JPH09109472A - Tape-shaped label making device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable setting for a ribbon cassette of an additional printing color by installing a means for setting up the order of printing in colors for the characters and signs in a text which is stored in a data storage means and a means for printing in the order of set printing color by driving a printing means. SOLUTION: In the text memory 121 of RAM 129, data on a text comprising characters and signs input from a keyboard 4 are stored corresponding to data on the order of set printing colors. Data on the number of printing colors set in each number memory 122 are stored. Data on the amount of a blank concerning the same preblank and postblank amounts which are set up are stored in a blank amount memory. Dot pattern data corresponding to a character code stored in the text memory 121 is developed and stored in a printing data buffer 125. Furthermore, a memory for temporarily storing the results of operation by CPU 110 are installed in RAM 120.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, and more particularly, to an order of printing colors in a text in order to replace a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors and perform multicolor printing. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the present applicant has disclosed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 94, a tape-shaped label suitable for printing a character or a mark of a character or a symbol on a print tape as a print medium and preparing a label suitable for attaching to a spine of a file. The device was proposed and put into practical use. This label producing apparatus includes a keyboard, a display, and a printing mechanism of a thermal printing system, and has a printing tape (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 m) as a printing medium.
m), characters and marks can be printed in various character sizes and fonts.

By the way, the tape-shaped label created by printing characters is not limited to the spine of a file, and for example,
It is also suitable for attaching to cassette tapes and their cassette tape cases, and even to videotapes and their videotape cases. Moreover, the printed character strings are partly color-changed according to the recorded content and genre to make them colorful. It may be printed.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application have proposed that the ribbon colors of the ink ribbons are not only “black” but also “red”, “green”, “blue” ... Prepared separately from the tape cassette, these ribbon cassettes are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the tape cassette, and the input text is printed in multiple colors for multicolor printing. Set the target range, that is, first set the print range for ribbon color "black", then set the print range for ribbon color "red", and similarly set the print range for the remaining print colors. The present invention was conceived to perform multicolor printing of input text in multiple colors by executing the setting process and sequentially replacing the ribbon cassette having the same ribbon color as the set printing color.

Further, the inventors of the present application provide a printing color means for detecting the printing color of the mounted ribbon cassette, and when the printing color to be printed from the printing color of the mounted ribbon cassette is different. In addition to interrupting the execution of printing, a message indicating that the attached ribbon cassette is wrong is displayed to prevent printing with a color different from the set printing color.

[0006]

However, although the printing color of the ribbon cassette gradually increases in response to the user's request, the method of setting each printing color as described above can set the existing printing color but newly adds it. There is a problem that the specified print color cannot be set.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of setting a ribbon cassette of a newly added printing color.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, input means for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, and input text Data storage means for storing data,
A tape-like label provided with a display means including a display, and a printing means having a plurality of detachable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing with a plurality of printing colors, including a print head for printing on a tape as a printing medium. A creation device, a printing color setting means for designating a printing order in a plurality of colors for characters and symbols in the text stored in the data storage means, and a printing set by the printing color setting means. A printing control unit that drives the printing unit in the color order to perform printing is provided.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus having the above-described structure, when the printing color is set for the characters and symbols of the input text for multicolor printing, the printing color setting means prints with a plurality of colors. The printing control means drives the printing means in the printing order set by the printing color setting means to perform printing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print control means replaces the ribbon cassette with the display means each time one printing color is completed. Is displayed.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus constructed as described above has the same operation as that of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, but the printing control means sets the printing color set by the printing color setting means. When printing characters or symbols in the sequentially input text, a message prompting replacement of the ribbon cassette is displayed on the display each time printing of one color is completed.

Further, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 3, in the tape-like label producing apparatus according to claim 1, there is provided a print color number setting means for setting the number of print colors to be used, and the print color setting means. Is a first print target setting means for setting characters or symbols to be printed for each print color other than the order of the print colors to be set last, from the text, a print color number setting means, and a first print target setting means. In response to both the setting results, the second character and the character other than the character and the symbol set by the first print object setting means are automatically set as the print objects in the order of the print color set last. And a print target setting means.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus constructed as described above has the same operation as the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, but the first print color setting means is set by the print color number setting means. Set the order of print colors other than the order of the last print color by the number of print colors, and the order of the last print color is
Of the text, the characters and symbols other than the characters and symbols set by the first print target setting means are automatically set.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a large number of characters such as characters and symbols are printed on a printing tape which is a printing medium, and a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors are exchanged to form a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of multicolor printing. This is a case where the invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, at the front part of the main body cover 2 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, in addition to character keys such as characters, symbols and numbers, a keyboard 4 provided with various function keys and the like. Is provided, a liquid crystal display 5 capable of displaying input characters and symbols is provided immediately behind the keyboard 4, and a main body cover 2 corresponding to the cassette cover 3 opened and closed when the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced. A thermal printing mechanism 10 having a thermal head 12 is disposed inside the printer. Here, the slide cover 6 can be slid to open the cassette cover 3, and the cutting knob 85 can be pressed downward to manually cut the printed printing tape 22.

Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the tape cassette 20 which is detachably mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The tape case 2 of this tape cassette 20
1 has a printing tape 22 made of a thin film.
Is provided rotatably, and the print tape 22 fed from the tape spool 23 is guided in a curved shape by a plurality of guide portions, passes immediately before the thermal head 12, and Tape feed roller 2
4 to the tape cassette 2
0 is discharged outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the tape case 2
A pair of guide shafts 21a for vertically guiding and supporting the ribbon cassette 30 at the time of attaching and detaching the ribbon cassette 30, which will be described next, are provided at two separated locations on the outer peripheral wall of the first cassette.
-The lower ends of 21b are integrally formed. Further, the tape case 21 is formed with a pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d which abut on and support the lower side of the ribbon cassette 30.

Next, the ribbon cassette 30 which is detachably attached to the tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The ribbon case 31 of the ribbon cassette 30 is integrally formed with an upper wall portion 31a which abuts against a part of the tape case 21 from above and extends horizontally.
a pair of guide shafts 21 of the tape case 21
A pair of engaging leg portions 31b and 31c having through holes, which are externally fitted to a and 21b, are formed, and a vertical wall portion 31d that contacts the notch portion 21e of the tape case 21 is formed. Further, the ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head accommodating portion 37 for accommodating the thermal head 12 inserted from below through the tape cassette 20.

Further, inside the ribbon case 31, a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound, and a ribbon take-up spool 34 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound are rotatably provided and wound around the ribbon spool 33. The mounted ink ribbon 32 temporarily approaches the printing tape 22 in parallel when facing the thermal head 12, and the separating portion 35 of the separating member 35 integrally formed with the ribbon case 31.
The tape is bent at an acute angle at a, separated from the print tape 22, and wound up by the ribbon take-up spool. That is, the separating member 35 of the ribbon case 31
Is located downstream of the thermal head 12 in the tape feeding direction. The ribbon case 31 is provided with a lid member 31e that supports the ribbon spool 33, the take-up spool 34, the separating member 35, and the like from above.

On the other hand, the tape case 21 has a ribbon cassette housing portion 21f for housing the ribbon cassette 30.
(See FIG. 7), and the lid member 3 of the ribbon case 31 is formed.
On the upper surfaces of the upper wall 1a and the upper wall 31a, knob pieces 31f, 3
When printing, first, the tape case 21 is mounted in a mounting recess (not shown) provided in the main body cover 2 and then the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of a desired print color is printed. To tape case 21
Can be mounted in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f.

At this time, first, with a pair of the gripping pieces 31f and 31g held by two fingers, a pair of the engaging leg portions 3 is formed.
While the 1b and 31c are fitted onto the corresponding guide shafts 21a and 21b respectively through the through holes, the ribbon cassette 30 is moved downward to be housed in the ribbon cassette housing portion 21f.

At this time, the upper wall portion 31 of the ribbon case 31
a overlaps the upper surface of the tape cassette 20, and the lower end of the ribbon cassette 30 abuts against the pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d of the tape case 21 from above, so that the ribbon cassette 30 is predetermined with respect to the tape case 21. Held in position.

By the way, a plurality of types are prepared in the ribbon cassette 30 depending on the ribbon color (red, green, yellow, black, ...) Of the ink ribbon 32 and the ribbon width (12, 18, 24, 32 mm). At the lower end of the vertical wall portion 31d of the ribbon case 31, a detection hole group 36 (FIG. 6) in which a maximum of six detection holes 36a are combined in order to detect any of the plurality of types of ribbon cassettes 30 is provided. , One detection hole 36
a is formed).

Next, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32
With reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 40 which can transfer the print direction and the rewind direction as the printing direction.

The main body frame 11 has a tape spool 2
3, a tape take-up cam 41 engageable with the center of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and a tape drive cam engageable with the center of the tape feed roller 24. 43 are rotatably supported, the thermal head 12 is erected, and the detection hole group 3 is
6 to detect the presence or absence of the six detection holes 36a.
Ribbon detection switch group 103 including sixth detection switch
Are provided, and a ribbon detection signal RS based on a combination of switch signals from these six detection switches is output.

Further, at the right end of the front end of the main body frame 11, the tape drive motor 4 composed of a stepping motor is provided.
4 are mounted, and gears 46 to 53 rotatably supported by the main body frame 11 are sequentially meshed with a driving gear 45 of the tape driving motor 44, and the tape fixed to the tape driving cam 43 is engaged with the gear 53. The drive gear 54 and the gear 55 are engaged. Here, the gear 48 and the gear 4
9, the gear 50 and the gear 51 are integrally formed, and the tape winding gear 52 is formed integrally with the lower end of the ribbon winding cam 42. It is fixed to the part. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via these gears 45 to 54, and the print tape 22 is transported by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.

