JP2014124905A - Printing method control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing history control method capable of simplifying control processing and shortening processing time when it is determined whether to apply a sub-pulse to each heater element of a thermal head within a printing period.SOLUTION: It is determined whether to apply a first sub-pulse to each heater element of a thermal head within the printing period via each Strage data (i) which is a numerical value representing the heat storage level of each of a plurality of heater elements constituting one line (line head) of the thermal head (S20). At this time, not only each Strage Data (i) concerning the current one line of the thermal head in a sub-scanning direction but also each Strage Data (i) concerning one line of a next time in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head are calculated in a common calculation step (S13 to S19).

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing history control method for determining whether or not a sub-pulse is applied to each heating element of a thermal head within a printing cycle.

  Conventionally, as a technique for determining whether or not to apply a sub pulse within a printing cycle to each heating element of a thermal head, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent No. 3056065

  However, in many conventional technologies, in order to determine whether or not to apply a sub-pulse to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle, whether or not the heating element located in the main scanning direction of the thermal head is heated is determined. In addition to performing corresponding pattern matching, pattern matching corresponding to the presence or absence of heat generation of each heating element virtually located in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is performed.

  That is, since pattern confirmation is performed by two types of pattern matching in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head, control when determining whether or not to apply a sub-pulse within each printing cycle to each heating element of the thermal head. Processing has become complicated and requires processing time.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points. The control process for determining whether or not to apply a sub-pulse to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle is simplified and the processing time is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing history control method that can be shortened.

  In order to solve this problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to the heating element within the printing cycle based on a plurality of heat storage degree variables respectively corresponding to the plurality of heating elements constituting one line of the thermal head. Whether or not to apply the first sub-pulse and the second sub-pulse is determined, and each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables is calculated by executing the following processes (A) to (D). In the method, (A) when a main pulse is applied to the heating element within the printing cycle, the heat storage variable corresponding to the heating element is changed through the following steps (1) to (3). (1) When a main pulse is applied to the first heating element adjacent to the heating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle, the heating element corresponds to the heating element. To the heat storage variable While a fixed value is added, if the main pulse is not applied to the first heating element adjacent to the heating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle, it corresponds to the heating element The second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage degree variable to be performed, (2) the third fixed value is added to the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element, and (3) the main scanning direction of the thermal head with respect to the heating element When the main pulse is applied within the printing cycle to the second heat generating element adjacent to the other direction opposite to the one direction, the first fixed value is set in the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element. On the other hand, when the main pulse is not applied within the printing cycle to the second heating element adjacent to the heating element in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, the degree of heat storage corresponding to the heating element When the second fixed value is subtracted from the number, and (B) the main pulse is not applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle, the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is the following (4) to (6) (4) When a main pulse is applied to the first heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle. While the first fixed value is added to the heat storage variable corresponding to the heat generating element, the first heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the print cycle. When the main pulse is not applied, the second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage variable corresponding to the heat generating element, (5) the fourth fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage variable corresponding to the heat generating element, (6 ) On the other hand, when a main pulse is applied within the printing cycle to a second heating element adjacent in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, the first fixed value is set in the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element. On the other hand, when the main pulse is not applied within the printing cycle to the second heating element adjacent to the heating element in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, the degree of heat storage corresponding to the heating element The second fixed value is subtracted from the variable, and (C) each step of (1) to (3) or each of (4) to (4) for each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables respectively corresponding to the plurality of heating elements. By performing each step of (6), each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables for the current line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is calculated, and (D) sub-scanning of the thermal head When each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables relating to the next line in the direction is calculated, each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables relating to the current one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is carried forward and used. It is characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the printing history control method according to claim 1, wherein the lines (A) to (D) are applied to all lines in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting all the print data. The printing of the print data is performed all at once by the thermal head after each of the above processes is executed.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the printing history control method according to claim 1, wherein each of the lines (A) to (D) is performed for one line of the thermal head constituting a part of print data. After the processing is executed, a part of the print data is printed by the thermal head, and the printing is repeatedly performed for each line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting the whole print data. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the printing history control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element is equal to or less than a first threshold value. Only, the first sub-pulse is applied to the heat generating element after the main pulse is applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the printing history control method according to claim 4, which is limited to a case where the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value. In the printing cycle, the main pulse and the first sub pulse are applied to the heat generating element, and then the second sub pulse is applied to the heat generating element.

  That is, in the printing history control method according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of heat storage degree variables are prepared, and each of the prepared heat storage degree variables is assigned to a plurality of heating elements constituting one line of the thermal head. It corresponds. Further, for each of the prepared heat storage degree variables, for the first heating element, the heating element, and the heating element adjacent to the heating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head. Each preset fixed value is added or subtracted depending on whether or not the main pulse is applied to the second heating element adjacent in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle. In this way, each of the heat storage degree variables for the current one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is calculated. Thereafter, when each heat storage degree variable for the next one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is calculated, each heat storage degree variable for the current one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is carried over and used. As described above, the heat storage degree variable is a numerical value representing the heat storage degree of the heat generating element corresponding to the heat storage degree variable instead.

