JP3003793B2 - Tape-shaped label making device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus and, more particularly, to preventing the ink ribbon of a ribbon cassette from being rewound when a printed tape is rewound in order to repeatedly print the same print area. Regarding what you did.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the applicant of the present application has disclosed in
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 94, a tape-shaped label suitable for printing a character or a mark of a character or a symbol on a print tape as a print medium and preparing a label suitable for attaching to a spine of a file. The device was proposed and put into practical use. This label producing apparatus includes a keyboard, a display, and a printing mechanism of a thermal printing system, and has a printing tape (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 m) as a printing medium.
m), characters and marks can be printed in various character sizes and fonts.

By the way, the printing tape can be transported not only in the feeding direction but also in the rewinding direction. For example, after printing characters and symbols on the printing tape for the first time, the printing tape is started for the first time. It is conceivable to create a tape-shaped label on which synthetic characters and design patterns are printed by rewinding to the position and further performing the second printing with characters and symbols overlapping. In addition, the tape-shaped label created by character printing is not limited to the spine of a file, but is also suitable, for example, for attaching to a cassette tape or its cassette tape case, and further to a video tape or its video tape case. By repeating the printing process and the rewinding of the printing tape, it is conceivable to create a tape-shaped label in which the printing character string is printed in a multicolored manner in accordance with the recorded contents and the genre.

Accordingly, the inventors of the present application have proposed a plurality of types of ribbon cassettes in which the ribbon color of the ink ribbon is not only “black” but also a plurality of colors such as “red”, “green”, “blue”, etc. Are prepared separately from the tape cassette, these ribbon cassettes are configured to be detachable from the tape cassette, and the printing colors for multicolor printing are sequentially set in the printing order, while the input text is For each of the set colors, a color-specific range setting process for setting a print target range for each print color is performed, and a ribbon cassette having a ribbon color similar to the set print color is sequentially replaced. By performing print processing and controlling the tape to be rewound to the print start position for each print processing, it is possible to create labels with printed synthetic characters and design patterns, I was inspired to create a label that was multicolor printed on.

[0005]

Here, the ribbon cassette is provided with a ribbon spool on which an ink ribbon is wound and a ribbon take-up spool on which the ink ribbon is wound. By driving only the ribbon take-up spool in conjunction with this, the printed ink ribbon is taken up. As invented by the inventors of the present application, in order to create a label on which a synthetic character or a design pattern is printed or a label on which a multi-color printing is performed in a plurality of colors, a single ribbon cassette is used, or a ribbon color is used. When performing print processing by sequentially replacing different ribbon cassettes and controlling the rewinding of the print tape to the print start position for each print processing, the ribbon in the ribbon cassette is linked with the rewinding of the print tape when rewinding the print tape. When the take-up spool is driven to rewind in the opposite direction to the take-up, a large amount of the ink ribbon wound on the ribbon take-up spool is fed out and becomes entangled in the ribbon cassette. An interlock release mechanism will be provided separately so that the ribbon take-up spool will not be driven in conjunction with rewinding. Mar printing mechanism there is a problem that complicated and large in size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon without providing an interlock release mechanism for rewinding a ribbon take-up spool in a ribbon cassette in conjunction with rewinding of a tape by a tape transport mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus which can prevent rewinding of a tape.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label producing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting characters, symbols, and various instructions; and data storage means for storing input text data. Display means including a display, a tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting a tape as a print medium in a feed direction and a rewind direction, a ribbon cassette accommodating and detachably mounting an ink ribbon, and a ribbon cassette Cassette detection means for detecting the presence or absence of
In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus having a printing means including a print head for printing on a tape and a control means for controlling printing, the removal of the ribbon cassette is detected from a detection signal of the cassette detection means, On the condition that the ribbon cassette is removed, a tape rewinding permission means is provided for permitting the control means to transfer the tape in the rewinding direction by the tape transfer mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting characters, symbols, and various commands; data storage means for storing input text data; and display means including a display. And a tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting a print medium tape in a feed direction and a rewind direction, and a detachable mechanism for accommodating a plurality of color ink ribbons and printing sequentially in a plurality of colors. A plurality of ribbon cassettes to be mounted alternatively, cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ribbon cassette is mounted, printing means including a print head for printing on tape, and control means for controlling printing. In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus provided, the removal of the ribbon cassette is detected from the detection signal of the cassette detection means, and control is performed on condition that the ribbon cassette is removed. Relative stage, those having a tape rewinding permitting means permits the transfer of the unwinding direction of the tape by the tape transport mechanism.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the control means permits the transfer of the tape in the rewinding direction, the tape transfer mechanism transmits the tape to the tape transfer mechanism. The tape rewinding control means for automatically executing the tape rewinding to the print start position is provided. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tape-like label producing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, a tape detecting unit for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near an end of a tape transport path of the tape transport mechanism is provided. The rewinding of the tape is stopped when the leading end of the tape is detected from the detection signal of the tape detecting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tape-like label producing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the tape detecting means comprises:
It is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction. In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 6, in the invention according to claim 5, the tape rewinding control means changes the detection signal of the tape detection means from a signal indicating that a tape is present to a signal indicating that no tape is present, This is to detect the leading end of the tape.

[0011]

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the text data input by the input means is stored in the data storage means, the control means controls the printing of the printing means. The print head of the means prints on the tape via the ink ribbon of the installed ribbon cassette. When the tape is rewound, the tape rewound permission means detects that the ribbon cassette has been removed from the detection signal of the cassette detection means, and sends a signal to the control means on condition that the ribbon cassette has been removed. Since the tape transfer mechanism permits the transfer of the tape in the rewinding direction, the tape transfer mechanism is controlled by the control means to transfer the tape in the rewinding direction.

