JP3731749B2 - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tape printer for printing desired data or the like on a tape and a tape cartridge used in the tape printer, and more particularly to a technique for reliably and simply performing printing on a wide variety of tapes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tape printing apparatus that prints desired data on a sticky tape surface on which an adhesive has been applied in advance on the back surface is known. This type of tape printer can print titles and title names neatly on the surface of the tape on the spot, and can be easily pasted on the back cover of a document file or the back of a video tape. Widely used for both home and home use.
[0003]
Currently, multiple types of tape cartridges containing various types of tapes with different widths, colors, etc. are available on the market, and the main body of the tape printer can be multifunctional to select various printing styles. As a result, the range of use is expanding further.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, diversification of tape types and printing styles leads to complicated operation and control, resulting in a loss of the advantage of easily obtaining a printing tape. In other words, when a large number of points were printed despite the tape cartridge containing a narrow tape being installed in the tape printer, the normal font data was changed to another wide font. In some cases, printing may fail because the printing does not fit within the tape width or desired length.
[0005]
For this reason, the user must manage the tape cartridge according to the type of tape stored, and when performing printing, the user needs to change the font number of data to be printed according to the type of tape cartridge. It has become.
[0006]
The present invention solves such problems and does not require complicated management for a plurality of types of tapes, and is intended to improve usability for easily obtaining a desired printing tape, and has the following configuration.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
  The first tape printer of the present invention is
  A tape cartridge containing a printing tape is mounted, the print size and the number of lines of input data are set, the data is edited in various modes, and the data is printed on the tape in the edited mode. A tape printer,
  A first display unit for displaying the edited data as at least a plurality of lines as the edited data;
  A second display unit provided in a peripheral region of the first display unit and displaying a mode in which the input data is edited;
  Based on a predetermined operation, a print area on the tape is specified, and the data edited in the plurality of lines is stored in the specified print area so that the edited data is stored in the plurality of lines.PrintAutomatic setting means to set the size automatically,
  With
  The second display unit displays, as an aspect in which the input data is edited, information indicating that the print size of the data is automatically set by the automatic setting unit using an indicator. It is said.
[0009]
  The present inventionTeThe loop printing device
  A tape which is mounted with a tape cartridge containing a printing tape, sets the size and the number of lines of input data, edits the data in various modes, and prints the data on the tape in the edited mode A printing device,
  A first display unit for displaying the edited data as at least a plurality of lines as the edited data;
  A second display unit provided in a peripheral region of the first display unit and displaying a mode in which the input data is edited;
  Based on a predetermined operation, a print area on the tape is specified, and the size of the edited data in the plurality of lines is automatically set so that the edited data is stored in the plurality of lines in the specified print area. Automatic setting means to set and
  With
  The second display unit displays, as an aspect in which the input data is edited, information indicating that the data size is automatically set by the automatic setting unit using an indicator. And
  Also onOfIn the tape printer, it is possible to edit the input data so that the number of lines is larger than the maximum number of lines displayed on the first display unit, and the input data is edited on the second display unit. As an aspect, in addition to the information indicating that the data size is automatically set by the automatic setting means, a configuration for displaying information specifying the number of lines in which the input data is edited is adopted. May be.
[0010]
LongA tape printer that is mounted with a tape cartridge that stores a tape-like tape and performs printing on the tape in the tape cartridge,
  Tape information designating means for designating information relating to the tape stored in the tape cartridge, the information affecting the display mode including at least the size of the data to be printed;
  An input means for inputting data to be printed;
  Designating means for designating the print size of the data in each line as a relative magnitude relationship when the data to be printed input by the input means extends over a plurality of lines;
  When data to be printed over a plurality of lines is input by the input means, information on the tape specified by the tape information specifying means and the relative magnitude relationship specified by the specifying means are assigned to each line. A print size determining means for determining a printable size; and
  WithIt is good also as a structure.
  According to the tape printer configured as described above, information on the tape in the tape cartridge mounted on the apparatus is specified, and when data to be printed over a plurality of lines is input, the data of each line Specifies the print size of as a relative magnitude relationship. The size that can be printed on each line is determined from the information about the tape specified in this way and the relative size relationship. By adopting such a configuration, the print size of each line of data is determined in conformity with the information on the tape, so control of the print style such as complicated mode specification that had to be done prior to printing is also possible. It can be made unnecessary. As a result, a desired printed tape can be obtained without complicated operations and management, and waste of the tape due to printing failure can be eliminated.
[0011]
It is also preferable to designate information relating to the tape by recognizing a predetermined characteristic portion mechanically provided in advance in the tape cartridge. Here, the characteristic portion is not limited to the configuration as long as it can hold information in a form that can be mechanically read by the tape printer, and may be provided as an external shape or internal structure of the tape cartridge. A configuration including a discriminator that is good and mechanically readable can be considered. The information on the tape held in the characteristic part is one of various tape qualities such as the width, thickness, color, and ground pattern of the tape, or a combination thereof.With this configuration, information about the tape to be printed is recognized prior to printing, and the print size determination means of the tape printer automatically determines the data size that can be printed on each line that is appropriate for the tape. Can be executed automatically.
[0012]
The means for designating the printing size of each line of data is a means for previously storing a plurality of relative magnitude relationships of data printed on each line of a plurality of lines, and selecting one from the plurality. May be provided. With such a configuration, the user does not need to select the size of data for each line, so that it is possible to more easily control the print style such as mode designation.
[0013]
The data size that can be printed on each line can be determined so that the total size of the data printed on each line does not exceed the preset maximum value, or by taking into account the upper and lower margins on the tape. It is desirable in that it can reliably eliminate the waste of tape due to failure. The data size that can be printed on each line may include a vertical double and a horizontal double.
[0014]
The tape cartridge of the present invention to be mounted on such a tape printer is
In a tape cartridge that stores a predetermined tape so that it can be pulled out, and is detachably attached to a tape printer that prints data on the tape.
Information related to the tape, which is related to the size of the data used in each line when data over a plurality of lines is printed, is retained in a format that can be mechanically read by the tape writer. Features
It is provided with.
[0015]
According to the tape cartridge configured as described above, the tape printer reads the predetermined characteristic portion previously given to the tape cartridge, so that information about the tape to be printed can be recognized prior to printing. .
[0016]
In addition, the information about the size of data used for each line when data for multiple lines is printed is stored in the feature section as information about the tape. The tape printer thus configured can recognize information that affects the combination of the data sizes used in each row for the tape in the mounted cartridge. Therefore, the user does not need to select a size for printing data of each of a plurality of lines for each type of tape.
[0017]
The tape cartridge of the present invention is
In the tape cartridge which stores the tape for printing and is detachably attached to the tape printer for printing data on the tape,
The tape printing apparatus includes a characteristic unit that holds information on the tape in a mechanically readable format.