  In other words, in the printing history control method according to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the heat storage degree variables, which is a numerical value representing the heat storage degree of each of the plurality of heat generating elements constituting one line of the thermal head, is substituted. Then, it is determined whether or not a sub-pulse is applied to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle. At this time, not only each of the heat storage variable for the current one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head but also each of the heat storage variable for the next one line of the thermal head in the sub-scanning direction is common calculation in the control processing. Calculated in steps. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the control process and reduce the processing time when determining whether or not to apply a sub-pulse within the printing cycle to each heating element of the thermal head.

  In the printing history control method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the print data is calculated after each of the plurality of thermal storage variables for all the lines in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting all of the print data is calculated. All the printing is performed at once by the thermal head. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the processing time of the control processing when determining whether or not to apply a sub-pulse to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle.

  In the print history control method according to the third aspect of the present invention, after each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables relating to one line of the thermal head constituting a part of the print data is calculated, a part of the print data Is printed by the thermal head. Such printing is repeated for each line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting the entire print data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity necessary for storing a plurality of heat storage degree variables respectively corresponding to a plurality of heat generating elements constituting one line of the thermal head.

  In the printing history control method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the main pulse is applied to the heating element within the printing cycle only when the heat accumulation variable corresponding to the heating element is equal to or less than the first threshold value. After that, the first sub-pulse is applied to the heating element. That is, determining whether to apply the first sub-pulse after the main pulse is applied to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle depends on the heat accumulation variable calculated in the common calculation step in the control process. This is done by comparing each with a first threshold. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the first sub-pulse is applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle is made by comparing the heat storage variable, which is a numerical value representing the heat storage degree of the heat generating element, with the first threshold value. As a result, highly accurate printing history control can be performed.

  In the printing history control method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the heat generation within the printing cycle only when the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is equal to or smaller than the second threshold smaller than the first threshold. After the main pulse and the first sub pulse are applied to the element, the second sub pulse is applied to the heating element. That is, it is calculated in the common calculation step in the control process to determine whether or not to apply the second sub-pulse after the main pulse and the first sub-pulse are applied to each heating element of the thermal head within the printing cycle. This is performed by comparing each of the stored heat storage degree variables with the second threshold value. Therefore, in determining whether to apply the second sub-pulse in addition to the first sub-pulse to the heat generating element within the printing cycle, the heat storage degree variable, which is a numerical value representing the heat storage degree of the heat generating element instead, is set to the first. Since this is performed in comparison with two threshold values, more accurate printing history control can be performed.

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer that executes a printing history control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which showed the cassette storage part periphery of the same tape printer. It is the figure which expanded and showed the thermal head of the same tape printer. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the same tape printer. It is a flowchart figure of the 1st printing history control process which is the printing history control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention performed with the tape printer. It is a flowchart figure of the 1st printing history control process which is the printing history control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention performed with the tape printer. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the main pulse, the 1st sub pulse, and the 2nd sub pulse in a printing cycle. It is a flowchart figure of the main program using the said 1st printing log | history control process. It is a flowchart figure of the main program using the 2nd printing history control process which is the printing history control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention performed with the same tape printer. It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation of the main program using the said 1st printing log | history control process. It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation of the main program using the said 1st printing log | history control process. It is a figure for demonstrating the simulation of the main program using the said 1st printing log | history control process. It is a flowchart figure of the 2nd printing log | history control process.

[1. External configuration of tape printer]
First, a schematic configuration of a tape printer 1 that executes a printing history control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printing apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape ejected from a tape cassette 5 (see FIG. 2) built in the casing. And a liquid crystal display 4. Similarly, a cassette housing portion 8 (see FIG. 2) for housing the tape cassette 5 having a rectangular shape in plan view is disposed on the upper surface of the housing so as to be covered with a housing cover 9. Further, a control board (not shown) on which a control circuit unit is configured is disposed below the keyboard 3. Further, a tape discharge port 10 through which a printed tape is discharged is formed on the left side surface portion of the cassette housing portion 8. A connection interface (not shown) is disposed on the right side surface of the tape printer 1. This connection interface is used when making a wired or wireless connection with an external device (for example, a personal computer). Therefore, the tape printer 1 can also print the print data transmitted from the external device.

  The keyboard 3 includes a plurality of types of input keys such as a character input key 3A, a print key 3B, a cursor key 3C, a power key 3D, a setting key 3E, and a return key 3R. The character input key 3A is used for character input when creating text composed of document data. The print key 3B is used when instructing to execute printing of print data composed of created text or the like. The cursor key 3C is used when the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is moved up, down, left and right. The power key 3D is used when turning on or off the power of the apparatus main body. The setting key 3E is used when performing various settings of the tape printer 1. The return key 3R is used when a line feed command, execution of various processes, or selection determination is commanded.

  On the other hand, the liquid crystal display 4 is a display device that displays characters such as characters over a plurality of lines, and can display print data and the like created by the keyboard 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tape printer 1 is configured so that the tape cassette 5 can be attached to the internal cassette housing 8. Further, a tape cutting mechanism including a tape drive printing mechanism 16 and a cutter 17 is disposed inside the tape printer 1. The tape printer 1 can perform printing based on desired print data on the tape drawn from the tape cassette 5 by the tape drive printing mechanism 16. And the tape printer 1 can cut | disconnect the printed tape with the cutter 17 of a tape cutting mechanism. The cut tape is discharged from a tape discharge port 10 formed on the left side surface of the tape printer 1.

