JP3491918B2 - Tape cartridge and tape writer - 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 writer for printing a desired character string or the like on a tape and a tape cartridge used in the tape writer, and more particularly, reliably and easily printing on a wide variety of tapes. Regarding the technology to perform.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape writer has been known which prints a desired character string on the surface of an adhesive tape whose back surface is coated with an adhesive in advance. This type of tape writer is for commercial use because it can print titles and titles on the surface of the tape neatly on the spot and then easily attach it to the spine of document files or the back of video tapes. Or it is widely used regardless of home use.

At present, a plurality of types of tape cartridges containing various kinds of tapes having different widths, colors, etc. are commercially available, and the main body of the tape writer is also multifunctional so that various printing styles can be selected. As a result, the range of use is expanding further.

[0004]

On the other hand, however, the diversification of tape types and printing styles complicates operation and control, resulting in a loss of the advantage of easily obtaining a printing tape. It was That is, when printing is performed with a large number of points despite the fact that a tape cartridge containing a narrow tape is attached to the tape writer,
Further, when the character string of the normal font is changed to another font having a wider width, the printing may fail due to the width of the tape or the desired length of printing.

For this reason, the user has to manage the tape cartridge according to the type of the stored tape, and when executing printing, the number of fonts of characters to be printed is changed according to the type of the tape cartridge. Work is needed. In addition, if the width of the tape stored in the tape cartridge is different and the width of the tape that substantially contributes to printing is greatly different, if the tape is sandwiched between the platen and the print head and conveyed with a constant torque, the tape There was a problem that the speed changed and it was not possible to print cleanly. In order to keep the feeding speed constant regardless of the tape width, it is necessary to detect the motor torque and control it, which complicates the control program and increases the quality of the motor.

Further, it has been pointed out that as the number and type of tapes used in the tape writer increase, the management of the tape becomes complicated, and the consumption of the tape is not noticed until printing cannot be performed. As a result, the tape may not be used when desired, or the tape may be wasted during printing of a long character string and the tape may be wasted. Further, when a plurality of users use one tape writer, there is a demand not to share the tape cartridge, but the conventional tape cartridge cannot be used in this way.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems and to easily obtain a desired printing tape without requiring complicated management or complicated control for plural kinds of tapes. The composition was adopted.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems A first tape la of the present invention
The ita is a characteristic part in which a predetermined tape is housed so that the tape can be pulled out, and information about the amount of the housed tape is held as electrical information in a format that can be read and updated by a tape writer. Detachable tape cartridge with
The tape and ink ribbon as a print head.
It is sandwiched between the platen and the tape is marked with a predetermined character string.
Enter the character string to be printed on the writing tape writer.
From the input means and the characteristic part of the tape cartridge,
Read the information about the amount of tape stored electrically
The feature reading means and the reading result of the feature reading means
Depending on the points of the character string to be printed on the tape
Determine at least one of number and string layout
And printing means for printing . As information regarding the amount of tape held by the characteristic portion, information on the amount of tape used and the amount of tape remaining can be considered.

[0009] In a first tape printing device of this, the feature reading means, as the information about the amount of tape, as well as a means for reading the information of the remaining tape, the read tape remaining amount, necessary for printing A character string for printing on the tape, comprising a judging means for judging whether the tape amount is less than the tape amount, and the printing means, when the judging means judges that the remaining tape amount is less than the tape amount required for printing. It is also preferable to use a means for printing by reducing the number of points. Also, when the judgment means judges that the remaining tape amount is less than the tape amount required for printing,
A means for printing by narrowing the pitch between characters of the character string to be printed on the tape may be used.

[0010] tape cartridge of the present invention is to allow the drawer to predetermined tape, the tape cartridge is detachably mounted in the tape printing device for printing a predetermined text on the tapes, the tape width The information recording device is provided with a characteristic portion for holding the information of (1) as electrical or magnetic information so that the transporting force according to the tape width is determined by the tape writer when the information is read by the tape writer. And On the other hand, it fitted with a tape cartridge of this removably, second tape writer of the present invention for printing a predetermined character string to the tape, the feature of the tape cartridge, the electrical or magnetically It is characterized by further comprising: a characteristic portion reading means for reading the stored information about the tape; and a printing means for deciding the transporting force of the tape according to the reading result of the characteristic portion reading means and printing .

[0011]

The tape cartridge of the present invention holds information about the amount of tape to be printed and information about the width of the tape as electrical or magnetic information. This can be distinguished. There are cases where it is useful to make no distinction from appearance. Further, since the information is held electrically or magnetically, this information can be updated.

On the other hand, a tape writer that detachably mounts this tape cartridge and prints a predetermined character string on the tape, according to the information held in the tape cartridge, has the number of points and the layout of the character string to be printed on the tape. , Or at least one of the tape feeding forces is determined and printing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing suitable for the mounted tape cartridge .

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, a tape cartridge which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a tape writer which detachably incorporates the tape cartridge and prints on the tape. Will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an assembled state of a tape cartridge 10 which is an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of a main part showing the configuration of the tape cartridge 10, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing types of the tape cartridge 10. 6 is a plan view showing the appearance of the tape writer 1, FIG. 7 is a right side view, FIG. 8 is a left side view, and FIG. 9 is a rear view. First, for ease of understanding, the overall configuration will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

As shown in the figure, the tape writer 1 includes a main body case 50H for accommodating various parts, an input section 50C having 63 input keys, a main body cover 50K which can be opened and closed,
A display unit 50D visibly provided under the main body cover 50K for displaying a character string and other information, and a cartridge mounting unit 50 to which the tape cartridge 10 is removably mounted
A is provided. When using this tape writer 1, first, the main body cover 50K is opened, the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 50A, and the input portion 5
Input the character to be printed from 0C. When the input character string is converted into kana-kanji characters, etc., if necessary, and a predetermined key is operated to instruct printing, the thermal transfer printer unit 50 is mounted on the tape T supplied by the tape cartridge 10.
Printing is performed by B. The printed tape T is a tape outlet 10A provided on the left side surface of the tape writer 1.
Emitted from. The tape T used in this example has a printing surface processed to improve the placement of the ink by thermal transfer, and a peelable peeling tape is attached to the adhesive back surface. Therefore, by cutting the printed tape with a built-in cutter and peeling off the peeling tape on the back surface, the tape T on which characters and symbols are printed can be attached to a desired place.

