CN113173010A

CN113173010A - Printing apparatus and control method of printing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113173010A
Application number: CN202110006125.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 若狭俊一
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2020-01-08
Filing date: 2021-01-05
Publication date: 2021-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-05
Also published as: CN113173010B; JP7434905B2; JP2021109349A

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus and a control method of the printing apparatus. The printing device is provided with: a printing section; and a control unit capable of selecting a first encoding scheme as an encoding scheme for printing, wherein when the first encoding scheme is selected, the control unit prints, by the printing unit, the character string in which both the first type of character and the second type of character are decorated with the character specified by the first character decoration instruction, when a first character decoration instruction specifying character decoration of the first type of character is received, and when a character string including both the first type of character and a second type of character different from the first type of character is printed.

Description

Printing apparatus and control method of printing apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a method of controlling the printing apparatus.

Background

Research and development have been conducted on a printing apparatus that prints a character decorated by a character decoration instruction received together with a character code indicating the character.

In this regard, a printing apparatus is known which prints an ANK character indicated by an ANK character code when an ANK character code is received and prints a kanji character indicated by a kanji code when a kanji code is received (see patent document 1).

The printing apparatus described in patent document 1 prints an ANK character that is subjected to a character modification specified by an ANK character modification command when the ANK character modification command that specifies the character modification of the ANK character is received together with an ANK character code that represents a certain ANK character, and prints a kanji character that is subjected to the character modification specified by the kanji modification command when a kanji modification command that specifies the character modification of the kanji character is received together with a kanji code that represents a certain kanji character. In the present specification, an ANK character code indicating an ANK character refers to a character code indicating the ANK character. In this specification, a kanji code indicating a certain kanji is a character code indicating the kanji.

Here, the ANK character code and the kanji character code are configured based on different kinds of encoding systems from each other. Therefore, a kanji cannot be represented by an ANK character code, and an ANK character cannot be represented by a kanji code. On the other hand, in a coding scheme called Unicode (Unicode), for example, an ANK character can be represented by a code point without distinguishing between kanji characters. The code point refers to a character code configured based on Unicode. Therefore, the printing apparatus as described in patent document 1 may be difficult to modify and print at least a part of characters indicated by code dots.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2004-098617

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus including: a printing section; and a control unit capable of selecting a first encoding scheme as an encoding scheme for printing, wherein when the first encoding scheme is selected, the control unit prints, by the printing unit, the character string in which both the first type of character and the second type of character are decorated with the character specified by the first character decoration instruction, when a first character decoration instruction specifying character decoration of the first type of character is received, and when a character string including both the first type of character and a second type of character different from the first type of character is printed.

In order to solve the above-described problem, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein when a first encoding method is selected as an encoding method used for printing, when a first character loading command for specifying a character modification to a first type of character is received, and when a character string including both the first type of character and a second type of character different from the first type is printed, the character string in which the character modification specified by the first character modification command is performed to both the first type of character and the second type of character is printed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 11 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a process in which the control unit 111 executes character modification.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a table in which character embellishments performed by the printing apparatus 11 are summarized.

Detailed Description

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a character expressed by one byte will be collectively referred to as a one-byte character. One-byte characters are, for example, ANK (Alphabet, Numeric, Kana: alphabetic, Numeric, Kana) characters. The ANK character is a character including either one or both of a letter and a number expressed using a single byte. That is, the ANK characters refer to alphanumerics. Instead of using one or both of a letter and a number expressed by a single byte, the ANK character may be configured to include another character expressed by a single byte, such as a katakana expressed by a single byte. The ANK character may have a structure including not only both letters and numbers expressed by one byte but also other characters. Here, the letter represented using a single byte is, for example, a half-corner letter. Further, the numbers represented using a single byte are, for example, half-angle numbers. Further, the katakana represented using one byte is a half-corner kana.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, characters expressed by two bytes will be collectively referred to as double-byte characters. The double-byte character is, for example, a chinese character, a traditional character, a simplified character, a korean character, or the like. Instead of a part or all of the chinese characters, the traditional characters, the simplified characters, and the korean characters, the double-byte characters may be configured to include other characters expressed by double bytes. The double-byte character may have a structure including characters other than all of chinese characters, traditional characters, simplified characters, and korean characters, which are expressed by double bytes.

