JP2007203676A - Tape printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printing system which further enriches a function concerning printing. <P>SOLUTION: This invention relates to the tape printing system in which a printing image is partitioned into a multiple number and it prints one by one into a plurality of tape members, and which has an enlargement printing kind in which the above-mentioned printed image is formed on one false label assumed to have carried out the side-by-side arrangement of a plurality of printing labels formed of printing to a tape width direction. Additionally, it has a tape kind detecting means for detecting whether a loaded tape is a transparent tape or an un-transparent tape, and a picture division method change means which makes a user do optionally setting of the picture division method which distributes the above-mentioned printed image to a plurality of tape members when the loaded tape is a transparent tape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printing system, and can be applied to, for example, a dedicated tape printing apparatus or a tape printing system in which a personal computer and a label printer are combined.

  For example, a dedicated tape printing device prints a string of input characters (concepts including symbols, pictograms, outer frame, background pattern, etc.) on a continuous tape by a transfer method using an ink ribbon and prints. The discharged tape is discharged and cut. Such a tape on which a character string after cutting is printed is called a label.

With the spread of tape printers, the use of labels has been expanded. As a result, various types of printing that do not exist in other printers, processing at the time of printing, and the like taking into account the use of labels and the like have been adopted. For example, an enlarged printing function (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2) that can be regarded as a single label when a plurality of labels are bonded together, or a continuous process for creating a plurality of the same label with a cutting process. A printing function has been proposed. For example, a mirror image printing function based on the premise that the transparent tape is viewed from the non-printing surface side has been proposed. Furthermore, a function for finely adjusting the printing position within a label having a predetermined size has been proposed (see Patent Document 3). Furthermore, many tape printers employ a transfer system using an ink ribbon, which has been hardly adopted in general printers (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-301238 A JP 2000-34196 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 62-273875

  However, conventional tape printers have print types (for example, enlarged printing) and processing at the time of printing that do not exist in other printers in consideration of label usage, but there is still room for improvement, Or does not match the request.

  Therefore, a tape printing system that further enhances the functions related to printing is desired.

  In order to solve such a problem, the tape printing system of the first aspect of the present invention divides a print image into a plurality of pieces and sequentially prints them on a plurality of tape portions, and arranges a plurality of print labels formed by printing in the tape width direction. A tape type detection means for detecting whether the tape loaded is a transparent tape or a non-transparent tape having an enlarged printing type for forming the print image on a single pseudo label provided; When the loaded tape is a transparent tape, image dividing method switching means for allowing a user to arbitrarily set an image dividing method for distributing the print image to a plurality of tape portions is provided.

  The tape printing system according to the second aspect of the present invention has a special printing type in which a plurality of labels having the same label length and the same front and rear margin length are continuously printed by a single print command. In the front and rear margin fine adjustment amount setting means for setting the fine adjustment amount of the front and rear margin values at the time of printing of each tape portion to be printed on the second and subsequent labels, and at the time of printing each tape portion on and after the second sheet, And a front and rear margin forming means for forming a front and rear margin value corrected from a predetermined front and rear margin value by a fine adjustment amount of the set front and rear margin value.

  Furthermore, the tape printing system according to the third aspect of the present invention prints by transferring the ink on the ink ribbon to the tape, and performs information leakage prevention processing on the ink ribbon on which the printed content remains after printing processing. An information leakage prevention means is provided.

  Furthermore, the tape printing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes an input character string fetching unit that fetches an input character string, and a primary / secondary printing mode instruction unit that instructs a primary / secondary printing mode in which a primary label and a secondary label are continuously printed. When the primary / secondary printing mode is instructed, the user selects all or part of the character string from the input character string captured by the input character string capturing means, and at least one character of the sub label or the primary label. And a primary / secondary label character string setting means for setting a column.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the loaded tape is a transparent tape, a plurality of labels for enlarged printing can be printed so as to be more easily applied than in the case of a non-transparent tape.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of labels for which the same label length and the same front / rear margin length are required are continuously printed, the same front / rear margin length can be achieved with high accuracy.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, information leakage from the ink ribbon after the printing process can be prevented.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily instruct contents to be printed on one of the primary label and the secondary label to be printed continuously.

(A) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the tape printing system according to the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus as a single apparatus will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration of the tape printing system of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance image of the tape printing system. . Note that the tape printing system (tape printing apparatus) of this embodiment is configured as an independent apparatus dedicated to tape printing.

  In FIG. 1, the tape printing system of this embodiment is mainly composed of an input unit 10, a control unit 20, and an output unit 30, and the control unit 20 processes information from the input unit 10 and the processing stage at that time. The processing according to the above is executed, and the processing result is displayed or printed out by the output unit 30.

