JP2006243388A - Object arranging method, object arranging system, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an object arranging method and the like enabling a user to easily arrange objects representing information forming elements such as Braille patterns on proper positions on images of an information forming sheet on which the information forming elements are arranged. <P>SOLUTION: In a Braille objects OB2 arranging method for arranging Braille objects OB2 representing Braille patterns on a tape image TI, on a restricted zone Z0 which is a zone outside the tape image TI, arrangement of the Braille objects OB2 is prohibited, and the Braille objects OB2 are sucked and arranged, with an outline of valid punching zone Z10 which is a zone inside the tape image TI as a guide, inside the outline, and on a zone other than the restricted zone Z0, the Braille objects OB2 are freely arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an object arrangement method, an object arrangement system, a program, and a recording medium for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a Braille stamping device that stamps Braille that can be read by a visually impaired person by touching a fingertip on a Braille sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-182158 A

  This type of braille marking device, which is used by being connected to an external device having a display screen or input device such as a personal computer, is usually used to cut / not stamp each braille marking point in the external device. A Braille pattern object representing a time stamp is created, and by dragging this object on the display screen displaying the image of the Braille sheet, the arrangement of the Braille stamp area on the Braille sheet is set.

  By the way, when performing Braille stamping on a Braille sheet, it is impossible to stamp Braille on the Braille sheet due to the placement of the stamping unit that stamps the Braille or the feed roller that feeds the Braille sheet. An inaccessible area occurs. In addition, it is impossible to stamp Braille outside the Braille sheet. However, in the conventional device, the user can place the object at an arbitrary position, so the object is placed in an area that cannot be stamped, or a part of the object protrudes outside the braille sheet. In some cases, it was placed in a state. Therefore, in this case, since it is impossible to engrave with the designated arrangement, there is no choice but to display an error at the time of arrangement or to engrave only a part of the object that can be engraved. However, when error display is performed as in the former case, it is necessary to delete the error display and reposition the object, which is troublesome. Further, when only a part of the object is engraved as in the latter case, there is a problem that the engraving result desired by the user is not obtained and the braille sheet is wasted.

  In view of such problems, the present invention is an object for easily arranging an object representing an information forming element such as a braille pattern at an appropriate position on an image of an information forming sheet on which the information forming element is arranged. It is an object to provide an arrangement method, an object arrangement system, a program, and a recording medium.

  An object arrangement method of the present invention is an object arrangement method for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet, and on a restricted area that is an area outside the information forming sheet, Disposition of the object is prohibited, the object is adsorbed and arranged inside the outline using the outline of the effective formation area which is an area in the information forming sheet as a guide, and the object is freely arranged outside the restriction area And

  The object placement system of the present invention is an object placement system for placing an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet, and display means for displaying the object and the image of the information forming sheet; An object moving means for moving the object; and an arranging means for arranging the object based on the movement end position of the object moving means. The arranging means has a restricted area whose movement end position is an area outside the information forming sheet. If it is above, the placement of the object is prohibited, and the object is adsorbed and placed inside the outline using the outline of the effective formation area that is the inner area in the information forming sheet as a guide, and the movement end position is the restricted area. If it is outside, place the object at the end position And wherein the Rukoto.

  According to these configurations, the placement of the object is prohibited on the restricted area that is the area outside the information forming sheet, and therefore the object is not placed at a position that protrudes from the information forming sheet. In addition, when placement is prohibited, the object is attracted and placed inside the outline using the outline of the effective formation area, which is an area in the information forming sheet, as a guide, so no special operation is required. Objects can be placed at appropriate positions on the forming sheet. On the other hand, outside the restricted area, the object can be freely arranged (the object is arranged as it is at the movement end position without any restriction), so that other information forming elements can be edited on the information forming sheet, When a plurality of objects can be arranged on the information forming sheet, the objects are not hindered by retreating the objects outside the restricted area. That is, it is more effective to apply the present invention to a system capable of editing information forming elements on an information forming sheet or a system capable of arranging a plurality of objects on one information forming sheet. The effective formation area may be an area that coincides with the area of the information forming sheet.

  In the above object placement method, “on the restricted area” means an area where a part of the object overlaps the restricted area, and “outside the restricted area” means that a part of the object is in either the information forming sheet or the restricted area. It is preferable to refer to a region that does not overlap.

  According to this configuration, when a part of the object overlaps the restriction area, the arrangement is prohibited, and when the whole object is located outside the restriction area, the object can be freely arranged.

  In the object placement method described above, the object suction placement is preferably performed using an outline positioned closest to the position where the object placement is prohibited as a guide.

  According to this configuration, the object can be arranged at a position in the effective formation area that is closest to the movement end position of the object. Therefore, the object can be arranged at an appropriate position on the information forming sheet and the position where the user feels uncomfortable.

  In the above object arrangement method, the information forming element is a braille pattern, the information forming sheet is a braille sheet on which braille is imprinted, and the effective formation area is an effective stamping area that is an area in the braille sheet It is preferable that

  According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied in the case of performing Braille stamping on a Braille sheet. The “Braille pattern” refers to information indicating embossing / non-imprinting of a plurality of embossing points constituting Braille.

  The object placement method described above preferably prohibits the placement of an object in the imprintable area when there is an imprintable area incapable of braille stamping in the effective stamped area.

  According to this configuration, the placement of the object is prohibited in the imprintable area within the effective stamped area, so that the object is not placed in the area where the braille stamping is impossible. Therefore, since the object is not arranged at an appropriate position, the problem that the engraving result desired by the user cannot be obtained can be solved.

  In the above object placement method, it is preferable that the not-printable area is an area determined according to a stamping mechanism that performs Braille stamping and / or a feed mechanism that feeds a Braille sheet.

  According to this configuration, the object can be arranged while avoiding the non-engraved area determined by the arrangement of the engraving unit for imprinting the Braille, the arrangement of the feed roller for feeding the Braille sheet, and the like.

  In the object placement method described above, it is preferable that the size of the effective stamping area and the braille sheet is variable in accordance with the size and layout of the object so that the object can be accommodated in the stamped area.

  According to this configuration, since the size of the effective stamping area and the braille sheet is variable, it is not necessary for the user to set these ranges according to the size and arrangement of the objects. Therefore, it is possible to more easily arrange the objects on the braille sheet.

  Another object arrangement method of the present invention is an object arrangement method for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet. Only an area where information can be formed is allowed to place an object, and an object can be freely placed outside a restricted area which is an area outside the information forming sheet.

  Another object placement system of the present invention is an object placement system for placing an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet, and display means for displaying the object and the image of the information forming sheet. An object moving means for moving the object, and an arranging means for arranging the object based on the movement end position of the object moving means. When the movement end position is on the information forming sheet, the arranging means Only the area where information can be formed in the forming sheet is allowed to place the object, and if the movement end position is outside the restricted area, which is an area outside the information forming sheet, the object is placed at the movement end position. Features.

  According to these configurations, on the information forming sheet, the object is allowed to be placed only in an area where information can be formed in the information forming sheet. Therefore, the object may be placed in an area where information cannot be formed. Absent. Therefore, the object can be arranged at an appropriate position on the information forming sheet without requiring a special operation. On the other hand, outside the restricted area, which is the area outside the information forming sheet, the object is freely arranged (the object is arranged as it is at the movement end position without any restriction). When an information forming element can be edited or a plurality of objects can be arranged on the information forming sheet, the operation is not hindered by saving the object outside the restricted area. That is, it is more effective to apply the present invention to a system capable of editing information forming elements on an information forming sheet or a system capable of arranging a plurality of objects on one information forming sheet.

  In the object arrangement method described above, on the information forming sheet refers to an area where a part of the object overlaps the information forming sheet, and out of the restricted area refers to either the information forming sheet or the restricted area. It is preferable to indicate a region that does not overlap.

  According to this configuration, in a range where a part of the object overlaps the information forming sheet, the object is allowed to be arranged only in an area where information can be formed in the information forming sheet, and the entire object is positioned outside the restricted area. If you want, you can freely arrange.

  In the object arranging method, the information forming element is a braille pattern, the information forming sheet is a braille sheet on which braille is imprinted, and an area where information can be formed is imprinted on which braille can be imprinted A possible region is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied in the case of performing Braille stamping on a Braille sheet.

  In the object arranging method described above, it is preferable that the engraving area is an area determined according to the embossing mechanism for performing Braille embossing and / or the feeding mechanism for feeding the Braille sheet.

  According to this configuration, an area that cannot be Braille stamped is generated by the placement of the stamping unit that stamps Braille, the feed roller that feeds the Braille sheet, etc., but the object is placed avoiding the area. be able to.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as each means in the object arrangement system described above.