[0018]
The tape printer of the present invention, which was made to effectively use such a tape cartridge,
In a tape printing apparatus that detachably mounts a tape cartridge containing a predetermined tape and prints predetermined data on the tape,
Data input means for inputting data to be printed;
Feature recognition means for recognizing a predetermined feature mechanically provided in advance in the tape cartridge;
Data modifying means for modifying and printing the input data according to the recognition result of the feature recognizing means;
It is provided with.
[0019]
According to the tape cartridge or the tape printing apparatus configured as described above, information on the tape to be printed can be obtained by reading the predetermined characteristic portion given to the tape cartridge in advance by the characteristic portion recognition means of the tape printing apparatus. Can be recognized prior to printing, and the modification of the print data suitable for the tape can be automatically executed by the data modification means of the tape printer.
[0020]
Therefore, the complexity of managing a plurality of types of tapes can be eliminated, and it is also possible to eliminate the need for printing style control such as complicated mode designation that had to be performed prior to printing. As a result, a desired printed tape can be obtained without complicated operations and management, and waste of the tape due to printing failure can be eliminated.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to further clarify the configuration 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 below. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of the tape writer 1, and FIG. 2 is a right side view of the same. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the tape cartridge 10 to be mounted on the tape writer 1, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the same. In this embodiment, since the ink ribbon and the tape printed using the ink ribbon are stored in the same cartridge, the cartridge corresponding to the print sheet cartridge is hereinafter referred to as a tape cartridge.
[0022]
As shown in the figure, the tape writer 1 is provided in a main body case 50H for housing various components, an input section 50C having 63 input keys, a body cover 50K that can be opened and closed, and a body cover 50K that can be visually recognized. A display unit 50D for displaying character strings and other information, a cartridge mounting unit 50A (not shown in FIG. 1) to which the tape cartridge 10 provided in the upper left part of the main body with the main body cover 50K opened is detachably mounted; Is provided. The main body cover 50K is provided with a window 50L for confirming the mounting of the tape cartridge 10 and a window 50M through which the display unit 50D can be directly viewed. A transparent plastic plate material is fitted into both the windows 50L and 50M. Yes.
[0023]
When using the tape writer 1, first, the main body cover 50K is opened, the tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 50A, and the main body cover 50K is closed. Then, the power switch 50J provided on the right side of the main body is operated to turn on the power and input characters to be printed from the input unit 50C. When the input character string is converted into a kana-kanji character as necessary and a predetermined key is operated to instruct printing, printing is performed on the tape T supplied by the tape cartridge 10 by the thermal transfer printer unit 50B. . The printed tape T is discharged from a tape discharge port 10 </ b> A provided on the left side surface of the tape writer 1. In the tape T used in this example, the printing surface is processed in order to improve the ink placement by thermal transfer, and a peelable peeling tape is attached to the back surface having adhesiveness. 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 applied to a favorite place.
[0024]
Next, the structure and function of the tape cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA. The tape cartridge 10 can store tapes having different widths by the same assembly configuration. In the embodiment, five types of tape cartridges are provided in which the width of the tape stored therein is 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the five types of tape cartridges, with a tape width of 6 mm, broken away at a position passing through the centers of the ink ribbon core 22, ribbon take-up core 24 and platen 12. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a tape having a width of 24 mm. In addition, in order to simplify drawing, the display of the code | symbol of each member in FIG. 7 was abbreviate | omitted. 6 and 7, a part of the print head 60 is depicted in a sectional view of the tape cartridge in order to explain the state of attachment to the tape writer 1.
[0025]
The platen 12 used for printing is a hollow cylindrical member, and in order to enable good quality printing with good adhesion between the tape T and the ink ribbon R having different widths and the print head, A platen rubber 14 corresponding to the tape width is wound around the outer peripheral surface. In this example, a total of two types of platen rubbers are used: 12 mm wide platen rubber (see FIG. 6) for 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm tapes, 18 mm wide platen rubber (see FIG. 7) for 24 mm tapes.
[0026]
The outer periphery of the upper and lower ends of the platen 12 is formed to have a slightly smaller diameter than the axial diameter of the platen 12, and the small diameter portions are fitted into the fitting holes 16A formed in the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. The platen 12 can be freely rotated by loosely fitting in 18A. The fitting holes 16A and 18A have a substantially oval shape as shown in FIGS. In this way, 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 from the drive shaft when engaged with the platen drive shaft. It must be possible to transmit the rotational driving force. For this reason, on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the platen 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, six engaging strips 12A are formed at equal intervals in the rotation axis direction.
[0027]
In addition, a tape core 20, an ink ribbon core 22, and a ribbon take-up core 24 are erected on the tape cartridge 10 in order to take up and store the long tape T and the ink ribbon R in a compact manner. Further, the tape cartridge 10 is provided with an entry hole 32 into which a print head described later enters. A guide wall 34 is formed on the outer periphery of the entry hole 32.
[0028]
The tape core 20 is a large-diameter hollow cylindrical reel, and is designed so that a long tape T can be wound and stored thinly. Accordingly, the rotational angular velocity of the tape core 20 when pulling out the tape T located at the outermost periphery (reference symbol A in FIG. 3) and the tape T located at the innermost periphery (reference symbol B in FIG. 3) are extracted 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 when a tape T made of a material having a small curvature during winding and storage and weak against bending stress is used, it can be stored without difficulty.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 5, the tape core 20 has a shaft hole 20 </ b> B formed at the center thereof, and is rotatably fitted in a shaft body 18 </ b> B standing from the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. A thin circular film 20A is attached to the upper and lower ends of the tape core 20 in the axial direction, and the surface on the tape T side is an adhesive layer. The film 20A functions as a flange portion with respect to the tape T. Since the adhesive layer is provided on the surface on the tape T side, the edge of the tape T is lightly attached to the film 20A. Therefore, even if the tape T is pulled out by the rotation of the platen 12 and the tape core 20 is driven to rotate, the tape T does not come apart. A curved thin plate washer 23 is interposed between the lid constituting the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10 and the film 20 A on the upper surface of the tape core 20, and the tape core 20 is deformed by the deformation of the washer 23. Is pressed in the direction of the bottom wall 18 to restrict free rotation of the tape core 20.
[0030]
The tape T wound and stored in the tape core 20 reaches the platen 12 via a tape guide pin 26 erected from the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10, and is drawn out from the tape outlet 10 </ b> A of the tape cartridge 10. ing. In the tape discharge port 10A, a guide portion 10B is formed in a predetermined length along the transport direction of the tape T. In a state where the tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, the print head 60 is positioned in the entry hole 32. In this state, the tape T is held between the print head 60 and the platen 12, and the tape T is conveyed by the rotation of the platen 12.
