JPH0971010A - Device for making tape-shaped label - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily reset each printing color data set at multicolor printing to the same color by providing a printing cod-or setting means for setting printing color on the data of inputted text and a printing color initializing means for resetting set printing color to the same color. SOLUTION: In the processing for setting character string to be printed, text data are displayed on a display 5 and four cursor moving keys on the right end of a key board 4 are operated to indicate characters and symbols using a cursor with respect to each printing color other than final printing color, and the cursor moving key and a color fixing key are operated so that data are stored in a text memory 121 in the order of setting together with the indicated characters and character data. On the other hand, if a clear key is operated to initialize printing color, all the inputted printing colors are set to first color and hence all characters are printed in the color of a ribbon cassette to be mounted, that is, printing is effected in the same color.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, and more particularly, when printing a plurality of colors, when setting characters or symbols to be printed for each printing color, all of them are set to one color. Regarding

[0002]

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

By the way, the tape-shaped label created by printing characters is not limited to the spine of a file, and for example,
It is also suitable for being attached to a cassette tape or its cassette tape case, or even a video tape or its video tape case, and it is conceivable that the print character string is printed colorfully according to the recorded contents or genres. Therefore,
The inventors of the present application set the ribbon color of the ink ribbon to "black".
Not only that, we prepare multiple types of ribbon cassettes that have multiple colors such as "red", "green", and "blue" ... as a separate component from the tape cassette. It is configured to be detachable, and the print colors used for multicolor printing are set sequentially in the printing order, while the print target range is set for each input color that prints with the set multiple colors for the input text. By executing the range setting process for each color and sequentially replacing the ribbon cassette having the same ribbon color as the set print color,
I came up with the idea of printing multicolored input text in multiple colors.

[0004]

By the way, after setting the print target range for each print color in order to print in a plurality of colors,
If you want to print the entered text in the same color, delete the entered text and enter the text with the same content again, or use the same printing color for each print target range that has been set. Either must be reset. However, each operation is complicated and is a troublesome operation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and data of each printing color set for multicolor printing can be reset to the same color by a simple operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus that can be used.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention has an input means for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, and an input text. Data storage means for storing data,
A tape-shaped label producing apparatus comprising: a display unit including a display; and a printing unit including a print head for printing on a print medium and having a plurality of detachable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing in a plurality of printing colors. A print color setting means for setting a print color for the input text data, and a print color initialization means for resetting the print color set by the print color setting means to the same color. is there.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus thus constructed, the setting means sets the printing color for the text data inputted. On the other hand, the print color initialization means resets the print color set by the print color setting means to the same color.

Further, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect has the same configuration as the tape-like label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, but the printing color setting means sets each data of the inputted text. The print color initialization means is configured to change all the data generated by the print color setting means into data of the same color.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus constructed as described above, the print color setting means, when setting the print color, generates data relating to the print color set for each data of the input text. On the other hand, the print color initialization means changes all the data generated by the print color setting means to data of the same position color when resetting.

Further, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 3 has the same configuration as the tape-like label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, but the printing color setting means prints in a plurality of colors. Set the order of printing colors for
Sequence data is generated for each data of the input text, and the print color initialization unit is configured to set all the data generated by the print color setting unit to the first.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus constructed as described above, the print color setting means sets the order of print colors for printing in a plurality of colors when setting the print colors.
On the other hand, the print color initialization means sets all the data generated by the print color setting means to the first when resetting.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a large number of characters such as characters and symbols are printed on a printing tape, which is a printing medium, by replacing a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors with each other. This is a case where the invention is applied.