  Although the detailed configuration is omitted, the input unit 10 includes a key input unit 11 having a press key (or a dial key) and a tape type detection sensor 12. The key input unit 11 generates a character code and various control data to be given to the control unit 20. The tape type detection sensor 12 detects the width and color (including transparency) of the loaded tape and supplies the tape type information to the control unit 20. In practice, the tape is housed in the tape cartridge together with the ink ribbon, and the tape cartridge is provided with a physical identification element such as a hole that defines the tape width and color, etc. The tape identification information is output by reading the identification element.

  The lid 50 having a transparent window portion in FIG. 2 is provided in the upper part of the space inside the apparatus housing that accommodates the tape cassette TC, and the tape cassette TC is loaded below the lid 50. The tape type detection sensor 12 reads the physical identification element of the loaded tape cassette TC.

  The output unit 30 includes a printing configuration and a display configuration. Here, the print configuration is a configuration for printing on a tape, and the display configuration is a configuration for displaying input information to be printed on a label, a message for operation guidance, and the like.

  For example, a tape / ribbon traveling mechanism 31 mainly composed of a stepping motor, a direct current motor, etc., feeds a tape or an ink ribbon (not shown) loaded to a predetermined printing position or outside of the apparatus. The thermal head 32 is fixed, for example, and prints on the running tape by thermal transfer. Each of the tape / ribbon running mechanism 31 and the thermal head 32 is driven by a running drive circuit (including a motor) 33 and a head drive circuit 34 under the control of the control unit 20.

  The printed tape is cut by a cutter 37 driven by a cutter drive circuit (including a motor) 38 under the control of the control unit 20. 2 is used to discharge the printed tape, and a cutting cutter 37 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 52.

  Here, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4, the tape T has a backing paper (release paper) T1 and a cover sheet (tape body) T2 having an adhesive layer. Under the control of the control unit 20, the cutting cutter 37 is a full cutter 37a that cuts both the front cover T2 and the back paper T1 in the full cutting mode, and the adhesive layer without cutting the back paper T1 in the half cutting mode. And a half cutter 37b that cuts only the cover sheet T2 having.

  A perforation forming member 39 is disposed on the traveling path of the tape T between the print head 32 and the cutting cutter 37. The perforation forming member 39 is driven by the perforation forming drive circuit 40 under the control of the control unit 20 in the perforation forming mode, and forms only the backing paper T1 in the width direction. is there. The perforation forming member 39 may be a needle-like member that forms a perforation by advancing and retreating, and portions having different diameters corresponding to the depth of the perforation are alternately arranged. A perforated cutter may be formed by rotating the disc cutter.

  Due to the presence of the cutting cutter 37 and the perforation forming member 39, the control unit 20, when printing a plurality of labels continuously (in the case of continuous printing or enlarged printing), as described later, Any of the following three aspects can be taken as a cutting aspect for. The first mode is a mode in which the front cover T2 and the back paper T1 are cut together. In the second mode, the labels on the cover T2 are cut, but the backing paper T1 remains connected. The third mode is a mode in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut and the perforation is made between the labels on the backing T1. In the case of the third aspect, the cutting position between the labels on the cover T2 and the perforation position between the labels on the backing paper T1 coincide. Some existing tape printers have the cutting function of the first and second aspects, but none have the cutting function of the third aspect.

  Further, due to the presence of the cutting cutter 37 and the perforation forming member 39, the control unit 20 performs the following fourth cutting when printing one label (for example, constant pitch label printing described later). Embodiments can be taken. The fourth mode is a mode in which perforation is made in the backing paper T1 at a predetermined cycle without cutting (half-cutting) the front cover T2.

  An adhesive material output nozzle portion 41 is provided at a position on the travel path of the ink ribbon after execution of printing and close to the take-up reel of the ink ribbon. The adhesive material output nozzle unit 41 is driven by the adhesive material output drive unit 42 under the control of the control unit 20 to attach an adhesive material to the ink ribbon. For example, after a certain amount of time has passed after the ink ribbon to which the adhesive material has been applied has been taken up by the take-up reel, the ink ribbon will not be pulled out even if the ink ribbon is pulled in the reverse direction. Apply adhesive material that functions as is.

  5A and 5B are explanatory views showing the tape cassette TC. FIG. 5A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 5B is a schematic rear view. As shown in FIG. 5A, the tape T and the ink ribbon IR are wound around the supply reel 60, and the direction of travel of the tape T and the ink ribbon IR drawn from the supply reel 60 is changed by the direction changing member 61. After a slight change, the platen roller 62 is reached, and when the tape cassette TC is loaded, printing is performed at the position of the platen roller 62 by the print head 32 located in the opening 63. The printed tape T is sent out from an outlet 64 provided on the traveling direction side. On the other hand, after the printing is performed, the ink ribbon IR travels around the opening 63 via the direction change members 65 to 67, reaches the tension roller 68, and further takes up the take-up reel 70 via the direction change member 69. Is reached and wound up. As shown in the back view of FIG. 5B, the tension roller 68 and the take-up reel 70 have periodic cutouts 68a and 70a on the backside of the central axis thereof. The claw portions 68b and 70b that engage with the self are configured to prevent reverse rotation. The claw portions 68b and 70b have long holes 68c, 70c, 68d, and 70d that allow the swinging thereof.

