Patent Publication Number: US-2006008308-A1

Title: Method of processing image; apparatus for image processing; apparatus for processing character information; program; and memory medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to: a method of processing an image for displaying a visual representation of the result of embossing of raised letters; an apparatus for image processing; an apparatus for processing characters; a program; and a memory medium.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Conventionally, there is known a raised-letter label in which raised letters (Braille) which can be recognized by a person having a handicap in eyesight and written letters (i.e., ordinary letters printed, e.g., in ink as compared with raised letters) are disposed in parallel with each other on the same target for printing (e.g., a tape) to enable recognition by both the eyesight-handicapped person and one having no such handicap. In this specification, the term “target (or target sheet material)” is used in the meaning of an “object”, i.e., an object to which processing such as embossing and/or printing is performed.  
      In an ordinary word processor, or the like, a preview display or display of visual representation is possible to enable to know, prior to actual printing, the visual representation of the result of printing of the written letters. However, in the raised letters, the number of characters (number of frames) becomes large because Japanese “hiragana”, or the like, must be made available, aside from the alphabets and voiced sounds. Further, the size of each of the frames and the distance between respective adjacent frames are made large enough to facilitate reading (or understanding) through touching with fingers (according to the specification by private companies). Therefore, as compared with the character string of written letters with Chinese characters, or the like, the raised-letter string is likely to become long. As a result, there was a problem in that the entire visual representation of the raised-letter string, for the purpose of preview, or the like, was difficult especially with a small display screen.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the above problem, this invention has an advantage of providing: a method of processing an image; an apparatus for image processing; an apparatus for processing character information; a program; and a memory medium, which enable easy grasping of the visual representation of the result of performing the embossing of raised letters.  
      According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of processing an image comprising displaying a raised-letter image which visually represents a raised letter to be embossed on a target sheet material. The displaying is made on a display screen in a scrolled manner.  
      According to this method, the raised-letter image which is the visual representation of the raised letter is displayed in a scrolled manner. In this case, since the displaying is made in a scrolled manner, the entire image can be grasped even with a small-sized display screen such as in a small device or even in case of displaying an image of a raised letter (raised-letter array) which is likely to become long.  
      According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of processing an image comprising displaying images of both a raised letter and a written letter to be embossed and to be printed, respectively, on a common target sheet material as a single unit in a scrolled manner. A raised-letter image which visually represents the raised letter and a written-letter image which visually represents the written letter are displayed in scroll modes which are different from each other.  
      According to still another aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for image processing in which images of both a raised letter and a written letter to be embossed and to be printed, respectively, on a common target sheet material are displayed as a single unit on a display screen in a scrolled manner. The apparatus comprises: raised-letter scrolling means for displaying in a scrolled manner a raised-letter image which visually represents the raised letter; written-letter scrolling means for displaying in a scrolled manner a written-letter image which visually represents the written letter; control means for controlling the raised-letter scrolling means and the written-letter scrolling means. The control means displays the raised-letter image and the written-letter image in scroll modes which are different from each other.  
      According to the above method and apparatus, the images of the raised letter and the written letter to be embossed and to be printed, respectively, are displayed as a single unit in a scrolled manner. Since the display is made in a scrolled manner, the entire image can be grasped even in a small display screen and even in a relatively long image. In addition, since both the written letter and the raised letter are displayed as a single unit in a scrolled manner, the image of the written letter and the image of the raised letter on the common target sheet material can be grasped at the same time. Further, since they are displayed in scroll modes which are different from each other, they can be discriminated from each other due to the difference in scroll modes even in case the written letter and the raised letter are displayed in an overlapped manner. As the different scroll modes, there can be considered an example having different scroll speeds, an example in which one scrolls in a flushing manner and the other scrolls in an ordinary manner, or an example in which the scroll is made in circulation in different vertical or horizontal directions.  
      Preferably, the raised-letter image and the written-letter image are displayed in a scrolled manner by respective intermittent movements, and the scroll mode of the raised letter and the scroll mode of the written letter are different from each other in a movement cycle of the intermittent movements.  
      According to this method, the scrolled displaying is performed by the respective intermittent movements and the movement cycle in the intermittent movement on the side of the raised letter and that on the side of the written letter are different from each other. Therefore, during scroll displaying, the relative positions between the written letter and the raised letter are deviated. As a result, even in case the written letter and the raised letter are disposed in an overlapped manner, i.e., even in case both the images are in a positional relationship to cause difficulty in reading or recognizing, the difference in movements in the written letter and in the raised letter may sometimes realize, on the way, a state in which the letters are recognizable. In this manner, the respective images can be grasped.  
      Preferably, one movement cycle is integer times of the other movement cycle.  
      According to this method, since one movement cycle is set to be integer times of the other movement cycle, synchronization can easily be attained, resulting in an easy control of the scroll displaying.  
      Preferably, a unit movement distance according to the one movement cycle is integer times of a unit movement distance according to the other movement cycle.  
      According to this method, a unit movement distance according to the one movement cycle is integer times of a unit movement distance according to the other movement cycle. Therefore, if the scroll is made in the same direction, that cycle of movement which is behind will be caught up with that cycle of movement which is higher in speed each time the scroll movement is made.  
      According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing character information comprising: image processing means for performing the above-described method of processing an image; embossing means for embossing the raised letter on the target sheet material; and printing means for printing the written letter on the target sheet material.  
      According to this apparatus, written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing can be performed, and the above-described methods can be performed. Therefore, the result of performing the actual raised-letter embossing and the written-letter printing can be grasped in visual representation before actually performing the embossing and printing, respectively.  
      According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a program capable of performing the above-described method of processing an image. Further, the memory medium according to this invention stores the above-described program in a manner readable by an apparatus which is capable of being processed by a program.  