A cassette housing frame 18 is disposed inside the tape printer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette 5 is detachably attached to the cassette housing portion frame 18.
The tape cassette 5 includes therein a tape spool 32, a ribbon supply spool 34, a take-up spool 35, a base material supply spool 37, and a joining roller 39, and each is rotatably supported by a shaft. A surface tape 31 is wound around the tape spool 32. The surface layer tape 31 is a transparent tape made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film or the like. An ink ribbon 33 is wound around the ribbon supply spool 34. The ink ribbon 33 is coated with ink that is melted or sublimated by ink heating to form an ink layer. The take-up spool 35 takes up the ink ribbon 33 used for printing. A double tape 36 is wound around the base material supply spool 37. This double tape 36 is configured by attaching a release tape to one side of a double-sided adhesive tape having the same width as the surface tape 31 and having an adhesive layer on both sides. Further, the double tape 36 is wound around the base material supply spool 37 so that the peeling tape is located outside. The joining roller 39 is used when the double tape 36 and the surface tape 31 are overlapped and joined.

As shown in FIG. 2, an arm 20 is disposed in the cassette housing frame 18 so as to be swingable about a shaft 20A. A platen roller 21 and a transport roller 22 are pivotally supported at the tip of the arm 20 so as to be rotatable. Each of the platen roller 21 and the conveying roller 22 has a flexible member such as rubber on the surface.
When the arm 20 swings most clockwise, the platen roller 21 presses the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 against a thermal head 41 described later. At this time, the conveying roller 22 presses the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36 against the joining roller 39.

A plate 42 is erected on the cassette housing frame 18. A thermal head 41 is disposed on the side surface of the plate 42 on the platen roller 21 side. As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal head 41 is a line head 41B in which a plurality of (here, 128) heating elements 41A are arranged in a line in the same direction as the width direction of the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36. Etc.
That is, the direction in which the heating elements 41A are arranged in a row is the “main scanning direction D1 of the thermal head 41”. In contrast, the “sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41” coincides with the direction in which the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 move on the thermal head 41.
Returning to FIG. 2, when the tape cassette 5 is mounted at a predetermined position, the plate 42 is fitted into the recess 43 of the tape cassette 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a ribbon take-up roller 46 and a joining drive roller 47 are erected on the cassette housing unit frame 18. When the tape cassette 5 is mounted at a predetermined position, the ribbon take-up roller 46 is inserted into the take-up spool 35 of the tape cassette 5. Similarly, the joining driving roller 47 is inserted into the joining roller 39 of the tape cassette 5.

In addition, a tape transport motor 2 (see FIG. 4 described later) is disposed in the cassette housing unit frame 18. The driving force by the tape transport motor 2 is transmitted to the platen roller 21, the transport roller 22, the ribbon take-up roller 46, the joining drive roller 47, and the like via a gear train arranged along the cassette housing section frame 18. Is done.
Therefore, when the rotation of the output shaft of the tape transport motor 2 is started by supplying power to the tape transport motor 2, the take-up spool 35, the joining roller 39, the platen roller 21, and the transport roller 22 also start to rotate in conjunction with each other. . Thus, the surface layer tape 31, the ink ribbon 33, and the double tape 36 in the tape cassette 5 are unwound from the tape spool 32, the ribbon supply spool 34, and the base material supply spool 37, respectively, in the downstream direction (tape discharge port 10, It is conveyed in the direction of the take-up spool 35).

  Thereafter, the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 pass between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 41 after being overlapped with each other. Accordingly, in the tape printing apparatus 1, the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 are conveyed while being sandwiched between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 41. At this time, a large number of heating elements 41A arranged in the thermal head 41 are selectively energized (pulsed) by the control unit 60 (see FIG. 4) based on print data and a program relating to a print history control method described later. Applied).

  Here, each heating element 41A generates heat when energized, and melts or sublimates the ink applied to the ink ribbon 33. Therefore, the ink of the ink layer formed on the ink ribbon 33 is applied to the surface tape 31 in dot units. Transcribed. As a result, a dot image desired by the user based on the print data is formed on the surface tape 31 as a mirror image.

  Thereafter, the ink ribbon 33 passes through the thermal head 41 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 46. On the other hand, the surface tape 31 is overlapped with the double tape 36 and passes between the conveying roller 22 and the joining roller 39. At this time, the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36 are pressed against each other by the conveying roller 22 and the joining roller 39 to form a laminated tape 38. Here, the laminated tape 38 is firmly overlapped with the double tape 36 on the printed surface side of the surface tape 31 on which dot printing has been completed. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the normal image of the printed image from the back side of the printing surface of the surface tape 31 (that is, the front side of the laminated tape 38).

