JP3426683B2 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a print medium as a print medium.
The present invention relates to a tape printing device having a cutting unit that cuts a tape .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing device provided with a cutting mechanism, for example, a facsimile or a tape, which prints on a long material such as roll paper and separates only the printed portion to produce one printed material. Printing devices and the like are known.

And, as a processing operation that is often performed,
It is performed to print the desired data and to obtain the previously printed document (label), to remove the paper (tape) that failed to print, and to align the beginning of the paper (tape). There is a feed cut process.

The feed cut process is a paper (tape)
Is conveyed for a predetermined distance from the current state, and then the paper (tape) is cut by the cutting mechanism.
In addition, it is usual that the feed cut process is continuously performed after the printing process described above.

Therefore, some printing apparatuses having such a cutting mechanism can set an automatic cutting mode in which the cutting mechanism is automatically driven after the printing operation is completed after the printing operation is performed. For example, in the automatic cut mode of a certain tape printer, when the automatic cut mode is ON, the tape is fed by 25 mm after the printing operation is completed, and then the cutting mechanism is driven to perform the tape cutting. When the automatic cut mode is OFF, the printing operation is stopped when the printing operation is completed.

[0006]

However, in the printing apparatus having the above-mentioned cutting means, a large number of key switches for operating each mechanism, such as a print command key for printing data and a paper sheet, are used. A plurality of keys such as a discharge command key for discharging the (tape) and a cut key for cutting the paper (tape) are required. Further, the key switch hinders the downsizing of the printing apparatus, which imposes a cost burden.

Also, when these printers are externally controlled by a host computer or the like, similarly, a large number of command signals defining the operation of each mechanism are required.

Further, in order to cause the printing apparatus to perform a desired operation, it is necessary to finely specify the operation by pressing these keys or combining the command signals. Was burdened with key operations.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and according to the present invention, a print command, a discharge command, and a cut command can be realized by one command (or key). It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printing apparatus that can perform operations corresponding to various uses by one of the commands.

[0010]

To achieve this object, a tape printer according to the present invention comprises a storage means capable of storing input print data, a transport means for transporting a tape ,
Yusuke a printing unit for printing the print data stored in the storage means on the tape, and a cutting means for cutting the tape
In the tape printer, a mode selection for selecting and setting either an auto-cut mode in which the print medium is automatically feed-cut each time printing by the printing unit is completed or a tape-save mode in which feed-cut is not performed after printing is completed Means, a command transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal, a determining means for receiving a signal from the command transmitting means and determining whether print data exists in the storage means, and a setting by the mode selecting means. And a control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means and the cutting means based on the discrimination result by the discrimination means, and further, the control means.
The control means determines that the print data exists by the determination means.
It is determined, and is set to turn over preparative cut mode
In this case, the print data is printed by the printing means.
After the printing, the paper is fed by the conveying means and the cutting means.
First control means for performing a seed cut, and the determination means
It is determined that there is print data by the
When the save mode is set, the printing means
Second control means for performing only printing of the print data .

[0011]

The command transmitting means may be a key switch which emits a signal when pressed.

[0013]

[0014]

In the tape printer of the present invention having the above construction, the storage means stores the input print data, and the command transmission means transmits a predetermined command signal. The mode setting means allows the operator to selectively set either the auto cut mode or the save mode.

When the printing device receives the command signal from the command sending means, the judging means judges whether or not there is unprinted data in the storage means. Then, the printing means, the conveying means, and the cutting means are controlled based on the judgment result by the judging means and the setting by the mode selecting means. Further, the first control means of the control means is
It is judged by the judging means that print data exists, and
If the auto cut mode is set,
Printing the print data by printing means, and printing
After that, feed cut by the conveying means and cutting means
To perform. The second control means of the control means is
It is determined by another means that print data exists, and
If the tape save mode is set,
Only the printing of the print data by the step is performed.

As described above, only by transmitting one kind of predetermined signal to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus receives the signal and automatically determines the operation status, and performs various operations according to the operation status. .

[0017]

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

This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a tape printer capable of inputting valid data for a large number of characters and figures such as alphabetic characters and symbols and printing on a printing tape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 is
A CRT display 3 capable of displaying a plurality of lines of characters and symbols, a keyboard 4, and a control body 5 are connected to the data preparation device 2 and the control body 5 of the data preparation device 2 by a connecting line L. It is composed of a printer 6.
The CRT display 3 and the keyboard 4 are connected to the control main body 5 via connecting lines. And
Document data expanded by the data creation device 2 and various command signals are transmitted to the printer 6 through the connection line L. Here, the data creating means 2 corresponds to the command issuing means of the present invention.

On the keyboard 4, character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, space key, return key, cursor movement keys for moving the cursor vertically and horizontally, and presence or absence of feed cut processing after printing is set. A mode selection key, a size setting key for setting the size of print characters, a font setting key for setting the font of print characters, various editing function keys, a print key for executing printing, and the like are provided.

On the upper surface of the printer 6, a power key 6a of the printer 6 and a function key (hereinafter, referred to as a function key) for performing various operations such as feed cutting of the printing tape 8 and printing. , F key) 6b. This F key 6b also corresponds to one of the command transmitting means of the present invention. The feed cut of this embodiment is to cut the tape after feeding the printing tape 8 by 25 mm.
Further, a cassette cover 7 is attached to the side surface of the printer 6 so as to be openable and closable.
S can be attached.

Next, the printing mechanism PM built in the printer 6 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. The rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM.
Has been installed, and this tape storage cassette CS has
A tape spool 9 on which a printing tape 8 having a width of about 24 mm made of a transparent film is wound, a ribbon supply spool 11 on which an ink ribbon 10 is wound, and a take-up spool 12 on which the ink ribbon 10 is wound. A supply spool 14 in which a double-sided tape 13 having the same width as the printing tape 8 is wound with the release paper outside and a joining roller 15 for joining the printing tape 8 and the double-sided tape 13 are rotatably provided. Has been.

A thermal head 16 is erected at a position where the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 overlap each other, and a platen roller 17 for pressing the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 against the thermal head 16 and a printing head. Tape 8
A feed roller 18 that presses the double-sided tape 13 against the joining roller 15 is rotatably supported by a support body 19 that is rotatably attached to the frame of the printer 6. In this thermal head 16, a heating element group consisting of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged in a row.

Accordingly, by driving the tape feed motor 50 (see FIG. 3) in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 15 and the take-up spool 12 are driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating elements are energized. At this time, characters are printed on the printing tape 8 by a plurality of dot rows, and the printing tape 8 is fed in the tape feeding direction A in a state where the double-sided tape 13 is joined, and as shown in FIG. 6 is sent out. The details of the printing mechanism PM are the same as those of the known printing mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The joining roller 15 and the tape feed motor 50 correspond to the conveying means of the present invention, and the thermal head 16
Is the main body of the printing means of the present invention.

As the tape accommodating cassette CS, five kinds of cassettes CS accommodating the printing tapes 8 having tape widths of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm and 24 mm are prepared. The bottom wall is provided with any one of the first to third projecting pieces 20 to 22 in combination. Then, on the frame of the printer 6, the first protruding piece to the third protruding piece 2 are provided.
A tape width sensor 53 (see FIG. 3) made of a photo interrupter for detecting the presence or absence of 0 to 22 is attached.

In the vicinity of the label discharge hole 23 on the downstream side of the thermal head 16 along the feeding direction of the printing tape 8, the cutter mechanism 6 corresponding to the cutting means of the present invention.
5 are provided. The cutter mechanism 65 has the same structure as known scissors, and includes a fixed blade 66 and a movable blade 67. The movable blade 67 is fixed to a rotating lever 69 that rotates about a pivot shaft 68, and the rotating lever 69 is a pinion fixed to a drive shaft 71A of a DC motor 71 via a gear mechanism 70. It is connected to 72.

Accordingly, the movable blade 67 is opened and closed with the pivot shaft 68 as a fulcrum via the pinion 72, the gear mechanism 70, and the turning lever 69 in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive shaft 71A of the DC motor 71. , The fixed blade 6 with this opening / closing operation
The label 25 produced in cooperation with 6 is cut. The printing position by the thermal head 11 and the cutting position by the cutter mechanism 65 are separated by a distance n.
This distance n is defined as the head-cutter distance n. In this embodiment, n = 25 mm.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
The block diagram of FIG.

First, the control system of the data creating device 2 will be described. A CRT display controller (C) having a keyboard (K / B) 4 and a display RAM for outputting display data to a CRT display (CRTD) 3 is described.
The RTC) 30 and the floppy disk drive controller (FDC) 32 for the floppy disk drive (FDD) 31 provided in the control body 5 are the input / output interfaces () of the control device C1 provided in the control body 5. Input / output I / F) 36 are connected to each.

The control device C1 includes a CPU 33 and the CP
A hard disk drive controller (HDC) for an input / output interface 36 connected to the U33 via a bus 38 such as a data bus, a communication interface (I / F) 37, and a hard disk drive device (HDD) 34 equipped with a hard disk. ) 35 and RAM 40
It consists of and.

On the hard disk, a display pattern data memory in which dot pattern data for display is stored in association with code data for each of a large number of characters, and for each of a large number of characters for printing characters, The outline data that defines the outline of the character (outline data) is classified by typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) and stored in association with the code data. A display drive control program for controlling the CRT display controller 30 in association with code data of characters such as numbers and symbols, and outline data corresponding to each code data in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 is converted into dot pattern data and the printer is processed. Image output to 6 Di deployment control program and the like are stored.

A text memory 41 of the RAM 40 stores document data input from the keyboard 4. The print format memory 42 stores a plurality of print format information such as set character size data and typeface number data. In the print buffer 43,
Stores dot pattern data for printing of characters and symbols that have been image-developed. The work memory 44 temporarily stores data necessary for data processing.

Next, the control system of the printer 6 will be described. The drive circuit 5 for driving the thermal head 16
2 and a drive circuit 5 for driving the tape feed motor 50
1 and a drive circuit 73 for driving the DC motor 71
The tape width sensor 53 and the key switch 60 are the input / output interface (input / output I / F) 5 of the controller C2.
7 are connected respectively.

The control device C2 and the CPU 54 and the CP
An input / output interface (input / output I / F) 57 connected to the U 54 via a bus 59 such as a data bus, a communication interface (I / F) 58, and a ROM 55.
It is composed of a RAM 56. The RAM 56 corresponds to the storage means of the present invention.

The ROM 55 receives the print drive control program for driving the thermal head 16, the tape feed motor 50 and the like based on the dot pattern data transmitted from the data generating device 2, the data generating means 2 or the key switch 60. Programs and the like for controlling each mechanism based on commands are stored.

In the RAM 56, a receiving buffer 56a for receiving the dot pattern data transmitted from the data creating device 2 via the communication interface 58, an image buffer 56b for storing the received data,
Various memories for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 54, a flag indicating an operation state of each unit, a pointer, and the like are provided.

Next, a tape printing control routine executed by the control device C1 of the data creating device 2 will be described with reference to the schematic flow charts of FIGS. still,
Reference numeral Si (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) In the drawing represents each step.

When the power is turned on, this control is started, and when the printable keys such as the alphabet keys, the symbol keys and the number keys are operated (S10 / S11: Yes), the input code data is converted into the document data. As the document data input process for storing the text data in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 is executed, the display process for displaying the character corresponding to the code data on the CRT display 3 is executed (S12), and the process returns to S10. For example, as the document data, the document data “Thomas JEF” for label printing is used.
When "FERSON" is input, this document data is stored in the text memory 41 and displayed on the CRT display 3.

Next, when the size setting key, typeface setting key, or various editing keys are operated (S10: Yes, S11: N
o, S13: No, S15: NO), print format information such as character size data and typeface number data is stored in the print format memory 42 of the RAM 40, and a process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S17). , Return to S10.

In S10, when the discharge key is operated (S11: NO, S12: YES), a predetermined function command signal for causing the printer 6 to perform the function processing (see FIG. 7) described later is transmitted to the printer 6. , Return to S10.

Next, when printing of the above data "Thomas JEFFERSON" is selected and the print key is operated (S1
0: Yes, S11: No, S13: Yes), print processing control (FIG. 5)
(See) is executed (S14).

When this control is started, each character or symbol of the document data ("Thomas ...") of the first label stored in the text memory 41 is stored in the print format memory 42. Outline data is read from the font memory based on the print format information stored. On the other hand, the dot pattern is expanded or reduced to have the set character size and expanded into a dot pattern. Then, the developed dot pattern data is stored in the print buffer 43 (S20).

When the image conversion process is completed, an operation status notification command is sent to the printer 6 via the communication interface 37 and the connection line L, and the printer 6 is made to send the operation status of each internal mechanism (S21). If the received operation status is normal and operation is possible (S22: N
O), the previous dot pattern data is transmitted to the printer 6 via the communication interface 37 and the connection line L (S23). On the other hand, when the printer 6 has an abnormality or the printing process is in progress (S22: YES), the CRT
The reason is displayed on the display 3, and the process waits until the abnormality is resolved or the previous printing process is completed.

When the dot pattern data for one label is transmitted, a function command signal is then transmitted to the printer 6 (S24). As a result, the document data is printed on the printing tape 8 by the function processing of the printer 6 described later. Then, after the printing tape 8 is fed by a predetermined amount, it is cut by the cutter mechanism 65, and the label "Thomas JEFFERSON" is completed.

When document data of the next label exists in the text memory 41 in addition to the created label (S26: YES), the processing steps of S20 to S26 are repeated. When there is no other document data (S26: NO), this control is ended and the process returns to S10 of tape printing control.

Next, the tape printing control routine executed by the controller C2 of the printer 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on the schematic flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on, this control is started, and first, data relating to tape printing control such as clearing the reception buffer 56a and the image buffer 56b of the RAM 56 is initialized (S30). And printer 6
It is detected whether or not any one of the key switches 60 provided for is pressed (S31).

If there is a key input (S32: NO) and it is detected that the key is the F key 6b (S33: YES),
The function processing shown in FIG. 6 is performed (S35). When the process is completed, the process proceeds to S36.

When the key input detected in S32 is not the F key 6b, the process corresponding to the depressed key is performed (S34). For example, switching of the automatic cut mode or the like. The printer 6 of the present embodiment can selectively set either an auto-cut mode in which the tape is automatically feed-cut each time printing is completed, or a tape save mode in which feed-cut is not performed after printing is completed. By pressing the mode selection key of the keyboard 4, these two modes can be switched. At this time, the mode selection key of the keyboard 4 and S34 of the above processing step correspond to the mode selection means. When the processing corresponding to such various keys is completed, the process proceeds to S36.

If there is no key input (S32: YES), the state of receiving and receiving the data sent from the data creating device 2 is set (S36).

When the data is received (S36, S37: NO) and the data is the document data consisting of the dot pattern of the label (S38: YES), the received document data is RA.
The images are sequentially stored in the image buffer 56b of M56 (S4
2). After storing, the process returns to S31 to detect again whether the key switch 60 is pressed.

If the data received in S38 is not image data, it is determined whether or not the data is a function command (F command) (S39). If it is the F command (S39: YES), the function process shown in FIG. 7 is performed (S41), and the document data stored in the image buffer 56b is printed on the printing tape 8 or the printing tape 8 is feed cut. To do When the process is complete,
Return to S31.

If the command is not the F command in S39, the operation corresponding to each command received, such as data operation, print operation setting, driving of each mechanism of the printer 6, etc., is performed (S4).
0). For example, when the operation status notification command is received, the operation status of the printer 6 such as the current print processing status and abnormality of each mechanism is returned. When receiving a memory clear command, R
The document data in AM56 is deleted. After each operation according to the command is completed, the process returns to S31.

In the function processing in S35 or S41, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, the document data is the image buffer 56b of the RAM 56.
(S50). If document data exists (S50: YES), print processing is performed (S51).
In the printing process, the image data stored in the image buffer 56b is sequentially line-by-line, and the thermal head 1
At 6, the printing tape 8 is printed. After the printing process is completed, it is determined whether or not the mode setting related to the feed cut process after printing set in S34 is the auto cut mode (S52). On the other hand, when there is no document data in the image buffer 56b of the RAM 56 (S50: N
O) also shifts to S52 and determines how the mode setting is.

If the mode setting is the auto-cut mode (S52: YES), the tape feed motor 50 causes 25 mm.
Then, the so-called feed cut processing is performed, in which the DC motor 71 is driven to cut the tape (S53). After performing the feed cut, the function processing is ended and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if the mode setting is tape save mode (S
52: NO), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 6 without performing the feed cut process.

Incidentally, S50 and S52 of the above processing steps correspond to the judging means of the present invention, and S50 to S53 of the above processing steps correspond to the control means of the present invention. In particular, S50: Y of the above processing steps.
The flow of ES, S51, S52: YES and S53 serves as the first control means of the present invention, and S50: YES, S5 of the processing steps are performed.
The flow of 1, S52: NO serves as the second control means of the present invention.

As described above, even if the printer 6 of this embodiment receives the same key operation and the same command signal, it senses the operator's intention based on the presence or absence of the document data at that time, Perform the desired action.

As described above, since printing, tape feeding, and tape cutting can be instructed with one key, the operator can press the key without hesitation. Moreover, without making the structure of the printer 6 complicated,
Manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

Similarly, when commanding printing, tape feeding, and tape cutting from an external device such as the data creating device 2 to the printer 6, it is possible to cover the command with a single command signal, so the printer control in the external device is possible. Communication mechanism (interface 3
7, 58, connection line L, etc.) can also be simplified. In addition, since the command signal is simplified, the interfaces 37, 58
It is possible to prevent abnormal operation caused by poor communication or communication.

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description, the tape printing apparatus of the present invention can realize the print command, the discharge command, and the cut command by one command (or key), and the command can be realized. By one, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of performing operations corresponding to various uses and mode settings, thereby simplifying a command signal of an external computer or a key input mechanism of the device, and The operation load on the operator can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

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

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a tape printing control routine in the data creation device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine in the data creation device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a tape printing control routine in the printer.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine in the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 tape printer 2 Data creation device 4 keyboard 6 printer 8 Printing tape 15 Bonding roller 16 thermal head 50 tape feed motor 54 CPU 55 ROM 56 RAM 60 key switch 65 cutter mechanism C2 controller

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yoshiyo Nagase, 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-1-118458 (JP, A) JP-A-5-77504 ( (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 11/66-11/70

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A storable storage means the input print data, and conveying means for conveying the tape, a printing means for printing print data stored in the storage means on the tape, cutting to cut the tape in the tape printing apparatus and means, an auto cut mode for automatically feeding cut the tape printing for each finished by the printing means to selectively set one of the tape-saving mode that does not perform feed cut after printing A mode selecting means, a command transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal, a determining means for receiving a signal from the command transmitting means and determining whether print data exists in the storage means, and the mode selecting means Control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the cutting means based on the setting by the above and the discrimination result by the discrimination means. The provided, further, the control means is determined that the print data by said determining means is present,
If the auto cut mode is set,
The printing means prints the print data and prints the print data.
After printing, the feed cup is cut by the conveying means and the cutting means.
The first control means for performing the operation, and the determination means determines that the print data exists,
If the tape save mode is set,
Second printing that only prints the print data by the printing means
A tape printing apparatus comprising: a control unit . 2. The command transmission means is provided by pressing down.
The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the tape printing device is a key switch that emits a signal .