JP5659740B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape stored in a tape cassette.

  Conventionally, it is known that information relating to a tape cassette is managed by a tape cassette or a printing apparatus. For example, a technique for storing a model name, a drive power supply, a print control parameter, a tape conveyance amount, and the like in a storage element provided in the tape cassette is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in a recording apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges can be mounted, it is known that storage means for storing the usage amount for each cartridge is provided for the number of cartridges in which the recording apparatus can be mounted (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

International Publication No. 2006/033431 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-67968

  However, when a storage element is provided in the tape cassette, the unit price of the tape cassette may increase. Further, when the storage means for the number of cartridges that can be mounted in the recording apparatus is provided, there is a possibility that information cannot be managed for a larger number of cartridges than the number of storage means.

  The objective of this invention is providing the printing apparatus which can manage the information regarding more tape cassettes, suppressing the unit price of a tape cassette.

A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided on a side wall substantially parallel to the tape guided in the arm portion of a cassette case that houses the tape and an arm portion that guides and runs the tape in the cassette case. A tape cassette provided with an identification unit indicating individual information which is identification information for each individual, a cassette mounting unit to which the tape cassette is attached and detached, and the tape from the tape cassette mounted to the cassette mounting unit. The tape mounted on the cassette mounting portion, having transport means for drawing and transporting, printing means for printing on the tape transported by the transport means, and a plurality of switch terminals that can be advanced and retracted a mechanical sensor for determining the identification of the cassette, based on the discrimination result of the mechanical sensor, before being attached to the cassette mount Individual information detecting means for detecting the individual information indicated by the identification unit of the tape cassette, and a usage history that is information relating to printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting unit An identification unit comprising: an acquisition unit; and a storage control unit that stores the usage history acquired by the usage history acquisition unit in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit. Is a combination of a hole portion that can be inserted into the switch terminal and a surface portion that can come into contact with the switch terminal, provided at positions opposed to the plurality of switch terminals, and having a pattern according to the individual information. And the change means for changing the said surface part into the said hole part from the outer side of the said cassette case is included, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to this, the use history is stored in the storage device for each piece of information of the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit. Since it is not necessary to provide a storage element in the tape cassette, the unit price of the tape cassette can be suppressed. Further, since the printing apparatus does not need to have a different storage device for each tape cassette, the number of tape cassettes that can manage the use history is not limited to the storage device. For this reason, it is possible to manage the usage history for each of a large number of tape cassettes. The user can change the surface portion to the hole portion by the changing means. As a result, the identification part (namely, combination of a surface part and a hole part) of a desired pattern can be formed correctly. Moreover, the kind of tape can be specified by making a mechanical sensor approach the identification part which is a hole part or a surface part.
In the printing apparatus, said changing means may be a push switch having a movable portion for changing perforation for changing the surface to the hole, or the surface portion into the hole. In this case, the user can change the surface portion to the hole portion by opening a hole along the perforation or by operating the movable portion of the push switch. As a result, the identification part (namely, combination of a surface part and a hole part) of a desired pattern can be formed correctly.
A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a tape cassette including a cassette case that houses a tape, an identification unit that is provided in the cassette case and indicates individual information that is individual identification information, and the tape A cassette mounting unit to which a cassette is attached and detached, a transport unit that pulls out and transports the tape from the tape cassette mounted to the cassette mounting unit, and a printing unit that performs printing on the tape transported by the transport unit; Individual information detection means for detecting the individual information indicated by the identification unit of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit, and information on printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting unit The usage history acquisition means for acquiring the usage history and the usage history acquired by the usage history acquisition means, Storage control means for storing in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means, the identification unit is a combination of a hole and a surface part indicating the individual information, and The change means includes a changing means for changing the surface portion to the hole portion, and the changing means has a perforation for changing the surface portion to the hole portion, or a movable portion for changing the surface portion to the hole portion. It is a push switch.
According to this, the use history is stored in the storage device for each piece of information of the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit. Since it is not necessary to provide a storage element in the tape cassette, the unit price of the tape cassette can be suppressed. Further, since the printing apparatus does not need to have a different storage device for each tape cassette, the number of tape cassettes that can manage the use history is not limited to the storage device. For this reason, it is possible to manage the usage history for each of a large number of tape cassettes. The user can change the surface portion to the hole portion by the changing means. As a result, the identification part (namely, combination of a surface part and a hole part) of a desired pattern can be formed correctly. Further, the user can change the surface portion to the hole portion by opening a hole along the perforation or operating the movable portion of the push switch. As a result, the identification part (namely, combination of a surface part and a hole part) of a desired pattern can be formed correctly.
A printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a tape cassette including a cassette case storing a tape, an identification unit provided in the cassette case and indicating individual information which is individual identification information, and the tape A cassette mounting unit to which a cassette is attached and detached, a transport unit that pulls out and transports the tape from the tape cassette mounted to the cassette mounting unit, and a printing unit that performs printing on the tape transported by the transport unit; A plurality of switch terminals capable of advancing and retracting; a mechanical sensor for determining the identification portion of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion; and the individual based on a determination result of the mechanical sensor Individual information detecting means for detecting information, and printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion. A usage history acquisition unit that acquires a usage history as information, and the usage history acquired by the usage history acquisition unit are associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit and stored in a storage device A hole that can be inserted into the switch terminal, and has a pattern corresponding to the individual information. A combination of surface portions that can contact the terminals, and the identification portion is formed with perforations for changing the surface portion to the hole portion.
According to this, the use history is stored in the storage device for each piece of information of the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit. Since it is not necessary to provide a storage element in the tape cassette, the unit price of the tape cassette can be suppressed. Further, since the printing apparatus does not need to have a different storage device for each tape cassette, the number of tape cassettes that can manage the use history is not limited to the storage device. For this reason, it is possible to manage the usage history for each of a large number of tape cassettes. The type of tape can be specified by bringing the mechanical sensor closer to the identification part which is a hole or a surface part. The user can change the surface portion to a hole by making a hole along the perforation. As a result, the identification part (namely, combination of a surface part and a hole part) of a desired pattern can be formed correctly.
A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a tape cassette including a cassette case storing a tape, an identification unit provided in the cassette case and indicating individual information that is individual identification information, and the tape A cassette mounting unit to which a cassette is attached and detached, a transport unit that pulls out and transports the tape from the tape cassette mounted to the cassette mounting unit, and a printing unit that performs printing on the tape transported by the transport unit; A non-contact sensor that optically discriminates the identification section of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting section, individual information detection means that detects the individual information based on a determination result of the non-contact sensor, and the cassette Usage history collection for acquiring usage history, which is information relating to printing of the tape, in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the mounting portion. And a storage control unit for storing the usage history acquired by the usage history acquisition unit in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit, The two-dimensional pattern is displayed according to the individual information, and a mark for changing the two-dimensional pattern is formed in the identification unit.
According to this, the use history is stored in the storage device for each piece of information of the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit. Since it is not necessary to provide a storage element in the tape cassette, the unit price of the tape cassette can be suppressed. Further, since the printing apparatus does not need to have a different storage device for each tape cassette, the number of tape cassettes that can manage the use history is not limited to the storage device. By causing the non-contact sensor to read the two-dimensional pattern, the type of tape can be specified. The user can change the two-dimensional pattern along the mark. As a result, the identification part (namely, two-dimensional pattern) of a desired pattern can be formed accurately.

