JP5533501B2 - Label making device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus for producing a printed label using a label producing tape.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a label producing apparatus that produces a print label using a label producing tape is known. In this label producing apparatus, when a tape cartridge is loaded in the cartridge holder, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll stored in the cartridge by the conveying means, and desired printing is performed by the printing means. Created.

  In the structure in which the tape is fed out from the tape roll as described above, a technique for detecting the tape remaining amount by detecting the angular velocity of the tape roll is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This prior art utilizes the fact that the tape roll rotates faster when the remaining tape amount in the tape roll decreases. That is, the rotary encoder provided on the tape roll is detected by an optical sensor, and the angular velocity of the tape roll is detected from the pulse output. When this angular velocity reaches a preset angular velocity, the remaining tape amount is notified.

JP 2001-278517 A

  The label producing apparatus described above includes, for example, a so-called laminate-type print label that is produced by bonding a printed cover film to a label producing tape, or a so-called non-print produced by directly printing on a label producing tape. There are some which can create a plurality of types of print labels such as laminate type print labels. In such a label producing apparatus, different types of tape cartridges are used depending on the type of print label to be produced. Generally, when the types of tape cartridges are different, the tape thickness of the label forming tape stored in the cartridge, the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll, and the like are also different.

  Here, when the angular velocity of the tape roll is detected and the remaining tape amount is calculated from the angular velocity as in the above prior art, it is not clearly described in Patent Document 1, but the tape thickness and the tape roll Parameters such as circumference are required. Therefore, when the above prior art is applied to the label producing apparatus in order to detect the remaining tape amount in the tape roll in the label producing apparatus described above, the tape thickness and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll depend on the type of the tape cartridge as described above. Since the parameters such as the above change, there is a possibility that the remaining amount of the tape cannot be accurately detected.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a label producing apparatus that allows an operator to reliably recognize the remaining amount of tape even when a printed label is produced using a plurality of different types of tape rolls.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is configured to be detachable from a device casing constituting an outer shell of the device and a tape roll wound with a label forming tape, and is provided in the device casing. For each type of tape roll, a roll holder, type information acquisition means for acquiring type information of the tape roll mounted on the roll holder, tape thickness of the label producing tape and inner diameter of the tape roll A first storage unit that stores a parameter table that represents the tape thickness of the label producing tape corresponding to the type information acquired by the type information acquisition unit and an inner circumference of the tape roll by referring to the parameter table Parameter information acquisition means for acquiring a diameter, and the tape roll side mounted on the roll holder or the apparatus housing side. An optical detection means for optically detecting a plurality of detectors formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of a detection object provided to rotate at an angular velocity linked to the angular velocity of the prowl, and the tape roll is fed out. Transport means for transporting the label producing tape, transport amount calculating means for calculating a transport amount by the transport means, tape thickness of the label creating tape obtained by the parameter information obtaining means, and inner circumference of the tape roll The remaining tape amount is calculated based on a predetermined calculation formula using the diameter; the number of the detectors detected by the optical detection means; and the transport amount calculated by the transport amount calculation means. And a remaining amount specifying means for specifying the remaining amount of tape of the tape roll, and remaining amount related information related to the remaining amount of tape specified by the remaining amount specifying means is output to the display means. It possesses the remaining related information outputting means, wherein the roll holder, said a tape cartridge holder which is detachably mounted in the tape cartridge roll was contained in a cartridge casing, wherein the type information obtaining means, the cartridge The type information of the tape cartridge mounted on the holder is acquired, and the first storage means represents the tape thickness of the label producing tape and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll for each type of the cartridge. A table is stored, and the optical detection means is formed on the detected body provided to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll in a cartridge housing of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder. The plurality of detectors are optically detected from the outside of the cartridge housing. It is characterized by that.

  When the tape roll is mounted on the roll holder of the label producing apparatus, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll by the conveying means of the label producing apparatus, and at the same time the label producing tape or the print-receiving tape bonded to the tape by the printing means Desired printing is performed, and a printed label is created. At this time, the tape roll is rotated around the spool, and the label producing tape is fed out. However, since the outer diameter of the tape roll gradually decreases as the label producing tape is fed out, the tape transport speed is constant. In this case, the angular velocity around the spool of the tape roll gradually increases according to the change in the roll outer diameter. As described above, there is a predetermined correlation between the roll outer peripheral diameter (that is, the remaining tape amount) and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and it is possible to specify the remaining tape amount from the angular velocity of the tape roll using this correlation. .

  Here, in the label producing apparatus, for example, a so-called laminate type print label that is produced by pasting a printed tape to be printed on a label producing tape, or by directly printing on a label producing tape. It is possible to create a plurality of different types of print labels such as so-called non-laminate type print labels. In this case, a plurality of different types of tape rolls are used depending on the type of print label to be created.

  Generally, when the type of tape roll is different, the correlation between the remaining tape amount and the angular velocity of the tape roll is also different. Further, the tape thickness of the label producing tape, the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll, and the like are different. In the first invention of the present application, a parameter table is stored in advance in the first storage means for representing the tape thickness of the label producing tape and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll for each type of tape roll. Then, the parameter information acquisition unit refers to the parameter table, and acquires the tape thickness and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll corresponding to the tape roll type information acquired by the type information acquisition unit as parameter information. In addition, a detected object that rotates at an angular velocity linked to the angular velocity of the tape roll is provided, and the optical detection means optically detects the detector of the detected object. In this case, the number of detectors detected per unit time corresponds to the angular velocity of the tape roll. Further, the transport amount calculation unit calculates the transport amount of the transport unit. The remaining amount specifying means calculates the tape thickness and tape roll inner diameter obtained by the parameter information acquisition means, the number of detectors detected by the optical detection means, and the transport amount calculation means. The remaining amount of tape is specified based on a predetermined calculation formula using the transported amount, and the remaining amount related information output unit outputs the remaining amount related information related to the specified remaining tape amount to the display unit. As a result, the remaining amount related information can be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen of the label producing apparatus itself or a display unit such as a PC terminal connected to the label producing apparatus via a network. it can.

  As described above, as the parameter information, the tape thickness and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll which are different for each type of tape roll are acquired, and the tape remaining based on the calculated result of the transport amount calculating means and the detection result of the optical detecting means. By specifying the amount, it is possible to specify the remaining tape amount corresponding to the type of tape roll, even when a plurality of different types of tape rolls described above are used in the label producing apparatus. As a result, the operator can reliably recognize the remaining amount of tape even when creating a plurality of different types of print labels.

  As described above, in the first invention of the present application, the parameter information (in the above example, the tape roll inner circumference and the tape thickness of the label producing tape), the calculation result of the transport amount calculation means, and the detection result of the optical detection means The remaining tape amount is sequentially calculated based on the above. As a result, the accuracy depends on the amount of data in the table as compared to the case where the remaining tape table is specified using a remaining volume table in which the angular velocity of the tape roll and the remaining tape volume are set in advance. There is nothing. As a result, the remaining tape amount can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the operator can grasp the tape remaining amount in detail. In addition, since the remaining amount of tape can be detected with high accuracy, print labels can be continuously created according to the remaining amount of tape, and the conveying force (tape feeding force) by the conveying means can be controlled according to the remaining amount of tape. It is also possible to perform processing using the remaining amount of tape such as stabilization of tape conveyance.

Further, by specifying the tape thickness and the inner diameter of the tape roll using the parameter table prepared in advance as described above, the type information acquisition unit adds the tape thickness and the tape roll in addition to the tape roll type information. Since the amount of information to be acquired can be reduced as compared with the case of acquiring the circumference, for example, when the type information acquisition means is a mechanical sensor mechanism, there is an effect that the structure of the sensor mechanism can be simplified. Also, it is possible to install the cartridge containing the tape roll in the cartridge holder and supply the label creation tape from the cartridge to create the print label, as above, corresponding to the tape roll type (cartridge type). It is possible to reliably specify the remaining tape amount.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the remaining amount specifying means calculates a transport amount L (mm) by the transport amount calculating means when N optical detectors detect the N detectors. In this case, the remaining amount of tape is calculated based on a predetermined calculation formula using the number N and the transport amount L, and the remaining tape amount of the tape roll is specified.

  As described above, the outer diameter of the tape roll gradually decreases with the feeding of the label producing tape. Therefore, when the tape conveyance speed, that is, the conveyance amount L per unit time is constant, the number of detectors per unit time detected by the optical detection means is gradually increased according to the change in the roll outer diameter. Become. Thus, there is a predetermined correlation between the outer circumference of the roll (that is, the remaining tape amount) and the number N of detected detectors. The second invention of the present application can use this correlation to specify the remaining tape amount using the transport amount L and the number N of detectors.

  Further, when the remaining tape amount is specified, the calculation is performed using the number N of detectors detected during the predetermined conveyance amount L, so that the value of the tape conveyance speed during the conveyance and the fluctuation of the tape conveyance speed are affected. Regardless, the remaining tape amount can be calculated. Therefore, even when a plurality of tape transport speeds are switched and used, or even when the transport speed is not always a constant value, such as immediately after the start of tape transport or immediately before the stop of tape transport, the tape remaining amount must be specified reliably. Can do.

In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the remaining amount specifying means includes a predetermined arrangement pitch angle θ (rad) of the plurality of detectors, the number N of the detectors, and the transport amount L, Using the tape thickness t (mm) of the tape for label production acquired by the parameter information acquisition means and the inner peripheral diameter d (mm) of the tape roll, the outer diameter of the tape roll is D (mm). When
D = 2L / θN (Formula A)
M = π (D ² −d ² ) / 4t (Formula B)
The tape remaining amount M (mm) is calculated based on the above.

  When the types of tape rolls are different, parameter information such as the tape thickness t of the label producing tape and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll may be different. In the third invention of the present application, the tape thickness t and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll that are different for each type of tape roll are acquired, and N detectors are detected when the transport amount L is transported. Further, the remaining tape amount M is calculated by the formulas A and B using the known detector arrangement pitch angle θ. As a result, the remaining tape amount corresponding to the type of tape roll can be reliably identified.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, a remaining amount table representing a correlation between the number N of the detectors and the transport amount L and the remaining amount of the tape for each type of the tape roll. The remaining amount specifying unit refers to the correlation corresponding to the type information acquired by the type information acquiring unit in the remaining amount table, and the optical detecting unit determines N. By extracting the number N and the remaining amount of tape corresponding to the conveyance amount L when the conveyance amount L is calculated by the conveyance amount calculation means when the detectors are detected, the tape roll The tape remaining amount is specified.

  In the fourth invention of the present application, a remaining amount table that stores the correlation between the number N of detectors and the transport amount L and the remaining amount of tape for each type of tape roll is stored in advance in the second storage means. Then, the remaining amount identifying unit refers to the correlation corresponding to the type information in the remaining amount table, and when the N detectors are detected by the optical detecting unit, the conveying amount L is calculated by the conveying amount calculating unit. In this case, the remaining tape amount corresponding to the number N and the transport amount L is extracted to identify the remaining tape amount of the tape roll.

  In this way, by specifying the remaining tape amount using the remaining amount table prepared in advance, the calculation becomes unnecessary as compared with the case where the remaining tape amount is sequentially calculated based on the detection result of the optical detection means. The control contents related to the remaining amount detection can be simplified. As a result, the CPU and the like can be made low specification and cost can be reduced. In addition, there is an effect that the time required for specifying the remaining amount of tape can be shortened by the amount that calculation is not required.

  According to the present invention, even when a print label is created using a plurality of different types of tape rolls, the operator can reliably recognize the remaining amount of tape.

It is a system configuration figure showing a label production system provided with a label production device of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a cartridge holder inside the apparatus main body and a cartridge attached to the cartridge holder with the opening / closing lid of the label producing apparatus opened. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore with the laminate type cartridge with a cartridge. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore the heat sensitive type cartridge with a cartridge. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore with the receptor type cartridge with a cartridge. It is side sectional drawing which represents notionally the whole structure of a sensor support mechanism. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the permeation | transmission hole vicinity of a cartridge housing | casing. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a label production apparatus. It is the upper side figure and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the printed label produced with the label production apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by the control circuit of a label production apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100. It is a figure showing an example of the parameter table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of calculating tape remaining amount from a roll outer periphery diameter. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of calculating a roll outer periphery diameter from the angular velocity of a roll based on the detection result of a 1st optical sensor. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view conceptually showing the structure in the vicinity of a cartridge when a transmissive first optical sensor is used. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by a control circuit in the modification which warns when the tape remaining amount decreases. In the modification using the remaining amount table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part, it is a figure showing an example of the said table. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by the control circuit. It is a figure showing the other example of the residual amount table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a figure showing the further another example of the residual amount table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a perspective view showing schematic structure of the label production apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover of the label production apparatus shown in FIG. It is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing by a XX 'cross section in FIG. It is the perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover and the tape roll from the label production apparatus shown in FIG. 22, and the expansion perspective view of the W section in FIG. 24 (A). It is a back perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover of the label production apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a side sectional view showing a state where a roll mounting mechanism is mounted on the label producing apparatus shown in FIG. 22 with the upper cover removed. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of a label production apparatus. It is the perspective view from the front upper side showing the detailed structure of a tape roll, and the perspective view from lower back. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the mounting | wearing behavior to the label production apparatus side of a roll mounting mechanism. It is the top view and bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a printed label. It is a cross-sectional view by the XIX-XIX 'cross section in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which the control circuit of a label production apparatus performs. It is a figure showing an example of the parameter table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The system configuration of the label producing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the label production system LS is capable of producing a print label LB1 (see also FIG. 9 described later) on which a desired print is made, and an operation terminal for operating the label production device 100. 400. The label producing apparatus 100 and the operation terminal 400 are connected to be able to transmit and receive information via a wired or wireless communication line NW.

