JP3357128B2 - Tape 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 producing apparatus for producing a label by printing characters and figures on a tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a tape cassette used in a conventional tape making apparatus, a predetermined case of a tape and an ink ribbon is housed in a single cassette case with a length substantially equal to each other. If one of the tape and the ink ribbon disappears, it becomes unusable and the entire tape cassette is discarded. Further, the width of the cassette case is sensed by detecting the identification means provided on the cassette case, and the tape cassette width is determined to be a printable width to perform printing control.

[0003]

However, when tapes are frequently used, the amount of tape cassettes to be discarded increases, causing environmental destruction. In addition, if the storage length of the tape and the ink ribbon is increased in order to reduce the amount of discarded tape cassettes, the external dimensions of the tape cassettes are increased, and the size of the main body of the tape producing apparatus using the tape cassettes is increased. There was a disadvantage of becoming.

In addition, for those who use ink ribbons and tapes of various types such as width and color, it is necessary to prepare a large number of separate tape cassettes, one for each application, which is costly. However, there is also a disadvantage that a large space for accommodating the tape cassette is required.

Therefore, it is conceivable to construct a single tape cassette by preparing various types of ink ribbons and tapes individually, selecting them one by one, and storing them interchangeably in a cassette case. . According to this configuration, the cassette case can be used many times, and the user can cope with various uses by appropriately combining the tape and the ink ribbon.

However, the printing control must be changed according to the width and type of the tape and the ink ribbon. If a tape and an ink ribbon of different widths and types are inadvertently mounted on a cassette case and used as a tape cassette. ,
The conventional printing control has a disadvantage that the printing range, the printing energy and the printing method are not properly controlled.

For example, when a narrow tape and an ink ribbon are stored and used in a wide cassette case, and printing control corresponding to a wide cassette case is performed in spite of the narrow tape. The thermal head directly heats the part where the thermal head without the tape and the platen are in direct contact with the platen and melts the platen, damaging the internal parts and deteriorating the print quality. Or

The present invention has been made to solve these disadvantages, and provides a tape producing apparatus capable of performing appropriate printing in accordance with the type and presence or absence of a tape and an ink ribbon stored in a tape cassette. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a tape producing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a printing means for printing desired characters and figures on a tape, and a plurality of types of ink ribbons and tapes. Select one by one, a tape storage unit that independently and detachably stores the ink ribbon and the tape, a sensor that senses at least the type of the ink ribbon and the tape stored in the tape storage unit, and A printing operation selecting means for selecting a printing operation according to the obtained information, and the printing means performing the printing operation selected by the printing operation selecting means.
And a print control means for controlling said printing means, said Te
The ink storage compartments are
And detachable tape and tape are stored independently
And the sensor includes the tape and the ink ribbon.
Is configured to sense at least the width of the
The operation selecting means is configured to output the tape width information obtained from the sensor.
And ribbon width or ribbon width based on
The printing operation of the printing width corresponding to the narrower width
Ru der those to be selected.

[0010]

The print operation selecting means determines whether or not a print operation is possible based on information obtained from the sensor, and the print operation is disabled by the print enable / disable determination means. When it is determined that
A print prohibition unit that prohibits printing and issues a warning;
May be provided.

Further, the printing operation selecting means may select a printing operation with energizing energy suitable for the stored ink ribbon based on information obtained from the sensor.

The printing operation selecting means includes a data converting means for converting an output form of the printing data into a normal image or a mirror image, and the printing operation selecting means converts the output form based on information obtained from the sensor. The normal or mirror image printing operation may be selected.

[0014] The sensor may also detect the presence or absence of the tape or the ink ribbon stored in the tape storage unit.

[0015]

In the tape producing apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described structure, each type of the ink ribbon and the tape stored in the tape cassette is detected by the sensor, and the printing operation is selected based on the information obtained from the sensor. Means selects the printing operations possible with this tape cassette. Then, that print control means for printing means controls to perform a selected a printing operation by the printing operation selecting means
Basic and, in particular, the tape and
And the width of the ink ribbon is detected,
Based on the tape width information and ribbon width information.
Width or ribbon width, whichever is smaller
Select the printing operation for the printing width. Therefore, print characters are missing
Can be prevented.