That is, each time the printing process is completed, the ribbon cassette is detected to be removed, and then the tape is transported in the tape rewinding direction by the tape transport mechanism, and the ribbon cassette is interlocked with the rewinding. Since the rewinding drive of the ribbon take-up spool is executed, the ink ribbon can be reliably rewound without providing an interlock release mechanism that does not drive the ribbon take-up spool in conjunction with the rewinding. Can be prevented.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect operates in substantially the same manner as the first aspect. That is, every time each printing process is completed, it is detected by the tape transfer mechanism that the selectively mounted ribbon cassette is removed from the plurality of ribbon cassettes prepared for multicolor printing. Since the tape is transported in the rewinding direction, there is no interlocking release mechanism that does not drive the ribbon take-up spool in the ribbon cassette in conjunction with the rewinding when the tape is transported by the tape transport mechanism. Without the provision, the rewinding of the ink ribbon can be reliably prevented.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the third aspect has the same effect as the first or second aspect, but the tape rewinding control means provided in the control means has a tape rewinding direction. When the transfer to the tape is permitted, the tape transfer mechanism automatically causes the tape to be rewound to the print start position of the tape, so that the tape can be rewound every time printing is completed. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the fourth aspect has the same effect as the third aspect, except that a tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near the end of the tape transport path of the tape transport mechanism is provided. The rewind control means stops rewinding the tape when detecting the leading end of the tape from the detection signal of the tape detection means, so that the stoppage of the tape rewinded to the print start position can be automated each time printing is completed. .

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the same effect as in the fourth aspect is obtained, but since the tape detecting means is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction, printing is performed. The leading end of the tape can be reliably detected without affecting printing by the head. In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the same effect as in the fifth aspect is exerted, but the tape rewinding control means outputs a signal indicating that no tape is present from a signal indicating that the tape detection means has a tape. In this case, since the leading end of the tape is detected, even when the tape is rewound at a high speed by the tape transport mechanism, the leading end of the tape can be accurately detected and the rewound of the tape can be stopped accurately.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of multicolor printing by replacing a large number of characters such as characters and symbols with a printing tape as a printing medium and a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors. It is the case when doing. As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 4 provided with various function keys in addition to character keys such as letters, symbols, and numerals is provided at the front of the main body cover 2 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1. Immediately behind the keyboard 4, a liquid crystal display 5 capable of displaying input characters and symbols is provided, and inside the main body cover 2 corresponding to the cassette cover 3 which is opened and closed when the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced. Is provided with a thermal printing mechanism 10 having a thermal head 12. Here, the cassette cover 3 can be opened by sliding the slide knob 6,
By pressing the cutting knob 85 downward, the printed printing tape 22 can be cut manually.

Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the tape cassette 20 detachably mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Inside a tape case 21 of the tape cassette 20, a tape spool 23 around which a printing tape 22 made of a thin film is wound is provided rotatably, and a plurality of printing tapes 22 fed from the tape spool 23 are provided. Are guided in a curved shape by the guide section, pass immediately before the thermal head 12, are transported by the tape feed roller 24 in the tape feed direction, and are discharged to the outside of the tape cassette 20.

Also, as shown in FIG.
A pair of guide shafts 21a for vertically guiding and supporting the ribbon cassette 30 at the time of attaching and detaching the ribbon cassette 30, which will be described next, are provided at two separated locations on the outer peripheral wall of the first cassette.
-The lower ends of 21b are integrally formed. Further, the tape case 21 is formed with a pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d which abut on and support the lower side of the ribbon cassette 30.

Next, the ribbon cassette 30 detachably mounted on the tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. Ribbon case 3 of ribbon cassette 30
1, an upper wall portion 31a that abuts a part of the tape case 21 from above is horizontally extended and integrally formed, and a pair of guide shafts 21a and 21b of the tape case 21 is provided at an end of the upper wall portion 31a. A pair of engaging legs 31b and 31c having through holes, which are fitted to the outside of the tape case 21, are formed, and a vertical wall portion 31d abutting on the notch 21e of the tape case 21 is formed. Further, the ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head accommodating portion 37 for accommodating the thermal head 12 inserted from below through the tape cassette 20.

Further, inside the ribbon case 31, a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound and a ribbon winding spool 34 for winding the ink ribbon 32 are rotatably provided. The loaded ink ribbon 32 approaches the printing tape 22 temporarily in a parallel manner when facing the thermal head 12, and the separating portion 35 of the separating member 35 formed integrally with the ribbon case 31.
The tape is bent at an acute angle at a, separated from the print tape 22, and wound up by the ribbon take-up spool. That is, the separating member 35 of the ribbon case 31
Is located downstream of the thermal head 12 in the tape feeding direction. The ribbon case 31 is provided with a lid member 31e that supports the ribbon spool 33, the take-up spool 34, the separating member 35, and the like from above.

On the other hand, the tape case 21 has a ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f for accommodating the ribbon cassette 30.
(See FIG. 7), and the lid member 3 of the ribbon case 31 is formed.
On the upper surfaces of the upper wall 1a and the upper wall 31a, knob pieces 31f, 3
When printing, first, the tape case 21 is mounted in a mounting recess (not shown) provided in the main body cover 2 and then the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of a desired print color is printed. To tape case 21
Can be mounted in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f. At this time, first, a pair of knob pieces 31 is used with two fingers.
f, 31g and a pair of engaging legs 31b, 3
The ribbon cassette 30 is moved downward while being fitted to the corresponding guide shafts 21a and 21b through the through holes, and is accommodated in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f. At this time, the upper wall 31a of the ribbon case 31 overlaps with the upper surface of the tape cassette 20, and the lower end of the ribbon cassette 30 is connected to a pair of lower end walls 21c of the tape case 21.
The ribbon cassette 30 is held at a predetermined position with respect to the tape case 21 by abutting the upper side of the tape cassette 21d.

