JPH09300792A - Multicolor printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give rise to a printable region and reduce running cost by applying a plurality of ink colors on an ink ribbon in turn, discriminating and detecting ink colors in boundary parts, and performing a predetermined calculation based on the detected results to determine ink colors. SOLUTION: Ribbon sensors 70 are disposed face to face holding paths for conveying a printing tape 22 and ink ribbon, and formed of a light emitting part 70a and light receiving part 70b. Between the light emitting part 70a and the light receiving part 70b of the ribbon sensors 70, since a printing ribbon 22 and ink ribbon are passed through in superimposed relation, the ribbon sensors 70 detects a composition of the sensor mark of the printing tape 22 and ink ribbon. By the ratio among the number of sensor marks detected by the ribbon sensors 70, sensor marks, and the breadth of a vacant part, a determination is made whether or not the ribbon end and printing tape 22 exist in the printing region. In this way, the printable region can be increased and its running cost con be lowered.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multicolor printing apparatus for printing characters, figures and the like on a print medium in a plurality of colors by a thermal head or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a device for producing a tape-shaped label suitable for applications such as sticking on the spine of a file. For example, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-849.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 94, there is proposed a tape-shaped label producing apparatus that prints a character or mark input by a keyboard or the like on a tape-shaped printing medium by using a thermal head and an ink ribbon. This type of label producing apparatus is equipped with a keyboard, a display, and a printing mechanism of a thermal printing system, and prints characters or marks on a printing tape (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, or 24 mm) as a printing medium. , And can be printed in various character sizes and fonts.

The tape-shaped label produced by printing characters or characters as described above is not limited to the spine of a file, but may be a cassette tape, a cassette tape case,
Furthermore, it is also suitable for being attached to a video tape or its case. In this way, since tape-shaped labels are used for various purposes, the character strings and characters to be printed are partially changed in color according to the contents and genres of files and tapes to create colorful labels. There has always been a desire to do so.

[0004]

There are the following two methods for multicolor printing of texts and characters.

In one method, the printing tape can be moved not only in the feeding direction but also in the returning direction, and the ribbon cassette containing the ink ribbon can be detachably attached to the tape cassette containing the printing tape. In this method, printing processing is performed while replacing ribbon cassettes of a plurality of colors. However, if the number of colors set for the text or character to be printed increases, a ribbon cassette of a type corresponding to the set color is required. However, since it is a heavy burden for the user to arrange a large number of ribbon cassettes, the types of colors used for printing are naturally limited. In addition, when a large number of ribbon cassettes are used, the ribbon cassette must be replaced for each printing color.

In another method, one ink ribbon is divided into a plurality of areas, inks of three primary colors of colors are sequentially arranged in each area, and colors are reproduced by superimposing the three primary colors. Is the way. According to this method, a large number of colors can be printed with only three primary colors, and it is not necessary to replace the ribbon cassette for each printing color, which is very convenient. In such an ink ribbon, identification portions 314, 315, and 316 as shown in FIG. 47 are formed in order to identify which color is arranged in each area. In this method, the type of ink color is determined by a transmissive photosensor, and sensor marks of the same width (vertical line printing) are applied to the ink ribbon, and the number of the marks is counted to determine the type of color. There is. Therefore, as the number of colors increases, the number of sensor marks also increases, and the area of the identification unit itself naturally increases. Further, since the printable area with respect to the entire length of the ink ribbon becomes short, there is a problem that the running cost becomes high.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and relates to a multicolor printing apparatus for performing multicolor printing on a print medium using an ink ribbon in which a plurality of colors of ink are sequentially applied, An object of the present invention is to provide a multicolor printing device capable of increasing the printable area of the ink ribbon and reducing the running cost.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a printing means for printing given characters or symbols on a printing medium,
In a multicolor printing apparatus provided with an ink ribbon for printing a plurality of colors on the print medium by thermal transfer by the printing means, a plurality of colors of ink are sequentially applied to the ink ribbon. An identification section for identifying the applied ink color, which is provided at the boundary of each color, and a detection means for detecting the identification section,
An arithmetic means for performing a predetermined arithmetic operation on the basis of the detection result from the detecting means and a discrimination means for discriminating the ink color on the basis of the arithmetic result of the arithmetic means are provided.

According to this structure, the calculation means performs a predetermined calculation based on the detection result from the detection means, and the discrimination means discriminates the ink color based on the calculation result of the calculation means. As compared with the case of directly detecting the ink color, the identification portion can be simplified, so that the printable area of the ink ribbon can be increased and the running cost of the ink ribbon used can be reduced.

According to another aspect of the multi-color printing device of the present invention, the identifying portion is represented by a combination of a plurality of marks.
At least one mark is common regardless of the ink color, and other than that is set uniquely for each ink color, and the detection means detects the presence of the identification portion, and at the same time from the mark forming the identification portion, Detecting predetermined information, the calculation means is configured to perform predetermined calculation based on the information detected by the detection means.

According to this structure, by forming each mark in a narrow space, the area of the identification portion itself can be reduced, and the printable area of the ink ribbon can be increased.

Further, in the multicolor printer according to a third aspect of the present invention, the mark is two lines extending in the width direction of the ink ribbon, and the width of one line is set to a constant width regardless of the ink color. The width of the other line is uniquely set for each ink color, and the detection unit detects the presence of the mark and also detects the width of each line, and the calculation unit detects the detection result of the detection unit. Based on the ratio of the widths of the first line and the second line, the determining means calculates the ink color based on the ratio of the widths of the first line and the second line calculated by the calculating means. Is configured to determine.

According to this structure, since the identification unit is greatly simplified, the area of the identification unit itself can be reduced,
Further, the calculation means can determine the ink color by a simple calculation process of obtaining the ratio of the widths of the first line and the second line detected by the detection means. Further, since the identification portion is formed by the line extending in the width direction of the ink ribbon, even if the ink ribbon is slightly misaligned with the detection means, the identification portion can be reliably detected.

Further, in the multi-color printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect, the detecting means is a transmissive photosensor, and the ink ribbon is formed on the ink ribbon through which sensor light from the transmissive photosensor is transmitted. Further, since the identification portion is formed by the portion of the transmissive photosensor that does not transmit the sensor light, the identification portion can be reliably detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the multi-color printer, the ink colors of a plurality of colors applied to the ink ribbon are:
Since it is composed of the three primary colors of yellow, cyan, and magenta, color images can be easily combined.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-color printing device, wherein input means for inputting text such as characters and symbols, storage means for storing the text input by the input means, and text display. Display means for
The printing means includes a print head for printing text on a tape, which is a printing medium, via the ink ribbon, and based on the ink color discriminated by the discrimination means, develops print data to be printed in the ink color. In addition, a printing control unit for controlling printing is provided.

According to this structure, the printing means prints the text on the tape which is the printing medium via the ink ribbon, and at this time, the printing control means is based on the ink color discriminated by the discrimination means. The print data to be printed in that ink color is developed and controlled to be printed.
Since the identification portion provided on the ink ribbon is simpler than the conventional one, the printable area of the ink ribbon becomes longer, the running cost of the ink ribbon can be reduced, and the printing amount on the tape can be reduced. It leads to increase.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First, a first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the case where the ink ribbon of the invention is used in a tape-shaped label producing apparatus will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the tape label producing apparatus.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, an openable cassette cover 3 is provided on the upper surface of the main body case 2 to cover a cassette housing portion 5 for mounting a tape cassette described later. The main body case 2 is provided with a keyboard 4 for inputting characters and the like, various operation switch panels 7, and a liquid crystal display unit 9 for displaying the input characters and the like.

Here, the cassette used in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus accommodates a receptor type cassette for accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon, and a transparent tape and a double-sided adhesive tape for accommodating them instead of the printing tape. There is a laminated type cassette that is used as a printing tape.

Further, in the receptor type cassette,
A so-called tape / ribbon integrated type cassette in which a printing tape and an ink ribbon are housed in one cassette, and a printing tape and an ink ribbon are separately housed in a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette, respectively, and the ribbon cassette can be attached to and detached from the tape cassette. There is a so-called tape / ribbon separation type cassette.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus shown in the first embodiment can be applied to both the receptor type and the laminated type cassettes. In the first embodiment, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus is A case where a receptor type tape / ribbon separation type cassette is mounted will be described.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 in which the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette are mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, in the cassette housing portion 5, a tape cassette 20 having a tape spool 23 for winding the printing tape 22 and a ribbon cassette 30 having a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 23 is wound. And are installed.

The tape cassette 20 has a tape case 21.
Inside, a rotatable tape spool 23 for winding the print tape 22 and a tape feed roller 24 that contributes to the conveyance of the print tape 22 are provided.

The ribbon cassette 30 includes a ribbon case 31 in which a ribbon spool 33 around which an ink ribbon 32 is wound and a ribbon take-up spool 34 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound are rotatably provided. Is. Further, the ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head housing portion 37 for housing the thermal head 12 (described later) inserted from below.

The ink ribbon 32 and the printing tape 22 are
In a state where they overlap each other, they are guided to the thermal head 12 (described later) inserted in the head insertion portion 37. The ink ribbon 32 is the head insertion portion 3 of the ribbon case 31.
7 is configured to be bent at a substantially acute angle, separated from the print tape 22, and wound by the ribbon take-up spool 34.

Next, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described. In the tape label producing apparatus 1, a tape take-up cam 41 that can be engaged with the tape cassette 20 and the tape spool 23, a ribbon take-up cam 42 that can be engaged with the ribbon take-up spool 34 of the ribbon cassette 30, and a tape feed. A tape drive cam 43 that engages with the roller 24 is rotatably supported by the body frame 11.

The tape label producing apparatus 1 is provided with a thermal head 12 for printing on a tape. The thermal head 12 is inserted into the head accommodating portion 37 of the ribbon cassette 30 with the ribbon cassette 30 attached to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1.

A platen roller 65, which sandwiches the tape between the thermal head 12 and the thermal head 12, is opposed to the thermal head 12. Further, a tape feed sub-roller 66 that sandwiches a tape between the tape feed roller 24 of the tape cassette 20 and the tape feed roller 24 faces the tape feed roller 24. The platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are held by a roller holder 67 that can swing with respect to the main body frame 11. The platen roller 65 held by the roller holder 67 and the tape feed sub roller 6
6 is a press contact position (FIG. 2) for pressing the print tape and the ink ribbon between the thermal head 12 and the tape feed roller 24 facing each other, and a lease position (FIG. 3) separated from the thermal head 12 and the tape feed roller 24. ) Is configured to rock.

That is, the printing tape 20 accommodated in the tape cassette 20 and the ink ribbon 32 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 30 are conveyed by the platen roller 65 or the like and printed by the thermal head 12, and then the ink is ejected. The ribbon 32 is wound around the ribbon spool 34, and the print tape 22 is ejected from the tape cassette 20. The tape label producing apparatus 1 includes a cutter 84 for cutting the print tape 22 discharged from the tape cassette 20.
And a cutting knob 85 for driving the cutter 84, and a tip detection sensor 90 for detecting the tip of the printing tape.

Next, the swinging mechanism of the roller holder 67 that supports the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 will be described.

The roller holder 67 is swung by the solenoid 80. An actuating plate 74, which is held slidably in the vertical direction in the figure, is fixed to the actuating lever 80a of the solenoid 80 with respect to the main body frame 11 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1. A shaft 73 is provided upright at the end of the operating plate 74 opposite to the solenoid 80.

Here, the roller holder 67, which is swingably supported by the support shaft 68, is biased by a spring member (not shown) so as to swing to the release position (downward in the figure). The roller holder 67 has a cam surface 67a that comes into contact with the release rod 71 located below in the figure. A roller 72 is pivotally attached to the release rod 71, and when the roller 72 contacts the standing wall 11a of the main body frame 11, the roller 72 can slide in the left-right direction in the drawing. The swing lever 76 pivotally supported by the support shaft 76a provided upright on the release rod 71 is provided with a groove for engaging with the shaft 73 provided upright on the operating plate 74. The swing lever 76 is rotated by the movement in the vertical direction.

