JPH06286228A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily obtain desired number of pieces of printed label tape without repeating an operation of printing start by a print key, for example, in the case of printing the same data on many pieces of the label tape. CONSTITUTION:Data to be printed made by means of an operation of a key input section 2 is stored in a print data memory means 21 and the character pattern is generated by a character generator 22 so that the print data to be printed at one time is stored in a designated print range data memory section 25. When continuous print is designated at the operation of print start, after outputting the print data stored in the data memory section 25 to a print control section 26 to print it on the label tape via a thermal head 17, one piece of the label tape is cut and separated by means of a cutter. The cutting operation is detected by a detection switch 19 and consequently the similar label print operation is automatically repeated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus used for printing a character string such as an arbitrarily created sentence on a tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of the devices for making an index label which is attached to an audio cassette or a video cassette and describes the contents thereof, or a name label which is attached to various belongings and describes the owner, etc., as an original device, for example, A label printing device is provided.

This label printing apparatus has a document creation function provided with a large number of character input keys, and the document data or the like consisting of a character string arbitrarily created by this document creation function is operated by operating the print key. The print data is printed on a label tape by thermal transfer printing and output.The printed label tape is fed out from the tape outlet on the side of the main unit and cut and separated by operating the cutter knob. Has become.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional label printing apparatus, when it is desired to print several label tapes having the same content, one label tape by the cutter knob is used for each printing operation. Since the cutting and separating operation for the minutes and the printing start operation by the print key have to be repeated, there is a problem in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.
For example, when it is desired to print many label tapes having the same content, it is possible to easily obtain a desired number of printed label tapes without having to repeatedly perform a print start operation using a print key. With the goal.

[0006]

That is, a printing apparatus according to the present invention prints desired characters, symbols, etc. on a tape, and tape cutting means for cutting the tape,
The tape cutting means comprises a switch that operates in response to the operation of the tape cutting means, and a print control means that starts printing in response to the operation of the switch.

[0007]

That is, in the state where the print mode is set, each time the cutting and separating operation of the printed tape by the cutter knob is performed,
The next printing operation is automatically started.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the label printing apparatus.

The apparatus main body 1 of the label printing apparatus is composed of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped casing that can be held by an adult's hand, and a key input section 2 and a liquid crystal display section 3 are provided on the surface of the apparatus main body 1. , The power switch "POWE" on the front side
R ”is provided.

The key input section 2 includes a character input key, an insert key, a delete key, an execute key, and a return key, which have a word processor function for creating character string data such as a label printing name, heading, and index. In addition to the cursor keys and the like, various function keys “F1” to “F10” that are operated when setting the character input mode, the print mode, and the like are provided.

Here, the above function keys "F1" to "F1"
Of "0", "F10" 4a is used as a print key for starting a printing operation, and "F1" 4b is used as a cancel key for repeated (continuous) printing.

Character string data obtained by the key input operation, message data for prompting the operator to perform the next operation, and the like are displayed on the display section 3 according to the corresponding processing.

Further, on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 1, a tape outlet 5 for ejecting a label-like tape having an adhesive (not shown) on which the character string data is printed, and a label ejected to the tape outlet 5 A cutter knob 6 for cutting and separating the tape is provided.

That is, after the power switch "POWER" is turned on, arbitrary character string data is created using the key input unit 2 and the display unit 3, and this is used as a character string to be printed, and the print key "F10" 4a is pressed. When an operation is started to start the printing process, the above-mentioned character string to be printed is printed on the label tape (not shown) and is discharged from the tape outlet 5.

When the label tape on which the character string to be printed is printed is ejected from the tape outlet 5, the label tape for one sheet is slid by the cutter knob 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow x. It is cut and used separately.

Here, when repeated (continuous) printing is selected along with the print start operation by the print key "F10" 4a, the degree of cutting and separation of one label tape having been printed by the cutter knob 6 is performed. Then, the same printing process is repeatedly started.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the construction of the cassette mounting portion 11 of the label printing apparatus.

An ink tape cassette 12 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 11 for use.

The ink tape cassette 12 has an adhesive label tape 12 on which the character string to be printed is printed.
a and an ink ribbon 12b for printing on the label tape 12a are provided.
In c, the ink ribbon 12b is in parallel contact with the ink ribbon 12b and simultaneously advances, and is ejected from the ink tape cassette 12.