A plurality of types of ribbon cassettes 30 are prepared according to the ribbon color (red, green, yellow, black,...) Of the ink ribbon 32 and the ribbon width (12, 18, 24, 32 mm). At the lower end of the vertical wall portion 31d of the ribbon case 31, a detection hole group 36 (see FIG. 6) in which a maximum of six detection holes 36a are combined in order to detect any of these plural types of ribbon cassettes 30. , One detection hole 36
a is formed).

Next, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32
With reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 40 which can transfer the print direction and the rewind direction as the printing direction. The main body frame 11 includes a tape take-up cam 41 that can be engaged with the center of the tape spool 23, a ribbon take-up cam 42 that can be engaged with the center of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and a center of the tape feed roller 24. The tape drive cam 43 is rotatably supported with the tape drive cam 43, and the thermal head 12 is erected, and the first detecting hole group 36 is used to detect the presence or absence of the six detecting holes 36a. And a ribbon detection switch group 103 including a sixth detection switch, and outputs a ribbon detection signal RS based on a combination of switch signals from the six detection switches. Here, the cassette detection means is constituted by the ribbon detection switch group 103, the detection hole group 36, and the like.

Further, a tape driving motor 4 composed of a stepping motor is provided at the right end of the front end of the main body frame 11.
4 are mounted, and gears 46 to 53 rotatably supported by the main body frame 11 are sequentially meshed with a driving gear 45 of the tape driving motor 44, and the tape fixed to the tape driving cam 43 is engaged with the gear 53. The drive gear 54 and the gear 55 are engaged. Here, the gear 48 and the gear 4
9, the gear 50 and the gear 51 are integrally formed, and the tape winding gear 52 is formed integrally with the lower end of the ribbon winding cam 42. It is fixed to the part. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via these gears 45 to 54, and the print tape 22 is transported by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.

On the other hand, in the gap between the two gears 50 and 51 integrally formed, the base end of the swing lever 56 is connected to the two gears 50 and 51.
It is supported in a state where a moderate frictional resistance is given between
A planetary gear 57 that always meshes with the gear 51 is rotatably supported by the swing lever 56. Also, the gear 53
The pivot spring shaft 59 has a base end portion of a cutting prohibition lever 84, and a winding spring 59 such that the pivot shaft 58 is sandwiched between one end of the winding spring 59 supported by the cutting prohibition lever 84 and the base end portion. Is pressed and supported by the urging force. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven clockwise for normal printing (positive rotation drive) and the gear 50 rotates clockwise, the frictional force between the two causes the tape drive motor 44 to rotate. The swing lever 56 also rotates clockwise so that the planet gear 57 does not mesh with the tape winding gear 52,
Since the tape take-up cam 41 becomes free, the print tape 22 wound around the tape spool 23 is fed out, and at the same time, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the cutting prohibition lever 84 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. And the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is positioned below the cutting lever 82, which will be described later. The take-up cam 42 rotates in the counterclockwise direction via the clutch spring 60 so that the ink ribbon 32
4

A roller holder 67 rotatably supporting a rubber platen roller 65 and a tape feed sub-roller 66 is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 68 erected on the main body frame 11, and is mounted on the cassette. The release lever 71 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 3, and the position is switched between the printing position shown in FIG. 9 and the release position shown in FIG. Here, the roller holder 67
Is always elastically biased to the release position by a winding spring (not shown). That is, the roller 72 pivotally attached to the release lever 71 comes into contact with the standing wall 11a of the main body frame 11, and one end of the release lever 71 is
When the release lever 71 has moved leftward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 to the operating position shown in FIG. 9, the left end of the release lever 71 is in contact with the roller holder 67 and the upright wall 11a. The roller holder 67 is switched from the release position to the printing position. At this time, the platen roller 65 is connected to the thermal head 1 via the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32.
2 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 presses the tape feed roller 24 via the print tape 22.

Here, when the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, a platen gear (not shown) fixed to the lower end of the platen roller 65 meshes with the gear 55, and is fixed to the lower end of the tape feed sub-roller 66. The sub-roller gear (not shown) meshes with the tape drive gear 54.

Next, a head release mechanism 70 for driving the release lever 71 to the right in conjunction with the opening of the cassette cover 3 to switch the roller holder 67 to the release position with respect to the thermal head 12 and release it.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13. The rear end of the cassette cover 3 is, as shown in FIGS.
A plurality of pivotal pins 7 attached to the main body cover 2 are supported so as to be openable and closable at a plurality of positions. A curved groove cam 3b is formed on a right side wall 3a of the cassette cover 3. An operating plate 74 disposed below the right end of the main body frame 11
At the rear end, an engaging pin 75 that engages with the groove cam 3b is provided.
Is fixed. By the way, the right end of the release lever 71 is rotatably supported by one lever of a forked lever 76 pivotally connected to the main body frame 11, and the other of the forked lever 76 has: Working plate 7
4 is connected via a pin 77 fixed to the front end.

When the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 12, that is, when the roller holder 67 is closed as shown in FIG.
When the cassette cover 3 is opened at the printing position shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the movement of the groove cam 3b causes the engagement pin 75 engaging with the groove cam 3b to move rearward. The plate 74 moves backward, and the forked lever 7
The roller holder 67 is switched to the release position in response to the rotation of the release lever 71 to the right in the counterclockwise rotation direction of the release lever 6. At this time, when the operation plate 74 moves backward, the cover opening / closing detection switch 102 outputs an “H” level cover opening / closing signal VS. When the cassette cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 13, that is, when the roller holder 67 is at the release position shown in FIG. 11, and when the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 3b, the engagement pin 75 moves forward, the operating plate 74 moves forward, the forked lever 76 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11, and the release lever 71 moves leftward. , The roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, that is, the non-release state.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when printing is performed, first, the tape cassette 20 is mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10, and then the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted on the tape cassette 20. When the cassette cover 3 is closed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position. Then, in this state, the tape drive motor 44
Are normally rotated in the normal printing direction, these gears 45 to 55 are respectively driven in a predetermined rotation direction, and the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction, respectively. Since the sub-roller 66 and the tape feed roller 24 rotate in synchronization, the print tape 22 is discharged to the outside through the tape cutting mechanism 80 and the tape detection mechanism 90 while being printed by the thermal head 12. At this time, since the tape take-up cam 41 becomes free, the print tape 22 wound around the tape spool 23 is sequentially fed without any resistance.
At the same time, the ink ribbon 32
5, the ribbon is wound out of the ribbon spool 33 in synchronization with the print tape 22 by rotation of the print tape 22, and the ribbon winding cam 48 is rotated by the rotation of the ribbon winding gear 48, and the ribbon winding cam is rotated by engaging with the ribbon winding cam 42. It is wound on a spool 34.