On the other hand, in the gap between the gears 50, 51 formed integrally, the base end portion of the swing lever 56 is provided with the gears 50, 51.
It is supported in a state where a moderate frictional resistance is given between
A planetary gear 57 that always meshes with the gear 51 is rotatably supported by the swing lever 56. Also, the gear 53
The pivot spring shaft 59 has a base end portion of a cutting prohibition lever 84, and a winding spring 59 such that the pivot shaft 58 is sandwiched between one end of the winding spring 59 supported by the cutting prohibition lever 84 and the base end portion. Is pressed and supported by the urging force.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction (normal rotation drive) for normal printing, and the gear 50 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the gap between them is increased. The rocking lever 56 is also rotated in the clockwise direction by the frictional force so that the planetary gear 57 does not mesh with the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41.
Is released, the print tape 22 wound on the tape spool 23 is fed out, and at the same time, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the cutting prohibition lever 84 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is located below the cutting lever 82 to be described later, prohibiting the cutting operation, and rotating the ribbon drive gear 45 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the ribbon winding cam 42. The ink ribbon 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction via the clutch spring 60, and the ink ribbon 32 is wound on the ribbon winding spool 34.

By the way, a roller holder 67 for rotatably supporting the rubber platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 68 erected on the main body frame 11, and a cassette. The release lever 71 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 3, and the position is switched between the print position shown in FIG. 9 and the release position shown in FIG. Here, the roller holder 67
Is always elastically biased to the release position by a winding spring (not shown).

That is, the roller 72 pivotally attached to the release lever 71 contacts the standing wall 11a of the body frame 11, and one end of the release lever 71 is attached to the roller holder 67.
Since the release lever 71 moves to the left from the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 to the operating position shown in FIG. 9, the left end portion of the release lever 71 contacts the roller holder 67 and the standing wall 11a. The roller holder 67 is switched from the release position to the printing position by penetrating in a wedge shape during the interval. At this time, the platen roller 65 is connected to the thermal head 1 via the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32.
2 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 presses the tape feed roller 24 via the print tape 22.

Here, when the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, a platen gear (not shown) fixed to the lower end of the platen roller 65 meshes with the gear 55, and also fixed to the lower end of the tape feed sub-roller 66. The sub roller gear (not shown) meshes with the tape drive gear 54.

Next, the head release mechanism 70 for driving the release lever 71 to the right in conjunction with the opening of the cassette cover 3 to switch the roller holder 67 to the release position with respect to the thermal head 12 for release.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13.

The rear end of the cassette cover 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 13, a pivot pin 7 attached to the main body cover 2 is supported to be openable and closable at a plurality of positions, and a curved groove cam 3b is formed on a right side wall 3a of the cassette cover 3. . An engaging pin 75 that engages with the groove cam 3b is fixed to the rear end of the operation plate 74 disposed below the right end of the main body frame 11. By the way, the right end of the release lever 71 is rotatably supported by one lever of a forked lever 76 pivotally connected to the main body frame 11, and the other of the forked lever 76 has: It is connected via a pin 77 fixed to the front end of the operation plate 74.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the cassette cover 3 is closed, that is, the roller holder 67 is shown in FIG.
When the cassette cover 3 is opened at the printing position shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the movement of the groove cam 3b causes the engagement pin 75 engaging with the groove cam 3b to move rearward. The plate 74 moves backward, and the forked lever 7
The roller holder 67 is switched to the release position in response to the rotation of the release lever 71 to the right in the counterclockwise rotation direction of the release lever 6.

At this time, when the operating plate 74 moves backward, the cover opening / closing signal VS is output from the cover opening / closing detection switch 102. When the cassette cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 13, that is, when the roller holder 67 is at the release position shown in FIG. 11, and when the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 3b, the engagement pin 75 moves forward, the operating plate 74 moves forward, the forked lever 76 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11, and the release lever 71 moves leftward. , The roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, that is, the non-release state.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when printing is performed, the tape cassette 20 is first mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10, and then the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted on the tape cassette 20. When the cassette cover 3 is closed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the print position.

Then, in this state, the tape drive motor 4
When 4 is driven to rotate in the normal printing direction, these gears 45 to 55 are driven in their respective predetermined rotation directions, the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction, and the tape is rotated. Since the feeding sub-roller 66 and the tape feeding roller 24 rotate in synchronization with each other, the printing tape 22 is discharged by passing through the tape cutting mechanism 80 and the tape detection mechanism 90 while being printed by the thermal head 12.

At this time, since the tape winding cam 41 becomes free, the printing tape 22 wound around the tape spool 23 is sequentially fed out without resistance. At the same time,
The ink ribbon 32 is fed out of the ribbon spool 33 in synchronization with the print tape 22 by rotation of the platen roller 65, and rotation of the ribbon winding gear 48 rotates the ribbon winding cam 42 and engages with the ribbon winding cam 42. The ribbon is wound on the rotating ribbon winding spool 34.