  The label producing apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 having an overall rectangular parallelepiped apparatus casing 101s that constitutes an outline of the label producing apparatus 100. An opening / closing lid 102 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 101 so as to be openable / closable (or detachable). A tape discharge port 104 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 101. The tape discharge port 104 is a discharge port for discharging the printed label tape 23 and the like (see FIGS. 3 to 5 described later).

  The operation terminal 400 is a general-purpose personal computer that is commercially available, for example, and includes a display unit 401 such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit 402 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 401 corresponds to display means described in the claims.

  With reference to FIG. 2, an external configuration of the cartridge holder inside the apparatus main body 101 and a cartridge attached to the apparatus in the state where the opening / closing lid 102 of the label producing apparatus 100 is opened will be described. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the open / close lid 102 opened upward is omitted to avoid the complexity of the illustration.

  In FIG. 2, in the apparatus main body 101 of the label producing apparatus 100, there are a cartridge holder 27 that functions as a roll holder, a print head 19, a tape feed roller drive shaft 30, a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31, and a cartridge sensor. 37 and a first optical sensor 51 are provided.

  The cartridge holder 27 can selectively attach and detach a plurality of types of cartridges 10, 10 ′, and 10 ″ having different types of tapes (in other words, types of rolls, the same applies hereinafter). A cartridge having a base tape roll 17 wound with a base tape 16 for producing a label LB1 (see FIG. 3 described later) The cartridge 10 'is a thermal tape 16 for producing a print label LB1. (Refer to FIG. 4 to be described later). Also, the cartridge 10 ″ is a receptor tape roll 17 ″ wound with a receptor tape 16 ″ for producing the print label LB1. (See FIG. 5 described later). Further, the cartridge holder 27 is provided with a plurality of types of cartridges (in other words, a plurality of types of rolls) having different tape widths in the cartridges 10, 10 ′, 10 ″ having different tape types (in other words, types of rolls). In addition, cartridges other than the above tape types may be used.

  In the following, when the cartridges 10, 10 ', and 10 "are collectively referred to as" cartridge 10 etc. ", and when the base tape 16, the heat sensitive tape 16', and the receptor tape 16" are collectively referred to When the label tape 16, 16 ′, 16 ″ is described and the base material tape roll 17, the heat sensitive tape roll 17 ′, and the receptor tape roll 17 ″ are collectively referred to as “tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ ".

  The print head 19 performs desired printing on the cover film 11 (printed tape) and the like conveyed by the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the like. The tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 are drive shafts that respectively provide a transport driving force for the used ink ribbon 13 and the printed label tape 23 (both refer to FIG. 3 described later), and are linked to each other. And is driven to rotate.

  The cartridge sensor 37 indirectly detects the detected portion 24 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 described later) formed on the mounted cartridge 10 or the like mechanically when the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted. Type information such as 10 is detected. In the present embodiment, as a type of cartridge (in other words, a type of roll), a laminate type having a base tape 16 such as a cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 3 described later and a cover film 11 bonded thereto, FIG. 4 described later. There is a thermal type having a thermal tape 16 'such as a cartridge 10' shown in Fig. 5 and a receptor type having a receptor tape 16 "like a cartridge 10" shown in FIG. The cartridge sensor 37 corresponds to the type information acquisition unit described in the claims.

  The first optical sensor 51 is a detection object 74 (see FIG. 3 described later) provided to rotate at the same angular velocity as the base tape roll 17 in a cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27. This is an optical sensor that optically detects a plurality of detectors 75 (see FIG. 3 to be described later) formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cartridge housing 70 from the outside. For example, it is a reflective type having a configuration including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A control circuit 40 described later (see FIG. 8 described later) can detect the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 based on the encoder pulse output from the first optical sensor 51 (detection result of the detector 75). . Although the details will be described later, the first optical sensor 51 is supported by the sensor support mechanism 60 so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27.

  On the other hand, the cartridge 10 or the like has the cartridge housing 70 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and the cartridge housing 70 has a head insertion penetrating both front and back surfaces for inserting the print head 19. An opening 39 is formed. A long hole-shaped remaining amount confirmation window 71 is provided on the upper portion 70 u of the cartridge housing 70 so that the operator can visually recognize the remaining amount of the base tape 16. Further, a transmission hole 72 that transmits the detection light from the first optical sensor 51 is provided in the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 3 described later).

  The structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state where the laminate type cartridge 10 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the cartridge 10 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge holder 27 that is a recess in the apparatus main body 101. The cartridge 10 also includes a base tape roll 17 wound with a base tape 16, a cover film roll 12 wound with a cover film 11, a ribbon supply side roll 14 for feeding out an ink ribbon 13 for printing, and printing. A ribbon take-up roller 15 for taking up the subsequent ink ribbon 13 and a tape feed roller 18 are provided.

  The base tape roll 17 has the base tape 16 wound around a base tape spool 17a that is rotatably fitted in and stored in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10.

  The base tape 16 has a laminated structure of a plurality of layers (4 layers in this example) (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3). That is, an adhesive layer 16a for bonding the cover film 11 made of an appropriate adhesive from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3), for example, PET ( A tape base layer 16b made of polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 16c made of an appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a release paper 16d.

  When the finally completed print label LB1 is affixed to a target object such as a predetermined article, the release paper 16d is peeled off so that it can be adhered to the target object by the adhesive layer 16c. It is a thing.

  The cover film roll 12 has a width approximately the same as that of the base tape 16 in this example around the cover film spool 12a that is rotatably fitted and accommodated in a boss 96 provided upright on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10. A certain cover film 11 is wound.

  The ribbon supply side roll 14 winds the ink ribbon 13 around a ribbon supply side spool 14 a having an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 13. The ribbon take-up roller 15 includes a ribbon take-up spool 15a having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 13, and is driven by the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 on the cartridge holder 27 side. The used ink ribbon 13 is taken up on a ribbon take-up spool 15a.

  The tape feed roller 18 is driven by the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 on the cartridge holder 27 side so that the base tape 16 and the cover film 11 are pressed and bonded to form a printed label tape 23. The tape is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow T in FIG. That is, the tape feed roller 18 also functions as a tape pressure roller.

  The ribbon take-up roller 15 and the tape feed roller 18 are driven by a driving force of a tape feed motor 33 (see FIG. 8 described later) provided outside the cartridge 10 via a gear mechanism (not shown). By being transmitted to the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 30, they are driven to rotate in conjunction with each other.

  Further, the cartridge 10 has a detected portion 24 at a corner opposite to the tape feeding roller 18 (upper right corner in FIG. 3). The detected portion 24 is provided with a plurality of switch holes in a predetermined pattern. As described above, each pattern includes the type of the cartridge 10, the tape thickness of the base tape 16, and the base material. The cartridge type information including the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll 17 and the like is included. The above-described cartridge sensor 37 (see FIG. 2) detects different switch hole patterns depending on the type of each cartridge 10 as described above, and thereby detects the type of cartridge 10 (in other words, the type of roll). Can do.

  On the other hand, the cartridge holder 27 has the print head 19, the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31, the tape feed roller drive shaft 30, and the roller holder 22. The print head 19 includes a large number of heating elements, and performs printing on a predetermined print area of the cover film 11 fed out from the cover film roll 12.

  The tape feed roller drive shaft 30 is configured so that the cover film 11 fed from the cover film roll 12 of the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the base tape 16 fed from the base tape roll 17 are transferred to the tape feed roller 18. It is conveyed by driving. That is, the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 corresponds to a transport unit.

  The roller holder 22 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 29 and can be switched between a printing position and a release position by a switching mechanism. A platen roller 20 and a tape pressure roller 21 are rotatably disposed in the roller holder 22. When the roller holder 22 is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 20 and the tape pressure roller 21 are The print head 19 and the tape feed roller 18 are pressed against each other.

  Further, a cutter 28 is disposed in the cartridge holder 27 adjacent to the discharge port (not shown) of the cartridge 10. The cutter 28 is activated when a cutter driving button 38 (see FIG. 8 described later) is pressed, and the printed label tape 23 is cut into a predetermined length to generate a printed label LB1.

  Further, the base tape spool 17a has axial bases (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) at both ends so as to contact both ends of the base tape roll 17 in the width direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). Ring-shaped film members 73 and 74 are provided for preventing problems due to the sticking out of the adhesive of the material tape 16. Among these, the film member 74 (see FIG. 3) on the lower side when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 has a light-reflective region 75w and a light-absorbing region at the outer peripheral side end in the radial direction. A plurality of detectors 75 constituted by 75 b are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the base tape roll 17. As shown in the figure, 48 detectors 75 are formed in this embodiment, but other numbers may be used. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the base tape spool 17a is rotated such that the film member 74 rotates at an angular velocity (in this example, the same angular velocity) linked to the base tape roll 17 (specifically, the base tape spool 17a). It is provided to engage with. In this specification, the film member 74 is appropriately referred to as a “detected body 74”.

  The detection object 74 is made of a transparent or translucent film material. The light reflective region 75w constituting the detector 75 is formed by printing white or silver on a film and reflects incident light. The light-absorbing region 75b is formed transparent or semi-transparent by printing black on the film or by not printing or the like, and absorbs or transmits incident light.

  The film member 73 (see FIG. 2), which is on the upper side when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, is made of a transparent or translucent film material, like the film member 74. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator can visually check the remaining tape amount through the film member 73 in the remaining amount confirmation window 71.

  The detector 75 has a radially outer end on the detected body 74, more specifically, the outer circumference of the base tape roll 17 is larger than the contour of the roll when the outer diameter of the base tape roll 17 is the largest (the state shown in FIG. 3). It is formed in the region which becomes the side. Thereby, since the outer peripheral diameter of the base tape roll 17 only becomes smaller with the feeding of the base tape 16 thereafter, the detector 75 and the outline of the roll do not overlap, and the detection by the first optical sensor 51 is performed. The child 75 can be detected satisfactorily.

  Further, as described above, the detection light from the first optical sensor 51 that optically detects the detector 75 of the detection object 74 is transmitted from the outside of the cartridge housing 70 to the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70. A transmission hole 72 is provided. In the present embodiment, the transmission hole 72 is formed in a circular shape.

  In the above configuration, after the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 are synchronized with each other by the driving force of the tape feed motor 33 (see FIG. 8 described later). Is rotated. As the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 is driven, the tape feed roller 18, the platen roller 20, and the tape pressure roller 21 rotate to feed the base tape 16 from the base tape roll 17, and the tape feed roller 18 as described above. Supplied to. On the other hand, the cover film 11 is fed out from the cover film roll 12, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by a print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 described later). At this time, the ink ribbon 13 is pressed against the print head 19 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 11. As a result, desired printing is performed in a predetermined printing area on the back surface of the cover film 11. The base tape 16 and the cover film 11 after printing are bonded and integrated by a tape feeding roller 18 and a tape pressing roller 21 to form a printed label tape 23, and a cartridge is formed from the discharge port. 10 is carried out. Then, the printed label tape 23 is cut by the cutter 28, and a print label LB1 on which a desired print is made is generated.

  In addition, the said base tape 16 is corresponded to the tape for label production as described in a claim, and the said base tape roll 17 is equivalent to a tape roll. The cartridge 10 corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state in which the heat-sensitive type cartridge 10 'is mounted will be described. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only the parts different from FIG. 3 will be described.

  In FIG. 4, the cartridge 10 'has a thermal tape roll 17' around which a thermal tape 16 'is wound. Unlike the laminate type cartridge 10, the cartridge 10 ′ does not have a cover film roll 12 around which the cover film 11 is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 14, and a ribbon take-up roller 15. The heat-sensitive tape roll 17 'winds the heat-sensitive tape 16' around a heat-sensitive tape spool 17a 'that is rotatably fitted and accommodated in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10'.

  In this example, the heat-sensitive tape 16 'has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 4), and is directed from the side wound inside (left side in FIG. 4) to the opposite side (right side in FIG. 4). A cover film 16a 'made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having a heat-sensitive recording layer on the surface, an adhesive layer 16b' made of an appropriate adhesive material, and a release paper 16c 'are laminated in this order.

  When the cartridge 10 'is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the roller holder 25 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the thermal tape 16' is sandwiched between the print head 19 and the platen roller 20, and the tape feed It is sandwiched between the roller 18 and the tape pressure roller 21. Then, the tape feed roller 18, the tape pressure roller 21, and the platen roller 20 rotate in synchronization, and the thermal tape 16 'is fed out from the thermal tape roll 17'.

