JPH11286129A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a good print quality through simple operation in multicolor printing using an ink ribbon. SOLUTION: The tape printer for printing a complete image of a plurality of color image elements on a tape-like member T while feeding comprises a plurality of print heads 6A, 6B for printing respective color image elements on the tape-like member using ink ribbons of relevant color, and a control means for controlling a plurality of print heads to print a complete image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printer capable of performing multicolor printing using a thermal print head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional tape printing apparatus using a thermal type print head (thermal head), printing of a color image element of each color is repeated by the number of colors while feeding a print tape (tape). Thus, a desired completed image is obtained. Specifically, when the printing of the first color image element is completed, the tape is fed back to the original position, the ink ribbon is replaced, and then the second color image element is printed. Then, this series of operations is repeated for the number of colors to print a completed image.

[0003]

In such a conventional tape printing apparatus, since the tape is repeatedly fed forward and backward, the structure and control of the tape feeding are complicated, and there is a problem that the printing start position of each time varies. Was. In particular, when a gear train is used as the tape feeding mechanism, the printing start position cannot be accurately maintained due to the backlash.
There has been a problem that the printing dots are shifted each time and the printing quality is deteriorated. Further, it is necessary to frequently replace the ink ribbon, and the work (operation) for printing has been complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of obtaining good print quality with a simple operation in multicolor printing using an ink ribbon.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape printing apparatus for printing a completed image including a plurality of color image elements on a tape member while feeding the tape member. A plurality of print heads each of which prints each color image element on a tape-shaped member using an ink ribbon of a corresponding color, and control means for integrally controlling the plurality of print heads and printing the completed image on the plurality of print heads; It is characterized by having.

According to this configuration, the control means causes a plurality of print heads to sequentially face the tape-shaped member to be sent, and prints the color image elements of each color by each print head. Is completed, the printing of the completed image is completed. In this case, since the tape-shaped member is fed in one direction, control for feeding the tape can be simplified. In addition, since each print head performs printing using the ink ribbon, it is not necessary to replace the ink ribbon at least for printing the number of colors corresponding to the number of print heads.

In this case, ink ribbons of a plurality of colors exceeding the number of print heads are prepared, and the ink ribbons of the respective colors are accommodated in a case to form ink ribbon cartridges. It is preferable that the print head is configured to be attachable to and detachable from any of the cartridge storage sections facing the respective print heads.

According to this configuration, the ink ribbon can be replaced as an ink ribbon cartridge,
Even when replacing the ink ribbon, the replacement can be easily performed. Further, by exchanging the ink ribbon cartridge, it is possible to freely select the color of the ink ribbon, that is, the color of the completed image.
Furthermore, since each ink ribbon cartridge is configured to be detachable from any cartridge accommodating portion, the color of each color image element can be freely selected.

Similarly, ink ribbons of a plurality of colors exceeding the number of print heads are prepared, and the ink ribbons of each color are
The ink ribbon cartridge is individually housed in the case, and the tape ribbon cartridge is housed in the case together with the tape member.Each of the tape ribbon cartridges is the first of a plurality of print heads. Each of the ink ribbon cartridges is configured to be detachably mountable to a cartridge accommodating portion facing a print head other than the print head that initially starts printing, except for a print head that first starts printing. Is preferred.

According to this configuration, the replacement of the ink ribbon and the replacement of the tape-shaped member can be easily performed. Further, since each tape / ribbon cartridge is configured to be detachable from the cartridge accommodating portion facing the print head where printing is first started, the tape-shaped member can be fed without difficulty. Further, since each ink ribbon cartridge is configured to be detachable from a cartridge accommodating portion facing another print head, it is possible to freely select a color of a completed image and each color image element.

In these cases, it is preferable to further include a cartridge detecting means for detecting whether or not an ink ribbon cartridge or a tape / ribbon cartridge is mounted in each cartridge accommodating portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a printing operation from being performed even when an ink ribbon cartridge or a tape ribbon cartridge required for printing is not mounted. That is, when the ink ribbon cartridge is not mounted, a completed image cannot be obtained. When the tape ribbon cartridge is not mounted, printing itself becomes impossible, and the printing operation becomes wasteful. According to this configuration, these can be prevented.

In these cases, in cooperation with the ink ribbon cartridge or the tape ribbon cartridge, a ribbon color detecting means for detecting the color of the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge or the tape ribbon cartridge mounted in each cartridge accommodating portion is provided. It is preferable to further provide.

According to this configuration, by detecting the color of the ink ribbon in each cartridge accommodating portion, each color image element can be automatically printed in a desired color.

