in the second half when the string is divided into two parts changes in a stepwise manner according to the direction of arrangement.

[0092] (6) In the tape printing apparatus of the above form, the definition table is associated with a predetermined width of the printing medium and defines the size of each of the N characters included in the string, and when the number of characters is in the range from N to M (M is an integer greater than N and the difference from N is within a certain range), the definition table is used to set the size of each of the characters included in the string, and the definition table is uniquely determined according to the number of characters and the width. When the number of characters is M, the control unit may set the size of two or more consecutive characters included in the string to the same size according to the definition table and a predetermined procedure. Preparing separate definition tables for each number of characters to be printed is impractical from the standpoint of the effort required to create the definition tables and the amount of storage space they occupy. Therefore, in the above configuration, the same definition table can be used not only when there are M characters, but also when there are N characters. Thus, compared to the configuration in which separate definition tables are prepared for each number of characters to be printed, it is possible to reduce the effort required to create the definition tables and reduce the amount of storage space used.

[0093] (7) In the tape printing apparatus of the above form, the control unit may set the size of the first delimiter to the size of another character that is positioned one character before the first delimiter in the arrangement direction if the string to be printed includes a predetermined first delimiter, and set the size of the second delimiter to the size of another character that is positioned one character after the second delimiter in the arrangement direction if the string to be printed includes a second delimiter different from the first delimiter.

[0094] (8) In the tape printing apparatus of the above form, the first delimiter may include punctuation marks, and the second delimiter may include a middle dot.

[0095] (9) A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a printing method performed by a tape printing apparatus for printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. This printing method includes the steps of: receiving input of a string and specification of printing conditions; performing printing on the printing medium; and, when the specification of the printing conditions specifies a specific print in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, setting the size for each character in the string based on at least one definition table which defines the size of each character in the string in a definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium; generating specific print data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character; and printing the string on the printing medium based on the specific print data. According to the above configuration, the size of each character in the string is determined by referring to a definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the tape-shaped printing medium. Therefore, the processing load on the tape printing device when printing strings with perspective can be reduced compared to the method of calculating the size of each character using a mathematical formula. Thus, the effort required to create labels can be simplified.

[0096] (10) According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a tape printing device to perform printing on a tape-shaped printing medium. The program causes the tape printing device to have a function to accept input of a string and specification of printing conditions, and a function to perform printing on the printing medium. The function to perform printing on the printing medium includes, when the specification of the printing conditions specifies a specific print in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages to print the string, a function to set the size for each character in the string by referring to at least one definition table which defines the size of each character in the string and corresponds to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, a function to generate specific print data indicating that each character should be printed at the size set for each character, and a function to print the string on the printing medium based on the specific print data. According to the above configuration, the size of each character in the string is determined by referring to a definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the tape-shaped printing medium. Therefore, the processing load on the tape printing device when printing strings with perspective can be reduced compared to the method of calculating the size of each character using a mathematical formula. Thus, the effort required to create labels can be simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 100...Tape printing device, 110...Width detection unit, 120...Input unit, 130...Display unit, 160...Printing unit, 161...Thermal head, 162...Motor, 170...Cutting unit, 171...Cutter, 172...Cutter motor, 180...Control unit, 190...Storage unit, CFS...Character shape data set, Dlt...Tape feeding direction, Drc...Direction in which characters should be read, Itb...Character size definition table set, Itw...Print width information set, R...Ink ribbon, SC1...Selection screen, TP...Tape, TPC...Tape cartridge, Tbl1~Tbl6...Definition table, Wt0...Tape width, Wtp...Print width.

Claims

1. A tape printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape-shaped printing medium, An input section that accepts text input and specification of printing conditions, A control unit for controlling the tape printing device, A definition table used when performing a specific printing operation that prints the string by gradually changing the size of each character contained in the string, comprising a storage unit that stores at least one definition table in which the size of each character contained in the string is defined in correspondence with the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, A printing unit that performs printing on the aforementioned printing medium, Equipped with, The control unit, When the aforementioned printing conditions specify the aforementioned specific printing, Based on the definition table corresponding to the number of characters and width, the size is set for each character included in the string. Specific print data is generated to indicate that each of the aforementioned characters should be printed at the size set for that character. The printing unit prints the string of characters onto the printing medium based on the specific printing data. Tape printing device.

2. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, It further includes a display unit for displaying information, The control unit, Multiple options representing the aforementioned printing conditions are displayed on the display unit. As a specification of the printing conditions, the system accepts the selection of the options that indicate the specific printing. Tape printing device.

3. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned specific printing includes a first perspective distortion print and a second perspective distortion print. The first perspective distortion printing prints the string in such a manner that the size of each character in the string changes in stages according to the direction in which the characters of the string are arranged. The second perspective distortion printing method prints the string in such a manner that the size of each character in the string changes in stages according to the direction of arrangement. Tape printing device.

4. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 3, The aforementioned specific printing further includes a third perspective distortion printing, The third perspective distortion print is, When the string is divided into two parts, the size of each character in the first part is printed in such a manner that it gradually decreases in size according to the direction of arrangement. When the aforementioned string is divided into two parts, the size of each character in the latter part is printed in such a manner that it gradually increases in size according to the direction of arrangement. Tape printing device.

5. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 4, The aforementioned specific printing further includes a fourth perspective distortion printing, The fourth perspective distortion print is, When the string is divided into two parts, the size of each character in the first part is printed in such a manner that it gradually increases in size according to the direction of arrangement. When the aforementioned string is divided into two parts, the size of each character in the latter part is printed in such a manner that it gradually decreases in size according to the direction of arrangement. Tape printing device.

6. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 5, The definition table has N characters (where N is an integer of 3 or more), is associated with a predetermined width of the printing medium, and defines the size of each of the N characters contained in the string. When the number of characters is in the range from N to M (where M is an integer greater than N and the difference from N is within a certain range), the definition table is used when setting the size for each of the characters included in the string. The definition table is uniquely determined according to the number of characters and the width, The control unit, when the number of characters is M, sets the size of two or more consecutive characters among the characters included in the string to the same size, in accordance with the definition table and a predetermined procedure. Tape printing device.

7. A tape printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The control unit, If the string to be printed contains a predetermined first delimiter, the size of the first delimiter is set to the size of another character positioned one character before the first delimiter in the arrangement direction. If the string to be printed contains a second delimiter different from the first delimiter, the size of the second delimiter is set to the size set for the other character that is positioned one character after the second delimiter in the sorting direction. Tape printing device.

8. A tape printing apparatus according to claim 7, The aforementioned first delimiter includes punctuation marks, The second delimiter includes a middle dot. Tape printing device.

9. A printing method performed by a tape printing apparatus that prints on a tape-shaped printing medium, A process for receiving text input and specifying printing conditions, The process of printing on the aforementioned printing medium, If the aforementioned printing condition specifies a particular printing method in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages when printing the string, A definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, comprising the step of setting the size for each character included in the string based on at least one definition table that defines the size of each character included in the string, A step of generating specific print data that indicates that each of the aforementioned characters should be printed at the size set for that character, A step of printing the string on the printing medium based on the specified print data, Printing methods, including those mentioned.

10. A program that causes a tape printing device to perform printing on a tape-shaped printing medium, A function that accepts text input and specification of printing conditions, The function of performing printing on the aforementioned printing medium, This is implemented in the tape printing device, The function that performs printing on the aforementioned printing medium is: If the aforementioned printing condition specifies a particular printing method in which the size of each character in the string is changed in stages when printing the string, A definition table corresponding to the number of characters in the string and the width of the printing medium, comprising a function to set the size for each character in the string based on at least one definition table that defines the size of each character in the string, A function to generate specific print data indicating that each of the aforementioned characters should be printed in the size set for that character, A function for printing the string on the printing medium based on the specified print data, A program that includes this.

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