Structure of printing system

The configuration of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment.

The printing system 1 includes a printing device 11 and an information processing device 12.

The printing apparatus 11 is connected to the information processing apparatus 12 via a wired or wireless line 13 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The line 13 may also be a line of a network, for example. The network may be the internet.

Here, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplifying the description, one printing apparatus 11 and one information processing apparatus 12 are shown. For example, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 12 may be connected to one printing apparatus 11. For example, a plurality of printing devices 11 may be connected to one information processing device 12.

In this manner, the printing system 1 may include any number of printing devices 11, and may include any number of information processing devices 12. As the arrangement of the devices included in the printing system 1, any arrangement may be used.

The information processing device 12 communicates with the printing device 11 and transmits an encoding method designation command. The encoding method designation command is a command for designating the encoding method used by the printing apparatus 11 to the printing apparatus 11 in order to identify the character indicated by the character code received by the printing apparatus 11.

For example, when a single-byte character represented by a certain single-byte character code is specified, printing apparatus 11 specifies the single-byte character represented by the single-byte character code by using a single-byte character encoding method. The single-byte character encoding system is an encoding system in which a single-byte character code is associated with a single-byte character, and is, for example, ASCII. That is, the one-byte character code formed by the one-byte character encoding method is, for example, ASCII character code. For example, when a double-byte character represented by a double-byte character code is specified, the printing device 11 specifies the double-byte character represented by the double-byte character code by using a double-byte character encoding method. The double-byte character encoding method is an encoding method in which a double-byte character code is associated with a double-byte character. The double-byte character encoding method is, for example, ISO-2022-JP, Shift _ JIS, EUC-JP, or the like. That is, the double-byte character code configured based on the double-byte character encoding system is, for example, the character code of ISO-2022-JP, Shift _ JIS, EUC-JP, or the like. For example, when specifying a character represented by a certain code point, the printing device 11 specifies the character represented by the code point using Unicode. In addition, Unicode is also known as UTF-8. The details of Unicode are specified as international standard specifications, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The information processing device 12 communicates with the printing device 11, and transmits an instruction for printing to the printing device 11.

The instruction for printing includes a character code indicating a character to be printed. For example, a single-byte character code indicating a single-byte character or a code dot indicating the single-byte character is included in the instruction for printing of the single-byte character. For example, the instruction to print a double-byte character includes a double-byte character code indicating the double-byte character or a code dot indicating the double-byte character. The instruction to print includes, for example, a character modification instruction for specifying a character modification to a character to be printed. In the case where the character modification is not performed on the character to be printed, the instruction to print may include no character modification instruction for specifying the character modification on the character or may include a character modification instruction indicating that the character modification on the character is not performed. The instruction for printing may include other information.

Here, the character modification performed by the printing apparatus 11 includes at least one of a character font, an emphasis print, an underline, a vertical angle, and a horizontal angle, for example. That is, in the present embodiment, the character modification command is a command for specifying at least one of character modification of a character font, emphasis printing, underlining, vertical double angle, and horizontal double angle. In addition, a vertical double angle means a character decoration that doubles a character in the vertical direction, and a horizontal double angle means a character decoration that doubles a character in the horizontal direction.

The information processing device 12 may be any device, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

The information processing apparatus 12 is operated by a user not shown in the drawings, and executes processing corresponding to the operation performed by the user. Further, the information processing device 12 may be configured to automatically execute predetermined processing.

The printing apparatus 11 includes a control unit 111, a nonvolatile memory 112, a printing unit 113, a communication unit 114, and a switch 115.