On the other hand, when the printing of the first color is completed and the printing of the second color is executed, first the cassette cover 3 is opened,
When the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the release position by the head release mechanism 70. When the tape drive motor 44 is reversely driven in the counterclockwise rotation direction (rewind direction), as shown in FIGS.
55 are respectively driven in a predetermined rotation direction. At this time, rotation of the gear 50 in the counterclockwise direction causes the swing lever 5 to rotate.
6 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the planetary gear 57 comes into mesh with the tape winding gear 52, the tape winding cam 41 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the printed printing tape 22 is printed. It is wound up on the tape spool 23. here,
Although the ribbon take-up gear 48 is driven to rotate clockwise, since the ribbon cassette 30 has been removed, the ink ribbon 32 taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 34 is not fed.

Next, the tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printed printing tape 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 14 and 15.
It will be described based on.

The lower end of the fixed blade 81 is fixed to the left end wall 11b where the left end of the main body frame 11 is partially bent downward, and the base end of the cutting lever 82 having a substantially L-shape in side view. It is pivotally supported by a screw 83 and its cutting lever 8
2 has a movable blade 82a. Here, during printing, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 moves below the cutting lever 82, so that the cutting operation is started. prohibited.

However, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction at the end of printing, as shown in FIG. 15, the gear 53 is rotated slightly in the clockwise direction to cause the cut prohibiting lever 84 to move. When the tip end comes off from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation,
As shown in FIG. 14, when the cutting knob 85 at the tip of the cutting lever 82 is pressed downward, the movable blade 8
2a rotates to the cutting position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the printing tape 22 located between the fixed blade 81 and the movable blade 82a is cut by the cooperation of these two blades 81 and 82a.

At this time, the disconnection detection switch 101 attached to the main body frame 11 is operated by the operation member 86 attached to the disconnection lever 82 to output the disconnection detection signal CS. Then, when the pressing operation of the cutting lever 82 is stopped, the cutting lever 82 returns to the original predetermined position shown by the solid line by the urging force of a spring (not shown).

Next, a tape detecting mechanism 90 which is provided outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 and detects the presence or absence of the print tape 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

Guide members 94 and 95 are integrally formed on the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 in order to form a pair of sensor accommodating chambers 96 and 97 in an airtight manner. A light emitting element 92 is attached to the chamber 96, and a light receiving element 93 is attached to the other sensor housing chamber 97.

A slit 98, through which the print tape 22 can pass, is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95, and a small diameter is formed at the opposing portions of the pair of guide members 94 and 95. The light passing holes 94a and 95a are formed, and the inclined guide portions 99 are formed respectively, and the tip portion of the printing tape 22 that has passed through the tape cutting mechanism 80 is guided by the guide portions 99, so that the slits are reliably slit. It can be detected after passing through 98.

Then, the sensor light emitted from the light emitting element 92 passes through the light passage holes 94a and 95a formed in the sensor accommodating chambers 96 and 97 and is projected on the light receiving element 93. That is, the sensor light is blocked only when the print tape 22 enters the tape detection sensor 91 and is present between the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 93. The L "level tape detection signal TS is output.

Next, the control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is constructed as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

Input / output interface 1 of controller CD
13, a keyboard 4, a tape detection sensor 91,
Disconnection detection switch 101 and cover open / close detection switch 1
02, a ribbon detection switch group 103, and a video R for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5.
Display controller (LCDC) 1 having AM
04, a drive circuit 106 for a warning buzzer 105,
A drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12,
A drive circuit 108 for the tape drive motor 44 is connected to each.

The control device CD includes a CPU 110 and a C
An input / output interface 113 connected to the PU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus;
M111, ROM112 and RAM120.

The font ROM 111 stores display dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters such as characters and symbols and print dot pattern data for a plurality of print character sizes.

In the ROM 112, the display controller 104 is made to correspond to the code data of characters such as characters, symbols and numbers inputted from the keyboard 4.
Drive control program for controlling the display, text memory 1
A print control program for creating dot pattern data to be printed with respect to characters and symbols stored in
With respect to the created dot pattern data, a print drive control program for sequentially outputting dot pattern data for each dot row to the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 for printing, a control program for multicolor printing control described later, which is unique to the present application, etc. Is stored.

It should be noted that the ink ribbon 32 is stored in the ROM 112 based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches.
A ribbon cassette detection table for detecting the ribbon width of the is stored.

Text memory 121 of the RAM 120
The text data consisting of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 is stored in the table in association with the set print color order data. The color number memory 122 stores color number data of the set print color. Margin amount memory 1
In 24, blank space amount data regarding the same set front blank space amount and rear blank space amount is stored. Print data buffer 1
In 25, dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in the text memory 121 is expanded and stored. Further, the RAM 120 has a CPU 110.
A memory or the like is provided for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated in.