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

Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the tape cassette 20 detachably attached to the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described with reference to FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

On the other hand, the tape case 21 has a ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f for accommodating the ribbon cassette 30.
(See FIG. 7), and the lid member 3 of the ribbon case 31 is formed.
On the upper surfaces of the upper wall 1a and the upper wall 31a, knob pieces 31f, 3
When printing, first, the tape case 21 is mounted in a mounting recess (not shown) provided in the main body cover 2 and then the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of a desired print color is printed. To tape case 21
Can be mounted in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f. At this time, first, a pair of knob pieces 31 is used with two fingers.
f, 31g and a pair of engaging legs 31b, 3
The ribbon cassette 30 is moved downward and housed in the ribbon cassette housing portion 21f while the 1c is fitted onto the corresponding guide shafts 21a and 21b through the through holes, respectively. At this time, the upper wall 31a of the ribbon case 31 overlaps with the upper surface of the tape cassette 20, and the lower end of the ribbon cassette 30 is connected to a pair of lower end walls 21c of the tape case 21.
The ribbon cassette 30 is held at a predetermined position with respect to the tape case 21 by abutting on the upper side of the tape cassette 21d.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By the way, a roller holder 67 for rotatably supporting the rubber platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 68 erected on the main body frame 11, and the cassette. The release lever 71 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 3, and the position is switched between the print position shown in FIG. 9 and the release position shown in FIG. Here, the roller holder 67
Is always elastically biased to the release position by a winding spring (not shown). That is, the roller 72 pivotally attached to the release lever 71 comes into contact with the standing wall 11a of the main body frame 11, and one end of the release lever 71 is
When the release lever 71 has moved leftward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 to the operating position shown in FIG. 9, the left end of the release lever 71 is in contact with the roller holder 67 and the upright wall 11a. The roller holder 67 is switched from the release position to the printing position. At this time, the platen roller 65 is connected to the thermal head 1 via the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32.
2 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 presses the tape feed roller 24 via the print tape 22.

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

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

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

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the cassette cover 3 is closed, that is, the roller holder 67 is shown in FIG.
When the cassette cover 3 is opened at the printing position shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the movement of the groove cam 3b causes the engagement pin 75 engaging with the groove cam 3b to move rearward. The plate 74 moves backward, and the forked lever 7
The roller holder 67 is switched to the release position in response to the rotation of the release lever 71 to the right in the counterclockwise rotation direction of the release lever 6. At this time, when the operation plate 74 moves backward, the cover opening / closing detection switch 102 outputs an “H” level cover opening / closing signal VS. When the cassette cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 13, that is, when the roller holder 67 is at the release position shown in FIG. 11, and when the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 3b, the engagement pin 75 moves forward, the operating plate 74 moves forward, the forked lever 76 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11, and the release lever 71 moves leftward. , The roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, that is, the non-release state.

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction at the end of printing, as shown in FIG. 15, the gear 53 is rotated slightly in the clockwise direction to cause the cut prohibiting lever 84 to move. When the tip end comes off from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation,
As shown in FIG. 14, when the cutting knob 85 at the tip of the cutting lever 82 is pressed downward, the movable blade 8
2a rotates to the cutting position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the printing tape 22 located between the fixed blade 81 and the movable blade 82a is cut by the cooperation of these two blades 81 and 82a. At this time, the cutting detection switch 101 attached to the main body frame 11 is operated by the operating member 86 attached to the cutting lever 82 to output the cutting detection signal CS. Then, when the pressing operation of the cutting lever 82 is stopped, the cutting lever 82 returns to the original predetermined position shown by the solid line by the urging force of a spring (not shown).

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

Guide members 94 and 95 are integrally formed on the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 in order to form a pair of sensor accommodating chambers 96 and 97 in an airtight manner. A light emitting element 92 is attached to the chamber 96, and a light receiving element 93 is attached to the other sensor housing chamber 97. A slit 98 through which the printing tape 22 can pass is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95, and a small-diameter light passage hole is formed in a portion of the pair of guide members 94 and 95 opposite to each other. 94a and 95a are formed, and inclined guide portions 99 are respectively formed, and the leading end of the print tape 22 that has passed through the tape cutting mechanism 80 is guided by the guide portions 99, so that the print tape 22 passes through the slit 98 reliably. And can be detected.

