JPWO2006100827A1 - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided a printing device capable of protecting printing means by performing a printing operation different from a predetermined printing operation when a plurality of predetermined printing tapes are detected at the time of detecting the type of each printing tape To do. For this purpose, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 that drives and controls the thermal head 11 so that the electrical energy applied to the thermal head 11 is more than the electrical energy applied to the thermal head 11 in a predetermined printing operation. It is also configured to lower.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs a printing operation different from a predetermined printing operation when printing tapes other than a plurality of types of predetermined printing tapes are detected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a small and portable printing apparatus for producing a label tape by printing characters on a long printing tape, a printing tape and an ink ribbon for printing on the printing tape are provided. A tape cassette housed in a cassette case of a predetermined shape is attached to the printing mechanism, and characters and other characters are printed via a thermal head in a state where the printing tape and ink ribbon supplied from the tape cassette are superimposed. Is configured to create a tape.

  As a printing tape stored in such a tape cassette, there are a plurality of transparent film tapes formed in a predetermined width, and there are ink ribbons of different colors for printing on the transparent film tape, All of these tapes are stored in a cassette case body of a tape cassette in a state of being wound around a tape spool.

It is necessary to obtain information on the tape cassette from the tape cassette in order to perform high-quality printing on the printing tapes of the various types of tape cassettes and to appropriately transport the printing tape.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a tape type discrimination sensor including a push-type microswitch or the like is provided at one side corner of a cassette housing portion of a tape printer, and each tape type discrimination sensor includes a plunger and It consists of a known mechanical switch composed of a micro switch, etc., and detects whether or not each tape hole is in the cassette case body of the tape cassette with respect to each tape type discriminating sensor. A tape printer that detects the type of tape stored in each tape cassette is disclosed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 captures the width information of the loaded tape by the tape width information capturing unit, and the head drive range control unit includes a plurality of dot elements arranged in parallel in the print head during printing. A tape printing apparatus that drives only the dot elements in a range corresponding to the captured tape width information is disclosed.

  According to the tape printers of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when a plurality of predetermined tape cassettes are mounted on the tape printer, high-quality printing is performed on the tape cassette printing tape. Printing tape can be transported appropriately.

JP 2001-88359 A

JP-A-6-143766

  However, when tape cassettes other than a plurality of predetermined types are mounted on the tape printer, the above-described tape printers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider the printing conditions in such cases, Printing is executed as it is under the printing conditions for a plurality of predetermined tape cassettes provided in the printing apparatus.

  However, since the ink ribbon is different from a predetermined tape cassette ink ribbon, the ink ribbon melts under predetermined printing conditions, and the ink ribbon adheres to the print head and the platen, and printing cannot be performed thereafter. The problem occurs. Further, the platen surface may be damaged by the printing head printing directly on the platen.

  Further, since the tape cassette is not a plurality of predetermined tape cassettes, printing is performed with a printing tape wider than the width of the printing tape on which the print head is set, and the ink ribbon ink is applied to the platen. As a result of the ink being transferred to form irregularities of ink on the surface of the platen, there arises a problem that the subsequent printing is hindered.

  Further, since the printing tapes and ink ribbons other than a plurality of predetermined types are used, they are stretched or cut by the conveying force of the conveying device during their conveyance, which impedes the printing means and the printing quality. There is also a risk that this may occur.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems. Printing tapes other than a plurality of types that are predetermined when detecting the type of each printing tape are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can protect printing means by performing a printing operation different from a predetermined printing operation when detected.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a predetermined printing apparatus for printing characters and the like on a printing tape by a print head while conveying a plurality of predetermined printing tapes and ink ribbons by a conveying device. When the printing means for performing the printing operation, the detection means for detecting the type of each printing tape, and the printing tape other than the plurality of types are detected via the detection means, the predetermined printing operation is different. And a protection unit that protects the printing unit by performing a printing operation.

  Next, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the protection unit may reduce the electrical energy applied to the print head in the printing unit to be lower than the electrical energy applied to the print head in the predetermined printing operation. Also good.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protection means drives the print head to perform printing with a print width corresponding to the print tape having the smallest tape width among the plurality of types of print tapes. You may make it do.