[0031]
Since the fitting holes 16A and 18A into which the upper and lower end portions of the platen 12 are fitted have an oval shape as described above, the platen 12 has a fitting hole 16A in the state of the tape cartridge 10 alone. , 18A is movable along the long axis. Therefore, when the tape T is pushed into the tape cartridge 10 from the outside of the tape cartridge 10, the platen 12 moves along the transport path of the tape T due to the movement of the tape T. When the platen 12 moves, the platen rubber 14 of the platen 12 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the tape guide pin 26 and sandwiches the tape T with the tape guide pin 26. As a result, the tape T cannot move any further, and the tape T is not pushed into the tape cartridge 10.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink ribbon core 22 is configured by a small-diameter hollow cylindrical member, and the outer circumferences of both upper and lower ends thereof are formed to have a slightly smaller diameter. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, six grooves are formed at equal intervals in the axial direction on the end surface of the lower end portion having the small diameter to form an engaging portion 22A. The small diameter portion on the lower end side is loosely fitted in a circular fitting hole 18 </ b> C formed in the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. Further, the upper end hollow portion of the ink ribbon core 22 is loosely fitted into a cylindrical guide protrusion 16 </ b> C that protrudes from the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10. Accordingly, in this state, the ink ribbon core 22 is held so as to be driven to rotate as the ink ribbon R is pulled out.
[0033]
3 and 4, the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 is in the vicinity of the bottom of an ink ribbon core 22 and a ribbon take-up core 24, which will be described later. A piece 18D is formed. The engagement piece 18D is formed by hollowing out a part of the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 (a hatched portion X in FIG. 3). Accordingly, the distal 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 by the elasticity of the members constituting the bottom wall 18. It becomes. In the state where no force is applied to the engagement piece 18D, the movable end portion is located inside the outer periphery of the fitting hole portion 18C, and therefore, as described above, the engagement hole portion 18C has free play. The ink ribbon core 22 is engaged with any one of the six engaging portions 22A formed at the end of the ink ribbon core 22 to prevent the ink ribbon core 22 from rotating.
[0034]
The ink ribbon R that is wound and stored in the ink ribbon core 22 is guided by the ribbon guide roller 30 to be superposed with the tape T described above to reach the platen 12, and further enters the print head. The ribbon winding core 24 is reached through a guide wall 34 formed on the peripheral surface 32. 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 the symbol C in FIG. The same state when all of R is wound on the ribbon winding core 24 is shown in FIG.
[0035]
The ribbon take-up core 24 is configured by a hollow cylindrical member that is substantially the same type as the ink ribbon core 22 as shown in the figure. The outer circumferences of the upper and lower ends are also formed with a slightly smaller diameter, similar to the ink ribbon core 22. Six engaging portions 24A are recessed at equal intervals on the end surface of the lower end portion having a small diameter. On the other hand, the ribbon take-up core 24 engages with a ribbon take-up core drive shaft (to be described later) provided in the tape writer 1 like the platen 12 so that it can be rotationally driven. Six engaging strips 24B are formed at equal intervals. In the ribbon take-up core 24 configured in this way, small diameter portions formed at the upper and lower ends are loosely fitted into circular fitting holes 16G and 18G formed in the bottom wall 18 and the top wall 16 of the tape cartridge 10. It is installed so that it can rotate freely.
[0036]
Further, in order to prevent unexpected rotation of the ribbon take-up core 24, the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 has a thin, substantially L-shaped shape whose end is located inside the outer periphery of the fitting hole 18G as described above. An engagement piece 18H is formed. That is, a part of the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 (a hatched portion Y in FIG. 3) is cut out to form an engagement piece 18H. When the cartridge 10 is a single unit, the end of the engagement piece 18H is engaged with one of the six engagement portions 24A formed at the end of the ribbon take-up core 24, and the ribbon take-up core. The rotation of 24 is blocked. The ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 24 rotate counterclockwise because the tips of the engagement pieces 18D and 18H are opposed to the engagement portions 22A and 24A at an angle rather than at right angles. It is possible.
[0037]
The engagement between the engagement portion 22A and the engagement piece 18D of the ink ribbon core 22 and the engagement between the engagement portion 24A and the engagement piece 18H of the ribbon take-up core 24 are both performed by mounting the cartridge 10 on the cartridge. The configuration is released by mounting on the portion 50A, but the configuration thereof will be described later together with the structure of the cartridge mounting portion 50A.
[0038]
The ink ribbon R wound around the ribbon winding core 24 is a thermal transfer type ribbon, and a plurality of types of ink ribbons R are prepared according to the width of the tape T on the printing side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an ink ribbon having a width of 12 mm for tape widths 6, 9, and 12 mm, an ink ribbon having an width of 18 mm for tape width of 18 mm (not shown), and as shown in FIG. In addition, a 24 mm wide ink ribbon and a total of three types of ink ribbons R are prepared for a tape width of 24 mm.
[0039]
When the ribbon width of the ink ribbon R is equal to the height of the tape cartridge 10 (see FIG. 7), the ink ribbon R is guided by the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18, so that the ribbon winding core 24 No flange portion is formed on the outer periphery, but in the case of the tape cartridge 10 having a narrow ribbon width, the ribbon take-up core 24 has an outer periphery wound around the outer periphery of the ribbon take-up core 24 so that the ink ribbon R can be stably supplied to the platen 12. A flange portion 24C adapted to the width of the accommodated ink ribbon R is formed, and the ink ribbon R is guided by this flange portion 24C (see FIG. 6).
[0040]
As described above, there are five types of tape cartridges 10 according to the present embodiment depending on the width of the tape T stored. Depending on the width of the tape T, the printable area and the like are different, so it is necessary to detect the type of the tape cartridge 10. In the tape cartridge 10 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc are provided in the bottom wall 18 of the cartridge so that the type of the tape cartridge 10 can be discriminated. That is, the detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc are formed at different depths according to the width of the tape T that is wound and accommodated.
[0041]
FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the type of the tape cartridge 10 and the detection holes 18Ka, Kb, and Kc. As shown in the figure, the three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc of the tape cartridge 10 that accommodates a tape width of 6 mm are all shallowly formed. Further, in the tape cartridge 10 having a tape width of 9 mm, only one of the detection hole 18Ka, the detection hole 18Kb in the tape width 12mm, and the detection hole 18Kc in the tape width 18mm is deeply formed. When the tape width is 24 mm, two detection holes 18Ka and 18Kb are deeply drilled.
[0042]
The tape cartridge 10 described in detail above is mounted on the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A of the tape writer 1. Inside the tape writer 1, as shown in FIG. 9 which is an end view of AA-AA in FIG. 1, an expansion unit 50E for connecting various packs that are optionally supplied as external storage elements, an input unit 50C, and a display A control circuit unit 50F that controls the unit 50D, the printer unit 50B, and the like is provided.