Next, the structure and function of the tape cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the tape cartridge 10 is attached to the tape writer 1, the print head provided on the side of the tape writer 1 enters the tape cartridge 10 and comes into contact with the ink ribbon, so that printing is possible. For easy understanding of the relationship, FIG. 1 shows the print head when the mounting of the tape cartridge 10 is completed.

With the same assembly structure, the width of the tape accommodated in this embodiment is 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18
We offer 5 types of tape cartridges different from mm and 24 mm. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a tape width of 6 mm among the five types of tape cartridges, and FIG.
[FIG. 3] is a cross-sectional view showing a tape having a width of 24 mm.
In order to simplify the drawing, the reference numerals of the respective members in FIG. 4 are omitted. Further, in FIGS. 3 and 4, a part of the print head is drawn in the cross-sectional view of the tape cartridge in order to explain the attachment state to the tape writer 1.

The platen 12 used for printing is a hollow cylindrical member, and the five types of tapes T and ink ribbons R having different widths and the adhesion between the print head and the print head are made to be good so that good quality printing is possible. Therefore, the platen rubber 14 is wound around the outer peripheral surface according to the tape width. In this embodiment, a platen rubber having a width of 12 mm (see FIG. 3) for tapes of 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm, and a platen rubber having a width of 18 mm (FIG. 4) for tapes of 18 mm and 24 mm are used in total.

The outer circumferences of the upper and lower end portions of the platen 12 are
The diameter of the platen 12 is slightly smaller than the shaft diameter of the platen 12, and the small diameter portion is rotatably loosely fitted into the fitting holes 16A and 18A formed in the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. The platen 12 is rotatable. In this manner, the platen 12 erected on the tape cartridge 10 is detachable from a platen drive shaft, which will be described later, provided on the tape writer 1, and when the platen drive shaft is engaged with the platen drive shaft. The rotational drive force must be transferable. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the platen 12, six engaging strips 12A are formed at equal intervals in the rotation axis direction.

In addition to the tape cartridge 10, a tape core 20, an ink ribbon core 22 and a ribbon take-up core 24 are provided upright in order to compactly take up and store the long tape T and the ink ribbon R.

The tape core 20 is a large-diameter hollow-cylindrical reel, and is designed so that the long tape T can be wound up and stored thinly. Therefore, when the tape T located at the outermost circumference (reference numeral A in FIG. 1) is pulled out, the rotational angular velocity of the tape core 20 and the tape T located at the innermost circumference (reference numeral B in FIG. 1) are pulled out at the same speed. The rotational angular velocity of the tape core 20 is not so different from that of the tape core 20. Further, even if the tape T made of a material having a small curvature at the time of winding and storing is weak against bending stress, it can be stored without difficulty. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape core 20 is formed with a flange portion 20A for housing the tape T. The tape core 20 has a hollow portion that is a cylindrical guide protrusion 16B that is provided so as to protrude from the bottom wall 18 and the ceiling wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10.
The tape T is loosely fitted in 18B, and can be driven and rotated as the tape T is pulled out by the rotation of the platen 12.

The tape T wound and stored on the tape core 20.
From the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 to the platen 12 via the tape guide pins 26 provided upright,
It is guided to the tape discharge port 10A of the tape cartridge 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink ribbon core 22 is composed of a hollow cylindrical member having a small diameter.
The outer circumferences of the upper and lower end portions are formed to have a slightly smaller diameter.
The outer circumference of the ink ribbon core 22 having the small diameter is
As shown in FIG. 1, eight places are recessed at equal intervals to form engaging portions 22A. The small diameter portion on the lower end side is loosely fitted in the circular fitting hole portion 18C formed in the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. Also, the ink ribbon core 2
The upper hollow portion of 2 is the top wall 1 of the tape cartridge 10.
6 is loosely fitted in a cylindrical guide protrusion 16C. Therefore, in this state, the ink ribbon core 22
Is held rotatably as the ink ribbon R is pulled out.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a thin, substantially L-shaped engagement is made on the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 near the bottom of the ink ribbon core 22 and a ribbon winding core 24, which will be described later. The piece 18D is formed. Engaging piece 18D
Is a part of the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 (see FIG.
It is formed by hollowing out the hatch part X) inside. Therefore, the end portion of the engagement piece 18D is movable along the plane direction of the bottom wall 18 with the base end portion 18E continuing to the bottom wall 18 as a fulcrum due to the elasticity of the members constituting the bottom wall 18. Becomes In the state where no force is applied to the engagement piece 18D, the movable end of the engagement piece 18D is located inside the outer periphery of the fitting hole portion 18C, so that the engagement hole portion 18C is free from play as described above. The ink ribbon core 22 is engaged with any of the eight engaging portions 22A formed on the small diameter portion of the ink ribbon core 22 to prevent the ink ribbon core 22 from rotating.

The ink ribbon R, which is wound up and housed in the ink ribbon core 22, is guided by the ribbon guide roller 30 to be in a superposed state with the above-mentioned tape T and reaches the platen 12, and the print head further enters. Entry hole 3
The ribbon take-up core 24 is reached via the guide wall 34 formed on the peripheral surface of the second winding. When the tape cartridge 10 is in an unused state, that is, when only the starting end of the ink ribbon R is attached to the ribbon take-up core 24, the drawing state of the ink ribbon R is indicated by symbol C in FIG. R
The same state when all of the tapes are wound around the ribbon winding core 24 is shown by reference numeral D.

The ribbon take-up core 24 is composed of a hollow cylindrical member having substantially the same shape as the ink ribbon core 22, as shown in the figure. The outer circumferences of the upper and lower end portions are also formed to have a slightly smaller diameter, like the ink ribbon core 22.
Eight engaging portions 24A are arranged at equal intervals in the small diameter portion.
Is recessed. On the other hand, the ribbon take-up core 24 engages with a ribbon take-up core drive shaft, which will be described later, which is provided in the tape writer 1 like the platen 12, so that the ribbon take-up core 24 can be rotationally driven. 6 engaging strips 24B
Are formed at equal intervals. The ribbon winding core 24 configured as described above is loosely fitted into the circular fitting holes 16G, 18G formed in the bottom wall 18 and the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10 at the small diameter portions formed at the upper and lower ends. It stands upright.

Further, in order to prevent the ribbon winding core 24 from rotating unexpectedly, the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 has a thin L shape whose end portion is located inside the outer periphery of the fitting hole portion 18G as described above. A letter-shaped engaging piece 18H is formed. That is, a part of the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 (hatched portion Y in FIG. 1) is hollowed out, and the engaging piece 18
It is said to be H. With the cartridge 10 alone,
The end of the engaging piece 18H is engaged with any of the eight engaging portions 24A formed in the small diameter portion of the ribbon winding core 24, and rotation of the ribbon winding core 24 is blocked. .