On the other hand, when printing of the first color is completed and printing of the second color is executed, first, the cassette cover 3 is opened, and
When the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the release position by the head release mechanism 70. When the tape drive motor 44 is reversely driven in the counterclockwise rotation direction (rewind direction), as shown in FIGS.
55 are respectively driven in a predetermined rotation direction. At this time, rotation of the gear 50 in the counterclockwise direction causes the swing lever 5 to rotate.
6 also rotates counterclockwise, the planetary gear 57 meshes with the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41 rotates counterclockwise to rotate the printed printing tape 22. It is wound on a tape spool 23. here,
Although the ribbon take-up gear 48 is driven to rotate clockwise, since the ribbon cassette 30 has been removed, the ink ribbon 32 taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 34 is not fed.

Next, a tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printed printing tape 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on. A lower end of a fixed blade 81 is fixed to a left end wall 11b of which the left end of the main body frame 11 is partially bent downward, and a substantially L-shaped cutting lever 82 in side view.
Is pivotally supported by a screw 83, and a movable blade 82a is formed on the cutting lever 82 thereof. Here, during printing, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 moves below the cutting lever 82, so that the cutting operation is started. prohibited.

However, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction at the end of printing, the gear 53 rotates slightly in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. When the distal end is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 and the cutting operation is enabled,
As shown in FIG. 14, when the cutting knob 85 at the distal end of the cutting lever 82 is pressed downward, the movable blade 8
2a rotates to the cutting position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the printing tape 22 located between the fixed blade 81 and the movable blade 82a is cut by the cooperation of these two blades 81 and 82a. At this time, the cutting detection switch 101 attached to the main body frame 11 is operated by the operating member 86 attached to the cutting lever 82 to output the cutting detection signal CS. Then, when the pressing operation of the cutting lever 82 is stopped, the cutting lever 82 returns to the original predetermined position shown by the solid line by the urging force of a spring (not shown).

Next, a tape detecting mechanism 90 provided outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to detect the presence or absence of the print tape 22 will be described with reference to FIG. Guide members 94 and 95 are formed integrally with the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to form a pair of sensor housing chambers 96 and 97 in a sealed state.
A light emitting element 92 is attached to 6, and a light receiving element 93 is attached to the other sensor housing chamber 97.
A slit 98 through which the print tape 22 can pass is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95.
Opposite portions of the pair of guide members 94 and 95 are formed with small-diameter light passage holes 94a and 95a and formed with inclined guide portions 99, respectively.
0 of the printing tape 22 passing through the guide portion 9.
The guiding at 9 ensures that the light can pass through the slit 98 and be detected.

Then, the sensor light emitted from the light emitting element 92 passes through the light passage holes 94a and 95a formed in the sensor accommodation chambers 96 and 97, and is projected on the light receiving element 93. That is, only when the print tape 22 enters the tape detection sensor 91 and is present between the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 93, the sensor light is cut off. An L level tape detection signal TS is output.

Next, the control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
The input / output interface 113 of the control device CD includes a keyboard 4, a tape detection sensor 91, a disconnection detection switch 101, a cover open / close detection switch 102, a ribbon detection switch group 103, and a liquid crystal display (LC
D) A display controller (LCDC) 104 having a video RAM for outputting display data to 5, a drive circuit 106 for a warning buzzer 105, a drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12, and a tape drive A drive circuit 108 for the motor 44 is connected to each.

The control device CD includes a CPU 110 and this C
An input / output interface 113 connected to the PU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus;
M111, ROM112 and RAM120. The font ROM 111 stores display dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters such as characters and symbols, and print dot pattern data for a plurality of print character sizes.

The ROM 112 stores the display controller 104 in correspondence with character code data such as characters, symbols, and numbers input from the keyboard 4.
Drive control program for controlling the display, text memory 1
A print control program for creating dot pattern data to be printed with respect to characters and symbols stored in
With respect to the created dot pattern data, a print drive control program for sequentially outputting dot pattern data for each dot row to the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 for printing, a control program for multicolor printing control described later, which is unique to the present application, etc. Is stored. In addition, in the ROM 112,
Based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches,
A ribbon cassette detection table for detecting the ribbon color and ribbon width of the ink ribbon 32 is stored.

The text memory 121 of the RAM 120
Stores text data consisting of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 in association with the set print color data. The color number memory 122 stores color number data of the set print color. Printing color order memory 1
23 stores the data of the color order of the set print colors. The margin memory 124 stores margin data relating to the same set front margin and rear margin.
The print data buffer 125 has the text memory 1
The dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in 21 is expanded and stored. Further, the RAM 12
In 0, a memory or the like for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110 is provided.