Next, a multicolor printing control routine executed by the control device CD of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. In the figure, reference symbol Si (i = 10, 11, 12,...)
Is each step.

Here, prior to the multicolor printing control, FIG.
The positional relationship between the tape detection position by the tape detection sensor 91, the tape cutting position by the tape cutting mechanism 80, and the printing position by the thermal head 12 will be described based on the following. From the upstream side of the printing position (P position), the tape cutting position (C position), the tape detection position (S position),
Dcp between printing and cutting between printing position and tape cutting position
Is about 25 mm, and the distance Dsc between cutting and detection between the tape cutting position and the tape detection position is about 15 mm. Further, the separation position (position B) of the separation member 35 by the separation unit 35a.
Is located about 6 mm downstream from the printing position in the feed direction T.

When the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is powered on, first, the thermal printing mechanism 10 and the controller CD
Is performed (S10). Then, since a text input screen is displayed on the display 5, after setting a print format, an input process for inputting text data and a display process for displaying the input text are executed, and the input text is displayed. The data is stored in the text memory 121 (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 26, input text data “Akamidori
Is stored in the text memory 121.

Next, the print color number setting process is executed (S
12). When this control is started, a message “What is the number of print colors?” Is displayed on the display 5, so the color number setting process of setting the color number N by operating the number keys is executed, and the set color is set. The number N is stored in the color number memory 122.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print target range setting processing control (see FIG. 18) for each printing color order is executed (S13).

When this control is started, first, the color number N is set to the count value I of the color number counter (S33). When "1" is subtracted from the color number count value I and it is not "0", That is, when the target character string of the final print color is not set (S34: No), each character or symbol to be printed is designated by the cursor for print color 1 to be printed first to print color N-1 in sequence. Then, the print target character string setting process that is set is executed (S35).

That is, in the print target character string setting process, since the text data is displayed on the display 5 and the message "setting of print color 1" is displayed, the text data 4 is arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4. Operate the two cursor movement keys to indicate each character or symbol to be printed with the cursor movement keys to indicate with the cursor, and operate the color confirmation key each time, and at the end of setting the character string to be printed, The confirm key is operated. By the operation of the confirm key, the data of the printing color 1 which is the set order data is stored in the text memory 121 in association with the character data of the character designated by the operation of the cursor movement key and the color confirm key. .

Similarly, the order of the second to N-1th print colors is set by operating the cursor movement key and the color confirmation key, and the order data from print color 2 to print color N-1 is set. It is stored in the text memory 121 in association with the character data of the selected character.

Then, the color number count value I is decremented by 1 (S36), and until (I-1) becomes "0", S
34 to S36 are repeatedly executed. And (I-1)
Becomes "0", and when the setting of the character string to be printed is completed for the order from print color 1 to print color N-1 other than the last print color order (S34: Yes), the last print color order For, the character string setting process for setting the remaining characters of the text data excluding the already set characters and symbols is executed (S37).

This character string setting process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 19. First, the character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the beginning (S371).
), It is determined whether or not the order data is attached (S372). If the read character data is accompanied by sequence data (S372: Yes) and the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374) and the S372 is executed. The process of is executed again.

On the other hand, if the read character data is not accompanied by the sequence data (S372: No), the sequence data corresponding to the final print color order is additionally stored with respect to the character data (S375). ), The process of S373 is executed. The above processes are repeatedly executed until the last character data stored in the text memory 121,
If it is determined in 373 that the character data is the last character data (S373: Yes), the process returns to S38 in FIG.

For example, when the character data "Akamidorikuro" is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors is set to 3, in the print target character string setting process of S35,
First, for the print color 1 to be printed first, the character string “red” is set by operating the cursor key and the color confirmation key, and as shown in FIG. 26, the character data “a” “ka” in the text memory 121 is set. Sequence data “1” associated with each
Is stored, and the character string “Midori” is set for the second printing color to be printed, the text memory 12
Color data "2" is stored in association with each of the character data "1", "mi", "do", and "ri".

Here, when the setting of the printing color 2 is completed, the color number count value (I-1) becomes "0", so in the character string setting process of S37, the character data is sequentially read from the beginning of the text memory 121. The print color 3 which is the last print color order is automatically set for the character string "black" for which the print color order of the text data is not set, and the character data "ku""in the text memory 121 is set. The sequence data “3” is stored in association with “ro”.

Next, a message "What is the margin of the printing tape?" Is displayed on the display 5, so when the desired margin is set by operating the numeric keys, the margin set is the margin. It is stored in the memory 124 (S38), this control is terminated, and the process returns to S14 of the multicolor printing control.

In the multicolor printing control, when the print key is operated (S14 / S15: Yes), the print start processing control (see FIG. 20) is executed (S16).