  In the printing apparatus, a type information detecting unit that detects type information of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit from an index unit provided on the cassette case, and the type detected by the type information detecting unit A tape length specifying unit that specifies a tape length that is the length of the tape in an unused state based on information; and a conveyance amount acquisition unit that acquires a conveyance amount of the tape by the conveyance unit, and the usage history The acquisition unit is configured to determine a remaining tape amount that is a remaining amount of the tape as the usage history based on the conveyance amount detected by the conveyance amount acquisition unit and the tape length specified by the tape length specification unit. You may get it.

  According to this, the tape length which is the length of the unused tape is specified based on the tape cassette type information detected from the index portion provided in the cassette case. Based on the specified tape length and the transport amount of the tape, the remaining tape amount is acquired as a usage history. For this reason, it is possible to acquire the remaining tape amount of the tape cassette while omitting the user's trouble of setting the tape length.

  In the printing apparatus, the storage device includes a remaining amount storage determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining tape amount associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit is stored in the storage device, The use history acquisition unit is acquired by the transport amount acquisition unit from the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device when it is determined that the storage amount storage determination unit stores the storage history in the storage device. A value obtained by subtracting the transport amount may be acquired as the remaining tape amount.

  According to this, when the tape remaining amount corresponding to the detected individual information is stored, the tape remaining amount subtracted from the tape remaining amount is acquired as the tape remaining amount. Therefore, the remaining tape amount can be more accurately acquired depending on whether or not the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is stored.

  In the printing apparatus, when the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device is smaller than the transport amount acquired by the transport amount acquisition unit, the tape is associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit. You may provide the 1st deletion means which can delete the said used history recorded from the said memory | storage device. The case where the remaining tape amount is smaller than the transport amount is a state where the remaining tape amount necessary for printing is insufficient. In many cases, a tape cassette with insufficient tape remaining is not used thereafter. Therefore, it is possible to secure the free capacity of the storage device by deleting the usage history of the tape cassette whose remaining tape amount is insufficient.

  In the printing apparatus, when the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device is smaller than the transport amount acquired by the transport amount acquisition unit, an instruction is input by the user as to whether or not to delete the usage history. Deletion instruction determination means for determining whether or not the use history has been deleted, and the first deletion means determines that the use instruction is deleted from the storage device when the deletion instruction determination means determines that an instruction to delete the use history is input. The history may be deleted. Even when the remaining tape amount is insufficient, the user may not want to delete the usage history. For this reason, the convenience of the printing apparatus can be enhanced by allowing the user to select whether or not to delete the usage history.

  In the printing apparatus, a start mark that is provided at a downstream end in the transport direction of the tape in the unused state and that indicates the unused state is detected for the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit. Detection means and start determination means for determining whether or not the start mark has been detected by the start detection means, wherein the use history acquisition means has been determined that the start mark has been detected by the start determination means In this case, the tape length specified by the tape length specifying means may be acquired as the remaining tape amount.

  When the start mark is detected, the tape in the tape cassette loaded in the cassette loading section is unused. This tape has a preset tape length with the tape cassette shipped. Therefore, when the start mark is detected, the current tape remaining amount can be accurately specified by acquiring the tape length corresponding to the detected type information as the remaining tape amount.

  In the printing apparatus, when the start determination unit determines that the start mark is not detected, the remaining amount storage determination unit determines whether the remaining tape amount is stored in the storage device. And a remaining amount input determining means for determining whether or not the remaining tape amount is input by a user when the remaining amount storage determining means determines that the remaining tape amount is not stored in the storage device. The use history acquisition unit may acquire the input tape remaining amount as the use history when the remaining tape input determination unit determines that the remaining tape amount is input.

  When the start mark is not detected, a part of the tape of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion has already been used. In this case, if the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is not stored, the remaining tape amount input by the user is acquired as the use history. Therefore, when the start mark is not detected and the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is not stored, the current remaining tape amount is identified by acquiring the remaining tape amount input by the user. can do.

  In the printing apparatus, an end detection unit that is provided at an upstream end in the transport direction of the tape and that indicates an end mark indicating that the tape is used, detects the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit, and End determination means for determining whether or not the end mark has been detected by the end detection means, and the individual information detection means when the end determination means determines that the end mark has been detected. You may provide the 2nd deletion means which deletes the said usage log matched with individual | organism | solid information from the said memory | storage device.

  When the end mark is detected, the tape cassette is in a state where there is no remaining tape amount (that is, a used state), so printing cannot be performed. Since the tape cassette having no remaining tape is not used after that, it is possible to secure the free capacity of the storage device by deleting the use history.

2 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state in which a cover 6 is closed. 2 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 and the tape cassette 30 in a state where a cover 6 is opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape cassette 30. FIG. It is a top view of tape cassette 30 in the state where upper case 31A was removed. 4 is an enlarged front view of an arm front surface 35 of the tape cassette 30. FIG. It is a figure which shows the start mark 591 and the end mark 592 of the film tape 59. FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the movable mechanism 100 from diagonally forward. 4 is a rear view of the roller holder 18 and the sensor holder 19. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a movable transport mechanism in a state where a cover is opened, and a tape cassette, a tape drive shaft, and a thermal head. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section of the movable transport mechanism in a state where a cover is closed, and a tape cassette, a tape drive shaft, and a thermal head. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sensor holder 19. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the sensor holder 19 is pressed against the tape cassette 30. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the sensor holder 19 is pressed against the tape cassette 30. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 5, showing a state in which the sensor holder 19 is pressed against the tape cassette 30. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1. It is a schematic diagram showing a type information data table 81. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an individual information data table 82. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an individual information data table 82. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an individual information data table 82. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings to be referred to are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the described apparatus is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely an illustrative example. is there.

  A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the description of the present embodiment, the upper right side, lower left side, lower right side, upper left side, upper side, and lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively the rear side, front side, right side, left side, upper side, and lower side of the printing apparatus 1. Let it be the side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 3 for inputting characters (characters, symbols, numbers, etc.) is provided on the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1. On the rear side of the keyboard 3 (upper right side of the drawing), a function key group 4 such as a power switch and a print key is provided. In the following description, the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4 are collectively referred to as the input unit 2. On the rear side of the function key group 4, a display 5 for displaying input characters, symbols, and the like is provided. A cover 6 that can be opened and closed is provided at the rear of the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1. A tape tray 7 for receiving the cut printed tape 50 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the left rear corner of the printing apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a cassette mounting portion 8 is formed on the rear side of the display 5. A tape cassette 30 is attached to and detached from the cassette mounting portion 8 in the vertical direction. A ribbon take-up shaft 9 is erected on the cassette mounting portion 8. The ribbon take-up shaft 9 takes up the ink ribbon 60 (see FIG. 4) after being pulled out from the ribbon spool 42 (see FIG. 4) and used for printing characters and the like. A substantially rectangular head holder 74 (see FIG. 9) is erected on the left front side of the ribbon winding shaft 9 in a front view. A thermal head 10 (see FIG. 9) for printing characters and the like on the film tape 59 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the front surface of the head holder 74. On the left side of the head holder 74, a tape drive shaft 11 (see FIG. 9) for feeding and driving the printed tape 50 is erected.

  A roller holder 18, a sensor holder 19, a release rod 17 and the like, which will be described later, are disposed on the front side of the cassette mounting portion 8 (see FIG. 7). The roller holder 18, the sensor holder 19, the release rod 17, etc. are covered with the plate portion 13. A lever 16 connected to the release rod 17 is provided on the right side of the plate portion 13.

  The cover 6 can be opened and closed with the left-right direction of the rear end portion of the cover 6 as a fulcrum. The cassette mounting portion 8 is closed so that the tape cassette 30 cannot be detached when the cover 6 is in the closed position (see FIG. 1), and the tape cassette 30 is opened detachably when the cover 6 is in the open position (see FIG. 1). (See FIG. 2).