In this case, it is preferable to further include a print color display unit for displaying how many colors of the ink ribbons are stored in each cartridge storage unit based on the detection result of the ribbon color detection unit.

According to this configuration, when an ink ribbon cartridge or a tape ribbon cartridge (ink ribbon) of a different color is erroneously mounted, the user can be made aware of the fact.

In these cases, it is preferable to further include a color designating means for enabling color designation for each color image element.

According to this configuration, it is possible to freely designate a color for each color image element, and it is possible to form completed images having different colors even if the images have the same shape.

In this case, it is preferable to further include a head specifying unit for displaying which of the print heads each color image element specified by the color by the color specifying unit cooperates with the control unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to make the user recognize which print head each color image element is to be printed with, that is, what color is to be printed, and to notice the color designation error. Can be.

In these cases, based on the detection result of the cartridge detecting means, the detection result of the ribbon color detecting means, and the specifying result of the head specifying means, the corresponding cartridge is stored before the printing of each color image element by each print head. It is preferable to further include a notifying unit for notifying when the ink ribbon cartridge or the tape ribbon cartridge of the ink ribbon of a color different from the color corresponding to the unit is mounted and / or not mounted.

According to this configuration, when there is a mounting error (color difference) of various cartridges or a color specification error of a color image element, the user can be notified of the error. In addition, as a notification method, an alarm sound or a screen display is preferable.

In these cases, a plurality of color image elements are
It is preferable to further include an element designating unit that can designate any one of a character, a paragraph, a line, and a decoration as a unit.

According to this configuration, the user can freely set the color image elements according to his / her preference.

Further, in these cases, the plurality of print heads are composed of two print heads, and are arranged downstream of the one print head which starts printing first in the feed direction, and cut the tape-shaped member. It is preferable to further include a cutting unit and a tape receiving unit that is disposed upstream of the other print head in the feeding direction and that receives the cut tape-shaped member.

According to this configuration, when the printing of one color image element is completed by the one print head, the printed portion of the tape-shaped member is cut by the tape cutting means, and this is cut through the tape receiving means. , The next color image element is printed. In this case, the completed image is formed in two colors, but the printed portion of the tape-like member is repeatedly fed to the other print head (although the ink ribbon needs to be replaced), so that the two or more colors are printed. It is also possible to form a completed image of the number of colors. That is, it is possible to print a completed image having the number of colors equal to or larger than the number of print heads.

A tape printing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a tape printing apparatus capable of printing a composite image composed of a plurality of element images on a tape. Have, a plurality of printing means for printing any of the plurality of element images on the tape by using them, and collectively control the plurality of printing means, from a part or all of the plurality of element images. And control means for printing the synthesized image.

In this tape printing apparatus, one of a plurality of element images is printed on a tape by a plurality of printing means. That is, if all of the plurality of element images are printed by a plurality of printing means, a composite image composed of all the element images can be printed, and if only some of the plurality of element images are printed, some of the element images can be printed. A composite image composed of images can be printed. Therefore, if an arbitrary part of the plurality of element images is appropriately selected and printed as needed, various composite images can be printed only by preparing the same plurality of element images. In this case, even if the printing colors of the ink ribbons of the plurality of printing units are the same, various composite images can be printed by sharing the respective roles (element images to be printed), and the printing colors of the ink ribbons can be printed. If they differ, multicolor printing can be performed.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention and a tape printing apparatus to which the apparatus is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The tape printing apparatus 1 has a printing tape (tape) mounted in the apparatus via a tape cartridge 5.
Print (print) desired print images such as characters and figures on T
In addition, the printed portion of the tape T is cut into a predetermined length to produce a label.

However, in the tape printer 1, a new print image can be superimposed (combined) and printed on the tape T (cut tape Tc) once cut into a label length. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printing apparatus 1 has an outer shell formed by an upper and lower two-part apparatus case 2, and a keyboard 3 including various input keys is provided on the front upper surface of the apparatus case 2. A display 4 having a display screen 41 is provided in the center of the rear part, and an A printing unit 12A for mounting the tape cartridge 5 and printing on the tape T before cutting, and a right side on the left side. The B printing unit is configured to mount an ink ribbon cartridge (ribbon cartridge) 8 and perform printing on the cut tape Tc.

Actually, an opening / closing lid 21A (not shown only with reference numerals) provided on the upper surface of the pocket 121A for mounting the tape cartridge 5 is openable and closable.
Pocket 121 for mounting ribbon cartridge 8
There is an open / close lid 21B (not shown only with reference numerals) provided on the upper surface of B so as to be openable and closable, but in both figures, the open / close lids 21A and 21B are omitted to facilitate understanding of the internal configuration. Is shown.

