JPH0740611A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily obtain a label tape printed with a plurality of contents without repeatedly conducting a label tape cut-off operation and a printing start operation by a printing key. CONSTITUTION:A character code inputted by keys and a cutting code inputted by a cutting key 12h are stored in a code register 32b of a RAM 32 in the order of input. If code data read by a CPU 30 in accordance with a pointer sequentially additionally set in a pointer register P by operating a printing key 12i is a character code, a corresponding font is read from a ROM 31, outputted to a thermal head 25, and printed on a label tape fed by a motor 35 through a tape drive circuit 33. Furthermore, if read code data is a cutting code, a cutter mechanism is actuated by a motor 27 through a cutting motor drive circuit 34 to automatically cut a printed label tape.

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 printing medium such as a label tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of the devices for originally creating an index label attached to an audio cassette or a video cassette to describe the contents thereof, or a name label attached to various belongings to indicate its owner, 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 ejected to the outside from the tape ejection port on the side of the main unit, and cut and separated by operating the cutter knob. It has become.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional label printing apparatus, when it is desired to continuously print a plurality of character-printed character strings prepared by key input in advance, the printing operation of one character-printed character string is performed. The operation of cutting and separating one label tape with the cutter knob and the operation of starting printing with the print key must be repeated every time the operation is completed, which causes a problem of poor operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.
For example, when it is desired to print a plurality of character strings to be printed in succession, it is possible to easily obtain a label tape with a plurality of contents without the need to repeat the cutting and separating operation of the label tape and the printing start operation with the print key. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device including the following.

[0006]

That is, a printing apparatus according to the present invention prints desired characters / symbols or the like on a print medium housed in a replaceable case. Etc., a storage means for storing the characters / symbols and the disconnection command input by this input means as data in the order of input, and the data stored in this storage means for reading the data
Determination means for determining whether it is a symbol or a disconnection instruction,
If the data judgment result by the judging means is a character / symbol, the character / symbol is printed on the printing medium, and if the data judgment result by the judging means is a cutting command, And a cutting means for cutting the print medium.

[0007]

In other words, the character / symbol code to be printed and the cutting instruction code are stored in the storage means in the order of input by the input means, and in the printing process, the code data sequentially read from the storage means is determined. If it is a character / symbol code, the corresponding character / symbol font is read from the ROM or the like and printed on the print medium, and if it is a cut command code, the printed portion of the print medium is cut and separated. . Therefore, the plurality of print target data are sequentially and continuously printed on the print target medium and automatically cut and separated.

[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 external configuration of the label printing apparatus. The apparatus main body 11 of the label printing apparatus is composed of, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing that can be held by an adult's hand, and the key input unit 12 and the liquid crystal display unit 1 are provided on the surface of the apparatus main body 11.
3 and the lock switch 14 of the back cover 11a is provided on the front side surface.

The key input section 12 has a power key "O".
A character input key 1 suitable for a word processor function for creating character string data such as N "12a," OFF "12b, label printing name, heading, index, etc.
2c, a function selection key 12d, a conversion key 12e, an execution key 12f, a cursor key 12g, etc., a cut key 12h that is operated each time one character string data is created, and a print that is operated when setting a print mode. A key 12i is provided.

On the display unit 13, 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 according to the corresponding processing.

Further, on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 11, there is provided a tape ejection port 15 for ejecting the label tape with the adhesive (not shown) on which the character string data is printed. That is, after the power key “ON” 12a is turned on, a plurality of arbitrary character string data are created using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, and the plurality of character string data are respectively used as the character strings to be printed. When 12i is operated to start the printing process, the plurality of character string data are printed one by one on the label tape (not shown) and ejected from the tape ejecting port 15.

In this case, when the label tape on which one character string data is printed is ejected from the tape ejection port 15, the one label tape is automatically cut and separated by the built-in cutter, and then the next Printing of the character string data of is started.

That is, when the plurality of character string data is created, if the cut key 12h is operated every time each character string data is created, each character string data is printed after the print start operation by the print key 12i. Each time, each printed label tape is automatically cut, and a plurality of character string data are continuously separated and printed as separate label tapes.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the construction of the cassette mounting portion 21 on the back side of the main body of the label printing apparatus from which the back cover 11a is removed. An ink tape cassette 22 is mounted and used in the cassette mounting portion 21.

