JP5076664B2 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printer that creates a label by printing time (clock data) together with print data on a print tape.

Conventionally, as this type of tape printer, one that prints time on a printing tape is known (see Patent Document 1). This tape printing apparatus prints information such as time together with print data including input characters and the like, and prints the time when print data is generated (strictly, when the print data is determined) as the time. ing.
JP 2000-6501 A

  By the way, while the time for printing on the print tape is required to be at the time of generating print data, it is also required to be at the time of printing on the print tape. For example, when a plurality of prints are performed on the generated print data, there is a difference in print results depending on whether the print time is the print data generation time or the print time. That is, when the time is set as the print data generation time, the same time is printed by a plurality of prints, whereas when the time is set as the print time, different times are printed by the plurality of prints. Is done. If you want to obtain the same print result for multiple prints as in the former, it is preferable to set the time to the time of print data generation, and you want to obtain separate print results for multiple prints as in the latter In some cases, it is preferable that the time is the time of printing. As a specific example, the time is set as the time of printing, and each time a certain product is manufactured, a label is printed and the label is attached to the manufactured product. If it does in this way, if the label stuck on the goods is seen, the manufacture time of goods can be known easily.

  However, the above-described tape printer has a problem that it can print only the time when print data is generated, and the user cannot print a desired time.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printing apparatus that can easily print at least one of the time at the time of print data generation and the time at the time of printing on a print tape, and has improved user convenience. .

The tape printer according to the present invention includes a time measuring unit that measures a time including a date, a print image generating unit that generates a print image including a specific time based on print data generated by editing, and a print image generated Based on the printing means for performing the printing process and the time data representing the time to be inserted into the print data while editing the print data, the selection screen is displayed and the specific time is counted at the time of the insertion. Specific time setting means for selecting and setting at least one of data and timekeeping data at the time of printing the print image , and specific time acquisition means for acquiring a specific time from the time measuring means based on the setting of the specific time setting means It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, the print time (specific time) can be set to at least one of the time when print data is generated (time data) and the time when print data is printed (time data). The time can be printed on a printing tape. As a result, the convenience of the tape printer can be improved and the degree of freedom of label production can be increased. The generation time of print data here is strictly a fixed time such as when a time is inserted as a print element or when print data is fixed. It is a fixed time such as when the print key is pressed or when printing is started. The time here is broad and includes a date (year, month, day) in addition to a narrowly defined time (hour, minute, second).

In this case, it is preferable to further include display means for displaying the specific time together with the print data being edited .

  According to this configuration, the display unit allows the user to generate and edit print data while visually recognizing the time (specific time), so that the tape printing can be performed without forgetting to print the time added to the print data. The convenience of the apparatus can be further improved.

In this case, when the specific time is set as the time data at the time of printing of the print image by the specific time setting means, the display means may display a specific time mark representing the time data at the time of printing together with the print data. preferable.

  According to this configuration, the user can display the specific time mark representing the printing time instead of the printing time (time data) that is unknown at the time of print data generation and cannot be normally displayed. It can be recognized that the printing time is included in the printing element, and the insertion position can be visually recognized. Therefore, the convenience of the tape printer can be further improved.

In this case, based on the print data and the specific time, the tape length estimating means for estimating the tape length of the print tape to be printed, further comprising, display means, in addition to the print data and the specific time of editing, estimated tape length Is preferably displayed.

  According to this configuration, the tape length estimated by the tape length estimation means is displayed on the display means, so that the user can create a label while being aware of the estimated tape length. Therefore, the user can easily predict the dimension of the label to be created, and can create a label while predicting the label dimension. Thereby, the convenience of a tape printer can be further improved.