  The recording medium of the present invention is readable by a computer and records the program described above.

  By executing this program, the object representing the information forming element can be easily arranged at an appropriate position on the image of the information forming sheet on which the information forming element is arranged.

  Hereinafter, an object arrangement method, an object arrangement system, a program, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An object of the present invention is to easily arrange an object representing an information forming element at an appropriate position on an image of an information forming sheet. Therefore, the object placement system of the present invention is a label creation for creating a Braille label in which Braille that can be recognized by a visually impaired person and ink characters that can be viewed by a sighted person who does not have visual impairments are arranged on the same tape. A case where it is applied to a system will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a label creation system SYS. As shown in the figure, the label creation system SYS includes a label creation device 1 that performs ink-printing and braille printing on a tape T, and ink-print data and braille data for performing ink-printing and braille printing. And a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 501 for generating and transferring it to the label producing apparatus 1.

  The PC 501 is connected to the label creating apparatus 1 through an interface IF (USB cable), in addition to an input device such as a keyboard 502 and a mouse 503, a display D, a memory card slot 504 for reading various recording media C such as a PC card and a memory card. USB connector 506 is provided. The PC 501 is preinstalled with support software (application) for creating ink layout and Braille layout and a driver for controlling the label creation apparatus 1 in the label creation system SYS.

  The label producing apparatus 1 is configured to perform printing processing and stamping processing even in a single state not connected to the PC 501, but in the following description, the label producing apparatus 1 is mainly controlled by the PC 501. The case where it performs is demonstrated.

  2 and 3 are external perspective views of the label producing apparatus 1 in the closed state and the opened state, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a part of the device case 2 cut out for easy understanding of the braille stamping portion 150 for performing the braille stamping. As shown in both figures, the label producing apparatus 1 has an outer case formed by an apparatus case 2. The apparatus case 2 has a keyboard 3 disposed on the upper surface of the front half thereof, and an open / close lid 21 is attached to the upper surface of the latter half. It has been. Inside the opening / closing lid 21, there is an ink character printing unit 120 for performing ink printing (printing of characters such as characters and symbols) on the tape T fed out from the tape cartridge C, and the right side (device) of the opening / closing lid 21. The rear half of the case 2 has a Braille stamping portion 150 that performs Braille stamping by manually inserting the tape T from the front half.

  A display 4 having a rectangular shape is formed on the front side of the opening / closing lid 21, and a cartridge mounting portion 6 (ink-printing portion 120) for mounting a tape cartridge C on the inner left side of the opening / closing lid 21. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened by pressing the lid opening button 14. Further, the open / close lid 21 is formed with a viewing window 21a for visually confirming whether the tape cartridge C is mounted or not mounted in the closed state.

  The display 4 can display display image data of 192 dots × 80 dots inside a rectangular shape of about 12 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 5 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction), and the user can use the keyboard 3 to display the display image data. When displaying input character information and 6 braille information, and creating / editing ink character data for printing ink characters and braille data for imprinting braille based on the input information Used for. Note that when the label producing apparatus 1 is used in a state connected to the PC 501, character information input and data creation are performed by the PC 501, and thus the display 4 displays the tape width accommodated and an error display. Etc., used in an auxiliary manner.

  On the other hand, a keyboard 3 having various input keys is arranged on the upper surface of the device case 2, and a character key group 3a and a function key group 3b for designating various operation modes are arranged on the keyboard 3. ing. The character key group 3a is for inputting character information and 6-braille information, and has a full key configuration based on the JIS layout. The function key group 3b includes a “feed start” key for instructing the start of feeding of the tape T in the Braille stamping unit 150, a “stamping start” key for starting Braille stamping manually, and the PC 501. A PC link key for switching between a PC communication mode in which printing / stamping data is received and processing is performed, and a single mode in which processing is performed based on data input from the keyboard 3. When the PC link key is pressed, the PC communication mode is set, and information input by the character key group 3a provided in the label producing apparatus 1 is invalidated.

  A power supply port 11 for supplying power is formed in the center of the right side of the device case 2, and a USB connector 12 for connecting to the PC 501 is formed on the right side of the first half. In addition, a printing tape discharge port 22 that connects the cartridge mounting unit 6 and the outside is formed on the left side of the device case 2, and the tape T fed from the ink character printing unit 120 is received in the printing tape discharge port 22. A cutting mechanism 19 for cutting (the cutting unit 140, see FIG. 7) is faced. Then, by cutting the tape T by the cutting mechanism 19, the tape T after ink-character printing is discharged from the printing tape discharge port 22.

  Here, a configuration around the ink character printing unit 120 (cartridge mounting unit 6) and the braille stamping unit 150 will be described. The cartridge mounting unit 6 winds up a head unit 20 in which a print head 7 composed of a thermal head is built in a head cover 20a, a platen drive shaft (not shown) facing the print head 7, and an ink ribbon R described later. A winding drive shaft (not shown) and a positioning projection 24 of a tape reel 27 described later are provided. A print feed motor 121 (see FIG. 7) for rotating the platen drive shaft and the take-up drive shaft is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6.

  The tape cartridge C is configured to accommodate a tape reel 27 around which a tape T having a certain width is wound, and a ribbon reel 29 around which an ink ribbon R is wound at the lower right portion in an upper center portion inside the cartridge case 51. The tape T and the ink ribbon R have the same width. A through hole 55 for inserting into the head cover 20a covering the head unit 20 is formed in the lower left portion of the tape reel 27, and the platen drive shaft corresponds to a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. A platen roller 53 that is engaged with and rotated is disposed. On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 54 is arranged in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 29, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 29 is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 54 arranged so as to go around the head cover 20a. It is like that.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6, the through hole 55 is formed in the head cover 20a, the central hole 27a of the tape reel 27 is formed in the positioning projection 24, and the central hole of the ribbon take-up reel 54 is formed in the winding drive shaft. Then, the print head 7 is brought into contact with the platen drive shaft (platen roller) with the tape T and the ink ribbon R sandwiched therebetween, so that ink-printing can be performed. Then, the tape T after the ink character printing is sent to the printing tape discharge port 22.

  The tape T is not particularly shown, but a recording sheet of a resin (for example, made of polyethylene terephthalate) provided with an adhesive layer on the back surface, and a resin (for example, a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer) attached to the recording sheet by the adhesive layer ), And the printing surface of the recording sheet is processed to improve the ink transfer by thermal transfer. In addition, “half cut” described later is to cut only the recording sheet in the tape width direction among the stacked recording sheets and release sheets in order to make the release sheets easy to peel.

  In addition, a plurality of types of tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, ink ink color, tape material, etc.) are prepared, and a plurality of holes (not shown) indicating this type are cartridges. It is provided on the back surface of the case 51. A plurality of tape identification sensors (microswitches) 171 (see FIG. 7) for detecting these are provided on the cartridge mounting portion 6 corresponding to the plurality of holes, and the state of the tape identification sensor 171 is detected. Thus, the tape type can be determined.

  On the other hand, a stamping assembly (braille stamping part 150) for performing braille stamping is incorporated in the right half of the rear half of the device case 2, and a stamping part cover 30 is attached to the upper surface so as to cover it. It has been. Further, a stamping tape insertion port 31 into which the tape T is manually inserted (introduced) by the user is ejected on the front side of the stamped portion cover 30, and the tape T after braille stamping is ejected on the far side. The engraving tape discharge port 32 is recessed and formed so as to be inclined downward along the tape running path (feed path) 70. In addition, a manual feed guide 31 a that can be adjusted in the tape width direction is provided in the vicinity of the stamping tape insertion opening 31.

  The braille stamping unit 150 includes a stamping unit 80 that performs braille stamping with three stamping pins (stamping heads) 41 (see FIG. 5B), and a tape inserted into the stamping tape insertion port 31. The tape feeding unit 60 that feeds T toward the embossing tape discharge port 32 and the tape traveling path 70 through which the tape T is transported. A chopped assembly is configured and is mounted on the device case 2 as a unit. Also, Braille B is formed by selectively driving the three stamping pins 41 by the stamping unit 80 with respect to the tape T fed by the drive of the tape feeding unit 60 along the tape running path 70. The

  The tape feeding unit 60 includes a feeding roller 61, a support member 62 that supports the feeding roller 61 on the apparatus frame 65, and a stamping feeding motor 151 that can rotate forward and reverse to rotate the feeding roller 61. The feed roller 61 is a grip roller comprising a drive roller (not shown) and a driven roller 61a. The driven roller 61a has three vertical marking points 201 (not to crush the formed braille B). An annular groove 63 (see FIG. 6) is formed so as to escape interference at a position corresponding to FIG. 4 (a).