When the operating lever 80a of the solenoid 80 is brought into the projecting state shown in FIG. 2, the operating plate 74 moves upward in the figure accordingly. Then, the release rod 71 moves to the left in the drawing, enters a wedge shape between the roller holder 67 and the standing wall 11a, and moves the roller holder 67 to the pressure contact position. On the other hand, the operating lever 8 of the solenoid 80
When 0a enters the retracted state shown in FIG. 3, the operating plate 74 moves upward in the figure accordingly. Then, the release rod 71 moves rightward in the drawing to release the bias to the roller holder 67, so that the roller holder 67 is moved to the release position by the spring member.

In this way, the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 held by the roller holder 67.
Is oscillated between the pressure contact position (FIG. 2) and the release position (FIG. 3) by driving the solenoid 80.

Next, the mounting structure of the ribbon cassette 30 to the tape cassette 20 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tape cassette 20 and the ribbon cassette 30 separately. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tape cassette 20 is formed with a ribbon cassette housing portion 21f for housing the ribbon cassette 30. Two guide shafts 21a and 21b extending in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the tape cassette 20) are provided on the outer periphery of the tape cassette 20 so as to project therefrom.
The bottom surface 21c of 0 has a positioning shaft 21 extending in the vertical direction.
d and 21e are projected. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shafts 21 a and 21 b project from the top surface of the tape cassette 20. On the other hand, the positioning shafts 21d and 21e
Is shorter than the guide shafts 21a and 21b and does not reach the top surface of the tape cassette 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the inside of the ribbon cassette 30.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the outer periphery of the ribbon cassette 30, there are guide rails 31a which engage with guide shafts 21a and 21b formed on the tape cassette 20, respectively.
31b and positioning rails 31d and 31e which engage with the positioning shafts 21d and 21e, respectively are provided. Further, the knob piece 3 is provided on the upper surface of the lid member 31e of the ribbon case 31.
1f and 31g are formed, respectively.

Therefore, when the ribbon cassette 30 is attached to the tape cassette 20, the guide shafts 21a and 21b are firstly attached.
And the guide rails 31a and 31b are engaged. 6, guide shafts 21a and 21b, positioning shafts 21d and 21e, guide rails 31a and 31b, and positioning rails 31d and 31e.
5 shows a positional relationship in the ribbon cassette mounting direction.
In addition, in FIG. 6, (A) shows the time when the mounting of the ribbon cassette 30 is started, (B) shows the time of mounting, and (C) shows the time when the mounting is finished. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide rails 31a, 3
The 1b and the positioning rails 31d and 31e are formed with groove portions into which the guide shafts 21a and 21b and the positioning shafts 21d and 21e are fitted, respectively. The width of the groove portions becomes smaller toward the lower side (mounting direction). A taper is formed.

As shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the mounting of the ribbon cassette 30 is started, the guide shafts 21a and 21b are engaged with the guide rails 31a and 31b to guide and position the mounting of the ribbon cassette 30. Since a predetermined amount of the lower portion of the guide shafts 21a and 21b is formed to have a smaller diameter, the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted and the minimum width of the guide rails 31a and 31b is increased as shown in FIG. 6B. (That is, the lower ends of the rails 31a and 31b) is the guide shaft 21a,
After reaching the small diameter portion of 21b, the positioning shafts 21d, 21e
And the positioning rails 31d and 31e are engaged,
The guide shafts 21a and 21b are gradually released from the guide rails 31a and 31b.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the positioning rails 31d and 31e are set when the ribbon cassette 30 is completely attached.
And the lower ends of the positioning shafts 21d and 21e engage with each other to guide and position the mounting of the ribbon cassette 30. Since the clearance between the minimum width portion of the positioning rails 31d and 31e and the positioning shafts 21d and 21e is small, the positioning of the ribbon cassette 30 with respect to the tape cassette 20 by the positioning rails 31d and 31e and the positioning shafts 21d and 21e. Done.

As described above, at the start of mounting the ribbon cassette 30, the guide shafts 21a and 21b and the guide rail 31a,
By the engagement of 31b, the ribbon cassette 30 is guided and positioned with respect to the tape cassette 20, and when the mounting is completed, the positioning shafts 21d and 21e and the positioning rail 31
By the engagement of d and 31e, the tape cassette 2
The ribbon cassette 30 is guided and positioned with respect to zero. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the ribbon cassette 30
And the tape cassette 20 are integrated.

When the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted while the tape cassette 20 is mounted in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, the roller holder 67 is set in the released state as shown in FIG. This is performed after expanding the space between the roller 65 and the thermal head 12 and the space between the tape feeding roller 24 and the tape feeding sub roller 66.

In this way, the tape cassette 20 is provided with a guide portion (guide shafts 21a and 21b) and a positioning portion (positioning shaft 2).
1d, 21e), and the ribbon cassette 30 is provided with guided parts (guide rails 31a, 31b) and positioned parts (positioning rails 31d, 31e).
Since the guided portion is guided to the guide portion when the mounting of 0 is started and the positioned portion is positioned at the positioning portion when the mounting is finished, the length of each member (shaft, rail) can be made small. Is possible, and there is an advantage that molding is easy. In addition, it becomes easy to mount the tape especially when it is wide.

Next, the tape and ink ribbon transport mechanism will be described.

8 and 9 are plan views showing a tape and ink ribbon transport mechanism. As shown in FIG. 8, a tape drive motor 44, which is a stepping motor, is attached to the right end of the body frame 11, and a drive gear 45 is fixed to the drive shaft of the tape drive motor 44.
A first gear 46 rotatably provided on the main body frame 11 is engaged with the drive gear 45. The gear 46 is coaxially integrally formed with the gear 46a. A gear 47 provided on the main body frame 11 is engaged with the gear 46a.

The gear train around the ribbon winding cam 42 is shown in FIG.
Shown in As shown in FIG. 10, the gear 47 is engaged with a gear 49 that is rotatably provided on the rotation shaft 42 a of the ribbon winding cam 42. The gear 49 is engaged with a gear 50 rotatably held by the main body frame 11.

A gear 51 is integrally formed coaxially with the gear 50. On the upper part of the gear 51, a swing lever 56 that is swingable with respect to the rotation axis of the gear 50 and the gear 51 is provided, and an appropriate amount of space is provided between the lower surface of the swing lever 56 and the upper surface of the gear 51. Friction resistance is given. A planetary gear 57, which constantly meshes with the gear 51, is rotatably supported by the swing lever 56.

As shown in FIG. 10, the planet gears 57 are engaged with the tape winding gear 52 fixed to the lower end of the tape winding cam 41, and as shown in FIG. It is possible to swing between positions apart from 52.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the tape drive motor 44 rotates in the clockwise direction (forward rotation drive) and the gear 50 rotates in the clockwise direction, the swing lever 56 also rotates in the clockwise direction due to the frictional resistance with the gear 51. To the planetary gear 57.
Separates from the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41 becomes free.

The gear 50 is engaged with the gear 53, and the gear 53 is engaged with the tape drive gear 54. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is driven by the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via these gears 45 to 54.
Is transmitted to On the other hand, the gear 53 is also engaged with the gear 55, and is engaged with a platen gear 65a described later for driving the platen roller 65.

FIG. 11A is a side sectional view showing a driving portion of the platen roller 65. As shown in FIG. 11A, the platen roller 65 includes a roller body 651 and a roller shaft 652 that penetrates the inside of the roller body 651. The roller shaft 652 is hollow, and a drive shaft 653 for rotationally driving the platen roller 65 is inserted in this hollow portion.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the roller shaft 652 in the central portion in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the engagement projection 654 formed to project inward from substantially the axial center of the roller shaft 652, and the drive shaft 6
The engaging groove 655 provided in 53 is engaged. This engagement is performed only at the central portion of the platen roller 65 in the axial direction. That is, the drive shaft 653 is engaged with the roller shaft 652 at one position in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the drive shaft 653 is rotatably supported by a movable case 656, and the movable case 656 is supported by a roller holder 67 so as to be vertically movable in the figure. . Further, the movable case 656 has a spring 65 b provided on the roller holder 67.
Both ends in the axial direction are urged upward by the drawing.
Therefore, the platen roller 65 is biased toward the head 12 with a uniform biasing force (in the axial direction of the platen roller 65). With this configuration, when the gear 53 rotates, the platen roller 65 rotates via the gear 55 and the gear 65a. Further, the platen roller 65 is pressed against the head 12 (in the axial direction of the platen roller 65) with a uniform pressing force.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the drive portion of the tape feed sub-roller 66. As shown in FIG.
The tape feed sub-roller 66 includes a roller body 661 and a roller shaft 662 that penetrates the inside of the roller body 661. The roller shaft 662 is hollow. A drive shaft 66 for rotationally driving the tape feed sub-roller 66 is provided in the hollow portion of the roller shaft 662.
3 is inserted.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the roller shaft 662 at the axial center thereof. As shown in FIG. 12 (B), the engagement protrusion 664 formed to protrude inward from the axial center of the roller shaft 662, and the drive shaft 6
The engaging groove 665 provided in 63 is engaged. This engagement is performed only in the axial center portion of the tape feed sub roller 66. That is, the drive shaft 663 is engaged with the roller shaft 662 at one position in the axial direction.

The drive shaft 663 has a movable case 666.
The movable case 666 is supported by the roller holder 67 so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure. The movable case 666 is urged by a spring 66b provided on the roller holder 67 at both axial ends thereof upward in the drawing. Therefore, the tape feed sub roller 6
6 is biased against the tape drive roller 42 by a uniform biasing force in the axial direction.

Due to this structure, the gear 53
When is rotated, the tape feed sub roller 66 is rotated via the gear 54 and the gear 66a. In addition, the platen roller 6
5, the tape feed sub-roller 66 is pressed against the tape feed roller 24 with a uniform pressing force (in the axial direction of the tape feed sub roller 66).

Here, the coefficient of friction between the surface of the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66, the platen roller and the thermal head 12 are set so that the feeding force of the printing tape 22 by the platen roller 65 becomes larger than that of the tape feed sub-roller 66. The pressing force between them (that is, the spring 65b) and the pressing force between the tape feed roller 24 and the tape feed tape feed sub roller 66 (that is, the spring 65b) are set.

By setting the peripheral speed of the tape feed sub-roller 66 to be slightly higher than that of the platen roller 65, a slip is generated between the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the printing tape 22. In this way, the platen roller 65 that actually performs printing conveys the print tape, and the tape feed sub-roller 66 generates appropriate tension on the print tape, so that stable conveyance can be performed.

Next, the rewinding of the printing tape will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ribbon winding cam 42
A gear 48 is provided at the lower end of the. The ribbon winding cam 42 and the gear 48 are connected via a clutch spring 60 described later. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Includes a gear 3 rotatably provided on the body frame 11.
01 is engaged. The gear 301 is provided with a lever 302 that swings around the rotation axis of the gear 301. The lever 302 has a planetary gear 3 that engages with the gear 301.
06 is pivotally supported.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the gear 301 rotates counterclockwise (the tape feed motor 44 rotates clockwise), the upper surface of the gear 301 and the swing lever 302 are rotated.
The friction between the rocking lever 302 moves in the same direction and the planet gear 306 meshes with the gear 48. Planetary gear 30
The gear 48 engaged with 6 rotates counterclockwise, and at the same time, the ribbon winding cam 42 also rotates in the same direction. That is, the ink ribbon 32 is taken up by the ribbon take-up spool.

When the print tape 22 is rewound, the solenoid 80 operates to swing the roller holder 67 to the release position. Further, the tape drive motor 44 rotates counterclockwise, and the gear 47 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the gear 301 rotates clockwise, and the swing lever 302
Moves in the same direction, and the gear 306 and the gear 48 are separated from each other. That is, the ribbon winding cam 42 is stopped.
A stopper 304 is formed on the swing lever 302, and the stopper 304 comes into contact with an abutment piece provided on the body frame 11 to stop the movement.