The ink tape cassette 12 can be attached to and detached from the cassette mounting portion 11 by partially opening the main body cover 13 of the apparatus main body 1 having the key input portion 2 and the display portion 3. The ink tape cassette 1
The take-up top 14 is inserted and fitted into the ribbon take-up spool arranged inside the second winding spool 2, and the recesses 12d, 12e, 12f on the opposite side surfaces of the ink tape cassette 12 are formed.
The cassette guides 11a, 11b, and 11c are engaged with each other for positioning, and when the main body cover 13 is closed, the upper surface of the cassette pressing spring 15 is pressed and fixed.

In this case, the platen roller 16 is positioned along the label tape 12a in the transfer portion 12c of the ink tape cassette 12, and the thermal head 1
7 is positioned along the ink ribbon 12b in the transfer section 12c.

That is, the label tape 12 with adhesive
During the printing operation of the character string to be printed on a, the label tape 12a and the ink ribbon 12b are transferred to the transfer portion 12c by the rotation of the platen roller 16 and the winding top 14.
, The thermal head 17 sandwiches the label tape 12a and the ink ribbon 12b between the platen roller 16 and the thermal head 17 to perform a thermal transfer operation.
It is printed on a and is fed from the tape outlet 5.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 18 shown by a broken line is a cutter for projecting to the tape outlet 5 and cutting the label tape 12a as the cutter knob 6 slides. The cutter 18 cuts and separates the label tape 12a. Then, the detection switch 19 operates in conjunction with the sliding operation of the cutter knob 6, and the completion of printing one sheet on the label tape 12a is detected.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the label printing apparatus.

In the electronic circuit of this label printing apparatus, the control unit 20 controls the operation of the entire circuit.

When the character information is input by operating the key input unit 2, the control unit 20 causes the print data storage unit 21 to store the input character information as a character code, and the character generator 22 converts each character code into each character code. The corresponding character pattern is called and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3. Here, the maximum print size of the character patterns called from the character generator 22 is detected by the print control data determination unit 23.

Further, the control unit 20 determines the pattern size of the character pattern read from the character generator 22 from the character printing magnification and the width of the label tape 12a and the ink ribbon 12b which are arbitrarily set by the key input unit 2 in advance. The pattern size conversion unit 24 converts the pattern size according to the above.

Then, the control unit 20 stores only the character data corresponding to the print range in the designated print range data storage unit 25 based on the print range designation information input by the key input unit 2, and sequentially prints the print control unit. 26 to output.

To the print control unit 26, the print voltage generating unit 27 adjusts and supplies the voltage from the power source 28 according to the ink material of the ink ribbon 12b. As a result, the print control unit 26 supplies the voltage adjusted based on the print target data supplied from the control unit 20 to the thermal head 17, and selectively causes each heating element to generate heat.

The cut detection signal of the printed label tape 12a output from the detection switch 19 in accordance with the cutting operation of the label tape 12a by the cutter knob 6 is supplied to the control unit 20 via the switch detection unit 29. When the tape cut detection signal is supplied,
When repeated (continuous) printing is selected in advance, the print data stored in the designated print range data storage unit 25 is output to the print control unit 26 again, and the same printing operation as before is started. .

Next, the operation of the label printing apparatus having the above structure will be described.

That is, when the character input data as the data to be printed is input to operate the key input unit 2 to print the label, the individual input character data are sequentially stored in the print data storage unit 21 as the character code data. At the same time, a character pattern is generated by the character generator 22 based on the character code data and is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the printing process of the label printing apparatus.

That is, in a state where the above-mentioned data to be printed is created and displayed, the cursor key or the like is operated to operate the label tape 1.
When one printing range to be printed on 2a is designated, the character pattern generated by the character generator 22 corresponding to the designated printing range is stored in the designated printing range data storage unit 25.

Here, when the print key "F10" 4a is operated to start the printing process for the label tape 12a of the print data obtained in the designated print range data storage section 25 by the designation of the print range, first, A message "Do you want to print continuously? YorN" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 3 to prompt the operator to specify whether to perform repeated (continuous) printing (steps S1 and S2).

In step S2, when the operator operates the "Y" key in the key input unit 2 to specify continuous printing, the specified print range data storage unit 2
The print target data stored in 5 is sequentially sent to the thermal head 17 one print line data at a time via the print control unit 26, and in synchronization with this, the winding top 14 and the platen roller 16 are rotationally driven, and the label tape Thermal transfer printing is performed on 12a (step S2 → S).
3).

