JP3381707B2 - Tape printing apparatus, tape cartridge, and tape printing method - 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 printer, a tape cartridge and a tape printing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various tape cartridges containing various tapes are mounted, the type of the tape cartridge (for example, tape width, material, etc.) is discriminated, and an arbitrary character is selected to match the type. , A symbol, a number, a figure, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “character” or generically referred to as “character”) are printed on a tape, and a predetermined or arbitrary character string image (character string image) is printed. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a tape printing apparatus that can cut a sheet by a length to create a label.

[0003]

However, in this type of conventional tape printer, information based on the physical attributes of the mounted tape cartridge (for example, the maximum number of lines that can be input, the energy required for printing, the amount of ink, etc.) is used. Etc.), but information such as various fonts such as Gothic font, Mincho font, italic font, outlines (outline), emphasis, etc., that is, the user can originally set them arbitrarily. Information (arbitrary setting information) cannot be obtained. Conversely,
It is not possible to detectably hold arbitrary setting information in any tape cartridge. Even if it is possible to store an arbitrary tape cartridge, for example, as a Gothic / Italic printing tape cartridge, by distinguishing it from other tape cartridges by temporarily writing some mark on the surface, just attach it. An image to be printed such as a Gothic / Italic character string image cannot be printed based on the stored information without setting information such as fonts and decorations.

Therefore, the present invention provides a tape printer capable of detectably holding arbitrary setting information in an arbitrary tape cartridge, a tape cartridge holding the arbitrary setting information, and an optional tape cartridge. An object of the present invention is to provide a label producing method capable of producing a label on which an image to be printed is printed based on setting information.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape printer which accommodates a tape to be printed and which is to be detected.
And lutein-loop cartridge mounting means to mount the tape cartridge detection label image is printed affixed, one or more
Input the data of the character string in which the characters of
Character string input means and the attached tape cart
Detecting means for detecting the detected image of the ridge;
Character string image and previous based on character string data
Select one of the detected images as the print target image
Print target image instructing means for instructing, and the instructed printing
Printing means for printing the target image on the tape,
The detected image is a typeface, decoration and color used for printing.
Optional setting that contains information that specifies at least one of the colors
The image indicating fixed information, the printing means
When the character string image is designated as the elephant image
In accordance with the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image,
The character string image is printed .

The tape printing method according to claim 9 is a printing method.
Detection that contains the target tape and that the image to be detected is printed
Attach the tape cartridge with the label attached.
The cartridge mounting process and one or more characters
Input character string data
And the detected target of the mounted tape cartridge.
Detection step of detecting an image and data of the character string
Of the character string image and the detected image based on
Print target image that selectively designates one of them as the print target image
The image designation step and the designated print target image
A printing step of printing on a
At least one of the typefaces, decorations and colors used for printing
Also in the image showing the optional setting information including the information specifying one
Yes, in the printing step, the print target image is the
When the character image is indicated, the detected image is
According to the arbitrary setting information shown, the character string image
It is characterized by printing.

This tape printer and tape printing method
Then, print either the character string image or the detected image
Can be selectively specified as the target image, and the specified print target
Since the image is printed on the tape, only the detected image is repeated.
It is also possible to print by printing, and the part including the detected image
And cut the label to detect the same printed image.
Create a number of tapes and create them in any tape cartridge
The same detection label is affixed to the
It is also possible to prepare a large number of tape cartridges. This
, The detected image is the typeface, decoration, or color used for printing.
Since it is an image showing optional setting information that specifies the color, these
The tape cartridge holds the optional setting information so that it can be detected.
Will be done. On the other hand, the character string data
Since you can enter the data, you can enter various different character strings.
While applying force, mark them (character string images) one after another
It can also be printed. In this case, the detected image shows any
Print according to the setting information. In other words, typeface and decoration
Do not reset (enter) any setting information such as colors and colors.
Even if you don't need it, simply set the tape cartridge to set it
Information can be set and various different information can be set according to the arbitrary setting information.
You can print the character string image. In this case, as the detection means, for example, an optical detection means (light detection means) capable of optically reading (detecting) the image to be detected can be considered. Further , when the tape is made of, for example, a material having thermoplasticity and the uneven image can be formed by printing by applying heat, the detecting means may detect the unevenness. As the former, for example, if a detected image formed of a pattern such as a bar code is the object, a photo-coupler or the like can perform photo-detection, and a photo-detecting unit that can detect the image itself like a scanner or the like may be used. Further, the latter includes mechanical detection means for detecting unevenness by turning on / off a push-type detection switch.

Further , in the above-mentioned tape printer,
A new optional setting that replaces the optional setting information indicated by the detected image.
Further provided with an optional setting information input means for inputting constant information
It is preferable.

In the tape printing method described above,
A new optional setting that replaces the optional setting information indicated by the detected image.
Further equipped with an optional setting information input process for inputting constant information
It is preferable.

This tape printing apparatus and tape printing method
Now, in place of the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image, a new
You can enter new optional setting information
Can be set again. Also, in this case,
When a character image is specified as the image, a new
Character string according to the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image
Print the image.

Further , in the above-mentioned tape printer,
The new arbitrary setting information is displayed in the print target image instruction means.
When it is input, the image to be tested is used as the image to be printed.
Instead of the output image, a new object indicating the new arbitrary setting information is displayed.
It is preferable to indicate the detection image.

In the above-mentioned tape printing method,
In the printing target image instruction step, the new arbitrary setting information is added.
When is input, the print target image
Instead of the detected image, a new information indicating the new arbitrary setting information is displayed.
It is preferable to indicate the detected image.

This tape printing apparatus and tape printing method
Then, when new optional setting information is entered, print
New arbitrary setting information instead of the detected image as the target image
Since a new detected image indicating the
When the detected image is indicated as
Print the image. That is, a new printed detected image
Cut the part containing the image to create a detection label,
By attaching it to any tape cartridge,
Optional setting information newly set in the tape cartridge
Can be held detectably.

In each of the above-mentioned tape printing devices,
It is preferable that the detected image is a pattern image in which the arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format.

Further , in each of the above-mentioned tape printing methods,
The detected image includes the arbitrary setting information in a predetermined format.
It is preferable that the pattern image is
Yes.

In this tape printing apparatus and tape printing method , the detected image is a pattern image in which the arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format, and the pattern image can be printed on the tape as the detected image. Therefore, by cutting the portion including the detection label to create a detection label and attaching the detection label to an arbitrary tape cartridge, it is possible to retain the arbitrary setting information that can be detected by the pattern of the pattern image.

Further , in the above tape printing apparatus, it is preferable that the pattern is a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding the arbitrary setting information.

In the above tape printing method,
The pattern is a code that encodes the arbitrary setting information.
Is preferable.

[0019] In the tape printing apparatus and a tape printing method <br/>, the pattern of the pattern image, a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding an arbitrary setting information, the tape as capable of detecting the pattern image Since printing can be performed, by attaching a detection label obtained by cutting that portion to an arbitrary tape cartridge, it can be held as arbitrary setting information that can be detected as a code indicated by the pattern of the pattern image.

Further , in the above tape printer, it is preferable that the code is a binary code.

In the above tape printing method,
The code is preferably a binary code.

[0022] In the tape printing apparatus and a tape printing method <br/>, code indicating the pattern of the pattern image is the binary code, in <br/> can print the pattern images on tape, part thereof Is cut and attached to an arbitrary tape cartridge, so that it can be held as arbitrary setting information that can be detected as a binary code.

In addition, a pattern image showing the above code is
In each of the tape printers that use the detected image, the pattern image is preferably a monochrome pattern image in which the code is represented by a single color.

In addition, a pattern image showing the above code is
In each tape printing device that uses the detected image, the pattern
The color image is a monochromatic representation of the code in a single color.
It is preferable that the image is a pattern image.

In the tape printing apparatus and the tape printing method , since the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image in which the code is expressed by a single color, monochrome printing can be performed, whereby the tape cartridge holds arbitrary setting information. Can reduce the cost. The monochrome pattern in this case may be a multi-valued pattern such as a bar code expressed by the length or width of the bar, as well as a binary code depending on the presence or absence of a single color.

