JP3539007B2 - Tape-shaped label making device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, and more particularly to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus in which a text display start position is moved when a character or a symbol to be printed is set for each printing color. About what you did.

[0002]

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

[0003] By the way, tape-shaped labels created by printing characters are not limited to the spine of a file.
It is also suitable for affixing to a cassette tape or its cassette tape case, and further to a video tape or its video tape case. In addition, it is conceivable to print a print character string colorfully for each recorded content or genre. Therefore,
The inventors of the present application set the ribbon color of the ink ribbon to "black".
In addition, prepare multiple types of ribbon cassettes with multiple colors such as "red", "green", "blue", etc. separately from the tape cassette, and attach these ribbon cassettes to the tape cassette. In addition to being configured to be detachable, the printing colors to be provided for multi-color printing are sequentially set in the printing order, while the input text is set in a printing target range for each of the printing colors to be printed in the set plurality of colors. By performing the color-specific range setting process, by sequentially replacing the ribbon cassette having the same ribbon color as the set print color,
The idea was to print the entered text colorfully in multiple colors.

[0004]

By the way, when setting the color of each character for printing in a plurality of colors, when the color of one character is specified and the color of the next character is specified, the right scroll key is used. You must perform a press operation. It is good to specify the color of a small number of characters, but when the number of characters increases, this operation is complicated and troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of setting colors by a simple operation when performing multi-color printing. is there.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands, and input means for inputting characters and symbols. A tape including data storage means for storing text including symbols, display means having a display, and printing means for sequentially printing a plurality of printing colors including a printing head for printing on a tape as a printing object; Printing color for setting the number of printing colors
Number setting means and last for input text data
A first print color setting means for setting each print color other than the print color to be set, a cursor movably displayed on a display, and a cursor position after one print color is set by the setting means. Scrolling means for moving the text toward the end of the text;
Remaining data other than the data set by the print color setting means
The second print color that automatically sets the last print color for
And setting means .

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus thus constructed, the text data inputted by the input means is stored in the data storage means, while the number of print colors is set by the print color number setting means. Each printing color other than the printing color set last is set by the first printing color setting means. Then, after one printing color is set, the scrolling means moves the cursor toward the end of the text and indicates the content of the next text. In addition, the second mark
The printing color by the first printing color setting means by the character color setting means
Last data for the remaining data other than the data set
Set the print color.

That is, when performing multi-color printing using a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors, the text scrolls for each color setting, so that it is possible to speed up the work of setting characters and symbols to be printed in the printing color.

Further, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect has the same configuration as the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, but the display can display only one line, and the scroll means is provided with a cursor. Is fixedly displayed at a predetermined position on the display, and the display start position of the text is moved toward the end of the text.

[0010] In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus configured as described above, after one print color is set by the print color setting means, the display start position of the text is moved toward the end of the text by the scroll means. .

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the third aspect has the same configuration as that of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect, but the printing means accommodates ink ribbons of different printing colors, respectively. And a plurality of detachable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing the print colors.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus thus constructed, when the printing means prints the text whose printing color has been set by the printing color setting means, the printing is performed by appropriately replacing the ribbon cassette while attaching and detaching the ribbon cassette. I do.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of multicolor printing is provided by replacing a large number of characters such as characters and symbols with a printing tape as a printing medium and a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors. This is when the invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 4 provided with various function keys in addition to character keys such as letters, symbols, and numerals is provided at a front portion of a main body cover 2 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1. A liquid crystal display 5 capable of displaying input characters and symbols is provided immediately behind the keyboard 4, and a main body cover 2 corresponding to the cassette cover 3 which is opened and closed when the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced. Is provided with a thermal printing mechanism 10 having a thermal head 12. Here, the cassette cover 3 can be opened by sliding the slide knob 6, and the printed printing tape 22 can be manually cut by pressing the cutting knob 85 downward.

Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a tape cassette 20 detachably mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on FIG.

The tape case 2 of the tape cassette 20
1 has a printing tape 22 made of a thin film.
Is provided rotatably, and the print tape 22 fed from the tape spool 23 is guided in a curved shape by a plurality of guide portions, passes immediately before the thermal head 12, and Tape feed roller 2
4 to the tape cassette 2
0 is discharged to the outside.