Next, a multi-color printing control routine performed by the control device CD of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, reference symbol Si (i = 10, 11, 12,...)
Is each step. Here, prior to the multicolor printing control, a positional relationship among a tape detection position by the tape detection sensor 91, a tape cutting position by the tape cutting mechanism 80, and a printing position by the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In the feed direction T of the print tape 22, the print position (P position) from the upstream side in the feed direction T,
The order of the tape cutting position (C position) and the tape detecting position (S position) are in order, the distance Dcp between the printing position and the tape cutting position between printing and cutting is about 25 mm, and the cutting / detection between the tape cutting position and the tape detecting position. The distance Dsc is about 15 mm. Further, the separation position (position B) of the separation member 35 by the separation section 35a is about 6 degrees smaller than the printing position in the feed direction T.
mm downstream.

When power is supplied to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, first, the thermal printing mechanism 10 and the control device CD are activated.
Is performed (S10). Then, since a text input screen is displayed on the display 5, after setting a print format, an input process for inputting text data and a display process for displaying the input text are executed, and the input text is displayed. The data is stored in the text memory 121 (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the input text data “Akamidori
Is stored in the text memory 121.

Next, print color sequence setting processing control (see FIG. 18) is executed (S12). When this control is started,
Since the message "What is the number of print colors?" Is displayed on the display 5, a number-of-colors setting process for setting the number of colors N by operating the numeric keys is executed, and the set number of colors N is stored in the number-of-colors memory 122. It is stored (S30). Next, since the names of a plurality of colors are displayed on the display 5, a color order setting process for sequentially setting the order of colors to be printed is executed, and the data of the set color order is stored in the print color order memory 123. (S31), the control ends, and the process returns to S13 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, a printing target range setting process control for each color (see FIG. 19) is executed (S).
13). When this control is started, first, the number of colors N is set to the count value I of the color number counter (S33), and if "1" is subtracted from this color number count value I and it is not "0", that is, If the target character string of the printing color is not set (S34: No), each of the characters and symbols to be printed is set with the cursor on the first printing color in the printing color order among the unset colors based on the color order data. A print target character string setting process to be instructed and set is executed (S35).

That is, in this print target character string setting process, the text data is displayed on the display 5, so that the four cursor movement keys arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4 are operated to select a color other than the final print color. For each print color, specify each character or symbol to be printed by operating the cursor movement keys with the cursor and operating the color confirmation key each time.When the setting of the print target character string is completed, the confirmation key is Operated. By operating the enter key, the set color data is stored in the text memory 121 together with the character data of the character specified by operating the cursor movement key and the color enter key.

Then, the color number count value I is decremented by one (S36), and S is continued until (I-1) becomes "0".
34 to S36 are repeatedly executed. And (I-1)
Becomes "0" and the setting of the character string to be printed is completed for each printing color other than the final printing color (S34:
Yes), for the final print color, a character string setting process for setting the remaining characters of the text data excluding the already set characters and symbols is executed (S37).

The character string setting process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 20. First, character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the beginning (S371).
), It is determined whether color data is attached (S3).
72). If the read character data is accompanied by color data (S372: Yes), and the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374), and the aforementioned S372 Is executed again. On the other hand, if no color data is attached to the read character data (S372: No), color data corresponding to the final print color is stored with the character data (S37).
5), the process of S373 is executed. Each of the above processes
The process is repeatedly executed up to the last character data stored in the text memory 121. If it is determined in S373 that the character data is the last character data (S373: Yes), the process returns to S38 in FIG.

For example, if character data "Aka Midori Kuro" is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors is 3, and the color order is "red", "green", and "black", the print target character string setting process in S35 First, for the print color "red", a character string "red" is set by operating the cursor key and the color determination key, and as shown in FIG. The color data "red" is stored in association with each of them. Next, when the character string "green" is set for the print color "green", the text memory 12
Color data “green” is stored in association with each of the character data “mi”, “do”, and “ri”.

Here, when the setting of the printing color "green" is completed, the color count value (I-1) becomes "0".
In the character string setting process of 37, the character data is sequentially read from the head of the text memory 121, and the final print color “black” is automatically set for the character string “kuro” for which the print color of the text data is not set. The color data “black” is stored along with the character data “ku” and “ro” in the text memory 121. Next, a message "What is the margin of the print tape?" Is displayed on the display 5. When a desired margin is set by operating the numeric keys, the set margin is stored in the margin memory 124. This control is stored (S38), this control ends, and the process returns to S14 of the multi-color printing control.

In the multi-color printing control, when the printing key is operated (S14 / S15: Yes), printing start processing control (see FIG. 21) is executed (S16). When this control is started, first, the ribbon color R of the attached ribbon cassette 30 is read based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103 (S40), and the first print color C in the print color order is determined. If the ribbon color R does not match the top print color C (S41: No),
An error message notifying that the print colors do not match is displayed on the display 5 (S43).

Next, based on the cover open / close signal VS of the cover open / close detection switch 102, when the cassette cover 3 is opened and the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced and the cassette cover 3 is closed again (S44: Yes), S40 is reached. ~ S41
Is executed. When the ribbon color R and the top print color C match (S42: Yes), the character string that is stored with the data of the top print color C is read from the text memory 121, and the dot of the character string is further read. The pattern data is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S45). Next, the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, and when the tape detection signal TS is at the “L” level and the print tape 22 is positioned corresponding to the tape detection sensor 91 (S46: Yes) ), A message prompting the cutting of the print tape is displayed on the display 5 (S
47).

Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cut detection signal CS from the cut detection switch 101 becomes "H" level (S48), and the tape detection signal TS becomes "H". Level and the tape cutting is detected (S46: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward by one step (clockwise) in order to make the leading end of the print tape 22 enter the tape detection sensor 91.
The print tape 22 is driven to be moved by a minute distance in the feed direction T (S49). When the tape detection signal TS is at the "H" level (S50: No), S49 to S50 are repeatedly executed.