  Here, the Braille B (6 Braille B) formed on the tape T (T3: tape width 12 mm) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a braille (braille data) B representing character information “shi”. As shown in the figure, the 6-point braille B is composed of 6 dots (cutting points) of 3 vertical x 2 horizontal (a stamping point). An attribute is represented. In other words, two or more vertical embossed rows are arranged to form a Braille arrangement. In addition, the Braille B includes 6 Braille B representing such kana characters and numbers, as well as 8 Braille representing kanji (a braille composed of 4 vertical dots x 2 horizontal dots). Although used, the present invention is naturally applicable also to a label producing apparatus that forms 8-point braille.

  The six-point braille B is divided into six marking points 201a to 201f in an arrangement pattern of 3 vertical lines x 2 horizontal lines in one square 200, and in the figure, there are 6 marking points 201a to 201f. Of these, four stamping points 201a, 201b, 201e, and 201f are selectively stamped, and four stamping convex portions 202a, 202b, 202e, and 202f are formed on the tape T. Yes. The six embossing projections 202 have a vertical pitch of about 2.4 mm, a horizontal pitch of about 2.4 mm, and a pitch between adjacent squares (between the squares) of about 3.2 mm. ing.

  FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional shape of the stamped convex portion 202. As shown in the figure, the shape of the stamped convex portion 202 is a cylindrical shape with rounded corners. Note that the shape of the stamped convex portion 202 is preferably a cylindrical shape with rounded corners (a good tactile feeling is preferable), but other shapes such as a hemispherical shape, a conical shape, a quadrangular pyramid shape, and the like. May be.

  In the label producing apparatus 1 of the embodiment, two types of units that can be exchanged with each other are prepared as the stamping unit 80, one of which forms a small stamping convex portion 203 and the other of which is a large stamping unit. A large stamping projection 204 is formed. The small embossed convex portion 203 has a cylindrical diameter of about 1.4 mm and a height of about 0.4 mm, and the large embossed convex portion 204 has a cylindrical diameter of about 1.8 mm and a height of about 0.1 mm. 5 mm.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the embossing unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 1A is a plan view of the embossing unit 80 as viewed from above in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the embossing unit 80. FIG. FIG. 6A shows a tape T (tape width 12 mm) after ink-printing is sent to the tape running path 70 by manual insertion from the stamping tape insertion port 31 and toward the stamping tape discharge port 32. Shows the state of being sent.

  As shown in both the drawings, the stamping unit 80 includes a stamping member 81 having three stamping pins 41 and a stamp receiving member 82 that receives the pushing (scoring) of the stamping pins 41. In addition, an impact-resistant spring (not shown) is incorporated on the back surface of the stamp receiving member 82.

  The stamping member 81 includes three stamping pins 41 arranged at an interval of 2.4 mm along the tape width direction (the left-right direction in the drawing). It corresponds to each marking point 201 and is held perpendicular to the tape T by a stamping pin guide 45 that guides a linear motion using the solenoid 47 as a driving source. The head 41a of the punching pin 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape with rounded corners so that the stamped convex portion 202 has a rounded cylindrical shape.

  Further, one end of an arm member 46 is semi-fixedly connected to the tail portion of each embossing pin 41. The arm member 46 is provided with a support member 49 that rotatably supports a distal end portion of a plunger 48 of a solenoid 47, which will be described later, and rotatably supports an intermediate portion thereof. . The plunger 48 of the solenoid 47 is arranged in parallel with the stamping pin 41 so as to linearly move in the direction perpendicular to the tape T. Therefore, when the plunger 48 is linearly moved by the solenoid 47, the arm member 46 is rotated with the support member 49 as a fulcrum, and the embossing pin 41 linearly moves with respect to the tape T from the back surface side.

  The three arm members 46 respectively connected to the three stamping pins 41 extend so that the arm members 46 positioned at the upper and lower ends are separated in the tape width direction (in the tape vertical direction), respectively. The arm member 46 located in the middle extends along the feeding direction of the tape T. The three solenoids 47 respectively connected to the three arm members 46 are arranged so as to form a triangle.

  On the other hand, the stamp receiving member 82 is formed with three stamp receiving recesses 43 corresponding to the three stamp pins 41 on the surface 42 a facing the three stamp pins 41. The receiving recess 43 has a concave cylindrical shape with rounded corners in accordance with the head shape of the embossing pin 41. The surface 42a facing the three stamping pins 41 may be a flat surface made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber instead of forming the stamp receiving recess 43.

  Then, the embossing unit 80 forms the embossing convex portion 202 on the tape T by the embossing pin 41 and the embossing receiving member 82. That is, when the solenoid 47 is excited corresponding to the Braille data generated based on the input information and the plunger 48 is attracted, the stamping pin 41 is guided by the stamping pin guide 45 and applied to the tape T. On the other hand, it proceeds in the vertical direction, hits the corresponding stamped recess 43 with the tape T interposed therebetween, and forms the stamped projection 202 on the tape T.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the feeding operation of the tape T in the braille stamping unit 150 will be described. As described above, the braille embossed portion 150 is formed along the embossing unit 80 that forms the embossed convex portion 202 on the tape T by the embossing pin 41, the tape traveling path 70 on which the tape T is conveyed, and the tape traveling path 70. In addition to the tape feed unit 60 that transports the tape T, guide members 71 and 72 that guide the transport of the tape T in the tape traveling path 70, and a transmission-type front end detection sensor 91 that detects the front end of the tape T. It has more.

  From the largest tape width, tape T1 (tape width 24 mm), tape T2 (tape width 18 mm), tape T3 (tape width 12 mm) can be inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31. The tape T1 is guided by the upper and lower guides 71 and 72, and the other tape widths T2 and T3 are guided only by the lower guide member 71. For example, when the tape T3 having the minimum tape width is used, the user manually inserts the tape T3 along the lower guide member 71 until the tip of the tape T3 reaches the tape feeding unit 60 (feeding roller 61) (to an insertable position). To do. Then, pressing the “start feeding” key on the keyboard 3 starts the feeding of the tape T3 by the tape feeding unit 60. Then, the detection of the leading end of the tape by the leading end detection sensor 91 is used as a trigger to start the Braille stamping process (performing tape feed and Braille stamping based on the generated Braille data). At this time, the front margin (including the half-cut region on the tip side from the half-cut position) from the tape tip to the stamping start position is between the stamping unit 80 (the stamping pin 41) and the tip detection sensor 91. When the length is set shorter than the length L1 (however, the front margin is set longer than the length L2 between the stamping unit 80 and the feed roller 61 due to the positional relationship of the feed roller 61. The tape T is fed back by rotating the feed roller 61 in the reverse direction. When the tape T is fed to an appropriate position, stamping and tape feeding in the forward direction are started.

  The braille stamping process by the stamping unit 80 does not start with the detection of the leading edge of the tape by the leading edge detection sensor 91 as a trigger, but is manually started when the user presses the “stamping start” key on the keyboard 3. It is also possible to make it.

  By the way, as shown in the figure, the tape T includes an insertion mark M1 indicating the insertion direction into the embossing tape insertion slot 31 (introduction direction into the tape running path 70) in the ink character printing unit 120, and the tape T The upper and lower marks M2 indicating the upper and lower sides (matching the upper and lower sides of the ink letter P and the braille character array) are printed by the ink character printing unit 120 (see tape T3). Further, these marks M1 and M2 are arranged so that the visibility of the label area (the area from the half cut line to the tape rear end side) is not impaired, and the half cut area (from the half cut line to the tape front end side). Area).

  Next, the control configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The label producing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 3 and a display 4, an operation unit 110 that controls a user interface such as input of character information and display of various information by a user, a tape cartridge C, a print head 7, and a print feed motor (stepping motor). ) 121, the ink character printing unit 120 that prints the ink characters based on the ink character data on the tape T while conveying the tape T and the ink ribbon R, the cutting unit 140 that performs full cut and half cut, and the solenoid 47. Braille embossing unit 150 having an embossing pin 41 and an embossing feed motor (stepping motor) 151, and engraving Braille data based on Braille data on the tape T while feeding the tape T, an interface IF, and a USB connector 12 is a data supply unit (data server interface) that communicates with the PC 501 via Face) 160, a tape identification sensor 171 for detecting the type of the tape T (tape cartridge C), a leading edge detection sensor 91 for detecting the leading edge of the tape T in the braille embossing section 150, and the rotational speed of the print feed motor 121. It has a printing unit rotational speed sensor 172 and a stamping unit rotational speed sensor 173 that detects the rotational speed of the stamping feed motor 151, a detection unit 170 that performs various detections, a display driver 181, a head driver 182, and a print feed motor driver. 183, a cutter motor driver 184, 185, an embossing driver 186, and an engraving feed motor driver 187, a driving unit 180 that controls the driving of each unit, and a control unit that is connected to each unit and controls the entire label producing apparatus 1 200.