Thereafter, the laminated tape 38 is conveyed further downstream of the conveying roller 22 and reaches a tape cutting mechanism including the cutter 17. The tape cutting mechanism includes a cutter 17 and a cutting motor 72 (see FIG. 3). The cutter 17 includes a fixed blade 17A and a rotating blade 17B, and is a scissors-type cutter that shears the object to be cut by rotating the rotating blade 17B with respect to the fixed blade 17A. The rotating blade 17B is disposed so as to be reciprocally swingable around a fulcrum by a cutting motor 72. Therefore, by driving the cutting motor 72, the laminated tape 38 is sheared by the fixed blade 17A and the rotating blade 17B.
The cut laminated tape 38 is discharged to the outside of the tape printer 1 through the tape discharge port 10. And the said laminated tape 38 can be used as an adhesive label which can be affixed on arbitrary places, if the peeling paper of the double tape 36 is peeled and an adhesive bond layer is exposed.

[2. Internal configuration of tape printer]
Next, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 4, a control board (not shown) is disposed in the tape printer 1. On the control board, a control unit 60, a timer 67, a head drive circuit 68, and a cutting device are provided. A motor drive circuit 69 and a transport motor drive circuit 70 are provided.

The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a CG-ROM 62, an EEPROM 63, a ROM 64, and a RAM 66. The control unit 60 is connected to a timer 67, a head drive circuit 68, a cutting motor drive circuit 69, and a transport motor drive circuit 70. Further, the control unit 60 is also connected to the liquid crystal display 4, the cassette sensor 7, the thermistor 73, the keyboard 3, and the connection interface 71.
The CPU 61 is a central processing unit that plays a central role in various controls in the tape printer 1. Therefore, the CPU 61 controls each peripheral device such as the liquid crystal display 4 based on an input signal from the keyboard 3 and the like, various control programs, and the like.

The CG-ROM 62 is a character generator memory that stores image data of characters and symbols to be printed in correspondence with code data in a dot pattern. The EEPROM 63 is a non-volatile memory in which stored contents can be written / erased, and stores data indicating user settings and the like in the tape printer 1.
The ROM 64 stores various control programs and data for the tape printer 1. Therefore, a program relating to a print history control method to be described later is stored in the ROM 64.

The RAM 66 is a storage device that temporarily stores calculation results and the like in the CPU 61. The RAM 66 also stores print data generated by input from the keyboard 3 and print data fetched from the external device 78 via the connection interface 71.
The timer 67 is a time measuring device that times the predetermined period when the control of the tape printer 1 is executed. Specifically, the timer 67 is referred to when determining the start / end of energization (pulse application) or the like to the heating element 41A of the thermal head 41 in a program relating to a print history control method to be described later. The thermistor 73 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 41 and is attached to the thermal head 41.

  The head drive circuit 68 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal to the thermal head 41 and controls the drive state of the thermal head 41 based on a control signal from the CPU 61 and based on a program relating to a print history control method to be described later. At this time, the head drive circuit 68 controls the presence / absence of energization (pulse application) of each heating element 41A based on a signal (strobe (STB) signal) associated with the strobe number associated with each heating element 41A. Thus, the heat generation mode of the entire thermal head 41 is controlled. The cutting motor driving circuit 69 is a circuit that controls the driving of the cutting motor 72 by supplying a driving signal to the cutting motor 72 based on a control signal from the CPU 61. The transport motor drive circuit 70 is a control circuit that supplies a drive signal to the tape transport motor 2 based on a control signal from the CPU 61 and controls the drive of the tape transport motor 2.

[3. Printing history control method]
Next, a printing history control method according to the present embodiment executed by the tape printer 1 described above will be described. The first print history control process shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is an example of a program that realizes the print history control method according to the present embodiment, and is executed by the control unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the first print history control process, first, in S <b> 11, “0” is substituted into 130 Stage Data variables (hereinafter simply referred to as “Storage Data”). By this substitution, 130 Stage Data are initialized. 130 pieces of Storage Data are secured in the RAM 66 provided in the control unit 60.

  Of the 130 Stage Data, the 0th Stage Data corresponds to one virtual heating element circumscribing one end of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. Each of the first to 128th storage data corresponds to the 128 heating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41, respectively. The 129th Stage Data is made to correspond to one virtual heating element circumscribing the other end of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41.

  That is, the 0th stage data and the 129th stage data correspond to virtual heating elements circumscribing one end side or the other end side of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. It does not correspond to any of the heat generating elements 41A constituting 41B. Such correspondence is set in consideration of end heat storage on one end side and the other end side of the line head 41 </ b> B of the thermal head 41.

  In S12, “1” is assigned to the variable i. The variable i is secured in the RAM 66. The variable i is used to specify 130 Stage Data or 130 variables previously reserved in the RAM 66 (hereinafter simply referred to as “Data”).

  Of the 130 data, each of the first to 128th data corresponds to the 128 heat generating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41, and is the main of the thermal head 41. This is also associated with each print data in the scanning direction D1. The 0th Data corresponds to one virtual heating element circumscribing one end of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. The 130th Data corresponds to one virtual heating element circumscribing the other end of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41.

  That is, the 1st to 128th Data columns correspond to one line of print data (print data per print cycle) in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 constituting a part of the print data. In each of the first to 128th data, “1” is stored if the print data is black, and “0” is stored if the print data is white. In addition, since each of the 0th and 129th data corresponds to the virtual heating element, “0” is always stored.