  Next, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the protection unit may reduce the conveyance force of the conveyance device more than the conveyance force of the conveyance device in the predetermined printing operation.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protection means may include confirmation means for confirming when a plurality of types of printing tapes are detected via the detection means.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus may include display means for displaying characters, symbols, and the like, and the confirmation by the confirmation means may be displayed by the display means.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing operation of the protection unit may be performed after the confirmation unit is executed a plurality of times.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the protection unit starts the printing operation of the protection unit, the protection unit may display on the display unit that the printing operation is different from the predetermined printing operation. .

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, a printing means for performing a predetermined printing operation for printing characters and the like on the printing tape by the print head while carrying a plurality of predetermined printing tapes and ink ribbons by the carrying device. Detecting means for detecting the type of each printing tape, and when printing tapes other than a plurality of types are detected via the detecting means, the printing means is controlled by performing a printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation. Since the protective means is provided for protection, even if a plurality of printing tapes other than predetermined types are used, the printing means performs a printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation to melt the ink ribbon and roughen the platen surface. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of loss and the like.

  Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protective means reduces the electric energy applied to the print head in the printing means to be lower than the electric energy applied to the print head in a predetermined printing operation. It is possible to solve the problem that the ink ribbon adheres to the print head and the platen due to the melting of the ink ribbon generated because it is not a ribbon, and printing cannot be performed thereafter. Further, it is possible to prevent the platen surface from being damaged when the print head prints directly on the platen.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protection means drives the print head to perform printing with a printing width corresponding to the printing tape having the smallest tape width among the plurality of types of printing tapes. Because printing was performed with the printing operation of the printing tape wider than the width of the printing tape on which the printing means is set, the ink ribbon ink was transferred to the platen, and irregularities of the ink were formed on the surface of the platen. In addition, it is possible to prevent the problem that the subsequent printing is hindered.

  Next, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the protection means reduces the conveying force of the conveying device more than the conveying force of the conveying device in a predetermined printing operation. It is possible to prevent the problem that the ink ribbon is stretched or cut by the conveying force of the conveying device during the conveyance, thereby impairing the printing means and the printing quality.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protection means includes a confirmation means for confirming when a plurality of types of printing tapes are detected via the detection means. Therefore, before the printing by the printing means is started, the protection means is provided in advance. It can be confirmed whether or not the printing tapes and ink ribbons of a plurality of types are determined, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary operations from being brought into the subsequent process.

  Next, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus is provided with display means for displaying characters, symbols, etc., and confirmation by the confirmation means is displayed by the display means. Can be clearly communicated.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the printing operation of the protection means is performed after the confirmation means is executed a plurality of times, it is not a plurality of types of printing tapes and ink ribbons predetermined by the operator. By informing the printer several times, it is possible to eliminate mistakes, and even if the printing operation is advanced, by causing the printing means to perform a printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation, fusing of the ink ribbon, the platen surface It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of rough damage.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the protection means displays on the display means that the printing operation is different from the predetermined printing operation when starting the printing operation of the protection means. It is possible to prevent problems that are mistaken for device failure or malfunction.

FIG. 1 is a plan view when a storage cover of a tape cassette storage portion of the tape printer according to the first embodiment is opened. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main part excluding the upper case when it is mounted on a tape printer of a laminate type tape cassette. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the tape printer. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tape discrimination data table stored in the tape discrimination data storage area of the tape printer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the print control process of the tape printer. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9A is a sample diagram by standard processing printing. FIG. 9B is a sample diagram by special processing printing with the printing energy set low. FIG. 9C is a sample diagram by special processing printing in which printing is performed in accordance with the printing conditions of the minimum tape width set in any case.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 10 Tape drive roller axis | shaft 11 Thermal head 14 Platen roller 15 Feed roller 21 Tape cassette 22 Tape for printing 23 Ink ribbon 34 Tape feed motor 37 Tape drive roller 50 Control part 51 CPU
54A Tape Discrimination Data Storage Area 70 Tape Discrimination Data Table S1-S7 Tape Discrimination Sensor

  Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tape printer according to the first embodiment when the storage cover of the tape cassette storage unit is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a character input key 2 for inputting a character such as a character over a plurality of lines and creating a text composed of document data (code data) is instructed to the tape printer 1 to print the text. There are provided a print key 3, a cursor key C for moving the cursor up and down, left and right on a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as "LCD") 7, a return key R for executing a line feed command and various processes, and commands for selection. There are disposed a keyboard 6, an LCD 7 for displaying characters input from the keyboard 6, and a cassette housing portion 8 for housing a tape cassette 21 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  In addition, a ribbon take-up shaft 9 that is rotationally driven from a tape feed motor 34 (see FIG. 3) via an appropriate drive mechanism is erected in the cassette housing portion 8. The ribbon take-up shaft 9 is inserted into an ink ribbon take-up reel 32 (see FIG. 2) for taking up the ink ribbon after printing, and rotationally drives the ink ribbon take-up reel 32 in synchronization with the printing speed.

