Tape printer capable of printing frames with different shapes

A printer for printing a label on a tape comprising:

• means for inputting a plurality of characters;
• means for selecting a frame from a plurality of frames of different shape;
• means for selecting some of said plurality of characters to underline;
• means for inputting a desired thickness of an underline and a frame width;
• printing means for printing said plurality of characters, said selected frame around at least some of said plurality of characters, and said underline with said desired thickness.

A printer for printing a label on a tape comprising:

• means for inputting a plurality of characters;
• means for selecting a frame comprising a left border and right border defined by straight lines and curves, from a plurality of frames of different shape;
• means for storing a plurality of programs;
• means for corresponding each frame with one program of said plurality of programs;
• print data generating means for generating print data for said label in a plurality of printing cycles by generating a portion of said print data in each of said printing cycles;
• and
• printing means including a print head having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix for printing said selected frame around at least some of said plurality of characters on said tape according to said print data;
• wherein said portion of said print data identifies some of said plurality of pixels on said print head to activate in each of said plurality of printing cycles so that said printing means prints said portion of said label according to said portion of said print data in each of said plurality of printing cycles;
• wherein said programs of said print generating means include a line function for printing straight lines by identifying some of said plurality of pixels located within intersections between said matrix of pixels and said straight lines;
• and
• a curve function for printing curves by identifying some of said plurality of pixels located within intersections between said matrix of pixels and said curves.