When the gear 47 rotates counterclockwise, the gear 50 rotates counterclockwise via the gear 49, the swing lever 56 moves in the same direction, and the gear 57 and the tape winding gear 5 move.
The two mesh with each other. Then, the tape winding cam 41 formed integrally with the gear 52 rotates counterclockwise and rotates in the direction in which the print tape 22 is wound. At this time, the tape drive gear 54 and the gear 55 rotate in the opposite directions to those at the time of printing, but since the roller holder 67 is in the separated state, it does not act on the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32.

The clutch spring 60 connecting the ribbon winding cam 42 and the gear 48 is a coil spring wound around the ribbon winding cam 42. When the gear 48 rotates counterclockwise, the ribbon winding cam 42 rotates together with the gear 48 due to the friction between the clutch spring 60 and the rotating shaft 42a. However, when the ribbon winding cam 42 rotates at a speed lower than that of the gear 48 due to an external force, the clutch spring 60
Since the winding of the ribbon winding is loose, slippage occurs between the ribbon winding cam 42 and the clutch spring 60. In this case, the ribbon winding cam 42 is rotated not by the gear 48 but by an external force.

With this structure, the winding speed of the ink ribbon is determined by the conveying speed of the platen roller 65.

Next, a structure for removing the slack of the printing tape will be described.

When the platen gear 65a starts to rotate earlier than the tape feeding sub-roller gear 66a due to backlash of each gear, the tape feeding sub-roller 66
The printing tape 22 is loosened between the platen roller 65 and the platen roller 65. Therefore, if there is slack when the tip of the tape is detected by the tip detection sensor 90 described later, the linear distance between the tape tip position and the print start origin position will be different. That is, when the leading edge of the print tape 22 is detected again after the tape is rewound, the print position is displaced.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the gear 55 for transmitting the rotational force to the platen roller 65 is composed of upper and lower two stages of gears 55a and 55b, and rotates around a shaft 55c. These gears have a gap 55d in the rotation direction, and the gear 55a rotates with a time delay with respect to the rotation of the gear 55b, so that the tape feed sub-roller gear 66a.
The platen gear 65a rotates later than that. Therefore, even if there is backlash or the like of the gear, the tape feeding sub roller 66 surely starts to rotate before the platen roller 65.

Since it is unknown what kind of gap is generated at this point between the gears 55a and 55b, it is possible to reversely rotate the tape drive motor 44 before feeding the print tape in the forward direction. When the print tape is driven in the forward direction next time, a gap is surely provided between the gear 55a and the gear 55b. By doing so, the next time the print tape starts to be conveyed in the forward direction, the gear 55a starts to rotate with a certain delay with respect to the gear 55b.
Therefore, the rotation of the platen roller 65 is surely delayed with respect to 6, and then starts.

In this way, the occurrence of slack in the printing tape can be prevented.

Next, the tape feed roller 24 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the printing tape 22 is conveyed by the platen roller 65, and the tape feed roller 24 is used to apply tension to the conveyed printing tape 22. Therefore, the tape feed roller 24 needs to act on the printing tape 22 with an appropriate grip force (friction force).

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the tape feed roller 24. As shown in FIG. 14, the tape feed roller 2
4 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and a groove portion 241 extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the central portion in the vertical direction. The tape cassette 20 is formed with a slide 12 which is a plate-like member for pressing the groove 241 in order to rotatably hold the tape feed roller 24 (FIG. 4). The tape feed roller 24 is rotatably held by the tape cassette 20 by fitting the groove 241 into the slide base 12.

As shown in FIG. 14, the tape feed roller 2
Knurls 242, 243 are provided on both sides in the axial direction with the groove portion 241 of No. 4 sandwiched therebetween, in which concave portions and convex portions extending in the axial direction are formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. Further, assuming that the pit between the adjacent convex portions of the knurls 242 and 243 is d, the knurls 242 and 243 are formed by being displaced by 1 / 2d in the circumferential direction.

The tape feed roller 24 on which the knurls are formed comes into contact with the printing tape intermittently. However, by shifting the phases of the knurls 242 and 243 by 1/2 pitch, printing is performed at the half pitch of the actual printing. Tape 22
Can be contacted with.

That is, by forming a plurality of knurls on the tape feeding roller 24 and shifting the phase of each knurl, the gripping force on the printing tape is increased and the tape feeding roller 24 makes a small pitch on the printing tape 22. You can contact them at. That is, the tape feed roller 24 can be brought into contact with the printing tape 22 with a more appropriate grip force (friction force), which can contribute to stable feeding of the printing tape.

In the tape label producing apparatus of this embodiment, the platen roller 65 conveys the printing tape 22 and the tape feeding roller 24 is used to apply tension to the printing tape 22. It is also possible to use the tape feed roller of this embodiment in a tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the type that conveys the print tape 22 by 24. Even in such a case, since the gripping force is increased and the print tape 22 can be brought into contact with the print tape 22 at a small pitch, the print tape can be stably conveyed.

As shown in FIG. 15, the knurled portions 244, 24 of three stages are arranged in the axial direction of the tape feed roller 24.
Forming upper and lower knurls 244 and 246
1/2 of the phase of the intermediate knurl 245
It is also possible to shift the pitch. With this configuration, the knurls of the tape feed roller 24 are symmetrical with respect to the width direction of the print tape 22, so that the print tape 22 is axially oriented with respect to the tape feed roller 24 (that is, the width direction of the print tape 22). ) Is prevented.

Next, the identification of the ribbon cassette will be described.

As will be described later, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of performing multi-color printing (a method in which ribbon cassettes are exchanged for each color to perform printing) and full-color printing (coloring without exchanging ribbon cassettes). The method of reproducing colors by superimposing the three primary colors) can be selected. In multi-color printing, a single-color ink ribbon (single-color ribbon) is used, and in full-color printing, a so-called dander ribbon in which a plurality of colors (three primary colors of yellow / magenta / cyan, etc.) are alternately applied is used.

The ribbon cassette 30 includes an ink ribbon 3
2 ribbon colors and ribbon widths (12, 18, 24, 32 m
According to m), a plurality of types are prepared, and eight detection holes 36a are combined at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 31d of the ribbon case 31 in order to detect any of the plurality of types of ribbon cassettes 30. A detection hole group 36 is formed.

The ribbon cassette 20 is formed with a detection hole group 36 including eight detection holes 36a for discriminating the type of ink ribbon.
In order to detect the presence or absence of one detection hole 36a, a ribbon detection switch 103 composed of first to eighth detection switches is provided, and a ribbon detection signal RS is output by a combination of switch signals from these eight detection switches. FIG.
6 shows a ribbon cassette discrimination table. The switches 36a to 36h shown in FIG. Corresponding to Nos. 1 to 8, the loaded ribbon cassette has a width of 32 mm, and it is judged that the three primary color ribbon ribbon cassettes and the receptor tape are loaded.

Next, the structure for detecting the leading end of the printing tape will be described.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, on the downstream side of the cutting apparatus 84 in the conveying direction of the print tape 22,
A front end detection sensor 90 for detecting the front end of the print tape 22 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip detection sensor 90
Is a transmissive photosensor having a light emitting / light receiving element 92 and a light receiving element 93. Light emitting / light receiving element 92 and light receiving element 9
3 is housed in sensor housing chambers 94 and 95, respectively, and sensor housing chambers 94 and 95 are provided with light passage holes 94a and 95a so that the sensor light emitted from the light emitting / light receiving element 92 is projected onto the light receiving element 93. Has been formed. Further, a slit 98 for passing the print tape 22 is formed between the sensor accommodating chambers 94 and 95. Therefore, the tip portion of the print tape 22 is guided by the guide portion 99 and surely passes through the slit 98.

That is, when the print tape 22 enters the slit 98 and interrupts the space between the light emitting / receiving element 92 and the light receiving element 93, the sensor light from the light emitting / receiving element 92 is cut off and the tip detecting sensor 90 outputs. Outputs an "L" level tape detection signal TS.

Next, the ribbon cassette for detecting the type of ink ribbon will be described.

The ribbon sensor 70, as shown in FIG.
This is a transmissive photosensor including a light emitting unit 70a and a light receiving unit 70b that are arranged to face each other with a path through which the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are conveyed being sandwiched therebetween.

The ribbon sensor 70 has a larger amount of sensor light and a higher light-receiving sensitivity than the above-mentioned tip detection sensor 90. The printing tape 22 is formed of a material that is non-transmissive to the sensor light of the tip detection sensor 90 but is transparent to the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70.

Next, the sensor mark detected by the ribbon sensor will be described.

The ink ribbon 32 is made of a material that allows the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70 to pass therethrough, and the end portion 32a of the ink ribbon 32 has a sensor mark (ribbon) of the same width as shown in FIG. A plurality of portions of the sensor 70 that do not transmit sensor light) are formed at equal intervals. The width ratio between the sensor mark and the blank portion (the portion that transmits the sensor light) is 1: 2.

On the other hand, as described above, the printing tape 22 is also made of a material that allows the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70 to pass therethrough. As shown in FIG. 18, the end portion 22a of the print tape 22 is formed with a plurality of sensor marks of the same width (portions that do not transmit the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70) at equal intervals. The width ratio of the part (the part that transmits the sensor light) is 2: 1.

Therefore, when the ribbon sensor 70 detects the above-mentioned sensor mark, the ribbon sensor 70 can detect which end portion of the tape from the ratio of the width between the sensor mark and the blank portion.

Here, as the ink ribbon, in addition to a single-color ribbon, there is a so-called dagger ribbon in which a plurality of colors are alternately arranged. The dudara ribbon shown in FIG. 19 is one in which three primary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are alternately formed on the same ribbon. All of the three primary colors are transparent to the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70.
Immediately before each color region, sensor marks 501 (504, 507) for identifying ink colors (portions that do not transmit the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70) are provided. Each sensor mark is composed of two marks. Of the respective sensor marks 501, 504, 507,
The first marks 502, 505, 508 have the same width and are 2
The actual marks 503, 506, 509 have different widths depending on the ink color. Therefore, the ribbon sensor 7
When the sensor mark is detected by 0, the ink color can be identified from the ratio of the widths of the two marks. still,
The sensor marks 501, 504 and 507 are the identification parts of the present invention.

The first width of the color identifying sensor mark of the ink ribbon 32, the width of the sensor mark indicating the end of the ink ribbon 32, and the space between the sensor mark indicating the end of the printing tape 22 are left blank. The widths are configured to be the same.

Next, a method of identifying each sensor mark by the ribbon sensor 70 (detection means) will be described.

Since the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 pass through between the light emitting portion 70a and the light receiving portion 70b of the ribbon sensor 70, the ribbon sensor 70 combines the sensor marks of the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32. Detect what you have.

When a ribbon ribbon is used as the ink ribbon 32, if only two sensor marks are detected by the ribbon sensor 70, it can be known that the detected sensor mark is for color identification. The ink color is determined from the ratio of the sensor mark widths. That is,
If the second sensor is almost the same width as the first sensor mark, it is determined that the ink color is yellow, and if the second sensor is about 1.5 times the first sensor, magenta is the second sensor and the second sensor is the first sensor. If it is double, it is determined to be cyan. At this time, the print tape 22 is determined to be in the print area (area where the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70 is transmitted). (Note that in the case of a single-color ribbon, two sensor marks cannot be detected because it does not have a sensor mark for ink color identification.) On the other hand, the ribbon sensor 70 causes three or more sensor marks to be detected. When is detected, the width ratio of the sensor mark (the portion that does not transmit the sensor light) and the blank portion (the portion that transmits the sensor light) is stored for five or more sensor marks. Here, the reason why the number is 5 or more will be described later. Hereinafter, cases (1) to (5) when three or more sensor marks are detected will be described.

In the following description, the state in which the printing tape has reached the end portion (the state in which the printing tape has disappeared)
Is called the tape end, and the state where the ink ribbon reaches the end portion (the state where the ink ribbon is gone) is called the ribbon end.