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

Next, the ribbon cassette 30 detachably mounted on the tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The ribbon case 31 of the ribbon cassette 30 has an upper wall portion 31a which is in contact with a part of the tape case 21 from above and extends horizontally, and is integrally formed.
a pair of guide shafts 21 of the tape case 21
A pair of engaging legs 31b and 31c having through holes, which are fitted to the outsides a and 21b, are formed, and a vertical wall portion 31d that contacts the notch 21e of the tape case 21 is formed. Further, the ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head accommodating portion 37 for accommodating the thermal head 12 inserted from below through the tape cassette 20.

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

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

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

Next, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32
With reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of the tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 40 that can transfer the print direction and the rewind direction as the printing direction.

The main body frame 11 includes a tape spool 2
3, a tape take-up cam 41 engageable with the center of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and a tape drive cam engageable with the center of the tape feed roller 24. 43 are rotatably supported, the thermal head 12 is erected, and the detection hole group 3 is
6 to detect the presence or absence of the six detection holes 36a.
Ribbon detection switch group 103 including sixth detection switch
Are provided, and a ribbon detection signal RS based on a combination of switch signals from these six detection switches is output.

Further, a tape driving motor 4 composed of a stepping motor is provided at the right end of the front end of the main body frame 11.
4 are attached, and gears 46 to 53 rotatably supported by the main body frame 11 are sequentially meshed with a driving gear 45 of the tape driving motor 44, and the tape fixed to the tape driving cam 43 is engaged with the gear 53. The drive gear 54 and the gear 55 are engaged. Here, the gear 48 and the gear 4
9 is formed integrally and fixed to the lower end of the ribbon winding cam 42, the gear 50 and the gear 51 are formed integrally, and the tape winding gear 52 is formed at the lower end of the tape winding cam 41. It is fixed to the part. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via these gears 45 to 54, and the print tape 22 is transferred by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.

On the other hand, in the gap between the two gears 50 and 51 integrally formed, the base end of the swing lever 56 is connected to the two gears 50 and 51.
It is supported in a state where moderate frictional resistance has been given between
A planet gear 57 that always meshes with the gear 51 is rotatably supported by the swing lever 56. Also, the gear 53
The pivot spring shaft 59 has a base end portion of the cutting prohibition lever 84, so that the pivot shaft 58 is sandwiched between one end and a base end of the winding spring 59 supported by the cutting prohibition lever 84. Is pressed and supported by the urging force.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven clockwise for normal printing (positive rotation drive) and the gear 50 rotates clockwise, The rocking lever 56 also rotates clockwise due to frictional force, so that the planetary gear 57 does not mesh with the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41
Is released, the print tape 22 wound on the tape spool 23 is fed out, and at the same time, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the cutting prohibition lever 84 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is located below the cutting lever 82, which will be described later, so that the cutting operation is prohibited and the ribbon take-up cam 42 is rotated by the rotation of the ribbon driving gear 45 in the counterclockwise direction. The ink ribbon 32 rotates in the counterclockwise direction via the clutch spring 60, and the ink ribbon 32 is wound on the ribbon winding spool 34.

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

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

Next, a head release mechanism 70 for driving the release lever 71 to the right in conjunction with the opening of the cassette cover 3 to switch the roller holder 67 to the release position with respect to the thermal head 12 and release it.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13.

The rear end of the cassette cover 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 13, a pivot pin 7 attached to the main body cover 2 is supported to be openable and closable at a plurality of positions, and a curved groove cam 3b is formed on a right side wall 3a of the cassette cover 3. . An engaging pin 75 that engages with the groove cam 3b is fixed to the rear end of the operation plate 74 disposed below the right end of the main body frame 11. By the way, the right end of the release lever 71 is rotatably supported by one lever of a forked lever 76 pivotally connected to the main body frame 11, and the other of the forked lever 76 has: It is connected via a pin 77 fixed to the front end of the operation plate 74.

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

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when printing is performed, first, the tape cassette 20 is mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10, and then the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted on the tape cassette 20. When the cassette cover 3 is closed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position.

In this state, the tape drive motor 4
4 is driven in the normal printing direction, the gears 45 to 55 are driven in a predetermined rotation direction, and the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction, respectively. Since the feed sub-roller 66 and the tape feed roller 24 rotate synchronously, the print tape 22 passes through the tape cutting mechanism 80 and the tape detection mechanism 90 and is discharged to the outside while being printed by the thermal head 12. At this time, since the tape take-up cam 41 becomes free, the tape spool 23
Are sequentially fed out without resistance.