  The above-mentioned adhesive material output nozzle portion 41 is inserted into the tape cassette TC via, for example, the long hole 70c or 70d associated with the take-up reel 70, and attaches the adhesive material to the ink ribbon IR after execution of printing. Here, the adhesive material may be attached to the entire region in the width direction of the ink ribbon IR or may be applied to several points in the width direction of the ink ribbon IR.

  As a display unit of the tape printing system of this embodiment, for example, a liquid crystal display 35 that can display about several characters (for example, 12 characters) over several lines (for example, 4 lines) of a predetermined size is provided. The liquid crystal display 35 is driven by the display drive circuit 36 under the control of the control unit 20. In the case of this embodiment, the liquid crystal display 35 is provided on the lid 50 (see FIG. 2).

  The liquid crystal display 35 includes a dot display unit 2 that displays an input character string, a line number, a print image, length information, and the like, and an attribute indicator unit 3 (3-1 to 3-n). In general, the driving unit 36a corresponds to the dot display unit 2 and the driving unit 36b corresponds to the attribute indicator unit 3.

  The control unit 20 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer, and is configured by connecting a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a character generator ROM (CG-ROM) 24, an input interface 25 and an output interface 26 via a system bus 27. ing.

  The ROM 22 is composed of one or a plurality of ROM chips, and the ROM 22 stores various processing programs and fixed data such as kana-kanji conversion dictionary data. For example, the ROM 22 stores a special printing program (including fixed data) 22a.

  The RAM 23 includes one or a plurality of RAM chips, is used as a working memory, and stores fixed data related to user input. In FIG. 1, although described as the RAM 23, the concept includes other memory elements such as an EEPROM used as a working memory. The RAM 23 is a print buffer that stores dot images of a character string to be printed, a display buffer that stores a display image for an input character string, a text buffer that stores character data related to printing and input, a line number, and the like. A line number state holding buffer for holding a display mode for the attribute indicator, an attribute indicator state holding buffer for holding a display mode for the attribute indicator 3, and the like.

  The CG-ROM 24 stores a dot pattern of characters and symbols prepared in the tape printing apparatus, and outputs a corresponding dot pattern when code data specifying a character or symbol is given. Is. Note that separate CG-ROMs may be provided for display and for printing. The font information storage format may be either an outline font format or a bitmap format.

  The input interface 25 is an interface between the input unit 10 and the control unit 20, and the output interface 26 is an interface between the output unit 30 and the control unit 20.

  The CPU 21 uses a processing program in the ROM 22 determined according to an input signal from the input unit 10 and a processing stage at that time, using the RAM 23 as a working area, and if necessary, a fixed program stored in the ROM 22 or the RAM 23. Data is processed using data as appropriate, and the processing status, processing results, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 or printed on a tape.

(A-2) Special Printing Operation Next, the operation (tape printing method) of the tape printing system according to the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  Since the tape printing system of this embodiment is characterized by special printing, the operation when the special printing key 11a provided in the key input unit 11 is operated will be described below. Note that the special print key 11a may be a single dedicated key, or may instruct special printing by operating a plurality of keys (for example, simultaneous operation or sequential operation of a shift key and a print key).

  When the special print key 11a is operated, the CPU 21 starts a special print program 22a shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a character string to be printed has been input (exists) (step 100). If the input character string does not exist, the CPU 21 emits a warning sound from a buzzer (not shown) or the like (step 101), and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, if the input character string exists, the CPU 21 confirms the loading of the tape cassette (step 102). If no tape cassette is loaded, the CPU 21 displays a message prompting loading of the tape cassette on the liquid crystal display 35 (step 103), and waits for loading of the tape cassette (step 104). When the tape cassette is loaded from the beginning, or when the tape cassette is not loaded at the beginning but is loaded in response to the loading prompt by a message, the CPU 21 sets the type of special printing on the liquid crystal display 35. An image to be selected is displayed (step 105), a special print type selection input is captured (step 106), and the captured special print type is determined (step 107).

  When “enlarged printing” is selected, the CPU 21 proceeds to the enlarged printing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 (step 108), and when “continuous printing” is selected, it is shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the process proceeds to the continuous printing routine (step 109) and “primary / sub printing” is selected, the process proceeds to the main / sub printing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 (step 110), and “fixed pitch label printing” is selected. In this case, the routine proceeds to the constant pitch label printing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 (step 111).