      Since the program is capable of performing the above-described methods and since the memory medium stores the above-described program in a manner readable by an apparatus which is capable of being processed by a program, the result of performing the raised-letter embossing and the result of written-letter printing can be easily grasped. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects and the attendant features of this invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective external view of a label forming apparatus according to this invention;  
      GIG.  2  is a perspective external view of the label forming apparatus in  FIG. 1  with the lid left open;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a control system of the label forming apparatus in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4A  is a plan view explaining six-point raised letters and  FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of an embossed portion;  
       FIG. 5A  is a plan view of an embossing unit and  FIG. 5B  is a side view, partially sown in section, thereof;  
       FIG. 6  is a plan view explaining the tape feeding at raised-letter embossing section;  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the entire processing by the label forming apparatus;  
       FIGS. 8A through 8C  are supplemental schematic views relating to processing modes in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIGS. 9A through 9C  are supplemental schematic views relating to the difference in tape width in  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIGS. 10A through 10E  are schematic views for explaining an example of label forming and of scroll display;  
       FIGS. 11A through 11G  are schematic views for explaining scroll displays which are different between the written-letter image and the raised-letter image;  
       FIGS. 12A through 12D  are schematic views of another example which are similar to those in  FIGS. 10A through 10E ;  
       FIGS. 13A through 13C  are explanatory views visually representing the image in  FIG. 12  in dot matrix; and  
       FIGS. 14A through 14G  are those explanatory views corresponding to  FIGS. 13A through 13C  which are similar to  FIGS. 11A through 11G . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      With reference to the accompanied drawings, a description will now be made about an embodiment of a label forming apparatus (apparatus for processing character information).  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the label forming apparatus  1  has an outside shell which is made of an apparatus casing  2  having a handle  13 . The apparatus casing  2  is made up of a front case  2   a  and a rear case  2   b  which are integrally formed. The front case  2   a  has a written-letter (or ink-character) printing section  120  for performing written-letter printing on a tape (target sheet material, T) which is fed or paid out of a tape cartridge C. The rear case  2   b  has a raised letter (or Braille) embossing section  150  for performing embossing on the tape T which has been printed with written letters and manually fed or inserted by a user.  
      The front case  2   a  is provided, on its front upper face, with a keyboard  3  which has disposed therein various input keys and, on its rear upper face, with an open/close lid  21 . The open/close lid  21  is provided with an elongated rectangular display  4 , and has formed in an inner left portion thereof a cartridge mounting part  6  (written-letter printing section  120 ) in a recessed manner for mounting therein a tape cartridge C. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in a state in which the open/close lid  21  is left open by depressing the lid open button  14 . The tape cartridge C is further provided with a peep hole  21   a  for visually recognizing the mounting or absence of the tape cartridge C in a state in which the open/close lid  21  is kept closed.  
      In a right part of the front case  2   a , there are formed a power supply port  11  for connection to a power supply source, and a connection port (interface)  12  for connection with an outside apparatus such as a personal computer, or the like (not illustrated). It is thus so arranged that the written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing can be performed by connection to the outside apparatus based on the character information therefrom. In a left part of the front case  2   a , there is formed a printing tape discharge port  22  which is communicated with the cartridge mounting part  6  and the outside. There is provided a tape cutter  142  in a manner to face this printing tape discharge port  22  so that the tape T fed out of the written-letter printing section  120  can be cut. As a result of cutting the rear end of the tape T with the tape cutter  19 , the tape T that has been printed with the written letters is discharged out of the printing tape discharge port  22 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the label forming apparatus  1  is made up of: an operating section  110  which has the keyboard  3  and the display  4  as a basic structure as seen from the control system, and controls the man-machine interface such as displaying of the character information and various information; written-letter printing section  120  which has the tape cartridge C, a printing head  7 , and printing-feed motor  121 , and performs the written-letter printing on the tape T while feeding the tape T and an ink ribbon R; and a cutting section  140  which has a tape cutter  19  and a cutter motor  141  for driving the tape cutter  19 , and cuts the printed tape T.  
      The label forming apparatus  1  is further made up of: the raised-letter (Braille) embossing section  150  which has solenoids  47 , embossing pins  41 , and embossing-feed motor  151 , and performs embossing of the raised letters on the tape T while feeding the tape T; and a detecting section  170  which performs various detections and has a tape recognition sensor  171  for detecting the kind of the tape T (tape cartridge C), a front end detection sensor  91  for detecting the front end of the tape T at the raised-letter embossing section  150 , a front-and-rear recognition sensor  92  for detecting, at the raised-letter embossing section  150 , front-and-rear recognizing information D which is printed on the tape T, a printing-part rotary-speed sensor  172  for detecting the rotary speed of the printing-feed motor  121 , and an embossing-part rotary-speed sensor  173  for detecting the rotary speed of the embossing-feed motor  151 .  
      The label forming apparatus  1  is further made up of: a driving section  180  having a display driver  181 , a head driver  182 , a printing-feed-motor driver  183 , a cutter-motor driver  184 , an embossing driver  185 , and an embossing-feed-motor driver  186 ; and a control section  200  which performs an overall control over the label forming apparatus  1 .  
      The control section  200  is provided with a CPU  210 , a ROM  220 , a RAM  230 , and an input/output control apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an “input/output controller, IOC)  250 , and is connected together by an internal bus  260 . The ROM  220  has: a control program block  221  which stores therein a program for controlling various processing such as written-letter processing, raised-letter processing, or the like, by the CPU  210 ; and a control date block  222  which stores therein character font data for performing written-letter printing, raised-letter font for performing embossing of raised letters, data for performing printing of front-and-rear recognizing information D in the form of written letters, control data for controlling the embossing of the raised letters, or the like. The written-letter font data may alternatively be stored not in the ROM  220  but in a separate CG-ROM.  
      The RAM  230  is made up of: a various work area block  231  which is used as a flag, or the like; a written-letter printing data block  232  which stores therein generated written-letter printing data; a raised-letter embossing data block  233  which stores therein generated raised-letter embossing data; a display data block  234  which stores therein display data for displaying on the display  4 ; a layout block  235  for storing therein layout of the set written-letter printing region (printing layout portion) Ep and raised-letter embossing region (embossing layout portion) Eb; and inversed raised-letter data block  236  which stores therein inversed raised-letter data B′ (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9A ) which is used in embossing the raised-letter data by rotating it by 180 degrees according to the set layout. The RAM  230  is used as working regions for control processing and is constantly backed up to always keep the stored data even in case of power failure.  