The tape cartridge 5 and the ribbon cartridge 8 are attached to and detached from the pockets 121A and 121B, respectively, with the opening and closing lids 21A and 21B being opened.

The pocket 121A has an opening / closing lid 21A.
The tape replacement detection sensor 143 such as a microswitch that detects that the tape cartridge 5 has been replaced (possibly) by opening and closing the switch and reports it to the control unit 200 described later.
(See FIG. 5). In addition, pocket 121
Similarly, B is provided with a ribbon replacement detection sensor 144 (see FIG. 5) that detects and reports that the ribbon cartridge 8 has been replaced (possibly) by opening and closing the cover 21B.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tape printer 1
As a basic configuration, an operation unit 11 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 for interfacing with a user, and an A printing unit 1 for printing on a tape T of a tape cartridge 5
2A, a cutting unit 13 that cuts the printed tape T to produce a cut tape Tc, a B printing unit 12B that prints on the cut tape Tc using the ribbon cartridge 8, a detection that has various sensors and performs various detections The unit 14 includes a drive unit 270 having various drivers to drive each circuit, a control unit 200 for controlling each unit in the tape printer 1, and a power supply unit 290 for supplying power to these units.

For this reason, inside the apparatus case 2, the A printing section 12 A, the B printing section 12 B, the cutting section 13, the detecting section 14
In addition, a circuit board (not shown) is housed. The circuit board includes a drive circuit 270, a control unit 200, a power supply unit 29.
0 circuits are mounted. Also, the power supply unit 290
Includes a battery E such as a nickel-cadmium battery that can be detached from the outside, and a power supply unit EU connected to the battery E and the AC adapter connection port 24 to supply power to each unit.

The A printing section 12A has a pocket 121A and a tape feeding section 122A, and as described above, the tape T of the tape cartridge 5 mounted in the pocket 121A.
Print on.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape cartridge 5 contains a tape T of a fixed width (about 4.5 mm to 48 mm) and an ink ribbon (ribbon) RA inside a cartridge case 51. It is configured. As the tape T, various tapes having different widths, different base colors, and the like are prepared. Also, various types of ribbons having different printing colors or the like are prepared as the ribbon RA accommodated together with the tape T.

Therefore, the type of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge 5 and the ribbon RA
A plurality of small holes (not shown) are provided in the pocket 121A so as to identify a combination with the type (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “type of tape T”). A tape identification sensor 141 (see FIG. 5) such as a microswitch for detecting the presence / absence of a bit pattern of 1/0 or 0/1) is provided to determine whether or not the tape cartridge 5 is mounted. , And when mounted, the type of the tape T contained therein can be detected (by a bit pattern).

A through hole 55 is formed in the lower left portion, and a platen roller 56 for accommodating the thermal head 6A of the pocket 121A is accommodated in a portion where the tape T and the ribbon RA overlap.

On the other hand, in the pocket 121A corresponding to the tape cartridge 5, a platen drive shaft 122pA which engages with and rotates the platen roller 56, and a winding which engages with the ribbon take-up reel 54 and rotates it. A take drive shaft 122qA is provided upright. The tape feed unit 122A rotates the platen drive shaft 122pA and the take-up drive shaft 122qA by using the feed motor 7A (see FIG. 5) as a drive source, and is disposed in a lower space of the pocket 121A. .

Insert the tape cartridge 5 into the pocket 121A.
, The platen roller 56 is inserted into the platen drive shaft 122pA, and the ribbon take-up reel 54 is inserted into the take-up drive shaft 122qA, so that the tape T and the ribbon RA can be fed. Further, when the above-mentioned opening / closing lid 21A is closed in this state, the thermal head 6A abuts on the platen roller 56 with the tape T and the ribbon RA interposed therebetween, thereby enabling printing.

The tape T is fed from the tape reel 52, the ribbon RA is fed from the ribbon reel 53,
After running in parallel with the tape T, the ribbon take-up reel 5
4 That is, when the platen roller 56 and the ribbon take-up reel 54 rotate in synchronization with each other, the tape T and the ribbon RA are simultaneously sent, and the thermal head 6A is driven in synchronization with these, so that printing is performed. Will be

A tape outlet 124 for communicating the pocket 121A with the outside of the apparatus is provided on the left side of the apparatus case 2.
A is formed, and a tape cutter 132 that cuts the fed tape T faces the tape discharge port 124A.
For this reason, after the printing is completed, the rotation of the platen roller 56 (the ribbon take-up reel 54 also rotates synchronously) continues for a predetermined time, so that the feeding of the tape T is continued and the predetermined cutting position reaches the position of the tape cutter 132. Sent.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, the user inputs print information of desired characters and the like (characters, numbers, symbols, figures, etc.) using the keyboard 3, and at the same time confirms and edits the input result on the display 4, Thereafter, when printing (A-side printing) is instructed from the keyboard 3, the tape feeding unit 122A is driven to feed out the tape T from the tape cartridge 5 mounted in the pocket 121A, and at the same time, the thermal head 6A is driven and Perform desired printing on T.