(1) If the ribbon sensor 70 detects three or more sensor marks and the ratio of the width of the sensor mark to the width of the blank part is 1: 2, it is judged as the ribbon end.
At this time, the print tape 22 is determined to be in the print area.

(2) If three or more sensor marks are detected by the ribbon sensor 70 and the width ratio between the sensor marks and the blank is 2: 1, it is determined that the tape is at the end. At this time, it is determined that the ink ribbon 32 is in the print area.

(3) When a blank is not detected even when the tape is fed by three times the pitch of the sensor mark of the print tape 22, the print tape 22 and the sensor mark of the ink ribbon 32 are overlapped with each other to form a blank portion. Since it is considered that there is no tape, it is judged as both the tape end and ribbon end.

(4) If three or more sensor marks are detected, and the width ratio between the sensor mark and the blank is constant, and the ratio is neither 2: 1 nor 1: 2, the end portion of the ink ribbon 32. Mark and printing tape 2
Since it is considered that the sensor mark indicating the end portion of 2 passes through the ribbon sensor 70 in an overlapping state, it is determined to be both the tape end and the ribbon end.

If the ink ribbon 32 is a monochrome ribbon,
Although it is identified by any of the above (1) to (4), if the ink ribbon 32 is a damper ribbon, the following cases may occur.

(5) When three or more sensor marks are detected and the width ratio between the sensor mark and the blank is not constant, the color identification sensor mark of the ink ribbon 32 and the sensor mark indicating the end of the printing tape 22 are used. It is conceivable that the two are detected overlapping, but in this case, the judgment is suspended until the ratio of the widths of the sensor mark and the blank becomes constant.

As described above, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1
Since the color is discriminated by the ratio of the widths of two sensor marks, the space occupied by the sensor mark portion does not increase even if the number of colors increases.

In the past, since the ink color was discriminated by the number of sensor marks, the number of sensor marks increased as the number of colors increased, and the printable length became shorter. The ink ribbon 32 used in the label producing apparatus 1 has an advantage that the sensor mark portion does not increase even if the number of colors increases, and the effective space increases accordingly.

When the ink ribbon is a monochromatic ribbon, a predetermined amount of the end portion of either one of the ink ribbon 32 and the printing tape 22 is made of a non-transmissive material, and the other end has a plurality of equal pitches. It is possible to apply the sensor mark of. For example, when the end portion of the ink ribbon is the non-transmissive portion 32b (FIG. 17B), the printing tape 2
If the non-transmissive area having a width longer than the width of the sensor mark 2 is detected, it can be determined as the ribbon end, and if the mark 22a at the end portion 22a of the print tape 22 is detected, it can be determined as the tape end.

Next, the control system will be described.

The tape label producing apparatus of this embodiment is
Multi-color printing (method of replacing the ribbon cassette for each color) or full-color printing (method of reproducing the colors by superimposing the three primary colors without changing the ribbon cassette) can be selected.

In multi-color printing, a single-color ink ribbon (single-color ribbon) is used, and in full-color printing, a damper ribbon is used.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the control system. As shown in FIG. 20, the input / output interface 113 of the control device 100 includes a keyboard 4, a tip detection sensor 90, a disconnection detection switch 101, a ribbon / tape detection switch group 103, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5. A display controller (LCDC) 104 for outputting display data, a drive circuit 106 for a warning buzzer 105, a drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12, and a drive circuit 108 for the tape drive motor 44. And a drive circuit 109 for the solenoid 80, respectively.

The control device 100 includes the CPU 110 and the C
An input / output interface 113 connected to the PU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus;
It is composed of an M111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 120.

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 sizes. RO
In M112, in correspondence with code data of characters such as characters, symbols and numbers input from the keyboard 4,
A display control program that controls the display controller 104, a print control program that creates dot pattern data used for printing characters and symbols stored in the text memory 121, and dot pattern data created for each dot row for the created dot pattern data. A print control program and the like for sequentially outputting and printing to the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 are stored.
Further, based on the ribbon / tape detection signal RS described above,
The above-mentioned discrimination table (FIG. 16) for detecting the ribbon color and ribbon width of the ink ribbon 32 and the type of the printing tape 22 or the tape width in the integrated type laminate type or receptor type cassette is stored.

The text data consisting of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 (print color setting means) is added with print color data, and the text memory 1 of the RAM 120 is added.
21. The print color data is multi-color print data (red, pink, blue, light blue, etc.) which is the input print color itself, and full color print data in which the print colors are separated into three primary colors (yellow, magenta, cyan). There are two types, the text memory 121 of the RAM 120
The text data to which the multi-color print data is added and the text data to which the full-color print data is added are stored in each.

Here, the input printing color (red, pink,
The correspondence between blue) and the three primary color data obtained by color separation of the data is stored in the ROM as a print color correspondence table shown in FIG. Then, for example, if "blue" is input as the print color, the CPU 110 selects "magenta" and "cyan" based on the print color correspondence table stored in the ROM,
It is stored in the text memory 121. That is, the user
As the printing color, simply input "blue" and it is not necessary to specify the three primary colors. Further, since color separation is automatically performed with reference to a predetermined correspondence table, it is possible to quickly generate data separated into three primary colors without requiring a complicated algorithm.

For example, when making a tape as shown in FIG. 22 (here, "red" is red, "green" is green,
The "black" is printed in black and the "ki" is printed in yellow). The print color data is multi-color print data (FIG. 23), which is color data for each color, and yellow, which is three primary color data. Two types of data, full-color print data (FIG. 24) decomposed into magenta and cyan, are added separately and stored so that each data can be selected and retrieved.

Then, the number of input print colors is stored in the color number memory 122 separately for full-color print data and multi-color print data. For example, FIGS.
In the example, N = 4 is stored for multi-color print data, and N = 3 is stored for full-color print data. Further, the margin amount memory 124 stores margin amount data regarding the set total margin amount (B1 in FIG. 22) and the rear margin amount (B2). In the print data buffer 125, dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in the text memory 121 is expanded and stored. Furthermore,
The RAM 120 is provided with a memory or the like for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110.

When full-color printing is performed using the ribbon ribbon, it is not possible to obtain multi-color by superimposing unless printing is completed for each color such as yellow, magenta, and cyan. Therefore, the length T (FIG. 19) of the color regions of yellow, magenta, cyan, etc. must be longer than the print length. In general, the printing length can be assumed to be less than 15 cm in consideration of the use as a tape-like label. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the length T of each color region of the dunn line ribbon is taken into consideration in consideration of a predetermined margin and the like. 20 cm.

The margin includes the distance U from the tip detection sensor 90 to the heating element of the thermal head 12 and the distance P from the heating element to the cutter 84.

The print control will be described below with reference to each flowchart.

First, the print start control will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, the initialization process (S
After 10), the print text input process is performed (S1).
1). In the print text input process, the text to be printed is input from the keyboard 4, and the result is displayed on the display 5.
Is displayed in. Here, whether to perform normal printing, to create a preformatted printing tape described later, or to print to the preformatted printing tape,
Is selected.

When the print text input processing is completed, the print symmetrical range for each color is set for the text input in the print text input processing (S12). here,
Since the text data is displayed on the display 5, the operator operates the four cursor keys 7a (FIG. 1) arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4 while looking at the display 5 to select the print target for each print color. Each of the following characters and symbols is instructed and the color confirmation key 7b is displayed each time.
Specify the color by operating (Fig. 1). When the setting of the print target is completed, the enter key 7c (FIG. 1) is operated.

By operating the confirm key 7c, the input color data (red, blue, pink, light blue, etc.) is added to the character data of the character designated by the operation of the cursor key 7a and the color confirm key 7d. ) And full-color print data obtained by dividing the input color data into three primary colors (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are stored in the text memory 121. Further, how many color data the text is composed of is stored in the color number memory 122 as the color number N. For example, the number of colors N
In the printing examples shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, N = 4 for multi-color print data and N = for full-color print data.
3 is set.

The text memory 121 functions as the first print color storage means for storing the print color itself as data, and stores the print color set by the print color setting means as the combination data of the three primary colors. It also functions as a print color storage unit of 2.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key is input (S
13), when the print key is input (YES in S13),
Ribbon detection signal R from the aforementioned cassette sensor group 103
The type of the ink ribbon 32 of the mounted ribbon cassette is detected by S, and it is determined whether the ink ribbon 32 is a ribbon ribbon (S14). Here, when the ink ribbon 32 is a ribbon ribbon (YES in S14)
S), the process shifts to full-color print control (S16). If the ribbon is not a ribbon ribbon (NO in S14), the process shifts to multi-color print control (S15).

Next, the multi-color printing control is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 26, when multi-color printing control is started, first, a subroutine called pre-format setting control is executed (S30). The details of this preformat setting control subroutine will be described later. After the completion of the preformat setting control subroutine, the tape leading edge detection control subroutine is executed (S31).

In the tape leading edge detection control subroutine shown in FIG. 27, the tape drive motor is rotated in the reverse direction by a predetermined pulse number R (S100). As described above, this is done so that the slack of the print tape 22 does not occur between the tape feed sub roller 66 and the platen roller 65.
2 and the gear 55b and the gear 55a when the conveyance is started in the forward direction.
This is to ensure that there is a gap between them. Next, the tape drive motor is forwardly fed by one pulse (S10
1) It is determined whether the leading edge detection sensor 90 has detected the leading edge of the print tape 22 (S102). Printing tape 22
Until the leading edge of is detected, steps S101 and S102.
When the leading edge is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 90 (YES in S102), the print start origin position is determined (S103). Here, the print start origin position is
It is a portion (point S in FIG. 22) located at the heating element position of the thermal head 12 when the front end of the printing tape 22 is detected, and the actual printing is the margin (B1 in FIG. 22) set from here. Is started after feeding the tape. This is the end of the tape leading edge detection control subroutine.

Here, one pulse for driving the motor corresponds to the amount of 1/2 dot in printing. That is, the speed reduction ratio of the gear train is set so that 1 dot is printed for 2 pulses of the tape drive motor 44. Therefore, as compared with the conventional method in which one dot of printing corresponds to one motor pulse of the tape drive motor 44, the accuracy of detecting the leading end of the printing tape 22 is improved, and the printing position accuracy is improved.

After the subroutine of tape front end detection control is completed, it is judged whether or not the printing is performed on the preformat tape (S32). From step S32 to step S3
4 will be described later. Then, the multi-color print data of the Nth color is expanded in the print buffer (S3).
5). Then, the printing tape 22 is printed for one dot, and the printing tape 22 is conveyed (S36), and it is determined whether the sensor mark is detected by the ribbon sensor 70 and the non-transmissive state corresponds to three pitches of the sensor mark. It is determined whether or not to continue (S37). Here, if the ribbon sensor 70 detects a sensor mark or if the non-transmissive state continues for 3 sensor mark pitches (YES in S37), a tape and ribbon end detection control subroutine is executed. .

In the subroutine of the tape and ribbon end detection control shown in FIG. 28, when the ratio of the sensor mark detected by the ribbon sensor 70 and the blank portion is 1: 2 (YES in S50), it is determined to be the ribbon end. (S5
1) If the ratio of the sensor mark to the blank portion is 2: 1 (YES in S52), it is determined that the tape is the end (S53).
If none of the above apply, then (S
(NO in 52), it is determined that both the tape end and the ribbon end (S54), the respective liquid crystal displays 5 are displayed, the tape transport is stopped, and the print control is ended (S55).

On the other hand, when three or more sensor marks are not detected by the ribbon sensor 70 (N in S37).
O), it is determined whether or not the print of the print data of the current print color is completed. If not completed (NO in S39), steps S36 to S39 are repeated. When the printing of the print data of the current print color is completed (YES in S39), it is determined whether the current print color is the final print color,
If it is the final print color (YES in S40), the tape is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S41), and the tape cut is displayed (S4).
2) The print control is ended. Here, the predetermined amount is shown in FIG.
Rear margin amount B2, print head 12, and cutter 84 in
The distance P between them is combined.