(A-2-1) Enlarged Printing Operation When the CPU 21 proceeds to the enlarged printing routine shown in FIG. 7, it first determines whether or not the loaded tape (tape cassette) is a transparent tape (transparent tape type). (Step 150).

  When the transparent tape is loaded, the CPU 21 confirms the user's intention regarding the printing attributes that are not confirmed when the non-transparent tape is loaded. For example, the CPU 21 allows the user to select whether or not to provide upper and lower margins (step 151) and whether or not to perform overlapping printing in the upper and lower stages when no upper and lower margins are provided (step 152). In such a selection operation, the CPU 21 displays a candidate and a message for requesting selection on the liquid crystal display 35, captures a user operation, and recognizes the selection content.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a label of a 3 × enlarged printing result provided with upper and lower margins. Temporarily, the first-stage lower margin part CL1 and the second-stage upper margin part CU2 are cut and removed so that their edges are adjacent to each other. The second-stage lower margin part CL2 and the third-stage upper margin part When the CU3 is cut and removed and the edges are adjacent to each other, an enlarged print label of three times the input character string “1234” is obtained. Here, in the case of a transparent tape, the lower margin portion CL1 and the upper margin portion CU2, and the lower margin portion CL2 and the upper margin portion CU3 are bonded so that the characters are continuous in the width direction without cutting and removing. An enlarged print label can be obtained. Although illustration is omitted, enlarged printing that does not have upper and lower margins is printed without such a lower margin portion and upper margin portion.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of duplicate printing. A character string “1234” in FIG. 9 represents a character string with a virtual double enlarged label. Reference numerals T11 and T12 in FIG. 9 indicate the first and second stage tape portions (labels), respectively, and the portions OL that overlap in the width direction are the first and second stages. It becomes the overlapping print part in the tape part.

  It should be noted that when the non-transparent tape is loaded, the upper and lower margins are fixedly set in the tape portion of each step.

  In the case of pasting the labels of each enlarged stage, the non-transparent tape generally does not overlap due to the appearance, etc., so the user wants to print without upper and lower margins. It has come to be desired that “overlap = with upper and lower margins” and “not overlap = with upper and lower margins” can be selected. However, conventional tape printing systems are not equipped with means and configurations that can meet the above-described selection requirements without distinguishing between non-transparent tapes and transparent tapes. In this embodiment, as described above, in the case of a transparent tape, the user can select an arbitrary printing mode (image division method).

  In the case of transparent tape, if upper and lower margins are provided and they are laminated together, there is no gap between the upper label and the lower label, and the lowermost label of the upper label and the lower label are printed. It is possible to overlap about 1 dot with the upper printing and paste the printed parts without any gaps.

  The CPU 21 captures the cutting attribute of the tape portion (label) of each stage from the user regardless of whether the loaded tape is a transparent tape or a non-transparent tape (step 153). The selection candidates here are the three types of cutting modes described above. That is, the first mode (a mode in which labels are completely cut), the second mode (a mode in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut but the backing paper T1 remains connected), or the third mode (the cover T2). In which the perforations are cut between the labels on the backing paper T1).

  Thereafter, after capturing the enlargement magnification (step 154), the CPU 21 sets the enlargement magnification arbitrarily set or automatically set and various print attributes (related to the input character string, the print attributes automatically or arbitrarily set during the input operation). (Step 155), the tape portions (labels) at each stage are continuously printed (step 156). A method for forming the front and rear margins at the time of printing will be described later.

  The CPU 21 drives and controls the cutting cutter 37, the perforation forming member 39, and the like for the cutting process of the tape portions (labels) between the respective stages when the enlarged printing is executed, and is set in the above-described step 153. Performed in a cut mode. Note that the CPU 21 cuts both the front cover T2 and the back paper T1 at the end of the final tape portion (label).

  Further, the CPU 21 drives and controls the adhesive material output nozzle portion 41 during the execution of the enlarged printing, in other words, during the running period of the ink ribbon IR, and attaches the adhesive material to the ink ribbon IR after the printing is performed. It is made to adhere to each other while being wound around the take-up reel.

  Currently, used tape cartridges are collected from the viewpoint of recycling. However, some users do not accept collection because the printed content remains negative on the printed ink ribbon. Conceivable. With the function of preventing leakage of information from the ink ribbon as described above, it can be expected that the recovery rate of the tape cartridge is increased.