When this control is started, first, "1" is set to the order data C of the print color order (S41). Next, based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103, it is judged whether or not the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted (S42), and when the ribbon cassette is not mounted (S42: No), An error message to that effect is displayed on the display 5 (S43).

Next, based on the cover opening / closing signal VS of the cover opening / closing detection switch 102, the cassette cover 3 is opened, and the ribbon cassette 30 of the desired ribbon color to be printed first by the user is mounted. When the cassette cover 3 is closed again (S44: Yes), S42 is executed.

When it is determined that the ribbon cassette 30 is installed (S42: Yes), the character string additionally storing the order data "1" which matches the order data C is read from the text memory 121. Further, the dot pattern data of the character string is further output to the print data buffer 12
It is expanded to 5 (S45).

Next, when the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, the tape detection signal TS is at the "L" level, and the print tape 22 is positioned corresponding to the tape detection sensor 91 ( S46: Yes
), A message prompting the cutting of the print tape is displayed on the display 5 (S47).

Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cutting detection signal CS from the cutting detection switch 101 becomes "H" level (S48), and the tape detection signal TS becomes "H". When the tape break is detected (S46: No), the tape drive motor 44 rotates forward by one step (clockwise direction) in order to cause the front end of the print tape 22 to enter the tape detection sensor 91.
The print tape 22 is driven to be moved by a minute distance in the feed direction T (S49). When the tape detection signal TS is at the "H" level (S50: No), S49 to S50 are repeatedly executed.

Then, the tape detection signal TS becomes the "L" level, and as shown in FIG.
(S5)
0: Yes), this control ends, and the multi-color printing control S17
Return to At this time, the print position of the thermal head 12 on the print tape 22 when the leading end of the tape is detected is set to the print start reference origin position. Here, when the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T, the print tape 2
Even when the leading end of the print tape 22 is curled, the leading end of the print tape 22 can be reliably guided to the slit 98 by the guide portion 99 formed on the pair of guide members 94 and 95.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the number of colors N is not "1", that is, when the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), the set color printing processing control for printing in the order of each set printing color (See FIG. 21) is executed (S18).

When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 27 (b), first, the tape drive motor 44 is moved forward to transfer the print tape 22 by the front margin amount L corresponding to the set margin amount L. It is rotationally driven (S60).

Next, when the print start position of the character to be printed in the current print color is located upstream of the print start reference origin position of the label print in the feed direction T, that is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 27C, when there is a jump feed amount (S61: Yes), as in the case of printing the character "green" in the second print color 2, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward. Then, the printing tape 22 is transported in the feeding direction T by the idling amount (S62).

However, when the idle feed amount does not exist (S6: No), S62 is skipped and the process proceeds to S63. Then, the dot pattern data developed in the print data buffer 125 is read out, and the thermal head 12
A printing process for driving the tape drive motor 44 and the tape is performed (S63), the control is terminated, and the process returns to S19 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print tape rewinding process control (see FIG. 22) is executed (S1).
9).

When this control is started, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the forward direction to move the print tape by the separation feed amount Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp between the print position (P position) and the separation position (B position). 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred in the feeding direction T (S70). That is, at the final printing position where the printing is performed by the thermal head 12, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused to the printing tape 22, but the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred by the separation feed amount Dbp. By doing, ink ribbon 3
2 is forcibly separated from the printing tape 22 by the separating portion 35a, so that the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are surely separated.

Next, the ribbon cassette 3 is replaced with the ribbon cassette 30 for printing the next printing color.
A message prompting the removal of 0 is displayed on the display 5 (S71). Then, first, the cassette cover 3 is opened to move the operating plate 74 rearward, and the cover open / close detection switch 102 outputs the "H" level cover open / close signal VS (S72: Yes). As the ribbon detection signal RS from the group 103, when all of the six detection switch signals become "H" level signals and the ribbon cassette 30 is removed (S73: Yes).
), A message prompting not to attach the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5 (S74).

Next, in order to rewind the print tape 22, the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the reverse rotation (counterclockwise direction) by one step to move the print tape 22 in the rewind direction by a minute distance (S75). When the tape detection signal TS is at "H" level (S76: No), S74 to S76 are repeatedly executed. When the leading end of the print tape 22 is rewound slightly inside the tape detection sensor 91 (S76: Yes), the reverse rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S77), and this control is terminated. The process returns to S20 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the printing start position alignment processing control (see FIG. 23) is executed (S20).

When this control is started, first, an error message prompting the mounting of the ribbon cassette 30 to print the next printing color is displayed on the display 5 (S80). Then, S80 is repeatedly executed until the ribbon cassette 30 is loaded (S81: No). As the ribbon detection signal RS, all six switch signals are “H”.
When the ribbon cassette 30 of the desired ribbon color to be printed next is mounted by the user instead of the level signal (S81: Yes), the printing color order data C is incremented by one. (S83) Next, the character string in which the order data that matches the order data C is stored together is read from the text memory 121,
Further, the dot pattern data of the character string is expanded in the print data buffer 125 (S85). Next, when the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: No), a message to close the cassette cover 3 is displayed on the display 5 (S89).

