JP2002160419A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printer capable of facilitating a switching operation of ON-OFF states of communication with an external device without opening or closing a cover body covering a keyboard. SOLUTION: This tape printer comprises the keyboard 11 which is provided to an upper face 23 of a device case 4 for inputting a printing image to a tape to be printed, the cover body 8 openably covering the keyboard 11, a power input key 17 for operating the ON-OFF states of the power source and a communication input key 18 for executing an ON-OFF operation of the communication connection with the external device PC. The power input key 17 and the communication input key 18 are provided to the device case 4 at a portion separated from the cover body 8 in the closed condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer which can be connected to an external device such as a personal computer (PC) for communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of tape printing apparatus,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a keyboard including a keyboard disposed on a surface of an apparatus case and a lid that covers the keyboard so that the keyboard can be opened and closed. A display is incorporated on the inner surface of the lid. This tape printing device covers the keyboard when the lid is closed, opens the keyboard to the outside when the lid is open, arranges a display in front, and enables keyboard input work while referring to the display. I have. Also,
In this tape printer, by connecting to an external device such as a personal computer (PC), print information input by the external device can be printed out on a tape. In this case, a power input key that also serves as an ON-OFF operation for communication connection is arranged on a keyboard together with various character keys, function keys, and the like.

[0003]

In such a conventional tape printing apparatus, it is necessary to open the lid and then operate the power input key in order to link to an external device and enable communication. Yes, and if the lid is not opened, the ON / OFF state of the communication connection cannot be confirmed on the display. More specifically, when inputting / editing print data with an external device and printing it on a tape printer, there is no need to input print data, etc., so the keyboard and display are opened for work. And the user has to waste time and effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of easily and skillfully switching ON / OFF operation of a communication state with an external device without opening / closing a cover covering a keyboard. And

[0005]

A tape printing apparatus according to the present invention is provided on an upper surface of an apparatus case and has a keyboard capable of inputting an image to be printed on a tape to be used for printing, and a lid for opening and closing the keyboard. And a power input key for turning on and off the power, and a communication input key for turning on and off the communication connection with the external device. The power input key and the communication input key are detached from the lid in the closed state. At an inclined position in the device case.

According to this configuration, the power supply input key for power input and the communication input key for communication connection input are provided at positions escaping from the lid in the closed state, so that the lid is opened and closed. ON-OFF of power supply and communication without
Can be easily switched. For this reason, data input from an external device can be output (printed) only by operating the power input key and the communication input key.
Further, since the communication input key for controlling the communication connection with the external device is provided independently of the power input key, the communication state can be appropriately managed. Note that when both the power input key and the communication input key are turned on,
It is preferable that communication can be established. Also,
When the communication input key is in the OFF state, the tape printer
A print image can be created on a tape by itself.

In this case, it is preferable that the lid is configured to be openable and closable via a hinge, and that a display for displaying a print image input from a keyboard is incorporated on an inner surface thereof.

According to this configuration, when the lid is in the open state,
The keyboard is opened so that the display is visible, and in the closed state, the keyboard is covered by the display. This makes it possible to provide a display having the same size as the keyboard as much as possible, to save the space of the tape printer, and to appropriately protect the display from the outside in the closed state.

In these cases, a recessed portion is formed in a portion of the device case surrounding the power input key and the communication input key such that the top surface and the surface of the device case are flush with each other. Is preferred.

According to this configuration, the power input key and the communication input key are disposed in the recess formed in the device case, and do not protrude from the surface of the device case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the power input key or the communication input key from being erroneously pressed due to force majeure from the outside and to operate, and the communication connection with the power supply or the external device is suddenly switched to ON or OFF. Can be prevented. The recess is preferably formed continuously from the power input key to the communication input key.

In these cases, it is preferable that the power input key and the communication input key are arranged close to each other.

According to this configuration, the convenience of the key input on the user side can be improved by the power input key and the communication input key which are close to each other.

[0013] In these cases, the power input key and the communication input key are arranged on the upper surface of the device case.
preferable.

According to this configuration, the power input key and the communication input key are provided on the upper surface of the device case on substantially the same plane as the keyboard. As a result, these keys can be easily visually recognized, and the convenience of key input on the user side can be further improved.

In these cases, the apparatus case further includes a power indicator lamp for displaying the ON / OFF state of the power supply and a communication indicator lamp for displaying the ON / OFF state of the communication connection from the lid in the closed state. Preferably, it is arranged at a location.