In this case, when the time data at the time of printing the print image is set as the specific time by the specific time setting means, the tape length estimation means estimates the tape length as the current time data acquired from the time measurement means. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, the tape length estimation means estimates the tape length by using the printing time (time data), which is an unknown number at the time of print data generation, as the current time (time data), thereby printing the unknown number. Due to the time of the hour, it is possible to estimate a tape length that cannot normally be estimated. Therefore, even when the printing time is inserted as a printing element, the user can know the approximate tape length, and the convenience of the tape printer can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus is capable of creating a label printed with a date and time by a simple key operation in addition to characters and the like. Note that the time measurement data referred to in the claims represents a broad time, and includes a date (year, month, day) in addition to a narrow time (hour, minute) appearing in the embodiment (ie, , Date time on embodiment).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the tape printer 1 contains a device main body 11 that performs a printing process on a processing tape (printing tape) T, a processing tape T, and an ink ribbon R. And a tape cartridge C which is detachably mounted.

  The apparatus main body 11 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 12, and a plurality of character input keys 13 for inputting characters and the like on the upper surface of the front half of the apparatus case 12 and various selection and confirmation processes, etc. A keyboard 17 having a plurality of function keys 15 is provided. The function key 15 includes various setting keys 15a for setting a margin area of the processing tape T and a format of characters and the like, an up / down (left / right) key 15b for selecting an option displayed on the display 24 described later, and a desired one from the above options. Confirm key 15c for confirming an option (character string), delete key 15d for deleting a character being input and edited, print key 15e for executing print processing, date / time insertion key 15f for inserting a date or time as a print element Etc. are included.

  An opening / closing lid 21 is widely provided on the upper left surface of the rear half of the device case 12, and a viewing window 22 is formed on the upper surface of the opening / closing lid 21 for visually confirming the mounting / non-mounting of the tape cartridge C. On the front side of the opening / closing lid 21, a lid opening button 23 for opening the lid is provided. A display 24 for displaying an input result from the keyboard 17 and the like is formed on the upper right side of the rear half.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display (display means) 24 has a horizontally long display screen, an input editing area 24a for performing input editing of print data, which is widely set in the display screen, and a display screen. A dimension display area 24b for displaying the dimensions (tape length and tape width) of the label to be created one by one by using a confirmed character string set on the left side. That is, in the dimension display area 24b, the detected tape width and the tape length that is automatically set from the input character string or directly input and set are displayed. In addition to the above display contents, various setting menus and the like are also displayed on the display 24 by operating the setting keys 15a and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cartridge mounting portion 31 into which the tape cartridge C is mounted is recessed in the opening / closing lid 21, and the cartridge mounting portion 31 is fed out from the tape cartridge C. A print head 41 that performs a printing process on the processing tape T is disposed.

  A tape discharge port 32 is formed on the left side of the device case 12 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 31 with the outside of the device. The device case 12 faces the tape discharge port 32 to cut the processing tape T. A cutter unit 33 is incorporated. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circuit board constituting a control unit 60 (see FIG. 4) that performs overall control of the apparatus main body 11 is mounted inside the apparatus case 12.

  A thermal printing head 41 covered with a head cover 40, a positioning projection 42 for positioning a tape reel 51, which will be described later, and a processing tape T and an ink ribbon R of the tape cartridge C are sent to the cartridge mounting portion 31 for printing. A platen drive shaft 43 facing the head 41 and a take-up drive shaft 44 for winding the ink ribbon R are projected. The cartridge mounting portion 31 is provided with a tape identification sensor 26 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to a plurality of detection holes formed on the back surface of the cartridge case 50. Further, the cartridge mounting portion 31 incorporates a print feed motor 46 (see FIG. 4) and a reduction gear train (not shown) for driving the platen drive shaft 43 and the winding drive shaft 44.