The control Unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 132, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 133. The control unit 111 may include another control circuit and the like.

The printing unit 113 includes a print head 151, a cutter 152, and a conveyance motor 153.

Stored in the nonvolatile memory 112 are single-byte character font data 211, double-byte character font data 212, and Unicode font data 213.

Here, the font data is actual data that can be expressed so as to be able to print characters on a print medium, and is, for example, bitmap font data. A single-byte character code address table, a double-byte character code address table, and a code point address table are stored in the ROM132 described later. The single-byte character code address table is a table indicating addresses on the nonvolatile memory 112 of bitmap font data associated with each single-byte character code. The double-byte character code address table is a table indicating addresses on the nonvolatile memory 112 of bitmap font data associated with each double-byte character code. The code point address table is a table indicating addresses on the nonvolatile memory 112 of bitmap font data corresponding to each code point.

That is, the single-byte character font data 211 is bitmap font data that can be expressed so as to be printed with a single-byte character on a print medium. The data received by the communication unit 114 is stored in the RAM133 (reception buffer) in the order received by the communication unit 114. The control unit 111 reads data from the RAM133 in the order received by the communication unit 114. When the read data is a certain one-byte character code, the control unit 111 refers to the ROM132 and refers to the one-byte character code address table based on the one-byte character code, thereby acquiring the address on the nonvolatile memory 112 of the one-byte character code, and reads the target bitmap font data from the one-byte character font data 211 based on the acquired address. Then, the control unit 111 arranges the read bitmap font data in order of being printable by the print head 151 and stores the same in the RAM133 (print buffer) (expands the same in the RAM 133). When the character modification command is received first, the control unit 111 applies the processing specified by the character modification command to the read bitmap font data, and stores the bitmap font data subjected to the processing in the RAM 133. Then, the control section 111 reads out the bitmap font data stored in the RAM133 and sends it to the printing section 113 to be printed.

The double-byte character font data 212 is bitmap font data that can be expressed so that a double-byte character can be printed on a print medium. When the read data is a double-byte character code, the control unit 111 refers to the ROM132 and refers to the double-byte character code address table based on the double-byte character code, acquires an address on the nonvolatile memory 112 of the double-byte character code, and reads the bitmap font data to be read from the double-byte character font data 212 based on the acquired address. Then, the control unit 111 arranges the read bitmap font data in order of being printable by the print head 151 and stores the same in the RAM133 (print buffer) (expands the same in the RAM 133). When the character modification command is received first, the control unit 111 performs the processing specified by the character modification command on the read bitmap font data, and stores the bitmap font data subjected to the processing in the RAM 133. Then, the control section 111 reads out the bitmap font data stored in the RAM133 and sends it to the printing section 113 to be printed.

The Unicode font data 213 is bitmap font data that can be expressed so that characters indicated by code dots can be printed on a print medium. When the read data is a certain code point, the control unit 111 refers to the ROM132 and refers to the code point address table based on the code point to acquire an address on the nonvolatile memory 112 of the code point, and reads the bitmap font data to be read from the Unicode font data 213 based on the acquired address. Then, the control unit 111 arranges the read bitmap font data in order of being printable by the print head 151 and stores the same in the RAM133 (print buffer) (expands the same in the RAM 133). When the character modification command is received first, the control unit 111 performs the processing specified by the character modification command on the read bitmap font data, and stores the bitmap font data subjected to the processing in the RAM 133. Then, the control section 111 reads out the bitmap font data stored in the RAM133 and sends it to the printing section 113 to be printed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the three types of font data stored in the nonvolatile memory 112 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 112 before shipment of the printing apparatus 11. For example, new font data may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 112 after shipment of the printing apparatus 11. For example, the font data stored in the nonvolatile memory 112 may be rewritten or deleted after shipment of the printing apparatus 11.