[0026] The tape cartridge of claim 8,
The tape printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The detected image is designated as the print target image.
When the tape is printed on the tape, a detection label formed by cutting a portion of the tape including the image to be printed is attached, and the tape is attachable to the tape printer. .

[0027] The tape cartridge, the detection label portion of the detected image of the printed tape <br/>-loop is affixed by any of the tape printing apparatus 請 Motomeko 1 of <br/> stone 7 ing. Therefore, this tape cartridge becomes a tape cartridge that holds the arbitrary setting information by the detection label. Further, since attachable to one of the tape printing apparatus of claims 1 to 7, detected by affixed to the detected label
Character image can be printed according to the optional setting information
Together If it is ability, cut with freshly printed the detected image
By doing so, it becomes a tape cartridge that can create a new detection label for holding the arbitrary setting information in another arbitrary tape cartridge.

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A tape printing apparatus, a tape cartridge, and a tape printing apparatus to which a label producing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the entire appearance of the tape printing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the open / close lid, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of its control system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printer 1 is
An outer shell is formed by the device case 2 divided into upper and lower parts, a keyboard 3 made up of various input keys is provided on the front upper surface of the device case 2, and an opening / closing lid 21 is attached to the rear upper surface.
The display 4 is arranged so as to face the window on the right side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, as a basic configuration, an operation unit 11 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 for interfacing with a user, a print head (thermal head) 7 and a tape feeding unit 120 are provided. A printing unit 12 that prints on a printing tape (hereinafter simply referred to as “tape”) T of a tape cartridge C that is mounted in the pocket 6, a cutting unit 13 that cuts the tape T after printing, and various sensors. The controller 14 includes a detection unit 14 that performs various detections, a drive unit 270 that has various drivers and drives each circuit, and a control unit 200 that controls each unit in the tape printer 1. For this reason, the printing unit 12,
In addition to the cutting unit 13, the detection unit 14, etc., a circuit board (not shown) is housed. On this circuit board, in addition to the power supply unit,
Each circuit of the drive unit 270 and the control unit 200 is mounted,
It is connected to an AC adapter connection port (not shown) or a battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery that can be detached from the outside.

In the tape printer 1, after the user mounts the tape cartridge C in the pocket 6, the keyboard 3 is checked while confirming the input / editing result on the display 4.
By inputting print information such as desired characters (characters such as letters, numbers, symbols, and simple figures) to instruct printing, the tape feeding unit 120 feeds the tape T from the tape cartridge C, and the print head 7 Tape T
The desired printing is performed on the
Sent from outside at any time. When the desired printing is completed, the tape feeding unit 120 feeds the tape T to the position of the tape length including the margin, and then stops the feeding.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing unit 12
Is provided with a pocket 6 for mounting the tape cartridge C inside the opening / closing lid 21, and the tape cartridge C is attached to / detached from the pocket 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened. The tape cartridge C has a certain width (4.5 mm to
A tape T of about 48 mm) and an ink ribbon R are accommodated therein, and a through hole 55 for inserting into a head unit 61 arranged in the pocket 6 is formed.
In addition, a plurality of small holes are provided on the back surface so that the types of the tape T such as different widths can be identified, and a label (detection label) on which a detection pattern to be described later is printed is attached to the side surface of the pocket 6. Is provided with a tape identification sensor 142 including a micro switch or the like for detecting the presence or absence of this hole (a means for detecting unevenness or a hole) and a photo coupler or the like (a light detecting means) for reading a detection pattern. The type and optional setting information can be detected.

The tape T has an adhesive surface formed on the back surface and is covered with a release paper. The tape T and the ink ribbon R run in a state where they overlap each other at the position of the through hole 55, and only the tape T is discharged to the outside and the ink ribbon R is wound inside.

The head unit 61 has a built-in print head 7 composed of a thermal head. With the tape cartridge C mounted in the pocket 6, the print head 7 is exposed from the through hole 55 of the tape cartridge C. It is adapted to hit the back surface of the inked ribbon R.
Then, by driving the print head 7 to generate heat, desired characters or the like are printed on the surface of the tape T. Further, the pocket 6 is provided with an ambient temperature sensor 143 such as a thermistor for detecting and reporting the environment (ambient) temperature,
The ambient temperature is detected and reported to the control unit 200. Further, a tape discharge port 22 that communicates the pocket 6 with the outside of the device is formed on the left side of the device case 2.
The tape cutter 13 that cuts the fed tape T
2 is facing. The pocket 6 has a drive shaft 62 with which a driven portion of the mounted tape cartridge 4 is engaged,
63 and the like are provided, and the feed motor 121 is used as a drive source to feed the tape T and the ink ribbon R in the tape cartridge C by these drive shafts 62 and 63, and in synchronization with these, the print head. Printing is performed by driving 7. Also, after printing is complete, tape T
Feeding continues and the predetermined cutting position is at the tape cutter 132.
Will be sent to.

A head surface temperature sensor 144 such as a thermistor is provided in close contact with the surface of the print head 7, and detects the surface temperature of the print head 7 to control the controller 200.
Report to. Further, a disc having a detection opening (not shown) is fixed to the tip of the feed motor 121, and the rotation speed sensor 14 having a photosensor or the like so as to face the detection opening.
1 is provided, detects the rotation speed of the feed motor 121, and reports it to the control unit 200.

The cutting unit 13 has a tape cutter 132, a cut button 133 for manually cutting the tape cutter 132 in the case of arbitrary length printing, and an automatic cutting operation of the tape cutter 132 in the case of constant length printing. And a cutter motor 131 for driving the cutter motor. Further, as a result, in the tape printer 1, the mode can be set to switch between automatic and manual. Therefore, in the case of manual cutting, when printing is completed, the user presses the cut button 133 provided in the apparatus case 2 to operate the tape cutter 132 and cut the tape T into a desired length. It In the case of automatic cutting, the tape is fed by the margin after printing is finished, and at the same time, the cutter motor 131 is driven and the tape T is cut.

The detecting unit 14 is the rotation speed sensor 14 described above.
1, a tape identification sensor 142, an ambient temperature sensor 143,
A head surface temperature sensor 144 is provided. It should be noted that these may be omitted according to the actual situation.

The drive unit 270 is the display driver 2
71, a head driver 272, and a motor driver 27
3 and 3. The display driver 271 drives the display 4 of the operation unit 11 according to the instruction based on the control signal output from the control unit 200. Similarly, the head driver 272 drives the print head 7 of the printing unit 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 200. Also,
The motor driver 273 is used for the feed motor 12 of the printing unit 12.
Feed motor driver 273d for driving 1 and the cutting unit 1
And a cutter motor driver 273c for driving the third cutter motor 131, and similarly drives each motor in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 200.

The operation section 11 includes a keyboard 3 and a display 4. The display 4 has a display screen 41 capable of displaying display image data of 96 dots × 64 dots inside a rectangular shape of about 6 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 4 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction). Inputting data and various commands / instructions from the keyboard 3 to create / edit print image data such as character string image data (text print data described later) and detected image data (pattern print data described below), It is used when visualizing the results.

The keyboard 3 includes an alphabetic key group, a symbol key group, a numeric key group, a kana key group such as hiragana and katakana, and a character key group 31 including an external character key group for calling and selecting an external character. A function key group 32 for designating various operation modes and the like are arranged.

The function key group 32 includes a power key 32 (not shown).
1. A print key 322 for instructing a printing operation, a data inputting key for entering text, a line feed and a selection key 323 for instructing selection of various modes on a selection screen, a shaded area,
Decoration setting key 324 for setting decorations such as so-called character decorations such as underlines and enclosures and background patterns (including ground patterns and illustrations), and colors such as character color, background color, and decoration color (shading, saturation) , Color setting key 325 for setting the color, luster, transparency, etc., and up (“↑”), down (“↓”), left (“←”), right (“→”) direction Four cursor keys 330 (3 (3) for moving the cursor to the cursor or moving the display range of the display screen 41.
30U, 330D, 330L, 330R: "Cursor" ↑ "key 330U" and the like) are included.