  When the CPU 21 finishes printing all the tape portions (labels), the CPU 21 displays a message asking whether or not to finely adjust the front and rear margins on the liquid crystal display 35, and whether or not the user intends to make fine adjustments. (Step 157). When the user makes a fine adjustment intention display, the CPU 21 takes in the fine adjustment values of the front and rear margins and writes them into the RAM 23 (step 158). Returning to the input screen or the like immediately before the print key 11a is operated (step 159), the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  The RAM 23 is a concept that includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM as described above, and fine adjustment values of front and rear margins are written in the rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  In this embodiment, the fine adjustment value of the front and rear margins is used for a printing function that requires that the front and rear margins of a plurality of continuously printed labels are the same, such as an enlarged printing function and a continuous printing function. Is. For example, in the enlarged printing function, when the tape part (label) of each step is pasted, it does not look good if the front and rear positions are not aligned, so the front and rear margins of the tape part (label) of each step are the same Cost. Further, in the continuous printing function for creating a plurality of labels having the same content, since all labels are required to be the same, the front and rear margins are required to be the same.

  However, if fine adjustment of the front and rear margins is not performed due to the influence of the rising characteristics of the operation of the tape running mechanism or the like, for example, the front and rear margins for the first label that is continuously printed and the second and subsequent labels Can be different. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the difference (absolute length) of the second and subsequent labels (for example, the second and subsequent labels) with respect to the front margin of the first label is the fine adjustment value of the front margin. And the difference (absolute length) of the second and subsequent labels (for example, the second and subsequent labels) with respect to the trailing margin of the first label is input as a trailing margin fine adjustment value. (The unit that can be input is, for example, 0.2 mm). Immediately after the enlargement printing is finished, the first label (first-stage label) and the second label (second-stage label) exist, so that the user can easily measure the fine adjustment value.

  A function for continuously printing a plurality of labels, such as an enlarged printing function and a continuous printing function, is selected, and when printing each label, the CPU 21 performs any adjustment process on the front margin and the rear margin for the first label. For the second and subsequent labels, the lengths of the original front and back margins are corrected by the stored fine adjustment values of the front and back margins, and the front and back margins are corrected. A margin forming process is performed.

  As described above, the fine adjustment value of the front and rear margins stored in step 158 described above is used in subsequent enlarged printing and continuous printing.

  In the above description, the fine adjustment value of the front and rear margins stored is an absolute length, but may be stored as a ratio. For example, when a fine adjustment value of the front margin that is an absolute length is input by the user, the CPU 21 divides by the set value (absolute length) of the front margin at that time and converts it into a ratio. To do. After that, when fine adjustment of the front margin becomes necessary, the absolute length is obtained by multiplying the set value (absolute length) of the front margin at that time by the stored fine adjustment ratio of the front margin. The length of the original front margin may be corrected by the fine adjustment length of the converted front margin, and the front margin forming process may be performed.

  Incidentally, in the conventional system, since the front and rear margins cannot be set finely, the margins of continuously printed labels cannot be dealt with.

(A-2-2) Continuous Printing Operation When the continuous printing is selected as the special printing type and the process proceeds to the continuous printing routine shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 21 captures the label cutting attribute from the user (step 200). The selection candidates here are also the first mode (a mode in which the labels are completely cut), the second mode (a mode in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut but the backing paper T1 is kept connected) or the third mode. This is an aspect (an aspect in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut and the perforations are inserted between the labels on the backing paper T1).

  Next, after fetching the number of continuous prints (step 201), the CPU 21 sets various automatically or automatically set various print attributes (related to the input character string, the print attributes automatically or arbitrarily set during the input operation). The image is developed on the print image (step 202), and the label is repeatedly printed by the set number (step 203).

  The method for forming the front and rear margins during this continuous printing is as described above in the section of enlarged printing. The CPU 21 performs the cutting process between the labels at the time of executing the continuous printing by driving and controlling the cutting cutter 37, the perforation forming member 39, and the like in the cutting mode set in step 200 described above. The CPU 21 cuts both the front cover T2 and the back paper T1 at the end of the final label.

  Further, the CPU 21 also drives and controls the adhesive material output nozzle portion 41 during the continuous printing (in other words, during the running period of the ink ribbon IR) to attach the adhesive material to the ink ribbon IR after printing. In the state of being wound on the take-up reel, they are fixed to each other.

  When the CPU 21 finishes printing the same number of labels, the CPU 21 displays a message asking whether or not to finely adjust the front and rear margins on the liquid crystal display 35 to confirm whether or not the user intends to make fine adjustments. (Step 204). When the user makes a fine adjustment intention display, the CPU 21 takes in the fine adjustment values of the front and rear margins and writes them into the RAM 23 (step 205). The screen is returned to the input screen just before the print key 11a is operated (step 206), and the series of processing shown in FIG.

(A-2-3) Primary / Secondary Printing Operation When the primary / secondary printing is selected as the special printing type and the process proceeds to the primary / secondary printing routine shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 21 first determines whether the input character string is the character string of the primary label. The user is allowed to specify whether to use the sub-label character string (step 250). Thereafter, the CPU 21 causes the user to designate the character string of the sub-label or the primary label that has not been designated by a selection operation from the input character string (step 251). The selection unit here may be a character, a line unit, or a paragraph unit.

  In the above, it has been shown that the user can specify whether the input character string is a positive label character string or a sub-label character string. The character string of the sub label may be fixed and the user may be designated by the selection operation from the input character string. Further, the character string of the primary label and the character string of the sub-label may be designated by the user by a selection operation from the input character string.

  Thereafter, the CPU 21 causes the user to select the type of primary and secondary printing (step 252). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of examples of types of primary and secondary printing (of course, not limited to those shown in FIG. 12). As types of primary and secondary printing, primary labels and secondary labels as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C have the same size, and primary labels as shown in FIGS. 12D and 12E are used. Some are larger than the secondary label. The types are also different depending on the combination of vertical label writing, horizontal writing, sub-label vertical writing, and horizontal writing. For example, the CPU 21 displays the primary and secondary printing types as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12E on the liquid crystal display 35 in an image, and selects the primary and secondary printing types.

  Here, the combination of the character size of the primary label and the secondary label (relative character size that varies depending on the tape width) may be determined depending on the type of primary and secondary printing. In addition, the character sizes of the primary label and the sub label may be determined by calculation according to the type of primary / sub printing and the character string configuration (number of lines or paragraph configuration) of each label.

  Next, the CPU 21 causes the user to select whether or not to print characters that clearly indicate the primary label and the secondary label (step 253). FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print result with characters that clearly indicate a primary label and a secondary label. In the example of FIG. 13, a character in which the characters “primary” and “secondary” are circled is a character that clearly indicates the primary label and the secondary label. One type of character may be used. In addition, the user may select a plurality of such character types. Further, an indicator may be displayed. Such a character printing position may be fixed by the system, or may be selected by a user from a plurality of candidates.

  Thereafter, the CPU 21 captures the disconnect attribute between labels from the user (step 254). The selection candidates here are also the first mode (a mode in which the labels are completely cut), the second mode (a mode in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut but the backing paper T1 is kept connected) or the third mode. This is an aspect (an aspect in which the labels on the cover T2 are cut and the perforations are inserted between the labels on the backing paper T1).

  Next, the CPU 21 selects two types of input character strings, primary and secondary, according to various print attributes that are arbitrarily set or automatically set (including print attributes that are related to the input character string and that are automatically or arbitrarily set during the input operation). Is developed into a print image (step 255), and the primary and secondary labels are printed (step 256). Finally, the screen is restored to the input screen just before the special print key 11a is operated (step 257), and the series of processing shown in FIG. 11 is terminated.

  When printing primary and secondary labels of the same length, the front and rear margin forming method described above in the section of enlarged printing may be applied. The CPU 21 performs the cutting process between the primary and secondary labels at the time of executing the printing of the primary and secondary labels by driving and controlling the cutting cutter 37, the perforation forming member 39, and the like, in the cutting mode set in step 254 described above. Even when printing of the primary and secondary labels is performed (in other words, during the running period of the ink ribbon IR), the adhesive material output nozzle unit 41 is driven and controlled so that the adhesive material adheres to the ink ribbon IR after printing is performed. It is made to adhere to each other while being wound around the take-up reel. In addition, when printing the primary and secondary labels of the same length, the CPU 21 displays a message asking whether or not to perform fine adjustment of the front and rear margins on the liquid crystal display 35 so that the user confirms the intention of fine adjustment. May be.

  At the time of printing the primary and secondary labels, designation may be made such that the trailing margin of the primary label to be printed first and the leading margin of the secondary label to be printed later are substantially zero.

(A-2-4) Constant Pitch Label Printing Operation FIG. 14 shows the result of printing a constant pitch label. The constant pitch label has a pitch in which the distance between adjacent paragraphs (between the paragraph centers) is designated by the user. The example of FIG. 14 is an example having four paragraphs, but the distance between the first paragraph and the second paragraph, the distance between the second paragraph and the third paragraph, and the distance between the third paragraph and the fourth paragraph are all. The same designated distance PIT. Note that the front margin of the first paragraph and the rear margin of the last paragraph are similar to general labels.

  When the constant pitch label printing is selected as the special print type and the CPU 21 proceeds to the constant pitch label printing routine shown in FIG. 15, first, whether or not the number of paragraphs of the input character string to be used for printing is two or more in the longitudinal direction. Is determined (step 300).

  When there are two or more paragraphs in the longitudinal direction of the input character string, the CPU 21 causes the user to specify the distance (pitch) between the paragraphs (step 301). The pitch is specified by an absolute length with the minimum unit being 1 mm, for example.

  Further, the CPU 21 allows the user to select whether or not to perforate the backing paper T1 at the center position between paragraphs (see CEN in FIG. 14) (step 302). The constant-pitch label can be very long, and the perforation can be inserted as necessary in consideration of ease of peeling of the backing paper T1.

  Next, the CPU 21 expands the print image according to various print attributes that are arbitrarily set or automatically set (including print attributes that are related to the input character string and that are automatically or arbitrarily set during the input operation). (Step 303) A fixed pitch label is printed (Step 304). Finally, the screen is returned to the input screen just before the special print key 11a is operated (step 305), and the series of processing shown in FIG. 15 is terminated. Even when the result of determination in step 300 shows that the input character string has a single paragraph structure, the CPU 21 displays the warning message (step 306) and then operates the special print key 11a described above. Returning to the previous input screen or the like (step 305), the series of processing shown in FIG.

  The CPU 21 drives and controls the perforation forming member 39 to set the perforation at the center position between the paragraphs when the perforation is set to the backing paper T1 during the printing of the constant pitch label. Give. Even when printing of this constant pitch label is performed (in other words, during the running period of the ink ribbon IR), the adhesive material output nozzle 41 is driven and controlled so that the adhesive material adheres to the ink ribbon IR after printing is performed. It is made to adhere mutually in the state wound up by the take-up reel.

(A-3) Effect of Embodiment According to the above-described embodiment, an adhesive is applied to the ink ribbon after being subjected to the printing process, and the adhesive force is applied in a state of being wound on the take-up reel. Therefore, it is possible to make it impossible to read the print contents that can be read from the ink ribbon, and to prevent information leakage.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the transparent tape is loaded in the enlarged printing, the user can select the presence / absence of upper and lower margins and the printing position attribute such as execution / non-execution of duplicate printing by the user. The user can select an arbitrary method from the step bonding methods. That is, in the case of transparent tape, since the background of the tape does not become the background of the tape content, the degree of freedom of the bonding method is large, and it is possible to easily cope with the user's preference by changing the handling with non-transparent tape. .

  Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the front and rear margin fine adjustment functions are provided based on the printing results of the first label to be printed continuously and the second and subsequent labels in enlarged printing and continuous printing. The front and rear margins of a plurality of labels for which matching of the front and rear margins is required can be made to match more.

  Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, since a cutting mode of adding a perforation to the back cover and a half cut of the cover is added, various cutting modes can be provided.

  In addition, according to the above embodiment, constant pitch label printing and primary / secondary printing are provided as the types of special printing, so that the user can use these printings as necessary, further improving the usability of the apparatus. .

  Furthermore, in primary and secondary printing, the character string of at least one of the primary label and the secondary label can be specified by selection from the input character string, so that the input operation of the character string should be simplified even during primary and secondary printing. Can do.

(B) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been described in the description of the above-described embodiment, further modified embodiments as exemplified below can be given.

  In the above-described embodiment, the adhesive material is attached to fix the respective parts of the ink ribbon to each other, thereby preventing information leakage from the ink ribbon on which the printed content remains, but instead of this, or In addition to this, information leakage from the ink ribbon may be prevented by other methods.

  For example, the ink may be scraped off from the ink ribbon, or the ink may be melted to destroy the outline of the missing part of the ink and make it unreadable. If the former, for example, a spatula member may be inserted and scraped off from the location described as inserting the adhesive material output nozzle portion 41 in the description of the above embodiment. The detached ink may be collected. Further, a spatula member may be provided from the beginning as a component of the tape cassette, and only the suction structure may be provided in the apparatus main body. Further, in addition to the print head, a heating head for melting the ink may be provided separately to realize a function of preventing information leakage due to ink melting.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation for preventing the information leakage from the ink ribbon in which the printed content remains in the printing operation period has been described. However, the information leakage preventing operation is performed at another timing. Also good. For example, the information leakage prevention operation may be performed on all parts of the ink ribbon at the timing when the tape end is detected. In such a case, it is necessary to provide a traveling configuration of the ink ribbon from the take-up reel to the supply reel.

  In the above embodiment, during enlargement printing, the function of selecting the print position between loading a transparent tape and loading a non-transparent tape is left to the user's selection, but the system automatically The printing position selection function may be switched between loading a transparent tape and loading a non-transparent tape. For example, the automatic switching may be performed so that enlarged printing with upper and lower margins is performed when a transparent tape is loaded, and enlarged printing without upper and lower margins is performed when a non-transparent tape is loaded. May also be switched). Further, for example, it may be possible to automatically switch so that enlarged printing partially overlapping at adjacent stages is performed when a transparent tape is loaded, and enlarged printing without duplication is performed when a non-transparent tape is loaded.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first label and the second and subsequent labels are used for fine adjustment of the front and rear margins. A fine adjustment value may be set for each to perform fine adjustment during printing.