The engagement between the engagement portion 22A of the ink ribbon core 22 and the engagement piece 18D and the engagement between the engagement portion 24A of the ribbon winding core 24 and the engagement piece 18H are both performed as described above. The cartridge 10 is released by mounting the cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 50A, and its configuration will be described later together with the structure of the cartridge mounting portion 50A.

The ink ribbon R wound around the ribbon winding core 24 as described above is a thermal transfer type ribbon, and a plurality of widths thereof are prepared according to the width of the tape T on the printed side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
An ink ribbon having a width of 12 mm for 9, 12 mm, an ink ribbon having a width of 18 mm for a tape width of 18 mm (not shown), and an ink ribbon having a width of 24 mm having the same width for a tape width of 24 mm, as shown in FIG. Three kinds of ink ribbons R are prepared in total.

In order to stably supply the ink ribbon R to the platen 12, a flange portion 24C is formed on the outer periphery of the ribbon winding core 24, the flange portion 24C being adapted to the width of the ink ribbon R being wound and stored. The flange 24C guides the ink ribbon R.

As described above, there are five types of tape cartridges 10 according to the present embodiment, depending on the width of the stored tape T. Since the printable area and the like differ depending on the width of the tape T, it is necessary to detect the type of the tape cartridge 10. In the tape cartridge 10 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, three detector holders 18Ka, 18Kb, 18Kc are provided on the bottom wall 18 of the cartridge, and the detection of the location determined according to the type of the tape cartridge 10 is performed. A magnet is stored in the child holder. That is, the information on the type of the tape cartridge 10 (here, the width of the tape T) is magnetically held, and the type of the tape cartridge 10 can be discriminated.

As shown in FIG. 5, magnets are all housed in the three detector holders 18Ka, 18Kb, 18Kc of the tape cartridge 10 which accommodates the tape width of 6 mm. Further, in the tape cartridge 10 having a tape width of 9 mm, the detector holder 18Ka and the tape width 12
In mm, the magnet is stored in only one of the detector holders 18 Kb and in the tape width of 18 mm, only one of the detector holders 18 Kc is not housed. When the tape width is 24 mm, the detector holder 18K
The magnet is stored only in c.

The tape cartridge 1 described in detail above.
0 is the tape cartridge mounting portion 50 of the tape writer 1.
It is attached to A. Inside the tape writer 1, FIG.
10, which is an AA-AA end view in FIG.
An expansion unit 50E, an input unit 50C, and a display unit 5 for connecting various packs optionally supplied as external storage elements.
The control circuit unit 50F that controls the 0D and the printer unit 60, etc.
Equipped with.

On the back surface of the tape writer 1, a battery storage section 50 is provided.
I is provided, and six AA batteries that can be the power source for the entire device can be installed. A power switch 50J is provided on the right side surface of the main body. The power can be supplied from an AC adapter (not shown). Hereinafter, for each of the mechanical components of the tape writer 1,
This will be explained sequentially.

The detailed construction of the cartridge mounting portion 50A is shown in FIG. The cartridge mounting portion 50A is arranged on the left rear side of the tape writer 1 main body, and is formed as a mounting space that matches the shape of the tape cartridge 10 described above. A shaft that engages with the hollow portions of the tape core 20, the ink ribbon core 22, the ribbon winding core 24, and the platen 12 is erected in this mounting space, and is normally covered with a main body cover 50K.

When mounting or replacing the tape cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 50A, the main body cover 5 is used.
Open at 0K. When the slide button 52 provided in front of the cartridge mounting portion 50A is slid to the right, the engagement between the main body cover 50K and the main body is released, and the main body cover 50K rotates around the cover hinge 54 at the rear of the main body as a fulcrum to open it. be able to. An opening / closing detection switch (not shown in FIG. 12) that is turned on / off according to opening / closing of the main body cover 50K is provided on the bottom of the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A.

The slide button 52 is also connected to a slide member 56 that reaches the bottom surface of the main body as shown in FIG. 11 which is an end view taken along the line BB in FIG. 6, and along with the operation of the slide button 52. This slide member 56 also moves to the right in the figure. Further, a cutout portion 56A is formed in a part of the bottom surface of the slide member 56, and the cutout portion 5A is formed.
A link plate 62, which is integrally fixed to the print head 60, is fitted to 6A. The link plate 62 and the print head 6
The relationship with 0 is detailed in FIG. 12, but the head portion in which the print head 60 and the link plate 62 are integrated is pressed by the coil spring 66 fitted to the head rotation shaft 64 to the print position with a constant pressure. When the slide member 56 is slid to the right by the operation of the slide button 52 as described above, the link plate 6 fitted in the notch 56A is formed.
Similarly, 2 is pulled to the right side, and the entire head portion rotates counterclockwise about the head rotation shaft 64 against the force of the coil spring 66. As a result, the print head 60
Is the platen 1 of the tape cartridge 10 that was installed
The print position facing 2 is moved to a predetermined retracted position. That is, if the action of opening the main body cover 50K is performed, the next action that is normally performed is the movement of the print head 60 to the retracted position, which is necessary when the tape cartridge 10 is removed or attached. Will be. The link plate 62 that has once moved to the retracted position and the head portion connected to the link plate 62 are
While the main body cover 50K is open, it stays in that position, and when the main body cover 50K is closed, the print head 60 returns to the position where it presses the platen 12.

The bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 50A in this manner engages with the engaging portions 22A, 24A of the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 24 to prevent them from rotating. It has already been described that the mating engagement pieces 18D and 18H are provided. The engagement pieces 18D and 18H are formed by hollowing out a part of the bottom wall 18 (hatched portions X and Y in FIG. 1). The hatched portions X and Y have two guide holes 18F and 18I. Has been formed. At the portion of the cartridge mounting portion 50A corresponding to the positions of the two guide holes 18F and 18I,
As shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 12, two wedge-shaped contact protrusions 70A and 70B are provided upright. Therefore, when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, the contact protrusions 70A, 70B
Fit into the guide holes 18F, 18I, and the engaging pieces 18D, 1
8H is the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 24.
The engaging portions 22A and 24A are pushed and separated from each other. As a result, the engagement by the engagement pieces 18D and 18H is released, and the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 2 are released.
4 is in a rotatable state.