[0016]

Further, the types of the tape and the ink ribbon are sensed by the sensor, and the printability determining means determines whether or not the printing operation is possible based on the information. When the printability determining means determines that the printing operation is not possible, printing is prohibited and a warning is issued.

Further, the type of the ink ribbon is determined based on the information obtained from the sensor, and the thermal head is heated with the energizing energy corresponding to the composition of the ink.

Further, it is determined whether a normal image is to be printed on a normal tape or a mirror image is to be printed on a lettering sheet based on information obtained from the sensor. If necessary, the output form of the print data is changed by a data conversion means. The image is converted into a normal image or a mirror image and printed.

Further, based on the information obtained from the sensor, the presence or absence of the tape or the ink ribbon stored in the tape storage is determined.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2 to 19 show the tape cassette TC, the tape making device main body 1, and the sensors for determining the type of the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 9 in the present invention. First, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The tape cassette TC will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette TC includes a unit (hereinafter, referred to as a ribbon unit) 7 for accommodating the ink ribbon 9 therein and a unit (hereinafter, a tape unit) accommodating a tape 21 as a print medium therein. 19) and the above 2
It consists of a cassette case for storing one. This cassette case consists of 5 cassette cases and 3 lower cassette cases.
The ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 19 are housed in the lower cassette case 3. The ribbon unit 7
Ribs 136 to 142 provided under the cassette case 3
The horizontal position of the tape unit 19 in the cassette case lower part 3 is determined by the ribs 144 to 152 provided in the cassette case lower part 3. ing.

As shown in FIG. 5, four magnets 134 are attached to the lower part 3 of the cassette case.
Four iron plates 200 are attached to the cassette case upper 5 at positions facing the magnets 134 when the cassette case upper 5 is attached to the cassette case lower 3. With the magnet 134 and the iron plate 200, the lower part of the cassette case 3
And the upper cassette case 5 are fixed.

The lower part 3 of the cassette case is provided with a pair of shafts 114 and bosses 120 extending from the bottom surface. The shaft 114 penetrates the ribbon unit 7 and the cassette case 5 to position the ribbon unit 7 and the cassette case 5 relative to the cassette case 3. Boss 1
Numeral 20 fits in the tape unit 19 and positions the tape unit 19 in the lower portion 3 of the cassette case.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the cassette case lower part 3 is provided with two holes 131 and 132, the side surfaces of which are cut out, on the left and right sides. With these holes 131 and 132,
Ribbon unit 7 stored in lower cassette case 3
Or pick up the tape unit 19 directly with your finger,
Conversely, the ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 19 can be stored directly under the ribbon unit 3 while being picked with a finger. Therefore, it is very easy for the user to replace the ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 19.

In the lower part 3 of the cassette case, there are provided several openings indicated by oblique lines in FIG. Hole 202 and hole 20
4 are holes through which the ribbon driving cam 29 and the ribbon supply cam 31 of the tape making device main body 1 shown in FIG. 16 penetrate, and the opening 18 is through the thermal head 45 and the platen 47 shown in FIG. The holes 208 are provided for the first ribbon sensor 71, the second ribbon sensor 73, the third ribbon sensor 75, the first tape sensor 77, and the second tape sensor 7, respectively.
9, a hole facing the third tape sensor 81 and the fourth tape sensor 82 and facing each sensor through the hole.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a view of the upper part 5 of the cassette case viewed from the inside of the cassette case. Holes 212 and 210 corresponding to the ribbon drive cam 29 and the ribbon supply cam 31 are provided similarly to the lower case 3 of the cassette. The hole 116 is a hole into which the shaft 114 of the lower cassette case 3 fits, and the lower cassette case 3 and the upper cassette case 5 are positioned by the ribs 214, 216, 218, and 220. As described above, there are four iron plates 200 corresponding to the magnets 134, and both of them fix the upper cassette case 5 to the lower cassette case 3.

FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams illustrating the ribbon unit 7 alone. The ribbon unit 7 includes an ink holder 92 that accommodates a pair of ribbon spools 15 therein, and the ink ribbon 9 is wound around one of the ribbon spools 15. A part of the ink ribbon 9 extended therefrom goes out of the ink holder 92, enters the ink holder 92 again, and is wound around the other ribbon spool 15.
Ribbon guide rollers 17 are provided near the outlet and the entrance of the ink ribbon 9, respectively. The two ribbon guide rollers 17 allow the ink ribbon 9 to move out of the ink holder 92 and the ink ribbon holder 92. When entering inside, the vertical position is regulated. In addition, a predetermined portion on the lower surface of the ribbon holder 92 includes the ribbon unit 7.
Holes 25 and 27 representing the types of the above are provided.

The ribbon unit 7 is vertically symmetrical. Holes 25b and 27b are provided on the upper surface of the ribbon holder 92 at positions opposite to the holes 25 and 27. Even if it is attached, the first ribbon sensor 71, the second ribbon sensor 73, and the third ribbon sensor 75 can detect these holes 25b and 27b. A through hole is formed in the ribbon guide roller 17 as shown in FIG.
To the cassette case bottom 3
Shaft 114 penetrates the through hole.
Therefore, the one-time ribbon is generally used in the conventional tape making apparatus, but the ribbon holder 9 of the present embodiment is used.
If the ribbon unit 7 has a shape like 2, the ribbon unit 7 can be mounted from any of the upper and lower directions. If the multi-time ribbon is accommodated in the ribbon holder 92, the ribbon unit 92 is inverted and mounted to be used plural times. I can do things.

The ribbon unit 7 has the ribbon 9,
The ribbon spool 15 around which the ribbon 9 is wound, the ribbon guide roller 17, and a ribbon holder 92. Springs formed of metal such as a ribbon back tension spring 41 are installed on the tape printing apparatus main body 1 side. I have.
Therefore, the ribbon unit 7 is made up of very few components, and is made up of only resin components that do not include metal components. Therefore, the number of discarded parts is very small, and it is very easy to separate and collect the discarded parts.

FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate the tape unit 19 alone. On the other hand, the tape unit 19 has a spool 118 housed in the center of the tape holder 102, and the tape 21 is wound around the spool 118. The tape 21 extends therefrom and exits the tape holder through the opening 130. Opening hole 1 for tape exit
The width of the tape 30 is formed in accordance with the width of the tape 21, and the opening hole 130 regulates the vertical position of the tape 21 at the tape outlet. In a predetermined portion on the lower surface of the tape holder 102, identification holes 250 and 252 indicating the type of the tape unit 19 are provided.

The tape holder 102 and the spool 118
For example, it is made of the same resin material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin) material,
When the tape 21 has been used, only these two parts remain. At this time, since the materials are made of the same material, there is no need to disassemble each time in separate collection at the time of disposal, and the material can be easily recycled. Alternatively, the tape holder 102 may be made of paper so that it can be easily disassembled.

As described above, both the tape unit 19 and the ribbon unit 7 have a small amount of discarded parts, and have a structure that facilitates separation and collection and recycling of materials.

Next, the main body of the tape producing apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, a thermal head 45 is rotatably supported on a shaft 51 on a main body 1 together with a gear 53 formed integrally with the thermal head 45. A shaft 126 formed integrally with the gear 90 is supported on the lever 49, and the platen 47 is rotatably supported by the shaft 126.
9 meshes with the gear 55 supported by the gear 9. Platen 4
7 indicates that the rotation of the motor gear 65 is the gears 63, 61, 59,
It is rotated by being transmitted to the gear 90 via 55. The motor gear 65 is also meshed with the ribbon drive gear 37, and its rotation is transmitted to the ribbon drive cam 29 via the clutch spring 39. The clutch spring 39 has one end locked to the gear 37 and the other end connected to the ribbon drive cam 29.
It is wrapped around and is free. Clutch spring 39
Is used to absorb a change in the winding amount of the ink ribbon 9 due to a change in the winding diameter 11 of the ink ribbon 9 due to the occurrence of a slip with the ribbon drive cam 29 and to wind the ink ribbon 9. It serves to generate the necessary torque.