If it is not the final print color (NO in S40),
A print tape rewinding control subroutine is executed (S43). In the print tape rewinding control subroutine shown in FIG. 29, the solenoid 80 is driven to release the roller holder 67 (S121), and the tape drive motor 44 is rotated by one pulse in the reverse transport direction (S122).
It is determined whether the leading edge detection sensor 90 detects the leading edge of the print tape 22 (S123). If the tip of the print tape 22 is not detected, steps S122 and S123 are repeated, and if the tip of the print tape 22 is detected (S12).
3 is YES), the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S12
4) The print tape rewinding control subroutine is ended.

Then, one print color is counted (S4
4) The liquid crystal display 5 indicates to replace the ribbon cassette 30 (S45), and it is determined whether the cassette has been replaced (S46). Here, ribbon cassette 3
When the ribbon cassette 30 is once removed, the switch group 10 relating to the ribbon cassette is determined whether 0 has been replaced.
All 3 are turned off, and one of the switches is turned on again.
It can be judged by becoming N. When the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced (YES in S46), the process returns to step S31 and the same operation is repeated until the printing of the final print color is completed.

Thus, the multicolor printing control is completed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the process of detecting the ink color of the ribbon cassette and printing according to the color data is not carried out, and the user corresponds to the ribbon color from the first color to the Nth color. I am printing.

Next, preformat printing will be described. Pre-format printing means that a general-purpose format such as a fixed label or a name tag is printed on the printing tape 22 in advance (FIG. 30 (a)), and the printing tape 22 is printed once.
It is a method of rewinding and printing according to the format (FIG. 30 (b)). In this way, if a preformatted printing tape (preformatted tape) is made, it is not necessary to input the format every time.

When a format such as a standard label is formed on the printing tape 22, a positioning mark which serves as a positioning reference when characters and the like are printed on the format is formed.

Here, the ink ribbon 32 is provided with a sensor mark detected by the ribbon sensor 70, such as the above-mentioned color identifying sensor mark. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion with these sensor marks, it is assumed that the positioning mark is detected by the light emitting / light receiving element 92 of the tip detection sensor 90 acting as a reflective photo sensor. That is, the positioning mark does not reflect the sensor light from the light emitting / receiving element 92 of the tip detection sensor 90 (the printing tape itself is reflected), and the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70 (the light quantity is larger than that of the sensor of the tip detection sensor 90). ) Is formed as a part which is transparent.

The positioning mark is printed between patterns such as a standard label repeatedly printed on the printing tape 22 in the preformat printing (preliminary printing). Then, in printing on the preformatted tape for printing a name or the like on the standard label (actual printing), each positioning mark is detected by the tip detection sensor 90, and printing is performed according to the pattern of the standard label. FIG.
As shown in (a), since the positioning mark can be formed between the repeated patterns, positioning is performed for each pattern in printing on the preformat tape.

In the subroutine of preformat setting control shown in FIG. 31, it is determined whether or not preformat printing is performed (S110). If preformat printing is selected at the time of inputting print data in the print start process (S11 in FIG. 25) (YES in S110), the position for printing the positioning mark and the print start position for printing the pattern are calculated and stored. (S111). And
It is determined whether the ink ribbon 32 is a ribbon ribbon (S112).

When the ink ribbon 32 is a ribbon ribbon (YES in S112), it is necessary to print the positioning mark in black so that the contrast with the printing tape 22 can be obtained. Therefore, the printing data of the positioning mark is expanded to the printing data of all three primary colors. On the other hand, in the case of a single-color ribbon (NO in S112), since the single-color ribbon has a darker color than the dadder ribbon, it is not necessary to print the positioning mark in black. Therefore, in order to increase the processing speed, the print data is expanded to the first color print data (for example, red).
This completes the subroutine of preformat setting control.

After completion of the preformat setting routine, the above-mentioned multicolor printing control (steps S31 to S46)
Then, the pattern such as the standard label set by the pre-format setting routine and the positioning mark are printed in the same manner as in the normal multi-color printing. In this way, a pre-format tape in which a predetermined format is printed in advance is created.

At the time of inputting the print text of the print start processing (see FIG.
When printing on the pre-format tape is selected in step S11 of step 5 (YES in step S32 of FIG. 26).
S), printing is performed on the preformatted tape in the above multicolor printing control. That is, in the multi-color printing control, the printing tape 22 is conveyed until the positioning mark is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 90 (S33, S34). At this time, the tip detection sensor 9
The 0 light emitting / receiving element 92 functions as a reflective sensor. Then, after the positioning mark is detected, printing is performed at the same time as in the case of normal multi-color printing, so that the name or the like can be printed on a preprinted format such as a standard label.

Thus, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1
Prints a positioning mark on the printing tape 22 in the preliminary printing (pre-formatted printing), detects the positioning mark in the main printing (printing on the pre-formatted tape), and then based on the detected positioning mark. Is controlled to print. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing at an accurate position with respect to the preprinted format.

Next, the case of performing full-color printing will be described.

As shown in FIG. 32, when the full-color printing control is started, first, the above-mentioned subroutine of Puke format setting control is executed (S60). And
After the subroutine of pre-format setting control,
A subroutine called ribbon color detection control is executed (S6).
1). In the ribbon color detection control subroutine shown in FIG. 33, the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are first conveyed (S80), and it is determined whether the ribbon sensor 70 has detected two or more sensor marks. When the ribbon sensor 70 detects two or more sensor marks (S8)
(YES in 1), and it is further determined whether or not there are three sensor marks (S82). If three or more sensor marks are detected (YES in S82), the above-mentioned tape and ribbon end detection routine is executed (S83). If three or more sensor marks are not detected (NO in S82), the color identification It is judged as a sensor mark for the step S8.
The ink colors of 4 or less are identified.

Subsequently, the widths of the first and second sensor marks are compared (S84), and if the width ratio is approximately 1: 1 (YES in S84), it is determined to be the yellow front position and the sensor is detected. The ratio of the first mark to the second mark is approximately 1: 2
If so (YES in S86), it is determined to be the head position of magenta, and if neither (NO in S86), it is determined to be the head position of cyan. The print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are moved in order to move the head position of the identified color (which is at the position of the ribbon sensor 70 at this point) from the position of the ribbon sensor 70 to the position of the heating element of the thermal head 12. Is conveyed by a predetermined amount L (S89). Then, the solenoid 80 is operated to release the roller holder (S90), and the ribbon color detection control subroutine ends.

The processing of S84 to S88 in the above processing functions as the calculating means and the determining means of the present invention.

After the ribbon color detection control subroutine is completed, the print tape rewinding control subroutine (S62) and the tape leading edge detection control subroutine (S63) are executed. Then, it is determined whether or not printing is performed on the preformat tape (S64). When the printing on the pre-formatted printing tape is selected in the printing start process (YES in S64), the printing tape 22 remains until the tip detection sensor 90 detects the positioning mark.
Is carried out (S65, S66). At this time, the light emitting and light receiving element 92 of the tip detection sensor 90 functions as a reflection type photo sensor.

Next, full color print data (three primary color data) of the detected color is developed in the print buffer (S67).
If printing is performed as shown in FIGS.
If the detection color is yellow, then "a", "ka", "mi", "do"
The print data of "ri", "ku", "ro", and "ki" is expanded, and "a", "ka", "ku", "ro" for magenta, and "mi", "do", and "ri" for cyan. The print data of “”, “ku”, and “ro” are expanded respectively.

Subsequently, the printing tape 22 is printed for one dot, and the printing tape 22 is conveyed (S68).
It is determined whether the ribbon sensor 70 detects three sensor marks and whether the non-transmissive state continues for three sensor mark pitches (S69), step S6.
8 and S69 are repeated, that is, printing is performed until the continuation of three sensor marks or three pitches of non-transmissive sensor marks is detected.

Here, three sensor marks are detected by the ribbon sensor 70, or three sensor marks in the non-transmissive state are detected.
When the continuation of the pitch is detected (YES in S69), the process moves to the above-mentioned tape and ribbon end detection control subroutine, but before that, the sensor mark and the blank part (Fig. 16, Figure 1
It is determined whether the width ratio of 7) is constant (S70). If they are not constant, it is considered that the sensor mark for color identification and the sensor mark indicating the end overlap, so the end determination is suspended and the process returns to step 69. If the ratio of the width of the sensor mark and the width of the blank portion (FIGS. 16 and 17) is constant, the process proceeds to a subroutine of tape and ribbon end detection control (S71).

On the other hand, when three or more sensor marks are not detected (NO in S69), it is judged whether or not the printing of the detected color print data is completed, and if it is not completed (S69).
No at 72), and steps S68 to S72 are repeated. If printing is completed (YES in S72), it is determined whether the current print color is the final print color (S73). If the current print color is the final print color (YES in S73), the tape is conveyed by a predetermined amount ( In S74, the tape cut is displayed (S7
5) The print control is ended. Here, the predetermined amount refers to FIG.
2, the amount of rear margin B2, the print head 12, and the cutter 8
The distance P between the four is combined. If it is not the final print color (NO in S73), one print color is counted (S7
6) The procedure returns to S61 and the same operation is repeated until the printing of the final print color is completed.

With the above, the full-color printing control is completed.
The processing of S67, S68, and 72 of the above processing functions as the print control means of the present invention.

In this way, the print color setting means (keyboard 4, CPU) for setting the print color of the text, and the first print color storage means (text memory 121) for storing the set print color itself as data. , Separating the print color set by the print color storage means into a plurality of predetermined colors,
Since a second print color storage means (text memory 121) for storing the combined data of the plurality of colors is provided, it is possible to perform multi-color printing for printing by color and full-color printing for printing by superposing colors. There is an advantage that it can cope. Further, since a combination data storage section (ROM) for storing the print color set by the print color setting means and the three primary color data in association with each other is provided, it is possible to set a predetermined color by setting the print color. Since color separation is automatically performed by referring to the correspondence table, it is possible to quickly generate data separated into three primary colors without requiring a complicated algorithm.

As described above, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the first embodiment, multicolor printing or full color printing can be selected. In addition, the advantage of multi-color printing is that the ribbon of the required color is consumed in the required amount, so the ribbon can be used very economically,
In addition, each color is reproduced with a color unique to the ink ribbon, which is excellent in color reproducibility. Further, the advantage of full-color printing is that the number of colors can be freely selected with one ribbon cassette, and the color printing can be realized without exchanging the ribbon cassette, so that the operation is simple.

Therefore, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the present embodiment, a great effect that the user can select the printing method suitable for the application in consideration of each merit of the multi-color printing or the full-color printing. is there.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, when the laminate type cassette is used, the printing tape is conveyed by both the tape feed sub roller and the platen roller, and when the receptor type cassette is used, the printing is performed only by the platen roller. The tape is conveyed. Further, in the second embodiment, the end portion of the print tape is also detected by the front end detection sensor that detects the front end of the print tape.

First, a laminate type cassette will be described.

As shown in FIG. 34, the cassette case 41
In FIG. 0, a double-sided adhesive tape 402, a transparent tape 404, and an ink ribbon 406 are stored. Double-sided adhesive tape 4
02 is a tape spool 401 with the adhesive surface on the 402a side
The transparent tape 404 is wound around the spool 405 and the ink ribbon 406 is wound around the ribbon spool 408. The ink ribbon 406 is wound around the ribbon take-up spool 40.
7 The ribbon take-up spool 407 is the first
It is driven as in the embodiment. Further, the tape feeding roller 409 has a function of bonding the transparent tape 404 and the double-sided adhesive tape 402 together with the tape feeding sub-roller 66 of the tape label producing apparatus 201.

The laminate type cassette is not used for full-color printing or multi-color printing because the ribbon cassette cannot be replaced or the sensor mark of the ink ribbon 406 cannot be detected by the ribbon sensor or the like.