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

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

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

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

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

In the ROM 112, the display controller 104 is made to correspond to the code data of characters such as characters, symbols and numbers input from the keyboard 4.
Drive control program for controlling the display, text memory 1
A print control program for creating dot pattern data to be printed with respect to characters and symbols stored in
With respect to the created dot pattern data, a print drive control program for sequentially outputting dot pattern data for each dot row to the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 for printing, a control program for multicolor printing control described later, which is unique to the present application, etc. Is stored. In addition, in the ROM 112,
Based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches,
A ribbon cassette detection table for detecting the ribbon color and ribbon width of the ink ribbon 32 is stored.

Text memory 121 of the RAM 120
Stores text data consisting of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 in association with the set print color data. The color number memory 122 stores color number data of the set print color. Printing color order memory 1
23 stores the data of the color order of the set print colors. The margin memory 124 stores margin data relating to the same set front margin and rear margin.
The print data buffer 125 has the text memory 1
The dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in 21 is expanded and stored. Further, the RAM 12
In 0, a memory or the like for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110 is provided.

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

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

When the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is powered on, first, the thermal printing mechanism 10 and the controller CD
Is performed (S10). Then, since a text input screen is displayed on the display 5, after setting a print format, an input process for inputting text data and a display process for displaying the input text are executed, and the input text is displayed. The data is stored in the text memory 121 (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the input text data “Akamidori
Is stored in the text memory 121.

Next, the print color order setting process is executed (S12).

When this control is started, a message "What is the number of print colors?" Is displayed on the display 5, so the color number setting process for setting the color number N by operating the numeric keys is executed. The calculated color number N is stored in the color number memory 122.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print target range setting processing control for each color (see FIG. 18) is executed (S).
13).

When this control is started, first, the count value I of the color number counter is set to "1" (S33), and when this color number count value I does not match the color number N, that is, the final print color. If the target character string is not set (S34:
No), the print target character string setting process is performed in which each character or symbol to be printed at the I-th position is designated by the cursor and set (S35).

That is, in this print target character string setting process, since the text data is displayed on the display 5, the four cursor movement keys arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4 are operated to obtain a color other than the final print color. For each print color, specify the character or symbol to be printed with the cursor by operating the cursor movement keys, operate the color confirmation key each time, and press the confirmation key at the end of setting the character string to be printed. Operated. By this operation of the confirm key, the set sequence data is stored in the text memory 121 in association with the character data of the character designated by the operation of the cursor movement key and the color confirm key.

Then, the color number count value I is incremented by 1 (S36), and S34 to S36 are repeatedly executed until the count value I matches the color number N. Then, when the setting of the character string to be printed is completed for each printing color other than the final printing color (S34: Yes), the remaining text data of the final printing color excluding the already set characters and symbols. A character string setting process for setting the character is executed (S37).

This character string setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 19. First, the character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the beginning (S371).
), It is determined whether or not the sequence data is attached (S372). If the read character data is accompanied by sequence data (S372: Yes) and the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374) and the S372 is executed. The process of is executed again. On the other hand, if the read character data is not accompanied by the sequence data (S372: No), the sequence data corresponding to the final print color is stored together with the character data (S375). The process of S373 is executed. The above processes are repeatedly executed until the last character data stored in the text memory 121, and when it is determined in S373 that the character data is the last character data (S373:
Yes), and returns to S38 of FIG.

For example, when the character data "Akamidorikuro" is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors is set to 3, in the print target character string setting process of S35,
First, for the first color, the character string “red” is set by operating the cursor key and the color confirmation key, and the character data “a” in the text memory 121 is set as shown in FIG.
When the sequence data “00” is stored in association with each “ka” and then the character string “midori” is set for the second color, the character data “mid” “do” in the text memory 121 is set.
The sequence data “01” is stored in association with each “ri”.