The function key group 32 further includes a cancel key 326 for canceling various instructions, a shift key 327 used to change the role of each key and to modify drawing registration image data, a text input screen and a selection screen. And an image key 328 for switching between the display screen (image screen) of the print image data, and a ratio change (zoom) for changing the size ratio of the print image data and the display image data displayed on the image screen. Key 329, form key 33 for setting various forms including character typeface
1. A pattern setting key 332 for creating a detection pattern described later (setting arbitrary setting information), and a pattern print key 333 for printing the detected detection pattern again.
Etc. are included.

Of course, similar to a general keyboard, these key inputs may be made by providing keys individually for each key input, or by combining with the shift key 327 or the like, a smaller number of keys can be input. You may input using the key. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that there are keys corresponding to the above. As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard 3
Controls the various commands and data as described above.
Enter 0.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210 and a ROM 2
20, character generator ROM (CG-ROM)
230, RAM 240, peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 2
50, which are connected to each other by an internal bus 260. The ROM 220 has a control program area 221 for storing a control program processed by the CPU 210, and a control data area 222 for storing control data including a color conversion table and a character decoration table. CG-R
The OM 230 stores font data such as characters, symbols, and figures prepared in the tape printer 1, and outputs the corresponding font data when code data specifying the characters or the like is given.

The RAM 240 is supplied with power by a backup circuit (not shown) so as to retain the stored data even when the power is turned off by the operation of the power key 321. A text data area 242 for storing text data such as characters input by the user from the keyboard 3, a display image data area 243 for storing display image data of the display screen 41, a print image data area 244 for storing print image data, and drawing registration. In addition to the drawing registration image data area 245 that stores image data, it has areas such as the print history data area 246 and various conversion buffer areas 247 such as other color conversion buffers, and is used as a work area for control processing. .

In the P-CON 250, a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 21 and handling an interface signal with peripheral circuits, a gate array or a custom LSI.
It is configured and built in. For example, a timer 251 that performs various timings is also incorporated as a function within the P-CON 250. Therefore, P-CON2
Reference numeral 50 is connected to various sensors of the detection unit 14 and the keyboard 3, and the above-mentioned various detection signals from the detection unit 14 and various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 are directly or processed and taken into the internal bus 260.
In cooperation with the CPU 210, the data and control signals output from the CPU 210 or the like to the internal bus 260 are output as they are or after being processed to the drive unit 270.

Then, the CPU 210 has the above-mentioned configuration and operates in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 220.
Various detection signals, various commands, various data, etc. are input via the ON 250, the font data from the CG-ROM 230, various data in the RAM 240, etc. are processed, and P-CO
By outputting a control signal to the drive unit 270 via N250, print position control, display control of the display screen 41, and the like are performed, and the print head 7 is controlled to print on the tape T under predetermined print conditions. , Controls the entire tape printer 1.

Next, the overall processing flow of the control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the processing is started by turning on the power, etc., first, as shown in the same figure, first, the tape printer 1 is initialized to restore the control flags that have been evacuated in order to return to the state when the power was turned off last time. (S1), and then the previous display screen is displayed as the initial screen (S2). Subsequent processing in FIG. 4, that is, the determination branch (S3) for various key inputs and the various interrupt processing (S4) are conceptually shown. Actually, in the tape printer 1, when the initial screen display (S2) is completed, the key input interrupt is permitted, and the state is maintained as it is until the key input interrupt occurs (S3: No), When any key input interrupt occurs (S3: Yes), the process shifts to each interrupt process (S4), and when the interrupt process ends, the key input interrupt standby state (S3: No) is entered again. .

As described above, in the tape printer 1, since the main process is performed by the interrupt process, the user can print various print keys at any time (in the present embodiment, the selection key 323 (FIGS. By pressing the print key 322 for text printing (see FIGS. 8 to 9) and the pattern print key 333 for pattern printing (see FIGS. 10 to 11)), various print key interruptions occur. Then, various printing processes are started, and the print target image (character string image, pattern image, etc.) based on the print image data (text print data, pattern print data, etc.) can be printed. That is, the user can arbitrarily select the operation procedure up to printing.

In order to make the present invention easier to understand and to simplify the description, the tape printer 1 and the tape cartridge C in this embodiment are simplified (modeled and imaged) and shown in FIG. It shall be shown as (a). That is, in the following, (the pattern image of) the detection pattern P
Is attached to the tape cartridge C, the tape cartridge C is mounted in the tape printer 1, and the image to be printed (characters based on the text print data) is printed on the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C. A state of printing a row image, a pattern image based on pattern print data, etc.) is shown as an image as shown in FIG. The display unit shown in the figure corresponds to the display screen 41 of the display 4 described above, but is shown as a one-line display unit below for the sake of simplification.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, various forms and various decorations can be arbitrarily set. In the following, however, as shown in FIG. 7B, a typeface and various decorations are representative of various forms. As italic, white (outlined),
Examples of emphasis, typical "Gothic font" and "Mincho font" are used as typefaces, and they can be expressed by 1-bit binary. Italics, white spaces, and emphasis are the same. Is expressed by a binary value indicating whether or not is applied, and the arbitrary setting information can be expressed by a 4-bit binary code as a whole.
Various colors can be selected, but in the following, basically, single color (monochrome: black and white) printing is performed. Even if a monochrome pattern is used, it is possible to use a multi-valued pattern such as a bar code that is expressed by the length or width of a bar. , Simple 2
Use the value.

That is, as shown in the figure, when the Mincho font is set as the typeface, it is expressed by "1", printed in black (the pattern "■" in the illustrated example), and the Gothic font is set. Sometimes, it is represented by "0" and is printed in white (the pattern of "□" in the illustrated example). Other italic,
For white outline and emphasis, apply "1" when applying it.
(Black: “■”) and “0” (White: when not applied)
"□"). For example, since the detection pattern P attached to the tape cartridge C in FIG. 9A is "□ ■ □□" (binary "0100"), as shown in the figure, italicized Gothic type (and no white space, With no emphasis), the image of the character string “Ai” based on the text data is printed.

In the reference drawings described below, the tape T when the pattern image of the detection pattern (the image based on the pattern print data) is printed as the image to be printed is the tape Ta so that it is easy to see and omit the description.
(Ta1 to Ta2), the tape T on which the character string image (image based on the text print data) is printed is tape Tb (Tb1 to Tb4). In addition, the setting information such as “Gothic font” and “Italic font” that have been set is illustrated with the background lightly grayed (shaded).

Further, in order to clearly indicate the function used in the tape printing apparatus 1 when printing them, the tape printing apparatus 1 capable of pattern printing (printing a detection pattern) based on the pattern setting is used as the tape printing apparatus 1A and the pattern detection. The tape printing device 1B is capable of text printing (printing a character string image) based on the above, the tape printing device 1C is capable of pattern printing based on pattern detection, and the pattern printing is possible and pattern based on the pattern setting. The one capable of text printing based on the detection (+) is the tape printer 1D, the one capable of pattern printing based on the pattern setting or the pattern detection (+) is the tape printer 1E, the text printing based on the pattern detection and The one (+) capable of pattern printing is the tape printer 1F.

Of course, the tape printer 1 of this embodiment
Since all of the above items (1A to 1F) are combined, the tape printing device 1 can be used as a substitute. Can be used as a substitute, and can also be realized by a tape printing apparatus that is dedicated to reduce costs. For example, when parents and children purchase individual tape printers, the tape printer 1 and the tape printer 1B
(The above) is purchased, the parent uses the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having all of them, and the child uses the tape printing apparatus 1B that uses limited settings (the parent can change the setting), Can be used.