At the same time, the ink ribbon 32 is fed out of the ribbon spool 33 in synchronization with the print tape 22 by the rotation of the platen roller 65, and the ribbon winding gear 4
By the rotation of 8, the ribbon take-up cam 42 is rotated, and is taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 34 which rotates while engaging with the ribbon take-up cam 42.

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

Next, a tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printed print tape 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on.

A lower end portion of a fixed blade 81 is fixed to a left end wall 11b of which the left end portion of the main body frame 11 is partially bent downward, and a base end portion of a substantially L-shaped cutting lever 82 in a side view is formed. It is pivotally supported by a screw 83 and its cutting lever 8
2 has a movable blade 82a formed thereon. Here, during printing, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 moves below the cutting lever 82, so that the cutting operation is started. prohibited.

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

Next, a tape detecting mechanism 90 provided outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to detect the presence or absence of the print tape 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

Guide members 94 and 95 are formed integrally with the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to form a pair of sensor housing chambers 96 and 97 in a sealed state. A light emitting element 92 is mounted in the chamber 96, and a light receiving element 93 is mounted in the other sensor housing chamber 97. A slit 98 through which the print tape 22 can pass is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95, and a small-diameter light passage hole is formed in the opposing portions of the pair of guide members 94 and 95. 94a and 95a are formed, and inclined guide portions 99 are formed, respectively, and the leading end of the print tape 22 that has passed through the tape cutting mechanism 80 is guided by the guide portions 99, so that the print tape 22 passes through the slit 98 reliably. And can be detected.

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

Next, the control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

Input / output interface 1 of control device CD
13, a keyboard 4, a tape detection sensor 91,
Disconnection detection switch 101 and cover open / close detection switch 1
02, a ribbon detection switch group 103, and a video R for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5.
Display controller (LCDC) 1 having AM
04, a drive circuit 106 for a warning buzzer 105,
A drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12,
A drive circuit 108 for the tape drive motor 44 is connected to each. The display controller 104
Displays the cursor K at the least significant digit of the liquid crystal display 5 and displays the characters stored in the text memory 121 so that the character indicated by the cursor pointer KP described later is displayed on the cursor K. I do.

The control device CD includes a CPU 110 and this C
An input / output interface 113 connected to the PU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus;
M111, ROM112 and RAM120.

The font ROM 111 stores display dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters such as characters and symbols, and print dot pattern data for a plurality of print character sizes.

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

The text memory 121 of the RAM 120
Stores text data composed of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 in association with the set print color data. The color number memory 122 stores color number data of the set print color. Printing color order memory 1
23 stores data of the color order of the set print colors. The margin amount memory 124 stores margin amount data relating to the same set front margin amount and rear margin amount.
The print data buffer 125 has the text memory 1
The dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in 21 is expanded and stored. The cursor pointer KP indicates a character displayed on the cursor K in the text memory 121, and the cursor pointer buffer 126 stores an address on the text memory 121 indicated by the cursor pointer KP. Further, the RAM 120 is provided with a memory for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110.

Next, a multi-color printing control routine performed by the control device CD of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, reference symbol Si (i = 10, 11, 12,...)
Is each step.

Here, prior to the multicolor printing control, FIG.
The positional relationship among the tape detection position by the tape detection sensor 91, the tape cutting position by the tape cutting mechanism 80, and the printing position by the thermal head 12 will be described based on the following. The printing position (P position), the tape cutting position (C position), and the tape detection position (S position) are in this order from the upstream side of
Distance Dcp between printing and cutting between printing position and tape cutting position
Is about 25 mm, and the distance Dsc between cutting and detection between the tape cutting position and the tape detection position is about 15 mm. Further, the separation position (position B) of the separation member 35 by the separation portion 35a.
Is located about 6 mm downstream from the printing position in the feed direction T.

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

Next, a printing color sequence setting process is executed (S12).

When this control is started, a message "What is the number of print colors?" Is displayed on the display 5. A number-of-colors setting process for setting the number of colors N by operating the numeric keys is executed. The obtained number of colors N is stored in the number-of-colors memory 122.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, a printing target range setting process control for each color (see FIG. 18) is executed (S).
13).

When this control is started, the count value I of the color number counter is set to "1" (S33). When the color number count value I does not match the color number N, that is, the final print color When the target character string is not set (S34:
No), a print target character string setting process is executed in which each of the I-th print target characters and symbols is designated by the cursor K and set (S35).