In addition, in the case where the Unicode font data 213 can be included in the single-byte character font data 211 and the double-byte character font data 212, the nonvolatile memory 112 may be configured not to store the Unicode font data 213. In this case, for example, the ROM132 includes a table for converting each code point into each character code. When a code point is received, the control unit 111 refers to the table, converts the code point into a character code corresponding to the code point, acquires an address on the nonvolatile memory 112 of the character code, and reads the bitmap font data to be processed from the one-byte character font data 211 or the two-byte character font data 212 based on the acquired address.

The control unit 111 controls each unit of the printing apparatus 11.

The ROM132 stores various data in a nonvolatile manner in addition to control programs executed by the CPU 131.

The RAM133 functions as a work area of the CPU131, and temporarily stores various data.

The CPU131 reads out and executes a control program and the like stored in the ROM132 to control each part of the printing apparatus 11.

The nonvolatile Memory 112 includes, for example, a semiconductor Memory element such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash Memory, and a storage medium such as a hard disk, and stores various data in a rewritable manner in a nonvolatile manner.

In general, a nonvolatile memory is a memory that retains stored data even when power is not supplied. In general, a volatile memory is a memory that does not retain stored data if power is not supplied.

The printing unit 113 performs printing on a printing medium by a printing mechanism. The printing medium is, for example, paper or the like.

In the present embodiment, the printing unit 113 performs printing of characters using font data of the characters.

Here, in the present embodiment, the printing device 11 is a thermal printer having a thermal head, and is a receipt printer for printing a receipt. The printing device 11 may be another type of device.

The print head 151 is a line thermal head in which a plurality of heat generating elements corresponding to the resolution are arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the web. The print head 151 causes the heat generating element to generate heat, thereby forming dots on the web as thermal paper.

The cutter 152 includes a fixed blade and a movable blade, and cuts the roll paper by moving the movable blade relative to the fixed blade to intersect the fixed blade and the movable blade. The movable blade may be referred to as a first blade, and the fixed blade may be referred to as a second blade.

The transport motor 153 rotates transport rollers, not shown, to transport the roll paper stored in the casing of the printing apparatus 11.

The printing unit 113 is controlled by the control unit 111 to print characters and the like related to receipts on the roll paper by the print head 151 while the roll paper is conveyed by the conveyance motor 153, and to cut the roll paper at a predetermined position by the cutter 152, thereby issuing a receipt.

In the printing apparatus 11, the control unit 111 stores data indicating character codes of characters to be printed in the RAM133, stores the data in a predetermined print buffer (print buffer), not shown, and transmits the data to the print head 151 to execute a printing process.

The communication unit 114 is controlled by the control unit 111, and communicates with an external device such as a host computer that controls the printing operation of the printing apparatus 11 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. In the present embodiment, the external device is the information processing device 12. That is, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 114 communicates with the information processing device 12 via the line 13.

The switch 115 is, for example, a DIP switch. The switch 115 is operated by a user not shown in the drawings to switch between two or more states. In the present embodiment, the switch 115 has a state in which a predetermined encoding system is designated as a switched state.

As a specific example, the dial switch is set to an ON (ON) state or an OFF (OFF) state by the user. When the power of the printing apparatus 11 is turned on or the printing apparatus 11 is reset, the state of the dial switch is read by the control unit 111, and a setting corresponding to the state is performed. Here, for example, the state in which the dial switch is turned on is a state in which a predetermined coding scheme is specified, and the state in which the dial switch is turned off is a state in which the predetermined coding scheme is not specified.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the user of the information processing apparatus 12 is the same as the user of the printing apparatus 11, but the users may be different.

The printing apparatus 11 includes a control unit 111, a first storage unit 311, a second storage unit 312, a printing unit 113, a communication unit 114, and a switch 115. In the present embodiment, the first storage unit 311 is the nonvolatile memory 112. In the present embodiment, the second storage unit 312 is the RAM133 as a volatile memory.

The communication unit 114 includes a first instruction receiving unit 331.

The first instruction receiving unit 331 receives an instruction to specify an encoding method in a software method. Specifically, the first instruction receiving unit 331 receives an instruction to specify the encoding scheme specified by the encoding scheme specifying instruction, based on the encoding scheme specifying instruction included in the signal received from the external apparatus via the communication unit 114. The encoding mode designates the instruction as a software type instruction.

The first instruction receiving unit 331 receives the instruction for printing in a software manner.

The first instruction receiving unit 331 outputs the content of the received instruction to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 acquires the content of the instruction output from the first instruction receiving unit 331. The function of the first instruction receiving unit 331 may be provided in the control unit 111, for example.

The switch 115 has a second instruction receiving portion 351.

The second instruction receiving unit 351 receives an instruction for specifying the encoding system by hardware. Specifically, the second instruction receiving unit 351 receives an instruction to specify the encoding method specified by the state of the switch 115, based on the state.

In the present embodiment, the switch 115 outputs an encoding method designation command corresponding to the state after the switch 115 is switched. The second instruction accepting unit 351 accepts, in accordance with the encoding system designation instruction, an instruction to designate the encoding system specified by the encoding system designation instruction.

The second instruction receiving unit 351 outputs the content of the received instruction to the control unit 111. The control unit 111 acquires the content of the instruction output from the second instruction receiving unit 351. The function of the second instruction receiving unit 351 may be provided in the control unit 111, for example.

Here, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a case is shown in which both the first instruction receiving portion 331 and the second instruction receiving portion 351 are provided in the printing apparatus 11, but as another configuration example, a configuration may be used in which only one of the first instruction receiving portion 331 and the second instruction receiving portion 351 is provided in the printing apparatus 11.

The control unit 111 selects the encoding method used by the printing apparatus 11 based on the instruction for specifying the encoding method received by the first instruction receiving unit 331. That is, the control unit 111 can select the encoding method designated by the instruction as the encoding method used for printing. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the coding method selected by the control unit 111 will be referred to as a selective coding method. For example, when the encoding method selected by the control unit 111 is a one-byte character encoding method, the encoding method is selected as the one-byte character encoding method. For example, when the encoding method selected by the control unit 111 is a double-byte character encoding method, the encoding method is selected to be the double-byte character encoding method. For example, when the encoding method selected by the control unit 111 is Unicode, the encoding method is Unicode.

In the case where Unicode is selected as the selective encoding method, when a single-byte character modification instruction for specifying a character modification to a single-byte character is received and when a character string including both a single-byte character and a double-byte character is printed, the control unit 111 prints the character string in which the character modification specified by the single-byte character modification instruction is applied to both the single-byte character and the double-byte character, by the printing unit 113. Thus, the control unit 111 can easily modify all characters indicated by the code dots and perform printing.

In the case where the encoding method other than Unicode is selected as the selective encoding method, when the one-byte character modification instruction is received and when the character string including both the one-byte character and the two-byte character is printed, the control unit 111 prints the character string in which the character modification specified by the one-byte character modification instruction is applied to the one-byte character and the character modification is not applied to the two-byte character, by the printing unit 113. Thus, the control unit 111 can selectively modify and print a single-byte character of the characters indicated by the code dots.

The processing performed by the control unit 111 to perform character modification will be described in detail below.

The control part executes the character modification processing

Hereinafter, a process of executing character modification by the control unit 111 will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of processing for the control unit 111 to execute character modification. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described where the printing apparatus 11 receives an instruction to print a character string including character codes each indicating 1 or more characters to be printed from the information processing apparatus 12 at a time before the process of step S110 shown in fig. 3 is executed. That is, the processing of the flowchart shown in fig. 3 is the processing executed by the control unit 111 when the printing apparatus 11 receives the instruction for printing. Here, the character string may include a single-byte character, a double-byte character, or both a single-byte character and a double-byte character. When the selected encoding scheme is Unicode, the character code is a code point. When the selected encoding method is other than Unicode, the character code is at least one of a one-byte character code and a two-byte character code. For convenience of explanation, the instruction for printing received in advance by the printing apparatus 11 will be referred to as an object instruction and explained below. For convenience of explanation, the character string will be referred to as a character string indicated by an object instruction and explained below.