  The drawn thermal tape 16 'is guided by a substantially cylindrical reel 92 that is rotatably inserted into a reel boss 91 provided upright on the bottom surface of the cartridge, while printing on the downstream side in the transport direction from the head insertion opening 39. It is supplied to the head 19. A plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by the print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 to be described later), whereby the print R is printed on the surface of the cover film 16a ′ of the thermal tape 16 ′ and printed. After being formed as a label tape 23 ', it is carried out of the cartridge 10'. Thereafter, the sheet is cut by the cutter 28, and a print label LB1 on which desired printing is performed is generated.

  The thermal tape 16 'corresponds to the label producing tape described in the claims, and the thermal tape roll 17' corresponds to the tape roll. Further, the cartridge 10 'corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  In the above, a thermal tape is used as the label forming tape, and printing is performed only by heat generation of the print head 19 without using an ink ribbon or the like. However, printing is performed using a normal ink ribbon. May be.

  The structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state where such a receptor type cartridge 10 "is mounted will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same portions as those in Figs. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only portions different from those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are described.

  In FIG. 5, a cartridge 10 ″ has a receptor tape roll 17 ″ around which a receptor tape 16 ″ is wound. Unlike the heat-sensitive type cartridge 10 ′, the cartridge 10 ″ is a ribbon supply side roll 14. And the ribbon take-up roller 15, but the cover film roll 12 around which the cover film 11 is wound is not provided. The receptor tape roll 17 ″ is wound around the receptor tape spool 16 ″ around a receptor tape spool 17a ″ that is rotatably fitted in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10 ″.

  In this example, the receptor tape 16 ″ has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 5), and is directed from the side wound inside (left side in FIG. 5) to the opposite side (right side in FIG. 5). A colored base film 16a ″ made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 16b ″ made of an appropriate adhesive, and a release paper 16c ″ are laminated in this order.

  When the cartridge 10 ″ is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the roller holder 22 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the receptor tape 16 ″ and the ink ribbon 13 are held between the print head 19 and the platen roller 20. At the same time, it is held between the tape feed roller 18 and the tape pressure roller 21. Then, the tape feed roller 18, the tape pressure roller 21, and the platen roller 20 rotate in synchronization, and the receptor tape 16 "is fed out from the receptor tape roll 17".

  On the other hand, at this time, a plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by the print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 described later), and the print R is printed on the surface of the base film 16a ″ of the receptor tape 16 ″. After being formed as the tape for tape 23 ″, it is carried out of the cartridge 10 ″. Thereafter, the sheet is cut by the cutter 28, and a print label LB1 on which desired printing is performed is generated.

  The receptor tape 16 ″ corresponds to the label producing tape described in the claims, and the receptor tape roll 17 ″ corresponds to the tape roll. The cartridge 10 ″ corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  The overall structure of the above-described sensor support mechanism 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A shows a state in which the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the cartridge 10 or the like is attached to the cartridge holder 27.

  The sensor support mechanism 60 is provided at a position facing the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 on the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27. The sensor support mechanism 60 includes a hollow columnar sensor support portion 61 provided so as to be exposed above the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27 and a plate-like detection target portion provided below the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27. 62. The sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 are integrally configured.

  The sensor support portion 61 has a raised portion 63 at the upper end thereof, and the first optical sensor 51 is provided inside the raised portion 63. The outer peripheral surface of the raised portion 63 is formed in a taper shape, and is configured to be able to engage with a transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 (see FIG. 7 described later). A sensor opening 63a is formed in the upper portion of the raised portion 63, and transmits the detection light from the first optical sensor 51, which is a reflective sensor.

  Inside the sensor support 61, there is provided a spring storage chamber 65 separated from the first optical sensor 51 by a partition wall 64. The peripheral wall portion 65 a of the spring storage chamber 65 is inserted into a circular slit 27 c formed on the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27, whereby the sensor support mechanism 60 moves the bottom surface 27 b within the spring storage chamber 65. The first optical sensor 51 is supported with respect to the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27 so as to be able to advance and retract within a possible vertical range. The spring storage chamber 65 stores a spring 66 whose upper end is in contact with the partition wall 64 and whose lower end is in contact with the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27.

  A plurality of detection holes 67 are formed in the detected portion 62 along the axis X of the sensor support mechanism 60. Each detection hole 67 has a different opening area, and each detection hole 67 corresponds to the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like attached to the cartridge holder 27. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, the detection holes 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f correspond to tape widths of 36 mm, 24 mm, 18 mm, 12 mm, 9 mm, and 6 mm, respectively.

  Below the sensor support mechanism 60, a second optical sensor 52 is provided by a support member 68 at a position corresponding to the axis X. The second optical sensor 52 is a transmission type having a light emitting part 52a and a light receiving part 52b (only the light receiving part 52b is shown in FIG. 6A) disposed on one side and the other side of the detected part 62, respectively. It is an optical sensor, and the detection light output from the light emitting section 52a is transmitted through the detection holes 67 in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 6) and input to the light receiving section 52b. As a result, the control circuit 40 (see FIG. 8 described later), which will be described later, determines which detection hole 67 faces the second optical sensor 52 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 52b output from the second optical sensor 52. It can be detected. As a result, it is possible to detect the advance / retreat position of the first optical sensor 51 in a state where it contacts the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27.

  In the above configuration, in a state where the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27, the sensor support portion 61 is not pressed downward by the cartridge housing 70. Therefore, as shown in FIG. As a result, the sensor support 61 protrudes greatly upward from the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27, and the first optical sensor 51 is supported so as to be positioned relatively upward. This position is the same as the cartridge 10 having the smallest tape width among the cartridges 10 and the like that can be attached to the cartridge holder 27. In other words, even when the cartridge housing 70 having the smallest thickness is attached, the upper end of the sensor support 61 is the cartridge. The position is set such that it contacts the casing 70 and is pressed downward.

  In a state where the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, the urging force of the above-described spring 66 is applied to the cartridge 10 from below by a cartridge pressing spring (not shown) provided inside the opening / closing lid 102. Even if it acts, it does not rise. As a result, in the mounted state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sensor support 61 is pressed downward by the cartridge housing 70, and the sensor support 61 and the detected part 62 (in FIG. 6B). (Not shown) moves downward against the biasing force of the spring 66. At this time, since the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 is formed to have a different thickness according to the tape width accommodated therein, the downward movement amount of the sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 is as follows. It depends on the tape width. Therefore, the control circuit 40 (see FIG. 8 described later) detects which of the detection holes 67a to 67f is facing the second optical sensor 52, so that the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like is increased. Can be detected. Thereafter, when the cartridge 10 or the like is removed from the cartridge holder 27, the sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 are moved upward by the biasing force of the spring 66, and the state shown in FIG. At this time, the detection light of the second optical sensor 52 is blocked by a portion of the detected portion 62 where no detection hole exists. Therefore, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 52b is 0 (or less than a predetermined amount), it is possible to detect that the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27.

  The first optical sensor 51 corresponds to the optical detection means described in the claims.

  The structure in the vicinity of the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 7A shows a case where the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 is different depending on each tape width. FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C show a plurality of tape widths. In this case, the cartridge housing 70 is formed to have the same thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the first optical sensor 51 has a light emitting part (not shown) and a light receiving part (not shown) arranged on the lower side of the cartridge housing 70. This is a reflection type sensor that detects the detection light output and reflected by the detection object 74 by the light receiving unit. In addition, the cartridge housing 70 has a contact portion 76 that is in contact with the first optical sensor 51 configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27 described above around the transmission hole 72. In detail, the contact part 76 contacts the upper end part of the sensor support part 61 of the sensor support mechanism 60 mentioned above. The transmission hole 72 has a tapered portion 72 a on the inner peripheral surface that can be engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the raised portion 63 provided at the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61. Thus, when the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, the raised portion 63 provided at the upper end portion of the sensor support mechanism 60 engages with the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70, and the first optical sensor 51 The first optical sensor 51 can be positioned so that the detected light is surely transmitted through the transmission hole 72.

  When a reflective sensor such as the first optical sensor 51 is used, the distance between the sensor 51 and the detection object 74 needs to be a constant distance corresponding to the focal length F of the sensor 51. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cartridge 10 and the like are configured such that the distance between the lower surface of the cartridge housing 70 and the detected body 74 is the focal length F. The distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected object 74 can be held at the focal length F by bringing the portion 76 into contact with the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61 of the sensor support mechanism 60. .

  In general, the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 is formed to have a different thickness depending on the tape width housed therein, but the tape width is relatively small (for example, the tape width is 6 mm, 9 mm). , About 12 mm) may be formed so as to have the same thickness with respect to a plurality of tape widths due to manufacturing reasons. In this case, since the distance between the lower surface of the cartridge housing 70 and the detected body 74 varies depending on the tape width, the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected body 74 is the structure shown in FIG. Does not coincide with the focal length F of the first optical sensor 51, and the detector 75 may not be detected accurately.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C, the contact portion 76 of the cartridge housing 70 formed with the same thickness but different tape width is formed on the surface of the cartridge housing 70. On the other hand, it may be configured as a stepped portion 77 that is recessed by a predetermined distance corresponding to the tape width. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A corresponds to the tape width of 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm, FIG. 7B corresponds to the tape width of 9 mm, and FIG. 7C corresponds to the tape width of 6 mm. Yes. Accordingly, in the relatively large range of the tape width such as 24 mm, 18 mm, and 12 mm, the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 is formed to be different depending on the tape width. Therefore, the structure shown in FIG. However, in a relatively small range such as 6 mm and 9 mm in tape width, a stepped portion 77 having a depth corresponding to the tape width is provided as shown in FIGS. The contact portion 76 located at the bottom is brought into contact with the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61, whereby the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected object 74 is made constant so as to be the focal length F of the sensor 51. 75 can be detected accurately.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7 described above, the stepped portion 77 is recessed by a predetermined distance from the surface of the cartridge housing 70. However, the stepped portion 77 is formed by a predetermined distance from the surface of the cartridge housing 70. The protrusion may be formed in a protruding shape so that the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detection object 74 is constant.

  A functional configuration of the label producing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, a control circuit 40 is arranged on a control board (not shown) of the label producing apparatus 100. The control circuit 40 is provided with a CPU 44, which is connected to the input / output interface 41, ROM 46, flash memory (EEPROM) 47, RAM 48, table storage unit 49, and communication interface (for communication) via the data bus 42. I / F) 43T is connected.

  The ROM 46 reads out data from a print buffer 48B, which will be described later, and prints a print drive control program for driving the print head 19 and a tape feed motor 33, which will be described later. When printing is completed, the printed label tape 23 is taped to the cutting position. Necessary for control, such as a cutting drive control program that drives and feeds the feed motor 33 and drives a solenoid 35 described later to cut the printed label tape 23, a remaining amount calculation program that calculates the remaining tape amount described later, and the like. Various programs are stored. The CPU 44 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 46.

  The RAM 48 temporarily stores various calculation results calculated by the CPU 44. The RAM 48 is provided with a text memory 48A, a print buffer 48B, a work memory 48C for storing various calculation data, and the like. The text memory 48A stores print data such as document data.

  The table storage unit 49 is constituted by a part of the storage area of the ROM 46 or the EEPROM 47, for example. The table storage unit 49 stores the tape thicknesses of the label producing tapes 16, 16 ', 16 "as parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount for each type of the cartridge 10 or the like (in other words, for each roll type). And a parameter table (see FIG. 13 to be described later) representing the inner peripheral diameters of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″. Details of the parameter table will be described later. The table storage unit 49 corresponds to the first storage unit described in the claims.

  The communication I / F 43T performs network communication with the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. The input / output interface 41 includes a print head drive circuit 32 for driving the print head 19, a tape feed motor drive circuit 34, a solenoid drive circuit 36, the cartridge sensor 37, a cutter drive button 38, The first optical sensor 51 and the second optical sensor 52 are connected.

  The tape feed motor drive circuit 34 drives the tape feed motor 33 to drive the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 described above. The label tape 23 is conveyed.

  When driving the tape feed motor 33, the CPU 44 outputs a motor pulse signal for driving the motor 33 to the tape feed motor drive circuit 34 as a control signal via the input / output interface 41, for example. The tape feed motor drive circuit 34 drives the tape feed motor 33 by amplifying and outputting the motor pulse signal. The tape feed roller drive shaft 30 to which the power of the tape feed motor 33 is transmitted rotates the tape feed roller 18. As described above, for example, when the cartridge 10 is mounted, the tape feed roller 18 is conveyed while being bonded by pressing the base tape 16 and the cover film 11, and the outer peripheral diameter thereof is constant. Can be considered. As a result, the transport amount, which is the length of the base tape 16 fed out from the base tape roll 17, changes according to the angle at which the tape feed motor 33 (tape feed roller 18) is rotated. The angle is a magnitude corresponding to the number of motor pulse signals output by the CPU 44. For this reason, the CPU 44 calculates the carry amount from the number of output motor pulse signals.