Then, the tape detection signal TS becomes "L" level, and as shown in FIG.
(S5)
0: Yes), this control ends, and the multi-color printing control S17
Return to At this time, the printing position of the thermal head 12 with respect to the printing tape 22 when the leading end of the tape is detected is set as the printing start reference origin position. Here, when the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T, the print tape 2
Even when the leading end of the print tape 22 is curled, the leading end of the print tape 22 can be reliably guided to the slit 98 by the guide portion 99 formed on the pair of guide members 94 and 95.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the number of colors N is not "1", that is, when it is not the last printing (S17: No), the set color printing process control for printing in each set printing color (FIG. 22) (S18). When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 28B, first, the print tape 2 is moved by the front margin amount L corresponding to the set margin amount L.
In order to transfer No. 2, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward (S60). Next, when the printing start position of the character to be printed in the current printing color is located on the upstream side in the feed direction T from the printing start reference origin position of the label printing, that is, for example, as shown in FIG. When the idle feed amount exists (S61: Yes), as in the case where the character "green" is printed in the printing color "green", the tape drive motor 44
Is driven in the forward direction, and the print tape 22 is transported in the transport direction T by the amount of the idle transport (S62). However, when the idle feed amount does not exist (S6: No), S62 is skipped and the process proceeds to S63. Then, the print data buffer 125
The dot pattern data is read out, and a printing process for printing by driving the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 is executed (S63). This control is terminated, and S19 of the multi-color printing control is completed. Return to

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print tape rewinding process control (see 23) is executed (S19).
When this control is started, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the normal direction, and the print position (P position) and the separation position (B
The printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transported in the transport direction T by the separation transport amount Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp to the position (S70). That is, at the final printing position where printing is performed by the thermal head 12, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused to the printing tape 22. However, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 3 are separated by the separation feed amount Dbp.
2 is transferred, the ink ribbon 32 is separated from the separation unit 3.
Since the printing tape 22 is forcibly separated from the printing tape 22 by 5a, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are surely separated from each other.

Next, a message prompting removal of the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5 in order to replace the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of the same ribbon color as the next print color (S71). When the cassette cover 3 is first opened, the operation plate 74 moves rearward, and the cover open / close detection switch 102 outputs the cover open / close signal VS at the “H” level (S72: Yes).
Further, as the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103, all of the six detection switch signals become "H" level signals, and when the ribbon cassette 30 is removed (S73: Yes), the ribbon cassette 30 is not mounted. Is displayed on the display 5 (S74).

Next, in order to rewind the print tape 22, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction by one step (counterclockwise rotation), and the print tape 22 is transported in the rewind direction by a small distance (S75). When the tape detection signal TS is at the "H" level (S76: No), S74 to S76 are repeatedly executed. When the leading end of the print tape 22 is rewound slightly inside the tape detection sensor 91 (S76: Yes), the reverse rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S77), and this control is terminated. The process returns to S20 of the multicolor printing control.

In this embodiment, when it is detected that the ribbon cassette 30 has been removed, the ribbon cassette 3 is detected.
0 is displayed on the display 5 and the rewinding of the printing tape 22 is automatically started. However, even if the removal of the ribbon cassette 30 is detected, the winding of the printing tape 22 is immediately performed. After the predetermined time required for completely removing the ribbon cassette 30 without elapse of the return, the printing tape 2 is automatically
2 may be configured to start rewinding. Also,
A message "Please press a key" is displayed on the display 5 together with a message urging the user not to attach the ribbon cassette 30, and when any key of the keyboard 4 is pressed, the rewinding of the printing tape 22 is started. It may be configured as follows. As described above, if the printing tape 22 is rewound after a predetermined time or key operation, the printing tape 22 starts to be rewound during the removal operation of the ribbon cassette 30, and the printing tape 2
2 comes in contact with the ribbon cassette 30 being removed,
The print surface is prevented from being damaged, and the print tape 22 is prevented from being rewound, so that a so-called jam state is prevented.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, a printing start position alignment control (see FIG. 24) is executed (S20).
When this control is started, first, an error message prompting the user to mount the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of the same ribbon color as the next print color is displayed on the display 5 (S80). And, as the ribbon detection signal RS, 6
If all of the three switch signals are not “H” level signals and the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted (S81: Yes)
), The ribbon color R of the loaded ribbon cassette 30 is read based on the ribbon detection signal RS (S82), the next printing color C in the printing color sequence is read (S83), and the ribbon color R and the next printing are read. If the color C does not match (S84: N
o), S80 to S84 are repeatedly executed.

Next, when the ribbon color R and the next print color C match (S84: Yes), a character string with the data of the next print color C is read from the text memory 121, and Further, the dot pattern data of the character string is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S85). next,
When the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: N
o), a message indicating that the cassette cover 3 is to be closed is displayed on the display 5 (S89). Then, when the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Yes), until the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91,
The tape drive motor 44 is driven in the forward rotation by one step (S87 / S88: No), the tape detection signal TS becomes "L" level, and the leading end of the print tape 22 is
When it corresponds to 1, the print start reference origin position for the print tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88: Yes), and this control is terminated, and the process returns to S21 of the multi-color print control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, if the number of colors N is 1
When the number of colors N is not "1" and the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), S18 to S21 are repeatedly executed. Then, when the number N of colors becomes "1" and the last printing is performed (S17: Yes), the final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 25) is executed (S17).
twenty two). In this control, in the first case where the front margin L is larger than the printing / cutting distance Dcp, and in the case where the front margin L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp, the second case where there is no idle feed amount In the third case, where the idle feed amount is present and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the idle feed amount is equal to or greater than the print / cut distance Dcp, and the fourth value is smaller than the print / cut distance Dcp.
In this case, the tape is cut while printing.

First, the first case will be described. When the front margin amount L is equal to or longer than the printing / cutting distance Dcp (S
90: Yes), the printing tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the forward / cut distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44 (S91), the drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped, and the tape transfer is stopped. Is performed (S92). Next, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation (see FIG. 15). A message prompting the user to cut the print tape 22 is displayed on the display 5 (S93). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes “H” level, and the tape cut is detected (S94: Ye
s) Further, the printing tape 22 is transported in the feed direction T by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L-printing / cutting distance Dcp) (S95).