Next, the receptor type cassette will be described. As described above, the receptor type cassette includes the tape / ribbon integrated type cassette and the tape / ribbon separated type cassette. FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 201 mounted with the tape / ribbon separation type cassette, and FIG. 36 is a plan view showing a state in which the roller holder 67 is opened and the ribbon cassette 230 is removed.
As shown in FIG. 36, the tape cassette 220 is provided with a tape spool 223 for winding the print tape 222 inside the tape case 221. The ribbon cassette 230 includes a ribbon spool 233 having an ink ribbon 232 wound inside a ribbon case 231.
A ribbon take-up spool 234 for taking up the ink ribbon 232 is provided.

Unlike the tape cassette 20 of the first embodiment, in the tape cassette 220 of the second embodiment, the conveyance path of the printing tape 222 bypasses the ribbon sensor 70 and is conveyed. That is, the ribbon sensor 70 is configured to detect only the sensor mark formed on the ink ribbon 232.

Next, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 201 according to the second embodiment will be described.

In the tape label producing apparatus 201, the tape take-up cam 41 that can be engaged with the tape spool 223 of the tape cassette 220, and the ribbon take-up cam 42 that can be engaged with the ribbon take-up spool 234 of the ribbon cassette 230. Is rotatably supported by the body frame 11.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus 201 is provided with the thermal head 12 for printing on the printing tape 222. The thermal head 12 includes a platen roller 65 that sandwiches the tape with the thermal head 12.
Are facing each other. Further, the tape feed roller 24 of the tape cassette 220 is opposed to a tape feed sub roller 66 that sandwiches the tape between the tape feed roller 24 and the tape feed roller 24. The platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are held by a roller holder 67 that can swing with respect to the main body frame 11. Also, the main body frame 11
Is provided with a tape feed motor 44.

The drive unit for the platen roller 65 is shown in FIG. The platen roller 65 and its drive unit shown in FIG. 37 are the same as the platen gear 65 a that drives the platen roller 65.
The structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, except for the gear 255 that engages with. That is, the platen roller 65 includes a roller body 651 and a roller shaft 652 that penetrates the inside of the roller body 651. Roller shaft 652
Is hollow, and a drive shaft 653 for rotationally driving the platen roller 65 is inserted in the hollow portion of the roller shaft 652. Platen gear 65a
Are formed on the drive shaft 653. Unlike the gear 55 of the first embodiment, the gear 255 that engages with the platen gear 65a is not integrally configured in two stages in the axial direction but is integrally configured. The drive system from the tape feed motor 44 to the gear 53 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 38 shows the drive unit of the tape feed sub-roller 66.

As shown in FIG. 38 (a), the tape feed sub-roller 66 and its drive unit are constructed in the same manner as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the tape feed sub-roller 66 includes a roller body 661 and a tape feed sub-roller shaft 662 that penetrates the inside of the roller body 661. The roller shaft 662 is hollow. A drive shaft 66 for rotationally driving the tape feed sub-roller 66 is provided in the hollow portion of the roller shaft 662.
3 is inserted. The drive gear 66 a provided on the drive shaft 663 is driven by the gear 54 via the tape drive gear 43 a provided below the tape feed roller cam 43. The drive system from the tape feed motor 44 to the gear 54 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The drive shaft 663 is a movable case 666.
The movable case 666 is supported by the roller holder 67 so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure. The movable case 666 has springs 66b provided on the roller holder 67, and both axial ends thereof are urged upward in the drawing.

Here, as shown in FIG. 38 (b), when the receptor type tape cassette 220 is mounted on the main body, the rib 22 formed on the tape cassette 220 is used.
1a urges the shaft portion of the tape feed sub-roller 66 downward in the figure against the spring 66b. Therefore, the tape feed sub-roller 66 is retreated to the retreat position where it does not contact the printing tape 222, the engagement between the tape drive gear 43a and the tape feed sub-roller gear 66a is released, and the drive force is not transmitted to the tape feed sub-roller 66.

When the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the platen roller 65 are driven at the same time, the platen roller may start to rotate first due to backlash of gears and the like up to the respective rollers. In this case, tape slack occurs in the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the platen roller 65, and if this slack occurs when detecting the tip of the print tape 222, an error occurs in the distance between the tape tip position and the print start origin position. When a receptor type cassette is used, full-color printing and multi-color printing are often performed, and if the accuracy of detecting the leading end of the printing tape 222 is poor, the printing position is likely to shift for each color. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38B, the print tape 222 is conveyed by the platen roller 65 and the rotation of the tape feed sub-roller is stopped, so that the print tape 222 between the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the platen roller 65 is stopped.
Can be prevented.

On the other hand, a laminated type cassette 410
38A, the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the tape feed roller 409 are in contact with each other, and the tape drive gear 43a and the tape feed sub-roller gear 66a mesh with each other to transmit the rotation, as shown in FIG. . Then, the double-sided adhesive tape 40 is fed by the tape feed sub roller 66 and the tape feed roller 409 in the tape cassette.
2 and the transparent tape 404 are pasted together. Since the laminate type cassette is not used for full-color printing or multi-color printing, the accuracy of the leading edge detection is not so required, and therefore the slack of the printing tape 222 between the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the platen roller 65 is allowed.

As described above, the tape feed sub-roller 66 contributes to the conveyance of the printing tape 404 only when using the laminate type cassette in which the transparent tape 404 and the double-sided adhesive tape are attached by using the tape feed sub-roller 66.

When a receptor type cassette is used for performing full-color printing or multi-color printing (it is necessary to accurately detect the leading end position of the printing tape 222) without the need to attach a double-sided adhesive tape or the like, The printing tape 222 is conveyed only by the platen roller 65,
It is possible to suppress the variation in the print start position due to the looseness of the tape between the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the platen roller 65 as described above, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of color misregistration during full-color printing or multi-color printing.

Next, the end detection (end detection) of the printing tape 222 by the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the second embodiment.
Will be described.

First, the detection of the tape front end when the receptor type cassette is used will be described. Since the printing tape 222 is formed of a material that does not allow the sensor light of the front end detection sensor 90 to pass therethrough, the sensor light as shown in FIG. The sensor mark 2 is made of a transparent material
When 22a is formed, the sensor mark 222a is read by the leading edge detection sensor 90 as the trailing edge of the print tape 222 passes through the leading edge detection sensor 90, and the trailing edge is detected.

As described above, the transmissive photo sensor (the tip detecting sensor 9) for detecting the tip of the print tape 222.
0), and by forming a portion that transmits the sensor light of the transmission photosensor that does not transmit the sensor light of the transmission photosensor, the transmission photosensor (tip detection sensor 90) prints. The end of the tape 222 can be detected. Therefore, the printing tape 2
There is an advantage that it is not necessary to form 22 with a material that transmits the sensor light of the ribbon sensor, and the selection range of the material of the printing tape 222 is widened accordingly.

Next, the tip detection in the case of a laminated type cassette will be described.

The double-sided adhesive tape 402 (opaque tape) and the transparent tape 404 are pasted together by the tape feed roller 409 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 and pass through the tip detection sensor 90. Various colors are usually printed on the double-sided adhesive tape 403, and the light of the light emitting / receiving element 92 is not transmitted. The double-sided adhesive tape 402 is set shorter than the transparent tape 404. Further, a sensor mark 404a indicating the end portion as shown in FIG. 39B is provided on the end portion of the transparent tape 404.

Further, as shown in FIG. 40, the outer peripheral surface of the tape spool 401 is formed with knurls in which axially extending concaves and convexes are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction so that the double-sided adhesive tape 402 can be easily peeled off. Double-sided adhesive tape 402
Is shorter than the transparent tape 404, the transparent tape 404
The double-sided adhesive tape 402 disappears earlier than before. Due to the knurling on the surface of the tape spool 401, the end of the double-sided adhesive tape 402 can be easily peeled off from the tape spool 401.

Even if the end of the double-sided adhesive tape 402 is peeled off from the tape spool 401, the tape feeding roller 409 and the tape feeding sub-roller 66 rotate as they are, so that the end portion of the double-sided adhesive tape 402 passes the front end detection sensor 90. After that, only the transparent tape 404 passes through the tip detection sensor 90. Therefore, if a sensor mark indicating the end portion is formed in a portion of the transparent tape 404 that is behind the end portion of the double-sided adhesive tape 402, The detection sensor 90 can detect the end portion.

As described above, the transparent tape (transparent tape 40
4) and an opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape 402) are attached to each other to form a printing tape, and the transparent tape is made longer than the opaque tape, and the transparent tape is transmitted to a predetermined position corresponding to a position behind the end of the opaque tape. By forming a mark composed of a portion that allows the sensor light of the type photosensor (tip detection sensor 90) to pass therethrough and a portion that does not pass the sensor light, the above-described transmissive photosensor (tip detection sensor 9) is formed.
0) can detect the end of the print tape. Further, by forming unevenness on the surface of the tape spool 401 for winding the opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape), the opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape) is easily peeled off from the tape spool.

Next, the print control in the case of using each of the laminate type cassette and the receptor type cassette will be described with reference to a flow chart.

First, the print control when the laminate type is used will be described. As in the first embodiment, preformat printing is possible in the second embodiment as well, but description thereof is omitted here. Also, as mentioned above,
When a laminate type cassette is used, monochromatic printing is performed with a monochromatic ink ribbon 406. Here, the transparent tape 404 and the double-sided adhesive tape 402 bonded together are simply referred to as the printing tape 400.

When the monochromatic printing control is started, as shown in FIG. 41, first, a subroutine called tape front end detection control is executed (S231). In the tape leading edge detection control subroutine shown in FIG. 42, the tape drive motor is fed forward by one pulse (S251), and it is determined whether or not the leading edge detection sensor 90 has detected the printing tape leading edge (S25).
2). Steps S251 and 252 are repeated until the leading end of the print tape 400 is detected, and if the leading end is detected (YES in S252), the print start origin position is determined. The printing start origin position is a portion (point S in FIG. 22) located at the heating element position of the thermal head 12 at the time when the front end of the printing tape is detected, and the actual printing is set from here. It is started after the tape is conveyed by the margin B1.

After the end of the tape leading edge detection control subroutine, monochromatic print data is expanded in the print buffer (S
235). Then, the printing tape 400 is printed for one dot and the tape is fed (S236), and it is determined whether or not the sensor mark is detected by the tip detection sensor 90 (S237). If the sensor mark is detected ( If YES in step S237), the tape end is determined, the tape is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5, the tape drive motor is stopped (S238), and the print control ends.

If the sensor mark is not detected (S2
If NO in S37, it is determined whether or not all printing of the print data is completed (NO in S240), and if not completed (S24).
(NO at 0), steps S236 to S240 are repeated. If the printing is completed (YES in S240), the printing tape 400 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S241), the tape cutting instruction is displayed (S242), and the printing control is ended.

This is the end of the monochrome printing control.

Next, the printing control of the receptor type cassette will be described.

When a receptor type cassette is used, multicolor printing and full color printing can be performed as in the first embodiment. Here, multicolor printing control will be described. The description of the preformat printing is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 43, when the multi-color printing control is started, the above-mentioned tape front end detection control subroutine (FIG. 42) is executed (S331). After the tape leading edge detection control subroutine is completed, the multi-color print data for the Nth color is expanded in the print buffer (S335). Next, printing of the Nth color is performed. That is, the printing tape 222 is printed for one dot, the tape is conveyed (S336), and it is determined whether or not the tip detection sensor 90 detects the sensor mark (S33).
7). When the leading edge detection sensor 90 detects the sensor mark (YES in S337), it is determined to be the tape end, the liquid crystal display 5 is displayed (S338), the tape feeding is stopped, and the print control is ended.

On the other hand, when the sensor mark is not detected by the ribbon sensor 70 (NO in S337), it is determined whether or not the ribbon sensor 70 detects the sensor mark (S340). When the ribbon sensor 70 detects the sensor mark (YES in S340), the ribbon end is determined and the liquid crystal display 5 displays (S34).
2) After stopping the tape feeding, the print control is ended.

In the second embodiment, the ribbon sensor 7
Since only the ink ribbon 232 passes 0, it is not necessary to discriminate between the tape end and the ribbon end as in the first embodiment. Further, in the case of multi-color printing, since the sensor mark for ink color identification is not detected, it is not necessary to identify the sensor mark type by the number of sensor marks.