A specific example will be described below. For example, in FIG.
In the tape printer 1A (or 1D or 1E or 1) shown in (a), the same tape cartridge CA as the above-mentioned tape cartridge C in FIG. , The detection label of () is attached), and the pattern printing is performed after setting the optional setting information.
Regardless of the detection pattern P1 of the detection label A, the detection pattern P2 (the detection label on which is printed) suitable for the set information can be obtained.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a state in which a text display screen is displayed (screen D10: hereinafter, the screen (display section) of the display screen 41 is referred to as screen Dxx, and simply Dx
When the pattern setting key 332 is pressed by the user, the message "Pattern setting" indicating that the pattern setting interrupt process is started and the pattern setting process is started is displayed. D11) After a while after the display (after a time for the user to confirm the message), the first item "typeface" of the pattern setting is negatively highlighted and the first candidate (for example, the previously set candidate or the default) is displayed. “Gothic” indicating, for example, a Gothic type is displayed (D12). In the figure,
A display example in the case where the display screen 41 of the display 4 described above is displayed in a plurality of lines (here, four lines) is also shown by dotted lines.

In this state (D12), when the user presses the cursor “→” key 330L, “Mincho” indicating the next candidate, Mincho type, is displayed (D13). If OK in this state (D13), that is, the user is the "Mincho body"
If the user wants to set to, then the cursor “↓” key 330D is pressed as it is, the next second item “italic” is negatively highlighted, and the first candidate (for example, the previously set candidate or the default) is displayed. "No" indicating "identity" of the candidate) (that is, not applying "italics") is displayed (D14). When the user wants to return from the above state (D13) to the original state (D12), the user can return the state by pressing the cursor “←” key 330R. Further, when it is desired to return to the selection of "typeface", it can be restored by pressing the cursor "↑" key 330U. same as below.

If OK in this state (D14), that is, if the user wants to set "identity", then by pressing the cursor "↓" key 330D as it is,
The next third item “whiteout” is highlighted, and “No” (that is, “whiteout” is not applied) of the first candidate (for example, the previously set candidate or the default candidate) is displayed ( D15). Of course, if the user wants to apply "italics", the above state (D14)
The cursor “→” key 330L may be operated with to display “do” (that is, apply “italics”).
Similarly, in this case, since “white” is applied, the user operates the cursor “→” key 330 in this state (D15).
When L is pressed, the next candidate “do” (that is, “apply white” is applied) is displayed (D16).

If OK in this state (D16), then
When the cursor “↓” key 330D is pressed as it is, the next fourth item “emphasized” is negatively highlighted and the first candidate (for example, “not”) thereof is displayed.
Since it is not applied here in the same manner as in "italics", by further pressing the cursor "↓" key 330D, "print execution" prompting the next print instruction is negatively highlighted (D17).

When the user presses the selection key 323 in this state (D17), the setting information (arbitrary setting information) "Mincho", "identity (not applied in italic)", and "white" are set by the pattern setting. (Apply) "," Normal (Not emphasized) "
7A, the pattern printing is executed, and the pattern image of the detection pattern P2 (■ □ ■ □) is printed on the tape T of the tape cartridge CA (T
a1), and returns to the text display screen (D18: D1 in the figure)
Same as 0).

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, the detection pattern P2 (■ □ ■ □) of the tape Ta1 is cut to create a detection label, and the detection label is the same as that described above. By attaching the tape cartridge CA to the tape cartridge CA, mounting it in the tape printer 1B (or 1D or 1F or 1), and performing text printing by pressing the print key 322, the detection pattern P2 of the detection label of the mounted tape cartridge CA ( □ ■ □)
According to the arbitrary setting information of "white" of "Mincho" (and non-application of italics, non-application of emphasis), for example, as shown in the figure, a character string image of a character string "Ai" can be printed.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the user presses the print key 322 while the text display screen is displayed, the interrupt process of the normal print process (S20: text print process) is started. Then, first, the detection unit is read (S21). That is, as shown in FIG.
In the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1), the detection pattern P2 (■ □ ■) of the detection label is detected by the photodetection means of the tape identification sensor 142 (see FIG. 3).
□) is detected, the detection result is read (S2
1).

As the detecting means in this case, for example, an optical detecting means (light detecting means) capable of optically reading (detecting) the detected image can be considered. In addition, the tape T (Ta1: first tape in FIG. 7) for forming the detection label (printing the detection pattern) is made of, for example, a thermoplastic material, and the tape printing apparatus 1A causes unevenness by printing with heat. When an image can be formed, a detecting means for detecting the unevenness may be used. As the former, for example, if a detected image formed of a pattern such as a bar code is the object, a photo-coupler or the like can perform photo-detection, and a photo-detecting unit that can detect the image itself like a scanner or the like may be used. Further, the latter includes mechanical detection means for detecting unevenness by turning on / off the push type detection switch. In the present embodiment, the detection image is a pattern image of a detection pattern, and the former light detection is used.

When the reading of the detector is completed (S21), the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the text data that has already been input (for example, “Ai”) is read from the text data area 242 (see FIG. 3) of the RAM 240 (S22), CG
A print image based on the font data of the ROM 230 (and according to the arbitrary setting information of “white” of the “Ming type” (and non-application of italics, non-application of emphasis) indicated by the detection pattern P2 (■ □ ■ □) The image is developed in the data area 244.
That is, the text print data is created as the print image data representing the character string image (“Ai”) (S23).

Then, the character string image ("Ai") based on the text print data is printed on the tape T of the tape cartridge CA (Tb in FIG. 7B).
1) That is, text printing is performed (S24), the process (S20) is ended (S25), and the original text display screen is returned. In the above example, the detection label of the detection pattern P2 is attached to the same tape cartridge CA as when the label is created. However, the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F)
Alternatively, any tape cartridge C may be used as long as it can be mounted in 1).

As described above, the tape printer 1A (1
In D, 1E, or 1), a tape cartridge CA (first tape cartridge) containing a tape T (first tape) is mounted, arbitrary setting information is input (see FIGS. 5B and 6), and A detection label attached to an arbitrary tape cartridge C by printing a pattern image (detected image) of a detection pattern (for example, the detection pattern P2 in FIG. 7A) that can be detected by the detection unit (predetermined detection unit). In order to create, the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern which is printed on the detection label and indicates the arbitrary setting information is printed on the tape T (first tape) so that it can be detected by the photodetection means. As a result, the tape T (first
Pattern image of the detection pattern on the tape)
By cutting the portion including (for example, the portion of the detection pattern P2 in FIG. 7A) to create a detection label and attaching the detection label to the tape cartridge CA (arbitrary tape cartridge), the tape cartridge CA It becomes possible to hold the arbitrary setting information in a detectable manner.

Further, as described above, in the tape printer 1, various forms and various decorations can be arbitrarily set. For example, with the decoration setting key 324, it is possible to set decoration such as so-called character decoration such as shading, underline, and enclosure, and background pattern (including ground pattern, illustration, etc.), and with the color setting key 325, character color, background color, Colors such as decorative colors (including shade, saturation, color luster, transparency, etc.) can be set. In addition, even if the above-mentioned Mincho typeface or Gothic typeface, various Mincho typefaces and various Gothic typefaces can be set, and other typefaces such as a square typeface and a line typeface can also be installed. As various forms, various forms such as forms for purpose-specific labels such as video, FD, CD, MD, etc. can be set. All of these are included in the information that the user can arbitrarily set, that is, the arbitrary setting information. By preparing (creating) a detection label on which a detected image indicating these is printed and attaching it to an arbitrary tape cartridge C, The tape cartridge C can hold various arbitrary setting information.

Further, in this case, like the present embodiment, it is preferable that the arbitrary setting information includes information designating at least one of the typeface, decoration, and color used for printing.
Thus, the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern indicating the information (arbitrary setting information) can be printed on the tape T (first tape) so that it can be detected, and the portion including the detected image is cut. By creating a detection label by applying the detection label to an arbitrary tape cartridge, it is possible to detectably retain the arbitrary setting information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the detected image is a pattern image in which arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format, and the pattern image is printed on the tape T (first tape) so that it can be detected. Therefore, by cutting the portion including the detection label to create a detection label and attaching the label to an arbitrary tape cartridge, it is possible to retain the arbitrary setting information that can be detected by the pattern of the pattern image.