The variable i is used to specify 128 Sub Data1 variables (hereinafter simply referred to as “Sub Data1”) reserved in the RAM 66 in advance, or 128 Sub Data2 reserved in the RAM 66 in advance. Are used to specify the following variables (hereinafter simply referred to as “Sub Data2”).
Each of the first to 128th sub data 1 corresponds to 128 heating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41, and when “1” is substituted in S21 described later. This means that the first sub-pulse is applied. When “0” is substituted in S22 described later, it means that the first sub-pulse is not applied.
Similarly, each of the first to 128th sub data 2 corresponds to 128 heating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41, and “1” is substituted in S32 described later. In this case, it means that the second sub-pulse is applied. When “0” is substituted in S33 described later, it means that the second sub-pulse is not applied.

  That is, every time the printing cycle Ts shown in FIG. 7 elapses, printing of one line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is completed. In the printing cycle Ts, the main pulse M, the first sub pulse S1, and the second sub pulse S2 are applied. When the heat storage of the heating element 41A is small (when the value of Storage Data (i) is “200” or less in S20 described later, and when the value of Storage Data (i) is “140” or less in S31 described later) In the printing cycle Ts, the main pulse M, the first sub-pulse S1, and the second sub-pulse S2 are applied. When the heat storage of the heating element 41A is normal (when the value of Storage Data (i) is “200” or less in S20 described later, and when the value of Storage Data (i) is larger than “140” in S31 described later) ), The main pulse M and the first sub-pulse S1 are applied in the printing cycle Ts. When the heat storage of the heating element 41A is large (when the value of Storage Data (i) is larger than “200” at S20 described later and when the value of Storage Data (i) is larger than “140” at S31 described later) In the printing cycle Ts, only the main pulse M is applied.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the process proceeds to S <b> 13, it is determined whether or not Data (i) is “1”. If Data (i) is “1” (S13: YES), the process proceeds to S14. In S14, if Data (i-1) is "1", "10" is included in Storage Data (i), and if Data (i-1) is not "1" (that is, "0"). ”),“ −100 ”is included in the Stage Data (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S15.

In S15, “30” is included in the Storage Data (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S16. In S16, if Data (i + 1) is “1”, “10” is included in the Stage Data (i), and if Data (i + 1) is not “1” (that is, “0”). ), “−100” is included in the Stage Data (i). After that, it progresses to S20 mentioned later.
On the other hand, when Data (i) is not “1” in S13 (that is, “0”) (S13: NO), the process proceeds to S17. In S17, if Data (i-1) is "1", "10" is included in Storage Data (i), and if Data (i-1) is not "1" (that is, "0"). ”),“ −100 ”is included in the Stage Data (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S18.

In S18, “−100” is included in the Storage Data (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S19. In S19, if Data (i + 1) is “1”, “10” is included in Storage Data (i), and if Data (i + 1) is not “1” (that is, “0”). ), “−100” is included in the Stage Data (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S20.
Note that, as a result of executing S14 to S19, when the Stage Data (i) becomes smaller than “0”, “0” is substituted.

In S20, it is determined whether or not Storage Data (i) is “200” or less. Here, when the Stage Data (i) is “200” or less (S20: YES), the process proceeds to S21. In S21, “1” is assigned to Sub Data1 (i). After that, it progresses to S31 of FIG. 6 mentioned later.
Note that the fact that “1” is assigned to Sub Data1 (i) means that the first sub-pulse S1 is applied within the printing cycle Ts.

On the other hand, if the Storage Data (i) is larger than “200” in S20 (S20: NO), the process proceeds to S22. In S22, “0” is assigned to Sub Data1 (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S31 of FIG.
Note that that “0” is assigned to Sub Data1 (i) means that the first sub-pulse S1 is not applied within the printing cycle Ts.

In S31 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the Storage Data (i) is “140” or less. Here, when the Stage Data (i) is “140” or less (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S32. In S32, “1” is assigned to Sub Data2 (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S23 in FIG.
Note that the fact that “1” is assigned to Sub Data2 (i) means that the second sub-pulse S2 is applied within the printing cycle Ts.

  On the other hand, if the Storage Data (i) is larger than “140” in S31 of FIG. 6 (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S33. In S33, “0” is assigned to Sub Data2 (i). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S23 in FIG.

  The fact that “0” is assigned to Sub Data2 (i) means that the second sub-pulse S2 is not applied within the printing cycle Ts.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in S <b> 23, “1” is included in the variable i. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S24. In S24, it is determined whether or not the variable i is larger than “129”. Here, when the variable i is “129” or less (S24: NO), the process returns to the above-described S13, and the processes from S13 onward are repeated. On the other hand, when the variable i is greater than “129” in S24 (S24: YES), the process proceeds to S25.

In S <b> 25, “1” is included in a Line variable (hereinafter simply referred to as “Line”) reserved in the RAM 66 in advance. The initial value of Line is “0”. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S26.
In S26, it is determined whether or not Line is equal to or greater than the final value. The final value refers to the total number of lines in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 that constitutes all of the print data. Here, when the Line is less than the final value (S26: NO), the process returns to the above-described S12, and the above-described processes after S12 are repeated. On the other hand, if the Line is equal to or greater than the final value in S26 (S26: YES), the first print history control process ends and the process returns to the main program.