On the other hand, the shaft 57 on the lever 49 has a gear 57
Are fixed, and the gear 57 is located below the gear 55. The lever 49 is rotatable around a shaft 69 as a center of rotation.
When the platen 47 is rotated leftward against the position 7, the platen 47 moves rightward. Further, since the gear 57 rotates to the left, the gear 53 rotates to the right, and accordingly, the thermal head 45 rotates to the left around the shaft 51. Therefore, the platen 47 and the thermal head 45 are separated. In the state of FIG.
The thermal head 45 and the platen 4 are operated by the action of the spring 67.
7 is in the pressure contact state. When the tape cassette TC is mounted on the main body 1, the thermal head 45 and the platen 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes a separated state, in which the thermal head 45 and the platen 47 are stored in the opening 18 below the cassette case 3. At this time, since the ink ribbon 9 and the tape 21 are in the state of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17, the ink ribbon 9 and the tape 21 do not catch on the thermal head 45 and the platen 47.

Further, the first ribbon sensor 7 is provided on the main body 1.
1, a second ribbon sensor 73, a third ribbon sensor 75, a first tape sensor 77, a second tape sensor 79, a third tape sensor 81, and a fourth tape sensor 82 are mounted. Each sensor has a pin for a switch, and detects the presence or absence of identification holes of both units housed in the tape cassette TC. When a pin is pressed without an identification hole, ON is output. When an identification hole exists and is not pressed, OFF is output. The type of the ink ribbon 9 and the type of the tape 21 are determined based on the ON / OFF state of the sensor.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the tape cassette TC is mounted on the main body 1, the tape cassette TC
Is determined by the ribs 83 and 85 on the main body. The ribbon drive cam 29 meshes with a groove formed inside the ribbon spool 15, and the rotation of the ribbon drive cam 29 is transmitted to the ribbon spool 15. The ribbon supply cam 31 and the ribbon spool 13 are also engaged.
A back tension spring 41 is wound around the ribbon supply cam 31, and one end is fixed by a rib 43 on the main body 1. When the ink ribbon 9 rotates clockwise in the state shown in FIG. 17, tension is applied to the ink ribbon 9 by the frictional force between the ribbon supply cam 31 and the back tension spring 41 shown in FIG.

Next, a method for distinguishing between the ribbon sensor and the tape sensor will be described. 20 and 21 show the ribbon 9 and the tape 2
1 is a table showing each determination method. The first ribbon sensor 71 determines whether or not the ribbon unit 7 is provided. The second ribbon sensor 73 determines whether the ribbon unit 7 is used for lettering or normal tape.
Detects whether the width of the ink ribbon 9 is 12 mm or 30 mm. The fourth tape sensor 82 determines whether or not the tape unit 19 is present, and the third tape sensor 81 determines whether or not the tape 21 is present.
The second tape sensor 79 detects whether the tape 21 is a heat-sensitive tape, and the first tape sensor 77 detects whether the tape width is 12 mm or 30 mm.

As described above, the ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 19 are provided with identification holes according to their types. The ribbon unit 7 is provided with a maximum of two identification holes, an identification hole indicating that the built-in ink ribbon 9 is for lettering, and an identification hole indicating that the width of the ink ribbon 9 is 30 mm. In the tape unit 19, an identification hole indicating that the width of the built-in tape 21 is 30 mm, an identification hole indicating that the tape is a heat-sensitive tape, and an identification hole indicating that the tape is a lettering sheet. Up to three identification holes with the holes are provided.

The holes are sensed by both sensors, the type of the ink ribbon 9 and the type of the tape 21 mounted are determined by the ON / OFF response of each sensor, and the printing operation is selected.