  Then, the ribbon take-up shaft 9 is rotationally driven via a suitable transmission mechanism from a tape feed motor 34 constituted by a stepping motor or the like on the diagonally forward side (keyboard 6 side in FIG. 1), and a tape drive roller 37 ( A tape drive roller shaft 10 is erected for rotationally driving (see FIG. 2). Further, a thermal head 11 that prints characters and the like on each print-receiving tape 22 (see FIG. 2) is fixedly provided in front of the cassette housing 8 (on the keyboard 6 side in FIG. 1). Further, a roller support 13 (see FIG. 2) is rotatably disposed opposite the thermal head 11, and a platen roller 14 and a feed roller 15 (see FIG. 2) are provided on the roller support 13. It is pivotally supported. The platen roller 14 and the feed roller 15 are formed to have the same width as 36 mm, which is the maximum width of the print-receiving tape 22, or larger than that. Further, an end detection sensor 4 constituted by a transmission type photosensor or the like is provided at a position facing a pair of insertion portions 41 (see FIG. 2) of each tape cassette 21 to be described later in the cassette housing portion 8. . The transmission type photosensor constituting the end detection sensor 4 is formed of a known photocoupler having a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the end of the print-receiving tape 22 transparent to the end detection sensor 4. It is detected whether or not the opaque end detection mark formed in the portion has entered, and the end portion of the print-receiving tape 22 is detected by the ON / OFF signal.

  Further, a tape discriminating sensor S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 composed of a push-type microswitch or the like is provided at one side corner portion (upper right corner portion in FIG. 1) of the cassette housing portion 8. It has been. Each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 is a known mechanical switch composed of a plunger, a micro switch, and the like. Each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 has sensor holes H1 to H7 described later (FIG. 2). The type of tape stored in each tape cassette 21 is detected by the ON / OFF signal. In the case of the present embodiment, each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 has a plunger that always protrudes from the bottom surface of the cassette housing portion 8, and the microswitch is in an OFF state. And when each sensor hole H1-H7 mentioned later exists in the position which opposes each tape discrimination | determination sensor S1-S7, since a plunger is not pressed down and a micro switch is in an OFF state, an OFF signal is output, On the other hand, when each of the sensor holes H1 to H7, which will be described later, is not located at a position facing each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7, the plunger is pressed and the microswitch is turned on, so an on signal is output. . The cassette storage unit 8 is opened and closed by a storage cover 12 pivotally supported to the rear of the tape printer 1, and the tape cassette 21 is exchanged in the open state.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the laminate-type tape cassette 21 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part excluding the upper case when the laminate type tape cassette according to the first embodiment is mounted on the tape printer. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette 21 includes a print-receiving tape 22 made of a transparent tape, an ink ribbon 23 for printing the print-receiving tape 22, and a print-receiving tape 22 on which printing has been performed. The double-sided adhesive tape 24 to be back-coated is wound around a tape spool 25, a reel 26, and a tape spool 27, and can be rotated to a cassette boss 29, a reel boss 30 and a cassette boss 31 standing on the bottom surface of the cassette body 28. And an ink ribbon take-up reel 32 for taking up the used ink ribbon 23. Such tape cassettes 21 are prepared with different tape widths of the print-receiving tape 22, that is, tape widths of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, and 36 mm. The widths of the ribbon 23 and the double-sided tape 24 are different, the tape spools 25 and 27 and the reel 26 are different, and the thickness width of the tape cassette 21 itself is also different. Further, in the side corner (upper right corner in FIG. 2) of the cassette boss 29, each sensor hole H1 is located at a position facing each tape discrimination sensor S1, S2, S4 to S7 provided in the cassette storage section 8. , H2, H4 to H7 are perforated, and no sensor hole is perforated at a position facing the tape discrimination sensor S3. Thus, as described later, the print-receiving tape 22 mounted on the tape cassette 21 is determined to be a “laminate type with a tape width of 6 mm” from the on / off signals of the tape determination sensors S1 to S7. (See FIG. 4). A pair of insertion portions 41, 41 into which the end detection sensor 4 is inserted from the lower surface is provided below the cassette boss 29. Further, a tape drive roller 37 that rotates in response to the drive of the tape feed motor 34 is rotatably provided at a lower part on one side of the tape cassette 21 (lower left part in FIG. 2). The tape drive roller 37 is formed to have the same width as or slightly larger than the print-receiving tape 22 accommodated therein.