Referring to FIG. 20, in this print target character string setting process, text data is displayed on the display 5, so that four scroll keys arranged on the right end of the keyboard 4 are operated ( S303:
Yes), for each print color other than the final print color, each character or symbol to be printed is indicated by operating the scroll key with the cursor K (S304), and the color confirmation key is operated each time (S305). : Yes), the text display start position TP is incremented (S306), and the character indicated by the updated cursor pointer KP is changed to the cursor K.
The text is displayed so as to be positioned above (S307).
At that time, a mark for identifying the designated print color is displayed instead of the designated character.

A specific example of the print target character string setting process will be described with reference to FIG. 30, for example. FIG. 30 shows a display example in which the cursor K is fixed to the third digit on a display of three digits and one line. In FIG. 30A, the cursor pointer KP indicates the character “A” in the text memory 121. When the color confirmation key is pressed in this state, the character “A” becomes 1
The color is determined by ink, and the cursor pointer KP is incremented. Therefore, since the cursor pointer KP indicates the character "?", The text display is started so that the character "?" Is displayed on the cursor K as shown in FIG. At the position where "A" is displayed, a mark for identifying that one ink has been designated instead of the character "A" is displayed.

At the end of the setting of the character string to be printed,
When the enter key is operated (S301: Yes), the set order data is stored in the text memory 121 along with the character data of the character designated by the operation of the scroll key and the color enter key. Is stored (S
302).

Then, the color number count value I is incremented by one (S36), and S34 to S36 are repeatedly executed until the count value I matches the color number N. When the setting of the character string to be printed is completed for each of the printing colors other than the final printing color (S34: Yes), the remaining printing colors of the text data excluding the already set characters and symbols are removed. Is set (S37).

The character string setting process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 19. First, character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the head (S371).
), It is determined whether or not sequence data is attached (S372). If the read character data is accompanied by order data (S372: Yes), and if the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374), and the above-mentioned S372 is performed. Is executed again. On the other hand, if the read character data is not accompanied by the sequence data (S372: No), the sequence data corresponding to the final print color is stored with the character data (S375). The process of S373 is executed. The above processes are repeatedly executed up to the last character data stored in the text memory 121, and if it is determined in S373 that the data is the last character data (S373:
Yes), returning to S38 of FIG.

For example, if character data “Aka Midori Kuro” is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors is set to 3, in the print target character string setting process in S35, first, the scroll key is set for the first color. The character string "Aka" is set by operating the and color determination keys, and as shown in FIG.
Are stored in association with each of the character data, and when the character string "green" is set for the second color, the character data "mi", "do" and "ri" are stored in the text memory 121. The sequence data “01” is stored in association therewith.

Here, when the setting of the second color is completed, the color count value I becomes "3". In the character string setting process of S37, character data is sequentially read from the head of the text memory 121, and The final third color is automatically set for the character string "kuro" for which the print color of the text data has not been set, and the character data "ku""ro" in the text memory 121 is set.
Is stored with the order data "02".

Next, a message "What is the margin of the print tape?" Is displayed on the display 5. When the desired margin is set by operating the numeric keys, the set margin is changed to the margin. The control is stored in the memory 124 (S38), the control is terminated, and the process returns to S14 of the multi-color printing control.

In the multicolor printing control, when the print key is operated (S15: Yes), the printing start processing control (see FIG. 21) is executed (S16).

When this control is started, first, "00" is set as the top print color C (S42), a message for mounting the first color ribbon cassette 30 is displayed (S43), and the return key is pressed. Is operated (S4
4: Yes), the character string with the data of the first print color C is read out from the text memory 121, and the dot pattern data of the character string is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S45). Next, the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, and the tape detection signal TS is at “L” level.
When the print tape 22 is positioned corresponding to 1 (S46: Yes), a message prompting the cutting of the print tape is displayed on the display 5 (S47).

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

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

Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the number of colors N is not "1", that is, when the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), the set color printing process control for printing in each set printing color (FIG. 22) (S18).