The ink tape cassette 22 has an adhesive label tape 22 on which the character string to be printed is printed.
a and an ink ribbon 22b for printing on the label tape 22a are provided, and the label tape 22a is a transfer portion 22.
In c, the ink ribbon 22b is in parallel contact with the ink ribbon 22b, and the ink ribbon 22b and the ink ribbon 22b are simultaneously advanced.

The ink tape cassette 22 can be attached to and detached from the cassette mounting section 21 by operating the lock switch 14 to remove the back cover 11a of the apparatus main body 11 having the key input section 12 and the display section 13. Will be
The ribbon take-up spool 23 arranged inside the ink tape cassette 22 is rotationally driven by a tape motor (not shown), and the label tape 22a that comes into contact with the ink ribbon 22b is taken out at the same time as the ink ribbon 22b is taken up. To be done.

In this case, the platen roller 24 is positioned along the label tape 22a in the transfer portion 22c of the ink tape cassette 22, and the thermal head 2 is also used.
The position 5 is set along the ink ribbon 22b in the transfer portion 22c.

On the other hand, in the tape feeding portion 22d adjacent to the transfer portion 22c in the ink tape cassette 22, a cutter 26a of a cutter mechanism 26 provided on the main body side is provided.
Is arranged, the rotation of the cutting motor 27 causes the gear 26b,
When 26c is rotationally driven as indicated by arrows a and b, respectively, the cutter 26a is extruded as indicated by arrow c, and the label tape 22 is fed to the tape feeding portion 22d.
The printed portion of a is cut and separated.

That is, the label tape 22 with adhesive
During the printing operation of the character string to be printed on a, the label tape 22a and the ink ribbon 22b are conveyed at the same speed in the transfer portion 22c by the rotation of the ribbon take-up spool 23 and the platen roller 24, and the thermal head 25 The label tape 22a and the ink ribbon 22b are sandwiched between the platen roller 24 and the platen roller 24 to perform a thermal transfer operation, whereby the character strings to be printed are sequentially printed on the label tape 22a and fed from the tape feeding portion 22d. It will be discharged to the outside through the discharge port 15.

Then, one printed character string is printed,
When the printed label tape 22a advances to the tape feeding portion 22d, the cutter mechanism 26 operates to cut and separate the printed label tape 22a.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the label printing apparatus. In the electronic circuit of the label printing apparatus, the control unit 30 controls the operation of the entire circuit.

The control unit 30 includes a ROM 31, a key input unit 12, a liquid crystal display unit 13, a thermal head 25,
The RAM 32, the tape drive circuit 33, and the cutting motor drive circuit 34 are connected.

The ROM 31 stores in advance a system control program for the CPU 30, such as a character string data creation control program and a print control program.
Code data corresponding to all characters, symbols, and commands that can be input by the key input unit 12, font pattern data thereof, and the like are stored in advance.

The RAM 32 has an input buffer 32.
a, a code register 32b, and a pointer register P are provided. The input buffer 32a has a buffer area in which 32 pieces of code data can be written, and a character / symbol code or an instruction code is sequentially written in the input buffer 32a in response to an input operation by the teeth and the key input unit 12. Get caught.

Further, the code register 32b has a code data storage area for 256 pieces. The code register 32b converts the character / symbol / instruction code data written in the input buffer 32a. It is transferred and stored with the confirmation by.

Here, the input buffer 32a and the code register 32b both store the input character / symbol code or instruction code in the order of input in the key input unit 12.

The read pointer of the code register 32b is set in the pointer register P. When the print mode is set, the read pointer P is sequentially incremented and the code data in the code register 32b is sequentially read. It

In the tape drive circuit 33, the character / symbol font data corresponding to the code data sequentially read from the code register 32b of the RAM 32 according to the setting of the print mode is read from the ROM 31 and the thermal head 25 causes the label tape 22a. The tape motor 35 is driven to rotate the ribbon take-up spool 23 in synchronism with the printed output to the.
As the label tape 22a is printed, the label tape 22a is unwound from the ink tape cassette 22 and ejected from the tape ejection port 15.

The cutting motor drive circuit 34 drives the cutting motor 27 of the cutter mechanism 26 when the code data read from the code register 32b of the RAM 32 by the setting of the print mode is a cutting instruction code. As a result, the label tape 22a that has been fed to the tape feeding portion 22d of the ink tape cassette 22.
The printed portion of is cut and separated by the operation of the cutter 26a.