  Next, the structure of the tape cassette 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The tape cassette 30 of the present embodiment is mounted on a laminate type general-purpose cassette that can be mounted on various tape types such as a heat sensitive type, a receptor type, and a laminate type. In the description of the present embodiment, the upper left side, lower right side, upper right side, lower left side, upper side, and lower side in FIG. 3 are respectively the rear side, front side, right side, left side, upper side, and lower side of the tape cassette 30. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tape cassette 30 includes a cassette case 31 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (box-shaped) housing having rounded corners in plan view as a whole. The cassette case 31 includes a lower case 31B including a bottom surface 30B of the cassette case 31 and an upper case 31A including an upper surface 30A of the cassette case 31. The upper case 31A is fixed to the upper part of the lower case 31B.

  The cassette case 31 has a corner 32A formed with the same width (the same length in the vertical direction) regardless of the type of tape cassette 30 (for example, tape width, printing mode, etc.). The corner 32A protrudes outward so as to form a right angle in plan view. However, in the lower left corner 32A in plan view, the tape discharge port 49 is provided at the corner, so that the right angle is not formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper case 31A and the lower case 31B are provided with support holes 65, 66, 67 for rotatably supporting spools described later. In FIG. 3, only the support holes 65, 66, and 67 formed in the upper case 31A are shown, but the support holes 65, 66, and 67 are similarly formed in the lower case 31B.

  Between the support hole 66 and the support hole 67 on the upper surface 30 </ b> A of the cassette case 31, an opening 69 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the left-right direction is provided. The user can check the film tape 59 and the double-sided adhesive tape 58 provided inside the cassette case 31 through the opening 69. As a result, the user can grasp the approximate remaining amount of the film tape 59.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the cassette case 31, a double-sided adhesive tape 58 wound around the first tape spool 40, a transparent film tape 59 wound around the second tape spool 41, and a ribbon spool 42. Three types of tape rolls of the ink ribbon 60 wound around are accommodated. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 58 is a double-sided tape having a release paper attached on one side, and is attached to the printing surface side of the printed film tape 59.

  The first tape spool 40 in which the release paper of the double-sided adhesive tape 58 is wound outward is disposed rotatably on the left rear part in the cassette case 31 through the support hole 65 described above. The second tape spool 41 around which the film tape 59 is wound is rotatably arranged through the support hole 66 described above at the right rear portion in the cassette case 31. The ink ribbon 60 wound around the ribbon spool 42 is rotatably arranged at the front right side in the cassette case 31.

  Between the first tape spool 40 and the ribbon spool 42 in the cassette case 31, the ribbon take-up spool 44 is rotatably arranged via the support hole 67 described above. The ribbon take-up spool 44 pulls out the ink ribbon 60 from the ribbon spool 42 and takes up the ink ribbon 60 used for printing characters and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front surface of the cassette case 31 has a semicircular groove 34K, which is a groove portion having a semicircular cross section in plan view, across the height direction (from the upper surface 30A to the bottom surface 30B) of the cassette case 31. Is provided. A portion of the front surface of the cassette case 31 that extends to the left from the semicircular groove 34 </ b> K is referred to as an arm front surface 35. A portion extending leftward from the right side of the tape cassette 30 is defined by an arm front surface 35 and an arm back surface 37 (see FIG. 4) provided in a height direction at a position spaced rearward from the arm front surface 35. It is called part 34.

  As shown in FIG. 4, both the film tape 59 drawn from the second tape spool 41 and the ink ribbon 60 drawn from the ribbon spool 42 are guided in the arm portion 34. The front end portion of the arm front surface 35 is bent rearward. An opening 34 </ b> A is formed by the tips of the arm front surface 35 and the arm back surface 37. The film tape 59 and the ink ribbon 60 are overlapped at the opening 34 </ b> A and discharged toward the exposed portion 77 described later.

  A substantially rectangular space in plan view that passes through the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction and is surrounded by the arm back surface 37 and a peripheral wall surface provided continuously from the arm back surface 37 is a head insertion portion 39. The head insertion portion 39 is connected to the outside on the front side of the tape cassette 30 via an exposed portion 77 provided on the front side of the tape cassette 30. A head holder 74 that supports the thermal head 10 (see FIG. 9) of the printing apparatus 1 is inserted into the head insertion portion 39. In the exposed portion 77, one surface of the film tape 59 discharged from the opening 34A is exposed to the front, and the other surface is opposed to the rear thermal head 10. In the present embodiment, the other surface of the film tape 59 faces the thermal head 10 with the ink ribbon 60 interposed therebetween. In the exposed portion 77, printing on the film tape 59 by the thermal head 10 is performed using the ink ribbon 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tape drive roller 46 is rotatably supported on the downstream side of the head insertion portion 39 in the transport direction of the film tape 59 and the ink ribbon 60 from the opening 34A to the tape discharge port 49. Has been. The tape drive roller 46 is rotationally driven by a tape drive shaft 11 (see FIG. 9) inserted into the tape drive roller 46. The tape drive roller 46 pulls out the film tape 59 from the second tape spool 41 and pulls out the double-sided adhesive tape 58 from the first tape spool 40 in cooperation with the opposing movable conveyance roller 14 (see FIG. 10). The double-sided adhesive tape 58 is guided and adhered to the print surface 59. The adhered film tape 59 and double-sided adhesive tape 58 are discharged from the tape discharge port 49 to become a printed tape 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, on the arm front surface 35, an indicator portion 801 indicating type information having a different pattern for each type of tape cassette 30, and individual information having a different pattern for each individual tape cassette 30 are provided. An identification unit 802 is provided. The index part 801 of the present embodiment includes two index parts 801A and 801B each formed of either a surface part or a hole part. The combination of the surface portion and the hole portion in the indicator portions 801A and 801B shows a prescribed pattern according to the type information. The indicator portions 801A and 801B are provided at positions corresponding to respective switch terminals 231 (see FIG. 8) of indicator portion detection sensors 21A and 21B described later.

  A surface portion included in the indicator portion 801 (in the example of FIG. 5, the indicator portion 801B) is a part of the arm front surface 35 that can contact the switch terminal 231 (see FIGS. 12 to 14). A hole portion (an index portion 801A in the example of FIG. 5) included in the index portion 801 is a rectangular hole in a front view in which the switch terminal 231 (see FIG. 8) can be inserted and removed. (See FIG. 12). The detection mode of the index unit 801 will be separately described later.

  The identification unit 802 according to the present embodiment includes three identification units 802A, 802B, and 802C each formed of either a surface portion or a hole portion. The combination of the surface portion and the hole portion in the identification portions 802A, 802B, and 802C indicates a prescribed pattern according to the individual information. The identification units 802A, 802B, and 802C are provided at positions corresponding to respective switch terminals 231 (see FIG. 8) of the identification unit detection sensors 22A, 22B, and 22C, which will be described later.

  Each identification portion 802A, 802B, 802C is formed with a rectangular hole 95 in front view that penetrates the arm front surface 35 in the same manner as the hole included in the indicator portion 801. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the main body 92 of the push switch 90 is disposed behind these holes 95. Each push switch 90 has a movable portion 91 that is a prismatic body whose cross-sectional shape is the same as that of the hole 95.

  In the initial state of the push switch 90, each movable part 91 advances from the main body part 92 toward the front (rightward in FIGS. 12 to 14). At this time, the advanced movable portion 91 closes the hole 95, and the distal end surface of the movable portion 91 is flush with the arm front surface 35 (see FIG. 13). At this time, the distal end surface of the movable portion 91 functions as a surface portion (identification portions 802A and 802B in the example of FIG. 5) that can come into contact with the switch terminal 231 and is included in the identification portion 802.