Next, when the printing start position of the printing with the current final printing color is upstream of the printing start reference origin position of the label printing in the feeding direction T and the idle feed amount exists (S
96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward,
The print tape 22 is transported in the transport direction T by the amount of the idle transport (S97). Next, characters and symbols are printed in the final print color based on the read dot image in the same manner as in S63 (S98). Next, in order to provide the rear margin amount L on the rear side of the print character string, the printing tape 22 is fed by a value obtained by adding the rear margin amount L to the printing / cutting distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44. Transported in the direction T (S9
9) Then, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from below the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, the printing tape 22 is turned off. A message prompting the disconnection of is displayed on the display 5 again (S100). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S101:
Yes), ends this control, and returns to S10 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, the second case will be described. When the front margin L is smaller than the print / cut distance Dcp and there is no idle feed (S90 / S102: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward. By driving, the print tape 22 is moved in the feed direction T by the front margin amount L (S103). Then, from S104 onward, the printing tape 22 is cut while performing the final printing process. That is, dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and subjected to printing processing (S104), and the tape drive motor 4 is moved by a minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row.
4, the printing tape 22 is transferred by the forward rotation drive (S
105). Next, when the tape transport amount after the last printing start is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the front margin amount L from the printing / cutting distance Dcp, that is, the cutting position (P position) is equal to the head of the front margin amount L. When the position has not been reached (S106: N
o), S104 93 to S106 are repeatedly executed.

When the leading position of the front margin L reaches the cutting position (S106: Yes), printing and tape transfer are stopped (S107), and then the tape drive motor 44 is turned off.
Is slightly rotated in the rewind direction, and when the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed. (S108
). Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S109: Yes).
The remaining print processing for printing the remaining dot pattern data is executed (S110), the trailing margin amount L is provided in S99 to S101, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. .

Next, the front margin amount L is the distance Dc between printing and cutting.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feeding amount and the value obtained by adding the leading margin amount L to the idle feeding amount is the third case of not less than the print / cut distance Dcp (S90: No, S102 and S111:
Yes), the tape is cut after the tape is transported (S112 to S115) in the same manner as in S91 to S94, and the printing tape 22 is further reduced by the shortage of the front margin amount L (the front margin amount L + the empty feed amount−the printing / cutting distance Dcp). Is transferred in the feed direction T (S116).
). Then, S98 and the subsequent steps are executed, the printing process is executed with the final color, the rear margin amount L is provided, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10.

On the other hand, the front margin amount L is equal to the printing / cutting distance Dc.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the idle feed amount is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp for the fourth time (S90: No, S102: Yes, S11)
1: No), the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by a feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L (S117).
Then, dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and subjected to printing processing (S
118), only the minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row,
The printing tape 2 is driven by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44.
2 is transferred (S119).

Next, when the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L from the print / cut distance Dcp, that is, If the cutting position (P position) has not reached the leading position of the front margin L (S120: No), S118 to S12
0 is repeatedly executed. When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S120: Yes), S
107 and subsequent steps are executed, the front margin amount L and the rear margin amount L are provided, respectively, and the tape is cut. The control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. For example, as shown in FIG.
For the input text "Aka Midori Kuro", a tape-shaped character string "Aka" is printed in red, the character string "Midori" is green, and the character string "Kuro" is printed in black, with the front and rear margins L provided respectively. The label 22A is obtained.

Next, the operation of the multicolor printing control will be described. After the text is input, a print color order setting process for setting the number N of print colors and the color order is executed, and a process for setting a print target range for each print color for printing in a plurality of colors is executed. You. Then, after the ribbon cassette 30 of the ribbon color R similar to the first print color C is mounted, the print processing is performed by controlling the drive of the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44. Then, each time the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced and each printing process is completed, the printing tape rewinding process is executed.

That is, when the print tape 22 is rewound, the head release mechanism 70 is released based on the cover open / close signal VS from the cover open / close detection switch 102, and the ribbon detection signal RS All of the six detection switch signals are “H” level signals, and the ribbon cassette 30
Is removed from the tape cassette 20, a message prompting the user not to mount the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5, the tape drive motor 44 is driven in reverse rotation, and the print tape 22 is automatically rewound. Then, the tape detection signal T from the tape detection sensor 91
Based on S, the rewinding is stopped at the print start reference origin position.

As described above, each time the printing process is completed, the ribbon cassette 30 which is selectively mounted from the plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 prepared for multi-color printing is removed from the tape cassette 20. Is detected, the ribbon is transported in the rewind direction by the ribbon / tape transport mechanism 40, and the ribbon cassette 3 is moved in conjunction with the rewind.
Since the rewinding drive of the ribbon take-up spool 34 in 0 is executed, the winding of the ink ribbon 32 can be performed without providing any linkage release mechanism that does not drive the ribbon take-up spool 34 in conjunction with the rewinding. Reversion can be reliably prevented.

When the print tape 22 is rewound, the leading end of the print tape 22 is detected by switching from the presence of the tape to the absence of the tape based on the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91. Within the technical idea of the present invention, the ribbon detection switch group 103 is constituted by various sensors such as a proximity switch and a photo interrupter. And various changes may be made. Of course, the present invention can be applied to various tape-shaped label producing apparatuses that perform multicolor printing by sequentially replacing a plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 having different ribbon colors.