Next, the operation of the label printing apparatus having the above structure will be described. That is, first, the key input unit 12
The character input key 12c is operated to input and confirm desired character string data, for example, "Matsui", and the cut key 12h is operated, and subsequently, "Nagashima" is input and confirmed, and the cut key 12h is operated. "Hara" is confirmed and cut key 12h
When is operated and "Mosby" is input, cut codes are added to the respective character codes corresponding to the three fixed character string data "Matsui", "Nagashima", and "Hara" and the cut register is added to the code register 32b. Remembered, also
The character code corresponding to the fourth character string data "Mosby" immediately after the input and before being fixed is written in the input buffer 32a.

When the fourth character string data "Mosby" is input and confirmed and the cut key 12h is operated, the character code and the cut code are changed to the code register 3 described above.
It is stored following the third character string data “original” in 2b and its cut code.

As a result, the plurality of character string data input from the key input unit 12 is divided into cut codes in the order of input, and the code register 32b of the RAM 32 is divided.
Will be remembered.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a printing process in the label printing apparatus. That is, each character string data “Matsui” “Nagashima” stored in the code register 32b of the RAM 32 by the input creation processing of the character string data.
When the print key 12i in the key input unit 12 is operated to print "original" and "Mosby" on the label tape 22a, the CPU 30 causes the pointer register P
Is set to 1, and the character code "pine" stored in the first register of the code register 32b is read according to this pointer "1" (steps S1 and S).
2).

From the code register 32b to C
It is determined whether or not the character code "pine" read by the PU 30 is a cut code. In this case, the CPU 30
Since the code data read in is not the cut code but the character code "pine", the font pattern corresponding to the character code is read from the ROM 31, the tape motor 35 is driven through the tape drive circuit 33, and the ink ribbon 22b The label tape 22a is controlled to be conveyed, and the font pattern "pine" is applied to the thermal head 2.
It is printed out on the label tape 22a via 5 (steps S3 → S4).

Returning again to step S1, the CPU 30 sets "2" in the pointer register P of the RAM 32, and the code register 32 is set in accordance with this pointer "2".
When the character code "I" stored in the second register of b is read, the code data read by the CPU 30 is not the cut code but the character code "I".
Therefore, the font pattern corresponding to the character code is read from the ROM 31, and is printed out on the label tape 22a via the thermal head 25 after the printed font pattern "pine" (steps S1 to S4).

Thus, the first character string data "Matsui"
Is printed on the label tape 22a, the process returns to step S1 again, and when the CPU 30 sets "3" in the pointer register P of the RAM 32, the third register of the code register 32b is set in accordance with the pointer "3". The stored cut code is read (steps S1 and S2).

Then, from the code register 32b to C
Since the code data read out to the PU 30 is determined to be a cut code, the tape drive circuit 33 stops the conveyance control of the label tape 22a, and the cutting motor drive circuit 34 drives the cutting motor 27 (step S).
3 → S5).

Therefore, the printed portion of the label tape 22a, which is printed as the first character string data "Matsui" and is fed to the tape feeding portion 22d of the ink tape cassette 22, is operated by the driving of the cutting motor 27. The sheet is cut and separated by the cutter 26a, and is ejected from the tape ejection port 15 as the first label tape.

Then, returning to step S1, the CPU 30
As a result, "4" is set in the pointer register P of the RAM 32, and the code register 3 is set in accordance with this pointer "4".
When the character code "length" stored in the fourth register of 2b is read, the font pattern corresponding to the character code is read from the ROM 31, and the tape motor 35 is driven again via the tape drive circuit 33. The label tape 22a is controlled to be conveyed together with the ink ribbon 22b, and the font pattern "length" is printed out on the label tape 22a via the thermal head 25 (steps S1 to S4).

Returning again to step S1, the CPU 30 sets "5" in the pointer register P of the RAM 32, and the code register 32 is set in accordance with this pointer "5".
When the character code "shima" stored in the fifth register of b is read, the font pattern corresponding to the character code is read from the ROM 31, and the thermal head 25 is read after the printed font pattern "long". It is printed out on the label tape 22a via (step S1).
~ S4).

Thus, the second character string data "Nagashima"
Is printed on the label tape 22a, the process returns to step S1 again, and when the CPU 30 sets "6" in the pointer register P of the RAM 32, the sixth register of the code register 32b is set according to the pointer "6". The stored cut code is read (steps S1 and S2).