According to this configuration, the power supply indicator lamp and the communication indicator lamp are provided in the device case at positions escaping from the closed lid. As a result, even in the closed state, the ON / OFF state of the power supply and the communication connection can be easily confirmed, and the power supply and the communication state can be managed at a glance. It is preferable that the power indicator lamp and the communication indicator lamp are disposed close to each other on the upper surface of the device case.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a tape printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus mounts a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape, prints desired characters and figures on the printing tape while pulling out the printing tape from the tape cartridge, and creates a label. Also,
The tape printer can be connected to an external device such as a PC (personal computer) and used for printing data created by the external device.

The tape printer will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the tape printing apparatus, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a state where a lid is opened, and FIG. 3 is a state where a tape cartridge is mounted with an opening / closing lid opened. It is a whole perspective view. As shown in these drawings, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 having an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 4, and a tape cartridge 3 detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 2.

The apparatus main body 2 includes an opening / closing lid 5 having a window attached to the rear left upper surface 23 of the apparatus case 4 and an opening / closing lid 5.
Opening / closing button 6 arranged to the right of
A trim part 7 provided on the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 on the right side of the opening / closing button 6, a lid 8 which is attached to an intermediate part and has a display 14 incorporated therein, and a lid 8 which can be opened and closed;
And a crescent-shaped portion 9 protruding from the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 and having an exposure lamp group 19 on the front side of the device case 4. On the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 on the left side of the crescent-shaped portion 9, an exposure key group 10 composed of two keys is disposed, and the cover 8 can be freely opened and closed on the same plane as the exposure key group 10. A keyboard 11 to be covered is provided. And the opening / closing lid 5
Inside, a cartridge mounting portion 12 for detachably mounting the tape cartridge 3 is formed.

Although not shown, the tape cartridge 3 houses a printing tape with release paper and an ink ribbon in its case, and also houses a platen and the like. To mount the tape cartridge 3 on the cartridge mounting section 12, first, the open / close lid 5 is opened by the open / close button 6, and the printing tape and the ink ribbon are positioned between the platen and the thermal head 35 on the apparatus main body 2 side. Further, the drive shaft on the apparatus main body 2 side is engaged with the ribbon take-up core on the side where the platen and the ink ribbon are taken up. When the cover 5 is closed, the thermal head 35 rotates so as to sandwich the printing tape and the ink ribbon, comes into contact with the platen, and enters a printing standby state.

Next, the cover 8 is opened and the keyboard 11 is opened.
Is opened, and the display 14 in the lid 8 is positioned at the front to prepare for input. When the user operates the keyboard 11 while referring to the display 14 to input and edit desired characters and the like, and instructs execution of printing, the printing tape and the ink ribbon are simultaneously sent, and the thermal head 35 is driven to drive the ink ribbon. Is transferred by heat and printing is performed on the printing tape. The printed ink ribbon is wound up in the tape cartridge 3, while the printed printing tape is
The cartridge mounting portion 1 formed on the left side surface of the device case 4
The paper is sent to the discharge port of the apparatus main body 2 communicating with the printer 2, and the cutting mechanism is driven to cut off the printed portion and create a label.

In this case, before the print tape is cut off (full cut), it is possible to make a half cut while leaving only the release paper on the print tape. As a result, a tab-shaped label having slits is continuously formed. In addition, the end of the label thus formed can be trimmed by the trim portion 7. That is, the user guides the label to the tape insertion guide 13 in which the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 is cut obliquely downward, so that the end of the label is formed and cut by the trimming mechanism that starts automatically (the corner is rounded to R It can also be chamfered into a shape.

By connecting the apparatus main body 2 and the personal computer PC with the cable 33, data input and edited by the personal computer PC can be printed on a print tape to create a label (details will be described later).

Next, the configuration of each part of the apparatus main body 2 will be described in detail. An apparatus case 4 that forms an outer shell of the apparatus body 2
Is an upper surface (upper surface) 23 continuously formed with a step between the front and rear front surfaces 20 and the rear surface, the left and right side surfaces, the surface on which the keyboard 11 is arranged, and the outer surface of the open / close lid 5.
And the back surface opposite to the upper surface 23, and the three surfaces of the crescent-shaped portion 9, the outer surface of the lid 8 in the closed state, and the outer surface of the opening / closing lid 5 are flush with each other. Has a wedge shape as a whole. That is, in the closed state of the lid 8, the front end curved surface of the lid 8 and the lid 8 of the crescent-shaped portion 9 are formed.
A handle groove 25 is formed with the side slope 16, and a wedge surface is formed in a dome shape between the outer surface of the lid 8 and the front curved surface 15 of the crescent-shaped portion 9 with the handle groove 25 interposed therebetween. A finger insertion portion into which a finger can be inserted is immersed and formed on the back surface (not shown), and the finger insertion portion and the hand-holding groove 25 form a grip structure.
0 is wrapped around and can be carried around.