The printed portion of the tape T is sent out from the tape outlet 124A to the outside at any time in parallel with the printing operation. In this way, when the desired printing is completed, the tape feeding unit 122A feeds the tape T to a position of the tape length including the margin, and then stops the feeding.

The cutting section 13 includes a tape cutter 132, a cut button 133 for manually cutting the tape cutter 132 for printing of an arbitrary length, and an operation for automatically cutting the tape cutter 132 for printing of a fixed length. And a cutter motor 131 (see FIG. 5). Thus, the tape printer 1 can switch between automatic and manual depending on the mode setting.

Therefore, in the case of manual cutting, when printing is completed, the user presses the cut button 133 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided on the rear left of the apparatus case 2 to thereby cause the tape cutter to perform the manual cutting. 132 operates and the tape T is cut to a desired length to produce a cut tape Tc. In the case of the automatic cutting, the printing is completed, the tape is fed by a margin, and the tape is stopped. At the same time, the cutter motor 131 is driven to cut the tape T to produce the cut tape Tc.

Then, the user can combine and print a new print image on the cut tape Tc by the B printing unit 12B.

The B printing section 12B has a pocket 121B and a tape feeding section 122B, and performs printing on the cut tape Tc using the ribbon cartridge 8 mounted in the pocket 121B as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ribbon cartridge 5 has a cartridge case 51 containing an ink ribbon (ribbon) RB having a fixed width. As the ribbon RB, various types having different printing colors and the like are prepared similarly to the tape T and the ribbon RA described above.

Therefore, a plurality of small ribbon identification holes 83 for identifying the type of the ribbon RA are provided on the rear surface of the projecting portion 82 at the lower side of the ribbon cartridge 8, and the plurality of pocket identification holes 83 are provided in the pocket 121B. Ribbon identification hole 8
A ribbon identification sensor 142 (see FIG. 5) such as a microswitch for detecting the presence / absence of 3 (a bit pattern indicating the presence / absence of each hole by 1/0 or 0/1) is provided. 8 and, if so, the type of ribbon RB contained therein can be detected (by a bit pattern).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pocket 121B corresponding to the ribbon cartridge 8 has a take-up drive shaft 122qB which engages with and rotates the ribbon take-up reel 84, and a thermal head. A platen roller 122rB facing 6B and a platen drive shaft 122pB for rotating the platen roller 122rB stand upright.
The ribbon feed section 122B is provided with a feed motor 7B (see FIG. 5).
Is used as a drive source to rotate the platen drive shaft 122pB and the winding drive shaft 122qB.
It is arranged in the lower space of the pocket 121B.

Insert the ribbon cartridge 8 into the pocket 121B.
, The ribbon take-up reel 84 is inserted into the take-up drive shaft 122qB. Further, a tape insertion port 123 for communicating the pocket 121B with the outside of the apparatus is formed at the rear right front side of the apparatus case 2, and it is detected that the cut tape Tc has been inserted into the tape insertion port 123 in the pocket 121B. A cut tape insertion detection sensor 145 such as a photo interrupter that reports to the control unit 200 described later.
(See FIG. 5).

For this reason, when the opening / closing lid 21B is closed while the ribbon cartridge 8 is mounted in the pocket 121B, and the cut tape Tc is further inserted into the tape insertion slot 123, the thermal head is inserted with the cut tape Tc and the ribbon RB. 6B comes into contact with the platen roller 56 to enable printing.

From this state, the platen roller 122rB
And the ribbon take-up reel 84 rotate in synchronization with each other, so that the cut tape Tc and the ribbon RB are simultaneously sent while being overlapped, and the thermal head 6B is driven in synchronization with these to perform printing.

A tape outlet 12 for communicating the pocket 121B with the outside of the apparatus is provided at the right rear of the apparatus case 2.
4B is formed, and after the printing is completed, the platen roller 121r
When the rotation of B (the ribbon take-up reel 84 also rotates synchronously) continues for a predetermined time, the feed of the cut tape Tc is continued and the cut tape Tc is discharged from the tape discharge port 124B.