[0043]
A battery housing portion 50I is provided on the back surface of the tape writer 1, and six AA batteries serving as a power source for the entire apparatus can be mounted. A power switch 50J is provided on the right side surface of the main body. The power can also be supplied from an AC adapter (not shown) from a plug 50N provided on the right side of the main body.
[0044]
Hereinafter, each of the mechanical components of the tape writer 1 will be sequentially described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A in plan view, and FIG.
[0045]
The cartridge mounting portion 50A is disposed on the left rear side of the main body of the tape writer 1, and is formed as a mounting space that matches the shape of the tape cartridge 10 described above, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, a shaft and a print head 60 that are engaged with the hollow portions of the ribbon winding core 24 and the platen 12 are erected in the mounting space. Further, a drive mechanism 50P for transmitting the rotation of the stepping motor 80 to the platen 12 or the like is provided at the lower portion of the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A. However, since it is partitioned by the case of the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, the main body cover The drive mechanism 50P cannot be directly visually recognized only by opening 50K. FIG. 11 shows a state where the case is removed. This mounting space is normally covered with the main body cover 50K when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted.
[0046]
Mounting or replacement of the tape cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 50A is performed by opening the main body cover 50K. 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 to open it. be able to. Note that the slide button 52 is always subjected to a leftward biasing force as illustrated in FIG. 1 because the integrally provided spring arm 52A is locked to the locking portion on the main body side.
[0047]
When the main body cover 50K is opened by operating the slide button 52, the print head 60 that performs printing on the tape T of the tape cartridge 10 can attach and detach the tape cartridge 10. This operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the print head 60 is rotatably mounted on a head rotating shaft 64 erected from a base board 61, and a head main body 65 in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged via an insulator 65a. A heat sink 65b to be mounted, a frame 67 that supports the heat sink 65b by a connecting plate 67a, a coil spring 66 that urges the print head 60 toward the initial position, and electrical wiring to the head body 65. A flexible cable 68 is provided. The frame 67 and the connecting plate 67a are connected by driving a pin 67b into the opening of the connecting plate 67a. The heat radiating plate 65b on which the head body 65 is mounted is rotatable around the pin 67b. ing. As a result, when the print head 60 is pushed out toward the platen 12, the head main body 65 uniformly strikes the tape T sandwiched between the print head 60 and the platen 12.
[0048]
The lower end portion of the frame body 67 is greatly extended and formed as a link plate 62. This link plate 62 is sewn between gear trains, which will be described later, and its end is positioned near the boundary with the display unit 50D (see FIG. 10). A coil spring 69 is hooked at the end of the link plate 62 to connect the drive member 63 and the link plate 62. The drive member 63 has a substantially triangular shape, and an end 63b opposite to the end 63a to which the coil spring 69 is coupled is disposed at a position facing the main body cover 50K as shown in FIG. The An operation arm 50S is extended and formed downward at a position facing the end portion 63b of the main body cover 50K, and the end portion 63b is pushed down by an operation of closing the main body cover 50K.
[0049]
This movement is schematically shown in FIG. 12, which is an end view taken along the line BB in FIG. As shown in the drawing, as the main body cover 50K is pushed down, the operation arm 50S pushes down the end 63b of the drive member 63, and the link plate 62 rotates and moves in the right direction in FIG. This movement of the link plate 62 rotates the print head 60 against the biasing force of the coil spring 66. As a result, the print head 60 moves from the retracted position to a print position facing the platen 12 of the tape cartridge 10 that has been mounted. That is, when the operation of closing the main body cover 50K is performed, the print head 60 is set at a printable position. On the contrary, when the operation of opening the main body cover 50K is performed, the operation of moving the print head 60 to the retracted position, which is necessary for the removal or mounting of the tape cartridge 10, which is normally performed next, is simultaneously performed. Will be realized. The print head 60 once moved to the retracted position stays at that position while the main body cover 50K is opened by the coil spring 66, and returns to a position where the print head 60 presses the platen 12 when the main body cover 50K is closed. .
[0050]
In this way, the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 50A is engaged with the engaging portions 22A and 24A for preventing the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 24 from rotating. As described above, the pieces 18D and 18H are provided. The engaging pieces 18D and 18H are formed by hollowing out a part of the bottom wall 18 (FIGS. 3 and 4, hatched portions X and Y). As shown in FIG. 10, two conical contact projections 70A and 70B are provided upright at the corresponding cartridge mounting portion 50A. Accordingly, when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the tape cartridge mounting portion 50A, the contact protrusions 70A and 70B are fitted into the hatch portion X and the hatch portion Y, and the engagement pieces 18D and 18H are connected to the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core. It pushes separately in the direction away from 24 engaging parts 22A and 24A. Thereby, the engagement by the engagement pieces 18D and 18H is released, and the ink ribbon core 22 and the ribbon take-up core 24 become rotatable.
[0051]
Next, a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the stepping motor 80 to the platen drive shaft 72 of the platen 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, a first gear 81 is attached to the rotating shaft 80A of the stepping motor 80, and a clutch arm 80B is fitted to the rotating shaft 80A with a predetermined friction. . The clutch arm 80B constitutes a one-way clutch together with the second gear 82 and the third gear 83. That is, when the stepping motor 80 rotates in the direction of the arrow C in the figure, the clutch arm 80B rotates in the direction of the arrow C together with the second gear 82 due to friction between the rotating shaft 80A and the clutch arm 80B. Engage. As a result, the rotation of the stepping motor 80 is transmitted to the third gear 83. The operation of the one-way clutch will be described later.
[0052]
The rotation of the third gear 83 is transmitted to the fifth gear 85 and the sixth gear 86 via the fourth gear 84 while further repeating gear down. The fifth gear 85 has a rotation shaft coupled to the take-up core drive shaft 74, and takes up the ink ribbon R by the rotation of the stepping motor 80. The rim 74A that actually drives the ribbon take-up core 24 is attached to the take-up core drive shaft 74 with a predetermined friction. In a normal state, the rim 74A is taken up by the stepping motor 80. It rotates according to the rotation of 74, but when the ribbon winding core 24 becomes unable to rotate due to the end of the ink ribbon R or the like, it slips with respect to the rotation of the winding core drive shaft 74. Has been.