  The tape cartridge C is configured such that a tape reel 51 around which a processing tape T is wound and a ribbon feeding reel 52 and a ribbon take-up reel 53 around which an ink ribbon R is wound at the lower right are housed in a cartridge case 50. Has been. Further, a platen roller 55 that is fitted to the platen drive shaft 43 and is driven to rotate is disposed corresponding to a portion where the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 31, the tape reel 51 is inserted into the positioning protrusion 42, the ribbon take-up reel 53 is inserted into the take-up drive shaft 44, and the platen roller 55 is inserted into the platen drive shaft 43. When the open / close lid 21 is closed, the print head 41 is in contact with the platen roller 55 with the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R sandwiched therebetween, and enters a print standby state. When the print data is generated by the input editing, the platen drive shaft 43 and the take-up drive shaft 44 are synchronously rotated based on the generated print data, and the print head 41 feeds the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R. Printing processing is performed. At the same time, the ink ribbon R fed from the ribbon feeding reel 52 is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 53. The processed tape T after the printing process is cut at the printed portion by the cutter unit 33, and the cut processing tape T is discharged from the tape discharge port 32 to the outside as a label.

  A plurality of types of processing tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, ink ribbon color, tape material, etc.) are prepared, and a recording tape T1 having an adhesive layer coated on the back surface, It is composed of a release tape T2 attached to the recording tape T1 with an adhesive layer. A plurality of small detection holes (not shown) are formed on the back surface of the cartridge case 50, and the type of the processing tape T can be identified by detecting the plurality of detection holes by the tape identification sensor 26. It is like that.

  Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape printing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 61, a detection unit 62, a timing unit 81, a printing unit (printing unit) 63, a cutting unit 64, a driving unit 65, and a drive unit 65. And a control unit 60 that controls the whole.

  The operation unit 61 functions as a user interface such as data input from the character input keys 13 and function keys 15 on the keyboard 17 and display of print data on the display 24. The detection unit 62 includes a tape identification sensor 26 and detects the type of the processing tape T (tape cartridge C). The timer unit 81 has a clock circuit (timer) 82 and measures the current date and time. The printing unit 63 includes a tape cartridge C, a print head 41, and a print feed motor 46, and performs print processing on the processing tape T by the print head 41 based on the generated print image. The cutting unit 64 includes a cutter unit 33 including a full cutter 34 that cuts the processing tape T and a full cutter motor 35 that drives the cutting tape T, and the processing tape T that has been printed by the printing unit 63 is cut to a predetermined length. And create a label. The drive unit 65 includes a display driver 66, a head driver 67, a print feed motor driver 68, and a cutter motor driver 69, and drives each unit.

  The control unit 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 having a control program for performing various control processes by the CPU 71, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73 serving as a work area for various control processes. And an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 74 for inputting / outputting input data and control signals to / from each unit of the tape printer 1, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 75. Yes. The CPU 71 inputs various signals and data from each unit in the tape printer 1 via the IOC 74 according to various control programs in the ROM 72. Also, various data and data in the RAM 73 are processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part in the tape printer 1 via the IOC 74, thereby enabling input editing processing (print data generation). Control) and print cutting processing.

  Here, with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 5, each means related to time printing, which is configured by the control unit 60, will be described. The control unit 60 includes a print data generation unit 92, a generation state display unit 94, a tape length estimation unit 93, and a print image generation unit 95.

  The print data generation unit 92 generates print data including normal data such as characters and date / time data representing date / time based on various settings. The print data generating unit 92 includes a print date / time setting unit (specific time setting) 97 and a date / time insertion unit 98 for inserting date / time data.

  The print date and time setting means 97 sets a date and time for printing (which is a specific time in the claims, and hereinafter referred to as a print date and time). That is, a selection screen as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed, and the user selects and sets one of “date”, “time”, and “date and time”. Next, a selection screen as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed, and the user selects and sets one of “when editing” and “when printing”. Thus, the print date and time is set.

  The date / time insertion unit 98 inserts the corresponding date / time data into the print data based on the setting by the date / time setting unit 97. That is, when the printing date and time is set to “when editing”, the date and time at the time of insertion acquired from the time measuring unit 81 is inserted as date and time data, and the printing date and time is set to “when printing”. If it is, the conversion symbol is inserted as the date / time data instead of the date / time at the time of printing (see FIG. 7). If “Date” is set, only the date (year, month, day) is inserted. If “Time” is set, only the time (hour, minute) is inserted. If “Time” is set, the date and time are inserted (when a conversion symbol is inserted, additional information indicating these settings is added). The conversion symbol here is a symbol used for symbol processing in the control unit 60 and is different from a visually recognizable symbol.