  The solenoid drive circuit 36 drives a solenoid 35 that drives the cutter 28 to perform a cutting operation. The cutter driving button 38 is used by the operator to manually operate the cutter 28 so that the print label LB1 has a desired length.

  From the cartridge sensor 37, the detection result of the detected portion 24 formed in the cartridge 10 or the like described above is input, and the CPU 44 detects the type information of the cartridge 10 or the like based on the detection result. From the first optical sensor 51, an encoder pulse, which is a detection result of the detector 75 formed on the detection object 74 described above, is input, and the CPU 44 detects the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 based on the encoder pulse period. Based on the number of encoder pulses, the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 is detected. From the second optical sensor 52, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 52b described above is input, and the CPU 44 detects the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like based on the amount of received light. Since the number of motor pulse signals that drive the tape feed motor 33, which is a pulse motor, is proportional to the amount of tape transport, the CPU 44, as described above, based on the number of motor pulses, the base tape 16, the cover film 11, and the printing. The transport amount of the used label tape 23 is calculated (described later). Note that the conveyance amount calculation process by the CPU 44 corresponds to the conveyance amount calculation means described in the claims.

  In the control system centered on the control circuit 40 shown in FIG. 8, when printing data is input from the operation terminal 400 to the label producing apparatus 100 via the communication line NW, the printing data is sequentially stored in the text memory 48A. Remembered. The stored print data is read again and subjected to predetermined conversion by the conversion function of the control circuit 40, whereby dot pattern data is generated and stored in the print buffer 48B. Further, the print head 19 is driven via the print head drive circuit 32, and each of the heating elements is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the print dots for one line, and the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 48B is stored. Printing is performed, and in synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 33 performs transport control of the cover film 11 and the like via the tape feed motor drive circuit 34, and finally creates a print label LB1.

  The appearance and structure of the print label LB1 produced by the label producing apparatus 100 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10. FIG.

  9A, 9B, and 10, the print label LB1 has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 11 is added to the base tape 16 shown in FIG. That is, in the order of the cover film 11, the adhesive layer 16a, the tape base layer 16b, the adhesive layer 16c, and the release paper 16d from the surface (upper side in FIG. 10) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10). Stacked and configured.

  Also, on the back surface of the cover film 11, a print R (character “Taro Nagoya” in this example) corresponding to the print data input by the operator via the operation unit 402 of the operation terminal 400 is mirror image printed. It is printed.

  Next, the control contents executed by the control circuit 40 of the label producing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 11, for example, when the operator turns on the power of the label producing apparatus 100, this flow is started ("START" position).

  First, in step S10, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the cartridge sensor 37, detects the type of the cartridge 10 or the like mounted on the cartridge holder 27 (in other words, the type of roll), and the detection result is stored in, for example, the RAM 48. To remember. At this time, if no cartridge is mounted, information to that effect is detected. The control circuit 40 may constantly input the detection result of the cartridge sensor 37 and store it in the RAM 48 at this timing. As described above, the type of the cartridge 10 in this embodiment includes a laminate type, a heat sensitive type, and a receptor type.

  In step S20, the control circuit 40 determines whether the creation instruction signal output from the operation terminal 400 is input via the communication line NW. The determination is not satisfied until the creation instruction signal is input from the operation terminal 400, the loop is waited, and if the creation instruction signal is input from the operation terminal 400, the determination is satisfied and the print data included in the creation instruction signal is stored in the text memory. The data is stored in 48A and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control circuit 40 reads the printing data stored in the text memory 48A in step S20 and performs, for example, predetermined conversion, and dot pattern data (= print driving) corresponding to the printing content on the cover film 11 or the like. Data). Then, it is stored in the print buffer 48B.

  Thereafter, in step S100, the control circuit 40 executes a label creation process (see FIG. 12 described later for the detailed procedure) for creating a print label LB1 on which a desired print has been performed.

  In step S40, the control circuit 40 accesses the table storage unit 49 and refers to a parameter table (see FIG. 13 to be described later) representing parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount for each type of the cartridge 10 or the like. . Then, parameter information corresponding to the type of cartridge detected in step S10 is acquired from the parameter table. This parameter information includes the tape thickness t of the label producing tapes 16, 16 ', 16 "and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape rolls 17, 17', 17". An example of the parameter table stored in the table storage unit 49 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the parameter table, the tape thickness t (mm), the total length M (mm), the roll inner peripheral diameter d (mm), and the roll outer peripheral diameter D (mm) are stored in advance for each type of cartridge. It is registered. The full length M and the roll outer diameter D here are values (initial values) Mo and Do when the cartridge is not used. Among these, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d are acquired by the control circuit 40 in step S40 as parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount.

  That is, according to the example of FIG. 13, in step S40, if the cartridge detected in step S10 is a laminate type, t = 0.120 (mm), Mo = 8000 (mm), d = 17. (Mm), Do = 39.0 (mm) content parameter information is acquired. If the cartridge detected in step S10 is a receptor type, t = 0.090 (mm), Mo = 8000 (mm), d = 17 (mm), Do = 34.7 (mm). Content parameter information is acquired. If the cartridge detected in step S10 is a thermal type, t = 0.160 (mm), Mo = 4000 (mm), d = 22 (mm), Do = 36.0 (mm). Content parameter information is acquired.

  Returning to FIG. 11, after that, in step S50, the control circuit 40 calculates the remaining tape amount. Here, the remaining amount of tape means the remaining length of the base tape 16 in the base tape roll 17 when the cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder 27 is a laminate type cartridge 10, and the heat sensitive cartridge 10 '. Is the remaining length of the thermal tape 16 'in the thermal tape roll 17', and in the case of the receptor type cartridge 10 ", it is the remaining length of the receptor tape 16" in the receptor tape roll 17 ". In the laminate type cartridge 10, the base tape 16 uses the tape length of the base tape 16 in the base tape roll 17 instead of the cover film 11 in the cover film roll 12 as the base tape 16. The total length is 0 so that the remaining amount of tape is 0 before the cover film 11 This is because has been set in order.

  In each cartridge 10, 10 ', 10 ", the tape rolls 17, 17', 17" rotate the spools 17a, 17a ', 17a "about the spools 17a, 17a', 17" to feed the label producing tapes 16, 16 ', 16 ". However, since the outer peripheral diameter of the tape rolls 17, 17 ', 17 "is gradually reduced as the label forming tapes 16, 16', 16" are fed out, the tape is fed when the tape transport speed is constant. The angular velocities around the spools of the rolls 17, 17 ', 17 "gradually increase as the roll outer diameter decreases. As a result, even if the tape conveyance speed is constant, the tape rolls while carrying a predetermined length. The angular velocity around the spool of 17, 17 ', 17 "gradually increases as the roll outer diameter decreases. Thus, there is a predetermined correlation between the roll outer peripheral diameter and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and as will be described later, the roll outer peripheral diameter and the remaining tape amount correspond one-to-one. Using this correlation, the remaining tape amount is calculated from the angular velocities of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 (see step S155 in FIG. 12 described later).

  Next, details of the method for calculating the remaining tape amount will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In general, the side area of a roll formed by winding a tape can be equated with the side area of all tapes fed out from the roll. The side area of the tape is a value obtained by multiplying the total length M of the tape by the tape thickness t. On the other hand, the side area of the roll can be obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circumference circle obtained from the roll inner circumference diameter d from the area of the outer circumference circle obtained from the roll outer circumference diameter D as shown in FIG. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14B, an equation is established that the side area of the tape is equal to the area obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circumferential circle from the area of the outer circumferential circle. That is, since the left side is the side area of the tape, t (tape thickness) × M (remaining tape amount), and the right side is the area obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circle from the area of the outer circle, so that π (D / 2) ² −π (d / 2) ² . Rearranging this leads to M = π (D ² −d ² ) / 4t. Hereinafter, this formula is referred to as “Formula 1”.

  Among the variables of the above “Equation 1”, the tape thickness t and the inner diameter d of the roll are acquired from the parameter table as described above. Therefore, if the roll outer peripheral diameter D is obtained, the total tape length M as the remaining tape amount (hereinafter referred to as “tape remaining amount M” as appropriate) can be calculated.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 15A, the angular velocity of the roll is ω (rad / s), and a predetermined time range (corresponding to a time range in which N encoder pulses are output as described later). When the length of the tape fed out from the roll, that is, the transport amount is L (mm), the transport amount L is expressed by D (roll outer diameter) / 2 × angular velocity ω, as shown in FIG. . From this equation, D = 2L / ω is derived. Further, the angular velocity ω (rad / s) is output from the first optical sensor 51 to the angle θ (rad) corresponding to one detector 75 among the plurality of detectors 75 provided on the detection object 74 in one second. It is a value obtained by multiplying the number of encoder pulses N (the number of detectors 75 detected by the first optical sensor 51 per second). That is, ω = θ · N. To summarize this, D = 2L / θN is derived, where L is the carry amount in the predetermined time range and N is the number of encoder pulses in that time range (in other words, when the carry amount L is carried). Hereinafter, this formula is referred to as “Formula 2”. In the present embodiment, as described above, 48 detectors 75 are formed on the detection object 74, and therefore the angle θ is 2π / 48 = π / 24 (rad). This angle θ is also stored in advance in the RAM 48, for example.

  Here, the transport amount L corresponds to the number of motor pulse signals of the tape feed motor 33 that is a pulse motor (regardless of whether or not the transport speed changes during the transport). Therefore, as described above, the control circuit 40 can calculate the carry amount L based on the number of motor pulse signals in the predetermined time range. Then, the control circuit 40 calculates the calculated carry amount L, the encoder pulse number N output from the first optical sensor 51 in the predetermined time range corresponding to the carry amount L, and the angle θ read from the RAM 48. From the above, the roll outer peripheral diameter D is calculated based on the above “Expression 2”. The remaining tape amount M can be calculated from the calculated roll outer peripheral diameter D, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d acquired from the parameter table, based on the above “Equation 1”.

  Returning to FIG. 11, after that, in step S60, the control circuit 40 outputs the tape remaining amount information corresponding to the calculated tape remaining amount M to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. As a result, the remaining tape amount M is displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  Note that the tape remaining amount display on the operation terminal 400 may be a numerical value, or may be displayed using a figure such as a bar graph or other symbols, for example. Moreover, when displaying by a numerical value, you may display finely by a millimeter unit or a centimeter unit, and may display roughly by a meter unit.

  In FIG. 11 described above, step S40 functions as the parameter information acquisition unit described in the claims, step S50 functions as the remaining amount specifying unit, and step S60 functions as the remaining amount related information output unit. To do. The tape remaining amount information output in step S60 corresponds to remaining amount related information.

  The detailed procedure of step S100 in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, a case where the print label LB1 is produced using the laminate type cartridge 10 will be described as an example.

  First, in step S110, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal (motor pulse signal) to the tape feed motor drive circuit. As a result, the tape feed motor 33 drives the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 to feed the base tape 16 from the base tape roll 17 and the cover film 11 from the cover film roll 12. Is started. As a result, conveyance of the base tape 16, the cover film 11, and the printed label tape 23 (hereinafter simply referred to as “base tape 16 etc.”) is started. At the same time, in step S110, calculation of the conveyance amount based on the motor pulse signal is started. For example, the counter value of the motor pulse signal at this time may be stored in the RAM 48 or the like as the value at the start of conveyance, and the deviation to the counter value of the motor pulse signal in step S165 described later may be taken. Alternatively, the counter value of the motor pulse signal at this time may be cleared to zero as an initial value. In step S110, detection (counting) of encoder pulses detected by the first optical sensor 51 is also started. For example, the number of encoder pulses at this time may be cleared to zero, and the number of encoder pulses detected by the first optical sensor 51 may be integrated and counted up to step S165 described later.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the base tape 16 or the like has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a conveyance distance that the front end of the print area provided in the cover film 11 reaches a position where the print head 19 is substantially opposed. This conveyance distance determination may be performed based on the motor pulse signal, or may be performed, for example, by detecting a marking provided on the base tape 16 with a known tape sensor (not shown). The determination is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed, and the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S <b> 130, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the print head drive circuit 32 and causes the print head 19 to start printing corresponding to the print drive data in the print area of the cover film 11.

  In step S140, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not printing for the print area of the cover film 11 has been completed. The determination is not satisfied until all the printing is completed, and the loop waits. When all the printing is completed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the control circuit 40 determines whether the base tape 16 or the like has been further conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a conveyance distance that the entire printing area exceeds the cutter 28 by a predetermined length. The conveyance distance determination at this time may be performed based on the motor pulse signal or the like as described above. Until the predetermined amount is conveyed, that is, until the output of the predetermined number of motor pulse signals is completed, the determination is not satisfied, and the loop waits. When the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the control circuit 40 stops driving the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 by the tape feed motor 33 by stopping the output of the motor pulse signal to the tape feed motor drive circuit 34. It stops and the feeding of the base tape 16 and the cover film 11 from the base tape roll 17 and the cover film roll 12 and the transport of the base tape 16 and the like are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S165, the control circuit 40 ends the detection of the transport amount and the encoder pulse, which has been detected in step S110, and from step S110 to step S165 (corresponding to the predetermined time range described above). The transport amount L and the encoder pulse number N are calculated. Note that the number N of encoder pulses in this case is determined only by the number of encoder pulses detected by the first optical sensor 51 from step S110 to step S165, and is sequentially detected by the first optical sensor 51 in parallel with the conveyance. This value is not affected by the behavior of the encoder pulse train. Further, by calculating the transport amount L from step S110 in step S165, the value of the remaining tape amount M is calculated and updated each time one print label LB1 is created (in other words, in other words, As the carry amount L, a tape length corresponding to the label length of one printed label is set). However, as will be described later, the remaining tape length M may be obtained by calculating the number N of encoder pulses at that time, using the other tape length (for example, 100 mm) as the calculation unit of the transport amount L.