FIG. 1 is an outline of a flow of selecting a printing operation. First, it is determined whether each unit is stored in the cassette case (S1) and what kind of unit the unit is used for (S2). Here, it is determined whether a printing operation is possible (S7). At the same time, since the ink composition is different between the ribbon for tape and the ribbon for lettering, it is necessary to set the appropriate energy to be given to the thermal head and to determine whether to print a normal image on a normal tape or a mirror image on a lettering sheet. A determination is made (S3). Further, when the combination of the ink ribbon 7 and the tape 21 is not correctly performed, an error message may be issued on the main body side (S8).

Next, the width of both the ink ribbon 9 and the tape 21 is sensed (S4). Then, the maximum print range of the character to be printed in the width direction or the maximum height is set to a print range adapted to the narrower one by comparing both the ribbon sensor and the tape sensor (S5). Alternatively, if the tape width and the ribbon width do not match, an error message may be issued on the main body side, and further, the printing operation may be prohibited (S9).

Based on the above determination, an appropriate printing operation is selected (S6).

Next, a specific example will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. To attach the tape cassette TC to the main body 1, first, the case cover that covers the upper part of the tape cassette storage section of the main body 1 is removed. Then, the lever 49 is operated leftward against the spring 67. Then, the platen 47 moves rightward. Also,
Since the gear 57 rotates to the left, the gear 53 rotates to the right, and the thermal head 45 rotates to the left around the shaft 51. Therefore, the platen 47 and the thermal head 45 are separated.

In this state, the platen 47 and the thermal head 45 are made to pass through the opening 18 in the lower part 3 of the cassette case, and the ribbon driving cam 29 and the ribbon supply cam 31 on the main body 1 are moved to the cassette case TC side. Tape cassette TC so as to penetrate ribbon spools 15 and 13
Into the tape cassette compartment. Tape cassette T
After C is inserted until it hits the ribs 83 and 85, the lever 49 is returned to the right. Then, by the action of the spring 67, the platen 47 and the thermal head 45 move so as to sandwich the ink ribbon 9 and the tape 21 in the tape cassette TC, and press the ink ribbon 9 and the tape 21 together. Finally, if the case cover is put on and the upper part of the tape cassette TC is covered, the mounting is completed.

When the tape cassette TC is mounted, the main body 1
The sensor provided in the tape unit TC detects the presence or absence of the identification holes of the two units housed in the tape unit TC. As described above, ON is output when the pin is pressed without the identification hole, and OFF when the identification hole exists and is not pressed. The type of the ink ribbon 9 and the type of the tape 21 are determined based on the ON / OFF state of the sensor.

For example, 12 mm
When the normal tape ribbon unit and the 30 mm normal tape unit are stored, first, the fourth tape sensor is turned on (S10: yes), and the first ribbon sensor is turned on.
(S11: yes), the second ribbon sensor is ON (S1
2: yes), the third tape sensor is ON (S31: yes)
s), it is determined that the printing operation is possible. At the same time, the energizing energy to the thermal head 45 is selected to match the ink ribbon for the normal tape, and it is determined that the output is a normal image.

Next, the third ribbon sensor is turned off (S3
2: no), the first tape sensor is ON (S33: yes)
s), it is determined that the print width is 12 mm.

Finally, by using the normal ribbon ink ribbon for the normal tape, the energizing energy corresponding to the normal tape ink ribbon is sent to the thermal head 45, and the normal image output is performed to print a 12 mm print width. Is performed (S35).

Similarly, 30 mm in the tape cassette TC
Even when the normal tape ribbon unit and the 12 mm normal tape unit are housed, it is determined as YES in S32, and the normal tape ink ribbon is used for the normal tape, and the normal tape ink ribbon is used. The energizing energy is sent to the thermal head 45, and 12
The printing is performed with a printing width of mm (S35). When a 30 mm normal tape ribbon unit and a 30 mm normal tape unit are stored in the tape cassette TC, the determination is no in S33, and the normal tape is replaced with the normal tape ink ribbon. The energizing energy corresponding to the ink ribbon for the tape is sent to the thermal head 45, and printing is performed with a normal image output with a print width of 30 mm (S34).