  The generation status display means 94 displays the print data being generated or generated and the dimensions (tape width and tape length) of the label to be generated on the display 24 (display screen). As the label dimensions, the tape width detected by the detection unit 62 and the tape length estimated by the tape length estimation means 93 are displayed. If the conversion data is included in the print data, a time mark (specific time mark) representing the date and time of printing and imitating a clock is displayed instead of the conversion symbol.

  Thus, by displaying the print data being generated, the user can generate and edit the print data while visually checking the print date (or time mark), so without forgetting to print the date and time, The convenience of the tape printer 1 can be improved. Further, by displaying a time mark instead of the date and time of printing that is unknown at the time of print data generation and cannot be displayed, the user is aware that the date and time of printing is included in the print data. And the insertion position can be visually recognized. Therefore, the convenience of the tape printer 1 can be further improved.

  The tape length estimation means 93 estimates the tape length set from the print data by automatic setting. Each time the print data is changed, the tape length of the label that will be created from the print data is estimated. The estimated tape length is updated and displayed each time it is estimated. If the conversion data is included in the print data, the conversion length is replaced with the current time acquired from the time measuring unit 81 to estimate the tape length.

  In this manner, by displaying the estimated tape length, the user can create a label while being aware of the estimated label size. Therefore, the user can easily predict the dimension of the label to be created, and can create a label while predicting the label dimension. Thereby, the convenience of the tape printer 1 can be further improved. Furthermore, it is usually estimated that there is an unknown number of printing date / times by estimating the tape length with the printing date / time that is unknown at the time of print data generation as the current (print data generation) time. An impossible tape length can be estimated. Therefore, even when the date and time at the time of printing is inserted as a printing element, the user can know the approximate tape length, and the convenience of the tape printer 1 can be further improved. In addition, when printing the time at the time of printing, in order to make the estimated tape length constant, the space for inserting the date and time may be constant. For example, the maximum space assumed as the date / time is set as the space for inserting the date / time, and when a date / time having a space smaller than that space is inserted, the front or the rear is blank (printing only for the time). In this case, 10:00 is 10:00, and 9:00 is 9:00.)

  The print image generation unit 95 generates a print image based on the generated print data. When the conversion symbol is included in the print data, a print image is created by replacing the date and time at the time of printing acquired from the time measuring unit 81. Strictly speaking, when the print key 15e is pressed, the pressed date and time (“date”, “time”, or “date and time” set in the print date and time settings) is acquired, and the conversion symbol and Replaced. Printing is performed by the printing unit 63 based on this print image.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation from the print data generation to the processed tape T printing by the tape printer 1 will be described. These operations are performed by the generation state display means 94 in a state where the print data being edited or generated and the label dimensions are displayed. Here, as an example, it is assumed that a character string “completion time” and the time following the character string are printed.

  First, a character string “completion time” is created by the print data generation means 92 (S1). That is, the character string is input and edited by using the character input key 13, the delete key 15d, or the like to create a character string “complete time”. Thereafter, the date / time insertion key 15f is pressed to insert the time following the “completion time” (S2).

  When the date / time insertion key 15f is pressed, the print date / time setting means 97 sets the print date / time (S3). A selection screen (see FIG. 6A) for selecting the setting of the print date from “date”, “time”, and “date, time” is displayed, and the user selects one of these (see FIG. 6A). Select the desired setting with the up / down key 15b and confirm with the confirm key 15c). Here, since it is desired to insert time, “time” is selected.