As described above, when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, all the cores provided inside the tape cartridge 10 are in a rotatable state and the cartridge mounting portion 50A.
Platen drive shaft 72 and winding core drive shaft 7 installed upright on
4, the ribbon core shaft 76 and the tape core shaft 78 are engaged with each other. Of these shafts, the platen drive shaft 72 and the take-up core drive shaft 74 rotate by themselves using the stepping motor 80 as a drive source, and the ribbon core shaft 76 and the tape core shaft 78 drive the take-up core drive shaft 74 and the platen drive shaft. It rotates following the rotation of the shaft 72. The stepping motor 80 is arranged at the right rear portion of the cartridge mounting portion 50A, and power is transmitted from a rotation shaft 80A of the cartridge mounting portion 50A by a gear train to drive the platen drive shaft 72 and the winding core drive shaft 74 at a predetermined reduction ratio. .

The platen 12 and the ribbon take-up core 24 are provided around the platen drive shaft 72 and the take-up core drive shaft 74.
The three protrusions 72A, 74A that engage with the engaging protrusions 12A, 24B formed on the hollow inner peripheral surface are formed at equal intervals. The platen drive shaft 72 and the winding core drive shaft 7
When 4 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotation speed by the stepping motor 80, the tape T and the ink ribbon R are pulled out from the tape core 20 and the ink ribbon core 22 by a predetermined amount to be in a superposed state with each other, so that the platen rubber 14 and the print head 60 are separated from each other. Can be passed. At this time, by energizing the print head 60 to control the amount of heat generated in dot units, the ink of the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the tape T,
It is possible to print on the tape T. After printing, only the tape T on which printing is completed is ejected from the tape cartridge 10, and the ink ribbon R used for printing is wound up and collected on the ribbon winding core 24.

By the above printing operation, the tape cartridge 1
The printed tape T ejected from 0 to the left side is shown in FIG.
Using the tape cutter 90 whose detailed structure is shown in FIG. 12 can be easily cut as follows.
A cutter support shaft 92 protruding from the bottom of the cartridge mounting portion 50A is fitted with a rotatable U-shaped tape cutter 90 and a spring 94.
Due to the elastic force of 4, the tape cutter 90 is maintained in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. Due to this rotational force, the left end portion 90A of the U-shaped tape cutter 90 pushes up the cutter button 96 from the back surface thereof. Also, the tape cutter 90
A moving blade 9 for cutting the tape T is provided on the right end 90B of the
8 is fixed, and is separated from the fixed blade 100 attached to the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 50A at a constant angle.

The cutting of the tape T is achieved by pushing down the cutter button 96 against the elastic force of the spring 94. Depress the cutter button 96 and press the tape cutter 9
When 0 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the moving blade 98 fixed to the right end 90B also rotates in the same direction. As a result, the moving blade 98 gradually overlaps with the fixed blade 100 from the lower part thereof, and cuts the tape T passing through the print head 60. Tape cutter 90 when cutting this tape
The state of each part of is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG.

Next, details of the input section 50C, the display section 50D, the printer section 50B, etc. incorporated in the tape writer 1 will be described. For convenience of understanding the whole, the control circuit section 50F will be mainly described. The outline of the electrical configuration of each unit will be described. Immediately below the main body cover 50K, a control circuit unit 50F assembled on a printed circuit board is provided.
Is incorporated together with the printer unit 50B and the like. The overall electrical schematic configuration is shown in FIG. That is, the control circuit section 50F of the tape writer 1 includes ROM, RAM,
1-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 110 and mask R in which an input / output port is integrated
In addition to the OM 118, various circuits for interfacing the CPU 110 with the input section 50C, the display section 50D, the printer section 50B, etc. are incorporated. The CPU 110 is connected to the input unit 50C, the display unit 50D, or the like via an interface circuit or directly and controls these.

The input section 50C, as shown in FIG.
Equipped with 8 character input keys and 15 function keys, 63 keys in total. The character input key has a so-called full key structure based on the JIS arrangement, and is similar to a general word processor including a known shift key in order to suppress an increase in the number of operated keys. The function key is used to execute frequently used functions such as character input, editing, and printing with one touch, and enhances the functionality of the tape writer 1.

Each of these keys is assigned to an 8 × 8 matrix. That is, when viewed from the CPU 110, the 16 ports of the input ports PA1 to PA8 and PC1 to 8 are grouped as shown in the drawing, and 63 kinds of keys of the input section 50C are arranged at each intersection.
The power switch 50J is provided independently of this matrix key and is connected to the non-maskable interrupt NMI of the CPU 110. When the power switch 50J is operated, the CPU 110 activates an interrupt that cannot be masked, and turns on or off the power.

The detection output from the opening / closing detection switch 55 for detecting the opening / closing of the body cover 50K is input to the port PB5, and the CPU 110 monitors the opened / closed state of the body cover 50K by interruption. And if the print head 6
When the open state of the main body cover 50K is detected during the driving of 0, a predetermined error display is displayed on the main display unit 50Da and the power supply to the printer unit 50B is turned off.

Ports PH, PM, PL of CPU 110
Is connected to the head rank determination unit 112. The head rank determination unit 112 is divided into several ranks based on the measurement result of the resistance value of the print head 60 having a large variation due to the manufacturing process, and the three jumper units 112A of the head rank determination unit 112 are classified according to the measurement results. , 112
B and 112C are set. Therefore, CPU11
0 reads the state of the head rank determination unit 112, and according to the input result, the drive time of the print head 60,
That is, the calorific value is corrected to prevent variations in print density.

Since the printing by the printer unit 50B is performed by thermal transfer, the density of printing varies not only with the energization time of the print head 60, which is a thermal head, but also with the outside air temperature and the driving voltage. These are detected by the temperature detection circuit 60A and the voltage detection circuit 60B. These circuits 60A and 60B are integrally incorporated in the print head 60, and the outputs thereof are the 2-channel analog-digital conversion input ports AD1 and AD2 of the CPU 110.
It is connected to the. The CPU 110 uses this port AD
The energization time of the print head 60 is corrected by converting the voltages of 1 and 2 into digital signals and reading them.