  The cutting unit 140 is provided on the downstream side in the tape feeding direction of the ink character printing unit 120, and a full cutter 142 and a half cutter 144 are disposed adjacent to the cartridge mounting unit 6 so as to face the tape feeding path 12. (See the cutting mechanism 19, FIG. 3). The full cutter 142 and the half cutter 144 are driven by a full cutter motor 141 and a half cutter motor 143, respectively. The full cutter 142 cuts both the recording sheet and the release sheet which are laminated by a scissors type including a fixed blade and a movable blade. The half cutter 144 cuts only the recording sheet in a push-off format.

  The data supply unit 160 includes a buffer 161 for receiving various data (printed character data, braille data, etc.) from the PC 501 and transmitting status, and communicates with the PC 501 based on the USB specification (protocol). I do.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, and an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 250, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 260. The ROM 220 performs a control program block 221 that stores a control program for controlling various processes such as ink-character printing processing and braille embossing processing by the CPU 210, and performs character font data and braille embossing for ink-character printing. And a control data block 222 for storing various data such as Braille font data. Note that the character font data may be separately provided in the CG-ROM instead of in the ROM 220.

  The RAM 230 stores, in addition to various work area blocks 231 used as flags and the like, ink character print data block 232 for storing ink character print data obtained by developing ink character data received from the PC 501, and also Braille data received from the PC 501. A braille embossing data block 233 that stores the braille embossing data that is expanded and represents the embossing / non-imprinting of each embossing point (201a, 201b, 201c or 201d, 201e, 201f) for each embossing row; And used as a work area for control processing. The RAM 230 is always backed up so that the stored data is retained even when the power is turned off.

  In the IOC 250, a logic circuit that complements the functions of the CPU 210 and handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits is configured by a gate array or a custom LSI. As a result, the IOC 250 captures the input data and control data from the keyboard 3 and the data supply unit 160 as they are or processes them and imports them into the internal bus 260, and links the CPU 210 with the data output from the CPU 210 to the internal bus 260. The control signal is output to the drive unit 180 as it is or after being processed.

  And CPU210 inputs various signals and data from each part in the label production apparatus 1 via IOC250 according to the control program in ROM220 by said structure. In addition, various data in the RAM 230 is processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part in the label producing apparatus 1 via the IOC 250, thereby enabling printing of ink characters and Braille stamping. Take control.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a rough procedure for creating the ink letter label LB1 and the braille label LB2 will be described. The ink letter label LB1 is a label on which the ink letter P is printed, and the braille label LB2 is a label on which the ink letter P is printed and the braille B is imprinted.

  When creating the ink label LB1 (when the data received from the PC 501 is only ink data), the tape cartridge C is first mounted (1), as shown in FIG. On the tape T sent from C to the ink character printing unit 120, the ink character P is printed based on the ink character data received from the PC 501 (2), and the printed tape T (ink character label LB1) is discharged. . The created ink letter label LB1 is half-cut at the tip in accordance with the step (2), but the insertion mark M1 and the upper and lower marks M2 (see FIG. 6) are not printed. Note that when the ink character label LB1 is created, the PC 501 or the label creating apparatus 1 may be provided with means for designating whether or not to perform half-cutting.

  On the other hand, when creating a Braille label (when the data received from the PC 501 includes Braille data), the tape cartridge C is loaded (1), as shown in FIG. The tape T fed from the cartridge C is sent to the ink character printing unit 120 to print the ink character P (2), and the printed tape T is discharged. At this time, the ink character printing unit 120 prints the insertion mark M1 and the upper and lower marks M2 in the half cut area, and also performs half cut (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, when the ink-printed tape T is manually inserted according to the insertion mark M1 (2) and sent to the braille stamping unit 150, the braille B is printed on the tape T based on the braille data received from the PC 501. Engrave (4). The created braille label LB2 is printed by printing the ink letter P and imprinting the braille B, and is used by being attached to the object to be attached according to the upper and lower marks M2.

  In the case where only Braille marking is performed on the Braille label LB2, blank printing is performed in the step (2). That is, a blank label having a predetermined length is created by printing only the insertion mark M1 and the upper and lower marks M2 in the half cut area.

  Further, since the Braille label LB2 created here is illustrated assuming a 12 mm wide tape T3 (see FIG. 6), the ink letter P and the Braille B are printed / engraved. On the other hand, when the 24 mm wide tape T1 or the 18 mm wide tape T2 is used, the vertical layout of the ink character print area Ep and the braille embossed area Eb in the tape width direction is created by the PC 501 ( It can be set by S6 in FIG.

  Therefore, with reference to FIG. 9, description will be given of arrangements that can be set in the tape width direction between the ink character printing region Ep and the Braille stamping region Eb. This figure shows the tapes T1, T2, and T3 after ink-character printing and before being inserted into the braille stamping unit 150. In the following description, the top and bottom of the tape T are defined by the top and bottom of the ink letter P and the braille arrangement, and the top and bottom marks M2.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the tape width detection result by the tape identification sensor 171 (see FIG. 7) is 24 mm (tape T1), the braille embossed region Eb is the lower (a-1) or upper ( The arrangement of a-2) can be set. The PC 501 includes data (command) indicating the braille position (lower braille or upper braille) in the braille data and transmits the data to the label creating apparatus 1, and the label creating apparatus 1 determines the braille position based on the data indicating the braille position. Judging. When the braille stamping area Eb is set in the lower row (a-1) (when it is determined that the braille stamp is the lower braille character), the ink character print data in the ink character print data block 232 and the braille stamp data block 233 The Braille stamp data is read out and printed / printed in the forward direction (printing / printing is performed from the leading end side of the ink character print data and the Braille stamp data). In addition, when the braille marking area Eb is set in the upper stage (a-2) (when it is determined as upper braille), the ink print data in the ink print data block 232 and the braille stamp data block 233 Read / print inversion of Braille marking data from the rear end side (printing / stamping inverted printing P ′ and inverted Braille B ′ obtained by rotating ink printing data and Braille printing data 180 °) To do). This is because the embossing unit 80 faces a position close to the lower side of the tape running path 70 (see FIG. 6), and therefore when the braille is imprinted on the upper side of the tape T (in the case of upper braille). This is because the tape T is inserted from the rear end side (the right side when the upper and lower sides are defined by the ink letter P and the braille arrangement) so that the braille marking area Eb faces the marking unit 80 ((a-2: (See Braille))).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the tape width detection result is 18 mm (tape T2), the braille embossed area Eb is either the lower stage (b-1) or the upper stage (b-2). Can be set. Also in this case, if the lower Braille (b-1) is set, the ink-printed print data and the Braille stamped data are printed / printed in the forward direction and set to the upper Braille (b-2). In this case, printing / stamping is performed in a state where ink character print data and braille stamp data are rotated by 180 °.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the tape width detection result is 12 mm (tape T3), the tape width is the minimum that can be engraved with the size of the braille 1 square 200 (the length in the tape width direction). (See FIG. 4A), the arrangement of the braille embossed region Eb is the center in the vertical direction. That is, in the layout creation process by the PC 501, when the tape width is set to 12 mm, the arrangement of the braille embossed area Eb in the tape width direction is fixed (upper braille and lower braille cannot be selected). Therefore, when the tape width detection result is 12 mm, the ink-character print data and the Braille stamp data are always printed / printed in the forward direction.

  In the above description, the PC 501 includes the data indicating the braille position in the braille data and transmits the data to the label creating apparatus 1, and the label creating apparatus 1 prints the ink character print data and the braille stroke based on the data indicating the braille position. Although it is determined whether the printing data is printed / engraved in the forward direction or is printed / imprinted after being rotated by 180 °, the PC 501 may invert the data. . That is, the PC 501 transmits ink character data and braille data in the forward direction in the case of lower braille (when the braille embossing area Eb is arranged below the tape), and in the case of upper braille (braille embossing area Eb). Is placed on the upper side of the tape), the ink character data and the braille data are transmitted in a state rotated by 180 °. According to this configuration, the label creating apparatus 1 does not need to determine the braille position, and can simply control / print the data received from the PC 501 as it is.