  When the above selection is made, a selection screen (see FIG. 6B) for selecting the setting of the printing date from “when editing” and “when printing” is displayed. When “when editing” is selected (S4: (a)), the time is acquired from the time measuring unit 81 by the date / time insertion means 98, and the time at the selected time is inserted into the print data (S5). . When “printing” is selected (S4: (b)), the date / time insertion means 98 inserts a conversion symbol into the print data instead of the unknown printing time at this time (S6). At this time, since the conversion symbol cannot be displayed by the generation state display means 94 (display 24), a time mark is displayed instead. Since the target print data can be generated by inserting this time, the generation of the print data is terminated.

  Next, the print key 15e is pressed to issue a print start instruction (S7). When the print key 15e is pressed, the print image generation unit 95 generates a print image based on the generated print data. When the conversion data is included in the print data (S8: Yes), the conversion image is replaced with the date and time of printing acquired from the clock unit 91 to create a print image (S10). If the conversion data is not included in the print data (S8: No), a print image is created with the print data as it is (S9). When the creation of the print image is completed, printing on the processing tape T is performed by the printing unit 63 based on the print image (S11).

  As a result of such label creation processing, if the printing date and time is set to “when editing”, the editing time (date and time) is printed, and if the printing date and time is set to “when printing” The printing time (date time) is printed. In this way, the date and time to be printed can be set to either the date and time at the time of print data generation or the date and time at the time of printing, so that the date and time desired for the user can be printed on the processing tape T. Thereby, the convenience of the tape printer 1 can be improved, and the degree of freedom of label production can be increased.

  With the configuration described above, the date and time to be printed can be set to at least one of the date and time when the print data is generated and the date and time when the print data is printed, so that the time desired by the user is printed on the processing tape T. be able to. Thereby, the convenience of the tape printer 1 can be improved, and the degree of freedom of label production can be increased.

  In this embodiment, only one print is performed for one print data. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of prints are performed for one print data. In this case, if the setting of the printing date is “when editing”, the same printing result can be obtained by a plurality of printings. In addition, when the setting of the printing date and time is “when printing”, separate printing results for a plurality of printings, that is, printing results having different date and time as the printing date and time are obtained for each printing. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the printing date and time is set to either the editing time or the printing time. However, the printing date and time may be set to both times. In such a case, when the printing date and time is set as both times, the editing time and conversion symbol are inserted as date / time data into the print data, and the editing time and time mark are displayed in the editing display. . Further, the time of editing and the time of printing are printed on the label.

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. It is an external appearance perspective view in the open lid state of the tape printer concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a display. It is a control block diagram of the tape printer concerning this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the tape printer concerning this embodiment. It is a selection figure for setting a printing date. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement from print data generation to printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations from print data generation to printing.

Explanation of symbols

  1: tape printer, 24: display, 63: printing unit, 82: clock circuit, 93: tape length estimation means, 95: print image generation means, 97: printing date and time setting means, 98: date and time insertion means, T: Processing tape

Claims (5)

A time measuring means for measuring the time including the date;
Print image generation means for generating a print image including a specific time based on the print data generated by editing ;
Printing means for performing a printing process based on the generated print image ;
During the editing of the print data, when selecting the time data to insert the time data representing the time into the print data, a selection screen is displayed, and the specific time is displayed at the time of printing and the print image at the time of printing. Specific time setting means for selectively setting at least one of the time data;
A tape printing apparatus comprising: a specific time acquisition unit that acquires the specific time from the time measuring unit based on the setting of the specific time setting unit. 2. The tape printer according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the specific time together with the print data being edited . In the case where the specific time is set by the specific time setting means as time measurement data at the time of printing the print image ,
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays a specific time mark representing the timing data at the time of printing together with the print data. Based on the print data and the specific time, the tape length estimating means for estimating the tape length of the print tape to be printed, further comprising,
4. The tape printer according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the estimated tape length in addition to the print data being edited and the specific time. When the specific time setting means sets the time measurement data at the time of printing the print image as the specific time,
5. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tape length estimation unit estimates the tape length as the current timing data acquired from the timing unit.

Images