Here, when the setting of the second color is completed, the color number count value I becomes "3", so in the character string setting process of S37, the character data is sequentially read from the beginning of the text memory 121, The final third color is automatically set for the character string "black" for which the print color of the text data is not set, and the character data "ku" and "ro" of the text memory 121 is set.
The sequence data “02” is stored in association with the.

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

In the multicolor printing control, when the clear key is operated (S14 / S22: Yes), the printing color initialization process (see FIG. 20) is executed (S23).

The print initialization process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 20. First, the character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the beginning (S301),
The sequence data is cleared, that is, changed to "00" (S30
2). If the character data is not the last character data (S303: No), the next data is read (S304) and the process of S302 is executed again. The above processes are repeatedly executed up to the last character data stored in the text memory 121, and when it is determined in S303 that the character data is the last character data (S303: Yes), the number of colors N is set to "1". It is set (S305) and returns to S15 of FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 27A, the sequence data "00" for the character data "Aka", the sequence data "01" for the character data "Midori", and the character data "Black". When the clear key is operated while the sequence data “02” is set for each of FIG.
As shown in, all the sequence data are changed to "00".

In the multicolor printing control, when the print key is operated (S15: Yes), the print start processing control (see FIG. 21) is executed (S16).

When this control is started, first, "00" is set as the leading print color C (S42), a message for mounting the ribbon cassette 30 of the first color is displayed (S43), and the return key is pressed. Is operated (S44:
Yes), the character string in which the same order data as the first print color C is stored together is read from the text memory 121, and the dot pattern data of the character string is further developed in the print data buffer 125 (S45). Next, when the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, the tape detection signal TS is at the “L” level, and the print tape 22 is positioned corresponding to the tape detection sensor 91 (S46: Yes). ), A message prompting the cutting of the print tape is displayed on the display 5 (S47).

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

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

Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the number of colors N is not "1", that is, when the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), the set color printing processing control for printing with each set printing color (Fig. 22) is executed (S18).

When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 28B, first, the tape drive motor 44 is moved forward to transfer the print tape 22 by the front margin amount L corresponding to the set margin amount L. It is rotationally driven (S60). Next, when the printing start position of the character to be printed in the current printing color is located on the upstream side in the feed direction T from the printing start reference origin position of the label printing, that is, for example, as shown in FIG. When the idle feed amount is present (S61: Yes), as in the case where the character "green" is printed in the "green" print color, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward and the print tape 22 is rotated.
Is transported in the feed direction T by the idle feed amount (S62).
However, when there is no idle feed amount (S6: No),
It skips S62 and moves to S63. Then, the dot pattern data developed in the print data buffer 125 is read, and a printing process for printing by driving the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 is executed (S6).
3) After ending this control, the process returns to S19 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print tape rewinding process control (see 23) is executed (S19).

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

Next, in order to replace the ribbon cassette 30 with the ink ribbon 32 having the same ribbon color as the next print color, a message prompting the removal of the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5 (S71). When the cassette cover 3 is first opened, the operation plate 74 moves rearward, and the cover open / close detection switch 102 outputs the cover open / close signal VS at the “H” level (S72: Yes).
Further, as the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103, all of the six detection switch signals become "H" level signals, and when the ribbon cassette 30 is removed (S73: Yes), the ribbon cassette 30 is not mounted. Is displayed on the display 5 (S74).

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

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the printing start position alignment processing control (see FIG. 24) is executed (S20).

When this control is started, an error message prompting the mounting of the next ribbon cassette 30 is first displayed on the display 5 (S80). Then, as the ribbon detection signal RS, all of the six switch signals are not "H" level signals, and the ribbon cassette 30 is loaded (S81: Ye
s), when the return key is operated (S82: Ye
s), the print color C is incremented by 1 (S83: Ye
s), the character string in which the data of the next print color C is stored together is read from the text memory 121, and the dot pattern data of the character string is further printed in the print data buffer 125.
Is expanded to (S85). Next, when the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: No), a message to close the cassette cover 3 is displayed on the display 5 (S89). Then, when the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is normally rotated by one step until the tip of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91 (S87 / S88: No). , The tape detection signal TS becomes "L" level, and the printing tape 2
When the tip of 2 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91,
The print start reference origin position on the print tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88: Yes).
), And terminates this control, and returns to S21 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, in multicolor printing control, the number of colors N is 1
When the number of colors N is not "1" and the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), S18 to S21 are repeatedly executed. Then, when the number N of colors becomes "1" and the last printing is performed (S17: Yes), the final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 25) is executed (S17).
twenty two).