  The print-receiving tape 22 drawn out from the tape spool 25 is drawn out from the reel 26 between the pair of insertion portions 41 and 41 into which the end detection sensor 4 is inserted, the guide pins 42 and the like. The ink ribbon 23 is overlapped with the unused ink ribbon 23, enters the opening 33 together with the ink ribbon 23, and passes between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 14. Here, the platen roller 14 has an action of pressing the print-receiving tape 22 and the ink ribbon 23 against the thermal head 11 during printing. Thereafter, the ink ribbon 23 is separated from the print-receiving tape 22, reaches the ink ribbon take-up reel 32 that is driven to rotate by the ribbon take-up shaft 9, and is taken up by the ink ribbon take-up reel 32.

  The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 24 is wound around and stored in a tape spool 27 with the release paper facing outside with the release paper superimposed on one side. The double-sided adhesive tape 24 drawn from the tape spool 27 passes between the tape drive roller 37 and the feed roller 15. Here, the feed roller 15 presses the tape 22 to be printed and the adhesive surface on the side where the release paper of the double-sided adhesive tape 24 is not superimposed on the tape driving roller 37 after printing, and the double-sided adhesive tape 24 is pressed against the tape to be printed. It has the effect | action which carries out tape feeding in the arrow T direction, sticking to 22 and producing the tape 35 with a character. In addition, spacers made of a resin film (not shown) are inserted at both upper and lower ends of the double-sided adhesive tape 24.

  Next, a control system of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the tape printer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the tape printer 1 is configured with a control unit 50 as a core. The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a CGROM 53, a RAM 54, and an input / output interface 55, which are connected to each other via a bus line 56.

  Here, the ROM 52 stores various programs, and various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 such as a print control program described later are stored. The CPU 51 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 52. In addition, the ROM 52 classifies outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of each character for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) for each character such as a large number of characters. Stored in correspondence with the code data. Based on the outline data, dot pattern data is developed on the image buffer.

  The CGROM 53 stores dot pattern data corresponding to each character input from the keyboard 6. The dot pattern data is read from the CGROM 53 and a dot pattern is displayed on the LCD 7 based on the dot pattern data. The The RAM 54 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 51. The RAM 54 is used to determine the type of each tape cassette 21 mounted in the cassette storage unit 8. A tape discrimination data storage area 54A for storing a later-described tape discrimination data table 70 (see FIG. 4) to be selected is provided. A storage area for storing a print cycle data table selected when printing on each print-receiving tape 22 via the thermal head 11, a margin data table selected when setting the amount of margin after printing, and the like. Is also provided. Further, the RAM 54 is provided with various memories such as a text memory, an image buffer, and a print buffer.

  Further, the input / output interface 55 is for detecting the end for detecting each tape discriminating sensor S1 to S7 provided in the cassette housing portion 8, the keyboard 6 and the end detecting portion (not shown) of each print-receiving tape 22. A sensor 4 is connected. Also, a display controller (LCDC) 57 for driving and controlling the LCD 7 is connected. When characters or the like are input via the character input key 2 of the keyboard 6, the document data is sequentially stored in the text memory. Based on the dot pattern generation control program and the display control program, a dot pattern corresponding to a character or the like input via the keyboard 6 is displayed on the LCD 7. Further, a drive circuit 58 for driving and controlling the thermal head 11 is connected, and the dot pattern data transferred from the image buffer to the print buffer in cooperation with the platen roller 14 is applied to each print-receiving tape 22 via the ink ribbon 23. Printed. In addition, a drive circuit 59 for driving and controlling the tape feed motor 34 is connected, and the tape to be printed 22 and the double-sided adhesive tape 24 printed in cooperation with the feed roller 15 are fed and sent out.