[0053]
The rotation of the sixth gear 86 is further transmitted to the seventh gear 87 and rotates the platen drive shaft 72. A rim 72 </ b> A is provided below the platen drive shaft 72 to fit and drive the irregularities on the inner peripheral surface of the platen 12. Accordingly, when the stepping motor 80 rotates and the rotation is transmitted to the third gear 83 by the one-way clutch, the platen drive shaft 72 and the take-up core drive shaft 74 eventually rotate, and the platen 12 The tape T sandwiched between the platen rubber 14 provided on the outer periphery and the head main body 65 of the print head 60 is conveyed in accordance with the printing, and the ink ribbon R is wound up in synchronization with the conveyance of the tape T. Go.
[0054]
On the outer circumferences of the platen drive shaft 72 and the take-up core drive shaft 74, protrusions 72B and 74B that engage with the engagement strips 12A and 24B formed on the hollow inner peripheral surface of the platen 12 and the ribbon take-up core 24, respectively. Are formed at equal intervals. When the platen drive shaft 72 and the take-up core drive shaft 74 are rotationally driven by the stepping motor 80 at a predetermined rotational speed, 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. The platen rubber 14 and the print head 60 are passed. At this time, if the print head 60 is energized to control the amount of heat generated in units of dots, the ink on the ink ribbon R can be thermally transferred to the tape T and printed on the tape T. After printing, only the tape T on which printing has been completed is discharged from the tape cartridge 10, and the ink ribbon R used for printing is wound and collected on the ribbon winding core 24.
[0055]
Thus, when the tape T is conveyed together with printing, the tape T is sent out from the tape discharge port 10A on the left side of the main body. The tape T is originally cut by a cutting mechanism described later, but depending on the user, the tape T may be pulled out before being cut. In the state where the main body cover 50K is closed, the print head 60 presses the tape T against the platen rubber 14 of the platen 12, so that when the tape T is forcibly pulled out, the platen drive shaft 72 also tries to rotate. However, since the gear is down and the holding torque of the stepping motor 80 is somewhat, the platen drive shaft 72 cannot be rotated with a normal drive mechanism. Of course, the winding core drive shaft 74 does not rotate either. Accordingly, when the tape T is pulled out, the ink ribbon R is pulled out together with the tape T. If the tape T is cut using the cutting mechanism in this state, the ink ribbon R is also cut, so this situation should not occur.
[0056]
In this embodiment, this problem is avoided by the one-way clutch constituted by the described clutch arm 80B and the second and third gears 82 and 83. That is, when pulling out the tape T, the platen drive shaft 72 rotates together with the platen 12. The rotation of the platen drive shaft 72 is transmitted to the third gear 83 via the gear train, and rotates clockwise. At this time, the second gear 82 is to be rotated. However, since the rotating shaft 80A of the stepping motor 80 does not rotate, the rotational force of the third gear 83 pushes away the clutch arm 80B that supports the second gear 82. The engagement between the second gear 82 and the third gear 83 is released. As a result, the third gear 83 to the seventh gear 87 are separated from the stepping motor 80, and the take-up core drive shaft 74 is also rotated by the rotation of the platen drive shaft 72 when the tape T is pulled out. Will do. Accordingly, the ink ribbon R is also taken up as the tape T is pulled out, and is not pulled out together with the tape T. If the stepping motor 80 rotates, the rotation causes the clutch arm 80B to move again to the third gear 83 side, and the second gear 82 and the third gear 83 are engaged. Such movement of the clutch arm 80B is temporarily restricted by an opening 80C provided in the base 61 and fitted with the tip of the clutch arm 80B.
[0057]
The printed tape T discharged from the tape cartridge 10 to the left side by the printing operation can be easily cut out as follows using a cutting mechanism whose detailed configuration is shown in FIGS. FIG. 13 is an end view taken along the line CC in FIG. A cutter support shaft 92 protruding from the bottom of the cartridge mounting portion 50A is fitted with a rotatable tape cutter 90 and spring 94 having a substantially "L" shape. The cutter 90 is maintained in a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 13, that is, in a state where a clockwise rotational force is applied. Due to this rotational force, the left end portion 90A of the tape cutter 90 pushes up the cutter button 96 from its back surface. The left end portion 90 </ b> A of the tape cutter 90 is formed in a bifurcated shape, and a pin 96 </ b> A provided on the back surface of the cutter button 96 is inserted therein. Therefore, when the cutter button 96 is pushed downward, the left end portion 90A of the tape cutter 90 is moved downward accordingly.
[0058]
Further, a moving blade 98 for cutting the tape T is formed at the right end portion 90B of the tape cutter 90, and is separated from the fixed blade 91 attached to the side surface of the cartridge mounting portion 50A at a certain angle. ing. A shoulder portion 93A of the tape retainer 93 is in contact with the back surface of the right end portion 90B (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, the tape retainer 93 is urged by the spring 95 in the traveling direction of the tape T. When the tape cutter 90 rotates and the movable blade 98 moves toward the fixed blade 91, As a result, the tape T moves in the direction of the traveling path. Since the fixed wall 97 is provided on the opposite side across the traveling path of the tape T, the tape holder 93 is connected to the fixed wall 97 before the tape T is cut by the movable blade 98 and the fixed blade 91. Fix between. The movement of the tape retainer 93 is detected by the detection switch 99. As will be described later, the detection switch 99 is for preventing printing while the tape T is being cut.
[0059]
The cutting of the tape T is achieved by pressing the cutter button 96 against the elastic force of the spring 94. When the cutter button 96 is pushed down to rotate the tape cutter 90 counterclockwise in FIG. 13, the movable blade 98 formed on the right end 90B also rotates in the same direction. As a result, first, the tape retainer 93 restrains the tape T between the fixed wall 97, and then the moving blade 98 gradually overlaps the fixed blade 91 from the lower part, passes through the print head 60, and goes outside the print head 60. The positioned tape T is cut.
[0060]
Next, details of the input unit 50C, the display unit 50D, the printer unit 50B, and the like incorporated in the tape writer 1 will be described. For the sake of easy understanding of the entire unit, the control circuit unit 50F is mainly described. An outline of the electrical configuration will be described. A control circuit unit 50F assembled on a printed circuit board is incorporated directly below the main body cover 50K together with the printer unit 50B and the like. The overall electrical schematic configuration is shown in FIG. That is, the control circuit unit 50F of the tape writer 1 includes a CPU 110 and an input unit 50C, in addition to a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 110 and a mask ROM 118, which are integrated with ROM, RAM, and input / output ports. Various circuits for interfacing with the display unit 50D, the printer unit 50B, and the like 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 controls them.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 15, the input unit 50C is provided with a total of 63 keys including 48 character input keys and 15 function keys. The character input key has a so-called full key configuration based on the JIS layout, and is similar to a general word processor, such as having a known shift key to suppress an increase in the number of keys to be operated. 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.