Then, from the code register 32b to C
Since the code data read out to the PU 30 is determined to be a cut code, the tape drive circuit 33 stops the conveyance control of the label tape 22a, and the cutting motor drive circuit 34 drives the cutting motor 27 (step S).
3 → S5).

Therefore, the printed portion of the label tape 22a, which is printed as the second character string data "Nagashima" and is fed to the tape feeding portion 22d of the ink tape cassette 22, is operated by the driving of the cutting motor 27. It is cut and separated by the cutter 26a, and is discharged from the tape discharge port 15 as the second label tape.

After that, the processes of steps S1 to S5 are repeated, so that the third character string data "original" and the fourth character string data "Mosby" are sequentially printed on the label tape 22.
The label tapes 22a are printed on a and are automatically cut and separated as independent label tapes 22a.

Therefore, according to the label printing apparatus having the above configuration, the desired character / symbol code input by the character input key 12c of the key input unit 12 and the cut code input by the cut key 12h are input in the order of input. RAM
The print key 12 is stored in the code register 32b of 32.
When the print mode is set in accordance with the operation of i, when the code data read from the code register 32b to the CPU 30 according to the pointer which is sequentially incremented and set in the pointer register P is a character / symbol code, , The corresponding character / symbol font is read from the ROM 31, output to the thermal head 25, printed on the label tape 22a conveyed by the drive of the tape motor 35 via the tape drive circuit 33, and the CPU 3
When the code data read out to 0 is a cut code, the conveyance control of the label tape 22a is stopped, and the cutter motor 27 is driven by the cutting motor drive circuit 34 to operate the cutter mechanism 26 for printing. Since the completed label tape 22a is automatically cut and separated, even when it is desired to continuously print a plurality of print character strings created by key input in advance, each time the printing operation of one print character string is completed,
It is possible to easily print individual character strings to be printed on independent label tapes 22a without repeating the cutting and separating operation for one label tape and the next printing start operation.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, desired characters / symbols or the like are printed on a printing medium housed in a replaceable case, and characters / symbols or cutting commands are input. Input means, storage means for storing characters / symbols and disconnection commands input by this input means as data in the order of input, and data stored in this storage means for reading out whether the read data is characters / symbols or disconnection. Determination means for determining whether it is an instruction, printing means for printing the character / symbol on the printing medium when the data determination result by this determination means is a character / symbol, and data determination result by the determination means If the command is a cutting command, the label tape is configured to include a cutting unit that cuts the medium to be printed. Cutting and separating operation and without the need to perform repeated printing start operation by the print key, it is possible to easily obtain a printed label tape of the plurality of contents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a label printing apparatus according to an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a cassette mounting portion on the back side of the apparatus main body of the label printing apparatus with a back cover removed.

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 in the label printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Device main body, 11a ... Back cover, 12 ... Key input part, 1
2a (ON), 12b (OFF) ... power key, 12c ...
Character input key, 12d ... Function key, 12e ... Conversion key,
12f ... Execution key, 12g ... Cursor key, 12h ... Cut key, 12i ... Print key, 13 ... Liquid crystal display section, 14
... lock switch, 15 ... tape discharge port, 21 ... cassette mounting section, 22 ... ink tape cassette, 22a ... label tape, 22b ... ink ribbon, 22c ... transfer section, 2
2d ... Tape feeding section, 23 ... Ribbon winding spool,
24 ... Platen roller, 25 ... Thermal head, 26 ...
Cutter mechanism, 26a ... Cutter, 26b, 26c ... Gear,
27 ... Cutting motor, 30 ... CPU, 31 ... ROM, 32
... RAM, 32a ... Input buffer, 32b ... Code register, 33 ... Tape drive circuit, 34 ... Cutting motor drive circuit, 35 ... Tape motor, P ... Pointer register.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printing device for printing desired characters, symbols, etc. on a print medium, and input means for inputting characters, symbols, cutting commands, etc., and characters, symbols, cutting commands inputted by this input device. Storing as data in the input order, determining means for reading the data stored in the storing means and determining whether the read data is a character / symbol or a cutting command, and data determining by this determining means If the result is a character / symbol, a printing unit that prints the character / symbol on the print medium, and if the result of the data determination by the determination unit is a cut command, cuts the print medium. A printing device comprising: