JP2013052655A - Tape-like print medium and tape printing apparatus that print the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape-like print medium allowing own attribute information to be directly read in a set state, and a tape printing apparatus that prints on this print medium.SOLUTION: In the tape-like print medium (printing tape) 70, the code image that is at least one piece of encoded attribute information B out of a plurality of pieces of attribute information B is recorded in a non-printing surface 70b, and the code image is composed readable by an image sensor array at an arbitrary position in a medium extending direction. Also, the tape printing apparatus includes: a printing part 4 that sends the printing tape 70 along a feed route 36 and prints the printing tape 70 being sent; a backside line sensor 8 that is arranged to traverse the feed route 36 and reads the code image; and a control part 10 that controls the printing part 4 based on the read code image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape-like print medium in which a code image in which attribute information is encoded is recorded on a non-printing surface, and a tape printer for printing on the tape-like print medium.

Conventionally, as this type of printing medium (tape-shaped printing medium), a non-printing surface (non-printing surface) provided with printing control information composed of a plurality of magnetic marks, and a label for performing thermal printing on this printing medium A printer is known (see Patent Document 1).
The print medium is obtained by continuously sticking label pieces on a belt-like mount, and on the back surface (non-print surface) of the mount, there are a plurality of magnetic marks having various widths and their intervals. Print control information constituted by a plurality of space portions is formed in accordance with the pitch of the label pieces.
On the other hand, the label printer includes a supply unit that supplies a print medium, a data input unit, a print unit that prints on the print medium based on the input data, a magnetic detection sensor that reads print control information on the print medium, Control means for controlling the printing means based on the reading result of the detection sensor.
The magnetic detection sensor reads the print control information of the print medium, and based on this, the control means determines the type, print speed, print density, etc. of the print medium and controls the drive of the print means.

JP 2001-180134 A

  In such a conventional print medium and label printer, a plurality of magnetic marks having various widths and a plurality of space portions having these intervals are arranged in the feed direction of the print medium. When printing control information is read by the sensor for printing, it is necessary to send the printing medium by the platen roller of the printing means. In other words, when the print medium is set in the label printer, the print control information cannot be read even when the power is turned on, and appropriate print control can be performed only after printing is started (medium feed is started). There was no problem.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape-like print medium that can directly read its attribute information in a set state, and a tape printer that performs printing on the tape-like print medium.

  In the tape-shaped print medium of the present invention, a code image in which at least one attribute information of a plurality of attribute information is encoded is recorded on the non-printing surface, and the code image is extended in the medium extending direction by an imaging element array. It is configured to be readable at an arbitrary position.

  According to this configuration, the code image is configured to be readable at an arbitrary position in the medium extending direction by the image sensor array, and therefore the code image is transmitted to the image sensor array without sending the tape-shaped print medium (self ) Attribute information can be read directly. Note that the code image is preferably equivalent to a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

  In this case, the plurality of attribute information is preferably tape remaining amount information and tape type information.

  According to this configuration, the remaining tape amount information and the tape type information can be read directly from the tape-like print medium, and the read result can be used for setting conditions for printing on the tape-like print medium. it can. The tape type information preferably includes authentic product information of the tape-shaped print medium in addition to the tape width information and the tape material information.

  The tape printer of the present invention is a tape printer that performs printing on the tape-shaped print medium described above, and sends the tape-shaped print medium along the feed path and prints on the tape-shaped print medium that is being sent. It is characterized by comprising printing means, an image sensor array that is arranged so as to cross the feeding path, and that reads a code image, and control means that controls the printing means based on the read code image.

  According to this configuration, the attribute information can be directly read by the imaging element array in a state where the tape-shaped print medium is set. That is, prior to printing on the tape-like print medium, the attribute information of the tape-like print medium can be read, and the printing means can be controlled in real time based on this attribute information.

  In this case, the tape-shaped print medium is provided in the form of a tape cartridge housed in a cartridge case, and a cartridge mounting portion on which the tape cartridge is detachably mounted, and a tape cutting means for cutting the printed portion of the tape-shaped print medium It is preferable that the imaging device array is disposed between the cartridge mounting portion and the tape cutting means.

  According to this configuration, after printing on the tape-like print medium, when the printed portion is cut by the tape cutting means, the state where the tip of the tape-like print medium slightly protrudes from the cartridge case on the tape cartridge side. It becomes. When such a tape cartridge is newly mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, the tip of the tape-shaped print medium protruding from the cartridge case faces the image sensor array, so that only the tape cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, that is, The attribute information can be easily read without sending the tape-shaped print medium.

  Moreover, it is preferable that an image pick-up element array is a line sensor.

  According to this configuration, the attribute information of the tape-shaped print medium can be read instantaneously and accurately. The imaging element array is a small component and can be arranged in the apparatus with high space efficiency.

  On the other hand, the attribute information is tape remaining information including tape end information, and further includes display means for displaying the tape remaining information, and the control means displays the tape remaining information based on the tape remaining information of the code image. It is preferable to display the remaining amount of the tape and prohibit the drive of the printing unit based on the tape end information of the code image.

  According to this configuration, the user can visually recognize the remaining tape amount of the tape-shaped print medium in real time. In addition, the drive of the printing means is prohibited based on the tape end information, so it is possible to prevent the printing operation without the tape-like print medium, and to prevent unnecessary contamination and damage to the printing means. can do.

  Similarly, the attribute information is tape type information including tape width information and tape material information, and the control unit controls the printing width by the printing unit based on the tape width information of the code image, and the tape material of the code image It is preferable to control the printing density by the printing means based on the information.

  According to this configuration, printing according to the tape type such as the tape width and the tape material can be performed on the tape-shaped print medium, so that the printing can be optimized and the printing quality can be improved. .

1 is a structural diagram of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a structural diagram of a tape printer in a state where a printing tape is viewed from the front side. 1 is a structural diagram of a tape printer in a state where a printing tape is viewed from the back side. It is the top view (a), sectional drawing (b), and back view (c) of a printing tape. It is a flowchart of the control method based on a printing result. It is a flowchart of the other control method (modification) based on a printing result. It is a flowchart of the control method based on remaining tape information.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus feeds a printing tape (tape-shaped print medium) from a mounted tape cartridge while feeding it, performs desired printing on it, and cuts the printed portion to obtain a desired label.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are structural views schematically showing main parts of the tape printing apparatus. As shown in these drawings, the tape printing apparatus 1 has a cartridge mounting in which a tape cartridge 2 is detachably mounted. A printing unit (printing means) 4 having a printing head 5 that performs printing by thermal transfer on the printing tape 70; a front-side line sensor 7; and a back-side line sensor. 8, a cutter unit (tape cutting means) 9 disposed on the downstream side of the sensor unit 6, and a control unit (control means) 10 for overall control of these components.

  On the other hand, the tape cartridge 2 is configured by housing the printing tape 70, the ink ribbon 23, and the platen roller 24 in a cartridge case 21 having a delivery port 22 for the printing tape 70. The printing tape 70 is wound around the tape core 25 and can be fed toward the delivery port 22. Similarly, the ink ribbon 23 is wound around the feeding core 26 and wound around the winding core 27 via the position of the print head 5. On the other hand, a rectangular opening 28 is formed at a position corresponding to the print head 5 of the cartridge case 21, and the platen roller 24 is disposed so as to contact the print head 5 loosely inserted into the opening 28. Has been.

  The printing unit 4 includes a print head 5 constituted by a thermal head. The print tape 70 and the ink ribbon 23 are sandwiched between the print head 5 and the platen roller 24, and thermal printing is performed while the print tape 70 and the ink ribbon 23 run side by side. Print. The print head 5 has a heating element array in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in the tape width direction, and the length of the heating element array corresponds to the width of the maximum printable print tape 70. That is, in the print head 5 of this embodiment, a plurality of heating elements constituting the heating element array are selectively driven to generate heat based on the print data, and dot printing is performed line by line in synchronization with the feeding of the printing tape 70. Is supposed to do.

  The cartridge mounting unit 3 includes a feed motor 31 that constitutes a power source, and a tape feed mechanism 32 that is driven by the feed motor 31 to rotate the platen roller 24 and the winding core 27. Although not shown in the drawing, the tape feeding mechanism 32 is constituted by a gear train, and the two final gears are provided with a platen shaft 33 and a winding shaft 34 that project into the cartridge mounting portion 3. When the tape cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3, the platen roller 24 is mounted on the platen shaft 33 and the winding core 27 is mounted on the winding shaft 34, so that the printing tape 70 and the ink ribbon 23 can be fed ( (Feed standby state).

  When the feed motor 31 is driven from this state, the print tape 70 and the ink ribbon 23 overlap at the position of the print head 5 and run side by side. Here, by driving the print head 5, printing on the print tape 70 is performed. The print tape (printed portion) 70 that has passed through the print head 5 is fed along the feed path 36 and fed out from the discharge port 35 to the outside of the apparatus through the feed port 22 of the tape cartridge 2. On the other hand, the ink ribbon 23 is wound around the winding core 27. The platen roller 24 may be provided not on the tape cartridge 2 but on the apparatus side. In such a case, when the tape cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3, the print head 5 or the platen roller 24 is moved, and the print tape 70 and the ink ribbon 23 are sandwiched between them, and the feed standby state is established. It is preferable to do.