Further, the pattern of the pattern image is a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding arbitrary setting information (for example, the detection pattern P2 in FIG. 7A is a pattern indicating a 4-bit binary code "1010" ((4) □ ■ □)) and tape T so that the pattern image can be detected.
Since it is printed on the (first tape), by attaching the detection label obtained by cutting that portion to an arbitrary tape cartridge, as the arbitrary setting information that can be detected as the code indicated by the pattern of the pattern image (as the binary code) Can be held. Further, in the present embodiment, since the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image in which the code is expressed by a single color, monochrome printing can be performed, thereby reducing the cost for causing the tape cartridge C to hold the arbitrary setting information. The monochrome pattern in this case may be a multi-valued pattern such as a bar code expressed by the length or width of the bar, as well as a binary code depending on the presence or absence of a single color.

Further, in FIG. 7B, the tape printer 1B
The tape cartridge CA mounted on (1D, 1F or 1) accommodates a tape T (a tape that becomes a tape Tb1 after printing: a second tape) for printing a character string image, and the tape printer 1A (1D). 1E or 1), the detection label of the portion of the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern P2 of the tape Ta1 (first tape) printed by 1E or 1) is attached. Therefore, the tape cartridge CA is the tape cartridge C that accommodates the tape T (second tape) and also the tape cartridge C that holds the arbitrary setting information by the detection label.

The tape cartridge CA described above is
As the tape (second tape) that becomes the tape Tb1 after printing, the same tape T (first tape) as when the detection label of the detection pattern P2 is created is accommodated, and the tape cartridge C (first tape) for creating the detection label. Since it can be attached to the tape printer 1A (1D, 1E or 1: the first tape printer) as a tape cartridge), it is a tape cartridge C that holds arbitrary setting information by the attached detection label, and at the same time, the tape printer 1A. (1
D, 1E or 1: the first tape printing device),
A pattern image (detected image) of a detection pattern can be newly printed on the accommodated second tape (first tape), and by cutting it, arbitrary setting information can be set to another arbitrary tape cartridge C. The tape cartridge C is capable of creating a new detection label for holding it.

Next, in the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1) described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the same tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) as the above-described tape cartridge CA is mounted, and the tape is The pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern printed on the detection label attached to the cartridge C is detected, and the character string image (print target image) is stored in the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) based on the detected pattern image. The tape T (second tape) is printed.

For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the tape cartridge CA to which the detection label of the detection pattern P1 (□□□□) is attached is mounted, the text printing results in “Gothic” and “Italic”. The character string image “Ai” (and the blank not applied, the emphasis not applied) can be printed (Tb2), and when the tape cartridge CB to which the detection label of the detection pattern P3 (■ □□ ■) is attached is mounted, the text is displayed. By printing, it is possible to print the character string image “Ai” which is “Mincho” and “emphasized” (and is not applied in italics or white) (Tb3). During this period, the user only replaces the tape cartridge C to be mounted (cartridge replacement), and does not need any key operation.

That is, the tape printer 1B (1D, 1
In F or 1), based on the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern of the attached detection label, only by mounting the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) and without setting the arbitrary setting information again. Thus, the character string image (print target image) can be printed on the tape T (second tape). Therefore, the tape printing apparatus may be a tape printing apparatus 1B (or 1F) that does not have a function of setting arbitrary setting information.

Of course, in this case, character string data can be input, and the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image includes information relating to the printing of the character string image.
The image to be printed is a character image printed based on the data of the character string according to the arbitrary setting information.
This allows you to enter character string data,
It is possible to print the character string image according to the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image without newly setting the information regarding the printing of the character string image.

By the way, the tape printer 1B (1
In D, 1F, or 1), the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern was detected, and the character string image (print target image) was printed based on the detected pattern image. That is, the text printing is performed based on the pattern detection, but as described above, the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can perform the pattern printing based on the pattern detection.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1), as shown in FIG.
(A), FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 9 (a), the above-mentioned tape cartridge CA (the detection label of the detection pattern P1 (□ ■ □□) is attached) is attached, and the pattern print key 333 is pressed. The pattern image of the detection pattern P1 (□□□□) of the detection label of the mounted tape cartridge CA is detected by performing the pattern printing by, and the same pattern image of the detection pattern P1 (□□□□) is taped. It can be printed on T (Ta2).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the user presses the pattern print key 333 while the text display screen is displayed, the pattern print processing (S
30) The interrupt process of 30) is started, and first, the tape identification sensor 1
Since the pattern image of the detection pattern P1 (□□□□) of the detection label is detected by the light detection by the light detection unit 42 (see FIG. 3), the detection result is read (S31:
(Same as S21 in FIG. 8). Next, the pattern image is RA
The image is expanded in the print image data area 244 of M240.
That is, the pattern print data is created as the print image data expressing the pattern image (“□□□□”) (S
32). Then, next, a pattern image (“□□□□”) based on the pattern print data is printed on the tape T of the tape cartridge CA (Ta2), that is, pattern printing is performed (S33) and the process (S30) is performed. Upon completion (S34), the original text display screen is displayed again.

As described above, the tape printer 1C (1
E, 1F or 1), the above-mentioned tape cartridge C
A tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) similar to that of A is mounted, a pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern printed on the detection label attached to the tape cartridge C is detected, and based on that, the pattern image is detected. The same pattern image (print target image, second detected image) as the pattern image is printed on the tape T (second tape) housed in the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge).

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, for example, the detection pattern P1 (□□ ■) of the tape Ta2 is used.
The pattern image (“□□□□”) of (□□) is cut to create a detection label, and the detection label is attached to the tape cartridge CB described above with reference to FIG.
B (1D, 1F or 1) and the text is printed by pressing the print key 322 to detect the detection pattern P1 of the detection label of the attached tape cartridge CB.
“Gothic” and “Italic” based on (□ ■ □□)
A character string image of a character string “Ai” can be printed by text data as shown in the figure according to the arbitrary setting information (and white blank not applied, emphasis not applied) (Tb).
4: According to the same setting information as Tb2 in FIG. 9).

That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, in the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1), when the detection label of the detection pattern P3 (■ □□ ■) is attached to the mounted tape cartridge CB. Based on this, the character string image “Ai” of “Mincho” and “emphasized” (and not applied italics and not applied white space) can be printed by text printing (Tb3), as shown in FIG. 11 (b). , The detection pattern P1 is attached to the tape cartridge CB.
When attached with the (□ ■ □□) detection label attached, the text prints to indicate “Gothic” and “Italic”.
It is possible to print the character string image "Ai" (and white blank not applied, emphasis not applied) (Tb4). During this time, the user simply attaches a new detection label to the tape cartridge B to be mounted and does not require any key operation.

As described above, the tape printer 1C (1
In E, 1F or 1), the pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern printed on the detection label attached to the mounted tape cartridge C is detected, and based on that, the same pattern image as that pattern image ( The print target image, the second detected image) is transferred to the tape cartridge C (second
Printing is performed on the tape T (second tape) housed in the tape cartridge. In this case, since the image to be printed is the same image as the detected image, it is based on the detected image even if the tape cartridge C is mounted and the arbitrary setting information is not set or cannot be set again. , The same detected image can be printed on the tape T (second tape), and by cutting it, new detection for holding arbitrary setting information in any tape cartridge C other than the mounted tape cartridge C You can create a label.

Therefore, the tape printer 1C (1E, 1E
By using F or 1), it is possible to successively create detection labels on which detected images showing the same arbitrary setting information are printed, and by sticking them to arbitrary tape cartridges C one after another, those tape cartridges C Arbitrary setting information can be held one after another. In this case, the detected image may be detected and printed as it is, or the arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image may be decoded once, and the detected image may be created and printed again according to the arbitrary setting information. You can also type.

Next, the label creating method in this embodiment will be summarized. In the label producing method described above, first, as described above with reference to FIG. 7A, the tape cartridge CA (first tape cartridge) accommodating the tape T (first tape) is loaded into the tape printer 1A (1D, 1E or 1). : The first tape printer), input the arbitrary setting information as described above in FIG. 6, and detect the pattern image (for example, P2 (■ □ ■ □)) indicating the arbitrary setting information (“■ □”). {Circle around (□)}: An image to be detected) is printed on the tape T so that it can be detected by the light detection means (predetermined detection means) (Ta1 in FIG. 7), and the detection label is created by cutting it. As a result, by simply attaching the detection label to an arbitrary tape cartridge C, the arbitrary setting information can be retained in the arbitrary tape cartridge C in a detectable manner.

Then, next, a detection label is attached to the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) that accommodates the tape T (second tape). In this case, any tape cartridge C may be used as long as it can be mounted in the tape printer 1 in which it is mounted. As a result, the arbitrary setting information can be retained in the arbitrary tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) in a detectable manner. Further, like the tape cartridge CA used in the description with reference to FIG. 7, the first tape cartridge and the second tape cartridge may be the same tape cartridge C. In this case, by attaching the detection label on which the detected image is printed to the tape cartridge CA used for printing the detected image as the first tape cartridge, it can be further used for printing the image to be printed.

Then, the optional tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge) is attached to the tape printing apparatus 1 (second tape printing apparatus) having the light detecting means (detecting means), and the second tape cartridge is mounted. A tape image (second tape) in which a pattern image (detected image) of a detection pattern printed on the attached detection label is detected and an image to be printed is contained in a second tape cartridge based on the detected image. Then, the portion of the second tape containing the print target image is cut to create a print target image label. That is, in the second tape printing apparatus, the image to be printed can be printed on the second tape based on the detected image of the detection label without setting the optional setting information only by mounting the second tape cartridge. By cutting it, an image label for printing can be created.

The detecting means in this case may be an optical detecting means (light detecting means) as in the present embodiment, or may be a first tape printing apparatus capable of forming an uneven image as a detected image. Alternatively, it may be a detecting means for detecting unevenness. In this case, the tape printer 1A (1D, 1E
Or 1: the first tape printing device), as long as it has a function of setting arbitrary setting information and printing a detected image indicating it, in this sense, the tape printing device 1A may be used. . Also, as the second tape printing device,
At a minimum, it is only necessary to have a function for detecting a detected image and printing an image to be printed, and it is not necessary to have a function for setting arbitrary setting information. Therefore, the first tape printing device and the second tape printing device can be used as different types and used for different purposes.

In the present embodiment, a tape printer 1A (1D, 1E or 1) is cited as the tape printer 1 corresponding to the above-mentioned first tape printer, and a tape printer corresponding to the second tape printer. 1, the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1) and the tape printer 1
C (1E, 1F or 1) is described. Therefore, in the former case, the tape printer 1A (or 1E: first tape printer) and the tape printer 1B (or 1)
F: second tape printing device), in the latter case, the tape printing device 1A (or 1E: first tape printing device) and the tape printing device 1C (or 1F) are used separately according to their purposes. You can also

On the other hand, the first tape printing apparatus and the second tape printing apparatus can be the same tape printing apparatus 1, and one tape printing apparatus can be used to set the arbitrary setting information and the detected image. Can be printed, an image to be detected can be detected, and an image to be printed can be printed. In this case, in the former case, the tape printer 1A (1D, 1E or 1: the first tape printer) and the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the second tape printer)
The tape printer 1D (or 1) common to the tape printers can be used. In the latter case, the tape printer 1E (or 1) common to the tape printer 1A (1D, 1E or 1: the first tape printer) and the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1) can be used.

In the former case, that is, when the tape printing device 1B (1D, 1F or 1) is used as the second tape printing device, in the label producing method of this embodiment, the tape printing device 1B (1D, 1F or 1). 1: Input the data of the character string (for example, “Ai”) to the second tape printer, and detect the pattern image (for example, the detection pattern P2 (■ □ ■ □) of FIG. 7B) (detected image). ) Includes information regarding printing of a character string image, and the image to be printed includes arbitrary setting information (for example, "Mincho type", "identity type (not italic)", and "white ( Character image ("Ai") printed based on the data of the character string ("Ai") according to "Apply)", "Normal (unemphasized)")
(For example, Tb1 in FIG. 7B).

Therefore, the tape printer 1A (1D, 1D
E or 1: In the first tape printer, information relating to the printing of the character string image is set as arbitrary setting information, and a detection pattern (for example, P2 (■ □ ■) indicating it is set.
□)) pattern image (detected image) on the tape T (first
By printing (Ta1) on the tape) and attaching the detection label obtained by cutting the portion to the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge), information regarding the printing of the character string image is recorded on the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge). It can be held as arbitrary setting information.

In the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: second tape printer), a pattern image (detected image) of a detection pattern (for example, P2 (■ □ ■ □)) is detected.
Simply by inputting the data of the character string (for example, "Ai"), the character string image (""Ai") can be printed (Tb1), and a character string image label can be created by cutting it.

On the other hand, in the latter case, that is, when the tape printing device 1C (1E, 1F or 1) is used as the second tape printing device, the label producing method according to the present embodiment is as described above with reference to FIG. The tape printer 1C
(1E, 1F or 1: second tape printer) detects a pattern image (detected image) of the detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□)) attached to the mounted tape cartridge C, and prints it. The image is the same as the detected image, that is, the detection pattern (for example, P1 (□
(□□)) pattern image (print target image, second detected image).

For this reason, the tape printer 1C (1E, 1
F or 1: The second tape printing device) is simply mounted with the tape cartridge C (second tape cartridge), and even if the arbitrary setting information is not set or cannot be set again, based on the detected image. , A print target image (second detected image) which is the same image as the tape T (second
A tape can be printed (Ta2), and by cutting it, a new detection label for holding arbitrary setting information in any tape cartridge C other than the tape cartridge C mounted as the second tape cartridge can be created.

That is, the tape printer 1C (1E, 1E
F or 1: second tape printing device), a detection pattern (for example, P1) indicating the same arbitrary setting information is used.
(□□□□)) detection labels printed with pattern images (detected images) can be created one after another, and by attaching them to arbitrary tape cartridges C one after another, those tape cartridges C can be arbitrarily selected one after another. The setting information can be retained. In addition, this tape printer 1C (1
(E, 1F or 1: second tape printing device) may be a type that detects a detected image and prints it as it is, or it may decode the optional setting information once and re-detect the detected image according to the optional setting information. You can also create and print.

In the present embodiment, in the latter case, that is, when the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1) is used as the second tape printer, the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1) is used. Is used as the third tape printer. Note that the tape printing device 1C (1E, 1F or 1) can be further used as the third tape printing device, but in this case, the same operation as that used as the second tape printing device is repeated. Therefore, the description is omitted.

Therefore, in the above label producing method, as shown in FIG. 11, the tape T printed by the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1: the second tape printer) is used.
(Tape Ta2: second tape) detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□)) pattern image (second detected image)
The image label to be printed, which is created by cutting the part including the mark, is used as the second detection label, and is used as the tape T (third tape).
Is attached to a tape cartridge CB (third tape cartridge) containing therein, and the tape printer 1B (1D,
1F or 1: Third tape printer).

In the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the third tape printer), the tape cartridge C
A pattern image (second detected image) of the detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□)) printed on the second detection label attached to B is detected, and based on the second detected image,
A second image to be printed, which is a different image, is printed on the tape T (third tape) accommodated in the tape cartridge CB (third tape cartridge), and the portion including the second image to be printed is cut. A second print target image label is created.

That is, the tape printer 1B in this case
In (1D, 1F or 1: 3rd tape printing device), as with the tape printing device 1C (1E, 1F or 1: 2nd tape printing device), the detection target printed on the detection label (second detection label) is detected. The image (second detected image) is detected,
Unlike the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1: second tape printer), a print target image (second print target image) different from the detected image is printed. As a result, in the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the third tape printer), only by mounting the tape cartridge CB (third tape cartridge), the detection label can be set without setting the optional setting information again. Detection pattern (for example, P
Based on the 1 (□ ■ □□) pattern image (second detected image), the second print target image can be printed on the third tape,
By cutting it, the second print target image label can be created.