[0062]
Each of these keys is assigned to an 8 × 8 matrix. That is, as seen from the CPU 110, as shown in FIG. 14, the 16 ports of the input ports PA1 to PA8 and PC1 to 8 are grouped as shown, and 63 kinds of keys of the input unit 50C are arranged at each intersection. ing. The power switch 50J is provided independently of the 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 performs each process of turning on or off the power.
[0063]
The detection output from the opening / closing detection switch 55 that detects opening / closing of the main body cover 50K is input to the port PB5, and the CPU 110 monitors the open / closed state of the main body cover 50K by interruption. The open / close detection switch 55 detects the operation of the main body cover 50K by the movement of the open / close detection switch engagement protrusion 55L (see FIG. 12) provided at the end of the main body cover 50K. When the open state of the main body cover 50K is detected while the print head 60 is being driven, a predetermined error is displayed on the main display unit 50Da and the power supply to the printer unit 50B is turned off.
[0064]
The ports PH, PM, and PL of the CPU 110 are connected to the head rank determination unit 112. The head rank discriminating unit 112 is divided into several ranks from 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 discriminating unit 112 according to the measurement result. , 112B, 112C are set. Therefore, the CPU 110 reads the state of the head rank determination unit 112 and corrects the drive time of the print head 60, that is, the amount of heat generated according to the input result, thereby preventing variations in print density.
[0065]
Since printing by the printer unit 50B is performed by thermal transfer, the darkness of printing varies depending not only on the energizing time of the print head 60, which is a thermal head, but also on the outside air temperature and 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 their outputs are connected to 2-channel analog-digital conversion input ports AD1 and AD2 of the CPU 110. The CPU 110 corrects the energization time of the print head 60 by converting the voltage of the ports AD1, 2 into a digital signal and reading it.
[0066]
A discrimination switch 102 is connected to the ports PB1 to PB3 of the CPU 110. The discrimination switch 102 is provided at the lower right corner of the cartridge mounting portion 50A as shown in FIG. The discrimination switch 102 is integrally formed with three cartridge discrimination switches 102A, 102B, and 102C that respectively enter three detection holes 18K formed in the tape cartridge 10. The protruding lengths of the cartridge discrimination switches 102A, 102B, and 102C are designed according to the depth of the detection hole 18K formed in the tape cartridge 10 described above, and the cartridge discrimination switch 102 that has entered the shallow detection hole 18K is The switch comes into contact with the detection hole 18K and is pressed to turn it on. Further, the cartridge discrimination switch 102 that has entered the detection hole 18K that is deeply drilled is gently fitted into the detection hole 18K as it is, and the switch is turned off. Accordingly, by detecting the states of the three cartridge discrimination switches 102A, 102B, and 102C of the discrimination switch 102, the type of the tape cartridge 10 currently attached to the cartridge attachment portion 50A, that is, the tape cartridge 10 is accommodated. The width of the tape T can be determined. The information on the width of the tape T is used not only for controlling the size of characters to be printed, but also for controlling the printer unit 50B described later.
[0067]
A signal from the contact of the plug 50N is input to the port PB7 of the CPU 110. The plug 50N accepts the DC power from the AC adapter 113 when the jack 115 is inserted. At this time, the power supply from the battery BT to the power supply unit 114 is cut off by the function of the break contact, and the power consumption of the battery BT is reduced. The configuration is to be avoided. At the same time, the signal of the other contact provided in the plug 50N is input to the port PB7 of the CPU 110. Therefore, the CPU 110 can determine whether the main power source of the tape writer 1 is from the AC adapter 113 or the battery BT by determining this signal, and can perform different control. In the present embodiment, when power is supplied from the AC adapter 113, the printing speed by the printer unit 50B is maximized. On the other hand, when power is supplied from the battery BT, the printing speed by the printer unit 50B is used. Is reduced, the peak of the current supplied to the print head 60 is suppressed, and the power consumption of the battery BT is reduced.
[0068]
The mask ROM 118 connected to the address bus and data bus of the CPU 110 stores a set of four types of kana, kanji, and special characters of 16 × 15, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, and 48 × 48 in the Mincho style. This is a 16 megabit mask ROM. The 24-bit address bus AD, 8-bit data bus DA, chip select signal CS, and output enable signal OE are connected to ports PD0 to PD33 of the CPU 110. Since these signals are directly connected to the external input / output connector 50Ea, the expansion unit 50E attached to the external input / output connector 50Ea can be accessed in the same manner as the mask ROM 118.
[0069]
The expansion unit 50E provided so as to be directly connectable to the control circuit unit 50F serves as an insertion portion of a ROM pack or a RAM pack that is optionally supplied as an external storage element. By inserting a ROM pack or a RAM pack into this insertion slot, electrical connection with the external input / output connector 50Ea of the control circuit unit 50F is completed, and information can be exchanged with the CPU 110. With this configuration, a ROM pack that stores special fonts and symbols for various drafting, maps, chemistry, mathematics, or language fonts other than Japanese, Gothic, Mincho, typefaces, etc. is attached to the expansion unit, It becomes possible to edit a desired character string. Similarly, a RAM pack that allows free writing of information is installed in the expansion unit, and information exceeding the amount of information that can be stored is stored in the RAM area inside the tape writer, and a library of print strings can be created. It can be used for information exchange with the tape writer 1.
[0070]
Character dot data read from the mask ROM 118 or the expansion unit 50E is input to the LCD controller 116A of the display unit control circuit 116 together with the CPU 110.
[0071]
The display unit 50D controlled by the CPU 110 via the display unit control circuit 116 is disposed under the main body cover 50K whose corresponding part is transparent, and the user visually recognizes this through the main body cover 50K. become. The display unit 50D has two types of electrode patterns formed on the liquid crystal panel. As shown in FIG. 16, one of them is a dot matrix pattern of height 32 × width 96, and the other is this dot pattern. There are 28 pentagonal electrode patterns arranged so as to surround the area of the matrix. The area where the dot matrix pattern electrodes are formed is called a main display section 50Da for displaying a print image, and the area where the pentagonal electrode pattern is formed is called an indicator section 50Db.
[0072]
The main display unit 50Da is used as a liquid crystal display panel capable of displaying 32 dots high by 96 dots wide. In the present embodiment, since each character at the time of character input and editing is displayed on the main display section using a character font having a width of 16 × 15 dots, a display of 6 characters × 2 lines is possible. Further, when displaying each character, the processing state of the tape writer 1 can be visually displayed by properly using positive display, negative display or blinking display according to the editing state.
[0073]
Furthermore, since the main display unit 50Da is in a dot matrix format and the display contents can be freely controlled, the layout of the current print image can be displayed when a predetermined key is input. When the layout display is instructed, as shown in FIG. 17, 4 × 4 dots at the time of printing correspond to 1 dot of the main display portion, the tape width is negatively displayed, and the print character string is outlined in it. Is displayed. At that time, the total length of the tape is displayed numerically as information for assisting the print image. Further, when the layout of the print image is a size that cannot be displayed on the main display unit 50Da at a time, the entire print layout can be confirmed by scrolling up and down and left and right with the cursor keys.