Then, when the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is operated until the leading end of the printing tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91.
Is driven in forward rotation for one step (S87 / S88: No),
When the tape detection signal TS becomes the "L" level and the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91, the print start reference origin position for the print tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88). : Ye
s) and terminates this control, and returns to S21 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, in multicolor printing control, the number of colors N is 1
Are decremented (S21), and the number of colors N is not "1" and it is not the last print (S17: No), S18 to S21.
Is repeatedly executed. Then, when the number of colors N becomes "1" and the final printing is performed (S17: Yes), final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 24) is executed (S22).

In this control, the front margin amount L is printed and
The first case where the inter-cut distance Dcp is longer than the distance Dcp, the second case where the front margin amount L is smaller than the inter-print / cut distance Dcp, there is no idle feed amount, The tape cutting is performed while printing, in a third case where the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the fourth case is equal to or longer than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and a fourth case where the value is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. become.

First, the first case will be described. When the front margin amount L is equal to or greater than the print / cut distance Dcp (S
90: Yes), the printing tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the forward / cut distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44 (S91), the drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped, and the tape transfer is stopped. Is performed (S92). Next, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation (see FIG. 15). A message prompting the user to cut the print tape 22 is displayed on the display 5 (S93). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes “H” level, and the tape cut is detected (S94: Ye
s) Further, the printing tape 22 is transported in the feed direction T by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L-printing / cutting distance Dcp) (S95).

Next, when the print start position of the print with the final print color this time is upstream of the print start reference origin position of the label print in the feed direction T, and the idle feed amount exists (S
96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward,
The print tape 22 is transported in the transport direction T by the amount of the idle transport (S97). Then, the characters and symbols are printed in the final printing color based on the read dot image as in S63 (S98).

Next, in order to provide the rear margin amount L on the rear side of the print character string, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate normally,
The print tape 22 is moved in the feeding direction T by a value obtained by adding the rear margin amount L to the print / cut distance Dcp (S99), and then the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction, and the cut prohibiting lever 84. The tip of the cutting lever 8
When the cutting operation is possible by detaching from the lower side of the display 2, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed.
Is displayed again on the screen (S100). And the printing tape 22
Is disconnected, the disconnection detection signal CS becomes "H" level,
When the tape break is detected (S101: Yes), this control is ended and the process returns to S10 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, the second case will be explained. When the front margin amount L is smaller than the print / cut distance Dcp and there is no idle feed amount (S90 / S102: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward. By driving, the printing tape 22 is moved by the front margin amount L in the feeding direction T (S103). Then, from S104 onward, the printing tape 22 is cut while performing the final printing process.

That is, the dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and printed (S104), and the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward by the minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row. The printing tape 22 is moved by driving (S105). Next, the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is the distance D between the printing and cutting.
When smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the front margin L from cp, that is, when the cutting position (P position) has not reached the head position of the front margin L (S106: No), S10493 to S106 are repeatedly executed. You.

When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S106: Yes), printing and tape transfer are stopped (S107), and then the tape drive motor 44 is used.
Is slightly rotated in the rewind direction, and when the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed. (S108
). Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S109: Yes).
The remaining print processing for printing the remaining dot pattern data is executed (S110), the trailing margin amount L is provided in S99 to S101, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. .

Next, the front margin amount L is the distance between printing and cutting Dc.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feeding amount and the value obtained by adding the leading margin amount L to the idle feeding amount is the third case of not less than the print / cut distance Dcp (S90: No, S102 and S111:
Yes), the tape is cut after the tape is transported (S112 to S115) in the same manner as in S91 to S94, and the printing tape 22 is further reduced by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L + the empty feed amount-the printing / cutting distance Dcp). Is transferred in the feed direction T (S116).
). Then, S98 and the subsequent steps are executed, the printing process is executed with the final color, the rear margin amount L is provided and the tape is cut, the control is ended, and the process similarly returns to S10.

On the other hand, the front margin amount L is the distance Dc between printing and cutting.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the idle feed amount is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp for the fourth time (S90: No, S102: Yes, S11)
1: No), the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by a feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L (S117).
Then, dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and subjected to printing processing (S
118), only the minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row,
The printing tape 2 is driven by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44.
2 is transferred (S119).

Next, when the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the feed amount obtained by adding the blank feed amount to the front margin amount L from the print-cut distance Dcp, that is, When the cutting position (P position) has not reached the leading position of the front margin amount L (S120: No), S118 to S12.
0 is repeatedly executed. When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S120: Yes), S
107 and subsequent steps are executed, the front margin amount L and the rear margin amount L are provided, respectively, and the tape is cut. The control is terminated, and the process returns to S10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the front and rear margin amount L for the input text "Akamidorikuro"
Are provided respectively to obtain the tape-like label 22A in which the character string "red" is printed in the printing color 1, the character string "midori" is printed in the printing color 2, and the character string "black" is printed in the printing color 3.