For this reason, in the tape printer 1, the user can combine and print a new print image on the cut tape Tc once cut into the length as a label. Further, if the same operation is performed again, a new print image can be further synthesized with the print image. Therefore, for example, by replacing the ribbon cartridge 8 with a new print color and repeating the same operation, a print image in which a plurality of colors are superimposed and synthesized can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detecting unit 14 includes the above-described tape identification sensor 141, ribbon identification sensor 142, tape replacement detection sensor 143, and ribbon replacement detection sensor 14.
4. A cut tape insertion detection sensor 145 is provided.

If necessary, an ambient temperature sensor such as a thermistor for detecting and reporting the environmental (ambient) temperature,
A head surface temperature sensor or the like, such as a thermistor, that closely contacts the surfaces of the thermal heads 6A and 6B and detects the respective surface temperatures may be provided.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Has a common drive section 271, an A drive section 272A, and a B drive section 272B. Also, the common driving unit 271
Has a display driver 271d and a cutter motor driver 271c.

The display driver 271d drives the display 4 of the operation unit 11 according to the instruction based on the control signal output from the control unit 200. Similarly, the cutter motor driver 271c drives the cutter motor 131 of the cutting unit 13 according to an instruction from the control unit 200.

The A drive section 272A includes a head driver 272hA and a feed motor driver 272mA. The head driver 272hA drives the thermal head 6A of the A printing unit 12A according to the instruction of the control unit 200. Similarly, the feed motor driver 272mA drives the feed motor 7A of the A printing unit 12A according to the instruction of the control unit 200. I do.

The B driver 272B includes a head driver 272hB and a feed motor driver 272mB. The head driver 272hB drives the thermal head 6B of the B printing unit 12B according to the instruction of the control unit 200, and similarly, the feed motor driver 272mB drives the feed motor 7B of the B printing unit 12B according to the instruction of the control unit 200. I do.

The operation unit 11 has a keyboard 3 and a display 4. The display 4 has a display screen 41 capable of displaying 96 dots × 64 dots of display image data inside a rectangular shape of about 6 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 4 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction). You can create and edit print image data by inputting data from the keyboard 3,
You can visually check the result, etc.
This is used when inputting a selection instruction or the like.

The keyboard 3 includes an alphabet key group 311, a symbol key group 312, a numeric key group 313,
In addition to a character key group 31 including a kana key group 314 such as hiragana and katakana, and an external character key group 315 for calling and selecting an external character, a function key group 32 for designating various operation modes and the like are arranged. Have been.

The function key group 32 includes a power key 32 (not shown).
1. Normal printing key 32 for instructing normal printing operation
2. Selection keys 32 for confirming data at the time of text input, line feed, and instructing selection of various modes on the selection screen
3. A color designation key 324 for designating a print color of print image data and its intermediate color (mixed color), a color setting key 325 for setting a character color and a background color, and upper ("↑") and lower, respectively. (“↓”), left (“←”), right (“→”) directions, and four cursor keys 330 (3) for moving the display range of the display screen 41.
30U, 330D, 330L, and 330R: “cursor“ ↑ ”key 330U” and the like).

The function key group 32 further includes a cancel key 326 for canceling various instructions, a shift key 327 used for changing the role of each key, and correcting drawing registration image data, a text input screen and a selection screen. Key 328 for switching between a print image data and a display screen (image screen) of print image data, and a ratio change (zoom) for changing the size ratio between the print image data and the display image data displayed on the image screen A key 329 and a form key 331 for setting various forms of a label to be produced are included.

The function key group 32 further includes an A printing unit 1
A print key 341 for starting a print process (A-side print process) by 2A and a print process (B
Print B key 342 for invoking the side print processing, and the composite print key 34 for initiating the composite print processing for combining the print images by combining the A side print processing and the B side print processing.
0 is included.

As a matter of course, similarly to a general keyboard, these key inputs may be input by providing individual keys for each key input, or may be performed in combination with the shift key 327 or the like to reduce the number of keys. You may input using a key. Here, it is assumed that there are keys corresponding to the above for easy understanding.

As shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard 3 inputs various commands and data as described above to the control unit 200.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 2
20, character generator ROM (CG-ROM)
230, RAM 240, peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 2
50, and are connected to each other by an internal bus 260.

The ROM 220 has a control data area 222 for storing control data including a color conversion table and a character modification table, in addition to a control program area 221 for storing a control program to be processed by the CPU 210.

The CG-ROM 230 stores the tape printer 1
The font data of characters, symbols, figures, etc. prepared in the above are stored. When code data for specifying characters and the like is given, the corresponding font data is output.