  Further, in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement of the ink character printing area Ep is arranged at a position superimposed on the Braille embossing area Eb, or the entire area in the tape width direction is set as the ink character printing area Ep. It is possible to set the layout freely. In addition, the number of ink character print areas Ep is not limited to one on the tape T, and a plurality of ink character print areas Ep may be arranged. Instead of arranging the ink characters P in units of areas, the normal text TX (see FIG. 15). As an alternative, it may be possible to input and place at an arbitrary position on the tape T.

  Therefore, referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 15, the arrangement of the ink character printing area Ep and the braille embossing area Eb is set by the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2 (see FIG. 15), respectively. A layout creation process when the ink letter P can be input / placed as the normal text TX will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of layout creation processing in the PC 501, and FIGS. 11 to 13 show screen transitions displayed on the display D (see FIG. 1) of the PC 501 during layout creation processing. FIG. 14 shows an example of the message box MB displayed during the layout creation process, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the layout result on the tape T image.

  First, the general flow of the layout creation process will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, when support software for executing layout creation processing is activated by a predetermined operation by the user, a screen (not shown) for selecting a tape type is displayed (S1). Here, the tape width can be set (12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm), the margin can be set (less, normal, more, numerical value setting) and the tape length can be set (fixed (numerical value setting), automatic). The tape width can be automatically set by clicking a button for acquiring the tape width on the screen. That is, a value detected and identified by the tape identification sensor 171 (see FIG. 7) of the label producing apparatus 1 can be obtained by transmitting a predetermined command for obtaining the tape width from the PC 501 to the label producing apparatus 1. ing.

  When the tape type is selected, the layout window W1 (layout display means, see FIG. 11A) is displayed (S2). In the layout window W1, an image of the tape T (hereinafter referred to as “tape image”) TI is displayed. The layout window W1 also displays ink characters OB1 and Braille objects OB2 when they are arranged (see FIG. 13B).

  Subsequently, the list window W2 (list display means) is displayed by a predetermined operation of the user (S3). This list window W2 is a screen for inputting information for pouring object data such as a braille pattern and ink image into the frame (object frame) of the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2. Note that “flowing” refers to using information listed in the list window W2 and sequentially incrementing the information every time the information is read out and importing the information into the frame of the braille object OB2.

  Therefore, information that is the basis of the braille pattern or ink image is input to the list window W2 (S4). Original text information is input as information on which the braille pattern is based (see column B of list window W2, FIG. 11 (b)). The original text information refers to a normal document (text data), not a Braille document such as a split notation. In addition, as information that is a source of the ink image, ink information that is a normal document is input (see column A of the list window W2, FIG. 11B).

  Subsequently, the braille translation information conversion is performed (S5). This braille translation information conversion is to convert original text information into braille translation information in accordance with braille notation. Note that the braille translation information conversion is performed based on a braille editor included in the support software and does not have 100% accuracy, so that it can be appropriately edited on the list window W2 (list). See column C of window W2, FIG. 13 (a)).

  When the braille translation information conversion is completed, it is poured into the layout window W1 and the objects OB1 and OB2 are arranged (S6). In the case of Braille, the braille translation information is converted into a Braille pattern (representing the embossing / non-imprinting of each embossing point of Braille) and imported into the frame of the Braille object OB2. In the case of ink characters, ink character information is imported into a frame of the ink character object OB1 in a predetermined font (both refer to FIG. 13B). The objects OB1 and OB2 are arranged by dragging (moving) and dropping the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2 to arbitrary positions on the tape image TI (however, there is an arrangement restriction in the case of the braille object OB2). Is done.

  Although the layout is created by the above steps, it is not always necessary to arrange both the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2, and only one of them may be arranged. Also, instead of inputting the original text information and converting it into the braille translation information, the braille translation information may be input directly, or instead of flowing from the list window W2, the input of the original text information, the braille translation information, and the braille pattern The braille object OB2 may be individually created through the steps of conversion of the above and the creation of the braille object OB2, or the ink character object OB1 may be individually created by inputting ink character information.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the layout creation process will be described according to screen transitions. FIG. 11A shows a screen that displays the layout window W1 after the tape type is selected (S1 in FIG. 10) (S2 in FIG. 10). As a tape type, it is assumed that a tape width of 24 mm (tape T1, see FIG. 6) and a tape length of “automatic” are selected. Here, the tape image TI of the tape T1 is displayed in the center of the screen. In the drawing, for the sake of easy understanding, the outer frame of the printable area Z10 is indicated by a dotted line inside the tape image TI. However, only the tape image TI is actually displayed. The printable area Z10 indicates an actually printable area and does not limit the arrangement of the ink character object OB1. That is, the arrangement of the ink character object OB1 is arbitrary, and when the ink character object OB1 is arranged so as to straddle the outer frame of the printable area Z10, only information in the printable area Z10 is to be printed. Further, the printable area Z10 is an area including the printable areas Z11 and Z12 (see FIG. 17) in which the braille object OB2 can be arranged (actual Braille printing). Therefore, the printable area (the area inside the tape image TI and including the stampable area) will be described below as an effective formation area Z10.

  As shown in the figure, the effective formation region Z10 is a rectangle composed of sides separated from the tape image TI by the upper and lower sides e in the tape width direction and sides separated from the tape image TI by f in the tape length direction. The lengths of and f are values determined by a printing mechanism, a feeding mechanism, or the like. Note that the tape image TI and the effective formation area Z10 displayed on the initial screen have a predetermined size that is predetermined according to the tape width, but are an object frame (a flow frame for the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2). Depends on the size and arrangement of

  In the figure, when “Open data creation window” is selected from the window menu M1, a list window W2 is displayed side by side with the layout window W1, as shown in FIG. Here, the layout window W1 is displayed in the left half area of the display D, and the list window W2 is displayed in the right half area of the display D. Note that the ratio of these areas can be changed by a user operation. Further, data can be stored for each of the windows W1 and W2.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, ink information and original text information are input to the list window W2 in the cells in the A column and the B column, respectively. Note that the information input to the A column and the B column may not be related, and the information input to the same column may be used as ink character information and original text information. In addition, the asterisk attached to the line number “5” on the fifth line indicates that the original text information (“10500 yen (excluding tax)” in column B) input to the cell of that line is the target to be poured into the braille object OB2. It is shown that. Further, the fact that the cell is surrounded by a thick frame indicates that the cell is an editing target cell.

  When the input to the list window W2 is completed, as shown in FIG. 12A, the “column attribute” is displayed from the edit menu M2 in order to display the braille attribute dialog box DB (see FIG. 12B). ― “Braille” is selected. If “text”, “image”, “barcode” or the like other than “Braille” is selected here, a column to be poured into the ink character object OB1 is designated. When “barcode” is selected, a barcode image obtained by converting the designated column into a barcode is poured into the ink character object OB1.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the Braille attribute dialog box DB, it is possible to specify an “input string” in which source text information is listed and a “Braille translation string” in which the braille translation information that translates the source text information is listed. . Here, since the original text information is input to the B column (see FIG. 11B), the input column is specified as the B column and the braille translation column is specified as the adjacent C column. .

  If there is originally input information in the column specified as the braille translation column (here, column C), as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the original text information (column B) is translated into data (braille translation information). ) Is displayed in a message box MB1 for replacement. If "No" is selected in this message box MB1, the braille attribute dialog box DB is displayed again to prompt the specification of the braille translation sequence.

  On the other hand, if “Yes” is selected in the message box MB1, before overwriting the braille translation information, it is determined whether or not the number of characters that can be stamped exceeds the number of characters that can be stamped. As shown in FIG. 6B, a message box MB2 is displayed to the effect that there is a blank column without being translated. Here, the “number of characters that can be engraved” refers to the upper limit of the number of characters that can be engraved continuously, and the normal drive of the solenoid 47 (see FIG. 5) that drives the engraving unit 80 is guaranteed. Is set to about 50 characters. When “No” is selected in this message box MB2, overwriting of the braille translation information is stopped.

  On the other hand, if “Yes” is selected in the message box MB2, it is further determined whether or not the braille object OB2 exists on the layout window W1, and if so, as shown in FIG. Then, a message box MB3 for deleting the braille object OB2 (flow frame) on the existing tape is displayed. This is because the arrangement of the braille objects OB2 on one tape image TI is limited to one. When “No” is selected in this message box MB3, the Braille attribute dialog box DB is displayed again.