  On the other hand, when each movable portion 91 is pushed backward (leftward in FIGS. 12 to 14) with a predetermined pressure or more, each movable portion 91 is retracted and fixed inside the main body 92. At this time, a rectangular recess as viewed from the front is formed through the hole 95 (see FIG. 14) into which the switch terminal 231 (see FIG. 8) can be inserted and removed. This concave portion functions as a hole (identification portion 802C in the example of FIG. 5) included in the identification portion 802. At the time of manufacturing the tape cassette 30, all the push switches 90 are set to the initial state. The detection mode of the identification unit 802 will be described later separately.

  Since the surface portion and the hole portion of the indicator portion 801 are formed in advance according to the type of the tape cassette 30, the user cannot freely set the pattern of the indicator portion 801. On the other hand, the user can freely set the pattern of the identification unit 802 by selectively pressing the movable unit 91 of each push switch 90 with a pen tip, for example. Specifically, the user can set the pattern of the identification unit 802 with a unique pattern for each individual tape cassette 30. Since the tape cassette 30 of this embodiment is provided with the three identification units 802A, 802B, and 802C, different patterns can be set for a maximum of eight individuals.

  The arm front surface 35 is provided with a locking hole 820 on the upper right side of the index portion 801 and the identification portion 802. The locking hole 820 is a hole into which a locking piece 192 (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 11) described later is inserted when the sensor holder 19 (described later) moves to the identification position (position shown in FIG. 10) (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 11). (See FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the arm front surface 35, a vertically long rectangular through-hole 850 is provided on the left side of the index portion 801 and the identification portion 802 of the lower case 31 </ b> B. As shown in FIG. 4, a conveyance path for the film tape 59 is located behind the through hole 850.

  The start mark 591 and end mark 592 provided on the film tape 59 will be described with reference to FIG. The start mark 591 is a mark indicating that the film tape 59 is unused. The end mark 592 is a mark indicating that the film tape 59 is in a used state. In FIG. 6, the left side of the paper surface is the downstream end in the transport direction of the unused film tape 59, and the right side of the paper surface is the upstream end of the film tape 59 in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a start mark 591 is provided at the downstream end in the transport direction of the film tape 59. The start mark 591 is a portion formed in black on the transparent film tape 59. An end mark 592 is provided at the upstream end in the transport direction of the film tape 59. The end mark 592 is a portion of the film tape 59 formed in black with a predetermined width. A plurality of end marks 592 are arranged at a predetermined interval.

  A schematic configuration of the movable mechanism 100 provided in the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The movable mechanism 100 of the present embodiment includes a lever 16, a release rod 17, a roller holder 18, and a sensor holder 19, and refers to a series of mechanisms that can move according to external pressure.

  In the present embodiment, the lower right side, upper left side, upper right side, lower left side, upper side, and lower side in FIG. 7 correspond to the front side, rear side, right side, left side, upper side, and lower side of the movable mechanism 100, respectively. FIG. 7 is illustrated with the wall portion that guides the release rod 17 in the left-right direction removed in order to facilitate understanding of the operation mode of the movable mechanism 100. The movable mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 7 is in a state where the cover 6 is being opened and closed.

  The lower end of the lever 16 is engaged with a plate-like release rod 17 whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction when viewed from the front. A roller holder 18 is provided on the rear side (the upper left side in FIG. 7) of the release rod 17. The roller holder 18 includes a platen roller 15 (see FIG. 8) and a movable conveyance roller 14. The roller holder 18 is rotatably supported around a holder shaft 181. A movable conveying roller 14 is rotatably supported at the left end edge of the roller holder 18 so that the roller surface is exposed rearward. On the right side of the movable conveying roller 14, a platen roller 15 is rotatably supported with its roller surface exposed rearward. The movable conveyance roller 14 and the platen roller 15 are disposed at positions facing the tape driving roller 46 and the thermal head 10 respectively (see FIG. 9). A winding spring 185 (see FIG. 8) is provided around the lower portion of the holder shaft 181. The roller holder 18 is always elastically biased forward by a winding spring 185 (see FIG. 8).

  Between the holder shaft 181 and the platen roller 15 in the roller holder 18, a holder opening 182 that forms a substantially rectangular opening in a front view is provided. A sensor holder 19 is provided behind the release rod 17 and inside the holder opening 182. Since the sensor holder 19 is not fixed to the roller holder 18, the sensor holder 19 can move independently of the roller holder 18. The sensor holder 19 is provided with an optical sensor 28 and a plurality of mechanical sensors 23. The optical sensor 28 includes a light emitting unit 281 and a light receiving unit 282. The optical sensor 28 is provided at a position facing the through hole 850. Each of the plurality of mechanical sensors 23 includes a switch terminal 231 protruding rearward (upper left direction in FIG. 7) (see FIG. 8).

  Among the plurality of mechanical sensors 23, the mechanical sensor 23 that detects the index part 801 is the index part detection sensor 21, and the mechanical sensor 23 that detects the identification part 802 is the identification part detection sensor 22. The index part detection sensor 21 of this embodiment includes index part detection sensors 21A and 21B having switch terminals 231 arranged at positions corresponding to the index parts 801A and 801B, respectively. The identification unit detection sensor 22 includes identification unit detection sensors 22A, 22B, and 22C having switch terminals 231 arranged at positions corresponding to the identification units 802A, 802B, and 802C, respectively.

  When the user attaches / detaches the tape cassette 30 to / from the cassette mounting portion 8, the user opens the cover 6 upward. When the user performs printing with the printing apparatus 1, the user closes the cover 6 downward. When the cover 6 is closed downward, the lever 16 rotates downward. As the lever 16 rotates downward, the release rod 17 moves to the left. The release rod 17 that has moved leftward presses the roller holder 18 backward. The pressed roller holder 18 rotates backward against the urging force of the winding spring 185. The roller holder 18 rotated rearward moves to the printing position shown in FIG. At the printing position, the platen roller 15 is pressed against the thermal head 10, and the movable transport roller 14 is pressed against the tape drive roller 46.

  As the release rod 17 moves in the left direction, the sensor holder 19 moves backward. The sensor holder 19 that has moved rearward moves to the identification position shown in FIG. At the identification position, the switch terminal 231 of the index unit detection sensor 21 is in pressure contact with the index unit 801, and the switch terminal 231 of the identification unit detection sensor 22 is in pressure contact with the identification unit 802. When the roller holder 18 is in the printing position and the sensor holder 19 is in the identification position, the printing apparatus 1 can perform a printing operation using the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 8, and The type and individual can be specified.

  When the cover 6 is opened upward, the lever 16 rotates upward. As the lever 16 moves upward, the release rod 17 moves to the right. As the release rod 17 moves in the right direction, the roller holder 18 rotates forward by the urging force of the winding spring 185. The roller holder 18 rotated forward moves to the standby position shown in FIG. At the standby position, the platen roller 15 is separated from the thermal head 10, and the movable conveyance roller 14 is separated from the tape drive roller 46.

  As the release rod 17 moves in the right direction, the sensor holder 19 moves forward. The sensor holder 19 moved forward moves to the separation position shown in FIG. In the separated position, the switch terminal 231 of the index unit detection sensor 21 is separated from the index unit 801, and the switch terminal 231 of the identification unit detection sensor 22 is separated from the identification unit 802. When the roller holder 18 is in the standby position and the sensor holder 19 is in the separated position, the tape cassette 30 can be attached to and detached from the cassette mounting portion 8 in the printing apparatus 1.