Ribbon sensor 70 and tip detection sensor 90
If does not detect the sensor mark, it is determined whether the printing of the print data of the current print color is completed (S344). If not completed (NO in S344), step S33.
6 to S344 are repeated. If the printing of the print data of the current print color is completed (YES in S344), it is determined whether the current print color is the final print color (S346),
If it is the final print color (YES in S346), the tape is conveyed by a predetermined amount (rear margin amount B2 + the distance P between the print head and the cutter) (S348), and after tape cutting is displayed (S350), print control is performed. To finish.

If it is not the final print color (N in S346
O), the above-mentioned print tape rewinding control subroutine is executed (S352). After the print tape rewinding control subroutine is completed, the number of prints is counted by one (S
354), and displays on the liquid crystal display 5 to replace the ribbon cassette (S356). If it is determined that the ribbon cassette has been replaced (YES in S358), the process returns to step S331. After that, the same control is repeated until the printing of the final print color is completed.

Thus, the multicolor printing control is completed.

As described above, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 201 of the second embodiment, the tape end can be detected by the tip detecting sensor 90 regardless of whether the cassette is the receptor type or the laminate type. Therefore, the print tape 222 is attached to the ribbon sensor 70.
It is not necessary to use a material that allows the sensor light to pass through, and the range of material selection becomes wider. Also, in the case of a tape-shaped label producing device that only prints in single color,
Since it is not necessary to attach the ribbon sensor only for detecting the end of the tape, the number of parts and the cost can be reduced.

Next, the third embodiment will be described.

In the third embodiment, the printing amount of the printing tape for each color is set to an integral multiple of the feeding amount of one rotation of the platen roller, so that the printing position caused by the eccentricity of the platen roller is increased. It is a solution to the gap. Tape label producing device 201, tape cassette 2
The configurations of the ribbon cassette 230 and the ribbon cassette 230 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

Multi-color printing according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the preformat printing and the printing on the preformat tape are possible in the third embodiment, but the description thereof is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 44, when the multi-color printing control is started, the printing tape 222 is conveyed by one pulse in the positive direction to detect the leading end of the tape (S902).
It is determined whether the leading edge detection sensor 90 has detected the leading edge of the print tape 222 (S903). Then, a display prompting the cutting of the print tape 222 is made (S904). Then, it is determined whether the tape has been cut (S903),
If the tape is cut (YES in S903), the print tape 222 is conveyed in the forward direction by the amount corresponding to the distance between the cutter blade 84 and the predetermined origin position K (S90).
6).

The multi-color print data of the Nth color is expanded in the print buffer (S907). Then, for the input text, the idle feed amount is calculated and set according to the length of the print length F1 (S908). The jump feed amount is determined by printing (including margins) and jump feed.
Is set to rotate exactly an integer. For example, when the print length F1 is smaller than the carry amount G of the platen roller 65, that is, when G> F1, the idle feed amount after printing is (G-F1). Further, the idle feed amount when G <F1 <2G is (2G-F1). Also, 2G <F1 <3G
At that time, the idle feed amount is (3G-F1). Thereafter, the idle feed amount is similarly set according to the print length.

Then, tape feeding, printing, and idling for the front margin (B1 in FIG. 22) are performed (S909). next,
Liquid crystal display 5 is a display prompting you to replace the ribbon cassette.
Is displayed (S910), and when it is detected that the ribbon cassette has been replaced, the roller holder 67 is moved to the release position (S912), and the print tape 222 is rewound (S913). When the front end of the print tape 222 is detected by rewinding the print tape 222 (S914
If YES, the print tape 222 is continuously rewound for V pulses and stopped (S915). This V pulse is for detecting the tip of the tape in a stable state. By rewinding only the V pulse, the origin position K
Located in.

Subsequently, the roller holder is pressed into contact (S91
6) It is determined whether the current print color is the final print color (S9
17) If it is not the final print color (NO in S917), one print color is counted (S918), and step S907
Return to Printing for the second and subsequent colors is performed in the same operation as described above (steps S907 to S918), and when printing of the final print color is completed (YES in S907), a predetermined amount (rear margin amount B2 + distance between print head and cutter). The print tape 222 is conveyed by the amount of P (S919), and the tape cut is displayed (S920). When the tape is cut (S921
YES), the roller holder is released (S92
2), the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette are ready to be taken out, and the process ends.

Thus, the multicolor printing control is completed.

In this way, the platen roller 65 is
For each print color, the print tape 222 faces the same position every time. That is, when looking at one place on the print tape 222, the same position of the platen roller 65 faces the corresponding place on the print tape 222 when printing any print color. In other words, the printing tape 222 is transported at the same transportation speed when printing the portion on the printing tape 222 in any color. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deviation of the print position due to the different transport speed for each color.

As described above, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 201 of the third embodiment, the conveyance amount of the printing tape 222 by the platen roller 65 in one printing process is the printing tape by one rotation of the platen roller 65. Since the platen roller 65 comes into contact with the print tape 222 at substantially the same position for each print color by setting the transport amount of 222 to be an integral multiple, even if the platen roller 65 has eccentricity, It is possible to prevent the print position from being displaced.

The following processing can be considered as another example of the print control shown in FIG. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the operation performed before the printing of the first color is
This is different from the operation performed before printing for the colors and after. That is, the printing tape is conveyed in the forward direction before printing the first color (step 906), and the printing tape is rewound before printing the second color or later (step 915). Therefore, there is a possibility that the contact positions of the platen rollers 65 for the first color and the second color and thereafter may be slightly different.

In order to improve the above points, the printing control shown in FIGS. 45 and 46 is such that the printing tape is rewound before printing the first color as in the second and subsequent colors. It is a configuration example.

First, the roller holder 67 is pressed (S10
00), it is determined whether or not the printing tape 222 is detected by the tip detection sensor 90 in this state (S100).
1). If the tip of the printing tape 222 is not detected (S
(NO in 1001), the print tape 222 is conveyed in the forward direction (S1004), the leading edge of the print tape is detected again (S1005), and steps 1004, S
The processing of 1005 is repeated. Then, step S100
When the leading end of the print tape 222 is detected in 5 (YES in S1005), the process proceeds to S1006.

On the other hand, in step S1001, when the front end of the print tape 222 is detected (YES in S1001), a display prompting the tape cut is displayed (S100).
2) Then, it is determined whether or not the cutting of the print tape is detected (S1003). The processes of steps S1002 and S1003 are repeated until the print tape 222 is cut, and when the cut is detected (YES in S1003),
It proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1006, the print tape 222 is fed by W pulses in the positive direction and then stopped, and the roller holder 67 is released (S100).
7). This W pulse is the number of pulses required for slewing up and down the step motor when stopping or activating the printing tape. After the conveyance of the print tape 222 is stopped, the print tape 222 is rewound (S1008), and it is determined whether the front end of the print tape 222 is detected by the front end detection sensor 90 (S10).
09), the processing of S1008 and S1009 is repeated until it is detected. When the front end of the print tape 222 is detected (YES in S1009), the print tape 222 is rewound by V pulses (S1010), and the roller holder 67 is rewound.
Is pressed (S1011).

The subsequent steps are step S9 in FIG.
It is performed in the same manner as 07 and after. That is, as shown in FIG. 46, the multi-color print data of the Nth color is expanded in the print buffer (S1012), and the idle feed amount is calculated and set (S1013). Then, tape conveyance, printing, and idling for the front margin (B1 in FIG. 22) are performed (S1014).
Next, a message prompting replacement of the ribbon cassette is displayed (S10
15) When the replacement of the ribbon cassette is detected (S10)
16), the roller holder 67 is released (S
1017). Then, the print tape 222 is rewound (S1018), and the front end detection sensor 90 causes the print tape 2 to move.
It is determined whether or not the tip of 22 is detected (S101).
9). When the tip of the print tape 222 is detected (S10
If YES in 19, the printing tape 222 is rewound by the amount corresponding to the V pulse and stopped (S1020). Then, the roller holder 67 is pressed (S1021), and it is determined whether the current print color is the final print color (S1022). If it is not the final print color (NO in S1022), one print color is counted. (S1023), the process returns to step S1012.

Then, steps S1012 to S1023.
When the printing of the second and subsequent colors is repeated and the printing of the final print color is completed (YES in S1022), the print tape 222 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (rear margin amount B2 + the distance P between the print head and the cutter) (S1024). , The tape cut is displayed (S1025). When the tape is cut (S
(YES in 1026), the roller holder 67 is released (S1027), and the print control is finished.

As described above, according to the print control shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the operation performed before printing the first color (step S1010) and the operation performed before printing the second and subsequent colors (step S1010). Since the rewinding operation is the same as step S1020), the contact position between the printing tape and the platen roller during printing always coincides. Therefore,
It is more effective for preventing the print position deviation.

As described above, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the printing color setting means (keyboard 4, CPU, R) for setting the printing color of the text.
OM) and a first print color storage means (text memory 121) for storing the set print color itself as data.
And a second print color storage means (text memory 12) for separating the print color set by the print color storage means into a plurality of predetermined colors and storing the data as combination data of the plurality of colors.
1) is provided. Therefore, the ribbons can be exchanged and printed according to the set color, and a plurality of colors can be overlaid and printed based on the color separation data.

The printing color setting means (keyboard 4, C
The PU and the ROM are for associating an arbitrary range of text with a print color, so that a desired print color can be set for the arbitrary range of text. Also,
Since the plurality of colors are the three primary colors of yellow, cyan, and magenta, it is possible to easily combine color images. Further, since a combination data storage unit (CPU, ROM) for storing the print color set by the print color setting means and the combination data of the three primary colors in association with each other is provided, the print color setting means When the color separation of the print color set by the above is performed, the color separation is automatically performed by simply setting the print color and referring to the predetermined correspondence table, so a complicated algorithm is not required. It is possible to quickly generate data separated into three primary colors.

Further, since the ink ribbons 32 of a plurality of colors corresponding to the printing colors set by the printing color setting means are exchanged for use, the ink ribbons 32 can be used efficiently. In addition, the ink ribbons 32 of the above-described plurality of colors
Are stored in the cassettes 30, respectively, and the printing means has a cassette mounting portion (ribbon cassette storage portion 21f) to which the ribbon cassette 30 is detachably mounted. Therefore, the ink ribbon can be replaced only by replacing the cassette 30. The operability of the label producing apparatus is improved.

Furthermore, since the above-described ribbons of a plurality of colors are arranged in different regions of the same ink ribbon 32 in a predetermined order, it is not necessary to replace the ink ribbon 32 for color printing.

Further, the feeding means (platen roller 65, tape winding cam 41, tape feeding motor 44) for feeding the tape, and the printing means (thermal head 12) printing while feeding the print tape 22 in the first direction. Tape 2
2 has a control means (CPU) for performing printing, and the control means further controls the transfer tape to move the print tape 22 to the first position.
Of the print tape 22 by causing the print tape 22 to be printed by the printing means while the print tape 22 is conveyed again in the first direction without being printed and the print tape 22 is conveyed again in the first direction. Printing is performed a plurality of times in the same area. Therefore, printing can be performed a plurality of times in the same area of the print tape. Further, the above-mentioned printing means outputs information about the color of the ink ribbon 32 to be replaced,
It has display control means for displaying on the display means when the ink ribbon 32 is replaced. Therefore, the user can replace the ink ribbon according to the display.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention prints the positioning mark on the printing tape 22 in the preliminary printing (preformat printing),
In the main printing (printing on the preformat tape), the positioning mark is detected and then the printing is controlled based on the detected positioning mark. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily perform printing at an accurate position with respect to the format printed in advance.

The above-mentioned positioning mark is printed on the printing tape 22 in a color that does not reflect the sensor light of the reflection type photo sensor (reflection type sensor by the light emitting / receiving element 92 of the front end detection sensor 90) (the printing tape itself is reflected). ), Since it is detected by the reflective photosensor, confusion with the sensor mark of the ink ribbon 32 or the like (detected by the transmissive photosensor) is prevented.