  The main program is executed by the control unit 60. In the main program, as shown in FIG. 8, first, in S41, the above-described first print history control process of FIG. 5 is executed. However, in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above, 130 Stage Data (i), 130 Data (i), 128 Sub Data1 (i), and 128 Sub Data2 (i). However, all the lines in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 constituting all of the print data are secured.

  In S42, one line printing in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is performed. This one-line printing is performed based on Data (i), Sub Data1 (i), and Sub Data2 (i) of the one line. That is, the following application process is performed for the variable i from “1” to “128”.

When the data (i) of the one line is “1”, the main pulse M is applied. Further, the first sub-pulse S1 is applied when Sub Data1 (i) of the one line is “1”. Further, the second sub-pulse S2 is applied when Sub Data2 (i) of the one line is “1”, and the second sub-pulse S2 is not applied when Sub Data2 (i) of the one line is “0”. Note that when the Sub Data2 (i) of the one line is “0”, neither the first sub-pulse S1 nor the second sub-pulse S2 is applied.
On the other hand, when Data (i) of the one line is “0”, none of the main pulse M, the first sub-pulse S1, and the second sub-pulse S2 is applied.

  In S43, it is determined whether printing has been performed for all lines of the thermal head 41 in the sub-scanning direction D2. Here, when printing is not performed for all the lines in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 (S43: NO), after the current printing cycle Ts has elapsed, the one-line printing in S42 described above is repeated. Do. On the other hand, when printing is performed for all the lines of the thermal head 41 in the sub-scanning direction D2 (S43: YES), the main program is terminated.

[4. Simulation of printing history control method]
Hereinafter, the main program using the above-described first print history control process of FIG. 5 is simulated using FIGS. 10 to 12. In this simulation, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that there are 16 heating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41.

  The numbers “1” to “18” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 to 12 correspond to the value of the variable i. Therefore, “1” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 to 12 corresponds to the virtual heating element circumscribing one end side of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. “2” to “17” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 to 12 correspond to each of the 16 heat generating elements 41 A constituting the line head 41 B of the thermal head 41. “18” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 to 12 corresponds to the virtual heating element circumscribing the other end of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41.

  The numbers “1” to “10” shown on the upper side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 to 12 correspond to the value of Line. That is, the total number of lines in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is “10”.

  Each 18 × 10 number shown in the matrix of FIG. 10 corresponds to the value of Data. That is, “1” means that the print data is black, and “0” means that the print data is white. The same applies to the black circles and white circles shown in the matrix of FIG. That is, a black circle shown in the matrix of FIG. 11 means that the print data is black, and a white circle means that the print data is white.

  In this regard, “2” to “17” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 and 11 correspond to each of the 16 heating elements 41A constituting the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. . Therefore, in the second to the 17th rows in the matrix of FIGS. 10 and 11, the main pulse M is always applied if “1” or a black circle indicating that the print data is black is represented. However, it is determined whether or not the application of the first sub-pulse S1 and the application of the second sub-pulse S2 are executed according to the numbers shown in the matrix of FIG. On the other hand, if “0” or white circle indicating that the print data is white is represented, none of the main pulse M, the first sub-pulse S1, and the second sub-pulse S2 is applied.

  Further, “1” and “18” shown on the left side of the matrix in FIGS. 10 and 11 correspond to virtual heating elements circumscribing one end side or the other end side of the line head 41B of the thermal head 41. is there. Therefore, the first and eighteenth lines in the matrix of FIGS. 10 and 11 represent “0” or a white circle indicating that the print data is white. Naturally, in any number of lines of the thermal head 41 in the sub-scanning direction D2 (any one of the first to tenth columns in the matrix of FIGS. 10 and 11), the main pulse M, the first sub-pulse S1, and None of the second sub-pulses S2 is applied.

  The numbers shown in the matrix of FIG. 12 are the values of Storage Data calculated under the conditions shown in the matrices of FIGS. The dark shaded area means that the first sub-pulse S1 and the second sub-pulse S2 are applied. A thin shaded area means that the first sub-pulse S1 is applied and the second sub-pulse S2 is not applied. A portion not shaded means that the first sub-pulse S1 and the second sub-pulse S2 are not applied. This shading is the same in the matrix of FIG.

[5. Summary]
That is, in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, a plurality of storage data (i) are prepared as heat storage degree variables, and each of the prepared storage data (i) (i = 1 to 128). ) Correspond to 128 heating elements 41A (i) constituting one line (line head 41B) of the thermal head 41 (S11).

  Further, for each of the prepared Stage Data (i), the heating element 41A (i-1) adjacent to the heating element 41A (i) in one direction of the main scanning direction D1 of the thermal head 41. The heating element 41A (i) and the heating element 41A (i + 1) adjacent to the heating element 41A (i) in the other direction of the main scanning direction D1 of the thermal head 41 are within the printing cycle Ts. Depending on whether or not is applied, that is, depending on whether the values of Data (i−1), Data (i), and Data (i + 1) are “1” or “0”, respectively. Each fixed value (“+10”, “+30”, “−100”) is included (S13 to S19).