  The physical structure of the sensor holder 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8 and 11. FIG. 11 schematically shows a movable aspect of the mechanical sensor (specifically, the identification unit detection sensor 22A) located at the upper left of the five mechanical sensors 23 (upper right in FIG. 8). . The sensor holder 19 includes at least a box-shaped unit main body 191, a mechanical sensor 23, an optical sensor 28, a locking piece 192, and an electric board 193. The unit main body 191 and the locking piece 192 are integrally formed.

  In the unit main body 191, the surface facing the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 8 is referred to as a cassette facing surface 191A. The switch terminals 231 included in each of the five mechanical sensors 23 protrude from the cassette facing surface 191A so as to face the arm front surface 35 (see FIG. 3) of the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 8. Each switch terminal 231 is provided at a position corresponding to any of the index unit 801 and the identification unit 802 described above. The switch terminal 231 is always moved to the advanced position rotated backward (leftward in FIG. 11) by a spring (not shown). At this time, the mechanical sensor 23 is turned off. When an external pressure is applied to the distal end side of the switch terminal 231, the switch terminal 231 moves to the retracted position rotated forward. At this time, the mechanical sensor 23 is turned on.

  A locking piece 192 that is a plate-like protrusion having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction is provided on the upper right portion (upper left portion in FIG. 8) of the cassette facing surface 191A. An opening 199 is provided on the left side of the switch terminal 231 on the leftmost side (right side in FIG. 8) on the cassette facing surface 191A. The opening 199 is provided to expose the light emitting unit 281 and the light receiving unit 282 of the optical sensor 28 to the rear. The optical sensor 28 is provided at a position facing the through hole 850 (see FIG. 4). Each mechanical sensor 23 and the optical sensor 28 are mounted on an electric board 193 disposed in the unit main body 191 and are electrically connected to the electric board 193.

  The electric board 193 is provided on the front side of the unit main body 191. Although not shown, electrical wiring is connected to the front surface of the electrical substrate 193. The electric board 193 is electrically connected to the control circuit unit 400 (see FIG. 15) provided inside the printing apparatus 1 through this electric wiring. The on / off signal of the mechanical sensor 23 is transmitted to the CPU 401 (see FIG. 15) via the electric wiring connected to the electric board 193.

  The CPU 401 detects the start mark 591 and the end mark 592 using the optical sensor 28. More specifically, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 281 of the optical sensor 28 passes through the through hole 850 and is irradiated to the film tape 59 (see FIG. 4) in which the conveyance path is positioned behind the through hole 850. The The light receiving unit 282 receives the light reflected by the film tape 59. Since the start mark 591 and the end mark 592 are black, the amount of reflected light is smaller than that of the transparent portion of the film tape 59. The CPU 401 detects a start mark 591 and an end mark 592 by detecting the reflection amount via the light receiving unit 282.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 12 to 14, the type and individual detection mode of the tape cassette 30 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 8 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, when the tape cassette 30 is mounted at an appropriate position of the cassette mounting portion 8, the cover 6 (see FIG. 2) is closed and the sensor holder 19 is moved to the identification position. The locking piece 192 provided on the cassette facing surface 191A is inserted into the locking hole 820 of the tape cassette 30. The switch terminal 231 of the mechanical sensor 23 (the index part detection sensor 21 and the identification part detection sensor 22) provided on the cassette facing surface 191A faces the index part 801 and the identification part 802 of the tape cassette 30.

  At this time, the switch terminal 231 facing each surface portion of the index portion 801 or the identification portion 802 is pressed, and the mechanical sensor 23 is turned on. Since the switch terminal 231 facing each hole of the index part 801 or the identification part 802 is not pressed, the mechanical sensor 23 is turned off. The CPU 401 can specify the type of the tape cassette 30 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 8 based on the combination of on / off of the index unit detection sensor 21 with reference to the type information data table 81 (FIG. 16) described later. . The CPU 401 can identify the individual tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 8 based on the combination of ON / OFF of the identification unit detection sensor 22 with reference to the individual information data table 82 (FIG. 17) described later. .

  The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control circuit unit 400 formed on a control board. The control circuit unit 400 includes a CPU 401 that controls each device, a ROM 402, a CGROM 403, a RAM 404, an input / output interface 411, and the like connected to the CPU 401 via a data bus 410.

  The ROM 402 includes at least a program storage area 4021 and a type information data table storage area 4022. The program storage area 4021 stores various programs that the CPU 401 executes to control the printing apparatus 1. The type information data table storage area 4022 stores a type information data table 81 to be described later. The RAM 404 includes at least an individual information data table storage area 4041. The RAM 404 is provided with a plurality of storage areas such as a text memory and a print buffer (not shown). The individual information data table 82, which will be described later, is stored in the individual information data table storage area 4041. The CGROM 403 stores printing dot pattern data for printing characters.

  The input / output interface 411 is connected to the mechanical sensor 23 (the index unit detection sensor 21 and the identification unit detection sensor 22), the input unit 2, the liquid crystal drive circuit (LCDC) 405, the drive circuits 406, 407, 408, 409, and the like. ing. The drive circuit 406 is an electronic circuit for driving the thermal head 10. The drive circuit 407 is an electronic circuit for driving the tape feed motor 24 that rotates the ribbon take-up shaft 9 and the tape drive shaft 11. The drive circuit 408 is an electronic circuit for driving the cutter motor 25 that operates a moving blade (not shown) that cuts the printed tape 50. The drive circuit 409 is an electronic circuit for controlling the optical sensor 28. The liquid crystal drive circuit (LCDC) 405 has a video RAM (not shown) for outputting display data to the display 5.

  The type information data table 81 will be described with reference to FIG. The type information data table 81 is associated with type information, tape width, and tape length. The type information indicates a detection pattern (in other words, a combination of a surface portion and a hole portion in the index portion 801) that is an on / off combination of the index portion detection sensor 21 and is assigned to each type of the tape cassette 30. The tape width and the tape length indicate the tape width and the tape length corresponding to the type of the tape cassette 30 indicated by the type information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, four types of information and the like are set in advance corresponding to all the detection patterns of the index part detection sensors 21A and 21B. Specifically, the tape width “32 mm” and the tape length “800 cm” are associated with the type information “first pattern”. Similarly, the tape width “24 mm” and the tape length “800 cm” are associated with the type information “second pattern”. Corresponding to the type information “third pattern”, a tape width “12 mm” and a tape length “800 cm” are associated. Corresponding to the type information “fourth pattern”, a tape width “12 mm” and a tape length “300 cm” are associated.

  The individual information data table 82 will be described with reference to FIG. In the individual information data table 82, individual information and usage history are associated with each other. The individual information indicates a detection pattern (in other words, a combination of a surface portion and a hole portion in the identification unit 802) that is an on / off combination of the identification unit detection sensor 22 assigned to each individual tape cassette 30. The usage history is information relating to the printing of the tape, and includes the remaining tape amount and the printing history. The remaining tape amount is the remaining amount of the film tape 59 of the tape cassette 30 indicated by the individual information. The print history indicates print data that has been printed in the past by the printer 1 using the tape cassette 30 indicated by the individual information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, as a result of the user using two different individual tape cassettes 30 in the printing apparatus 1, two pieces of individual information are already set. Specifically, as the usage history of the individual information “pattern A”, the remaining tape amount “790 cm”, the print history “File No. 1”, and “conference material” are associated. Similarly, the remaining amount of tape “794 cm” and the print history “confidential material” are associated as the usage history of the individual information “pattern B”.

  Next, main processing of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19. The main process is executed by the CPU 401 when a user inputs an instruction to perform printing via the input unit 2.