On the left side, a discharge port for the above-described printed printing tape is formed. On the right side, a connection terminal portion 30 for connecting the apparatus main body 2 to the outside is formed. A pair of left and right leg protrusions (27, 27) are formed, and the tape printing device 1 can be set up with the back surface facing down by the leg protrusions (27, 27). As described above, when the cover 8 is in the closed state, the crescent-shaped portion 9 and the cover 8 have a substantially “U” -shaped dome shape in plan view, giving a profound feeling. To cover the keyboard 11.

The keyboard 11 includes various character keys such as an alphabet key group and a numeric key group, as well as a print execution key and various function keys arranged on the upper surface 23 of the apparatus case 4. The keyboard 11
It is used when creating a print image or inputting various commands and selection instructions. The keyboard 11 is used when the tape printer 1 is connected to the personal computer PC by communication.
Since there is no particular need for use, as shown in FIG.
To be concealed.

The lid 8 is configured to be openable and closable in the vertical direction by means of a hinge built in the rear right half of the cover 5 which escapes the lid 5, and the display 14 is incorporated on the inner surface.
That is, the lid 8 closes and protects the keyboard 11 so that the wedge surface is continuous with the upper surface 23 of the device case 4, while the lid 8 is opened in an obliquely rear-upward position around the hinge in the open state, and While releasing the keyboard 11,
The display 14 is arranged on the front, and the input operation with the keyboard 11 is enabled. The display 14 has a rectangular display screen 34 inside the trapezoidal shape,
The data input from the keyboard 11 is displayed on the display screen 34. The opening and closing of the lid 8 in the vertical direction is performed by the
5 can be easily performed by inserting a finger.

Further, the lid 8 is positioned so as to cover the open / close button 6 for opening the open / close lid 5 in the open state, making it difficult to push the open / close button 6 in the open state. ing. Therefore, even if the open / close button 6 is pressed, the open / close lid 5 comes into a half-open state with its upper surface in contact with the lower end of the lid 8. Thus, an erroneous usage such as the tape cartridge 3 being pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 12 can be prevented beforehand. As described above, the lid 8 has a wedge surface in the closed state.
It is continuous with the crescent-shaped portion 9 with the handle groove 25 interposed therebetween.

The crescent-shaped portion 9 has a front curved surface 15 on which an exposure lamp group 19 is disposed, and a slope 16 on the side of a hand-held groove 25.
And the device case 4 provided with the keyboard 11
Slightly convex from the upper surface 23. Exposure lamp group 19
Is composed of a plurality of display lamps arranged at the center of the front curved surface 15. The plurality of display lamps are, in order from the left side in the figure, a print display lamp 40 and a power supply
1, half cut indicator lamp 42, communication indicator lamp 4
3, and the trim display lamps 44 are arranged so as to be recessed in the front curved surface 15, and are turned on and off according to various operation states. The print indicator lamp 40 is lit during printing on the print tape and during the full cut operation of the printed print tape,
The half cut display lamp 42 lights up the printed printing tape during the half cut operation. The trim indicator lamp 44 is turned on during the cutting of the corner of the printing tape (label) printed by the trim section 7.

The power indicator lamp 41 is turned on when the power is on, turned off when the power is off, indicating the power input status of the apparatus main body 2, and the communication indicator lamp 43 is turned on when communication is possible. The light is turned off in the communication connection standby state, and the communication connection state of the apparatus main body 2 is displayed. Power indicator lamp 41
In addition, each lamp of the communication indicator lamp 43 is turned on / off in conjunction with a push button operation of a corresponding key of the exposure key group 10 disposed on the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 on the left side of the crescent-shaped portion 9.

The exposure key group 10 includes a left power input key 17 and a right communication input key 18 disposed close to each other, and is disposed at a position separated from the lid 8 in a closed state. . The power input key 1 is provided on the upper surface 23 of the device case 4.
7 and the communication input key 18, respectively, and two recesses (26, 2) corresponding to the respective input keys (17, 18).
6) is formed. The power input key 17 and the communication input key 18 are provided in each of the recesses (26, 26), and the top surface (3) of each input key (17, 18) is provided.
7, 38) are flush with the upper surface 23 of the device case 4 (see FIG. 4). The power input key 17 is a key that allows the power of the apparatus main body 2 to be turned on and off, and the communication input key 18 is used to turn on and off the communication connection with the personal computer PC.
This key enables FF operation.