  In this way, each of the storage data (i) relating to the current one line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is calculated. Thereafter, when each of the storage data (i) for the next line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is calculated, the storage data (i) of the current line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is calculated. Each is carried over and used (S24: NO). As described above, Storage Data (i) is a numerical value that substitutes the degree of heat storage of the heat generating element 41A (i) corresponding to the Storage Data (i).

  That is, in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, the heat storage degree of each of the plurality of heating elements 41A (i) constituting one line (line head 41B) of the thermal head 41 is represented instead. It is determined whether or not the first sub-pulse S1 and the second sub-pulse S2 are applied to each of the heating elements 41A (i) of the thermal head 41 within the printing cycle Ts via each of the obtained Stage Data (i). (S20, S31).

  At this time, not only each of the storage data (i) related to the current one line of the thermal head 41 in the sub-scanning direction D2, but also each of the storage data (i) related to the next one line of the thermal head 41 in the sub-scanning direction D2. Is also calculated in the common calculation step in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above (S13 to S19). Therefore, it is possible to simplify the control process and shorten the processing time when determining whether or not to apply the first sub-pulse S1 and the second sub-pulse S2 to each heating element 41A of the thermal head 41 within the printing cycle Ts. .

  Further, in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, all lines in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 constituting all of the print data are used by the main program of FIG. 8 described above. After each of the plurality of storage data (i) is calculated at once (S41), all the print data is printed at once by the thermal head 41 (S42, S43). Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the processing time of the control process (S41) when determining whether or not to apply the first sub-pulse S1 and the second sub-pulse S2 to each heating element 41A of the thermal head 41 within the printing cycle Ts. it can.

  Further, in the above-described first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the Storage Data (i) corresponding to the heating element 41A is the first threshold value when used in the main program of FIG. Only when “200” or less (S20: YES), after the main pulse M is applied to the heating element 41A (i) within the printing cycle Ts, the first sub-pulse S1 is applied to the heating element 41A (i). Is applied (S42, FIG. 7).

  That is, determining whether to apply the first sub-pulse S1 after the main pulse M is applied within the printing cycle Ts to each heating element 41A (i) of the thermal head 41 is the first in FIG. This is performed by comparing each of the Storage Data (i) calculated in the common calculation steps (S13 to S19) in the print history control process with “200” which is the first threshold (S20). Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the first sub-pulse S1 is applied to the heat generating element 41A (i) within the printing cycle Ts is a numerical value that represents the storage degree of the heat generating element 41A (i) instead. Since Data (i) is compared with the first threshold value “200” (S20), highly accurate print history control can be performed.

  Further, in the above-described first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the storage data (i) corresponding to the heat generating element 41A (i) is set to the first by being used in the main program of FIG. 8 described above. Only when the value is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value “140” that is smaller than the threshold value “200” (S31: YES), the main pulse M and the first sub-pulse are applied to the heating element 41A (i) within the printing cycle Ts. After S1 is applied, the second sub-pulse S2 is applied to the heating element 41A (i) (S42, FIG. 7).

  That is, determining whether or not to apply the second sub-pulse S2 after the main pulse M and the first sub-pulse S1 are applied to each heating element 41A (i) of the thermal head 41 within the printing cycle Ts is described above. This is done by comparing each of the Stage Data (i) calculated in the common calculation steps (S13 to S19) in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 with the second threshold value “140” (S31). ). Therefore, in the printing cycle Ts, whether to apply the second sub-pulse S2 in addition to the first sub-pulse S1 to the heating element 41A (i) is used as a substitute for the heat storage degree of the heating element 41A (i). Since the storage data (i), which is the numerical value expressed in (2), is compared with the second threshold value “140” (S31), more accurate printing history control can be performed.

[6. Others]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.
For example, instead of the main program shown in FIG. 8, the main program shown in FIG. 9 may be executed. In the main program shown in FIG. 9, first, in S51, “0” is substituted into 130 Stage Data. By this substitution, 130 Stage Data are initialized. This process is the same as S11 of the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S52.

  In S52, “1” is substituted into the variable i. This process is the same as S12 of the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S53.

  In S53, the second print history control process shown in FIG. 13 is executed. The second print history control process shown in FIG. 13 is the same as S13 to S24 of the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above, and therefore the same step numbers are represented. In the second print history control process of FIG. 13, in addition to the 130 Stage Data (i) described above, 130 Data (i), 128 Sub Data1 (i), and 128 Sub Data2 (i). However, only one line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 constituting a part of the print data is secured. When the second print history control process shown in FIG. 13 is executed, the process proceeds to S54 of FIG.

In S54 of FIG. 9, one line printing in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 is performed. This one-line printing is performed based on Data (i), Sub Data1 (i), and Sub Data2 (i) of the one line. That is, it is the same as S42 of the main program shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S55.
In S55, “1” is included in Line. This process is the same as S25 of the first print history control process of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S56.