  Thereafter, in step S170, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the cutter driving button 38 has been manually operated by the operator. The determination is not satisfied until the cutter driving button 38 is manually operated, loops and waits, and when the cutter driving button 38 is manually operated, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S180.

  In step S180, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the solenoid drive circuit 36, drives the solenoid 35, and cuts the printed label tape 23 by the cutter 28. As described above, at this time, all of the printed label tape 23 including the printing area has sufficiently exceeded the cutter 28, and the printing corresponding to the print drive data is performed by cutting the cutter 28. A label LB1 is generated.

  Thereafter, in step S190, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to a discharge motor (not shown) for driving a separately provided discharge roller (not shown), and the label is generated in step S180. The print label LB1 is discharged out of the apparatus. If the print label LB1 can be discharged out of the apparatus by manual operation without a discharge motor, step S190 may be omitted. Thereafter, this routine is terminated.

  In the first embodiment described above, the cartridge sensor 37 acquires the type information of the cartridge 10 or the like attached to the cartridge holder 27. A detected body 74 that rotates at an angle (in this example, the same angular speed) linked to the angular speed of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ is provided, and the first optical sensor 51 is a detector of the detected body 74. In step S50, the control circuit 40 detects the tape thickness and the inner diameter of the tape roll based on the type information acquired by the cartridge sensor 37, and the detection detected by the first optical sensor 51. Based on the number of slaves 75 (number of encoder pulses) and the transport amount calculated in the transport amount calculation process, the remaining tape amount M of the tape rolls 17, 17 ', 17 "is calculated. In step S60, the remaining tape information corresponding to the calculated remaining tape M is output to the operation terminal 400. Accordingly, the remaining tape amount M can be displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400.

  In this way, by calculating the tape remaining amount M based on the tape thickness t and the tape roll inner circumference d corresponding to the type information of the cartridge 10 and the like, the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 and the transport amount calculation result. Even when a plurality of different types of cartridges 10, 10 ′, 10 ″ described above are used in the label producing apparatus 100, the remaining tape amount M can be calculated in accordance with the type of cartridge. Can reliably recognize the remaining tape amount M even when a plurality of different types of print labels LB1 are created, and in particular, when calculating the remaining tape amount M, the predetermined steps S110 to S165 are performed. Since the calculation is performed using the number N of encoder pulses detected during the transport amount L, the tape transport speed value and the tape transport speed during the transport It is possible to calculate the remaining tape amount M regardless of fluctuations in the number of tapes. Even when the transport speed is switched and used, or even when the transport speed is not necessarily a constant value immediately after the start of tape transport or immediately before the stop of tape transport, the remaining tape amount M can be calculated reliably.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the control circuit 40 uses the tape roll inner circumference d associated with the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ based on the type information such as the cartridge 10 acquired by the cartridge sensor 37 in step S 40. In step S165, the transport amount L and the encoder pulse number N are acquired, and in step S50, the acquired tape roll inner diameter d, tape thickness t, transport amount L, and Using the encoder pulse number N, the remaining tape amount M is calculated based on “Expression 1” and “Expression 2”. By sequentially calculating the remaining tape amount M in this manner, the accuracy depends on the amount of data in the table as compared with the case where the remaining tape amount M is specified using a remaining amount table prepared in advance, for example. The remaining amount of tape can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the operator can grasp the tape remaining amount in detail. Further, since the remaining tape amount M can be detected with high accuracy, the print label LB1 is continuously produced according to the remaining tape amount, or the conveying force (tape feeding force) by the tape feed roller 18 according to the remaining tape amount. For example, it is possible to perform processing using the remaining amount of tape such as adjusting the time interval from the stop state until reaching a predetermined conveyance speed to stabilize the tape conveyance. .

  In this embodiment, in particular, when the type of cartridge is different, parameter information such as the tape thickness of the label producing tape 16, 16 ', 16 "and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape rolls 17, 17', 17" is different. Correspondingly, the tape thickness t of the label producing tapes 16, 16 ', 16 "and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape rolls 17, 17', 17" are previously stored in the table storage unit 49 for each type of cartridge 10 or the like. The parameter table to represent is stored. Then, the control circuit 40 refers to the parameter table in step S40, and the tape thickness t corresponding to the type information such as the cartridge 10 acquired by the cartridge sensor 37 and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ are obtained. In this way, by specifying the tape thickness t and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ using the parameter table prepared in advance, the cartridge type is determined by the cartridge sensor 37. In addition to the information, the amount of information to be acquired can be reduced as compared with the case of acquiring the tape thickness t and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″. The structure can be simplified.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(1-1) When the first optical sensor is a transmissive sensor In the first embodiment, a reflective sensor is used as the first optical sensor 51. However, a transmissive sensor may be used. The configuration in the vicinity of the cartridge when the transmissive first optical sensor 51 'is used will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 16, the first optical sensor 51 ′ of this modification has a light emitting part 51 a ′ and a light receiving part 51 b ′, and receives the detection light output from the light emitting part 51 a ′ and transmitted through the detection object 73. This is a transmissive optical sensor detected by 51b '. The light emitting portion 51a ′ is provided inside the opening / closing lid 102, and the light receiving portion 51b ′ is provided on the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27. When the opening / closing lid 102 is closed, the light emitting portion 51a ′ and the light receiving portion 51b ′ are The cartridge 10 and the like mounted on the cartridge holder 27 are opposed to each other at corresponding positions on one side and the other side. At this time, the detector 75 of the detection object 73 includes a transparent or translucent light-transmitting region 75c (not shown) and a light shielding region 75s (not shown).

  Two transmission holes 72A ′ and 72B ′ for transmitting the detection light from the first optical sensor 51 ′ are provided at corresponding positions of the upper portion 70u and the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70, respectively. In this modification, the detector 75 is formed on any of the film members 73 and 74 provided so as to be in contact with both ends of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′ and 17 ″ in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 16). However, in the example shown in Fig. 16, the detector 75 is formed on the upper film member 73 when the cartridge 10 or the like is attached to the cartridge holder 27. Therefore, in this modification, the film member 73 is formed. Is appropriately referred to as “detected body 73”.

  The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. In the present modification, the first optical sensor 51 'corresponds to the optical detection means described in the claims.

  According to this modification, since the transmissive first optical sensor 51 ′ is used, the sensor support mechanism 60 that supports the sensor so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the cartridge holder 27 as in the case of using the reflective first optical sensor 51. There is no need to provide. Therefore, the structure of the label producing apparatus 100 can be simplified. In addition, since both the film members 73 and 74 can be configured as the detection target, the degree of freedom is improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, even when the upper film member 73 is the detected object 73, the detected object 73 is composed of a transparent or translucent film member, so that the operator can check the remaining amount. Through the window 71, the tape rolls 17, 17 ', and 17 "can be seen through the detected object 73, and the rough remaining amount of the tape can be visually confirmed. At this time, the detector 75 is detected. Since it is provided at the outer peripheral side end of the body 73, the detector 75 does not get in the way when visually recognizing the remaining tape amount.

(1-2) When a warning is issued when the remaining tape amount is low, a warning may be issued when the remaining tape amount falls below a preset lower limit value. The contents of control executed by the control circuit 40 in this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 17, steps S10 to S50 are the same as those in FIG. In the next step S55, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the remaining tape amount M calculated in step S50 described above is equal to or lower than the lower limit value. This lower limit value is a predetermined value as the remaining tape amount M to be warned to the operator, and is stored in advance in the RAM 48, for example. If the remaining tape amount M is less than or equal to the lower limit value, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S57.

  In step S57, the control circuit 40 sends the remaining tape information corresponding to the calculated remaining tape amount M and predetermined warning information indicating that the remaining tape amount is low to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. Output. As a result, a warning is displayed together with the remaining tape amount on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  On the other hand, if the remaining tape amount is larger than the lower limit in step S55, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to step S60. Step S60 is the same as FIG. 11 described above, and the tape remaining amount information is output to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. As a result, the remaining tape amount is displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  In the present modification, steps S57 and S60 function as remaining amount related information output means. The warning information output in step S57 and the remaining tape information output in step S60 correspond to remaining amount related information.

  According to the above modification, an alarm is given to the operator when the remaining tape amount is less than a predetermined value, so that the device malfunctions when the operator performs printing without a tape without noticing the tape end. Can be prevented.

  In the above modification, only the lower limit value is set as the threshold value, but a plurality of threshold values set in advance are set, and each time the remaining level information corresponding to each threshold value is manipulated every time the threshold value becomes lower than each threshold value. You may output to the terminal 400, respectively. As a result, as the remaining tape amount gradually decreases, the remaining tape amount is notified to the operator step by step, for example, by displaying characters such as “many”, “medium”, and “low”, and graphic / symbols such as bar graphs. can do.

(1-3) In the case of having a remaining amount table In the above embodiment, the control circuit 40 acquires the calculated transport amount L, the number of encoder pulses N based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51, and the parameter table. Based on the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d, the remaining tape amount M is calculated using the above-mentioned “Formula 1” and “Formula 2”. A remaining amount table that represents the correlation between the transport amount L and the remaining tape amount M for each type of cartridge may be stored in the table storage unit 49.

  An example of the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49 will be described with reference to FIG. In the remaining amount table shown in FIG. 18, while the first optical sensor 51 detects a predetermined number of detectors 75 (in this example, from detection of one detector 75 to detection of the next detector 75). In other words, while the first optical sensor 51 outputs a predetermined number of encoder pulse signals, the carry amount L calculated by the carry amount calculation process, the roll outer diameter D (mm), The remaining tape amount M (mm) for each cartridge type is registered in advance in association with each other. The remaining tape amount M is calculated by the above-mentioned “Expression 1” and “Expression 2” using the values of the respective parameters shown in FIG. In the upper part of the figure, the roll outer peripheral diameter D is larger and the transport amount L per encoder pulse is larger. On the other hand, the lower the roll tape is consumed, the lower the roll outer peripheral diameter D is, and the transport amount L per encoder pulse is. Is getting smaller.

  Note that the carry amount L may not be between one encoder pulse as described above, but may be between a plurality of encoder pulses, and the entire period required to produce the print label LB1 (in other words, one print label LB1). (The transport amount transported at the time of creation). Further, when calculating the conveyance amount L between one encoder pulse, it may be calculated a plurality of times and take the average value.

  The contents of control executed by the control circuit 40 in this modification will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, steps S10 to S30 are substantially the same as those in FIG. 11 described above, and the description is omitted except for step S30. After step S30, in step S100A provided in place of step S100, label creation processing (details will be described later) is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50A instead of step S50. In step S50A, the control circuit 40 refers to the portion corresponding to the type of cartridge detected in step S10 in the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49, and based on the calculation result of the carry amount calculation process. The remaining tape amount M corresponding to the transport amount L per encoder pulse is specified. That is, in this case, “Formula 1” and “Formula 2” using the tape roll inner circumferential diameter d, the tape thickness t, the transport amount L, and the encoder pulse number N as in the first embodiment are used. There is no need to perform an operation. The subsequent step S60 is the same as that in FIG.

  Specifically, for example, when a laminate type cartridge 10 is mounted, and the transport amount L per encoder pulse obtained from the calculation result of the transport amount calculation process is 2.17 (mm) As shown in FIG. 18, the remaining tape amount M is 5308 (mm). Accordingly, the remaining tape amount M is displayed as 5308 (mm) when the carry amount L reaches 2.17 (mm), and then the remaining tape amount until the carry amount L reaches the next 2.16 (mm). M is displayed as 5308 (mm). For example, when the transport amount L becomes 2.16 (mm) due to consumption of the tape, the remaining tape display is changed to 5242 (mm). In this way, the corresponding tape remaining amount display may be changed every time the carry amount L changes by 0.01 (mm).

  In this modification, the step S50A functions as remaining amount specifying means described in the claims. The table storage unit 49 corresponds to a second storage unit.

  According to this modification, by specifying the remaining tape amount M using a remaining amount table prepared in advance, the remaining tape amount M based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 as in the first embodiment. Compared with the sequential calculation, the calculation is unnecessary (or the calculation amount is greatly suppressed), so that the control content related to the tape remaining amount detection can be simplified. As a result, the CPU and the like can be made low specification and cost can be reduced. In addition, there is an effect that the time required for specifying the remaining amount of tape can be shortened by the amount that calculation is not required.