The RAM 240 is supplied with power by a backup circuit (not shown) so as to retain the stored data even when the power is turned off by operating the power key 321. A text data area 242 for storing text data such as characters input by the user from the keyboard 3, a display image data area 243 for storing display image data of the display screen 41, a print image data area 244 for storing print image data, and drawing registration. In addition to the drawing registration image data area 245 for storing image data, it has areas such as various conversion buffer areas 246 such as other color conversion buffers, and is used as a work area for control processing.

The P-CON 250 incorporates a logic circuit which supplements the function of the CPU 21 and handles interface signals with peripheral circuits, which is constituted by a gate array, standard cells, custom LSI, and the like.

For this reason, the P-CON 250
4 is connected to the various sensors and the keyboard 3, and the detection unit 14
The above-described various detection signals and various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 are taken into the internal bus 260 as they are or processed, and data and control output from the CPU 210 and the like to the internal bus 260 in conjunction with the CPU 210 The signal is output to the drive unit 270 as it is or after being processed.

Then, with the above-described configuration, the CPU 210 executes the PC according to the control program in the ROM 220.
Various detection signals, various commands, various data, and the like are input via the ON 250, and font data from the CG-ROM 230, various data in the RAM 240, and the like are processed.
By outputting a control signal to the drive unit 270 via the N250, print control and display control of the display screen 41 are performed, and the thermal head 6A is controlled to perform printing on the tape T under predetermined printing conditions, The entire tape printing apparatus 1 is controlled, for example, by controlling the head 6B to print on the cut tape Tc under predetermined printing conditions.

In the above description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, for ease of understanding and for convenience in the drawings (spaces), there is only one B printing unit (12B) (n = 1).
Has been described, a plurality of B printing units (n [B [1] printing units, B [2] printing units,..., B [n] printing units: n)
≧ 2) It can also be provided. That is, in the above example, n
= 1.

In the A printing section 12A, the tape cartridge (tape / ribbon cartridge) 5 containing the tape T and the ribbon RA is mounted.
Instead, a tape cartridge containing only the tape T and a ribbon cartridge 8 similar to the above-described B printing unit may be separately mounted.

In this case, by performing printing using the ribbon RA pulled out from the ribbon cartridge 8 in synchronization with pulling out and feeding the tape T from the mounted tape cartridge, the same printing as the above-described A printing unit 12A is performed. Can be. In this case, the A printing unit can be regarded as one of the plurality (n) of the B printing units, except that the tape T to be printed is sent out from the tape cartridge.

In the above description, the tape T printed in the A printing section 12A is temporarily cut into a label length to obtain a cut tape Tc, and the B printing section 12B applies the cut tape Tc to the cut tape Tc. Although the printing is performed, the A printing unit 12A and the B printing unit 12B may be provided adjacent to each other (without cutting) to perform continuous printing.

Of course, also in this case, it is possible to provide a plurality (n) of B printing sections, and to perform continuous printing on them.

That is, irrespective of whether there is a disconnection on the way,
In the tape printing apparatus 1 as described above, the control unit (control unit) 200 is configured by the control unit (control unit) 200 when the tape (tape-shaped member) T is fed and a completed image including a plurality of color image elements is printed on the tape T. , Each of the printing units 12A, 12B, etc. uses a corresponding color ribbon (ink ribbon) RA, RB, etc., and a plurality of thermal heads (print heads) 6
A, 6B, etc. appear one after another, printing of color image elements of each color is performed, and printing of the completed image is completed when printing by the last thermal head is completed.

For example, the A printing section 12A has a tape T having a yellow base color and a ribbon RA having a black printing color.
It is assumed that the tape cartridge 5 accommodating the ribbon cartridge 8 accommodating the ribbon RB having the red print color is attached to the B printing unit 12B.

In this case, first, in the A printing section 12A, using the (black) ribbon RA and by the thermal head 6A, the (black) non-smoking tape T (yellow base color) is applied. Is printed in the B printing section 12B using the (red) ribbon RB and by the thermal head 6B on both sides of the word "no smoking" printed on the tape T (red). By printing a non-smoking mark (a cross on a cigarette figure), a composite image of multicolor printing as shown in FIG. 6A is completed.

FIG. 6A shows various printing examples including FIG. 6A, and FIGS. 6A to 6C show the case where the background color is yellow (the CY portion shown in FIG. 6). A black printed portion using a black ribbon RA on the tape T (CB portion shown)
(D) showing an example in which a red printed portion (the portion indicated by CR in the drawing) is printed using a red ribbon RA.
(E) shows a print example in which the tape T (underlying color) is replaced with white (the CW portion shown).

In the above case, since the tape (tape-like member) T is fed in one direction, that is, there is no need to reversely feed the tape T as in the related art, so that the control for feeding the tape is simplified. be able to. In addition, since the thermal heads (print heads) 6A, 6B, etc. perform printing using the ribbons (ink ribbons) RA, RB, etc., the ink ribbons are replaced at least when printing with the number of colors of the print heads. No need to do.

In the above case, ribbons (ink ribbons) RB of a plurality of colors exceeding the number of print heads are prepared.
Each ribbon cartridge (ink ribbon cartridge) 8
Is preferably configured to be attachable / detachable to any pocket (cartridge accommodating portion) 121B or the like facing a plurality of print heads.

According to this configuration, since the ribbon RB and the like can be replaced as the ribbon cartridge 8, the replacement can be performed easily. Further, by exchanging the ribbon cartridge 8, it is possible to freely select a printing color of the ribbon RB or the like, that is, a color of the completed image. Furthermore, each ribbon cartridge 8
By being configured to be detachable from any of the pockets 121B of the n B printing units, the color of each color image element can be freely selected. The A printing unit 12A
Can be regarded as one of a plurality (n) of B printing units as described above.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, the tape cartridge (tape / ribbon cartridge) 5 is configured to be detachable from the pocket 121A of the A printing section 12A (the cartridge accommodating section facing the print head which starts printing first). Therefore, the tape T (tape-shaped member) can be sent without difficulty.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, the pockets (cartridge accommodating portions) 121A and 121A are controlled by the tape identification sensor 141 and the ribbon identification sensor 142 described above.
It is possible to detect whether or not a tape cartridge (tape / ribbon cartridge) 5 or a ribbon cartridge (ink ribbon cartridge) 8 is mounted on 1B or the like.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the printing operation from being performed even when the tape cartridge 5 and the ribbon cartridge 8 necessary for printing are not mounted. That is, when the ribbon cartridge 8 is not mounted, a completed image is not obtained. When the tape cartridge 5 is not mounted, printing itself becomes impossible, and the printing operation becomes useless. According to this configuration, these can be prevented.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, the ribbon identification sensor 141 and the ribbon identification sensor 142 allow the ribbon (ink ribbon) RA contained in the tape cartridge 5 or the ribbon cartridge 8 mounted in each of the pockets 121A, 121B and the like. , RB, etc. can be detected,
Thus, each color image element can be automatically printed in a desired color.

Also, in this case, by displaying how many colors of the ink ribbon are stored in each pocket 121A or the like, a different color (the ink ribbon is stored) is mistakenly displayed.
When the tape cartridge 5 or the ribbon cartridge 8 is mounted, the user can be made aware of the fact.

In these cases, by enabling color designation for each color image element, it is possible to freely designate a color for each color image element. Also, it is possible to form completed images having different colors.

In the above case, by displaying which print head prints each color image element whose color is specified, the user can be told which print head each color image element prints. That is, it is possible to make the user recognize which color is to be printed, and to notice an error in color designation.

In these cases, prior to printing of each color image element by each print head, a ribbon (ink ribbon) RA, a color different from the corresponding color, is placed in the corresponding pocket (cartridge accommodating portion) 121A, 121B or the like. Tape cartridge 5 or ribbon cartridge 8 containing RB or the like
Is installed and / or not installed,
By notifying this, when there is a mounting error (color difference) of various cartridges or a color designation error of the color image element, this can be notified to the user. In addition,
As a notification method, an alarm sound or a screen display is preferable.

In these cases, the color image element of a plurality of colors can be specified in units of any of characters, paragraphs, lines, and decorations, so that the user can adjust the color image element to his / her preference. Can be set freely.

Note that the A printing unit 12A
In the case where the tape T printed in the above is temporarily cut to the length of the label to obtain the cut tape Tc, the user prints a new print image on the cut tape Tc in the B printing unit 12B. it can. Further, if the same operation is performed again, a new print image can be further synthesized with the print image.

Therefore, for example, the ribbon cartridge 8
Is replaced with a new print color, and a similar operation is repeated, so that a print image (completed image, composite image) in which a plurality of colors are overlaid and synthesized can be obtained. That is, a print image of the number of colors equal to or more than the number of print heads can be printed.

In other words, in this tape printing apparatus 1, a plurality of printing units (printing means) 121A and 121
B, etc., each of the plurality of element images is printed on the tape T. That is, the plurality of printing units 121
A, 121B, etc., if all of the plurality of element images are printed, a composite image composed of all the element images can be printed,
By printing only some of the plurality of component images, a composite image composed of some of the component images can be printed.