      The IOC  250  has assembled therein a logic circuit which supplements the function of the CPU  210  and also handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits in the form of a gate array, custom LSI, or the like. According to this arrangement, the IOC  250  takes in input data and control data from the keyboard  3 , and various values as detected by the sensors in the detecting section  170  as they are or with due processing. Also, in interlocking with the CPU  210 , the IOC  250  outputs the control signals as outputted from the CPU  210  to the internal bus  260 , to the driving section  180  as they are or with due processing.  
      According to the above arrangement, the CPU  210  inputs various signals/data from each part within the label forming apparatus  1  according to the control program inside the ROM  220 , and also processes various data inside the RAM  230  according to the inputted various signals/data to thereby output the various signals/data into each part of the label forming apparatus  1  through the IOC  250 . The control of the written-letter processing and the raised-letter processing is thus performed.  
      For example, when the character information is inputted from the keyboard  3 , the written-letter printing data P and the raised-letter embossing data B are generated based thereon. Adjustments of lengths, or the like, are made between both the data, depending on necessity, to thereby prepare inversed raised-letter data B′ (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9A ). The written-letter printing data before or after adjustment (inclusive of the margin data) P is stored in the written-letter printing data block  232 , and also the raised-letter embossing data before or after adjustment (inclusive of the margin data) B is stored in the raised-letter embossing data block  233 , and the inversed raised-letter data B′ is stored in the inversed raised-letter data block  236 .  
      Once a command is received from the keyboard  3  to print written letters and to emboss raised letters, the driving of the printing-feed motor  121  is started. Depending on the result of detection by the printing-part rotary-speed sensor  172 , the printing head  7  is driven. Written-letter printing is thus performed based on the written-letter printing data P. Also, based on the data stored in advance in the control data block  222 , printing is performed of the front-and-rear recognizing information D of the tape T to be inserted or fed. Thereafter, based on the written-letter printing data, feeding is made of the tape (adjusted tape depending on necessity) by a predetermined length. The rear end of the tape is cut by the tape cutter  19  and the tape T is discharged out of the printing tape discharge port  22 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , when the tape T is manually inserted or fed by the user in succession in the absence of reset operation or power-off operation, so that the tape T as cut into a rectangular piece is inserted into the embossing-tape inserting port  31 , the embossing unit  80  and the tape feeding mechanism  60  are driven. Embossing is thus performed based on the raised-letter embossing data B or the inversed raised-letter data B′. Thereafter, upon completion of embossing, the adjusted predetermined length of tape that has been adjusted based on the raised-letter embossing data B, or the like, is fed by driving the embossing-feed motor  151 . The tape T is thus discharged out of the embossed tape discharge port  32 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 4 , a description will now be made about the raised letter or Braille B (six-point raised letter or raised letter made up of six raised points) which are to be formed on a tape T.  
      The specification about a single letter (a single frame) and a letter pitch (a distance between frames) ordinarily employed in a commercially available braillewriter or raised-letter typewriter is as follows. Namely, six-point letter B is made up of a frame  201  having six points (three vertically disposed points arranged in two rows horizontally separate from each other as seen in  FIG. 4A ). These six points are referred to as “point one” through “point six.” Depending on a pattern showing which particular points are embossed and which particular points are not among the six points, one frame  201  represents properties such as a single letter, voiced sound, or the like. In the example of  FIG. 4A , points  1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6  are embossed, and points  3  and  4  are not embossed. As a result, the raised letter B thus formed conveys a character information representing a Japanese hiragana “SHI.” 
      Aside from the above-described six-point raised letter B, eight-point raised letter B (i.e., a raised letter made of a frame constituted by four vertical points arranged in two horizontally separated parallel rows) to represent Chinese characters. Description will be made here about an example of forming six-point raised letters B, but this invention is applicable to the label forming apparatus for forming eight-point raised letters.  
      The six-point raised letter B has a construction in which one frame  201  is divided into six  201   a - 201   f  made up of three vertically arranged embossing points disposed in horizontally separated two rows (3×2). They are disposed at a vertical pitch of about 2.4 mm and a horizontal pitch of about 2.1 mm within each frame  201 . The pitch between respective frames is about 3.3 mm. In the example of  FIG. 4A , among six embossing points  201   a - 201   f , four embossing points  201   a ,  201   b ,  201   e  and  201   f  are selectively embossed so as to represent a Japanese hiragana “SHI.” As a result, four embossed projected portions  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   e  and  202   f  are formed on the tape T, each having a cross section of rounded corner of cylindrical, hemispherical, conical or quadrangular pyramid shape as shown in  FIG. 4B . In order to emboss six-point raised letter B, a minimum tape width of 12 mm (tape T 3 ) is required when counted based on the size (in the widthwise direction of the tape) of one frame  201 .  
      The label forming apparatus  1  of this embodiment is provided with two kinds of interchangeable units as the embossing unit  80 , one being for forming a small embossed projection  203  of about 1.4 mm in diameter and the other being for forming a large embossed projection  204  of about 1.8 mm in diameter. These two kinds of small and large embossed projections  203 ,  204  are selected depending on the uses to which they are put. For example, the small size embossed projection  203  is intended for a user who is accustomed to the reading of the raised letters B (e.g., one who is born blind), and the large size embossed projection  204  is intended for a beginner (e.g., one who has lost his or her eyesight in the course of life).  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , further details will be explained. The keyboard  3  has arranged therein character key group  3   a , and function key group  3   b  which is used for designating various operation modes, or the like. The character key group  3   a  is for inputting character information so as to perform written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing, and has a full-key arrangement according to the layout of Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). The function key group  3   b  includes: printing/execution key (printing key); feeding start key to command to start the feeding of the tape T at the raised-letter embossing section  150 ; embossing start key to manually perform embossing; mode key to select processing mode for performing written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing; layout key for setting the arrangement of the written-letter printing region (printing layout portion) Ep and raised-letter embossing region (embossing layout portion) Eb; and scroll key for displaying in a scrolled manner the result of layout before performing the printing, or the like. Aside from the above keys, the function key group  3   b  further includes the following keys: like in an ordinary word processor, such as a delete key for deleting the processing; cursor key for moving the cursor; enter key for finalizing the selection of alternatives in various selection screen, paragraph key to change to a new line, or the like.  