Of course, in this embodiment, the data of the character string (for example, "Ai") is input to the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the third tape printer),
The arbitrary setting information indicated by the pattern image (second detected image) of the detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□)) includes information regarding the printing of the character string image, and the second print target image is arbitrary. A character image ("Ai") that is printed based on the data of the character string ("Ai") according to the setting information (for example, "Gothic" and "Italic" (and blank not applied, emphasis not applied)). (For example, Tb4 in FIG. 11B).

For this reason, the tape printer 1A (1D, 1
E or 1: In the first tape printer, information relating to the printing of the character string image is set as arbitrary setting information, and a detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □
□)) pattern image (detected image) on the tape T (first
Tape, and the detection label obtained by cutting the part is attached to the tape cartridge CA (second tape cartridge), and the tape label is detected by the tape printer 1C (1E, 1F or 1: second tape printer). Detection pattern that is the same image as the image (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□))
Pattern image (second detected image) is printed on the tape T (second tape) (Ta1), and the second portion is cut.
By attaching the detection label to the tape cartridge CB (third tape cartridge), information regarding the printing of the character string image is provided to the tape cartridge CA (second tape cartridge) and the tape cartridge CB (third tape cartridge).
It can be held as arbitrary setting information in the tape cartridge).

Further, the tape printer 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the third tape printer) detects the pattern image (second detected image) of the detection pattern (for example, P1 (□ ■ □□)), Only by inputting the data of the character string (for example, "Ai"), the arbitrary setting information (for example, "Gothic font" and "Italic font" indicated by the second detected image is set without newly setting the information regarding the printing of the character string image. (And white outline not applied, emphasis not applied)),
You can print a character string image ("Ai") (Tb
4) By cutting it, a character string image label can be created.

In this case, the tape printer 1C (1
(E, 1F or 1: second tape printer), at least, it is sufficient to have a function of detecting a detected image and printing a second detected image of the same image as that, and in this sense The tape printer 1C is sufficient. Further, the tape printing device 1B (1D, 1F or 1: third tape printing device) has at least a function of detecting a detected image (second detected image) and printing a character string image. The tape printer 1B is sufficient in this sense. Therefore, it is possible to use the second tape printing device and the third tape printing device as different types and use them differently according to the purpose. That is, the tape printer 1C (or 1E: second tape printer) and the tape printer 1B (or 1D: third tape printer) can be used as different types according to their purposes.

On the other hand, the second tape printing device and the third tape printing device may be the same tape printing device 1, and one tape printing device is used to detect the detected image, It is possible to print the same image (second detected image) and a second print target image that is a different image. In this case, the tape printer 1C (1E,
1F or 1: the second tape printing device) and the tape printing device 1B (1D, 1F or 1: the third tape printing device) that is common to the tape printing device 1F (or 1) can be used.

From the standpoint of the label producing method, it is preferable that the arbitrary setting information includes information designating at least one of the typeface, decoration, and color used for printing, as in the present embodiment. . With this, it is possible to set them as arbitrary setting information, print a detected image showing the arbitrary setting information, create a detection label on which the detected image is printed, and paste it to display the arbitrary setting information. It can be held in a tape cartridge. Also,
It is possible to detect the detected image, print a print target image based on the detected image, and create a print target image label on which the print target image is printed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the detected image is a pattern image in which the arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format, and the pattern of the pattern image is a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding the arbitrary setting information. Yes (for example, the detection pattern P2 in FIG.
Since the pattern (■ □ ■ □) indicating the value code “1010” is printed on the tape T so that the pattern image can be detected, the detection label obtained by cutting the part is attached to an arbitrary tape cartridge. By this, it is possible to hold it as detectable arbitrary setting information (as a binary code) as a code indicated by the pattern of the pattern image, and to detect the pattern image and print an image to be printed based on it. You can create an image label for printing. Further, since the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image in which the code is expressed by a single color, monochrome printing can be performed, and thus the cost for holding the arbitrary setting information in the tape cartridge can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the detected image showing the arbitrary setting information by patterning the arbitrary setting information is used as the detected image. However, the detected image showing the print content as it is is displayed as the arbitrary setting information. Print the
You may make it detect and print it as it is. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of the tape cartridge C that can be mounted inside the tape printing apparatus is given as the tape cartridge C. However, for example, a large-winding tape cartridge CC as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a multi-stage (plural-stage) winding tape cartridge CD or the like as shown in FIG.

For example, in the case of FIG. 13A, a detection label obtained by printing the print content (arbitrary setting information) as it is as the detected image P4 is attached to the tape cartridge CC, and the tape printer has almost no input section. An application is conceivable, such as using the tape printer 1G that simply detects the detected image P4 and prints it as it is. Further, in the case of FIG. 7B, the detected images P5, P6 and the like indicating different arbitrary setting information are printed on the respective cartridges of the multi-stage (multi-stage: two stages in the illustrated example) tape cartridge CD. When the detected label is attached and printing is performed on the tape accommodated in the cartridge of each stage, the detected images P5 and P6 of each detection label are detected and printing is performed based on each detection result. Applications such as, are possible.

Although not shown in the figure, for example, in a refillable cartridge that can be refilled with tape, each time the contents are changed, it is changed to a detection label of a detected image showing arbitrary setting information suitable for the contents, or the contents and Applications such as selling in combination with a corresponding detection label are also possible.

In addition, as an application of the above-described example in which the print content is directly used as the detected image, for example, a character string indicating a fixed message such as "Thank you every time." It is also possible to print the image of the typical character string as it is as the detected image and use that portion as the detection label. Also,
One or more standard character strings (for example, the above three)
It is also possible to register in advance and print an instruction image for instructing one of the registered standard character strings as a detected image, and use that portion as a detection label. In addition,
In the former case, since the detected image is a character image, it can be created by an ordinary tape printer, and the information can be regarded as a kind of arbitrary setting information. Also, the latter information can be arbitrarily set by the user in the same manner as the character decoration described above,
It can be seen as a kind of optional setting information.

That is, in these cases, a character string information image showing character string information (a type of arbitrary setting information) for printing an image of a fixed character string in which one or more characters are arranged (standard character string image) is displayed. A detection label as a detection image can be prepared (created). Therefore, if these detection labels are attached to a tape cartridge and attached to a tape printing device that can detect the detected image of the detection label, the tape printing device does not need to input a standard character string again. , Based on the character string information indicated by the detected image (character string information image),
A standard character string image can be printed. In other words, by attaching the above-mentioned type of detection label, it is possible to detectably hold the information of the standard character string image to be printed on any tape cartridge.

Also in the above case, an uneven image may be adopted (formed) as the detected image instead of the print image.
Further, as the detection means, similar to the above-described embodiment, for example, a light detection means capable of optically reading (detecting) the detected image or a detection for detecting the unevenness when the detected image is an uneven image Means (unevenness detection means) or the like can be adopted. For example, in the former case (the detected image is a printed or formed standard character string image), for example, a photodetector that can detect the image itself can be used as in the case of a scanner or the like, and if the detected image is an uneven image, The shape of the concave portion or the convex portion may be detected.

In the latter case (the detected image is an instruction image for instructing one of the registered fixed character string images), the detected image (instruction image) is fixed as the fixed image as in the above-described embodiment. A pattern image (for example, a detected image formed by a pattern such as a bar code) in which a character string image instruction is patterned in a predetermined format can be adopted. If it is an uneven image, a mechanical detection means for detecting unevenness by turning on / off a switch of a push-type detection switch may be used.

In these cases, simply by mounting the tape cartridge to which the detection label has been attached to the tape printing device capable of detecting the detection image of the detection label, the detected image of the detected image (instruction image Alternatively, since the pattern image) indicates one of the fixed character string images registered as the character string information, the specified fixed character string image can be printed based on the character string information (instruction).