  In S56, it is determined whether or not Line is equal to or greater than the final value. This process is the same as S26 of the first print history control process of FIG. 5 described above. Here, when the Line is less than the final value (S56: NO), the process returns to the above-described S53, and the above-described processes after S53 are repeated. On the other hand, if the Line is equal to or greater than the final value in S56 (S56: YES), the main program is terminated.

  That is, in the first print history control process of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, a plurality of storages related to one line of the thermal head 41 constituting a part of the print data by being used in the main program of FIG. 9 described above. After each of Data (i) is calculated (S53), a part of the print data is printed by the thermal head 41. Such printing is repeatedly performed for each line in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the thermal head 41 constituting all of the print data (S53 to S56). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the RAM 66 necessary for storing the storage data (i) respectively corresponding to the plurality of heating elements 41A (i) constituting one line of the thermal head 41.

  Further, the processing related to the second sub-pulse S2 shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted in the first printing history control processing shown in FIG. 5 and the second printing history control processing shown in FIG. That is, a printing history control method in which the second sub pulse S2 is not applied in the printing cycle Ts may be used.

  The “first threshold value” and the “second threshold value” described in claim 4 and claim 5 are for each type of print medium (surface tape 31 or tape cassette 5) (environment) of the thermal head 41. In some cases, the setting value varies depending on the temperature, the voltage of the thermal head 41, or the printing speed of the thermal head 41.

  The plurality of Stage Data (i) prepared as the “heat storage variable” according to claim 1, claim 4, and claim 5, at the time of stop (cut, pause, etc.) during printing, In some cases, the value is replaced with a predetermined value including “0”.

  Further, regarding the “first subpulse” according to claims 1, 4, and 5 and the “second subpulse” according to claims 1 and 5, “first subpulse” and “second subpulse” The three sub-pulses may be applied “within the printing cycle” without being limited to the two sub-pulses “”. In such a case, the control corresponding to the heat storage degree of each heating element 41A of the thermal head 41 is obtained by securing the “threshold value” corresponding to each sub-pulse and the ON / OFF data of each sub-pulse on the RAM 66. It is also possible to do.

41 thermal head 41A heating element 41B line head D1 main scanning direction of thermal head D2 sub scanning direction of thermal head M main pulse S1 first sub-pulse S2 second sub-pulse Ts printing cycle

Claims (5)

Whether to apply the first sub-pulse and the second sub-pulse to the heating element within the printing cycle based on a plurality of heat storage degree variables respectively corresponding to the plurality of heating elements constituting one line of the thermal head; A printing history control method in which each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables is calculated by executing the following processes (A) to (D):
(A) When a main pulse is applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle, a heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is calculated through the following steps (1) to (3),
(1) When a main pulse is applied within the printing cycle to a first heating element adjacent to the heating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, a heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element When the main pulse is not applied within the printing cycle to the first heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in one main scanning direction of the thermal head, the heat generation is performed. The second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage variable corresponding to the element,
(2) A third fixed value is added to the heat storage variable corresponding to the heating element,
(3) When a main pulse is applied to the second heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in the other direction opposite to the one direction in the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle. While the first fixed value is added to the heat storage variable corresponding to the heat generating element, the second heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the print cycle. When the main pulse is not applied, the second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element,
(B) When the main pulse is not applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle, the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is calculated through the following steps (4) to (6),
(4) When a main pulse is applied to the first heat generating element adjacent to the heat generating element in one direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head within the printing cycle, the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element When the main pulse is not applied within the printing cycle to the first heating element adjacent to the heating element in one main scanning direction of the thermal head, the first fixed value is added to The second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage variable corresponding to the heating element,
(5) The fourth fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element,
(6) When a main pulse is applied within the printing cycle to a second heating element adjacent to the heating element in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, a heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element When the main pulse is not applied within the printing cycle to the second heating element adjacent to the heating element in the other direction of the main scanning direction of the thermal head, the first fixed value is added to The second fixed value is subtracted from the heat storage variable corresponding to the heating element,
(C) Steps (1) to (3) or steps (4) to (6) are performed for each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables respectively corresponding to the plurality of heating elements. Then, each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables regarding the current one line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is calculated,
(D) When each of the plurality of heat storage degree variables for the next line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head is calculated, the plurality of heat storage degrees for the current line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head. That each variable is carried forward and used,
A printing history control method characterized by the above. A printing history control method according to claim 1,
After the processes (A) to (D) are executed for all the lines in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting the entire print data, all the print data is printed at once by the thermal head. A printing history control method characterized by the above. A printing history control method according to claim 1,
A part of the print data is printed by the thermal head after each of the processes (A) to (D) is performed for one line of the thermal head constituting a part of the print data,
The printing history control method, wherein the printing is repeatedly performed for each line in the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head constituting all of the printing data. A printing history control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first sub-pulse is applied to the heating element after the main pulse is applied to the heating element within the printing cycle only when the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heating element is equal to or less than the first threshold. A printing history control method characterized by the above. A printing history control method according to claim 4,
The heat generation after the main pulse and the first sub-pulse are applied to the heat generating element within the printing cycle only when the heat storage degree variable corresponding to the heat generating element is equal to or smaller than the second threshold smaller than the first threshold. A printing history control method, wherein a second sub-pulse is applied to an element.