Similarly, 30 tapes are stored in the tape cassette TC.
If the mm lettering ribbon unit and the 30 mm lettering sheet unit are stored, S10: y
es, S11: yes, S12: no, S21: no,
It is determined that S22 is no and S23 is no, and the energizing energy corresponding to the ink ribbon for lettering is sent to the thermal head 45 by using the ink ribbon for lettering as the lettering sheet, and printing with a print width of 30 mm by mirror image output is performed. This is performed (S24). Above, the ink ribbon,
If at least one of the widths of the lettering sheet is 12 mm, it is determined as YES in S22 or S23, and printing is performed with a print width of 12 mm (S25).

Similarly, when the ribbon cassette 7 is not provided in the tape cassette TC and a 30 mm heat-sensitive tape unit is stored, S10: yes and S11: n
It is determined that o, S13: no, and S41: no, the energizing energy corresponding to the heat-sensitive tape is sent to the thermal head 45 using the heat-sensitive tape, and printing with a print width of 30 mm is performed with a normal image output (S42). In the above, when the width of the heat-sensitive tape is 12 mm, it is determined as yes in S41, and printing is performed with a print width of 12 mm (S4).
3).

If the tape unit 19 is not housed in the tape cassette TC or the tape unit other than the heat-sensitive tape unit is housed without the ribbon unit 7, an error warning that the unit is incomplete is issued. A message is issued (S14).

If the tape unit 19 and the ribbon unit 7 in the tape cassette TC are stored for different purposes, an error message is issued to warn that the combination of the ribbon and the tape is incorrect (see FIG. 1). S2
6, S36).

As is clear from the above description, the user can use all types of ink ribbons and tapes by judging the type and presence of both the ink ribbons and tapes and performing appropriate control. This has the effect of preventing printing defects such as chipping and damage to internal equipment such as a platen, and always ensuring proper printing.

Further, since the ink ribbon and the tape can be individually exchanged, each can be used up to the end without waste. In addition, by using several types of tapes and ink ribbons in combination, it is possible to adapt to various uses, and it is not necessary to arrange a large number of tape cassettes TC.

The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment and can be applied without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, only two types of tape and ink ribbon are shown, but it is possible to increase the types further.

The ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 1
The nine types of identification may be such that the sensor detects a combination of the arrangement of the presence or absence of the identification holes as a continuous identification code, instead of giving meaning to each identification hole. By doing so, a type identification can be realized with a small number of sensors, instead of providing a sensor for each characteristic of each unit.

The ribbon unit 7 and the tape unit 1
What represents the nine types is not a discriminating hole, but may be a projection. Each sensor detects the protrusion and performs identification.

In this embodiment, the tape 21 and the ink ribbon 9
Although the cassette case lower part 3 and the cassette case upper part 5 are the same regardless of the width of the tape 21, the size of the cassette case may be changed according to the width of the tape 21 or the ink ribbon 9.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, by judging the type of both the ink ribbon and the tape and performing appropriate control, the user can use all types of ink ribbon and tape, and This has the effect of preventing printing defects such as chipping and damage to internal equipment such as a platen, and always ensuring proper printing.

Further, since the ink ribbon and the tape can be individually exchanged, each can be used up to the end without waste.

In addition, by using a combination of several types of tapes and ink ribbons, it is possible to adapt to various uses, and it is not necessary to arrange tape cassettes TC.

In particular , the width of the tape and the ink ribbon is sensed by the sensor, and the printing operation selecting means determines whether the tape width or the ribbon width is smaller based on the tape width information and the ribbon width information obtained from the sensor. Since the printing operation of the printing width corresponding to the width is selected, it is possible to prevent printed characters from being lost.