The control unit 111 determines whether or not the target instruction includes a one-byte character modification instruction (step S110).

When determining that the target instruction does not include a one-byte character modification instruction (no in step S110), the control unit 111 determines whether or not the target instruction includes a two-byte character modification instruction (step S150).

When determining that the target instruction does not include the double-byte character modification instruction (no in step S150), the control unit 111 prints the character string included in the target instruction (step S140), and ends the process. Here, the character string is a character string including unmodified characters and not including modified characters.

On the other hand, when determining that the target instruction includes the double-byte character modification instruction (yes in step S150), the control unit 111 performs the character modification specified by the double-byte character modification instruction included in the target instruction on 1 or more double-byte characters included in the character string indicated by the target instruction (step S160). In this case, the control unit 111 does not perform the character modification on 1 or more single-byte characters included in the character string. In addition, when the double-byte character is not included in the character string indicated by the object indication, the control unit 111 omits the process of step S160 and proceeds to step S140. Then, the control unit 111 prints the character string indicated by the target instruction, and ends the process. In addition, the character string shown by the object indication may not include a single-byte character.

After the process of step S160 is executed, the control unit 111 proceeds to step S140, where the character string indicated by the print target instruction is executed, and the process is terminated. Here, the character string is a character string including the double-byte character decorated in step S160.

On the other hand, when determining that the target indicates that the command includes a one-byte-character modification command (step S110: YES), the control unit 111 determines whether or not the selected encoding method is Unicode (step S120).

When determining that the selected encoding method is not Unicode (no in step S120), the control unit 111 performs character modification specified by the one-byte character modification instruction included in the target instruction on 1 or more of the one-byte characters included in the character string indicated by the target instruction (step S170). In this case, the control unit 111 does not perform the character modification on 1 or more double-byte characters included in the character string. In addition, when the single-byte character is not included in the character string indicated by the object indication, the control unit 111 omits the processing of step S170 and proceeds to step S140. Then, the control unit 111 prints the character string indicated by the target instruction, and ends the process. In addition, the character string shown by the object indication may not include the double-byte character.

On the other hand, when determining that the selected encoding method is Unicode (yes in step S120), the control unit 111 performs the character modification specified by the one-byte character modification instruction included in the object instruction on all characters included in the character string indicated by the object instruction (step S130).

After the process of step S130 is executed, the control unit 111 proceeds to step S140, where the character string indicated by the print target instruction is executed, and the process is terminated. Here, the character string is a character string in which all the characters included in step S130 are modified.

Here, fig. 4 is a diagram showing a table in which character embellishments performed by the printing apparatus 11 are summarized.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction does not include a character modification instruction and when the selected encoding method is Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 does not perform character modification of all characters included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction does not include a character modification instruction and when the selected encoding method is other than Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 does not perform character modification of all characters included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction includes a one-byte character modification instruction and when the selected encoding method is Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 performs character modification of all characters included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction includes a one-byte character modification instruction and when the selected encoding method is other than Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 performs character modification of the one-byte character included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction includes a double-byte character modification instruction and the selected encoding method is Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 performs character modification of the double-byte character included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As shown in fig. 4, when the target instruction includes a double-byte character modification instruction and when the selected encoding method is other than Unicode, the printing apparatus 11 also performs character modification of the double-byte character included in the character string indicated by the target instruction.