  In the main process of the printing apparatus 1, first, the index part 801 is detected by the index part detection sensor 21 (S1). The detection pattern of the index part detection sensor 21 is set in the RAM 404 as type information (S3). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the “fourth pattern” in which the index part detection sensor 21A facing the index part 801A is off and the index part detection sensor 21B facing the index part 801B is on is the type information of the tape cassette 30. Is set.

  The identification unit 802 is detected by the identification unit detection sensor 22 (S5). The detection pattern of the identification unit detection sensor 22 is set in the RAM 404 as individual information of the tape cassette 30 (S7). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the identification unit detection sensor 22A facing the identification unit 802A is on, the identification unit detection sensor 22B facing the identification unit 802B is on, and the identification unit detection sensor 22C facing the identification unit 802C is off. “Pattern C” is set as individual information of the tape cassette 30.

  It is determined whether or not the start mark 591 is detected by the optical sensor 28 (S9). When the start mark 591 is detected (S9: YES), the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 8 is unused. In this case, the storage area of the individual information set in step S7 is set in the individual information data table 82 (S11). The tape length corresponding to the type information set in step S3 is acquired from the type information data table 81 (see FIG. 16) (S13). In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 16, the tape length “800 cm” corresponding to the type information “third pattern” is acquired from the individual information data table 82.

  The tape length acquired in step S13 is stored as the remaining tape amount in the storage area set in step S11 (S15). The remaining tape amount stored in step S15 is displayed on the display 5 (S17). In the example shown in FIG. 20, the individual information “pattern C” and the remaining tape amount “800 cm” are added to the individual information data table 82 shown in FIG. In this case, the remaining tape amount “800 cm” is displayed on the display 5.

  When the start mark 591 is not detected (S9: NO), the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 8 has been used in the past. In this case, it is determined whether or not the storage area of the individual information set in step S7 is set in the individual information data table 82 (S19). If it is set in the individual information data table 82 (S19: YES), the usage history corresponding to the individual information set in step S7 is read from the individual information data table 82 (S21). The print history included in the use history read in step S21 is displayed on the display 5 (S23). Further, the remaining tape amount included in the usage history read in step S21 is displayed on the display 5 (S17).

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, when the tape cassette 30 that has been used in the printing apparatus 1 in the past is mounted and the individual information “pattern A” is detected, the detected individual information is stored in the individual information data table. 82 is determined (S19: YES). In this case, the remaining tape amount “790 cm”, the print history “File No. 1”, and “meeting material” are read and displayed on the display 5 (S23, S17).

  If it is not set in the individual information data table 82 (S19: NO), a storage area for individual information is set as in step S11 (S25). It is determined whether or not the remaining tape amount is input via the input unit 2 (S27). For example, the user visually checks the film tape 59 through the opening 69 and inputs the remaining tape amount of the tape cassette 30 from the input unit 2. In this case, it is determined that the remaining tape amount has been input (S27: YES), and the input remaining tape amount is stored as the remaining tape amount in the storage area set in step S25 (S29). The remaining tape amount stored in step S29 is displayed on the display 5 (S17). If the remaining tape amount has not been input (S27: NO), the process returns to step S27, and the input of the remaining tape amount is awaited.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, when the tape cassette 30 that has been used in the past is loaded and the individual information “pattern D” is detected, the detected individual information is set in the individual information data table 82. It is determined that it is not present (S19: NO). In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 21, for example, the remaining tape amount “787 cm” directly input by the user is added to the individual information data table 82 and displayed on the display 5 (S25 to S29, S17).

  After execution of step S17, it is determined whether any of the print histories displayed in step S23 has been selected (S31). When the user selects the print history displayed on the display 5 (S31: YES), the transport amount of the film tape 59 necessary for printing the selected print history is calculated (S33). This carry amount is calculated using the character size stored in the ROM 402 or CGROM 403 and the length of the margin between characters.

  On the other hand, if the user has not selected the print history displayed on the display 5 (S31: NO), it is determined whether print data has been input (S35). Even when step S23 is not executed (that is, when the print history is not displayed on the display 5), it is determined that the print history is not selected, and it is determined whether the print data is input ( S31: NO, S35). For example, when the user operates the input unit 2 to directly input print data (S35: YES), the transport amount of the film tape 59 necessary for printing the input print data is calculated (S33).

  It is determined whether the remaining tape amount corresponding to the individual information set in step S7 is less than the transport amount calculated in step S33 (S37). In other words, it is determined whether or not the remaining tape amount corresponding to the individual information is insufficient for printing. If the remaining tape amount is equal to or greater than the transport amount (S37: YES), a printing process described later is executed (S39). On the other hand, when the tape remaining amount is smaller than the transport amount (S37: NO), a screen for inquiring the user whether or not to delete the individual information and the use history from the individual information data table 82 is displayed on the display 5 ( S41). The screen displayed in step S41 is, for example, the text “Tape is insufficient. Are you sure you want to delete individual information and usage history?”

  It is determined whether or not an instruction to delete individual information and usage history has been input (S43). For example, when the user inputs an instruction to delete using the input unit 2 (S43: YES), the individual information set in step S7 and the usage history corresponding thereto are deleted from the individual information data table 82 (S45). After execution of step S39 or step S45, the main process is terminated. Even when the instruction to delete the individual information and the usage history is not input (S43: NO), the main process is terminated.

  Specifically, when the individual information “pattern A” is detected as described above, the print history “File No. 1” and “conference material” displayed on the display 5 by the user are displayed as the print history “ It is assumed that “Meeting Material” is selected (S31: YES). In this case, the transport amount (for example, 10 cm) necessary to print the printing history “conference material” is calculated (S33). In the example shown in FIG. 17, since it is determined that the remaining tape amount “790 cm” corresponding to the individual information “pattern A” is greater than or equal to the carry amount “10 cm”, a printing process described later is executed (S39).

  In addition, when the individual information “pattern C” is detected as described above, it is assumed that the user directly inputs new print data “top secret material” (S35: YES). In this case, the transport amount (for example, 8 cm) necessary to print the printing history “confidential material” is calculated (S33). In the example shown in FIG. 20, since it is determined that the remaining tape amount “800 cm” corresponding to the individual information “pattern C” is greater than or equal to the carry amount “8 cm”, the printing process described later is executed (S39).

  In addition, when the individual information “pattern D” is detected as described above, it is assumed that the user directly inputs new print data “confidential material” (S35: YES). In this case, the transport amount (for example, 8 cm) necessary to print the printing history “confidential material” is calculated (S33). In the example shown in FIG. 21, since it is determined that the remaining tape amount “787 cm” corresponding to the individual information “pattern D” is greater than or equal to the carry amount “8 cm”, a printing process described later is executed (S39).

  The printing process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the print history selected in step S31 or the print data input in step S35 is printed on the film tape 59 (S101). It is determined whether or not the printing executed in step S101 has been completed (S103). When printing is completed (S103: YES), the latest tape remaining amount is calculated by subtracting the transport amount calculated in step S33 from the current tape remaining amount (S105). The print data printed in S101 and the remaining tape amount calculated in step S105 are stored as a use history in the individual information data table 82 (S107). The remaining tape amount calculated in step S105 is displayed on the display 5 (S109).

  On the other hand, if printing has not ended (S103: NO), it is determined whether or not the end mark 592 has been detected by the optical sensor 28 (S111). If the end mark 592 is not detected (S111: NO), the process returns to step S101 and printing is continued. If the end mark 592 is detected (S111: YES), the printing is terminated halfway (S113). This is because the remaining amount of tape necessary for printing is insufficient and printing cannot be performed until the end of the print data. In this case, as in step S45, the individual information and the use history are deleted from the individual information data table 82 (S115).