The discrimination switch 102 is connected to the ports PB1 to PB3 of the CPU 110. The determination switch 102 is provided in the cartridge mounting portion 50A as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG.
The discriminating switch 102 is integrally formed with cartridge discriminating switches 102A, 102B, 102C for detecting the presence or absence of the magnet Mg housed in the three detector holders 18K provided in the tape cartridge 10. The cartridge discrimination switches 102A and 102
B and 102C are for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet Mg using a Hall element. The cartridge discriminating switch 102 at a position facing the detector holder 18K accommodating the magnet Mg is turned on by the magnetic field of the magnet Mg. Further, the cartridge discriminating switch 102 at a position facing the detector holder 18K in which the magnet Mg is not housed is turned off because there is no magnetic field. Therefore, this determination switch 1
02 three cartridge identification switches 102A, 10
By detecting the states of 2B and 102C, the type of the tape cartridge 10 currently loaded in the cartridge loading unit 50A, that is, the width of the tape T stored in the tape cartridge 10 can be determined. The information on the width of the tape T is used for controlling the size of characters to be printed,
It is also used to control the printer unit 50B described later.

The mask ROM 118 connected to the address bus and data bus of the CPU 110 is a Mincho type 16 × 1.
It is a 16-megabit mask ROM that stores a set of kana, kanji, and special characters of four types of fonts of 5, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, and 48 × 48. The 24-bit address bus AD, the 8-bit data bus DA, the chip select signal CS, and the output enable signal OE are the CPU 110.
Are connected to the ports PD0 to PD33. Since these signals are also directly connected to the external input / output connector 50Ea, the extension section 50E attached to the external input / output connector 50Ea can also be accessed like the mask ROM 118.

The expansion section 50E provided so as to be directly connectable to the control circuit section 50F serves as an insertion site for a ROM pack or RAM pack optionally supplied as an external storage element. By inserting the ROM pack or the RAM pack into this insertion port, the electrical connection with the external input / output connector 50Ea of the control circuit section 50F is completed, and the CPU 110
It becomes possible to exchange information with. With this configuration, a ROM pack that stores special characters and symbols for various drawings, maps, chemistry, and mathematics or language fonts other than Japanese, Gothic, Mincho, typeface, etc. is installed in the expansion section, It is possible to edit a desired character string. Similarly, a RAM pack, in which information can be written freely, is attached to the expansion part to store more information than the amount of information that can be stored in the RAM area inside the tape writer body, and to create a library of print character strings, etc. It can be used for exchanging information with the tape writer 1.

Mask ROM 118 or expansion section 50E
The dot data of the character read from the CPU 110
Together with the LCD controller 11 of the display control circuit 116
It is also input to 6A.

CPU 11 via display control circuit 116
The display unit 50D controlled by 0 is arranged below the main body cover 50K having a transparent corresponding portion, and the user visually recognizes it through the main body cover 50K. In the display unit 50D, two kinds of electrode patterns are formed on the liquid crystal panel, one of which is a dot matrix pattern of height 32 × width 96, and the other is this dot, as shown in FIG. It is a pattern of 28 pentagonal electrodes arranged so as to surround the area of the matrix. The area in which the electrodes of the dot matrix pattern are formed is the main display portion 50Da for displaying a print image.
The area in which the pentagonal electrode pattern is formed is referred to as an indicator portion 50Db.

The main display portion 50Da is used as a liquid crystal display panel capable of displaying 32 dots high by 96 dots wide. In the present embodiment, each character used for inputting and editing characters is displayed on the main display unit using a character font of width 16 × height 15 dots, so 6 characters × 2
Lines can be displayed. Further, when displaying each character, the processing state of the tape writer 1 can be visually displayed by selectively using positive display, negative display, blinking display, etc. according to the editing state.

Further, since the main display portion 50Da is of the dot matrix type and its display contents can be freely controlled, it is possible to display the current print image layout when a predetermined key input is made. When the layout display is instructed, as shown in FIG. 16, the 4 × 4 dots at the time of printing correspond to one dot on the main display portion, the tape width is displayed negatively, and a white character string is printed therein. Is displayed. At this time, the total length of the tape is displayed numerically as information that assists the print image. When the layout of the print image is too large to be displayed on the main display unit 50Da at one time, the entire print layout can be confirmed by scrolling up / down / left / right with the cursor keys.

The indicator section 50Db is for displaying the function being executed by the tape writer 1 at the present stage, and is arranged around the main display section 50Da. Each display body t obtained corresponding to the pentagonal electrode pattern in the indicator portion 50Db is
It is provided so as to correspond to characters representing the function printed around D. Character input mode status such as "Romaji input" or "Lower case input", style specification status such as "number of lines" or "box rule" for print editing, format specification status such as "equal allocation" or "justification", etc. When the state setting is executed or selected, the display body t at the portion of the character indicating the state is made visible.

The printer section 50B of the tape writer 1 is
A print head 60 and a stepping motor 80 are provided as mechanical components, and a printer controller 120 and a motor driver 122 for controlling the print head 60 and the stepping motor 80 are provided as electrical components. The print head 60 is a thermal head in which 96 heating points are arranged in a vertical line at a pitch of 1/180 inch, and the temperature detection circuit 60A for detecting the outside air temperature and the voltage detection for detecting the supply voltage described above. The circuit 60B is incorporated. Stepping motor 80
Is a known configuration in which the rotation angle is controlled by appropriately controlling the phases of the four-phase drive signals. Stepping motor 8
The tape feed amount for one step of 0 is designed to be 1/360 inch by the configuration of the gear train that is the reduction mechanism. In addition, a two-step rotation signal is output to the stepping motor 80 in synchronization with the 1-dot printing executed by the print head 60. As a result, the printer unit 50B moves not only in the width direction of the tape but also in the length direction thereof. 180 dots /
Performs inch printing.

In addition to the above-described components, the tape writer 1 has a power source 114 incorporated therein, and the battery BT is provided by the RCC method using an IC and a transformer.
Obtained stable 5V power supply for backup and logic circuit. The port PV is applied to the CPU 110 for controlling its voltage.

The tape writer 1 of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, it has a margin function to secure a tape margin by a specified distance before and after the character string to be printed. This margin function includes a tape feed phase control signal for the front margin output before transmitting the 96-bit serial print data as described above, and a rear margin component output after transmitting all the serial print data. And the tape feed phase control signal. On the other hand, if the specified distance of such a margin is smaller than the distance between the printing position and the tape cutting position (less than 8 mm in this embodiment), the specified front margin cannot be realized. In this case, after the printing is completed, the tape T is sent out by the rear margin and the print head 6
This is handled by printing a line of cut mark PCM when 0 is at the tape position before the next print position by the designated front margin. If the ejected tape T is cut at the position of the cut mark PCM, it is possible to easily obtain a printing tape having a required front margin.

CPU 1 for controlling the peripheral circuits as described above
The internal ROM 10 stores various programs for executing the above-described operations. Also, its internal RA
Part of M is a system reserved area used when executing various programs stored in the internal ROM, and the other is a text area for editing characters and a file area for storing the contents of the text. It has been released as user use area.