Next, the operation of the multicolor printing control will be described.

After the text is input, the number of print colors N
A print color number setting process for setting is executed, and a process for setting a print target range for each print color order is executed in order to print with a plurality of colors. Then, when the printing is started, the printing start processing is executed, and the ribbon detection switch group 1
On the basis of the ribbon detection signal RS from 03, it is judged whether the ribbon cassette 30 is installed or not, and when the ribbon cassette 30 is not installed, an error message to that effect is displayed on the display 5, so that the cassette cover 3 is opened and closed. And attach the ribbon cassette 30.

Then, when the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted, the character string in which the order data corresponding to the order data C is additionally stored is read from the text memory 121, and the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 4 are read.
4 is drive-controlled to perform print processing. Further, the print start position adjusting process is executed each time the second and subsequent print colors are printed, and after the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced, similarly, the print process is performed on the character string accompanied by the order data matching the order data C. It

As described above, by setting the order of the printing colors for the characters and symbols in the input text and replacing the ribbon cassette of the desired ribbon color by the user according to the message, a new addition is made. Multicolor printing can be performed by using a ribbon cassette of different ribbon color.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the order of printing the character or the symbol whose print color order has not been set up to that time is set last, the number of times the print color order is set is small, The setting operation of the color order can be performed easily and quickly.

The color data is set each time each character or symbol of the text data is input, or the character or symbol to be printed of the input text data is set by moving the cursor. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, such as configuring to specify and set,
Various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various tape-shaped label producing apparatuses that sequentially replace a plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 having different ribbon colors and perform multicolor printing.

[0108]

As is apparent from the above description, in the tape label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting of the printing color is specified in the order for the characters and symbols in the input text. So it is not prepared in advance,
It is possible to perform multicolor printing by using the ribbon cassette of the newly added printing color.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention has the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention, but a message prompting the replacement of the ribbon cassette each time printing of one printing color is completed. Is displayed on the display, the user can easily be notified of the ribbon replacement time.

Further, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention has the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention, but the setting for the last order is automatically performed in the setting of the printing color. The number of times the print color is set is reduced, and the print color can be set easily and quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the thermal printing mechanism in a printing state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in a tape rewinding state.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tape cassette on which the ribbon cassette is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of the ribbon cassette.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the ribbon cassette and the tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a drive system in a printing state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part of FIG. 9 showing a meshing relationship of gears.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a drive system in a tape rewinding state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part when the cassette cover is closed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12 when the cassette cover is opened.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the thermal printing mechanism showing the tape cutting mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a drive system of the thermal printing mechanism in a tape cutting permission state.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape label producing apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a multicolor printing control routine.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of print target range setting processing control for each color.

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a remaining character string setting process control routine for the final print color.

FIG. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a print start processing control routine.

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart of a set color printing process control routine.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a print tape rewinding process control routine.

FIG. 23 is a schematic flowchart of a print start position adjustment processing control routine.

FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of a final color printing process / cutting process control routine.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a print position (P position), a tape cutting position (C position), and a tape detection position (S position).

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure in a text memory.

27A is an explanatory diagram of a print start reference origin position on the tape, FIG. 27B is an explanatory diagram when the tape is fed by a front margin amount, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing when the tape feeding is carried out by the amount.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label in which three colors are printed in red, green, and black.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape-shaped label producing device 4 Keyboard 5 Liquid crystal display 10 Thermal printing mechanism 12 Thermal head 20 Tape cassette 22 Printing tape 30 Ribbon cassette 32 Ink ribbon 36 Detection hole group 36a Detection hole 44 Tape drive motor 103 Ribbon detection switch group 110 CPU 112 ROM 120 RAM 121 Text memory CD controller

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location G06F 3/12 B41J 3/20 117C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, a data storage means for storing the data of the input text, a display means including a display, and printing on a tape which is a print medium. A tape-shaped label producing apparatus comprising: a printing means having a plurality of detachable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing in a plurality of printing colors including a print head, the text stored in the data storing means. A character and a symbol, a print color setting means for setting the order of printing in a plurality of colors, and a print control for driving the print means in the print color order set by the print color setting means to perform printing. And a tape-shaped label producing apparatus. 2. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control means displays a message prompting replacement of the ribbon cassette on the display means each time one print color is completed. 3. A print color number setting means for setting the number of print colors to be used, wherein the print color setting means is a character or symbol to be printed for each print color other than the order of the print color set last. Is set from the text, and the characters set by the first print target setting means in the text are received in response to both the setting results of the first print target number setting means and the print color number setting means. 2. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second print object setting means for automatically setting a character or a symbol other than the symbol as a print target in the order of the print color set last.