      As the selection modes to be selected by the mode key, there are the following three modes, i.e.: a first processing mode in which written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing are performed based on the inputted character information (see  FIG. 8A ); a second processing mode in which only written-letter printing is performed based on the inputted character information (see  FIG. 8B ); and a third processing mode in which only the raised-letter embossing is performed based on the inputted character information (see  FIG. 8C ). It is to be noted that, in the illustrated examples, the written letters in  FIGS. 8A, 9A , or the like, are transliteration of Japanese hiragana “A,” “I,” and “U” into corresponding alphabets, but that the raised letters are those of hiragana, not of alphabets. The alphabetical representation is partly to facilitate the understanding of inverted posture on the right side (a- 2 , b- 2 ) in  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  
      The display  4  is capable of displaying a display image of 192 dots×80 dots on an inside of a rectangle of about 12 cm wide (X-axis direction) and about 5 cm long (Y-axis direction), which is used in inputting the character information through the keyboard  3  and in preparing and editing the written-letter printing data and raised-letter embossing data. Various errors and messages (contents of commands, or the like) are displayed to thereby inform the user.  
      The cartridge mounting part  6  in the written-letter printing section  120  has: a head unit  20  containing therein the printing head  7  which contains a thermal head inside the head cover  20 ; a platen driving shaft  25  which lies opposite to the printing head  7 ; and a positioning projection  24  for positioning the tape reel  17 . Under the cartridge mounting part  6 , there is contained a printing-feed motor  121  which rotates the platen driving shaft  25  and a take-up drive shaft  23 .  
      The tape cartridge C is constituted by a tape reel  17  and a ribbon reel  9  which are contained or housed inside the cartridge case  51 . The tape T and the ink ribbon R are made in the same width. The tape cartridge C has formed therein a through opening  55  for inserting into the head cover  20   a . In a manner to correspond to the portion in which the tape T and the ink ribbon R are overlapped with each other, there is disposed a platen roller so as to be rotated for driving by being fit into the platen driving shaft  25 . The ink ribbon R fed out of the ribbon reel  19  is taken up by a ribbon take-up reel  54  which is disposed near the ribbon reel  19 , around the head cover  20   a.    
      When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting part  6 , the head cover  30   a  is inserted into the through opening  55 , the positioning projection  24  is inserted into the center hole of the tape reel  17 , and the take-up driving shaft  23  is inserted into the center hole of the ribbon take-up reel  54 . As a result, the printing head  7  comes into contact with the platen roller  53  in a state in which the tape T and the ink ribbon R are sandwiched therebetween so that the written-letter printing becomes possible. The tape T that has been subjected to written-letter printing is fed to the printing tape discharge port  22 .  
      Although not particularly illustrated, the tape T is made up of: a base material sheet (information forming layer) having formed an adhesive agent layer on the back thereof; and a release paper (peel-off layer) which is adhered to the base material layer with the adhesive agent layer. The base material sheet is made up, as seen from the front layer, of: an image receiving layer which has enhanced the stability of the ink to be transferred from the ink ribbon through heat-sensitive transfer; a base material layer which is constituted by a polyethylene terephtalate (PET) film and forms the main body of the base material sheet; and an adhesive agent layer which is constituted by an adhesive agent.  
      AS the tape T, there are prepared a plurality of kinds which are different in kinds (tape widths, tape colors, written-letter ink colors, tape material, or the like) and a plurality of holes (not illustrated) are provided on the rear surface of the cartridge case  51  to indicate the kinds. In correspondence to the plurality of holes, the cartridge mounting part  6  is provided with a plurality of tape recognition sensors (micro-switches)  171  which detect the kinds of the tape. It is thus so arranged that the tape kinds can be recognized by detecting the state of the tape recognition sensors  171 . In this embodiment, a description is made based on sample tapes having tape widths of 24 mm (tape T 1 ), tape width of 18 mm (tape T 2 ), and tape width of 12 mm (tape T 3 ) (see  FIG. 6 ).  
      On the other hand, the rear case  2   b  has built therein an assembly for performing embossing of raised letters (raised-letter embossing section  150 ), and the upper portion thereof is left open in cross shape (notched opening  30 ) so that the raised-letter embossing section  150  (more precisely, the tape traveling passage  70 , the embossing unit  80 , and the tape feeding mechanism  60 ) is exposed. On the right of this notched portion  30 , there is formed an embossing-tape inserting port  31  for manually inserting the tape T by the user. On the left thereof, there is formed the embossed tape discharge port  32  for discharging the embossed tape T.  
      The raised-letter embossing section  150  is made up of: an embossing unit  80  which performs the embossing of the raised letters by the three embossing pins  41  (see  FIG. 5B ); a tape feeding mechanism  60  which feeds the tape T that has been inserted into the embossing-tape inserting port  31  toward the embossed tape discharge port  32 ; and a tape traveling passage  70  along which the tape T is transported. The raised letters B are formed on the tape T which is fed along the tape traveling passage  70 , by selectively driving the three embossing pins  41  by means of the embossing unit  80 .  
      The embossing unit  80  is made up, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , of: an embossing member (embossing head)  81  which is disposed on the rear side of the tape T and which has built therein the above-described three embossing pins  41 ; and an emboss-receiving member  82  which receives the embossing pins  41  at a position which lies opposite to the embossing member  81  in a state in which the tape T is sandwiched therebetween. The embossing unit  80  is fixed to the lower end portion (as seen in  FIG. 5B ) in the widthwise direction of the tape traveling passage  70 .  
      The embossing member  81  is provided with three embossing pins  41  which are arranged at a pitch of 2.4 mm in the tape widthwise direction (widthwise direction of the tape). These three embossing pins  41  correspond to the three vertically disposed embossing points  201   a - 201   c  (or  201   d - 201   f ) out of six in all and are held in a posture perpendicular to the tape T by means of a guide member  45  which guides the linear motion with solenoids serving as the driving source. Head portions  41   a  of the embossing pins  41  are formed into a cross sectional shape such as cylindrical, hemispherical, quadrangular pyramid, or the like, with a rounded corner portion at the embossed projection  202  (see  FIG. 4B ).  
      When plungers  48  perform a linear movement by solenoids  47 , arm members  46  swing about supporting members  49 , whereby embossing pins  41  perform linear movements in the vertical direction (as seen in  FIG. 5B ) toward the tape T. The three solenoids  47  connected to the respective three arm members  46  are disposed so as to be positioned at apexes of a triangle. The emboss-receiving member  82  has formed, on a surface  42   a  facing the three embossing pins  41 , three recessed portions  3  which correspond to the three embossing pins  41 . The embossing pins  41  and the emboss-receiving member  82  thus form embossed projections on the tape T.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , the raised-letter embossing section  150  is further provided with: guide members  71 ,  72  which guide the transporting of the tape T; a transparent type of front end detection sensor  91  which detects the front end of the tape T; and a reflection type of front-and-rear recognition sensor  92  (detection sensor) which detects the front-and-rear recognition information for recognizing the front and rear of the tape T. As the front-and-rear recognizing information D, there is marked a black circle (•) near the lower end (as seen in  FIG. 6 ) at the front end of the tape T. According to this black circle, the direction of inserting the tape (front side) is indicated.  
      The embossing-tape inserting port  31  is capable of receiving the insertion of tape T 1 , T 2 , and T 3  (tape width 24 mm, 18 mm, 12 mm) in the order of larger ones downward. The largest width of tape T 1  is guided by the upper and lower guides  71 ,  72  (as seen in  FIG. 6 ), and the other tapes T 2 , T 3  are guided by the lower guide  71  only. The tape is manually fed by the user until the front end reaches the tape feeding mechanism  60  (feeding roller  61 ) or up to the position that allows for insertion. Then, by depressing the tape-feed start key on the keyboard  3 , the feeding of the tape T 3  by the tape feed mechanism  60  is started.  
      Description will now be made about an overall processing of the label forming apparatus  1  with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the processing starts by the depression of the power key (power ON), an initial setting is made (S 10 ) by restoring each of retreated control flags to return to the state of last-time power OFF. Detection is made of the kind of the tape (S 11 ) based on the tape recognition sensor  171  (see  FIG. 3 ). Then, the character information is inputted by data input from the keyboard  3  (or an outer apparatus such as personal computers, or the like), and various information is displayed in the form of an editing screen, or the like (S 12 ).  
      By mode selection command from the keyboard  3  (mode key input) or by command input from an outside apparatus, there will be generated a mode interrupt (INTM). The processing of the process mode selection will be started so that one of the first processing mode (both written letters and raised letters), the second processing mode (only written letters), and the third processing mode (only raised letters) is selected (S 13 ).  
      When a layout setting interrupt is generated (INTL) by layout setting command (layout key input) or by command input from an outside apparatus, the processing for layout setting is started (S 30 ). When scroll interrupt is generated (INTS) by scroll display command (scroll key input), the processing of scroll display is started (S 31 ). When printing interrupt is generated (INTG) by printing/enter command (print key input) or command input from an outside apparatus, the setting before execution is started up (S 14 ).  
      In the layout setting (S 30 ), the following main setting is made, i.e., based on the result of tape width detection (S 11 ) and the result of process mode selection (S 13 ), the layout of written-letter printing region (printing layout portion) Ep and the raised-letter embossing region (embossing layout portion) Eb on the tape T. Namely, setting is made of: the length of each of the layout portions (printing layout portion length PL and embossing layout portion length BL); and common layout portion length CL which is ultimately reflected on the label length to suit the longer of the printing layout portion length PL and the embossing layout portion length BL (see  FIG. 10C ). Aside from the above, other setting of written-letter size, or the like, such as in an ordinary word processor is performed.  
      In case of the first processing mode (both printing of written letters and embossing of raised letters), when the result of tape width detection is 24 mm (tape T 1 ) as shown in  FIG. 9A , any one of the following layout is selected, i.e., a layout in which the printing layout portion Ep is on the upper side or upper row (as seen in  FIG. 9A ) and the embossing layout portion Eb is on the lower side or lower row (a- 1 , hereinafter referred to as “raised letter on the lower row”), and a layout in which the printing layout portion Ep is on the lower side (looks to be on the “upper row” in  FIG. 9A , but is actually on the “lower row” because the tape therein is illustrated in an inverted posture of upside down) and the embossing layout portion Eb is on the upper side or upper row (a- 2 , hereinafter referred to as “raised letter on the upper row”). The “upper row” and the “lower row” of the tape T is defined based on a posture of the tape T when the tape recognizing information D is directed in the tape inserting direction (i.e., looking to the left) and when the surface on which the information is formed looks to the front side (i.e., in a state of the right or true side up).  
      When the tape width is 18 mm (tape T 2 ) as shown in  FIG. 9B , either of the layout is selected between the raised letter on the lower row (b- 1 ) and the raised letter on the upper row (b- 2 ). In this case, the length in the tape width direction of the printing layout portion Ep becomes smaller to suit the tape width. In the above-described cases, aside from the layout in which the raised letter and the written letter are disposed in parallel with each other (hereinafter referred to as “written- and raised-letter parallel layout”), setting can be made by selecting a layout in which the written letter and the raised letter are disposed in an overlapped relationship (hereinafter referred to as “written- and raised-letter overlapped layout”).  
      When the tape width is 12 mm (tape T 3 ) as shown in  FIG. 9C , the tape width is equivalent to the minimum length in which one frame of  201  of raised letter (length in the tape width direction) can be embossed (see  FIG. 4A ). Therefore, only the layout is possible in which the printing layout portion Ep and the embossing layout portion Eb are overlapped, irrespective of selection and setting of the raised letter on the upper row/lower row or written- and raised-letter parallel/overlapped layout.  
      In the setting before execution (S 14 ), final confirmation, or the like, is made of each setting such as the setting of plotting layout as required at the time of actual written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing. When the printing interrupt has occurred (INTG) without the mode selection interrupt or the layout setting interrupt, a selection is made, as default, of the mode as set last time (first processing mode, raised-letter on the lower row, written-letter parallel layout at the initial setting). Then, when the setting before execution (S 14 ) is finished, the processing of the actual written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing is started.  
      In other words, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 A, in case of the first processing mode (S 13 : (a)), printing of the written letters P (written-letter printing) is performed by the written-letter printing section  120  (S 15 ). Then, the tape T is discharged out of the printing tape discharge port  22  (S 16 ), and a command to insert the tape into the embossing-tape inserting port  31  is displayed on the display  4  (S 17 ). This display may alternatively be made by means of an indicator or an LED. When the tape T is manually inserted by the user into the embossing-tape inserting port  31  according to the command to insert the tape, the raised letters B are embossed by the raised-letter embossing section  150  (raised-letter embossing) (S 18 ), and the embossed tape T is then discharged out of the embossed tape discharge port  32  (S 19 ), whereby the processing is finished (S 27 ). At this time, in the raised-letter embossing section  150 , the detection is made of the front-and-rear recognizing information D so that the raised-letter embossing direction is determined depending on the detection result and the set layout. If the tape inserting direction is wrong, no embossing is performed.  
      In the case of the second processing mode (S 13 : (b)), the written-letter printing is made by the written-letter printing section  120  (S 20 ). The tape T is discharged out of the printing tape discharge port  22  (S 21 ), whereby the processing is finished (S 27 ). In other words, in the second processing mode, as shown in  FIG. 8B , the tape T paid out of the mounted tape cartridge C is fed to the written-letter printing section  120 , whereby the written letters P are printed. When the second processing mode is selected, the printing of the front-and-rear recognizing information D may be omitted.  
      In the case of the third processing mode (S 13 : (c)), a command to insert the tape to be embossed into the embossing-tape inserting port  31  is displayed on the display  4  (S 24 ). After the raised letters B are embossed upon insertion of the tape by the user (S 25 ), the embossed tape T is discharged out of the embossed tape discharge port  32  (S 26 ), whereby the processing is finished (S 27 ).  
      In other words, as shown in  FIG. 8C , in the third processing mode, embossing of the raised letters B is performed on the rectangular tape T (i.e., the tape that is cut into an arbitrary length) when the tape T is fed by manual insertion into the raised-letter embossing section  150 . In the same manner as in the first processing mode, the embossing direction is determined based on the detection result of the front-and-rear recognizing information D and the layout as set. If the direction of tape insertion is wrong, embossing is not performed.  
      In the third processing mode, the detection of the front-and-rear recognizing information D may be omitted. It may thus be so arranged that the detection of the front-and-rear recognizing information D is selectable. Further, in order to obtain a rectangular tape T for manual insertion, the following arrangement may also be made as shown in dotted lines, before giving a command of inserting the tape (S 24 ). Namely, after having performed blank (or void) printing (i.e., only tape feeding without printing) (S 22 ) in place of written-letter printing in the first processing mode, the printing tape is discharged from the printing tape discharge port  22  (S 23 ). The discharged tape T (after tape-cutting) is thus used as the rectangular tape T for manual insertion. Otherwise, by mounting the tape cartridge C on the upstream side of the raised-letter embossing section  150 , the raised letters may be embossed on the elongated tape paid out of the tape cartridge C. It is also possible to perform the written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing not on the basis of the character information but on the basis of different character information.  
      In the label forming apparatus  1 , it is possible to display in the display  4  a corresponding preview display screen (hereinafter referred to as a monitor screen) aside from an ordinary display screen such as the text editing screen (hereinafter referred to as an ordinary screen), or the like. Therefore, the image of the label as visually represented by the written-letter printing and by the raised-letter embossing when transferred to the performing processing such as printing at each point of time of editing, or the like, can be confirmed before performing the printing, or the like.  
      For example, in the ordinary screen, when the printing key is depressed and interrupt occurs (INTG) in a state of text editing screen display in which the letter (character) string “AZUSA” (a pet name of a Japanese express train) has been inputted and determined (the state of S 12  in  FIG. 7 ), the written-letter printing is performed (S 20 ) according to the image (written-letter printing data) Gp 01  in  FIG. 10D  in case the second processing mode (only written-letter printing) has been selected. The tape T is discharged out of the printing tape discharge port  22  (S 21 ), and the processing is finished (S 27 ). In the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10E  as well as in  FIGS. 11A-11G , written letters of Japanese hiragana “AZUSA” are left as they are in combination with the corresponding raised letters so as to show the mutual positional relationship. The same applies to  FIGS. 11A-11G . Embossed or raised letter therein corresponds to “AZUSA” as represented in hiragana.  
      Therefore, in a state of editing by displaying the above-described character string “AZUSA,” the text editing screen is displayed on the ordinary screen, and also the visual representation of the label Lp 01  which is expected to be formed in case the printing is performed from that state, is displayed on the monitor screen for the purpose of preview. Therefore, the image in visual representation of the label Lp 01  which is to be formed after performing the printing job, or the like, can be confirmed prior to the performing.  
      The label forming apparatus  1  is capable of arbitrarily setting the size allocation between the ordinary screen and the monitor screen within the display  4 . In the example as explained hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 10D , the length of the monitor screen may be set so as to enable to display as much as possible of the entire image Gp 01 , or the like. Or else, in case the image Gp 01 , or the like, is large (i.e., in case the label is long), only a part thereof may be displayed.  
      In case the monitor length (length of display range; hereinafter also referred to as “monitor length”) SL is set to be shorter than the length of the printing layout portion length PL of the image Gp 01  in  FIG. 10D , the label forming apparatus  1  can display the image Gp 01 , or the like, on the monitor screen in a scrolled manner by scroll display command (inputting through scroll key). In case the scroll interrupt occurs by the scroll display command (INTS in  FIG. 7 ), the scroll display processing is started up (S 31 ), whereby the image Gp 01 , or the like, is displayed in a scrolled manner by circulating within the monitor length SL.  
      The same applies to the third processing mode (i.e., only raised letters). In a state of editing in which the character string “AZUSA” is displayed, if the enter key is depressed by generating the printing interrupt (INTG), the tape insertion command is displayed (S 24  in  FIG. 7 ). Embossing is then performed, e.g., according to the image (raised-letter embossing data) in  FIG. 10B  (S 25 -S 27 ), whereby the label Lb 0  having an embossing layout portion length BL is formed. The visual representation of the label Lb 0  is thus displayed on the monitor screen as a preview corresponding to the display on the ordinary screen. With the scroll display command (scroll interrupt; INTS in  FIG. 7 ), the processing of the scroll display is started up (S 31 ), whereby the image Gb 0 , or the like, is displayed in a scrolled manner within the range of the monitor length SL.  