When all the print data corresponding to the designated print range is printed on the label tape 12a, discharged from the tape outlet 5 and stopped, the cutter knob 6 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow x. When the label tape 12a for one sheet is cut and separated by 18, the detection switch 19 is operated in accordance with the sliding operation of the cutter knob 6.
Is activated, and this tape disconnection detection signal is sent to the switch detection unit 2
9 to the control unit 20 (steps S3, S
4 → S5).

Then, the control section 20 outputs the print target data stored in the designated print range data storage section 25 to the print control section 26 again, and at the same time, the take-up top 14 and the platen roller 16 are rotationally driven. Then, the second printing process similar to the previous time is started (step S3).

After that, when the label tape 12a accompanying the second printing process is ejected from the tape outlet 5 and stopped, the cutter knob 6 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow x, and the second sheet is cut by the cutter 18. When the label tape 12a is cut and separated, the detection switch 19 operates according to the sliding movement of the cutter knob 6, and the tape cut detection signal is supplied to the control unit 20 via the switch detection unit 29. Further, the third printing process similar to the previous one is started (steps S3, S4 → S5, S3).

That is, at the time of the print start operation by the operation of the print key "F10" 4a, when the continuous printing is designated in advance, after the label printing for one sheet is completed, the label tape 12a is cut and separated. By doing so, the same label printing process is automatically started repeatedly, and it becomes possible to easily print many label tapes 12a having the same content.

When the last label printing of the desired number of sheets is performed by the continuous printing process, and the release key "F1" 4b is operated when the label is ejected from the tape outlet 5 and stopped, the designated state of the continuous printing is obtained. Cutter knob 6 released
Even if the label tape 12a is cut and separated in this manner, the reprinting process is not started and the printing is completed (steps S3 and S).
4 → S5).

On the other hand, in the step S2, when the operator does not designate continuous printing by operating the "N" key in the key input section 2, one label is printed and one tape is cut after the label printing process. The printing is completed by this (steps S2 → S7, S6).

Therefore, according to the label printing apparatus having the above structure, the print data created by operating the key input unit 2 is stored in the print data storage unit 21 and the character pattern is generated by the character generator 22. Then, the data to be printed for one time is designated and stored in the designated print range data storage unit 25, and when the continuous printing is designated at the time of the print start operation, the control unit 20 stores the designated print range data. After the print data stored in the unit 25 is output to the print control unit 26 and printed on the label tape 12a via the thermal head 17,
When the label knob 12a for one sheet is cut and separated by operating the cutter knob 6, this label cutting operation is detected by the detection switch 19 and the same label printing process is repeatedly started automatically. Even if you do not repeat the start key operation every time you print one label,
This makes it possible to easily print many label tapes 12a having the same content.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, desired characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the label tape, and the tape cutting means for cutting the label tape and the operation of the tape cutting means are performed. Since it is configured to include a switch that operates in response to it and a print control unit that starts printing in response to the operation of this switch, for example, when you want to print many label tapes of the same content, start printing with the print key It is possible to easily obtain the desired number of printed label tapes without the need to repeat the operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of a label printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cassette mounting portion of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process of the label printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Label printing apparatus main body, 2 ... Key input section, 3 ... Liquid crystal display section, 4a "F10" ... Printing key, 4b "F1" ... Release key, 5 ... Tape exit, 6 ... Cutter knob, 11 ... Cassette loading section , 11a to 11c ... Cassette guide, 12 ...
Ink tape cassette, 12a ... Label tape, 12b
... Ink ribbon, 12c ... Transfer part, 12d-12f ... Cassette recess, 13 ... Main body cover, 14 ... Winding top,
15 ... Cassette pressing spring, 16 ... Platen roller, 17
... thermal head, 18 ... cutter, 19 ... detection switch, 20 ... control unit, 21 ... print data storage unit, 22 ... character generator, 23 ... print control data determination unit,
24 ... Pattern size conversion unit, 25 ... Designated printing range data storage unit, 26 ... Print control unit, 27 ... Printing voltage generation unit,
27a ... Printing voltage generation switch, 28 ... Power supply, 29 ... Switch detection unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for printing desired characters, symbols, etc. on a tape, a tape cutting means for cutting the tape, a switch which operates according to the operation of the tape cutting means, and an operation of the switch. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing control unit that starts printing correspondingly.