  On the other hand, when “Yes” is selected in the message box MB3, the existing braille object OB2 on the tape image TI is deleted, and the braille translation information is input to the C column (see FIG. 13A). This figure shows a state in which braille information is input to the C column and a braille pattern is poured into the layout window W1, but the layout window W1 immediately after conversion to braille information is FIG. 11B remains (the braille object OB2 is not displayed). As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the conversion of the braille translation information is performed according to the braille conversion rule (stipulation rule), for example, the original text information “1050 yen (excluding tax)” is converted into the braille translation information “1050_EN (Zeibetsu)”. In addition, the original text information “10500 yen (excluding tax)” is converted into braille translation information “1 man 500_en (zeibetsu)”. It should be noted that the inputted braille translation information can be appropriately modified on the list window W2.

  Next, the flow and arrangement of the braille pattern on the screen of FIG. The arrangement of the braille pattern is performed by clicking / dragging the column attribute button BT1 of the column B (original information column) or the column attribute button BT2 of the column C (column of braille translation information) (moving means) and dropping it on the tape image TI. (Placement means). At this time, the information of the designated cell in column B (the cell corresponding to the row with an asterisk) is read (information reading means), and the Braille object OB2 corresponds to the original text information (in the row with the asterisk). ) The braille pattern obtained by converting the braille translation information (“1 Man 500_en (zeibetsu)”) is developed (conversion means). In addition, the information to be read changes in the order of the cell row numbers in accordance with the information transmission (braille embossing instruction) to the label producing apparatus 1 due to the pouring, and the braille pattern to be printed changes in accordance with the changing information (import means) ). Therefore, the user can create Braille labels having different contents without specifying the information to be subsequently printed / printed by simply instructing printing of ink characters and / or Braille printing. When the braille information is corrected, a braille pattern based on the corrected braille information is developed.

  On the other hand, the arrangement of the braille object OB2 is within the effective formation region Z10, and the upper side of the braille object OB2 is along the upper side of the effective formation region Z10, or the lower side of the braille object OB2 is the lower side of the effective formation region Z10. It is limited to the position along. That is, as described above, the embossing unit 80 that performs braille embossing is configured to be able to engrave only one line facing the position near the lower side of the tape running path 70 (see FIG. 6). ), The arrangement of the braille object OB2 in the tape width direction can be performed only in either the upper stage or the lower stage in the effective formation region Z10. Accordingly, the placement in the region outside this position is prohibited, and the suction placement is performed on the side (upper side or lower side) of the effective formation region Z10 that is closest to the dropped position (drag end position) (left and right positions are left as they are).

  FIG. 13B shows a case where the braille object OB2 and the ink character object OB1 are arranged. As shown in the figure, here, the braille object OB2 is arranged in the lower stage (lower braille). In the layout window W1, only an image of only the label area (see FIG. 6) is displayed. However, in the actually created label, the left side of the tape image TI shown here is half-cut, and the leading edge side from the half-cut position is displayed. An insertion mark M1 and an upper and lower mark M2 are printed in the half cut area.

  On the other hand, the left side of the braille object OB2 overlaps the left side of the effective formation region Z10. This is an arrangement when it is desired to minimize the front margin. Also, the length of the frame of the braille object OB2 is variable so that the entire frame can be displayed depending on the data (the number of squares of the braille pattern). Further, as shown in the figure, the length of the tape image TI and the effective formation region Z10 in the tape length direction varies depending on the length and arrangement of the braille object OB2. That is, when the Braille pattern is imported, the length of the frame of the Braille object OB2 is changed to a length corresponding to the number of squares of the Braille pattern, and the tape image TI and the effective formation area Z10 are further changed accordingly. The length in the tape length direction is also changed. Note that the process of changing the frame of the braille object OB2 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 15).

  On the other hand, in FIG. 13B, the ink character object OB1 is also arranged on the tape image TI. This is the result of pouring column A with the column attribute designated as text from the edit menu M2 in FIG. Here, the ink character object OB1 is arranged in the upper stage, but as described above, the arrangement of the ink character object OB1 is arbitrary. The length of the braille object OB2 varies depending on the data to be inserted, but the length of the ink character object OB1 is fixed. This is to prevent the mutual arrangement of objects on the layout from being disturbed when performing continuous printing. Therefore, the effective formation area Z10 and the tape image TI are not changed by the data poured into the ink character object OB1.

  Similarly, the normal text TX1 “Yen (tax-included price)” arranged on the tape image TI is information directly written on the tape image TI. Therefore, the position is fixed regardless of the data poured into the ink character object OB1 and the braille object OB2 (see FIG. 15B). Further, the arrangement of the normal text TX1 is arbitrary as long as it is within the tape image TI.

  When the layout shown in FIG. 13B is created, braille data is generated according to the contents and arrangement of the braille object OB2, and ink data is generated according to the contents and arrangement of the ink object OB1 and the normal text TX1. Since the braille object OB2 is arranged on the lower side, data indicating lower braille is added to the braille data. Therefore, the label producing apparatus 1 prints / prints the received ink character data and the ink character print data and the braille embossed data obtained by developing the braille data in the forward direction (see FIG. 9A). As braille data, image data (bitmap data) representing a braille pattern is not transmitted, but the marking / non-stamping of six marking points of one braille cell 200 is 1/0 bit by bit. It is preferable to transmit it as 1-byte data (in the case of 6 Braille, the first and last bits are not used). According to this configuration, the amount of data to be transferred can be reduced.

  Here, the variable processing of the braille object frame will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B show an example in which the ink character object OB1 and the normal text TX1 are arranged in the upper part of the tape image TI, and the braille object OB2 and the normal text TX2 are arranged in the lower part of the tape image TI. Show. Here, in order to arrange the normal text TX2 near the lower right of the tape (also considering the arrangement of the braille object OB2), the tape image TI is expanded in advance in the tape width direction as shown in FIG. Suppose that you have imported to the braille object frame in the state. In the same figure (a), when the braille translation pattern of the original text information “1050 yen (excluding tax)” (the braille translation information “1050_EN (Zeibetsu)”) is imported, the original text information “10500” This shows a case where a braille translation pattern (translation information “1 man 500_en (zeibetsu)”) of “yen (excluding tax)” is imported.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the braille translation pattern of the braille translation information “1050_EN (Zeebetsu)” is imported, the braille object OB2 does not overlap the normal text TX2. However, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the braille translation pattern of the braille translation information “1 man 500_en (zeibetsu)” is imported, the frame of the braille object OB2 is changed due to the increase in the number of braille squares (4 squares). It spreads and the rear end side of the braille object OB2 overlaps the normal text TX2. Thus, since the length of the Braille object OB2 frame varies depending on the Braille pattern (flow data), in the case of the layout as shown in the figure, it may overlap the normal text TX2. Since there are Braille B and Ink P, there is no problem with the product even if they overlap. Moreover, there is an advantage that the tape T can be used effectively.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 7B, the rear end of the tape image TI is a predetermined margin (see the post-printing margin d2 when the lower braille is arranged, see FIG. 17) from the rear end (right side) of the braille object OB2. It is displayed to be cut at the existing position. This is a margin that is automatically set in consideration of the deviation of the tape feed at the time of Braille embossing. Therefore, the user cannot set the tape length shorter by editing. In the case of FIG. 5A, the length set by the user in advance is maintained because there is a margin longer than a predetermined length from the rear end (right side) of the braille object OB2.

  Note that a predetermined length L2 from the leading end of the tape to the stamping start line is also required on the leading end side of the tape T (see FIG. 6) due to the tape feed (see FIG. 6). As a result, no special margin is required. Therefore, the Braille object OB2 can be arranged on the front end side of the tape as far as the end of the effective formation area Z10.

  On the other hand, in the case of the ink character object OB1, the ink character information “1050” is imported in FIG. 10A, and the ink character information “10500” is imported in FIG. At this time, if the frame size of the ink character object OB1 is set in accordance with the ink character information “1050”, the ink character information “10500” indicates the size of the object as shown in FIG. Reduced to fit. This is because, in the case of the ink character object OB1, if it overlaps with the normal text TX1 (“yen (tax included price)”), the visibility of the ink character in the overlapping portion is hindered.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, information is read from the list window W2, converted into a braille pattern, and poured into an object frame arranged on the tape image TI. By inputting information, a large number of braille products can be created quickly and easily.

  In addition, by simply inputting the original text information into the list window W2, it is converted into Braille information (Braille document) adapted to the Braille conversion rules, and further, the Braille information is converted into a Braille pattern to be inserted. Even a user with no knowledge can easily create a braille pattern. In addition, when the conversion from the original text information to the braille translation information is not performed correctly, the correction can be performed, so that an incorrect Braille pattern can be prevented from being imprinted.

  Further, since the size of the tape image TI and the effective formation region Z10 varies depending on the length of the Braille pattern and the arrangement of the Braille object OB2, the user needs to set the range of the tape image TI and the effective formation region Z10. Absent. Therefore, the braille object OB2 can be easily arranged on the tape image TI.