  In the above embodiment, the constant pitch label printing function is selected after the special printing is instructed. However, as with the form input, the constant pitch label printing function is provided as an input method option, and the input processing is performed. Therefore, it may be switched to another printing time.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the character string of the primary label and the secondary label in the primary and secondary printing is the same as or less than the input character string. However, it is allowed to add characters to the input character string. May be. For example, an additional input of a character string specific to the primary label and an additional input step of a character string specific to the secondary label may be included in the processing of FIG. Similarly to the form input, a primary / secondary printing function may be provided as an input method option, and the primary label character string and the secondary label character string may be input separately. At this time, the primary label character string may be used as the initial value of the sub-label character string.

  In the above description of the embodiment, printing has been described as being executed after the print content expansion process, but it is needless to say that the expansion process may be executed in parallel with the print process.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tape printing system as a dedicated machine is shown, but the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to a tape printing system in which a personal computer and a label printer are combined.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical whole structure of embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance image of embodiment. It is a top view which shows the display surface structure of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tape of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the tape cassette of embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of processing when a special printing instruction is given in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the enlarged printing routine of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the enlarged printing with an upper and lower margin of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the duplication printing of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the continuous printing routine of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the primary / secondary printing routine of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the kind of primary / secondary label of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the character which specifies the primary / secondary label of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the constant pitch label of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the constant pitch label printing routine of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Input part, 11 ... Key input part, 11a ... Special printing key, 12 ... Tape type detection sensor, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 22a ... Special printing program, 30 ... Output part, 31 ... Tape / ribbon travel mechanism, 32 ... thermal head, 35 ... liquid crystal display, 37 ... cutter, 39 ... perforation forming member, 41 ... adhesive material output nozzle.

Claims (10)

The print image is divided into a plurality of pieces and sequentially printed on a plurality of tape portions, and the print image is formed on one pseudo label in which a plurality of print labels formed by printing are arranged in parallel in the tape width direction. In a tape printing system having an enlarged printing type,
A tape type detection means for detecting whether the loaded tape is a transparent tape or a non-transparent tape;
An image division method switching means for allowing a user to arbitrarily set an image division method for distributing the print image to a plurality of tape portions when the loaded tape is a transparent tape.   The image division method switching means allows the user to select whether or not to apply an image division method in which upper and lower margins are provided in each tape portion when the loaded tape is a transparent tape. The tape printing system according to 1.   The image division method switching means allows the user to select whether or not to apply an image division method in which an overlapping image portion is generated in each tape portion when the loaded tape is a transparent tape. The tape printing system according to 1. A front and rear margin fine adjustment amount setting means for setting a fine adjustment amount of a front and rear margin value at the time of printing each tape portion after the second sheet in the enlarged printing function;
Front and rear margin forming means for forming front and rear margin values corrected by a fine adjustment amount of the set front and rear margin values from a predetermined front and rear margin value at the time of printing each tape portion after the second sheet. The tape printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In a tape printing system having a special printing type in which a plurality of labels having the same label length and the same front and rear margin length are continuously printed by one printing command,
Front / rear margin fine adjustment amount setting means for setting a front / rear margin value fine adjustment amount at the time of printing of each tape portion to be the second and subsequent labels to be printed continuously;
Front and rear margin forming means for forming a front and rear margin value corrected by a fine adjustment amount of a set front and rear margin value from a predetermined front and rear margin value at the time of printing each tape portion after the second sheet. And tape printing system. In the tape printing system that prints by transferring the ink on the ink ribbon to the tape,
A tape printing system comprising an information leakage prevention means for performing an information leakage prevention process on an ink ribbon on which printing content remains after printing processing.   7. The information leakage prevention means according to claim 6, wherein an adhesive is attached to the ink ribbon on which the printed content remains, and each part of the ink ribbon wound on the take-up reel is fixed. Tape printing system.   7. The tape printing system according to claim 6, wherein the information leakage prevention means scrapes ink from an ink ribbon on which printed contents remain.   7. The tape printing system according to claim 6, wherein the information leakage prevention means melts the ink of the ink ribbon in which the printed content remains and makes the ink drop-off portion unreadable. An input string fetching means for fetching an input string;
A primary / secondary printing mode instructing unit for instructing a primary / secondary printing mode for continuously printing the primary label and the secondary label;
When the primary / secondary printing mode is instructed, the user selects all or a part of the character strings from the input character strings taken in by the input character string fetching means, so that at least one character string of the sub-label or the primary label is selected. A tape printing system comprising: primary and secondary label character string setting means for setting.

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