  The cutter unit 9 includes a cutter motor 41 that constitutes a drive source, a cutter 42 that cuts the printing tape 70, and a cutter operation mechanism 43 that transmits the power of the cutter motor 41 to the cutter 42. When the cutter motor 41 is driven, the cutter 42 is cut through the cutter operating mechanism 43 to cut the printing tape 70. The cutter 42 may be of a scissor type or may be of a cut-off type. In addition to the cutter (full cutter) 42, a half cutter may be provided.

  The sensor unit 6 includes a front-side line sensor 7 and a back-side line sensor 8 that face each other across the feeding path 36 of the printing tape 70. Both line sensors 7 and 8 are disposed between the cutter unit 9 and the cartridge mounting portion 3 so as to cross the feed path 36 (printing tape 70). More specifically, both the line sensors 7 and 8 extend in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the printing tape 70, and send out the cutter 42 of the cutter unit 9 and the tape cartridge 2 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3. It is arrange | positioned by the clearance gap part between the mouth opening 22. FIG.

  Each line sensor 7, 8 has a length corresponding to the print head 5, and is composed of an image sensor array in which image sensors such as CCD and CMOS are arranged in the tape width direction. That is, the image sensor array constituting each of the line sensors 7 and 8 and the heating element array of the print head 5 are formed at the same position and the same length in the tape width direction. However, the imaging element array may be formed longer than the heating element array. In this way, the tape width of the printing tape 70 can be read directly, and the tape width information can be omitted in the attribute information B described later.

  The front side line sensor 7 faces the printing surface (front side) 70a of the printing tape 70, and reads the printing result A by the printing unit 4 (see FIG. 2; details will be described later). Therefore, it is preferable that the reading resolution in the imaging element array of the front side line sensor 7 is equal to or higher than the printing resolution in the heating element array of the print head 5. On the other hand, the back side line sensor 8 faces the non-printing surface (back side) 70b of the printing tape 70 and reads the attribute information B of the printing tape 70 recorded (printed) on the non-printing surface 70b ( (See FIG. 3 for details). Therefore, it is preferable that the reading resolution in the imaging element array of the back side line sensor 8 is equal to or higher than the printing resolution in the attribute information B.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 51 and a storage unit 52 including a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Based on the control information in the storage unit 52 or the detection of the front side line sensor 7 and the back side line sensor 8 of the sensor unit 6. Based on the result (reading result), the print head 5, the feed motor 31 and the cutter motor 41 are controlled. The controller 10 is connected to a keyboard 54 that constitutes an input means and a display 55 that constitutes a display means. The user inputs desired data from the keyboard 54 and performs editing while viewing the display 55 that displays the input data. As a result, print data is generated, and printing is executed in accordance with a print command from the keyboard 54. Further, the display 55 displays the detection results of the front side line sensor 7 and the back side line sensor 8 via the control unit 10 (details will be described later).

Next, the print tape 70 will be described, and a control method performed by the control unit 10 based on the print result A and attribute information B read by the sensor unit 6 from the print tape 70 will be described.
As shown in the structural diagram of the printing tape in FIG. 4, the printing tape 70 includes a recording tape 71 having an adhesive layer 72 on the back surface and a peeling tape 73 to which the recording tape 71 is attached. The surface of the recording tape 71 constitutes a printing surface 70 a and printing is performed by the print head 5. That is, on the printing surface 70a of the printing tape 70, one line at a time by selectively driving the heating element array by the printing head 5 and feeding the printing tape 70 by the platen roller 24 based on the printing data as described above. Dot printing is performed. Thereby, for example, a character image such as a character, a figure, a symbol, or a code image of a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code is printed. Then, the front side line sensor 7 reads the print result A (see FIG. 2) such as the character image and the code image line by line from the head.

  On the other hand, the attribute information B of the printing tape 70 is recorded (printed in the embodiment) on the non-printing surface 70b which is the back surface of the peeling tape 73. That is, the non-printing surface 70b of the printing tape 70 is printed with the tape type information B1 and the remaining tape information B2 of the printing tape 70 itself. In the printing tape 70 of this embodiment, the remaining tape information B2 is printed on the upper half of the figure, and the tape type information B1 is printed on the lower half. The remaining tape information B2 is printed as bit information based on the number of bold lines and their positions, which are changed in units of 10 cm, for example, in a plurality of virtual lines parallel to the length direction of the printing tape 70.

  That is, the remaining tape information B2 is printed as a barcode code image that can be read at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the printing tape 70. Therefore, the back side line sensor 8 can read the remaining tape amount (remaining length) in units of 10 cm at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the printing tape 70. When the remaining tape amount becomes 10 cm, the remaining tape information B2 is the position of the tape end information (details will be described later). Note that the remaining tape information B2 is not limited to a unit of 10 cm, and this numerical value is arbitrary.

  The tape type information B1 includes, for example, genuine product information in addition to tape width information, tape color information, and tape material information. In the embodiment, tape width information is printed. However, as long as the tape width of the printing tape 70 and the resolution of the back side line sensor 8 allow, it is preferable to print a plurality of tape type information B1. The tape type information B1 is printed as bit information based on the number of bold lines and their positions in a plurality of virtual lines parallel to the length direction of the printing tape 70. That is, the tape type information B1 is also printed as a barcode code image that can be read at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the printing tape 70. Therefore, the back side line sensor 8 can read the tape width at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the printing tape 70. If the tape type information B1 is genuine product information, so-called transparent printing is preferable. In such a case, an ultraviolet lamp or the like for visualizing transparent printing is provided in the vicinity of the back side line sensor 8.

Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, reading of the printing result A by the front line sensor 7 and a control method performed by the control unit 10 based on the printed printing result A will be described.
As described above, character images such as characters, figures, symbols, and code images of two-dimensional codes such as barcodes are printed on the printing tape 70. That is, printing is performed based on the created print data (S11), and the printed image (print result A) is sequentially sent to the front-side line sensor 7 and read line by line (S12). Here, the control unit 10 compares the print data and the print result A line by line, and checks whether or not dot missing has occurred (S13).

  In the storage unit 52 (RAM), determination tables having different determination criteria are prepared for character images (normal printing) and code images (code printing). Is determined as a threshold value (S14), and if a dot dropout occurs exceeding the threshold value (S14: No), a message to that effect is displayed (S15). Similarly, in the code image (code printing), determination is made with 0% dot missing as a threshold value (S14), and when a dot missing has occurred exceeding the threshold value (S14: No), this is indicated. (S15). In addition to these displays, countermeasures such as head cleaning and reprinting may be displayed.

  In this way, the print data and the print result A are compared one line at a time, but when the missing dot has occurred exceeding the threshold (S14: No), the same position (same for several lines) ( It is determined whether dot missing has occurred in the same heating element) (S16). If dot missing has occurred over several lines (S16: yes), the fact and countermeasures are similarly displayed on the display 55 (S17).

In the control flow described above, when dot wiping occurs within a range that does not exceed the threshold value including the missing dot “None” (S14: appropriate), the determination of the continuous missing dot (S16) is not performed. . However, depending on the set threshold value, the possibility of missing consecutive dots cannot be denied. Therefore, even when dot wiping occurs in a range that does not exceed the threshold (S14: suitable), the control for determining whether or not continuous dots are missing (S16) may be used (see FIG. 6).
On the other hand, using this determination result, it is possible to increase the printing speed or reduce the drive voltage of the print head 5 to increase the efficiency of the print drive. For example, in the determination of a character image (normal printing), the printing speed is increased stepwise or the drive voltage of the print head 5 is decreased stepwise within a range that does not exceed the threshold value.

  In this way, the print result A is read by the front-side line sensor 7, and the read result and the print data are compared to determine the presence or absence of dot missing and the degree of dot missing. ), And it is possible to make an appropriate determination in real time. In addition, the determination result can be directly reflected in the control of the printing conditions. In particular, when printing a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code, the quality of the print result can be guaranteed. In addition, the printing speed and the like are positively controlled, so that the printing efficiency and the printing conditions can be optimized. Further, it is possible to detect (determine) a failure of the printing unit 4, a malfunction of the ink ribbon 23, jamming of the printing tape 70, and the like.

Next, the attribute information B read by the back side line sensor 8 and the control method performed by the control unit 10 based on the read attribute information B will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
In this case, unlike the front-side line sensor 7, the back-side line sensor 8 reads the tape type information B1 and the remaining tape information B2, which are attribute information B, both when the tape cartridge 2 is mounted and during printing (when the power is turned on). Premise). That is, the leading end portion of the printing tape 70 remaining at the previous cutting protrudes from the delivery port 22 of the tape cartridge 2, and when the tape cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 3, this leading end portion becomes the back side line. It faces the sensor 8 (and the front side line sensor 7). Here, when the power is turned on, the back side line sensor 8 can read the attribute information B instantaneously.