  In addition, since the original text information (column attribute button ST1) in the list window W2 is dragged and dropped into the frame of the braille object OB2, the braille pattern is poured, so that the user can perform the casting and the arrangement at the same time. .

  In addition, in the case of the ink object OB1, there is a disadvantage that even if the data is different depending on the target cell of the target column (column A) of the list window W2, the objects overlap each other unless the arrangement is maintained. However, in the case of the braille object OB2, there can be only one, and even if the information for printing the ink letter P (the ink object OB1 and the normal text TX) overlaps, the braille B can be identified. Therefore, there is no problem even if the length is variable, and it can be easily arranged. Moreover, there is an advantage that the braille object OB2 can be efficiently arranged within the minimum necessary label length without worrying about overlapping with the ink letter P.

  In the above example, a configuration in which only one line of Braille stamping can be performed is illustrated (see the stamping unit 80, see FIG. 6). The size of the tape image TI and the effective formation region Z10 is variable according to the length in the row direction corresponding to the number of rows of the braille string in addition to the length in the column direction corresponding to.

  In the above example, the original text information is input to the list window W2. However, the list file is stored in the recording medium C (see FIG. 1) such as a memory card, and the original text information is extracted from the list file. You may make it read and convert into braille translation information and a braille pattern. Alternatively, the information may be read from a list file listing braille translation information or braille patterns themselves. However, when reading the Braille pattern itself, it is preferable that the Braille pattern can be listed (displayed) in the list window W2.

  In the above example, the original text information is converted into the braille translation information and displayed on the list window W2, and then converted into the braille pattern at the time of pouring. However, only the original text information is displayed on the list window W2. It may be displayed and the original text information may be directly converted into a braille pattern to be poured. According to this configuration, it is possible to save time and effort for the braille translation information.

  In the above example, the braille pattern is poured into the braille object OB2 based on the original text information or the braille translation information sequentially read from the list window W2. Instead of changing the information every time, it is also possible for the user to specify a cell to be imported for each Braille stamp and to import the Braille pattern into the Braille object OB2 according to the specification. Further, the trigger for reading information from the list window W2 may be configured to sequentially read out information by using a predetermined operation of the user as a trigger instead of every print / stamping instruction.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above embodiment, the arrangement of the braille object OB2 is limited to the effective formation area Z10, which is the inner area of the tape image TI. However, in this embodiment, this arrangement restriction is relaxed and free arrangement is performed. An area to be obtained is provided. In addition, this allows easy editing on the tape image TI.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, a braille object OB2 is arranged on the tape image TI on which the image IM1, the image IM2, and the normal text TX3 are arranged, as shown in FIG. Assume that you want to make corrections. In this case, if the arrangement (movement) of the braille object OB2 is limited within the effective formation area Z10, (1) the braille object OB2 is moved upward, or (2) the overlapping order of the braille objects OB2 is determined from the image IM2. It is necessary to modify the image IM2 after the lower level. However, in the case of (1), since the normal text TX3 arranged above is hidden, it is difficult to confirm the entire configuration. In the case of (2), since the braille pattern cannot be confirmed, the validity of the product cannot be determined. Further, when the tape width is narrow (tape T3 having a tape width of 12 mm, etc., see FIG. 6), it cannot be moved and arranged as in (1), so that editing is further difficult.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present embodiment is configured such that the braille object OB2 can be freely arranged in the area outside the tape image TI. Further, depending on the configuration of the embossing unit 80 and the feeding unit 60 of the braille embossing unit 150, there is an area where the braille object OB2 cannot be arranged even within the effective formation area Z10. Hereinafter, the arrangement of the braille object OB2 in the “non-stampable region”) is prohibited, and is arranged to be sucked and arranged at an appropriate position. Therefore, the following description will be focused on differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement limitation of the braille object OB2 inside and outside the tape image TI. Here, the braille object OB2 (the braille pattern based on the original text information “Ayu” and the braille translation information “Aiu”) shown in FIG. 10A is placed on the tape image TI of the 24 mm wide tape T1 shown in FIG. Shall be placed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the size of the braille object OB2 is the length from the upper end of the uppermost stamping point (for example, 201a) to the lower end of the lowermost stamping point (for example, 201c) ( Tape width direction length a) and the length from the left end of the first braille cell 200 (for example, 201a) to the right end of the last braille cell 200 (for example, 201d) (the length in the tape length direction) b) (see FIG. 4A). Accordingly, the tape width direction length a of the braille object OB2 is a fixed value regardless of the braille pattern (flowing data, the number of braille characters), and the tape length direction length b is a variable value that varies depending on the braille pattern.

  The size of the braille object OB2 may be specified in square units, such as from the left side of the first braille cell to the right side of the last braille cell, or the actual marking point (the black dot shown in the figure) that is actually stamped. The length b in the tape length direction is defined by the length between the columns where the actual marking points exist, from the first Braille string where the actual marking points exist to the last Braille string where the actual marking points exist. It doesn't matter how.

  By the way, when the braille object OB2 having the above size is arranged on the tape image TI, the arrangement on the restricted area Z0 indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. 4B is prohibited outside the tape image TI. However, the Braille object OB2 can be freely arranged (arranged at an arbitrary position) outside the restricted area Z0. This restricted area Z0 is a rectangle composed of sides spaced vertically by a in the tape width direction (vertical direction in the figure) from the tape image TI and sides spaced by b in the tape length direction (horizontal direction in the figure) from the tape image TI. Is an outer frame, and indicates a region obtained by removing the tape image TI region from this rectangle. That is, when an attempt is made to place the braille object OB2 from the outside of the restricted area Z0, the braille object OB2 is adsorbed and placed in the engraving possible areas Z11 and Z12 shown by shading in the drawing.

  These stampable areas Z11 and Z12 are areas included in the effective formation area Z10 which is an area inside the tape image TI. Assuming that the effective formation area Z10 is a rectangle composed of sides separated from the tape image TI by up and down e in the tape width direction and sides separated from the tape image TI by f in the tape length direction, the stampable area Z11 is The effective formation area Z10 is an area formed by removing the non-engraved area Z21 from the area formed by a locus in which the upper side of the effective formation area Z10 is lowered by a in the tape width direction. The stampable area Z12 is an area obtained by removing the non-printable area Z22 from an area formed by a locus in which the lower side of the effective formation area Z10 is raised by a in the tape width direction. That is, the stampable area Z11 and the stampable area Z12 have the same area, and one of the areas is the center line (adhesion switching boundary line) L in the tape width direction of the effective formation area Z10 and the tape image TI. A region rotated by 180 ° about the middle point Lm of the center of the other overlaps with the other region. This adsorption switching boundary line L indicates a position that is a boundary for adhering the braille object OB2 to any of the imprintable area Z11 and the imprintable area Z12, and indicates the drop position of the braille object OB2. When the center is above the boundary line L, it is attracted to the stampable area Z11, and when the center of the drop position of the braille object OB2 is below the boundary line L, it is attracted to the stampable area Z12.

  In addition, the boundary line L of the suction switching exists in this way for the tape widths of 24 mm and 18 mm, and when the tape width is 18 mm, the width direction is narrower than the 24 mm width, and can be engraved. The region Z11 and the stampable region Z12 partially overlap. In the case of the tape width of 12 mm, there is no adsorption switching boundary line L, and there is only one stampable area Z11. Note that the boundary line L for the suction switching exists because of the arrangement of the embossing unit 80, the arrangement of the braille object OB2 in the tape width direction can be performed only in either the upper stage or the lower stage in the effective formation region Z10. Because.

  In addition, the imprintable areas Z21 and Z22 are areas in consideration of a shift in feeding at the time of braille stamping as described above, and have the same area. That is, the non-engraved area Z21 is a partial upper left area of the effective formation area Z10, and is a rectangle composed of the tape width direction a and the tape length direction (d1-f). Is a part of the lower right part of the effective formation area Z10, and is a rectangle composed of a tape width direction a and a tape length direction (d2-f). Note that the length d1 is a post-printing margin when upper braille is arranged, and the length d2 is a value indicating the post-printing blank when lower braille is arranged. The reason why the length d1 becomes the post-printing margin when the upper braille is arranged is that the tape T is inserted from the right side of the figure when the upper braille is arranged (see FIG. 9A).