The text area is assigned a region for accepting a fixed input of up to 125 characters, and stores style data and mode data for editing the character as well as the character code. Therefore, the stored contents are appropriately added or updated by the character input or the editing operation from the input unit.

The file area is 150 in the internal RAM.
0 character, 2000 in the optional RAM pack
The area where characters can be registered is allocated. Also, internal R
The file management program stored in the OM can store and manage 1 to 99 variable length files in this file area, and provides a basic operating environment such as file registration and call deletion.

Next, among the functions achieved by the control circuit section configured as described above, a particularly characteristic control of multi-line printing will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the tape writer 1 of this embodiment uses a mask R with four font data from 16 × 16 to 48 × 48 dots as a basic font.
The fonts prepared in the OM 118 and not having the same number of dots among the fonts can be enlarged up to 2 times in the vertical direction and up to 4 times in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the maximum font is 9
There are 6 × 192 dots, and there are 10 types of combinations of printable dots, as shown in FIG.
Therefore, when editing the print character string over multiple lines,
In addition to the normal character input operation to input the character string to be printed on each line, it is necessary to specify the print font of the character string to be printed on each line.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, instead of the designation of the character font, the relative size relation of the character strings to be printed on each line (for example, in the case of printing three lines, the first line is large and the second line is (Large and small on the third line) are input by operating the keys on the input unit. Further, in order to make this key operation simpler, options are prepared in advance as illustrated in the case of three-line printing in FIG. 19 (in this embodiment, the same x3, small / small
5) (large, small / large / large, large / small / small, large / large / small) are selected to replace the input. This is realized as a simple setting mode, and a mode for setting the number of dots for each row is also prepared. In this case, the total number of dots in the vertical direction in a plurality of lines must be set so as not to exceed 96.

After completing all the input, the input section 50C
When a key for instructing “print” is operated among the function keys of, the multi-line print processing program whose flowchart is shown in FIG. 20 is activated, and the CPU 110 performs the following processing. When the processing of the multi-line print processing program is started, the CPU 110 first reads the size relationship of the character strings in each row selected prior to this print command and the detection signal of the cartridge discrimination switch 102 (step 10).
0, 110), and check the information related to printing. And
The width of the currently loaded tape T is determined from the detection result of the cartridge determination switch 102, and the character of each line is referred to by referring to the font map stored in advance in the internal ROM based on the determination result and the size relation of each line character string. The font is determined (step 120).

As an example of this font map, a font map used for printing three lines is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the font map is created so that the print font used to print each line is uniquely determined when the size relationship of each line character string and the tape width are determined. Is 12 mm and the size relation of the character strings in each line is "small and large", the print font used to print each line is font S character on the first line, font P character on the second line, font P character on the third line. Is decided.
It should be noted that the same determination is made when the number of print lines is two, but the description is omitted here.

When the print font to be used for printing each line is determined in this way, the print fonts corresponding to the character codes of the character string to be printed are sequentially read from the mask ROM 118 (step 130), and the dot pattern to be printed is created. Unfold (step 140) and set the dot pattern vertically 1.
The print control (step 150) is executed to cut out each column to create 96-bit serial data and transfer it to the printer unit as described above.

According to the tape cartridge 10 configured as described above, the width of the tape T supplied by the tape cartridge is set to the three detector holders 18Ka and 18K provided on the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10.
This can be represented by the arrangement of the magnets housed in b and 18 Kc. Further, according to the tape writer 1 of the present embodiment, the tape width in the mounted tape cartridge 10 is automatically recognized by the 3-bit information obtained from the discrimination switch 102, and necessary processing is performed. You can

Therefore, when the printing is executed, it is possible to automatically calculate and automatically set the modification contents of the character string to be selected, such as the number of character fonts, which are suitable for the tape width to be printed. . For example, the user simply edits the character string to be printed and then executes the printing process, and the tape writer 1 detects the currently printable tape width, and the tape T of any width can be detected by the automatic setting function. Also, it is possible to execute printing with a large character font having a predetermined width for the upper and lower margins.

As described above, according to the tape cartridge 10 and the tape writer 1 of this embodiment, the user himself / herself is complicated with respect to a plurality of types of tapes.
It is not necessary to manage the above, and there is no need to specify a complicated character decoration to the tape writer 1 at the time of printing, and it is possible to obtain a printing tape in which the optimum character decoration is made for the tape width.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Second
The tape cartridge and tape writer of the embodiment have almost the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, but are different in the following points.

(1) The tape cartridge 10 is provided with a one-chip microprocessor 200. The 1-chip microprocessor 200 has a ROM,
In addition to a RAM, a communication control unit (SIO), etc., an electrically erasable programmable ROM (hereinafter referred to as an EEPROM) is provided. (2) The tape cartridge 10 includes a detector holder 18
Instead of K, four contacts 218a, b, c, d are provided, and each contact 218 is connected to the serial communication terminals S1 and S2 of the 1-chip microprocessor 200, the ground terminal GND, and the power supply terminal Vcc. It is connected. (3) The tape writer 1 has a contact pin 202 that can be housed in the axial direction instead of the cartridge determination switch 102.
A, B, C, D are provided, and each contact pin 202
Are connected to the serial communication ports S1 and S2 of the CPU 110, the ground line, and the power supply unit 114, respectively.

Therefore, when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, the contact pins 202A to 202D of the tape writer 1 come into contact with the contacts 218a to 218d of the tape cartridge 10,
The one-chip microprocessor 200 receives power supply from the power supply unit 114 and executes a program prepared in the ROM in advance. Also, the CPU 11 on the tape writer 1 side
0 and the 1-chip microprocessor 200 of the tape cartridge 10 are connected so that serial communication is possible.

The CPU 110 of the tape writer 1 uses a timer interrupt generated at a predetermined interval by an internal timer,
The communication processing routine shown in FIG. 22 is executed. When this processing routine is started, first, the tape cartridge 1
It is determined whether or not there is a response from the chip microprocessor 200 (step S220). If there is no response, it is considered that either the tape cartridge 10 is not mounted in the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A or the mounting state is defective, and therefore the flag F indicating the occurrence of a defect is present.
te is set to a value of 1 (step S230), the process directly goes to "NEXT" and this processing routine ends.