Further, based on the information obtained from the sensor, the printability determining means determines whether or not the printing operation is possible. When it is determined that the printing operation is not possible, the printing is prohibited and a warning is issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the thermal head from continuing to heat and damage the platen, thereby preventing the print quality from deteriorating.

The type of the ink ribbon is determined based on the information obtained from the sensor, and the thermal head is heated with the energizing energy corresponding to the composition of the ink. Printing can be performed.

Also, based on the information obtained from the sensor, the output form of the print data is converted into a normal image or a mirror image by the data conversion means, and the printing is performed. Or, a mirror image can be printed on a lettering sheet.

Since the presence or absence of the tape or the ink ribbon stored in the tape storage unit is determined based on the information obtained from the sensor, the thermal head continues to heat the platen without the tape or the ink ribbon. It is possible to prevent the print quality from being deteriorated due to damage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of determining a printing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a state in which a ribbon unit and a tape unit are attached to a tape cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a cassette case is removed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line CC of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the tape cassette.

FIG. 5 is a plan view below the cassette case.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the lower part of the cassette case.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cassette case as viewed from the back.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the ribbon unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the ribbon unit of FIG. 8 as viewed from the right.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the ribbon unit of FIG. 8 viewed from below.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the ribbon unit.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the tape unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the tape unit of FIG. 12 viewed from below.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the tape unit of FIG. 12 as viewed from the left.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the tape unit.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a state where the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the printing apparatus main body and the cassette case is removed.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 17 in a state where a tape cassette is attached to the printing apparatus main body.

19 is a sectional view of the printing apparatus of FIG. 16 taken along line BB.

FIG. 20 is a ribbon sensor discrimination table according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a tape sensor discrimination table according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an example of a flowchart of a determination method.

FIG. 23 is an example of a flowchart of a determination method.

FIG. 24 is an example of a flowchart of a determination method.

FIG. 25 is an example of a flowchart of a determination method.

[Explanation of symbols]

TC Tape cassette 3 Lower cassette case 5 Upper cassette case 7 Ribbon unit 9 Ink ribbon 19 Tape unit 21 Tape 45 Thermal head 71 First ribbon sensor 73 Second ribbon sensor 75 Third ribbon sensor 77 First tape sensor 79 Second tape sensor 81 third tape sensor 82 fourth tape sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/325 B41J 3/36 B41J 32/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing means for printing desired characters or figures on a tape, and a plurality of types of ink ribbons and tapes are arbitrarily selected one by one, and the ink ribbons and the tapes are independently detachably housed. A tape storage unit
A sensor that senses at least the type of the ink ribbon and the tape stored in the tape storage unit, a printing operation selection unit that selects a printing operation according to information obtained from the sensor, and the printing unit performs the printing operation. tape producing apparatus odor and a print control means for <br/> controlling said printing means to the selected the printing operation by the selection means
The tape storage section has a different width from the incremental section.
So that the bon and the tape can be stored independently and detachably.
And the sensor is configured to reduce the amount of the tape and the ink ribbon.
At least the width is detected, and the printing operation selecting means is configured to detect the width of the data obtained from the sensor.
Based on the tape width information and the ribbon width information.
Indicates the print width corresponding to the narrower of the ribbon widths.
A tape making device for selecting a character operation . 2. The printing operation selecting unit includes: a printing permission determining unit that determines whether a printing operation is possible based on information obtained from the sensor; and a printing operation disabled by the printing permission determining unit. 2. The tape producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print prohibiting unit that prohibits printing and issues a warning when it is determined that the above is true. 3. The printing operation selecting means selects a printing operation with energization energy corresponding to the stored ink ribbon, based on information obtained from the sensor. 3. The tape producing device according to claim 1 or 2 . 4. The printing operation selecting means includes a data converting means for converting an output form of the printing data into a normal image or a mirror image, and is converted by the data converting means on the basis of information obtained from the sensor. tape producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a normal image or is to select a mirror image of the printing operation. Wherein said sensor, according to claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the is to detect the presence or absence of the tape or the ink ribbon housed in the tape housing portion
The tape producing device according to any one of the above.