Therefore, if an arbitrary part of the plurality of elemental images is appropriately selected and printed as needed, printing of various composite images can be performed simply by preparing the same plurality of elemental images. it can. In this case, the plurality of printing units 1
Even if the printing colors of the ribbons (ink ribbons) RA, RB, etc. attached to the pockets 121A, 121B, etc., such as 21A, 121B, etc., are the same, various composite images can be formed by sharing their roles (element images to be printed). Can be printed, and if the printing colors are different, multicolor printing can be performed.

[0105]

As described above, according to the tape printing apparatus of the present invention, in multicolor printing using an ink ribbon, there is an effect that good print quality can be obtained by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an opening / closing lid is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a plan view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an example of an ink ribbon cartridge mounted on the tape printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, seen from the opposite side.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the tape printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing various printing examples by the tape printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape printing device 3 keyboard (color designation means, element designation means) 4 display (print color display means, head identification means, notification means) 5 tape cartridge (tape / ribbon cartridge) 6A, 6B ... thermal head (print head) 8 Ribbon Cartridge (Ink Ribbon Cartridge) 12A A Printing Unit (Printing Unit) 12B B Printing Unit (Printing Unit) 121A, 121B ... Pocket (Cartridge Housing Unit) 123 Tape Insertion Port (Tape Receiving Unit) 132 Tape Cutter (Tape Cutting) Means 141 tape identification sensor (cartridge detection means, ribbon color detection means) 142 ribbon identification sensor (cartridge detection means, ribbon color detection means) 200 control unit (control means) RA, RB ... ribbon (ink ribbon) T tape ( Tape-shaped member)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B41J 32/00 B41J 32/00 Z 35/16 35/16 D 35/22 35/22

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A tape printing apparatus for printing a completed image composed of a plurality of color image elements on a tape-shaped member while feeding the tape-shaped member, wherein each of the color image elements is formed by using an ink ribbon of a corresponding color. A plurality of print heads for printing the print image on a tape-shaped member, and control means for integrally controlling the plurality of print heads and printing the completed image on the plurality of print heads. . 2. An ink ribbon of a plurality of colors exceeding the number of the print heads is prepared, and the ink ribbons of the respective colors are accommodated in a case to constitute respective ink ribbon cartridges. 2. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print heads are configured to be detachable from any cartridge accommodating section. 3. An ink ribbon of a plurality of colors exceeding the number of the print heads is prepared, and the ink ribbons of each color are individually housed in a case to constitute an ink ribbon cartridge, and together with the tape-shaped member, The tape ribbon cartridge is configured to be housed respectively, the tape ribbon cartridge is configured to be detachable to a cartridge housing portion facing a print head that first starts printing of the plurality of print heads, 2. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the ink ribbon cartridges is configured to be detachable from a cartridge accommodating portion facing a print head other than the print head that starts printing first. 3. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: cartridge detecting means for detecting whether said ink ribbon cartridge or said tape ribbon cartridge is mounted in each of said cartridge accommodating portions. The tape printing apparatus as described in the above. 5. A ribbon color detecting means for detecting the color of the ink ribbon cartridge or the ink ribbon of the tape ribbon cartridge attached to each cartridge accommodating portion in cooperation with the ink ribbon cartridge or the tape ribbon cartridge. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: 6. A printing color display means for displaying how many colors of the ink ribbons are contained in each of the cartridge containing parts based on the detection result of the ribbon color detecting means. The tape printer according to claim 5. 7. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a color designating unit configured to designate a color for each color image element. 8. A head specifying unit that displays which of the print heads each of the color image elements specified by the color specifying unit in cooperation with the control unit.
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. A color corresponding to the cartridge accommodating section prior to printing of each color image element by each of the print heads based on a detection result of the cartridge detection means and a detection result of the ribbon color detection means. And notifying means for notifying when the ink ribbon cartridge or the tape / ribbon cartridge of an ink ribbon of a different color is mounted and / or not mounted. 9. The tape printer according to any one of 5 to 8. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image elements of a plurality of colors are text,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an element designating unit capable of designating any one of a paragraph, a line, and a decoration as a unit.
10. The tape printer according to any one of claims 9 to 9. 11. A tape for cutting the tape-shaped member, wherein the plurality of print heads are composed of two print heads, and are disposed downstream of one of the print heads for starting printing first in the feed direction. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cutting unit; and a tape receiving unit disposed upstream of the other print head in a feeding direction and configured to receive the cut tape-shaped member.
The tape printer according to any one of the above. 12. A tape printing apparatus capable of printing a composite image composed of a plurality of element images on a tape, comprising: a separate ink ribbon and a print head corresponding thereto; A plurality of printing means for printing any of the images on the tape; and a control means for integrally controlling the plurality of printing means to print a composite image including a part or all of the plurality of element images. And a tape printer.