  In the present modification, the remaining amount table is referred to using the transport amount L, but other remaining amount table may be employed. Another example of the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49 will be described with reference to FIG. In the remaining amount table shown in FIG. 20, the detection element 75 detected by the first optical sensor 51 while the transport amount L calculated as described above reaches a predetermined fixed value (100 mm in this example). The number and the remaining tape amount M (mm) for each cartridge type are associated with each other and registered in advance. The remaining tape amount M is calculated by the above-mentioned “Expression 1” and “Expression 2” using the values of the respective parameters shown in FIG. In the upper part of the figure, the number of encoder pulses until the roll outer peripheral diameter D is increased and transported by 100 mm is small. On the other hand, as the roll tape is consumed and the lower stage, the roll outer peripheral diameter D decreases and the encoder is transported by 100 mm. The number of pulses is large.

  When the remaining amount table shown in FIG. 20 is used, in step S50A of the flowchart shown in FIG. 19, the control circuit 40 determines the cartridge detected in step S10 described above in the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49. The portion corresponding to the type is referred to, converted into the number of encoder pulses per 100 mm of the carry amount based on the calculation result of the carry amount calculation process and the detection result of the first optical sensor 51, and corresponds to the encoder pulse number N. What is necessary is just to specify the tape remaining amount M.

  Specifically, for example, when the laminate type cartridge 10 is mounted and the encoder pulse number N per 100 mm converted as described above is 52, the tape remaining as shown in FIG. The amount M is 3763 (mm). Accordingly, when the encoder pulse number N reaches 52, the remaining tape amount M is displayed as 3763 (mm). After that, when the encoder pulse number N per 1010 mm becomes 53, for example, due to tape consumption, the remaining tape amount is displayed. The display is changed to 3551 (mm). In this way, every time the encoder pulse number N changes by 1, the corresponding tape remaining amount display is changed. In the above case as well, step S50A functions as the remaining amount specifying means described in the claims. The table storage unit 49 corresponds to a second storage unit.

  Furthermore, a table in which the remaining amount tables of the two modified examples are combined may be prepared in advance. An example of such a table is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the relationship between the remaining tape amount M, the transport amount L, and the encoder pulse number N is registered in advance for each type in the form of collecting the two remaining amount tables, and the table storage unit 49. In particular, in this example, the table is set more roughly than the two tables described above. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the transport amount L between one encoder pulse based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 and the number N of encoder pulses from the first optical sensor 51 are 1 (m ) Is calculated and registered in advance.

  In this case, for example, when the conveyance amount L is detected as 2.00 (mm), the tape is set as “4 to 5 m” for the laminate type, “5 to 6 m” for the receptor type, and “2 to 3 m” for the heat sensitive type. The remaining amount M may be displayed. Similarly, for example, when the number of encoder pulses N is detected as 53, the remaining tape amount M is set to “3 to 4 m” for the laminate type, “4 to 5 m” for the receptor type, and “1 to 2 m” for the thermal type. Display may be performed.

(1-4) Others In the above description, the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400 that is a separate body from the label producing apparatus 100 is used as a display unit for displaying the remaining tape amount. It is good also as a structure which provides the display part integrally in the label production apparatus 100, and uses this as a display means.

  In the above description, the case where the printed label tape 23 after printing is cut with the cutter 28 to create the print label LB1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the case where a label mount (so-called die-cut label) previously separated into a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, even if it is not cut by the cutter 28, After the tape has been discharged from the tape discharge port 104, only the label mount (the one on which the corresponding printing has been performed) may be peeled off from the tape to produce the print label LB1. Applicable.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is an embodiment of a label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a plurality of different types of tape rolls without using a cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the label producing apparatus 201 includes a main body housing 202, a transparent resin upper cover 205, and a transparent resin made upright so as to face the substantially central portion on the front side of the upper cover 205. The tray 206 includes a power button 207 disposed on the front side of the tray 206, a cutter lever 209, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 23, a roll mounting mechanism 203 is housed and disposed in a roll housing portion 204 that functions as a roll holder. The roll mounting mechanism 203 includes a positioning and holding member 212 and a guide member 220, and a tape 203 A (label producing tape) having a predetermined width is wound around in a roll shape so as to constitute a tape roll 300. Yes. That is, the guide member 220 as one side wall and the positioning and holding member 212 as the other side wall are provided on both sides in the axial direction of the tape 203A so as to be substantially orthogonal to the axis. In addition, the upper cover 205 is attached to the upper edge of the rear side so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the upper side of the roll storage unit 204.

  In addition, a support member 215 is provided at one side edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the roll storage unit 204, and the support member 215 has a substantially vertically long U-shape as viewed from the front. One positioning groove 216 is formed. A mounting member 213 that protrudes outward from the positioning holding member 212 and has a vertically long cross-sectional shape that is narrow in the downward direction when viewed from the front is narrow in the downward direction. The support member 215 is fitted into the first positioning groove 216 by being in close contact therewith. The protruding height dimension of the mounting member 213 is formed to be substantially equal to the width dimension of the first positioning groove 216.

  A lever 227 is provided at the transport direction front end of the other side edge of the roll storage unit 204.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the tape 203A has a three-layer structure in this example (see a partially enlarged view), and is on the opposite side (lower right side in FIG. 24) from the side wound outward (upper left side in FIG. 24). ) In the order of release paper 203a, adhesive layer 203b, and long thermal paper (so-called thermal paper) 203c having self-coloring properties.

  The release paper 203a is bonded to the thermal paper 203c by the adhesive layer 203b on the back side of the thermal paper 203c (upper left side in FIG. 24). The release paper 203a is configured such that when the finally completed print label LB2 is affixed to a predetermined product or the like, it can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 203b by peeling it off.

  A power cord 210 is connected to one side end of the back surface of the main body housing 202.

  In addition, an annular film member is provided on both ends of the tape roll 300 in the axial direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 24) so as to contact both ends of the tape roll 300 in the width direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 24). 273 (not shown) and a film member 274 are provided. Of these, the film member 274 (see FIG. 24) on the right side when viewed from the front of the apparatus when the tape roll 300 is mounted has a light-reflective region 275w and a light absorption at the outer peripheral end in the radial direction. A plurality of detectors 275 configured with the sex region 275 b are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tape roll 300. As shown in the figure, 16 detectors 275 are formed in this embodiment, but other numbers may be used. The film member 274 is provided, for example, on the side surface of the tape roll 300 so as to rotate at an angular velocity (in this example, the same angular velocity) interlocked with the tape roll 300 attached to the roll storage unit 204. In this specification, the film member 274 is appropriately referred to as a “detected body 274”. In addition, in order to prevent the illustration from becoming complicated, the illustration of the film member is omitted in each drawing other than FIGS.

  The detected body 274 is made of a transparent or translucent film material, like the detected body 74 of the first embodiment. The light reflective region 275w constituting the detector 275 is formed by printing white or silver on the film and reflects incident light. The light-absorbing region 275b is formed transparent or semi-transparent by printing black on the film or by not printing or the like, and absorbs or transmits incident light.

  An optical sensor 251 is provided at the rear end in the transport direction on one side substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the roll storage unit 204. The optical sensor 251 is an optical sensor that optically detects the detector 275 from the outside of the roll, like the first optical sensor 51 of the first embodiment. That is, similar to the first optical sensor 51, the optical sensor 251 has a light emitting unit (not shown) and a light receiving unit (not shown), and is detected from the light emitting unit and reflected by the detected object 274. It is a reflective sensor that detects light with a light receiving unit. A control circuit 410 described later (see FIG. 29 described later) can detect the angular velocity of the tape roll 300 based on the encoder pulse output from the optical sensor 251.

  Similar to the detector 75 of the first embodiment, the detector 275 has a radially outer peripheral end of the detected body 274, specifically, the contour of the roll in the state where the outer diameter of the tape roll 300 is the largest. (In FIG. 24, for the sake of clarity, the detector 275 is exaggerated so that it is also present on the inner periphery side of the roll contour. ing). As a result, since the outer diameter of the tape roll 300 thereafter only becomes smaller as the tape 203A is fed out, the detector 275 and the contour of the roll do not overlap, and the detection of the detector 275 by the optical sensor 251 is good. Can be done.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the tape 203A is wound around a winding core (reel member) 203B in a roll shape to constitute the tape roll 300.

  Between the positioning holding member 212 and the guide member 220, a substantially cylindrical shaft member 240 is provided so as to be arranged in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the winding core 203B. The member 212, the guide member 220, and the shaft member 240 constitute a roll mounting mechanism 203. The shaft member 240 is provided with a plurality of types (for example, four types) of length dimensions corresponding to the length dimensions of the core 203B described above, and the length dimension of the shaft member 240 is changed. As a result, a plurality of types of roll mounting mechanisms 203 on which tape rolls 300 having tapes 203A having different widths (however, the outer diameters d of the cores 203B are all the same) can be mounted. Note that the maximum winding length of the tape 203A wound around the roll mounting mechanism 203 is, for example, about 30 m.

  An engagement recess 215A is formed at the inner base end of the support member 215, and an elastic locking piece 212A protruding from the lower end of the positioning holding member 212 is engaged with the engagement recess 215A. Yes.

  On the bottom surface of the roll storage portion 204, a positioning recess 204A having a horizontally long rectangular shape in a plan view with a predetermined depth (for example, about 1.5 to 3 mm) from the inner base end portion of the support member 215 substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. It is formed. A control board 232 on which a control circuit unit that drives and controls each mechanism unit according to a command from an external personal computer or the like is provided below the roll storage unit 204.

  The width dimension of the positioning recess 204 </ b> A in the conveyance direction is formed to be substantially equal to the width dimension of each lower end edge portion of the positioning holding member 212 and the guide member 220 constituting the roll mounting mechanism 203. Further, the inner base end portion of the support member 215 of the positioning recess 204A is opposed to a detection portion 260 described later (see also FIG. 30 described later) that extends from the lower end edge of the positioning holding member 212 in a substantially right-angle inner direction. The portion is a detection recess 204B.

  The detection recess 204B has a rectangular shape in plan view that is vertically long in the transport direction, and is formed to be deeper by a predetermined depth (for example, about 1.5 to 3 mm) than the positioning recess 204A. The detection recess 204B is composed of a push-type micro switch or the like, and four roll detection sensors S1, S2, S3, S4 for determining the type of the tape roll 300 are provided in a substantially L shape in this example. Yes. Each of the roll detection sensors S1 to S4 includes a known mechanical switch composed of a plunger, a micro switch, and the like, and the upper end of each plunger extends from the bottom surface of the detection recess 204B to the bottom surface of the positioning recess 204A. It is provided so that it may protrude to the part vicinity. And it is detected whether each sensor hole (after-mentioned) of the to-be-detected part 260 exists with respect to each of these roll detection sensors S1 to S4, and the tape roll mounted on the roll mounting mechanism 203 by the on / off signal. 300 types are detected. The roll detection sensors S1 to S4 correspond to the type information acquisition unit described in the claims.

  As shown in FIGS. 26 (A) and 26 (B), a mounting portion 221 on which the tip of the guide member 220 constituting the roll mounting mechanism 203 is mounted is provided. The placement portion 221 extends substantially horizontally from the rear end edge portion of the insertion port 218 into which the tape 203A is inserted to the front upper end edge portion of the roll storage portion 204. The distal end portion of the guide member 220 described above extends to the insertion port 218.

  Four second positioning grooves 222A to 222D having a substantially L-shaped cross section corresponding to a plurality of width dimensions of the tape 203A are formed at the edge corners on the rear side of the mounting portion 221 in the transport direction. That is, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of tape rolls 300 having different tape widths can be mounted on the roll storage unit 204 using the roll mounting mechanism 203. Each of the second positioning groove portions 222 </ b> A to 222 </ b> D is formed so that a part of the portion of the guide member 220 constituting the roll mounting mechanism 203 that comes into contact with the placement portion 221 can be fitted from above. The positioning recess 204A described above is provided from the inner base end of the support member 215 to a position facing the second positioning groove 222A.

  In the tape roll 300 of this embodiment including the winding core 203B, the tape 203A, and the roll mounting mechanism 203, the mounting member 213 of the positioning holding member 212 is fitted into the first positioning groove 216 of the support member 215, and the positioning holding member 212 The elastic locking piece 212A protruding from the lower end is engaged with the engaging recess 215A formed at the inner base end of the support member 215, and the lower surface of the distal end of the guide member 220 is set to each of the second positioning grooves 222A to 222A. The lower end portion of the guide member 220 is fitted into the positioning recess 204A and is brought into contact with the roll storage portion 204 by being fitted into 222D and detachably attached to the roll storage portion 204.

  As shown in FIG. 27, a guide rib portion 223 is erected on the side edge of the insertion port 218 on the support member 215 side. Further, the side edge (on the left edge in FIG. 27) of the insertion port 218 on the support member 215 side is formed so as to face the inner end surface of the positioning holding member 212 fitted into the support member 215. Has been.

  Note that a connector portion 211 formed of a USB (Universal Serial bus) or the like connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like is provided at the other side end portion of the back surface portion of the main body housing 202.