Of course, as in the above-described embodiment, the pattern of the detected image may be a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding the instruction information of the standard character string image, or the code may be a binary code. good. Also, if the code of the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image that is expressed by a single color, the detected image can be created in monochrome, and the cost for holding the character string information image, especially the cost for creating the detection label, is reduced. it can. Further, the monochrome pattern in this case may be a multi-valued pattern such as a bar code expressed by the length or width of the bar, as well as a binary code depending on the presence or absence of a single color.

In the above example, the detection label having the character string information image indicating the character string information for printing the fixed character string image as the detected image is attached to the tape cartridge. Therefore, in the above-described tape printing method and tape printing apparatus, the tape cartridge is mounted, the detected image of the detection label attached to the tape cartridge is detected, and based on the character string information indicated by the detected image, A standard character string image is printed on the tape contained in the tape cartridge. That is,
The standard character string image can be printed on the accommodated tape based on the character string information indicated by the detected image of the attached detection label, even if the standard character string is not input again just by mounting the tape cartridge. .

When the detected image is a regular character string image (when the detected image is printed as it is), input means (keyboard or the like) for inputting a character string or the like can be omitted (the input means is unnecessary). Become). Even when the detected image is the instruction image, the input means can be similarly omitted by registering (storing: storing in, for example, a ROM or the like) a regular character string image in advance (the input means is unnecessary). Become). Of course, in the above-described example, the label on which the standard character string image is printed can be created by separating (cutting) the portion on which the standard character string image is printed.

Also, the standard message such as "Thank you every time.", "Confirmed", "Caution for broken objects", etc. is printed as a standard character string image many times, and the standard character string image (standard message). In some cases, it is desired to separate the part as a label and attach it to a desired part (or a product etc.). In such a case, for example, in the tape printer 1G described above (which has almost no input section) in FIG. 12, the above-described standard message is printed, and the printed tape is the tape cartridge C before printing.
If you roll it up as a reel (or a tape cartridge containing it) similar to C, you can create a label for the standard message by cutting out the standard message part as many times as necessary. it can. Here, although the input side and the output side are the large-winding reels (or tape cartridges), one or both of them can be similarly used as a normal size (small size) reel.

In the case of the above example, since the tape on which the fixed character string image is printed is wound up, the printing of the fixed character string image and the winding are repeated a plurality of times, so that the same fixed character string image is continuously printed. You can get a tape that has been printed twice. That is, a tape on which the same fixed character string image is printed can be continuously produced by simply cutting (cutting) the fixed character string images one by one. Further, as described above, for example, in the case of a tape refillable cartridge, every time the contents are changed, the detection label of the detected image indicating the character string information (arbitrary setting information) suitable for the contents is changed, or the contents and the corresponding contents are changed. Applications such as selling in combination with a detection label are also possible.

Further, in each of the above-described examples, by attaching the detection label on which the image to be detected is printed or formed to the tape cartridge (the surface of the cartridge case), the image to be detected is held so that it can be detected (that is, arbitrary setting information). Or the character string information is held so that it can be detected), but not only the detection label but also a plate (detection plate) made of plastic or cardboard on which the image to be detected is similarly printed or formed on the surface of the cartridge case of the tape cartridge. You may attach it. That is, the detected image (that is, arbitrary setting information or character string information) can be detected on the tape cartridge by printing or forming the detected image on the surface of some member so that it can be detected and attaching it to the surface of the cartridge case. Can be held. Further, even if the image to be printed is directly printed or formed on the surface of the cartridge case without using any member, the arbitrary setting information and the character string information can be similarly retained in a detectable manner.

Of course, other than the above-described examples, appropriate changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0151]

As described above, according to the tape printer, the tape cartridge, and the label producing method of the present invention, any tape cartridge can detectably hold arbitrary setting information, and based on the held arbitrary setting information. It is possible to create a label on which an image to be printed is printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus, a tape cartridge, and a tape printing apparatus to which a label producing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the tape printer of FIG. 1 in an opened state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a conceptual process of overall control of the tape printer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of visualization and arbitrary setting information of the tape printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for pattern setting and pattern printing based on the pattern setting, and an operation on the display screen.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram of the pattern printing based on the pattern setting, which is the image of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a printing process at the time of text printing based on pattern detection.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram similar to FIG. 7 for text printing based on pattern detection.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing pattern printing processing at the time of pattern printing based on pattern detection.

FIG. 11 is an image diagram similar to FIG. 7 regarding pattern printing based on pattern detection.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an application example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A to 1G ... Tape printing device 3 keyboard 4 display 7 print head 11 Operation part 12 Printing department 13 cutting part 14 Detector 41 Display screen 200 Control unit 270 Drive C, CA-CD ... Tape cartridge P1 to P3 ... Detection pattern P4 to P6 ... Detected image R ink ribbon T, Ta1 to Ta2, Tb1 to Tb4 ... Tape

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image to be detected which contains a tape to be printed
And lutein-loop cartridge mounting means to mount the tape cartridge detection label image is printed is pasted, the data of the character string consisting of one or more character input
The input character string input means and the detected image of the mounted tape cartridge.
Detecting means for detecting the character string image based on the character string data.
And one of the detected images is selected as the print target image.
Print target image instruction means for selectively instructing, and a mark for printing the instructed print target image on the tape.
Printing means , wherein the detected image is a typeface, decoration, and color used for printing.
Optional setting that contains information that specifies at least one of the colors
The image is an image indicating constant information, and the printing unit uses the character image as the image to be printed.
When the row image is indicated, before the detected image shows
Print the character string image according to the optional setting information
A tape printing device characterized by: 2. The arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image is replaced.
Input optional setting information to enter new optional setting information
The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step.
Tape printer. 3. The print target image designating means is the new
When the optional setting information is input,
Instead of the detected image as the image, the new arbitrary setting information
It is characterized by instructing a new detected image showing information
The tape printer according to claim 2. 4. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detected image is a pattern image in which the arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format. 5. The tape printing device according to claim 4 , wherein the pattern is a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding the arbitrary setting information. 6. The tape printer according to claim 5 , wherein the code is a binary code. 7. The tape printing device according to claim 5 , wherein the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image in which the code is expressed by a single color. Wherein said subject a tape printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as Oite the printed image
The tape of the tape printed when the output image is instructed
A detection label created by cutting the part that contains the image to be printed is attached and can be attached to the tape printer.
Tape cartridge characterized in that it. 9. An image to be detected containing a tape to be printed
Tape cartridge with detection label with image printed
Tape cartridge mounting process for mounting Enter the data of the character string in which one or more characters are arranged
Inputting character string input process, The detected image of the mounted tape cartridge
A detection step of detecting, Character string image based on the character string data
And one of the detected images is selected as the print target image.
A print target image instructing step for selectively instructing, A mark for printing the designated image to be printed on the tape
Printing process, Equipped with The detected image is a typeface, decoration and color used for printing.
Optional setting that contains information that specifies at least one of the colors
It is an image showing constant information, In the printing step, the character to be printed is the image to be printed.
Before the detected image is indicated
Print the character string image according to the optional setting information
A tape printing method characterized by: 10. The arbitrary setting information indicated by the detected image
Input new optional setting information to replace Optional setting information input
The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step.
Tape printing method. 11. In the print target image designating step, the
When new optional setting information is input,
Instead of the detected image as an elephant image, the new Tana optional
It is characterized by instructing a new detected image showing constant information.
The tape printing method according to claim 10, wherein 12. The tape printing method according to claim 9 , wherein the detected image is a pattern image in which the arbitrary setting information is patterned in a predetermined format. 13. The tape printing method according to claim 12 , wherein the pattern is a pattern indicating a code obtained by coding the arbitrary setting information. 14. The tape printing method according to claim 13 , wherein the code is a binary code. 15. The tape printing method according to claim 13 , wherein the pattern image is a monochrome pattern image in which the code is expressed by a single color.