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes: the control unit prints, by the printing unit, a character string in which both the first type of character and the second type of character are subjected to character modification specified by the first character modification instruction when the first encoding method is selected, when a first character modification instruction for specifying character modification of the first type of character is received, and when a character string including both the first type of character and the second type of character different from the first type of character is printed. Thus, the printing apparatus can easily modify and print all characters indicated by the code dots. In addition, in the above-described example, the printing apparatus 11 is one example of the printing apparatus. Further, in the example described above, the printing portion 113 is one example of the printing portion. In the above-described example, Unicode is an example of the first encoding method. In the above-described example, the encoding method is selected as an example of the encoding method. Further, in the above-described example, the control section 111 is one example of the control section. Further, in the example described above, a single-byte character is one example of a first kind of character. Further, in the above-described example, a one-byte character modification instruction is one example of a first type of character modification instruction. Further, in the example explained above, the double-byte character is one example of the second kind of character. In the above-described example, the character string indicated by the object indication is an example of a character string including both a first type of character and a second type of character different from the first type.

In the printing apparatus, when the second encoding method different from the first encoding method is selected, the control unit may be configured to print, by the printing unit, a character string in which the character modification specified by the first character modification instruction is applied to the character of the first type and the character of the second type is not applied to the character of the second type, when the first character modification instruction is received and when the character string including both the character of the first type and the character of the second type is printed. Thus, the printing apparatus can selectively modify and print the one-byte character among the characters indicated by the code dots.

In addition, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the first encoding method is Unicode.

The printing apparatus may be configured such that the first character modification command is a command for specifying at least one of a character modification of a character font, an accent print, an underline, a vertical double angle, and a horizontal double angle. In addition, in the printing apparatus, when the character decoration specified once is to be released, a character decoration release instruction may be transmitted.

In the printing apparatus, the control unit may select the encoding method to be used for printing in response to reception of a selection command or operation of a switch. In the above-described example, the encoding method designation instruction is an example of the selection instruction. Further, in the example explained above, the dial switch is one example of the switch.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment, and changes, substitutions, deletions, and the like may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Further, a program for realizing the functions of any of the components of the above-described apparatus may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, the apparatuses are, for example, the printing apparatus 11, the information processing apparatus 12, and the like. The "computer System" herein includes hardware such as an OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a removable medium such as a flexible Disk, a magneto-optical Disk, a ROM, a CD (Compact Disk) -ROM, or the like, and a storage device such as a hard Disk incorporated in a computer system. The "computer-readable recording medium" may include a medium that holds a program for a fixed period of time, such as a volatile memory in a server or a computer system serving as a client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or a carrier wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the internet and a communication line such as a telephone line.

The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions. The program may be a so-called differential file or a differential program that can be realized by a combination of the above-described functions and a program already recorded in the computer system.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus includes:

a printing section; and

a control unit capable of selecting the first encoding system as an encoding system for printing,

the control unit prints, by the printing unit, the character string in which the character modification specified by the first character modification instruction is performed on both the first type of character and the second type of character, when the first character modification instruction specifying the character modification on the first type of character is received and when the character string including both the first type of character and the second type of character different from the first type of character is printed in the case where the first encoding method is selected.

2. The printing device of claim 1,

the control unit prints, when the character modification command of the first type is received and the character string is printed in a case where a second encoding method different from the first encoding method is selected, the character string in which the character modification specified by the character modification command of the first type is performed on the character of the first type and the character modification specified by the character modification command of the first type is not performed on the character of the second type, by the printing unit.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the first coding mode is Unicode.

4. The printing device of claim 1,

the first character modification instruction is an instruction for specifying at least one of character modification of a character font, accent printing, underlining, vertical double angle, and horizontal double angle.

5. The printing device of claim 1,

the control unit selects the encoding method used for the printing in accordance with reception of a selection command or operation by a switch.

6. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein,

when a first encoding method is selected as an encoding method for printing, when a first character modification instruction for specifying modification of a character of a first type is received, and when a character string including both the character of the first type and a character of a second type different from the first type is printed, the character string in which modification of the character specified by the first character modification instruction is performed on both the character of the first type and the character of the second type is printed.