Preliminary printing (preformat printing)
Then, a predetermined pattern is repeatedly printed on the printing tape 22, and in the main printing (printing on the preformatted tape), the printing is performed in accordance with the predetermined pattern. On the other hand, the name etc. can be printed at the correct position. Further, since the positioning mark is printed between the above-mentioned predetermined patterns, it is possible to always print at an appropriate position for each pattern.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the tape cassette 20 has guide portions (guide shafts 21a and 21b) and positioning portions (positioning shafts 21d and 2d).
1e), the guided portion (guide rails 31a, 31b) and the positioned portion (positioning rails 31d, 31e) are provided on the ribbon cassette 30, and the guided portion is guided by the guiding portion when the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted. The positioning section is configured to be positioned and guided and positioned by the positioning section when the mounting is completed. Therefore, the length of each member (shaft, rail) can be made small, and the effect of facilitating the molding can be obtained. In addition, particularly in the case of a wide tape, there is an advantage that the mounting becomes easy.

The guide portions (guide shafts 21a, 21b) and the positioning portions (positioning shafts 21d, 21e) are shaft members extending in the mounting direction of the ink ribbon cassette 30,
Guided part and positioned part (guide rails 31a, 31
b, the positioning rails 31d, 31e) are groove portions into which the shaft members are fitted, respectively, so that an effect that each member can be formed in a small space can be obtained.

Further, the guided portion (guide rails 31a, 31
b) and the groove portions of the positioned portions (guide rails 31d, 31e) are formed so that the width becomes narrower in the ribbon cassette mounting direction, so that the ribbon cassette 30 can be mounted while maintaining the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cassette 30. The resistance due to the sliding between the groove portion and the shaft portion can be reduced, and the mounting becomes easy. Further, since the guide portion is supported by the supporting member that is thinner than the guide portion, the guided portion is released from the guide portion when the positioned portion is positioned by the positioning portion. That is, the resistance at the time of mounting is further reduced, and the mounting becomes easier.

The tape label producing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a transmissive photosensor (tip detecting sensor 90) for detecting the tip of the printing tape 222, and detects the sensor light of the transmissive photosensor. It is characterized in that a portion (222a, 404a) for transmitting the sensor light is formed at the terminal end portion of the printing tape 222 which does not pass through. Therefore, the transmissive photosensor can detect the end of the print tape 222. That is,
The print tape 222 does not need to be formed of a material that transmits the sensor light of the ribbon sensor 70.
It is possible to obtain the effect that the material selection range of 22 becomes wider accordingly.

The above-mentioned printing tape is constituted by laminating a transparent tape 404 and an opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape 402) on each other. The transparent tape 404 is formed longer than the opaque tape, and the opaque tape ends at the transparent tape 404. Since the mark (404a) including a portion corresponding to the rear of the portion and a portion that does not transmit the light is formed, the transmission photosensor can detect the end of the print tape 222.

Since the surface of the tape spool 401 around which the above opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape 402) is wound is formed with irregularities, the opaque tape (double-sided adhesive tape 40) is removed from the tape spool 401.
2) is easily peeled off, so the above-mentioned transparent tape 404
The mark can reliably pass through the above-mentioned transmissive photosensor (tip detection sensor 90).

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the transport amount of the printing tape 222 by the platen roller 65 in one printing process is equal to the transport amount of the printing tape 222 by one rotation of the platen roller 65. It is configured to be an integral multiple of. Therefore, the platen roller 65 comes into contact with the printing tape 222 at the substantially same position every time printing is performed.
Even if there is eccentricity, the effect of preventing the deviation of the printing position can be obtained.

The platen roller 65 is controlled so as to rotate based on the position of the platen roller 65 when the front end of the printing tape passes a predetermined position. Therefore, the reference position can be accurately set based on the leading edge detection sensor 90 that detects the leading edge of the print tape 222.
Further, since the platen roller 65 is controlled so as to perform the idle feeding by the amount corresponding to the difference between the print length and the conveyance amount of the print tape 222 by one rotation of the platen roller 65, the print tape 222 by the platen roller 65 is controlled. It is possible to reliably obtain the above-mentioned carry amount. In addition, the platen roller 65
By setting the reference position for rotation of the print tape 222 to a position where the print tape 222 has moved by a predetermined amount from the position where the front end detection sensor 90 has detected the front end of the print tape 65,
Passes through the tip detection sensor 90 at a stable speed. Therefore, when the leading edge detection sensor 90 next detects the leading edge of the printing tape, the printing tape reaches the stable speed and then passes through the leading edge detection sensor 90, so that the detection accuracy becomes constant.

[0240]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the multicolor printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the calculation means performs a predetermined calculation based on the detection result from the detection means, Since the discrimination unit discriminates the ink color based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, the discrimination unit can be simplified as compared with the case where the ink color is directly detected from the discrimination unit, and thus the printable area of the ink ribbon It can be increased and the running cost of the ink ribbon used can be reduced.

According to another aspect of the multi-color printing apparatus, the identifying portion is represented by a combination of a plurality of marks, at least one mark is common regardless of ink color, and the others are ink. It is uniquely set for each color, and the detection unit detects the presence of the identification unit,
Detects predetermined information from the marks that make up the identification part,
Since the calculation means is configured to perform a predetermined calculation based on the information detected by the detection means, by making each mark a shape that can be formed in a narrow space,
The area of the identification portion itself can be reduced, and the printable area of the ink ribbon can be increased.

According to another aspect of the multi-color printer, the mark is two lines extending in the width direction of the ink ribbon, and one line has a constant width regardless of the ink color. And the width of the other line is uniquely set for each ink color, the detection means detects the presence of a mark and also detects the width of each line, and the calculation means detects the detection means. Based on the result, the width ratio between the first line and the second line is calculated, and the determining means determines the width ratio between the first line and the second line calculated by the calculating means. Since it is configured to discriminate the ink color, the discriminating unit can be greatly simplified, and the area of the discriminating unit itself can be reduced, and the computing unit can detect 1 detected by the detecting unit.
The ink color can be discriminated by a simple calculation process of obtaining a width ratio between the second line and the second line. further,
Since the identification portion is formed by a line extending in the width direction of the ink ribbon, the identification portion can be reliably detected even if the ink ribbon is slightly misaligned with respect to the detection means.

According to another aspect of the multicolor printer, the detecting means is a transmissive photosensor, and the ink ribbon transmits the sensor light of the transmissive photosensor to the ink ribbon. Since the formed identification portion is formed by the portion of the transmissive photosensor that does not transmit the sensor light, the identification portion can be reliably detected.

According to the multicolor printer of the fifth aspect, the ink colors of the plurality of colors applied to the ink ribbon are composed of the three primary colors of yellow, cyan, and magenta, so that it can be easily performed. Color images can be combined.

According to another aspect of the multicolor printer, the printing means prints the text on the tape which is the printing medium through the ink ribbon, and at that time, the printing control means determines the discrimination. Based on the ink color determined by the means, develop the print data to be printed in that ink color,
Control to print. Since the identification portion provided on the ink ribbon is simpler than the conventional one, the printable area of the ink ribbon becomes longer, the running cost of the ink ribbon can be reduced, and the printing amount on the tape can be reduced. It leads to increase.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cassette housing portion of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus in which a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette are mounted.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cassette housing portion of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus in which a tape cassette is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a positional relationship between a guide shaft and a positioning shaft of the tape cassette and a guide rail and a positioning rail of the ribbon cassette.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a tape / ribbon separation type cassette.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a drive system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a drive system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a gear train around the ribbon winding cam.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a platen roller and a drive unit thereof.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a tape feeding sub roller.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a gear.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a tape feed roller.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a tape feed roller.

FIG. 16 is a ribbon cassette determination table.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the end portion of the ink ribbon.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the end portion of the print tape.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a sensor mark of a ribbon ribbon.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape label producing apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a print color correspondence table.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of printing on a tape-shaped label.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing multi-color data.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing full-color data.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing print start control.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing multicolor printing control.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a tape leading edge detection control subroutine.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a tape / ribbon end detection control subroutine.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a print tape rewinding control subroutine.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing an example of a preformatted tape.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing a pre-format setting control subroutine.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing full-color printing control.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a ribbon color detection control subroutine.

FIG. 34 is a plan view showing a cassette housing portion of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus in which a laminate type tape cassette is mounted.

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus in which a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette are mounted.

FIG. 36 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus with only the tape cassette attached.

FIG. 37 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the platen roller and its drive unit.

FIG. 38 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the tape feed sub-roller and its drive section when a receptor type and a laminate type tape cassette is mounted.

FIG. 39 is a schematic view showing an example of the end portions of the printing tape and the ink ribbon.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a tape spool of a double-sided adhesive tape.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing single-color printing control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a tape leading edge detection control subroutine.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing multicolor printing control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing multicolor printing control according to the third embodiment.

45 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the flowchart shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the flowchart shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a schematic view showing a sensor mark of a conventional damper ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 tape-shaped label producing device 4 keyboard part 5 cassette accommodating part 9 display part 11 main body base 12 thermal head 20 tape cassette 21a, 21b guide shafts 21c, 21d positioning shaft 21f ribbon cassette accommodating part 22 printing tape 24 tape feed roller 30 ribbon cassette 31a, 31b Guide rails 31c, 31d Positioning rails 32 Ink ribbon 42 Ribbon take-up cam 43 Tape feed cam 44 Tape feed motor 65 Platen roller 66 Tape feed sub roller 67 Roller holder 70 Ribbon sensor 84 Cutter 90 Tip detection sensor 92 Light emitting / light receiving element 103 ribbon detection switch group 221a rib 222 printing tape 222a sensor mark 401 tape spool 402 double-sided adhesive tape 404 transparent tape 404 Sensor mark 410 (laminate type) cassette 501,504,507 sensor mark

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A multicolor system comprising a printing means for printing given characters, symbols, etc. on a printing medium, and an ink ribbon for printing a plurality of colors on the printing medium by thermal transfer by the printing means. In the printing apparatus, the ink ribbon is sequentially coated with a plurality of colors of ink, and is provided at a boundary portion of each color of the ink ribbon, and an identification unit for identifying the applied ink color and an identification unit are provided. A detection unit that detects the color of the ink; a calculation unit that performs a predetermined calculation based on the detection result from the detection unit; and a determination unit that determines the ink color based on the calculation result of the calculation unit. Multicolor printing device. 2. The identification unit is represented by a combination of a plurality of marks, at least one mark is common regardless of ink color, and other than that is uniquely set for each ink color, Is characterized by detecting the presence of the identifying portion and detecting predetermined information from a mark forming the identifying portion, and the calculating means performs a predetermined calculation based on the information detected by the detecting means. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The mark is two lines extending in the width direction of the ink ribbon, the width of one line is set to a constant width regardless of the ink color, and the width of the other line is set for each ink color. The detection unit detects the presence of a mark and the width of each line, and the calculation unit detects the first line and the second line based on the detection result of the detection unit. 2. The ink color is discriminated based on the ratio of the widths of the first line and the second line calculated by the calculating means, by calculating a width ratio of the ink lines. Alternatively, the multicolor printing device described in 2. 4. The detection means is a transmissive photosensor, the ink ribbon transmits sensor light of the transmissive photosensor, and the identification portion formed on the ink ribbon includes:
4. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1, which is a portion that does not transmit sensor light of a transmissive photosensor. 5. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink colors of the plurality of colors applied to the ink ribbon are three primary colors of yellow, cyan, and magenta. . 6. An input means for inputting text comprising characters and symbols, a storage means for storing the text input by the input means, and a display means for displaying the text, wherein the printing means is provided. A print head for printing text on a tape which is a print medium via the ink ribbon, and based on the ink color discriminated by the discriminating means, develops and prints print data to be printed in the ink color. 6. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing control unit that controls as described above.