When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), first, the tape drive motor 44 is moved forward to transfer the print tape 22 by the front margin L corresponding to the set margin L. It is driven to rotate (S60). Next, when the print start position of the character to be printed in the current print color is located on the upstream side in the feed direction T from the print start reference origin position of the label print, for example, as shown in FIG. In the case where the idle feed amount exists (S61: Yes), as in the case where the character "green" is printed in the printing color "green", the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward and the print tape 22 is printed.
Is transported by the idle feed amount in the feed direction T (S62).
However, when there is no idle feed amount (S6: No),
It skips S62 and moves to S63. Then, the dot pattern data developed in the print data buffer 125 is read, and a printing process for printing by driving the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 is executed (S6).
3) After ending this control, the process returns to S19 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, a print tape rewinding process control (see FIG. 23) is executed (S1).
9).

When this control is started, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward to rotate the printing tape by the separation feed amount Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp between the printing position (P position) and the separation position (B position). The ink ribbon 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred in the feed direction T (S70). That is, at the final printing position where the printing is performed by the thermal head 12, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused to the printing tape 22, and the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred by the separation feed amount Dbp. By doing, ink ribbon 3
2 is forcibly separated from the printing tape 22 by the separating portion 35a, so that the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are surely separated.

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

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

Next, in the multi-color printing control, a printing start position alignment control (see FIG. 24) is executed (S20).

When this control is started, first, an error message prompting the user to mount the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of the same color as the next print color is displayed on the display 5 (S80). Then, the ribbon detection signal R
As S, all of the six switch signals are not "H" level signals, and the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted (S81: Yes).
), When the return key is operated (S82: Ye
s), the print color C is incremented by one (S83: Ye
s) A character string which is stored with the data of the next print color C is read out from the text memory 121, and the dot pattern data of the character string is further stored in the print data buffer 125.
(S85).

Next, when the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: No), a message to close the cassette cover 3 is displayed on the display 5 (S89). When the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Ye
s) Until the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward by one step (S87 / S88: No), and the tape detection signal T
When S becomes “L” level and the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91, the print tape 22
Corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88: Yes), this control ends, and the process returns to the multicolor print control S21.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, when the number of colors N is 1
When the number of colors N is not "1" and is not the last printing (S17: No), S18 to S21 are repeatedly executed. Then, when the number of colors N becomes "1" and the last printing is performed (S17: Yes), the final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 25) is executed (S17).
twenty two).

In this control, the front margin L is
The first case where the inter-cut distance Dcp is larger than the distance Dcp, the first case where the front margin L is smaller than the inter-print / cut distance Dcp, the second case where there is no idling amount, and the case where there is an idling amount and the idling amount The tape cutting is performed while printing, distinguishing between the third case where the value obtained by adding the front margin L to the printing / cutting distance Dcp and the fourth case where the value is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. become.

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

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

Next, the second case will be described. When the front margin amount L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and there is no idle feed amount (S90 / S102: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward. By driving, the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the front margin amount L (S103). Then, from S104 onward, the printing tape 22 is cut during the final printing process.

That is, dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and subjected to printing processing (S104), and the normal rotation of the tape drive motor 44 by a minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row. The printing tape 22 is transferred by driving (S105). Next, the tape transport amount after the start of the final printing is determined by the printing / cutting distance D.
When it is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the front margin L from cp, that is, when the cutting position (P position) has not reached the head position of the front margin L (S106: No), S10493 to S106 are repeatedly executed. You.

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

Next, the front margin amount L is the printing / cutting distance Dc.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the idle feed amount is the third case that is equal to or longer than the print / cut distance Dcp (S90: No, S102 and S111:
Yes), the tape is cut after the tape is transported (S112 to S115) in the same manner as in S91 to S94, and the printing tape 22 is further reduced by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L + the idle feeding amount−the printing / cutting distance Dcp). Is transferred in the feed direction T (S116).
). Then, S98 and the subsequent steps are executed, the printing process is executed with the final color, the rear margin amount L is provided, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10.

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

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

Next, the operation of the multicolor printing control will be described.

After the text is input, the number of print colors N
A print color order setting process for setting the color order is executed.
Further, a process of setting a print target range for each print color for printing in a plurality of colors is executed. Then, when printing is started, a printing start process is executed and the ribbon detection switch group 1
The ribbon color R of the installed ribbon cassette 30 is detected based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the printer unit 03, and the ribbon color R is compared with the leading print color C. When an error message notifying the color mismatch is displayed on the display 5, the cassette cover 3 is opened and closed to replace the ribbon cassette 30.