  Here, the suction arrangement of the Braille object OB2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 shows a suction arrangement when the Braille object OB2 is dragged from the lower right side outside the restricted area Z0. When the braille object OB2 is dropped on the restricted area Z0 and the unprintable areas Z21 and Z22 from the position shown in FIG. 10A (the movement end position is on the restricted area Z0 and the unprintable areas Z21 and Z22). ), As shown in FIG. 5 (b), it is adsorbed and arranged on the right side of the stampable area Z12 (so that the right side of the braille object OB2 and the right side of the stampable area Z12 overlap). In other words, the braille object OB2 is arranged at a position within the imprintable area Z11, Z12 closest to the drop position. In other words, the outlines of the stampable areas Z11 and Z12 located closest to the position where the placement of the braille object OB2 is prohibited are attracted and arranged.

  Note that “on the restricted area Z0 and the unprintable areas Z21 and Z22” refers to an area where a part of the braille object OB2 overlaps the restricted area Z0 or the unprintable areas Z21 and Z22, and “outside the restricted area Z0”. Means an area where a part of the braille object OB2 does not overlap with either the tape image TI or the restricted area Z0. That is, when a part of the braille object OB2 overlaps the restriction area Z0 or the non-printable areas Z21 and Z22, the arrangement is prohibited, and when the whole braille object OB2 is located outside the restriction area Z0, the braille object OB2 is freely arranged. Be able to. As described above, by allowing the placement of the braille object OB2 only in the possible stampable areas Z11 and Z12 where the braille can be actually stamped, the braille object OB2 can be easily placed at an appropriate position on the tape image TI. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, when the braille object OB2 is dragged from the upper right side outside the restricted area Z0, as shown in FIG. The right side of the braille object OB2 and the right side of the stampable area Z11 are attracted and arranged.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the braille object OB2 is dragged from outside the restricted area Z0 and from the lower center side, as shown in FIG. 20B, the tape length direction (left-right direction) The position remains the drop position, and is adsorbed and arranged with the outline of the nearest stampable area Z12 as a guide (so that the lower side of the braille object OB2 and the lower side of the stampable area Z12 overlap).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the placement of the braille object OB2 is prohibited on the restricted area Z0 and the unprintable areas Z21, 22 which are areas outside the tape image TI. The braille object OB2 is not arranged at a position that protrudes from the tape image TI or at a position that cannot be stamped. If the placement is prohibited, the braille object OB2 is attracted and placed inside the outline using the outlines of the stampable areas Z11 and Z12, which are areas in the tape image TI, as a guide. The Braille object OB2 can be arranged at an appropriate position on the tape image TI.

  Further, outside the restricted area Z0, the Braille object OB2 is freely arranged (the Braille object OB2 is arranged as it is at the movement end position of the Braille object OB2 without any restriction), so that other information formation is performed on the tape image TI. When editing an element (such as an image or normal text) or the ink character object OB1, the operation is not hindered by saving the braille object OB2 outside the restricted area Z0.

  Further, the braille object OB2 is attracted and arranged at a position within the imprintable area Z11, Z12 that is closest to the movement end position of the Braille object OB2, so that the Braille object OB2 is arranged at a position where the user feels uncomfortable. be able to.

  In the above description, the braille object OB2 can be freely arranged outside the restricted area Z0. However, it is preferable that the ink-character object OB1 can also be freely arranged outside the restricted area Z0. According to this configuration, editing on the tape image TI becomes easier.

  Moreover, you may provide each part (each function) of said PC501 or the label production apparatus 1 as a program. The program may be provided by being stored in a recording medium (not shown). As the recording medium, a CD-ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, etc.), a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a flexible disk, and the like can be used.

  In addition, the system configuration of the label creation system SYS, the device configuration of the label creation device 1, and the processing steps of the PC 501 and the label creation device 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiments, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Changes are also possible. Further, the present invention can be applied to any system that creates a layout for forming information by arranging objects on an image of an information forming sheet that is an object of information formation, even when not performing braille stamping. Applicable.

It is a system configuration figure of a label creation system concerning an embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of the closed state of a label production apparatus. It is an external appearance perspective view of the label production apparatus in the open cover state. It is explanatory drawing of 6 dotted braille and sectional drawing of a stamping convex part. It is the top view and sectional drawing of a stamping unit. It is a figure explaining tape feeding in a braille stamping part. It is a control block diagram of a label production apparatus. It is a figure which shows the rough procedure of ink character label creation and Braille label creation. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning setting of an ink-printing area | region and a braille stamping area. It is a flowchart which shows a layout creation process. It is a figure for demonstrating a layout creation process according to a screen transition. It is a figure following FIG. It is a figure following FIG. 11 and FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a message box. It is a figure for demonstrating the size change process of a braille object frame. It is a figure for demonstrating the subject of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating each area | region inside and outside a tape image. It is a figure which shows an example of the adsorption arrangement of a braille object. It is a figure which shows an example of the other adsorption | suction arrangement | positioning of a Braille object. It is a figure which shows an example of the other adsorption | suction arrangement | positioning of a Braille object.

Explanation of symbols

  1: Label creating device, 60: Tape feeding unit, 80: Stamping unit, 120: Ink printing section, 150: Braille stamping section, 501: PC, B: Braille, C: Tape cartridge, D: Display, DB : Braille attribute dialog box, Ep: Ink printing area, Eb: Braille marking area, l: Adhesion switching border, LB1: Ink label, LB2: Braille label, OB1: Ink object, OB2: Braille object, P: Ink, SYS: Label creation system, T: Tape, TI: Tape image, W1: Layout window, W2: List window, Z0: Restricted area, Z10: Effective formation area, Z11, Z12: Stampable area, Z21, Z22: Unprintable area

Claims (15)

An object arrangement method for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet,
Placement of the object is prohibited on a restricted area that is an area outside the information forming sheet, and the object is placed inside the outline using an outline of an effective forming area that is an area in the information forming sheet as a guide. Adsorbing arrangement,
An object arrangement method, wherein the object is freely arranged outside the restricted area. On the restricted area refers to an area where a part of the object overlaps the restricted area,
The object placement method according to claim 1, wherein “outside the restricted area” refers to an area where a part of the object does not overlap any of the information forming sheet and the restricted area.   The object placement method according to claim 1, wherein the object placement is arranged such that the outline located closest to the position where the placement of the object is prohibited is used as a guide. The information forming element is a Braille pattern;
The information forming sheet is a braille sheet on which braille is engraved,
4. The object arranging method according to claim 1, wherein the effective formation area is an effective stamping area which is an area in the braille sheet.   5. The object according to claim 4, wherein, in the effective marking area, when there is a non-stampable area where braille marking is impossible, the object is prohibited from being placed in the non-stampable area. Placement method.   6. The object placement method according to claim 5, wherein the unprintable area is an area determined according to a stamping mechanism for performing the Braille stamping and / or a feeding mechanism for feeding the Braille sheet. . In order for the object to fit within the effective stamping area,
The object placement method according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the size of the effective stamping area and the braille sheet is variable according to the size and placement of the object. An object arrangement method for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet,
On the information forming sheet, only the area where information can be formed in the information forming sheet is allowed to place the object,
An object placement method, wherein the object is freely placed outside a restricted area, which is an area outside the information forming sheet. On the information forming sheet refers to a region where a part of the object overlaps the information forming sheet,
9. The object arranging method according to claim 8, wherein the outside of the restricted area refers to an area where a part of the object does not overlap any of the information forming sheet and the restricted area. The information forming element is a Braille pattern;
The information forming sheet is a braille sheet on which braille is engraved,
10. The object placement method according to claim 8, wherein the area where information can be formed is a stampable area where braille stamping is possible.   11. The object placement method according to claim 10, wherein the engraving area is an area determined according to a stamping mechanism for performing the Braille stamping and / or a feeding mechanism for feeding the Braille sheet. . An object arrangement system for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet,
Display means for displaying an image of the object and the information forming sheet;
Object moving means for moving the object;
Arranging means for arranging the object based on a movement end position of the object moving means,
The arrangement means prohibits the arrangement of the object when the movement end position is on a restricted area which is an area outside the information forming sheet, and the object is an area inside the information forming sheet. An object placement system, wherein an outline of an effective formation region is used as a guide and is arranged by suction inside the outline, and when the movement end position is outside the restriction region, the object is placed at the movement end position. An object arrangement system for arranging an object representing an information forming element on an image of an information forming sheet,
Display means for displaying an image of the object and the information forming sheet;
Object moving means for moving the object;
Arranging means for arranging the object based on a movement end position of the object moving means,
When the movement end position is on the information forming sheet, the arrangement unit permits the object to be arranged only in an area where information can be formed in the information forming sheet, and the movement end position is the information forming sheet. When the object is outside the restricted area which is an area outside the object, the object is arranged at the movement end position.   The program for functioning a computer as each means in the object arrangement | positioning system of Claim 12 or 13.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 14.

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