On the other hand, the one-chip microprocessor 200
If a response from is obtained (step S220), then 1
A process of reading the set value of the password PW set in the chip microprocessor 200 is performed (step S2).
40). The password is input by the CPU 110 on the tape writer 1 side in the input unit 50 in another processing routine (not shown).
It is an alphanumeric character of about 4 digits set by transmitting the data input from C to the 1-chip microprocessor 200. When the reading process from the CPU 110 is performed,
The 1-chip microprocessor 200 transmits designated data by serial communication. If no password is set, empty data will be sent.

Subsequently, the one-chip microprocessor 200 of the tape cartridge 10 performs a process of reading the data of the width L of the tape T stored in advance (step S).
250). Here, the data of the width L of the tape T is read directly instead of the information of the type of the tape cartridge 10 because the tape writer 1 corresponding to the initially created type of the tape cartridge 10 has a new width later. This is because even if the tape cartridge 10 incorporating the tape T is manufactured, it can be handled.

Next, the one-chip microprocessor 200
The data of the remaining tape amount Q is read from (step S260). The tape remaining amount Q is the length of the tape T remaining in the tape cartridge 10, and is a value updated by the tape writer 1 by the post-printing process described later. After the above processing, the process exits to "NEXT" and the present routine ends.

Next, a print preprocessing routine executed by the CPU 110 of the tape writer 1 will be described. This processing routine is a routine that is executed immediately before the tape writer 1 executes the printing process. First, the contents of the password PW are checked to determine whether or not the password has been set (step S300). . The password PW is set when the tape cartridge 10 is loaded.
From the tape cartridge 10 side, step S240 (see FIG.
It is the data read in 2), and if it is not empty data, it is determined that the password has been set, and then the process of requesting the user to input the password is performed (step S310). This request is issued by the display unit 50.
The user is notified by displaying "password?" On D.

In response to this request, the user inputs the input section 50.
From C, enter the password that the user has set for the tape cartridge 10 in advance. Therefore, it is determined whether or not they match (step S320). If they match, it is determined that the tape cartridge 10 can be used by the user, and then the value of the flag Fte is checked. (Step S330). This flag Fte is
The value is set to 1 when the tape cartridge 10 is not mounted or the remaining tape amount Q becomes 0. Therefore, if the value is not 1, it is determined that the tape cartridge 10 is properly mounted and the remaining tape amount is
The printing process such as the multi-line printing process routine described above with reference to FIG. 20 is performed.

On the other hand, if the passwords PW do not match (step S320) or the flag Fte has a value of 1 (step S330), the tape cartridge 10 for the user is used.
If there is a problem such as the cartridge being dislodged, the process proceeds to a predetermined error process such as outputting an error message such as "cartridge replacement" (step S330). When the tape cartridge 10 is replaced, the communication processing routine shown in FIG. 22 is executed again.

Next, the processing executed after the printing processing is completed will be described. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, after the printing process, first, a process of calculating the length G of the tape used in the printing process (tape usage amount) is performed (step S400). The usage amount G of the tape T can be easily obtained by counting the number of steps sent to the stepping motor 80 that conveys the tape T.

Next, a process of subtracting the current tape usage amount G from the tape remaining amount Q is performed (step S410),
A process of transmitting the updated remaining tape amount Q to the one-chip microprocessor 200 of the tape cartridge 10 is performed (step S420). Since it is not known at which timing the tape cartridge 10 will be removed, the current remaining tape amount is written back to the tape cartridge 10 side at the time when the printing process ends.

Then, the remaining tape amount Q after the update is almost zero.
Is determined (step S430), and if it is determined that the remaining amount is sufficient, this routine is terminated without performing anything. On the other hand, if the tape remaining amount is almost 0, the flag Fte is set to the value 1 (step S44).
0), this routine ends.

According to the second embodiment described above, information about the tape cartridge 10 is stored in the tape cartridge 1.
0 built in the 1-chip microprocessor 200
The data can be stored in the EPROM, which can be read by the tape writer 1 side at any time, and the information can be updated if necessary. Therefore, not only is information fixed to the tape cartridge 10 such as the tape width,
For example, it is possible to retain information that needs to be rewritten, such as passwords and remaining tapes. In addition to processing such as font expansion according to tape width, user discrimination and remaining tape remaining Error handling is possible.

The tape cartridge and the tape writer according to the present invention are not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and can be embodied in various modes. For example, the information can be stored in a magnetic tape attached to the tape cartridge 10. Similar to the second embodiment in which the information is managed by using the 1-chip microprocessor 200, it is possible to store and manage the complicated information such as the tape width, the color, the background pattern and the material as the information of the tape T. It is also possible to update the information as appropriate. As an example of updating this kind of information, since the tape length required for printing can be calculated before printing, the required tape length is compared with the tape remaining amount G, and the tape remaining amount is unprintable. If sufficient, there is a process such as issuing a warning, reducing and printing, or controlling the character pitch of the character string to be printed according to the remaining amount of tape.

Further, the contents of modification of the character string executed according to the recognition result of the characteristic portion reading means include the number of points of the character string to be printed on the tape, the layout of the character string to be printed on the tape, and the motor for pulling out the tape. The torque and the like are selectively set as appropriate. For example, when the feature width reading unit recognizes that the tape width is large, not only the number of character fonts is appropriately selected as in the above embodiment, but the output torque to the stepping motor is controlled to a large target value,
You may combine and perform the process etc. which secure the torque required for maintenance of a wide tape.

[0086]

As described above with reference to the embodiments, according to the tape cartridge of the present invention, the information about the amount of the tape to be printed and the information on the tape width are held as electrical or magnetic information. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it can be distinguished electrically or magnetically even if it cannot be distinguished from the outside. There are cases where it is useful to make no distinction from appearance.
Further, since the information is held electrically or magnetically, this information can be updated, and the information that the tape cartridge should store can be managed.

On the other hand, a tape writer that detachably mounts this tape cartridge and prints a predetermined character string on the tape, according to the information held in the tape cartridge, has the number of points and the layout of the character string to be printed on the tape. , Or at least one of the tape feeding forces is determined and printing is performed. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that printing suitable for the mounted tape cartridge can be performed .

Therefore, the complexity of managing a plurality of types of tapes is eliminated, and the complicated designation that must be performed prior to printing can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to easily obtain a tape on which desired printing is performed without complicated operations and troubles of management, and it is possible to eliminate waste of tape due to printing failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a tape cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view which shows the assembly structure of.

FIG. 2 is a left end view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an end view showing an internal configuration of a tape cartridge having a tape width of 6 mm among five types of tape cartridges.