  When the remaining tape amount input by the user in step S27 is smaller than the actual remaining tape amount, it is determined that the remaining tape amount is equal to or greater than the transport amount as described above, and the end mark 592 is detected. There is a fear (S37: NO, S111: YES). After execution of step S109 or step S115, the process returns to the main process.

  Specifically, as described above, when the individual information “pattern A” is detected and the print history “meeting material” is selected, “meeting material” is printed on the film tape 59 (S101). In this case, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the transport amount “10 cm” calculated in step S33 is subtracted from the remaining tape amount “790 cm” associated with the individual information “pattern A”. A new tape remaining amount “780 cm” is calculated and stored, and displayed on the display 5 (S105 to S109).

  When the individual information “pattern C” is detected as described above and the print history “confidential material” is input, “confidential material” is printed on the film tape 59 (S101). In this case, in the example illustrated in FIG. 20, the transport amount “8 cm” calculated in step S33 is subtracted from the remaining tape amount “800 cm” associated with the individual information “pattern C”. A new tape remaining amount “792 cm” is calculated and stored, and displayed on the display 5 (S105 to S109). The newly input print data “Top Secret Material” is stored as the print history of the individual information “pattern C” (S107).

  If the individual information “pattern D” is detected and the print history “confidential material” is input as described above, “confidential material” is printed on the film tape 59 (S101). In the example shown in FIG. 21, the transport amount “8 cm” calculated in step S33 is subtracted from the remaining tape amount “787 cm” associated with the individual information “pattern D”. A new tape remaining amount “779 cm” is calculated and stored, and displayed on the display 5 (S105 to S109). The newly input print data “Top Secret Material” is stored as the print history of the individual information “pattern D” (S107).

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the usage history is stored in the individual information data table 82 for each individual information of the tape cassette 30 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 8. Since it is not necessary to provide a storage element in the tape cassette 30, the unit price of the tape cassette 30 can be suppressed. In addition, since the printing apparatus 1 does not need to include a different storage device for each tape cassette 30, the number of cassettes that can be used for managing the usage history is not limited to the storage device, and the usage history for each of the many tape cassettes 30 can be managed. Can do.

  Further, based on the type information of the tape cassette 30 detected from the index section 801 provided in the cassette case 31, the tape length which is the length of the unused tape is specified (S13). Based on the specified tape length and the transport amount of the tape, the remaining tape amount is acquired as a use history (S15). For this reason, the tape remaining amount of the tape cassette 30 can be acquired while omitting the user's trouble of setting the tape length.

  When the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is stored, the tape remaining amount obtained by subtracting the transport amount is acquired as the remaining tape amount (S19: YES, S21). Therefore, the remaining tape amount can be more accurately acquired depending on whether or not the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is stored.

  Further, when the remaining tape amount is smaller than the transport amount, the usage history associated with the detected individual information is deleted from the individual information data table 82 (S37: YES, S45). In many cases, a tape cassette with insufficient tape remaining is not used thereafter. Therefore, the free capacity of the RAM 404 can be ensured by deleting the usage history of the tape cassette whose remaining tape amount is insufficient.

  Further, when the user inputs an instruction to delete the usage history when the remaining tape amount is smaller than the transport amount, the usage history is deleted from the individual information data table 82 (S37: YES, S43: YES, S45). ). Even when the remaining tape amount is insufficient, the user may not want to delete the usage history. For this reason, the convenience of the printing apparatus 1 can be improved by enabling the user to select whether or not to delete the usage history.

  When the start mark is detected, the tape length is acquired as the remaining tape amount (S9: YES, S13). On the other hand, if the start mark is not detected and the remaining tape amount corresponding to the detected individual information is not stored, the remaining tape amount input by the user is acquired (S9: NO, S19: NO, S27). . Thereby, even when the tape remaining amount corresponding to the detected individual information is not stored, the current tape remaining amount can be specified.

  If an end mark is detected, the use history is deleted from the individual information data table 82 (S111: YES, S115). Since the tape cassette 30 having no remaining tape is not used thereafter, the free space in the RAM 404 can be secured by deleting the use history.

  In the above embodiment, the tape feed motor 24 (see FIG. 15) corresponds to the “conveying means” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S101 corresponds to the “printing unit” of the present invention. The individual information data table storage area 4041 of the RAM 404 corresponds to the “storage device” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S5 corresponds to the “individual information detection unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs steps S13, S27, and S105 corresponds to the “use history acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs steps S15, S29, and S107 corresponds to the “storage control unit” of the present invention.

  The CPU 401 performing step S13 corresponds to “tape length specifying means” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S33 corresponds to the “conveyance amount acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs step S19 corresponds to the “remaining amount storage determination unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs step S45 corresponds to the “first deletion unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S43 corresponds to the “deletion instruction determination unit” of the present invention. The optical sensor 28 corresponds to “start detection means” and “end detection means” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S9 corresponds to the “start determination unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs step S27 corresponds to the “remaining amount input determination unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S111 corresponds to the “end determination unit” of the present invention. The CPU 401 performing step S115 corresponds to the “second deletion unit” of the present invention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, the positions of the index unit 801 and the identification unit 802 are not limited. For example, the index part 801 and the identification part 802 may be on the right part on the front surface of the cassette case 31. Further, it may be on the bottom surface 30B of the tape cassette 30. In this case, the type information and individual information of the tape cassette 30 can be detected by changing the position of the mechanical sensor 23 in accordance with the positions of the index unit 801 and the identification unit 802.

  Further, in step S45 and step S115, instead of deleting both the individual information and the usage history, either the individual information or the usage history may be deleted.

  In the type information data table 81 (see FIG. 16), the tape width and the tape length are associated with the type information, but the data associated with the type information is not limited. For example, the type information may be associated with a tape color, various tape types such as a thermal type, a receptor type, and a laminate type. In this case, the tape width, tape length, tape color, tape type, and the like can be specified by detecting the type information indicated by the index unit 801.

  The usage history stored in the individual information data table 82 (see FIG. 17) includes the remaining tape amount and the printing history, but the data included in the usage history is not limited. For example, the use history may include the date of purchase, the color of the tape, and the tape type. In this case, the CPU 401 of the printing apparatus 1 can specify the remaining tape amount, print history, purchase date, tape color, tape type, and the like from the individual information. Note that the individual information data table storage area 4041 may be provided in a storage device other than the RAM 404. For example, the individual information data table storage area 4041 may be provided in a flash memory.

  In step S105, the remaining tape amount is calculated by subtracting the transport amount from the remaining tape amount. However, the method for calculating the remaining tape amount is not limited. For example, the total transport amount of the film tape 59 used for printing is stored in the RAM 404. In step S105, the remaining tape amount may be calculated by subtracting the total transport amount stored in the RAM 404 from the initial value of the tape length.

  Moreover, in the tape cassette 30, although the pattern of the identification part 802 can be changed with the push switch 90, you may change the pattern of the identification part 802 by another method. For example, instead of the hole 95, the arm front surface 35 is provided with a surface portion in which perforations are formed along the outline of the hole 95. The user may change the surface portion into a hole portion by cutting the surface portion along the perforation. Thereby, the user can change the pattern of an identification part correctly and easily.