Then, as a result of comparing the ribbon color R and the leading print color C, when these two colors match, a character string that is stored with the data of the print color C is read out from the text memory 121, and The print processing is performed by controlling the drive of the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44. Furthermore,
Each time printing is performed in each of the second and subsequent printing colors, a printing start alignment process is performed, and the ribbon color R of the installed ribbon cassette 30 is compared with the next printing color C, and these two colors do not match. At this time, an error message notifying that the printing colors do not match is displayed on the display 5. When the two colors match, the printing process is similarly performed on the character string accompanied by the printing color C data.

As described above, when the ribbon cassette 30 of the wrong ribbon color is attached to the preset printing color order, the printing is not performed in the wrong ribbon color, and the printing color to be printed next and the ribbon to be printed next are not printed. Only when the color matches, the characters and symbols in the printable range of the text set to be printed in that color are printed.Therefore, in multi-color printing, take preparatory work so that the printing color order is not mistaken. It is possible to reliably print each character or symbol of the input text in a preset printing color without any need.

The vertical wall portion 31 of the ribbon cassette 30
d, the detection hole group 36 provided at d is configured by combining a maximum of six detection holes 36a according to the ribbon color, and the ribbon of the installed ribbon cassette 30 is selected from a plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 having different ribbon colors. Since the color is detected by the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches provided on the cassette accommodating portion side of the label producing apparatus 1, the ribbon color of the attached ribbon cassette 30 can be reliably detected. Can be.

Further, since the printing color is set for each character or symbol of the text, the correspondence between each character or symbol of the text and the printing color is clarified, and the printing color in which each character or symbol of the text is set can be reliably used. Can be printed. In addition, when both the printing color to be printed next and the ribbon color do not match, an error message is displayed on the display 5, so that an error in the installed ribbon cassette 30 can be confirmed through the displayed error message. It can be easily recognized.

It should be noted that the color data may be set each time a character or symbol of the text data is input, or a character or a symbol to be printed of the input text data may be set by moving the cursor K. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, various changes may be made to the above-described embodiment based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art. . It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various tape-shaped label producing apparatuses for performing multicolor printing by sequentially replacing a plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 having different ribbon colors.

[0096]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the first aspect, after the printing color is set, the cursor moves to the end of the text, so that the next printing is performed. Settings can be made immediately for colors. The last print color is set automatically.
You. Therefore , the printing color can be easily set, and the work can be speeded up.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the first aspect is obtained, but since only the text is scrolled, the cursor is moved and the text is scrolled. Control of the display is easier than in the case of

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a printing target range setting process control routine for each color.

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling a remaining character string setting process for a final print color.

FIG. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling an I-th print target character string setting process.

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

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a set color print processing control routine.

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

FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of print start position adjustment processing control.

FIG. 25 is a schematic flowchart of a final color print processing / cut processing control routine;

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

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

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

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

FIG. 30 is a display example in which the cursor is fixed to the third digit in three digits and one line.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Tape-shaped label making device 4 Keyboard 5 Liquid crystal display 10 Thermal printing mechanism 12 Thermal head 20 tape cassette 22 Printing tape 30 ribbon cassette 32 ink ribbon 44 Tape drive motor 103 Ribbon detection switch group 110 CPU 112 ROM 120 RAM 121 Text memory 126 cursor pointer buffer CD controller K cursor KP cursor pointer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shoji Sakuragi 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-7-144437 (JP, A) JP-A-7 JP-A-85039 (JP, A) JP-A-60-111286 (JP, A) JP-A-62-173564 (JP, A) JP-A-6-171125 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. . ^7, DB name) B41J 3/36 B41J 2/325 B41J 5/30 B41J 35/22

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An input means for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, a data storage means for storing text consisting of the input characters and symbols, a display means having a display, and a printing object. In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus including a print head for printing on a tape and a printing means for printing a plurality of printing colors sequentially, a printing color number setting means for setting the number of printing colors, and Last print setting for text data
First printing color setting means for setting each printing color other than the color, a cursor movably displayed on the display, and, after one printing color is set in the printing color setting means, the cursor position is set to text. and a scroll means for moving toward the the end, set in the first print color setting means of said text
The last print color for the remaining data other than the
And a second printing color setting means for dynamically setting the printing color . 2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is capable of displaying only one line, and the scroll means fixes the cursor at a predetermined position on the display and moves the display start position of the text toward the end of the text. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit includes a plurality of detachable ribbon cassettes for accommodating ink ribbons of different printing colors and for sequentially printing a plurality of printing colors. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus described in the above.