      In case of the first processing mode (both written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing), when printing interrupt occurs (INTG on  FIG. 7 ) in a state of editing while displaying the above-described character string “AZUSA,” the common layout portion length CL is set corresponding to the embossing layout portion length BL which is longer than the original printing layout portion length PL. Written letters are printed (S 15 -S 16  in  FIG. 7 ) according to the image (written-letter printing data) Gp 0  equivalent to the common layout portion length CL. Tape insertion command is then displayed (S 24  in  FIG. 7 ) and the raised-letter embossing is performed (S 18 -S 19 , S 27 ) according to the image (raised-letter embossing data) Gb 0 , whereby the label L 00  of an external appearance G 00  having a common layout portion length of CL is formed.  
      If the visual representation of the label L 00  is displayed on the monitor screen having a monitor length of SL for the purpose of preview to correspond to the display of the ordinary screen while editing the above-described character string “AZUSA,” and the scroll interrupt occurs (INTS in  FIG. 7 ), the processing for scroll display is started up (S 31 ). The image G 00  to suit the external appearance within the range of the monitor length of SL is displayed in a scrolled manner.  
      For the tape width of 12 mm (tape T 3 , see  FIG. 9C ) in case of the first processing mode (both written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing), the printing layout portion Ep and the embossing layout portion Eb are overlapped with each other. Therefore, even if the display is made of the image G 00  in  FIG. 10C  as it is, the overlapped portions cannot be confirmed (especially on the embossed-letter side). In the illustrated example, in order to facilitate understanding, display is made so that the embossed points can be distinguished from the written letters “AZUSA.” However, if both are similarly displayed (e.g., in the same thickness), the result will be as shown in  FIG. 10E . It is to be noted that this displaying is made easier than the actual state of displaying. Although this kind method of displaying can be actually used, the following explanation is made on the assumption that the actual displaying is made as shown in  FIG. 10E .  
      The label forming apparatus  1  is arranged such that the mode of scrolling of the written letters (Gp 0  in  FIG. 10A ) and the mode of scrolling of the raised letters (Gb 0  in  FIG. 10B ) are different from each other. Both the images Gp 0  and Gb 0  can thus be arranged to be easily confirmed independently even in case they are overlapped with each other as shown in  FIG. 10C .  
      In other words, in the scroll display corresponding to the above-described label L 00 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , the written-letter image Gp 0  of the character “AZUSA” is continuously scrolled at a constant speed (see one-dot line). The raised-letter image Gb 0 , on the other hand, is scroll-displayed in a discontinuous (intermittent) manner and in a manner to catch up with the written-letter image Gp 0  on the way (the state relatively in reference positions of FIGS.  11 A,  11 D,  11 G; hereinafter referred to as “reference state”).  
      In this case, by displaying of intermediate states (transitional states of deviating from the reference state as in  FIGS. 11B, 11C ,  1 E,  11 F), the overlapped portions which cannot be seen in the reference state (especially the raised-letter side) are displayed. Both images Gp 0  and Gb 0  can thus be easily confirmed independently.  
      As the way of the above-described deviation (i.e., the deviation in which the written letters precede), the following may be considered. Namely, in order to attain the deviation to facilitate the looking at (understanding of) the raised-letter image which lies on the lower side of the overlapping, deviation may be of such a degree that one row of three vertically arrayed embossing points (points  1 - 3  or  4 - 6 ) is visible (see  FIGS. 11C, 11F ). Alternatively, deviation may be made by an amount equivalent to one frame, two frames inclusive of the space between the two frames, a plurality of frames corresponding to the entire length BL of one unit of raised letters, as well as a plurality of frames which is other than integer-multiple of numbers, such as 1.5 frame.  
      The distance of movement at one time of the following side (i.e., the above-described raised-letter side) need not be an integer-multiple of the preceding side (i.e., the above-described written-letter side). In this case, it may be so arranged that the following side catches up with the preceding side at a position corresponding to the least common multiple of one time of movement distance of the preceding side and one time of movement distance of the following side. Alternatively, the distance of one time of movement of one of the preceding side and the following side, or both may be a plurality of values which meet the condition that a predetermined value showing the catch-up position becomes the total value thereof. For example, let us omit the unit of movement (e.g., dot line which is described hereinafter). The distance covered by fifteen (15) times of movements each moving one (1) at a time is caught up with by five times of movements which is equal to the movement distance of 1+2+3+4+5=15. The timing of performing these scroll movements (moving cycle) need not be regular but may be made to be attained in total of a plurality of times. The movement distance and the moving cycle may be arranged to be arbitrarily set taking into consideration the written-letter image and the raised-letter image which are in scroll-display, or the way of their overlapping, or the like.  
      Another embodiment (second example) is described with reference to  FIG. 12 . Let us assume that the character string “F15” is formed by performing one or both of the written-letter printing and the corresponding raised-letter embossing. In the second processing mode (only written-letter printing), a label Lp 11  having printed thereon the written letters can be formed based on the image (written-letter printing data) Gp 11  in  FIG. 12D . The image Gp 11  can thus be displayed for the purpose of preview and in a scrolled manner. In the third processing mode (only raised-letter embossing), a label Lb 1  having embossed thereon the raised letters based on the image (raised-letter embossing data) Gb 1  can be formed. The image Gb 1  can thus be displayed for the purpose of preview and in a scrolled manner.  
      In the first processing mode (both written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing), there can be formed a label L 10  in which both the written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing are performed based on the written-letter image Gp 1  in  FIG. 12A  whose length is adjusted to the image Gb 1  and the raised-letter image Gb 1 . The image can thus be displayed for the purpose of preview and in a scrolled manner. At the time of scroll-display, both the written-letter image Gp 1  and the raised-letter image Gb 1  can be separately confirmed due to different modes of displaying in a scrolled manner.  