FIG. 4 is likewise an end view showing the internal structure of a tape having a width of 24 mm.

FIG. 5 shows the tape T stored in the tape cartridge 10.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the width | variety and the presence or absence of the magnet in three detector holders 18K.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a tape writer 1 which is an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the same tape writer 1.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the tape writer 1 of the same.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the tape writer 1 as well.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tape writer 1 taken along the line AA-AA of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the tape writer 1 taken along the line BB.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a cartridge mounting portion 50A.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration centered on a CPU 110.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a key layout of the input section 50C.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a display section 50D.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a layout display performed on the display section 50D.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing state on a margin.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of print fonts prepared in the mask ROM 118.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a font map used when printing three lines.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a multi-line print processing program.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a communication processing routine in the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a print pre-processing routine of the same.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a processing routine which is also executed after the printing processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape writer 10 ... Tape cartridge 10A ... Tape discharge port 12 ... Platen 12A, 24B ... Engaging strip 14 ... Platen rubber 16 ... Top wall 16A ... Fitting holes 16B, 18B ... Guide protrusion 16C ... Guide protrusion 16G ... Fitting Fitting hole 18 ... Bottom wall 18C ... Fitting holes 18D, 18H ... Engaging piece 18D ... Engaging piece 18E ... Proximal end portions 18F, 18I ... Guide hole 18G ... Fitting hole 18H ... Engaging piece 18K ... Detection Child holder 18Ka, 18Kb, 18Kc ... Detector holder 20 ... Tape core 20A ... Flange portion 22 ... Ink ribbon core 22A, 24A ... Engaging portion 24 ... Ribbon winding core 24B ... Engaging strip 24C ... Flange portion 26 ... Tape guide pin 30 ... Ribbon guide roller 32 ... Entry hole 34 ... Guide wall 50A ... Tape cartridge mounting section 50B ... Printer section 50C ... Input section 50D ... Table Part 50Da ... Main display part 50Db ... Indicator part 50E ... Expansion part 50Ea ... External input / output connector 50F ... Control circuit part 50H ... Main body case 50I ... Battery storage part 50J ... Power switch 50K ... Main body cover 52 ... Slide button 54 ... Cover hinge 55 ... Open / close detection switch 56 ... Slide member 56A ... Notch 60 ... Print head 60A ... Temperature detection circuit 60B ... Voltage detection circuit 62 ... Link plate 64 ... Head rotation shaft 66 ... Coil springs 70A, 70B ... Contact projection 70A ... Contact Contact protrusion 72 ... Platen drive shafts 72A, 74A ... Ridge 74 ... Winding core drive shaft 76 ... Ribbon core shaft 78 ... Tape core shaft 80 ... Stepping motor 80A ... Rotation shaft 90 ... Tape cutter 90A ... Left end 90B ... Right end 92 ... Cutter support shaft 94 ... Spring 96 ... Cutter button 98 ... Moving blade 100 Fixed blade 102 ... Cartridge discrimination switch 102A, 102B, 102C ... Cartridge discrimination switch 110 ... CPU 112 ... Head rank discrimination section 112A, 112B, 112C ... Jumper section 114 ... Power supply section 116 ... Display section control circuit 116A ... LCD controller 118 ... Mask ROM 120 ... Printer controller 122 ... Motor driver 202 ... Contact pin 218 ... Contact

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A 2-153769 (JP, A) JP-A 58-132758 (JP, A) JP-A 4-67054 (JP, A) JP-A 63-255723 (JP , A) JP 3-220572 (JP, A) JP 1-225971 (JP, A) JP 4-140150 (JP, A) JP 2-24178 (JP, A) JP 4-246583 (JP, A) JP-A 2-200474 (JP, A) JP-A 6-127094 (JP, A) JP-A 3-166977 (JP, A) JP-A 5-38700 (JP, A) A) JP 6-8194 (JP, A) JP 5-294043 (JP, A) JP 6-122239 (JP, A) JP 6-115222 (JP, A) Actual flat 3 -72461 (JP, U) Actual opening 1-153958 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 61-146205 (JP, U) Actual opening 2-71664 (JP, U) Special table flat 4-500482 (JP, A) ) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 32/00-32/02 B41J 35/00-35/38 B41J 17/00-17/42 B41J 29/00-29/70

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A predetermined tape is stored so that it can be pulled out.
Is, information about the amount of 該収 paid tape, in which can be read and updated by the tape printing device format, a tape cartridge with a feature for retaining the electrical information
Removably attached and prints the tape and ink ribbon
Hold the tape between the head and the platen,
In a tape writer that prints a character string , the electrical recording is performed from an input unit that inputs a character string to be printed and a characteristic portion of the tape cartridge.
Feature reading that reads information about the amount of tape stored
Means and the tape read according to the reading result of the characteristic part reading means.
The number of points of the character string to be written
A printing means for determining and printing at least one of them
A equipped tape writer . 2. The tape writer according to claim 1, wherein the information on the amount of the tape held by the characteristic portion is information on the remaining tape amount. 3. The tape writer according to claim 1 or 2.
The feature reading means is related to the amount of the tape.
As the information to be read,
The read tape remaining amount is more than the tape amount required for printing.
Is provided with a judgment means for judging whether or not the remaining amount of tape is printed by the judgment means.
If it is determined that the amount of tape is less than the required amount,
Reduce the number of points of the character string to be printed on the tape and print it.
A tape writer that is a means to 4. The tape writer according to claim 1 , wherein the characteristic part reading unit is a unit that reads information on a remaining tape amount as information about the amount of the tape, and the read tape. The determining means determines whether or not the remaining amount is less than the amount of tape required for printing, and the determining means determines that the remaining amount of tape is less than the amount of tape required for printing. In this case, a tape writer which is a means for printing by narrowing the inter-character pitch of the character string to be printed on the tape. 5. A predetermined tape is stored so that it can be pulled out.
And a tape writer for printing a predetermined character string on the tape
In the tape cartridge that is detachably attached to the tape cartridge, the information about the tape width is read by the tape writer.
When read, the tape writer has a conveyance force according to the tape width.
Electrical or magnetic information, as determined by
Tape having a characteristic portion for holding as
cartridge. 6. The tape cartridge according to claim 5,
It is detachably attached and the specified character string is printed on the tape.
In the tape writer, from the characteristic part of the tape cartridge,
Read information about tapes stored magnetically or magnetically
Characteristic portion reading means and carrying of the tape according to the reading result of the characteristic portion reading means.
It is characterized by having a printing means for determining the feeding force and printing.
And a tape writer.