  When the power is turned on (S21) and the back side line sensor 8 reads the remaining tape information B2 (S22), the control unit 10 displays the remaining tape value on the display 55 (S23). The back side line sensor 8 continues reading the tape remaining amount information B2 even when printing is started, and continues displaying the tape remaining amount value in real time. Further, as described above, when the remaining tape amount reaches 10 cm, the remaining tape information B2 is positioned as the tape end information, so the tape end information is monitored (S24). When the tape remaining amount of 10 cm is read (detected) (S24: YES), the display 55 indicates that the tape end is used instead of or in addition to the tape remaining amount value, and that the tape needs to be replaced. (S25). Thereafter, the drive of the printing unit 4 is prohibited (S26).

  Thereby, the user can always grasp the remaining length of the printing tape 70 from the time of power-on, and can edit input data and create a label while grasping the remaining length of the printing tape 70. . In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent a tape end from occurring during the production of the label. Regardless of the remaining amount of the tape, the length of the label to be created next is compared with the remaining amount of the tape, and the tape end may be displayed when the remaining amount of the tape is smaller.

Similarly, when the back side line sensor 8 reads the tape width information (tape type information B1), the control unit 10 displays the tape width on the display 55 and makes the print format match the tape width. Then, the print width by the print head 5 is set in accordance with the tape width, and printing is performed.
When the tape type information B1 is tape material information, it is preferable to execute printing by controlling the drive voltage of the print head 5, that is, the print density, according to the control table in the storage unit 52 (RAM).
Further, when the tape type information B1 is genuine product information, it is preferable to prohibit the driving of the printing unit 4 only when the tape type information B1 cannot be read correctly.

  As described above, the tape width information B1 read by the back side line sensor 8 can be used to control the print width of the print head 5 and the drive voltage of the print head 5 in real time, thereby optimizing printing. That is, the print quality can be properly maintained. Further, the durability of the printing tape 70 and the printing ink can be guaranteed by the genuine product information.

  In the present embodiment, the printing tape 70 composed of the recording tape 71 and the release tape 73 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a single-layer or multi-layer laminate structure (regardless of the presence or absence of an adhesive). The present invention can be applied to various tapes for printing having a printing surface and a non-printing surface. In the present embodiment, a so-called thermal printer has been described as the tape printer, but the present invention is also applicable to various tapes such as an ink jet printer.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer, 2 Tape cartridge, 3 Cartridge mounting part, 4 Printing part, 6 Sensor unit, 7 Front side line sensor, 8 Back side line sensor, 9 Cutter unit, 10 Control part, 21 Cartridge case, 22 Delivery port, 24 Platen roller, 31 feed motor, 36 feed path 41 cutter motor, 42 cutter, 51 CPU, 52 storage unit, 54 keyboard, 55 display, 70 printing tape, 70a printing surface, 70b non-printing surface, A printing result, B attribute information , B1 tape type information, B2 remaining tape information

Claims (7)

A code image obtained by encoding at least one of the plurality of attribute information is recorded on the non-printing surface,
The code image is configured to be readable at an arbitrary position in the medium extending direction by the image sensor array.   The tape-shaped print medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attribute information includes remaining tape information and tape type information. A tape printer for printing on the tape-shaped print medium according to claim 1 or 2,
Printing means for feeding the tape-shaped print medium along a feed path and printing on the tape-shaped print medium being sent;
An image sensor array disposed across the feed path and reading the code image;
A tape printing apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the printing means based on the read code image. The tape-shaped print medium is provided in the form of a tape cartridge housed in a cartridge case,
A cartridge mounting portion on which the tape cartridge is detachably mounted;
Tape cutting means for cutting a printed portion of the tape-shaped print medium, and
4. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging element array is disposed between the cartridge mounting portion and the tape cutting means.   The tape printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the imaging element array is a line sensor. The attribute information is tape remaining amount information including tape end information,
A display means for displaying the tape remaining amount information;
The control means includes
Based on the tape remaining amount information of the code image, displaying the tape remaining amount on the display means,
6. The tape printer according to claim 3, wherein driving of the printing unit is prohibited based on the tape end information of the code image. The attribute information is tape type information including tape width information and tape material information,
The control means includes
Based on the tape width information of the code image, control the printing width by the printing means,
7. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a printing density by the printing unit is controlled based on the tape material information of the code image.

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