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

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

Next, when the print start position of the print with the final print color this time is on the upstream side in the feed direction T from the print start reference origin position of the label print, and the idle feed amount exists (S
96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward,
The print tape 22 is transported in the transport direction T by the amount of the idle transport (S97). Next, characters and symbols are printed in the final print color based on the read dot image in the same manner as in S63 (S98). Next, in order to provide the rear margin amount L on the rear side of the print character string, the printing tape 22 is fed by a value obtained by adding the rear margin amount L to the printing / cutting distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44. Transported in the direction T (S9
9) Then, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from below the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, the printing tape 22 is turned off. A message prompting the disconnection of is displayed on the display 5 again (S100). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S101:
Yes), ends this control, and returns to S10 of the multi-color printing control.

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

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

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

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

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

Next, when the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L from the print-cut distance Dcp, that is, When the cutting position (P position) has not reached the leading position of the front margin amount L (S120: No), S118 to S12.
0 is repeatedly executed. When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S120: Yes), S
107 and subsequent steps are executed, the front margin amount L and the rear margin amount L are provided, respectively, and the tape is cut. The control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. For example, as shown in FIG. 27 (a), for the input text “Akamidorikuro”, the front and rear margin amounts L are provided, and the character string “Aka” is red.
A tape-shaped label 22A in which the character string "green" is printed in green and the character string "black" is printed in black is obtained.

On the other hand, when the clear key is operated to initialize the print color, all the entered text "Akamidorikuro" is set to the first color, so the color of the loaded ribbon cassette is changed. All characters are printed, that is,
Printed in the same color.

As described above in detail, in this embodiment, after the print target range is set for each print color to be printed, the clear key is operated to perform an extremely simple operation for all character data. The print color can be changed to the first color.

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

[0091]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the first aspect, the print color can be set with respect to the input data, and the print color can be set once by a simple operation. Since the print color can be reset to the same color, the print color setting operation can be speeded up.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the second aspect, when the print color is reset to the same color, it is easy to change the data of the set color.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the third aspect, since the order of the printing colors is set, the degree of freedom of the printing colors that can be set increases.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart of a print start process control routine.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a set color printing process control routine.

FIG. 23 is a schematic flowchart of a print tape rewinding process control routine.

FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of a print start alignment control routine;

FIG. 25 is a schematic flowchart of a final color printing processing / cutting processing control routine.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a print position (P position), a tape cutting position (C position), and a tape detection position (S position).

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a text memory. (A) is before the print color initialization process,
(B) is after the print color initialization process.

28A is an explanatory diagram of a print start reference origin position on a tape, FIG. 28B is an explanatory diagram when the tape is advanced by a front margin amount, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of tape feed by an amount.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label printed in three colors of red, green, and black.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) The inventor, Mizue Terai, 15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting characters and symbols and various commands, data storage means for storing data of input text, display means including a display,
What is claimed is: 1. A tape-shaped label producing apparatus, comprising: a print head including a print head for printing on a print medium; A tape-like label production, comprising: a print color setting means for setting a print color for the print color and a print color initialization means for resetting the print color set by the print color setting means apparatus. 2. The print color setting means generates data relating to the print color set for each data of the input text, and the print color initialization means sets all the data generated by the print color setting means to be the same. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tape-shaped label producing apparatus changes to color data. 3. The print color setting means sets the order of print colors for printing in a plurality of colors, and generates order data for each data of the input text. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all the data generated by the print color setting means are set first.