  Further, instead of the mechanical sensor 23, an optical sensor may be used. In this case, for example, the surface portions in the index portion 801 and the identification portion 802 are changed to reflective surfaces that reflect light, and the hole portions in the index portion 801 and the identification portion 802 are changed to non-reflective surfaces that do not reflect light. Good. That is, you may change a surface part and a hole part into the two-dimensional pattern which shows identification information with the combination of a reflective surface and a non-reflective surface. In this case, when the light emitted from the optical sensor is reflected by the reflecting surface, the light is detected by the light receiving unit of the optical sensor, and when the light is not reflected by the non-reflecting surface, Light is not detected by the light receiving unit. The printing apparatus 1 can specify type information based on the presence or absence of this light. Further, even if the surface portion and the hole portion remain in the index portion 801 and the identification portion 802, the presence / absence of the hole portion can be detected and the type information can be specified by the difference in reflectance.

  As described above, when the surface portion and the hole portion are changed to a two-dimensional pattern of a reflective surface and a non-reflective surface, marks may be formed along the outline of the reflective surface. In this case, the user can change the reflecting surface to a non-reflecting surface by painting the reflecting surface along the mark. As a result, the user can change the pattern of an identification part correctly and easily.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 10 Thermal head 19 Sensor holder 21 Index part detection sensor 22 Identification part detection sensor 23 Mechanical sensor 24 Tape feed motor 28 Optical sensor 30 Tape cassette 31 Cassette case 81 Type information data table 82 Individual information data table 90 Push switch 231 Switch terminal 401 CPU
591 Start mark 592 End mark 801 Index part 802 Identification part 4022 Type information data table storage area 4041 Individual information data table storage area

Claims (12)

Individual information, which is identification information for each individual unit, is provided on a side wall of the cassette case containing the tape and an arm part that guides the tape of the cassette case , and is substantially parallel to the tape guided in the arm part. A tape cassette provided with an identification portion to indicate;
A cassette mounting portion to which the tape cassette is attached and detached;
Transport means for pulling out and transporting the tape from the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting section;
Printing means for printing on the tape conveyed by the conveying means;
A mechanical sensor that has a plurality of switch terminals capable of advancing and retreating, and discriminating the identification portion of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion;
Based on the determination result of the mechanical sensor, individual information detection means for detecting the individual information indicated by the identification unit of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit,
Usage history acquisition means for acquiring a usage history that is information relating to printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion;
Storage control means for storing the use history acquired by the use history acquisition means in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means, and
The identification portion is provided at a position facing each of the plurality of switch terminals, and has a pattern according to the individual information, a hole portion into which the switch terminal can be inserted, and a surface portion capable of contacting the switch terminal. a combination, and a printing apparatus characterized by comprising changing means for changing from the outside of the cassette case of the surface portion into the hole. Said changing means, according to claim 1, characterized in that a push switch having a movable portion for changing perforation for changing the surface to the hole, or the surface portion into the hole portion Printing device. A cassette case containing a tape, and a tape cassette provided in the cassette case and provided with an identification unit indicating individual information which is identification information for each individual;
A cassette mounting portion to which the tape cassette is attached and detached;
Transport means for pulling out and transporting the tape from the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting section;
Printing means for printing on the tape conveyed by the conveying means;
Individual information detecting means for detecting the individual information indicated by the identification unit of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit;
Usage history acquisition means for acquiring a usage history that is information relating to printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion;
Storage control means for storing the usage history acquired by the usage history acquisition means in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means;
With
The identification unit is a combination of a hole and a surface part indicating the individual information, and includes a changing means for changing the surface part to the hole,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing means is a push switch having a perforation for changing the surface portion to the hole portion or a movable portion for changing the surface portion to the hole portion. A cassette case containing a tape, and a tape cassette provided in the cassette case and provided with an identification unit indicating individual information which is identification information for each individual;
A cassette mounting portion to which the tape cassette is attached and detached;
Transport means for pulling out and transporting the tape from the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting section;
Printing means for printing on the tape conveyed by the conveying means;
A mechanical sensor that has a plurality of switch terminals capable of advancing and retreating, and discriminating the identification portion of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion;
Individual information detecting means for detecting the individual information based on the discrimination result of the mechanical sensor;
Usage history acquisition means for acquiring a usage history that is information relating to printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion;
Storage control means for storing the use history acquired by the use history acquisition means in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means, and
The identification portion is provided at a position facing each of the plurality of switch terminals, and has a pattern according to the individual information, and a hole portion into which the switch terminal can be inserted, and a surface portion capable of contacting the switch terminal A combination of
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit has a perforation for changing the surface portion to the hole portion. A cassette case containing a tape, and a tape cassette provided in the cassette case and provided with an identification unit indicating individual information which is identification information for each individual;
A cassette mounting portion to which the tape cassette is attached and detached;
Transport means for pulling out and transporting the tape from the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting section;
Printing means for printing on the tape conveyed by the conveying means;
A non-contact sensor for optically discriminating the identification part of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting part;
Individual information detecting means for detecting the individual information based on the discrimination result of the non-contact sensor;
Usage history acquisition means for acquiring a usage history that is information relating to printing of the tape in a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion;
Storage control means for storing the use history acquired by the use history acquisition means in a storage device in association with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means, and
The identification unit is a two-dimensional pattern displayed according to the individual information,
The identification device is formed with a mark for changing the two-dimensional pattern. Type information detecting means for detecting type information of the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit from an index section provided on the cassette case;
Based on the type information detected by the type information detecting means, a tape length specifying means for specifying a tape length which is the length of the tape in an unused state;
A transport amount acquisition means for acquiring the transport amount of the tape by the transport means;
The usage history acquisition unit is a tape that is the remaining amount of the tape as the usage history based on the conveyance amount detected by the conveyance amount acquisition unit and the tape length specified by the tape length specification unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount is acquired. Remaining amount storage determining means for determining whether or not the remaining tape amount associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detecting means is stored in the storage device;
The usage history acquisition means is acquired by the transport amount acquisition means from the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device when it is determined by the remaining amount storage determination means that it is stored in the storage device. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the transport amount is acquired as the remaining tape amount.   The usage history associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detection unit when the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device is smaller than the conveyance amount acquired by the conveyance amount acquisition unit The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising first deletion means that can be deleted from the storage device. Whether or not an instruction to delete the usage history is input by the user when the remaining tape amount stored in the storage device is smaller than the transport amount acquired by the transport amount acquisition unit. A deletion instruction determination means for determining,
The said 1st deletion means deletes the said usage history from the said memory | storage device, when it is judged by the said deletion instruction | indication judgment means that the instruction | indication which deletes the said usage history was input. Printing device. A start detection means for detecting a start mark provided at the downstream end in the transport direction of the tape in an unused state and indicating that it is in an unused state for the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion;
Start determination means for determining whether or not the start mark is detected by the start detection means,
The usage history acquisition unit acquires the tape length specified by the tape length specification unit as the remaining tape amount when the start determination unit determines that the start mark is detected. The printing apparatus according to claim 7. The remaining amount storage determining unit determines whether or not the remaining amount of tape is stored in the storage device when the start determining unit determines that the start mark is not detected;
A remaining amount input determining unit configured to determine whether or not the remaining tape amount is input by a user when the remaining storage amount determining unit determines that the remaining tape amount is not stored in the storage device;
11. The usage history acquisition unit acquires the input tape remaining amount as the usage history when the remaining tape input determination unit determines that the remaining tape amount is input. The printing device described in 1. An end detection means for detecting an end mark provided at an upstream end in the transport direction of the tape and indicating that the tape is used, with the tape cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion as a target;
End determination means for determining whether or not the end mark is detected by the end detection means;
Second deletion means for deleting, from the storage device, the usage history associated with the individual information detected by the individual information detection means when the end determination means determines that the end mark has been detected. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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