  As shown in FIG. 28, a cutter unit 208 that is moved left and right by the cutter lever 209 provided on the front side surface portion so as to be movable left and right is provided, and the upstream side of the cutter unit 208 in the transport direction of the tape 203A (in FIG. On the lower right side, a thermal head 231 for printing is provided, and a platen roller 226 (conveying means) is provided at a position facing the thermal head 231.

  The thermal head 231 is moved away from the platen roller 226 by rotating the lever 227 for moving up and down, thereby moving the thermal head 231 downward and rotating the lever 227 downward. Thus, the tape 203A is pressed against the platen roller 226 to be ready for printing.

  That is, at the time of printing, the lever 227 is first rotated upward to bring one side edge of the tape 203A into contact with the inner side surface of the guide member 220 while the other side edge of the tape 203A. Printing can be performed by inserting the portion into the insertion port 218 while abutting the guide rib 223 erected on the side edge of the insertion port 218 and rotating the lever 227 downward. By rotating the lever 227 downward in this state, the tape 203A inserted from the insertion port 218 is urged so as to be pressed toward the platen roller 226 by the line-type thermal head 231. The platen roller 226 is rotated by a pulse motor (or a stepping motor or the like, see FIG. 29 described later) that can be controlled by a motor pulse signal, and the thermal head 231 is driven and controlled to convey the tape 203A. The desired print data can be printed sequentially on the print surface. Then, the printed tape 203A discharged onto the tray 206 is cut by the cutter unit 208 by moving the cut lever 209 in the right direction to generate a print label LB2 (see FIG. 32 described later).

  Next, the control system of the label producing apparatus 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 29, the tape 203A wound around the winding core 203B is printed in the printing area SA by the thermal head 231 in this example, and the printed tape 203A is operated by the cutter lever 209 as described above. As a result, the cutter unit 208 cuts at a desired timing, and the print label LB2 is generated.

  In addition, the label producing apparatus 201 includes a sensor 439 that detects the presence or absence of the tape 203A in the transport path to the carry-out port E, and the platen roller that transports and sends the tape 203A and the cut print label LB2 to the carry-out port E. 226, a print drive circuit 405 for controlling energization to the thermal head 231, a platen roller drive circuit 409 for controlling a platen roller motor 408 for driving the platen roller 226, the print drive circuit 405, and a platen roller drive A control circuit 410 for controlling the overall operation of the label producing apparatus 201 is provided via a circuit 409 or the like.

  The control circuit 410 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, the control circuit 410 includes a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and is stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 410 includes a table storage unit 410A (first storage unit) that stores a parameter table (see FIG. 35 described later), like the table storage unit 49 of the first embodiment. Further, the control circuit 410 is powered by the power supply circuit 411A and is connected to, for example, a communication line via the communication circuit 411B. A route server (not shown) connected to the communication line, another terminal, a general-purpose computer, and an information server It is possible to exchange information with other parties. Further, since the number of pulses for driving the platen roller motor 408, which is a pulse motor, is proportional to the tape conveyance amount, the control circuit 410 calculates the conveyance amount of the tape 203A based on the number of pulses. Note that the carry amount calculation processing by the control circuit 410 corresponds to the carry amount calculation means described in the claims.

  As shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, the guide member 220 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is fitted into a positioning recess 204A formed on the bottom surface of the roll storage portion 204, and the positioning recess 204A. A first extension portion 242 that is in contact with the bottom surface, a second extension portion 243 that extends outward to cover the outer end surface portion of the tape 203A on the approximately ¼ circumference in the front direction, 2 A third extending portion 244 is formed in which the upper edge extends from the outer peripheral portion of the extending portion 243 to the vicinity of the insertion port 218 (see FIG. 27) of the tape 203A.

  The lower end surface of the distal end portion of the third extending portion 244 is formed substantially horizontally and abuts on the mounting portion 221 of the label producing apparatus 201 so that the third extending portion 244 and the second extending portion are in contact with each other. One end edge of the tape 203A attached by the inner surface of the H.243 is guided to the insertion port 218. Further, a fourth extending portion 245 extending a predetermined length from a position facing the rear end edge in the conveying direction of the mounting portion 221 on the lower end surface of the third extending portion 244 to the first extending portion 242 is provided. Is formed. The leading end portion of the fourth extending portion 245 in the transport direction is opposed to the tape width of the mounted tape 203A when the lower end surface of the third extending portion 244 is brought into contact with the mounting portion 221. It is comprised so that it may fit in either of 2nd positioning groove part 222A-222D (refer above-mentioned FIG. 28).

  Further, the lower end portion of the mounting member 213 of the positioning holding member 212 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 has a predetermined length in the lateral direction from the lower end portion of the mounting member 213 (in this example, about 1.5 mm to A guide portion 257 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape (in this example, a length of about 1.5 mm to 3 mm) is formed. Accordingly, when the roll mounting mechanism 203 is mounted, the mounting member 213 is inserted into the first positioning groove 216 while the guide portion 257 formed at the lower end of the mounting member 213 is brought into contact with the outer end surface of the support member 215. By doing so, the roll mounting mechanism 203 can be mounted while being easily positioned.

  The lower end edge portion of the extending portion 256 of the positioning holding member 212 is extended so as to protrude downward by a predetermined length (in this example, about 1 mm to 2.5 mm) from the lower end edge portion of the guide member 220. The detected portion 260 having a substantially rectangular shape that extends a predetermined length in a substantially perpendicular inner direction is formed at the lower edge.

  The detected portion 260 is formed with sensor holes 260A to 260D arranged in a substantially L shape at predetermined positions facing the roll detection sensors S1 to S4 described above, and cooperates with the sensors S1 to S4. Thus, the type of the tape roll 300 is specified.

  An example of the mounting behavior of the roll mounting mechanism 203 configured as described above to the label producing apparatus 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 (A) and 31 (B).

  FIG. 31A shows an example in which the tape roll 300 around which the maximum width tape 203A is wound is mounted on the winding core 203B. In FIG. 31A, the attachment member 213 of the positioning holding member 212 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is first inserted into the positioning groove 216 of the support member 215. Then, the lower end surface of the third extending portion 244 of the guide member 220 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is brought into contact with the mounting portion 221, and the fourth extending portion 245 of the guide member 220 is transported to the mounting portion 221. It is made to fit in the 2nd positioning groove part 21A formed in a direction rear side corner | angular part. Further, the lower end edge portion of the first extension portion 242 of the guide member 220 is fitted and brought into contact with a positioning recess portion 204 </ b> A formed on the bottom surface portion of the roll storage portion 204.

  At the same time, the detected portion 260 formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 256 of the positioning holding member 212 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is inserted into the detection recess 204B formed inside the base end portion of the support member 215. The elastic locking piece 212 </ b> A is engaged with the engagement recess 215 </ b> A formed at the base end portion of the support member 215.

  Subsequently, in a state where the lever 227 is rotated upward, the tape 203A is pulled out while bringing one side edge of the tape 203A into contact with the inner surface of the guide member 220, and the other side of the tape 203A. The end edge portion is inserted into the insertion port 218 while being brought into contact with the guide rib portion 223 erected on the side edge portion of the insertion port 218. Thereafter, by rotating the lever 227 downward, the leading end of the tape 203A is pressed against the platen roller 226 by the thermal head 231, and printing is possible.

  FIG. 31B shows an example in which the tape roll 300 around which the tape 203A having the minimum width is wound is mounted on the winding core 203B. In FIG. 31B, first, the attachment member 213 of the positioning holding member 212 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is inserted into the positioning groove 216 of the support member 215. Then, the lower end surface of the third extending portion 244 of the guide member 220 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is brought into contact with the mounting portion 221, and the fourth extending portion 245 of the guide member 220 is transported to the mounting portion 221. It is made to fit in 2nd positioning groove part 221D formed in a direction back side corner | angular part. Further, the lower end edge portion of the first extension portion 242 of the guide member 220 is fitted and brought into contact with a positioning recess portion 204 </ b> A formed on the bottom surface portion of the roll storage portion 204.

  At the same time, the detected portion 260 formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 256 of the positioning holding member 212 of the roll mounting mechanism 203 is inserted into the detection recess 204B formed inside the base end portion of the support member 215. The elastic locking piece 212 </ b> A is engaged with the engagement recess 215 </ b> A formed at the base end portion of the support member 215.

  Through the above operation, the roll mounting mechanism 203 is detachably attached to the roll storage unit 204, and the presence or absence of the sensor holes 260A to 60E of the detected portion 260 facing each other can be detected via the roll detection sensors S1 to S5. It becomes.

  Thereafter, the lever 227 is pivoted upward and the like is the same as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The print label LB2 formed after the cutting of the tape 203A as described above has the above-described three-layer structure as shown in FIGS. 32 (a), 32 (b), and 33. From the surface side (upper side in FIG. 33) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 33), the thermal paper 203c, the adhesive layer 203b, and the release paper 203a are laminated in this order. As described above, the print R (in this example, “AA-AA” characters) is printed on the surface of the thermal paper 203c.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, different types of tape rolls are selectively used by selectively mounting the roll mounting mechanism 203 on which different types of tape rolls 300 are mounted on the roll storage unit 204. Thus, the print label LB2 can be created. At that time, similarly to the first embodiment, the type of the mounted tape roll 300 can be detected, and the remaining tape amount M can be calculated according to the type. Hereinafter, the contents will be described in order.

  The control content executed by the control circuit 410 of the label producing apparatus 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 34, for example, when the operator turns on the power of the label producing apparatus 201, this flow is started ("START" position).

  First, in step S210, the control circuit 410 outputs a control signal to the roll detection sensors S1 to S4, detects the type of the tape roll 300 mounted on the roll mounting mechanism 203, and the detection result is stored in the RAM of the control circuit 410. To remember. At this time, if the roll mounting mechanism 203 is not mounted, information to that effect is detected. Note that the control circuit 410 may constantly input the detection results of the roll detection sensors S1 to S4 and store them in the RAM or the like at this timing.

  In step S220, the control circuit 410 receives a creation instruction signal from another terminal, a general-purpose computer, or the like (or from an appropriate operation means provided in the label creating apparatus 201) via the communication circuit 411B. Determine if. Until the creation instruction signal is input, the determination is not satisfied, and the loop waits. When the creation instruction signal is input, the determination is satisfied, the printing data included in the creation instruction signal is stored in an appropriate memory such as the RAM in the control circuit 410, and the process proceeds to step S230.

  In step S230, the control circuit 410 reads the print data stored in the memory in step S220 and performs, for example, predetermined conversion to generate dot pattern data (= print drive data) corresponding to the print contents on the tape 203A. . Then, it is stored in a print buffer (not shown) in the control circuit 410.

  Thereafter, in step S100 ′ (details will be described later) equivalent to step S100 of the first embodiment, the control circuit 410 creates a label producing process for producing a print label LB2 (see FIG. 32 and the like) on which a desired printing is performed. Execute.

  In step S240, the control circuit 410 accesses the table storage unit 410A and refers to a parameter table (see FIG. 35 to be described later) representing parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount for each type of tape roll 300. To do. Then, parameter information corresponding to the type of the tape roll 300 detected in step S210 is acquired from the parameter table. This parameter information includes the tape thickness t of the tape 203A and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll 300. An example of the parameter table stored in the table storage unit 410A is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in the parameter table, for each type of tape roll 300, the tape width w (mm), the tape thickness t (mm), the total length M (mm), the tape roll inner peripheral diameter d (mm), And the tape roll outer diameter D (mm) are registered in advance. The full length M and the roll outer diameter D here are values (initial values) Mo and Do when the tape roll 300 is not used. Among these, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d are acquired by the control circuit 410 in step S240 as parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 35, in step S240, if the tape 203A wound around the tape roll 300 is a long type, for example, w = 50 (mm), t = 0.18 (mm), Mo Parameter information with contents of = 30000 (mm), d = 30 (mm), and Do = 88.2 (mm) is acquired. When the tape 203A wound around the tape roll 300 is, for example, a middle type, w = 30 (mm), t = 0.20 (mm), Mo = 20000 (mm), d = 30 (mm) , Do = 77.4 (mm) is obtained. When the tape 203A wound around the tape roll 300 is, for example, a short type, w = 10 (mm), t = 0.22 (mm), Mo = 10000 (mm), d = 30 (mm), The parameter information with the content of Do = 60.8 (mm) is acquired.

Returning to FIG. 34, after that, in step S250, the control circuit 410 calculates the remaining tape amount. The method for calculating the remaining tape amount is the same as the method of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, and is calculated using the above-described “Expression 1” and “Expression 2”. That is,
M = π (D ² −d ² ) / 4t (Equation 1)
D = 2L / θN (2)

  Similar to the first embodiment, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d are acquired from the parameter table described above. The carry amount L can be calculated based on the number of motor pulse signals input to the platen roller driving circuit 409 in a predetermined time range. The number N of encoder pulses in the predetermined time range is the number of encoder pulses output from the optical sensor 251 corresponding to the detectors 275 of the plurality of detectors 275 provided on the detection target 274. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the 16 detectors 275 are formed on the detection object 274, the angle θ is 2π / 16 = π / 8 (rad). This angle θ is also stored in the RAM in advance.