Power input key 17 and communication input key 18
, The operator part is integrally formed continuously with resin etc.,
Although not particularly shown, each has a switch terminal on the lower side for detecting an ON-OFF push-button operation. By pressing the power input key 17, the power is turned on and off and the power indicator lamp 41 is turned on and off. By pressing the communication input key 18, the communication connection is turned on and off and the communication indicator lamp 43 is turned on and off. The lights are turned off. The exposure key group 10 is disposed in the recess 26 so as not to protrude from the upper surface 23 of the device case 4, so that the power input key 17 or the communication input key 18 is pressed by an external force. To prevent operation. The recess 26 may be formed continuously from the power input key 17 to the communication input key 18.

The power supply of the apparatus main body 2 is configured such that a commercial power supply can be used by using an AC adapter described later in addition to a battery power supply built in the back side of the apparatus case 4.
The communication connection state between the tape printing apparatus 1 and the personal computer PC is set to a communication connection standby state by connecting the apparatus main body 2 and the personal computer PC with the cable 33, and the communication connection can be established by turning on the communication input key 18. It is possible to switch to the state. That is, when only the power input key 17 is pressed and the power is on, the tape printer 1 inputs print data by the keyboard 11 alone.
Editing enables printing, and furthermore, only when the communication input key 18 is depressed and the communication connection is turned on, the communication connection with the personal computer PC becomes possible, and the personal computer PC and the apparatus main body 2 can be linked. .

More specifically, the communication input key 18 is provided for switching between a communication connection standby state with the personal computer PC and a communication connection possible state. Therefore,
The power of the tape printer 1 is turned on by the power input key 17.
In the FF state, even if the communication connection is turned on by the communication input key 18, even the communication connection with the personal computer PC is insignificant because even a single unit cannot be used. As described above, the tape printing apparatus 1 has the communication input key 1
8 is independent of the power input key 17, the communication connection state with the personal computer PC can be properly managed, and the exposure key group 10 is located at a position separated from the lid 8 in the closed state. Since the power input key 17 and the communication input key 18 can be easily visually recognized even in the closed state of the lid 8 because the cover 8 is disposed on the upper surface 23 of the case 4, the communication connection state can be easily established. You can switch between them.

The connection terminal section 30 is composed of an adapter insertion port 31 for an AC adapter and a connection connector 32 for communication connection with a personal computer PC. When an AC adapter is inserted into the adapter outlet 31, commercial power is supplied to the apparatus main body 2 via the AC adapter. The connection connector 32 is used for communication connection with the personal computer PC, and connects the personal computer PC and the apparatus main body 2 with the cable 33 to link the personal computer PC with the tape printer 1.

Since the connection terminal portion 30 is provided in the device case 4 on the opposite side of the label discharge port, the connected cable 33 or the cord of the AC adapter is used when picking up the discharged label. It is out of the way. Further, the tape printer 1 can print the print data input by the personal computer PC on a print tape even in a standing posture with the back face down.

According to the tape printer 1 as described above,
Even when the lid 8 is in the closed state, the power and communication connections can be switched ON / OFF by the exposure key group 10 and the ON and OFF states of the power and communication connection can be easily confirmed by the exposure lamp group 19. Power and communication status at a glance.

The power input key 17 of the exposure key group 10
Key sequence of the communication input key 18 and the exposure lamp group 1
By matching the power indicator lamp 41 and the communication indicator lamp 43 of No. 9 with each other, the distinction between the power source and the communication was clarified on the user side. However, the corresponding keys and the indicator lamps were configured in the same color system. Thus, the correspondence between the power supply and the communication may be clarified.

Next, a case where the user uses the tape printer 1 by connecting it to a personal computer PC will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the personal computer PC is a general personal computer, and includes a PC keyboard 50 capable of inputting data and a PC keyboard 50.
And a monitor 51 for displaying the data input by the computer, and is configured to be able to insert an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The tape printer 1 connected to the personal computer PC creates and prints data by inputting and editing with the PC keyboard 50 while referring to the monitor 51 on the personal computer PC, and issuing a print command on the personal computer PC side.
Print the created print data on a print tape and create a label. That is, the tape printing apparatus 1 does not use the keyboard 11 and the display 14 of the apparatus main body 2,
In other words, it plays a role as a general printer of the personal computer PC.

As shown in FIG. 6, a main control unit 52 of the personal computer PC includes a CPU 53 for performing various controls and a ROM 54.
, RAM 55, and CD-ROM as external recording medium
56 and an interface 57, which are connected to each other via a bus 58. ROM54
Has an area for storing control programs and control data processed by the CPU 53. The RAM 55 is used as various work areas for control processing. Also, CD-
The ROM 56 stores data such as application software and device drivers for the tape printing apparatus 1.

The interface 57 incorporates a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 53 and handling signals with peripheral circuits. A PC keyboard 50 and a monitor 51 are connected via a driver. The device 1 is connected. In relation to the tape printer 1, the CPU 53 inputs various detection signals, various commands, various data, and the like via the interface 57 according to a tape printing program in the CD-ROM 56, and outputs various types of data in the ROM 54 and the RAM 55. It processes data and the like and outputs a control signal to the tape printer 1 via the interface 57. That is, according to the control signal from the personal computer PC, the tape printer 1
The thermal head 35, the feeding of the printing tape and the ink ribbon, the exposure lamp group 19, the cutting mechanism, and the like are controlled.

When the user uses the tape printer 1 by connecting it to the personal computer PC, the user first connects the cable 33 to the connector 32 and connects the personal computer PC from the above-described print standby state. Next, the power input key 17 and the communication input key 18 are pushed one after another,
When the power supply and the communication connection are turned on, the power supply indicator lamp 41 and the communication indicator lamp 43 light, and the
Is ready for communication connection. Here, while confirming the input / edit result on the monitor 51 of the personal computer PC, print data such as desired characters is input by the PC keyboard 50, and printing is instructed on the print tape. Then, printing by thermal transfer is performed on the printing tape, and a desired label is discharged from the discharge port.

In this case, since input / edit and print commands to the print tape are performed by the personal computer PC, the tape printer 1
Then, it is not necessary to open the lid 8 and open the keyboard 11 and the display 14. Therefore, by operating the communication input key 18 by pressing the button, the communication connection with the personal computer PC can be performed, so that the user can save time and effort of opening and closing the lid 8, and further, the tape printing apparatus 1. Space can be saved, and a space such as a desk can be effectively used.

The tape printer 1 is a personal computer PC
Can use functions such as a word processor having various font data and a function of processing images taken by a digital camera or the like, and use font data and the like that are not stored in the ROM of the tape printer 1. Character printing is also possible by controlling the thermal head 35. In addition, the personal computer PC can check the detection result of the presence / absence and type of the tape cartridge 3 in the cartridge mounting section 12 on the monitor 51.

Although the tape printer 1 and the personal computer PC are connected by the cable 33, they may be linked to each other by optical communication or other communication means. Although the external device connected to the tape printer 1 is a personal computer PC, the external device is not limited to the personal computer PC, but may be an electronic notebook or a scientific calculator.

[0046]

According to the tape printing apparatus of the present invention, a power input key for power input and a communication input key for communication connection input are separately provided on the apparatus case separately from the keyboard for inputting a print image. Is provided at an escape position which is not covered even when the cover is closed, so that the ON / OFF operation switching of the power supply and the communication connection can be easily performed even in the closed state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tape printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the tape printing apparatus with a cover opened.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a tape printer in which a tape cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view around an exposure key group of the tape printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a personal computer and a tape printer are linked.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a state in which the personal computer and the tape printer are linked.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape printing device 2 device main body 3 tape cartridge 4 device case 5 opening / closing lid 6 opening / closing button 7 trim portion 8 lid 9 crescent-shaped portion 10 exposure key group 11 keyboard 14 display 17 power input key 18 communication input key 19 exposure lamp group 23 Top surface 26 Depressed portion 30 Connection terminal portion 32 Connector 33 Cable 41 Power indicator lamp 43 Communication indicator lamp 50 PC keyboard 51 Monitor PC Personal computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Hashimoto 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Nakamura 2- 10-18 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside the King Jim Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasushi Kojima 2-10-18 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in the King Jim Co., Ltd. 2C061 AP01 AP05 BB02 BB10 BB35 CD07 CD14 CD21

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard disposed on an upper surface of an apparatus case and capable of inputting an image to be printed on a tape to be printed, a cover for opening and closing the keyboard, and a power input for turning on and off a power supply. And a communication input key for turning on and off a communication connection with an external device. The power input key and the communication input key are arranged on the device case at a position separated from the lid in a closed state. A tape printer characterized by being provided. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the lid is configured to be openable and closable via a hinge, and a display for displaying the print image input from the keyboard is incorporated on an inner surface thereof. The tape printer according to claim 1. 3. A recessed portion is formed at a portion of the device case surrounding the power input key and the communication input key such that a top surface thereof is flush with a surface of the device case. 3. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power input key and the communication input key are arranged close to each other. 5. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power input key and the communication input key are disposed on the upper surface of the device case. 6. The apparatus case further includes a power ON-
4. A power supply display lamp for displaying an OFF state and a communication display lamp for displaying an ON / OFF state of a communication connection are provided at positions separated from the lid in a closed state. 6. The tape printer according to any one of 5.