      A description will now be made about the manner of scroll-displaying when viewed at the level of dot matrices of image data at the time of setting the first processing mode (both written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing). In other words, the manner of image processing of the monitor image is explained with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 13 , the embossing point is shown in a square of two-dot×two-dot in order to show each dot (pixel) on a large scale. It may however be displayed substantially in a circle which is similar to each embossed pint of the actual raised letter when displayed in detailed dot matrix. Here, one frame occupies the space equivalent to five dot lines, and the space between the frames occupies the space equivalent to two blank dot lines. Further, in order to facilitate the recognition of movement in position by scrolling, written-letter image data (image) Gp 1  and the raised-letter embossing data (image) Gb 1  are respectively provided with an imaginary mark point Pp and an imaginary mark point Pb. The movement path of the mark point Pp for the written letters is shown in one chain line and the movement path of the mark point Pb for the raided letters is shown in a dotted line. The reference state is as shown in  FIG. 13C .  
      When scrolling is started, as shown in  FIG. 14 , only the written-letter image Gp 1  side is moved by an amount equivalent to two steps, each processing (1 step: to be processed in, e.g., 0.02 sec.) by an amount equivalent to one-dot line ( FIGS. 14B, 14C ). When movement is made in the next one step by an amount equivalent to one-dot line, the raised-letter image Gb 1  is moved by an amount equivalent to three-dot line. The raised-letter side will thus catch up with the written-letter side, thereby returning to the reference state ( FIG. 14D ). When movement of only the written-letter Gp 1  side is similarly made from this state by an amount equivalent to two steps, each processing by an amount equivalent to one-dot line ( FIGS. 14E, 14F ), and when movement is further made by an amount equivalent to one-dot line at one step, the raised-letter image Gb 1  is moved by an amount equivalent to three-dot line to thereby return to the reference state ( FIG. 14G ).  
      In other words, in the above-described example, the cycle of performing the scroll (every three steps) on one side (raised-letter side) is made three times the cycle of performing the scroll (every one step) on the other side (written-letter side). It is also so arranged, on the other hand, that the distance of movement (three-dot line) on the raised-letter side (said one side) at every scrolling is made three times the distance of movement (one-dot line) on the written-letter side (said the other side). As a result, the raised-letter side catches up with the other side (written-letter side) each time of scrolling of said one side (raised-letter side). The distance of movement and the cycle of performing scroll (cycle of movement) may be arbitrarily set taking into consideration the overlapping of the images in the course of scroll display.  
      As described in detail hereinabove, the label forming apparatus  1  of this embodiment displays in scrolled manner the written-letter image and the raised-letter image within the monitor screen (i.e., within a single display screen). Therefore, the visual representation of the written letters and the visual representation of the raised letters can be grasped substantially at the same time. In addition, even if the monitor length SL is small, and even if the visual representation is likely to be an elongated line in the case of the raised letters, the entire visual representation can be grasped. This invention can be easily applicable not only to the label forming apparatus  1  but also to other apparatuses whose display screens are small.  
      In the above-described embodiment, the written-letter image and the raised-letter image are displayed in different scroll modes (strictly speaking, in different cycles of performance and movement distances). Therefore, the relative position of the two images deviate from each other, resulting in easy grasping of the respective images. In this case, the reference position is defined to be the relative position that is attained after performing the printing and the embossing. Then, the reference position is made to be attained on the way of scroll displaying. The image to be obtained after performing the actual written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing can thus be grasped prior to actually performing the printing and embossing operations.  
      In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement is made such that the written-letter image side is caught up with by the raised-letter image side. The opposite arrangement may also be employed. In addition, instead of the “intermittent catch-up style” in which the one which moves behind in scrolling catches up with the other each time of scroll movement, there may be employed a circulation-scroll display in which the distance between the two constantly varies from time to time, or one may follow the other or precede the other. Variety of displaying of the relative relationship can thus be made possible, thereby facilitating independent grasping of the respective images.  
      The mode of scrolling the written-letter image and the raised-letter image has been described as the cycle of performing the scrolling (unit movement cycle) and the moving distance (unit movement distance). As an alternative scroll mode, there may be considered a mode of scrolling display while one is flashing and the other is in an ordinary state. Further, there was shown an example of a tape T (T 3 ) having a width of 12 mm. Alternatively, the tape may be of a width of 18 mm (tape T 2 ) or 24 mm (tape T 1 ). In these cases, a selection can be made of a mode of the raised letter on an upper row/lower row or written letter in parallel/overlapped. In each of the cases, this invention can similarly be applicable.  
      Alternatively, the scroll display of only the written letter, scroll display of only the raised letter, and the scroll display of both the images (both written-letter printing and raised-letter embossing) may be performed in a predetermined order by switching operation. The direction of scrolling may be made not only in the left-and right (horizontal) direction but also in the up-and-down (vertical) direction, inclined (slanting) direction, or a combination thereof. In addition, as a mode of scrolling the written letters and the raised letters, the scroll direction may be changed on the way. In these cases, preferably, the mode of reference position showing the state after performance of printing shall be shown on the way of scroll display.  
      In the above-described embodiment, the label forming apparatus  1  was employed as an apparatus for processing the character information. However, this invention can be applied to other apparatuses for processing character information than for forming the label. Other pieces of paper, or the like, may also be used as the target sheet material, and the target sheet material need not be an elongated one such as a tape, or the like. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a description was made about an arrangement having one line of written letters and one line of raised letters. The arrangement may alternatively be made so that both letters are made up of a plurality of lines. Or else, only one of the lines may be made up of a plurality of lines and the other thereof is arranged to correspond to one of the lines, or they need not have correlation among lines.  
      The function as the apparatus for processing character information and as the image processing apparatus employed in this embodiment, as well as various processing methods (character information processing method, image processing method, or the like) is applicable not only to the above-described label forming apparatus  1 , but also to a program which is processed by various apparatuses that can be processed according to a program, and also to a memory medium such as a CD, MD, DVD, or the like, for storing therein that kind of program. When such a program is performed by storing it into, or by reading it out of, the memory medium, the visual representation of the result of performing both the written-letter printing and the raised-letter embossing can be easily grasped.