[0072]

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the first aspect, the input means, the data storage means, the display means, the tape transport mechanism, the ribbon cassette, the cassette detecting means, and the print head are included. A printing means, a control means, and a tape rewind permitting means, which detects that the ribbon cassette has been removed at the end of each printing process, and then moves the tape cassette in the tape rewinding direction by the tape transport mechanism. And a rewinding drive of the ribbon take-up spool in the ribbon cassette is performed in conjunction with the transfer of the tape and the rewinding thereof. Without any arrangement, the rewinding of the ink ribbon can be reliably prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the input means, the data storage means, the display means,
A tape transport mechanism, a plurality of ribbon cassettes which are selectively detachably mounted, a cassette detecting means, a printing means including a print head, and a control means, further provided with a tape rewind permission means, Each time the printing process is completed, it is detected that the ribbon cassette which is selectively mounted from the plurality of ribbon cassettes prepared for the multi-color printing is removed, and then the tape is wound by the tape transfer mechanism. Since the rewinding drive of the ribbon take-up spool in the ribbon cassette is executed in conjunction with the transfer in the rewinding direction and the rewinding, the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the third aspect, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be obtained, but the tape rewinding control means provided in the control means is capable of rewinding the tape. When the transfer in the direction is permitted, the tape transfer mechanism automatically causes the tape to be rewound to the print start position of the tape, so that the tape can be rewound every time printing is completed.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the same effect as that of the third aspect is obtained, but the tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the tape near the end of the tape transport path of the tape transport mechanism is provided. Since the tape rewind control means stops the tape rewind when detecting the leading end of the tape from the detection signal of the tape detection means,
The stop of the tape rewound to the print start position can be automated each time printing is completed.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the same effect as that of the third aspect is obtained, but since the tape detecting means is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction, The leading end of the tape can be reliably detected without affecting printing by the print head. According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 6,
The same effect as in claim 3 is obtained, but the tape rewinding control means detects the leading end of the tape by changing the detection signal of the tape detection means from a signal indicating the presence of the tape to a signal indicating the absence of the tape. Even when the tape is rewound at a high speed by the transfer mechanism, the leading end of the tape can be detected with high accuracy, and the rewound of the tape can be stopped with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a thermal printing mechanism in a printing state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in a tape rewinding state.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tape cassette on which the ribbon cassette is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of the ribbon cassette.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the ribbon cassette and the tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a drive system in a printing state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part of FIG. 9 showing a meshing relationship of gears.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a drive system in a tape rewinding state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part when the cassette cover is closed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12 when the cassette cover is opened.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the thermal printing mechanism showing the tape cutting mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a drive system of the thermal printing mechanism in a tape cutting permission state.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a multicolor printing control routine.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a print color sequence setting process control routine.

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a print target range setting process control routine for each color.

FIG. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling a remaining character string setting process for a final print color.

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart of a print start process control routine.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a set color printing process control routine.

FIG. 23 is a schematic flowchart of a print tape rewinding process control routine.

FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of a print start alignment control routine;

FIG. 25 is a schematic flowchart of a final color printing processing / cutting processing control routine.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a print position (P position), a tape cutting position (C position), and a tape detection position (S position).

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a text memory.

28A is an explanatory diagram of a print start reference origin position on a tape, FIG. 28B is an explanatory diagram when the tape is advanced by a front margin amount, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of tape feed by an amount.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label printed in three colors of red, green, and black.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape-shaped label producing apparatus 4 Keyboard 5 Liquid crystal display 10 Thermal printing mechanism 12 Thermal head 20 Tape cassette 22 Printing tape 30 Ribbon cassette 32 Ink ribbon 36 Detection hole group 44 Tape drive motor 90 Tape detection mechanism 91 Tape detection sensor 103 Ribbon detection Switch group 110 CPU 112 ROM 120 RAM 121 Text memory CD control device

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-68814 (JP, A) JP-A-6-328821 (JP, A) JP-A-6-127709 (JP, A) JP-A-6-122245 (JP) , A) (58) Surveyed fields (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 11 / 42,15 / 04 B41J 3 / 36,35 / 00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. Input means for inputting characters, symbols, and various instructions, data storage means for storing input text data, display means including a display, and a tape as a print medium in a feed direction. A tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting the ink ribbon in a rewind direction, a ribbon cassette accommodating and detachably mounting the ink ribbon, a cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not the ribbon cassette is mounted, and printing on the tape. In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus including a printing unit including a print head and a control unit for controlling printing, a ribbon cassette is detected from a detection signal of the cassette detecting unit, and the ribbon cassette is detected. Tape rewinding that permits the control means to transfer the tape in the rewinding direction by the tape transfer mechanism on condition that the tape is removed. Tape-shaped label producing device characterized by comprising a variable means. 2. Input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands, data storage means for storing input text data, display means including a display, and a tape as a print medium in a feed direction. A tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting the ink ribbons in the rewind direction and a plurality of ribbons which are selectively detachably mounted for accommodating the ink ribbons of a plurality of colors, respectively, and for sequentially printing in a plurality of colors. Cassette, cassette detection means for detecting whether or not the ribbon cassette is mounted,
In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus provided with a printing means including a print head for printing on a tape and a control means for controlling printing, detecting that a ribbon cassette has been removed from a detection signal of the cassette detecting means. And a tape rewind permitting means for permitting the control means to transfer the tape in a rewinding direction by a tape transfer mechanism on condition that the ribbon cassette is removed. Creating device. 3. A tape rewinding control means for causing a tape transfer mechanism to automatically rewind a tape to a printing start position of the tape when the control means is permitted to transfer the tape in the rewinding direction. The tape-shaped label producing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tape-shaped label producing device is provided. 4. A tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near the end of a tape transfer path of the tape transfer mechanism, wherein the tape rewinding control means detects a leading end of the tape from a detection signal of the tape detecting means. 4. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein rewinding of the tape is stopped. 5. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said tape detecting means is arranged downstream of said printing means in a tape feeding direction. 6. The tape rewinding control unit detects the leading end of the tape by changing the detection signal of the tape detection unit from a signal indicating the presence of the tape to a signal indicating the absence of the tape. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus described in the above.