  Therefore, the control circuit 410 can calculate the carry amount L based on the number of the motor pulse signals. Then, from the transport amount L, the encoder pulse number N output from the optical sensor 251 in the predetermined time range corresponding to the transport amount L, and the angle θ read from the RAM 48, the above-mentioned “Expression 2” is obtained. Based on this, the outer diameter D of the roll 300 is calculated. The tape remaining amount M can be calculated from the calculated roll outer peripheral diameter D, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d acquired from the parameter table, based on the above “Equation 1”.

  Returning to FIG. 34, after that, in step S260, the control circuit 410 outputs the remaining tape amount information corresponding to the calculated remaining tape amount M to another terminal, a general-purpose computer, or the like via the communication circuit 411B. As a result, the remaining tape amount M is displayed on the display unit of the other terminal or general-purpose computer (may be displayed on an appropriate display means provided in the label producing apparatus 201). Then, this flow ends.

  As in the first embodiment, the tape remaining amount display may be performed numerically, or may be displayed using a graphic such as a bar graph or other symbols. Moreover, when displaying by a numerical value, you may display finely by a millimeter unit or a centimeter unit, and may display roughly by a meter unit.

  In FIG. 35 described above, step S240 functions as the parameter information acquisition unit described in the claims, step S250 functions as the remaining amount specifying unit, and step S260 functions as the remaining amount related information output unit. To do. The tape remaining amount information output in step S260 corresponds to remaining amount related information.

  The detailed procedure of step S100 ′ of FIG. 35 is the same as the procedure of step S100 of the first embodiment, and the contents will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 12, in step S110, the control circuit 410 outputs a control signal (motor pulse signal) to the platen roller circuit 409 (see FIG. 29), and the platen roller motor 408 (see FIG. 29) causes the platen roller 226 to move. To drive. As a result, the feeding and transporting of the tape 203A from the tape roll 300 is started. At the same time, in step S110, calculation of the conveyance amount based on the motor pulse signal is started. For example, the counter value of the motor pulse signal at this time may be stored in the RAM or the like as the value at the start of conveyance, and a deviation to the counter value of the motor pulse signal in step S165 described later may be taken. Alternatively, the counter value of the motor pulse signal at this time may be cleared to zero as an initial value. In step S110, detection (counting) of encoder pulses detected by the optical sensor 251 is also started. For example, the number of encoder pulses at this time may be cleared to zero, and the number of encoder pulses detected by the optical sensor 251 may be accumulated and counted until step S165 described later.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the control circuit 410 determines whether or not the tape 203A has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. As in the first embodiment, the predetermined amount is a conveyance distance that, for example, the tip of the print area SA of the tape 203A reaches the position where the thermal head 231 is substantially opposed. This conveyance distance determination may be performed based on the motor pulse signal, or may be performed by detecting a marking provided on the tape 203A with a known sensor (not shown). The determination is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed, and the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, the control circuit 410 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 405, and causes the thermal head 231 to start printing corresponding to the print drive data in the print area SA of the tape 203A.

  In step S140, the control circuit 410 determines whether or not printing on the print area SA of the tape 203A has been completed. The determination is not satisfied until all the printing is completed, and the loop waits. When all the printing is completed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the control circuit 410 determines whether or not the tape 203A has been further conveyed by a predetermined amount. The conveyance distance determination at this time may be performed based on the motor pulse signal or the like as described above. The determination is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed, and the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the control circuit 410 stops the drive of the platen roller 226 by the platen roller motor 408 by stopping the output of the motor pulse signal to the platen roller drive circuit 409, and the tape 203A from the tape roll 300 is stopped. Stop feeding and conveying.

  Thereafter, in step S165, the control circuit 410 ends the detection of the carry amount and the encoder pulse, which has been detected in step S110, and from step S110 to step S165 (corresponding to the predetermined time range described above). The transport amount L and the encoder pulse number N are calculated. Note that the number N of encoder pulses in this case is determined only by the number of encoder pulses detected by the optical sensor 51 from step S110 to step S165, and an encoder pulse train sequentially detected by the optical sensor 251 in parallel with the conveyance. The value is not affected by the behavior. Further, by calculating the transport amount L from step S110 in step S165, the value of the remaining tape amount M is calculated and updated each time one print label LB2 is produced (in other words, in other words, As the carry amount L, a tape length corresponding to the label length of one printed label is set). However, as will be described later, the remaining tape length M may be obtained by calculating the number N of encoder pulses at that time, using the other tape length (for example, 100 mm) as the calculation unit of the transport amount L.

  In this transport stop state, when the operator manually operates the cutter lever 209, the tape 203A is cut, and the print label LB2 on which printing corresponding to the print drive data is performed is generated and discharged outside the apparatus. Is done. In this embodiment, step S170, step S180, and step S190 in FIG. 12 are omitted, and then this routine is terminated.

  In the second embodiment described above, the roll detection sensors S <b> 1 to S <b> 4 acquire the type information of the tape roll 300 mounted on the roll storage unit 204 via the roll mounting mechanism 203. In addition, the optical sensor 251 optically detects the detected element 275 of the detected object 274 that rotates at an angle (in this example, the same angular speed) linked to the angular speed with the roll 300. In step S250, the control circuit 410 determines the tape thickness and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll based on the type information acquired by the roll detection sensors S1 to S4, and the number of detectors 275 detected by the optical sensor 251 (encoder pulse). Number) and the transport amount calculated in the transport amount calculation process, the remaining tape amount M of the tape roll 300 is calculated. In step S260, tape remaining amount information corresponding to the calculated remaining tape amount is output. As a result, the remaining tape amount M can be displayed to the operator.

  In this way, as in the first embodiment, based on the tape thickness t and the tape roll inner diameter d corresponding to the type information of the tape roll 300, the detection result of the optical sensor 251, and the calculation result of the transport amount calculation process. Since the remaining tape amount M is calculated, the remaining tape amount M can be calculated in correspondence with the roll type even when the label producing apparatus 201 uses the plurality of different types of tape rolls 300 described above. As a result, the operator can reliably recognize the remaining tape amount M even when creating a plurality of different types of print labels LB2. In particular, when calculating the remaining tape amount M, the calculation is performed using the number of encoder pulses N detected during the predetermined transport amount L from step S110 to step S165, so that the tape transport during the transport is performed. The remaining tape amount M can be calculated regardless of the speed value and the change in the tape transport speed. Accordingly, when a plurality of tape transport speeds are switched and used in a label producing apparatus 201 (for example, having a high-speed print mode, a normal print mode, etc.) capable of variably setting the tape transport speed, Even when the transport speed immediately before the stop is not necessarily a constant value, the remaining tape amount M can be calculated reliably.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the control circuit 410, based on the type information of the tape roll 300 acquired by the roll detection sensors S1 to S4 in the above step S240, the tape roll inner peripheral diameter d and the tape thickness related to the tape roll 300. Get t. In step S165, the carry amount L and the encoder pulse number N are acquired. In step S250, the tape remaining amount M is calculated based on "Equation 1" and "Equation 2" using the acquired tape roll inner circumference d, tape thickness t, transport amount L, and encoder pulse number N. calculate. By sequentially calculating the remaining tape amount M in this manner, for example, the accuracy depends on the data amount of the table as compared with the case where the remaining tape amount M is specified using a remaining amount table prepared in advance. The remaining tape amount M can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, the operator can grasp the remaining tape amount M in detail.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, a parameter table representing the tape thickness t of the tape 203A and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll 300 for each type of the tape roll 300 is stored in advance in the table storage unit 410A. Then, the control circuit 410 refers to the parameter table in step S240, and sets the tape thickness t corresponding to the type information of the tape roll 300 acquired by the roll sensors S1 to S4 and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll 300 as parameter information. Get as. Thus, by specifying the tape thickness t and the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll 300 using a parameter table prepared in advance, the tape thickness t and the tape roll type information in addition to the tape roll type information by the roll detection sensors S1 to S4. Since the amount of information to be acquired can be reduced as compared with the case of acquiring the inner peripheral diameter d of the tape roll 300, the structure of the roll detection sensors S1 to S4, which are mechanical sensor mechanisms, can be simplified.

  In the above embodiments and modifications, the case where the detected bodies 74 and 274 are provided in the cartridge 10 or the tape roll 300 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An object to be detected may be provided on the apparatus housing side. When a detected object is provided on the apparatus housing side, the rotation of the roll is transmitted to the detected object provided on the apparatus housing side through an appropriate rotation transmission mechanism, and the detected object is linked to the rotation of the roll. (It is not always necessary to use the same angular velocity), and the angular velocity of the rotating object to be detected may be detected. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above, the arrows shown in FIGS. 8 and 29 show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction. Further, the flowcharts shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 34, etc. do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above flow, and the addition / deletion or order of the procedures within the scope not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention. May be changed.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

10 Cartridge (tape cartridge)
10 'cartridge (tape cartridge)
10 "cartridge (tape cartridge)
16 Base tape (label making tape)
16 'thermal tape (labeling tape)
16 "receptor tape (labeling tape)
17 Base tape roll (tape roll)
17 'heat sensitive tape roll (tape roll)
17 ″ receptor tape roll (tape roll)
27 Cartridge holder (roll holder)
30 Tape feed roller drive shaft (conveyance means)
33 Tape Feeding Motor 34 Tape Feeding Motor Drive Circuit 37 Cartridge Sensor (Type Information Acquisition Unit)
49 Table storage section (first storage means; second storage means)
51 First optical sensor (optical detection means)
51 '1st optical sensor (optical detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 70 Cartridge housing | casing 73 Detected object 74 Detected object 75 Detector 100 Label production apparatus 101s Apparatus housing 203A Tape (tape for label production)
226 Platen roller (conveying means)
251 Optical sensor (optical detection means)
273 Detected object 274 Detected object 275 Detector 300 Tape roll S1 to S4 Roll detection sensor (type information acquisition means)
401 Display section (display means)
410 control circuit 410A table storage section (first storage means)

Claims (4)

A device housing constituting the outer shell of the device;
A roll roll configured to be detachable from a tape roll wound with a label producing tape, and a roll holder provided in the apparatus housing;
Type information acquisition means for acquiring type information of the tape roll mounted on the roll holder;
A first storage means for storing a parameter table representing the tape thickness of the tape for label production and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll for each type of the tape roll;
By referring to the parameter table, parameter information acquisition means for acquiring the tape thickness of the label creating tape and the inner diameter of the tape roll corresponding to the type information acquired by the type information acquisition means,
A plurality of detections formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of a detection object provided to rotate at an angular velocity linked to an angular velocity of the tape roll on the tape roll side or the apparatus housing side attached to the roll holder. Optical detection means for optically detecting the child;
Transport means for transporting the label producing tape fed from the tape roll;
A transport amount calculating means for calculating a transport amount by the transport means;
The tape thickness of the tape for label production acquired by the parameter information acquisition means and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll; the number of detectors detected by the optical detection means; and the calculation calculated by the transport amount calculation means A remaining amount specifying means for specifying the remaining tape amount of the tape roll by calculating the remaining amount of the tape based on a predetermined calculation formula using a conveyance amount;
Remaining amount related information output means for outputting remaining amount related information related to the remaining tape amount specified by the remaining amount specifying means to a display means ;
I have a,
The roll holder is
A cartridge holder configured to be detachable from a tape cartridge in which the tape roll is housed in a cartridge housing;
The type information acquisition means includes
Obtaining type information of the tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge holder;
The first storage means
Storing the parameter table representing the tape thickness of the label producing tape and the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll for each type of the cartridge;
The optical detection means includes
The plurality of detectors formed on the detected body provided in the cartridge housing of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll are arranged outside the cartridge housing. A label producing apparatus characterized by detecting more optically . The label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
The remaining amount specifying means includes
When the transport amount calculating means calculates the transport amount L (mm) when N optical detectors detect the N detectors, a predetermined calculation is performed using the number N and the transport amount L. A label producing apparatus, wherein the tape remaining amount is calculated based on an expression to identify the tape remaining amount of the tape roll. The label producing apparatus according to claim 2,
The remaining amount specifying means includes
The predetermined arrangement pitch angle θ (rad) of the plurality of detectors, the number N of the detectors and the transport amount L, and the tape thickness t (of the label producing tape acquired by the parameter information acquisition means. mm) and the inner peripheral diameter d (mm) of the tape roll, and when the outer diameter of the tape roll is D (mm),
D = 2L / θN (Formula A)
M = π (D ² −d ² ) / 4t (Formula B)
The label producing apparatus calculates the tape remaining amount M (mm) based on In the label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A second storage unit that stores a remaining amount table representing a correlation between the number N of the detectors and the transport amount L and the remaining amount of the tape for each type of the tape roll;
The remaining amount specifying means includes
In the remaining amount table, the correlation corresponding to the type information acquired by the type information acquisition unit is referred to, and when the N detectors are detected by the optical detection unit, the transfer amount is calculated by the transfer amount calculation unit. A label producing apparatus that identifies the remaining tape amount of the tape roll by extracting the remaining amount of tape corresponding to the number N and the transport amount L when the amount L is detected.

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