[0074]
The indicator unit 50Db is for displaying the function currently being executed by the tape writer 1 at the present stage, and is arranged around the main display unit 50Da. Each display body t obtained corresponding to the pentagonal electrode pattern in the indicator section 50Db is provided corresponding to a character representing a function printed around the display section 50D. Character input mode status such as “Romaji input” and “Lowercase input”, style specification status such as “number of lines” and “border rule” to be edited, format specification status such as “equal allocation” and “front alignment”, etc. When the state setting is executed or selected, the display body t at the character portion indicating the state is made visible.
[0075]
The printer unit 50B of the tape writer 1 includes a print head 60 and a stepping motor 80 as mechanical components, and includes a printer controller 120 and a motor driver 122 that control these as electrical components. The print head 60 is a thermal head in which 96 heating points are arranged in a vertical row at a pitch of 1/180 inch. The temperature detection circuit 60A that detects the outside air temperature and the voltage detection that detects the supply voltage described above. A circuit 60B is incorporated. The stepping motor 80 has a known configuration that controls the rotation angle by appropriately controlling the phases of the four-phase drive signals. The tape feed amount of one step of the stepping motor 80 is designed to be 1/360 inch by the configuration of the gear train that is a reduction mechanism. In addition, a two-step rotation signal is output to the stepping motor 80 in synchronization with the printing for each dot executed by the print head 60. As a result, the printer unit 50B performs 180 dots / inch printing not only in the tape width direction but also in the length direction.
[0076]
The detection switch 99 described above is interposed in a common line connected from the CPU 110 to the printer controller 120 and the motor driver 122. Since this detection switch 99 detects the use state of the cutting mechanism, when the cutting mechanism is likely to be used during printing, this detection switch 99 is activated and immediately the printer unit 50B. Is stopped. In this case, since signals from the CPU 110 to the printer controller 120 and the motor driver 122 are continuously sent, printing is continued if the use of the cutting mechanism is stopped.
[0077]
In this embodiment, since the use of the cutting mechanism during printing obstructs the transport of the tape T, the detection switch 99 is directly connected to the common line of the motor driver 122 in order to immediately stop the printing operation (especially the tape feeding operation). Although the power is forcibly cut off, the output of the detection switch 99 is once taken into the CPU 110 and the same processing as when the main body cover 50K is opened may be performed. Further, instead of the detection switch 99, a mechanical configuration may be employed in which the clutch arm 80B is pushed by the movement of the moving blade 98 and the rotation of the stepping motor 80 is not transmitted to the platen drive shaft 72. .
[0078]
In addition to the components described above, the tape writer 1 incorporates a power supply unit 114, and a stable 5V power supply for backup and logic circuits is supplied from the battery BT by the RCC method using an IC and a transformer. It has gained. The CPU 110 is assigned a port PV for voltage control.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 18, the tape writer 1 of this embodiment has a margin function for securing a tape margin by a specified distance before and after a character string to be printed. This margin function includes a tape feed phase control signal for the previous margin output before transmitting the 96-bit serial print data as described above, and a subsequent margin output after transmitting all the serial print data. And the tape feed phase control signal. On the other hand, when the designated distance of such a margin is smaller than the separation distance between the printing position and the tape cut position (less than 8 mm in this embodiment), the designated front margin cannot be realized. In this case, after the printing is completed, the tape T is fed out by the amount of the trailing margin, and the cut mark PCM is printed when the print head 60 is at the tape position before the next printing position by the designated margin. To respond. If the discharged tape T is cut at the position of the cut mark PCM, a print tape having a required front margin can be easily obtained.
[0080]
Various programs for executing the above-described operations are stored in the internal ROM of the CPU 110 that controls the peripheral circuits as described above. In addition, a part of the internal RAM is used as 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 the contents of the text. It is released as a user area such as a file area.
[0081]
The text area is assigned with an area for accepting a finalized input of up to 125 characters, and stores style data and mode data for editing the characters in addition to the character code. Therefore, the stored contents are added or updated as appropriate by character input or editing operation from the input unit.
[0082]
As the file area, an area in which 1500 characters can be registered in the internal RAM and 2000 characters can be allocated in an optional RAM pack. A file management program stored in the internal ROM 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.
[0083]
Next, the characteristic multi-line printing control among the functions achieved by the control circuit unit configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, the tape writer 1 of this embodiment prepares four font data from 16 × 16 to 48 × 48 dots in the mask ROM 118 as basic fonts. For those that do not, you can enlarge up to 2 times in the vertical direction and 4 times in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the maximum font is 96 × 192 dots, and there are 10 combinations of printable dot numbers as shown in FIG. Therefore, when a print character string is edited over a plurality of lines, it is necessary to specify a print font for the character string to be printed on each line in addition to a normal character input operation for inputting a character string to be printed on each line.
[0084]
Therefore, in this embodiment, instead of specifying the character font, the relative size relationship of the character strings to be printed on each line (for example, in the case of 3-line printing, the first line is large, the second line is large, 3 The small line is input by key operation of the input unit. Further, in order to make this key operation easier, options are prepared in advance as illustrated in FIG. 20 in the case of three-line printing (in this embodiment, the same × 3, small / small / large, small / 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 sum of the number of vertical dots in a plurality of lines must be set so as not to exceed 96.
[0085]
After all the inputs have been completed, when a key for instructing “print” is operated among the function keys of the input unit 50C, a multi-line print processing program whose flowchart is shown in FIG. Perform processing. When the processing of the multi-line print processing program is started, first, the CPU 110 reads the magnitude relationship of each line character string selected prior to this print command and the detection signal of the cartridge discrimination switch 102 (steps 100 and 110). Check information about printing. Then, the width of the tape T currently mounted is determined from the detection result of the cartridge determination switch 102, and each line is referred to by referring to the font map stored in advance in the internal ROM from the determination result and the size relationship of each line character string. The character font is determined (step 120).
[0086]
As an example of this font map, a font map used for three-line printing is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the font map is created so that when the size relationship and tape width of each line character string are determined, the print font used to print each line is uniquely determined. Is 12 mm and the size relationship of each line character string is “Large / Small”, the print font used to print each line is font S in the first line, font P in the second line, font P in the third line To be determined. Note that, when the number of print lines is two, it is determined in the same manner, but the description is omitted here.
[0087]
Thus, when the print font to be used for printing each line is determined, the print font corresponding to the character code of the character string to be printed is sequentially read from the mask ROM 118 (step 130), and developed into the dot pattern to be printed ( In step 140), the dot pattern is cut out for each vertical column to create 96-bit serial data, and printing control (step 150) is performed to transfer it to the printer unit as described above.
[0088]
According to the tape cartridge 10 configured as described above, the width of the tape T supplied by the tape cartridge is set in accordance with the three detection holes 18Ka, 18Kb, and 18Kc formed in the bottom wall 18 of the tape cartridge 10. Can have a combination of depth. On the other hand, according to the tape writer 1 of the present embodiment, the tape width in the mounted tape cartridge 10 is automatically determined based on 3-bit information obtained from the discrimination switch 102 that detects the depth of the detection hole 18K. Can be recognized.
[0089]
Therefore, when executing printing, it is possible to automatically calculate and automatically set the modification contents of the character string to be selected in conformity with the tape width to be printed, for example, the number of character fonts. For example, the user simply determines the character string to be printed and then simply executes the printing process. 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. In contrast, printing can be performed with a large character font having a predetermined width as the upper and lower margins.
[0090]
As described above, according to the tape cartridge 10 and the tape writer 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the user himself / herself to manage the complicated tape cartridge 10 for a plurality of types of tapes, and the tape writer 1 can be used for printing. There is no need to specify complicated character modification, and a print tape with optimum character modification for the tape width can be obtained.
[0091]
The tape cartridge and the tape writer according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the tape cartridge and the tape writer are provided with a characteristic part as an internal shape of the tape cartridge, and the detection part on the tape writer side is fitted inside the tape cartridge. Needless to say, the present invention can be embodied in various forms, such as a configuration in which the feature is detected and a feature such as a pin protruding outside the tape cartridge is formed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape writer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a right side view of the tape writer 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an assembly configuration of the tape cartridge 10 in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the same.
5 is an end view of the tape cartridge 10 as viewed in the direction of arrows AA in FIG.
FIG. 6 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. 7 is also an end view showing the internal configuration of a tape having a width of 24 mm.
8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the width of the tape T stored in the tape cartridge 10 and the depth of three detection holes 18K. FIG.
9 is an end view of the tape writer 1 as viewed in the direction of arrows AA-AA in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a configuration of a tape cartridge mounting portion 50A.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the gear train and a mechanism for moving the print head 60 between a retracted position and a print position.
12 is an end view of FIG. 10, BB, explaining a mechanism for moving the print head 60. FIG.
13 is an end view of FIG. 10, CC, for explaining the cutting mechanism. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration centering on a CPU.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a key layout of the input unit 50C.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a display unit 50D.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a layout display performed on the display unit 50D.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing situation on a margin.
19 is an explanatory diagram of a print font prepared in the mask ROM 118. FIG.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a font map used for three-line printing.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a multi-line print processing program.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Tape writer
10. Tape cartridge
10A ... Tape outlet
10B ... Guide part
12 ... Platen
12A, 24B ... engagement line
14 ... Platen rubber
16 ... Heavenly wall
16A, 18A ... Fitting hole
16C ... guide protrusion
16G ... fitting hole
18 ... Bottom wall
18B ... Shaft
18C ... fitting hole
18D ... engagement piece
18E ... Base end
18G ... fitting hole
18H ... engagement piece
18K ... Detection hole
18Ka, 18Kb, 18Kc ... detection hole
20 ... tape core
20A ... Film
20B ... shaft hole
22 ... Ink ribbon core
22A ... engaging portion
23 ... Washer
24 ... Ribbon winding core
24A ... engaging portion
24B ... engagement strip
24C ... Flange
26 ... Tape guide pin
30 ... Ribbon guide roller
32 ... Entry hole
34 ... Guide wall
50A: Tape cartridge mounting part
50B ... Printer section
50C ... Input section
50D ... Display section
50 Da ... Main display
50Db ... Indicator section
50E ... Extension
50Ea ... External input / output connector
50F ... Control circuit section
50H ... Body case
50I: Battery compartment
50J ... Power switch
50K ... Body cover
50L ... Window
50M ... Window
50N ... Plug
50P ... Drive mechanism
50S ... Operating arm
52 ... Slide button
52A ... Spring arm
54 ... Cover hinge
55. Open / close detection switch
60 ... Print head
60A ... Temperature detection circuit
60B ... Voltage detection circuit
61 ... Baseboard
62 ... Link plate
63 ... Driving member
63a ... end
63b ... end
64 ... head rotation axis
65 ... head body
65a ... insulator
65b ... Heat sink
66 ... Coil spring
67 ... Frame
67a ... Connecting plate
67b ... pin
68 ... Flexible cable
69 ... Coil spring
70A, 70B ... abutment protrusion
72 ... Platen drive shaft
72A ... Rim
72B, 74B ... ridges
74 ... Winding core drive shaft
74A ... Rim
80 ... Stepping motor
80A ... Rotating shaft
80B ... Clutch arm
80C ... Opening
81. First gear
82. Second gear
83. Third gear
84 ... Fourth gear
85 ... Fifth gear
86 ... Sixth gear
87. Seventh gear
90 ... tape cutter
90A ... Left end
90B ... Right end
91 ... Fixed blade
92 ... Cutter support shaft
93A ... shoulder
94 ... Spring
95 ... Spring
96 ... Cutter button
96A ... pin
97 ... fixed wall
98 ... Moving blade
99 ... Detection switch
102 ... Cartridge discrimination switch
102A, 102B, 102C ... cartridge discrimination switch
110 ... CPU
112 ... Head rank discriminator
112A, 112B, 112C ... Jumper part
113 ... AC adapter
114 ... Power supply
115 ... Jack
116: Display unit control circuit
116A ... LCD controller
118 ... Mask ROM
120: Printer controller
122 ... Motor driver
R ... Ink ribbon
T ... tape

Claims (2)

A tape cartridge containing a printing tape is mounted, the print size and the number of lines of input data are set, the data is edited in various modes, and the data is printed on the tape in the edited mode. A tape printer,
A first display unit that displays data edited in at least a plurality of lines as the edited data;
A second display unit provided in a peripheral region of the first display unit and displaying a mode in which the input data is edited;
Based on a predetermined operation, a print area on the tape is specified, and the print size of the data edited in the plurality of lines is set so that the edited data is stored in the plurality of lines in the specified print area. And automatic setting means for automatic setting,
The second display unit displays information indicating that the print size of data is automatically set by the automatic setting means as an aspect in which the input data is edited using an indicator. Tape printing apparatus. The tape printer according to claim 1,
The input data can be edited to a number of lines larger than the maximum number of lines displayed by the first display unit,
In addition to the information indicating that the print size of the data is automatically set by the automatic setting means, the second display unit is configured to edit the input data, in addition to the input data. A tape printer that displays information that identifies the number of lines to be edited.

Images