  Next, the tape discrimination data table 70 stored in the tape discrimination data storage area 54A of the RAM 54 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a tape discrimination data table stored in the tape discrimination data storage area of the tape printer according to the first embodiment. Here, the tape discrimination data table 70 stores the type and width of the tape stored in each tape cassette 21 and the on / off signals of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7, that is, the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7. The correspondence with presence / absence of each sensor hole H1 to H7 formed at the facing position is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tape discrimination data table 70 selected when discriminating the type of each tape cassette 21 mounted in the cassette storage unit 8 is a tape type, that is, a surface protection film of the printing tape 22. “Tape type” representing presence / absence, “tape width” representing the printing tape width of the printing tape 22, and each tape discrimination sensor S 1, S 2, S 3, S 4 corresponding to the type of the printing tape 22, It consists of a “tape discrimination sensor” that represents on / off signals of S5, S6, and S7. The “tape type” includes a “receptor type” (not shown) in which an adhesive and release paper are previously provided on the surface of the print-receiving tape, and both surfaces on the print-receiving surface of the transparent print-receiving tape 22. A “laminate type” for attaching the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 24 is registered in advance. In “tape width”, “6 mm”, “9 mm”, “12 mm”, “18 mm”, “24 mm”, and “36 mm” are registered in advance for “laminate type”. In the “tape discrimination sensor”, “S1”, “S2”, “S3”, “S4”, “S5”, “S6”, “S7” representing the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 are registered in advance. ing. In addition, the mark “◯” indicates the off signal of each tape discrimination sensor S1 to S7, that is, the presence of a sensor hole at a position facing each tape discrimination sensor S1 to S7 on the bottom surface of the corner of each tape cassette 21, 45. “X” marks indicate ON signals of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7, that is, no sensor holes at positions facing the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 on the bottom surface of the corners of the tape cassettes 21.

  Therefore, as shown in the tape discrimination data table 70, the types of tape stored in each tape cassette 21 are, for example, when “tape type” is “laminate type” and “tape width” is “6 mm”. Is the signal of each of the tape discrimination sensors “S1” to “S7” of the “tape discrimination sensor”, that is, whether there is a sensor hole, “S1” is “off signal, ie, there is a sensor hole”, and “S2” is “off” “S3” means “off signal, ie sensor hole”, “S5” means “off signal, ie sensor” “With hole” and “S6” are “off signal, ie, with sensor hole”, and “S7” is “off signal, ie, with sensor hole”. For other tape types, the relationship between the on / off signal of each tape discrimination sensor “S1” to “S7” and the presence or absence of the sensor hole is “no sensor hole in the case of an on signal”. In this case, the description is omitted.

  Next, the print control process of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print control processing of the tape printer according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer according to the first embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 5, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”) 01, the CPU 51 executes “detects the type of the mounted tape cassette” to detect the type of tape and the like. In this “detecting the type of tape cassette mounted”, the CPU 51 first stores data in the tape discrimination data storage area 54A based on the on / off signals of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7 via the input / output interface 55. The “tape type” and “tape width” data corresponding to the ON / OFF combinations of the tape discrimination sensors S 1 to S 7 are read from the stored tape discrimination data table 70 and stored in the RAM 54.

  For example, on / off of each tape discrimination sensor S1 to S7 is “S1” “off”, “S2” “off”, “S3” “on”, “S4” “off”, “S5”. Is “OFF”, “S6” is “OFF”, and “S7” is “OFF”, the “tape type” is “laminate type”, and the “tape width” is “6 mm” and stored in the RAM 54. . Also, “S1” is “ON”, “S2” is “ON”, “S3” is “ON”, “S4” is “OFF”, “S5” is “OFF”, “S6” is “OFF”, When “S7” is “OFF”, the “tape type” is stored in the RAM 54 as “laminate type” and the “tape width” is “9 mm”. Also, “S1” is “off”, “S2” is “on”, “S3” is “off”, “S4” is “off”, “S5” is “off”, “S6” is “off”, When “S7” is “off”, “tape type” is stored in the RAM 54 as “laminate type” and “tape width” is “12 mm”. Also, “S1” is “ON”, “S2” is “OFF”, “S3” is “ON”, “S4” is “ON”, “S5” is “OFF”, “S6” is “OFF”, When “S7” is “off”, the “tape type” is stored in the RAM 54 as “laminate type” and the “tape width” is “18 mm”. Also, “S1” is “ON”, “S2” is “OFF”, “S3” is “ON”, “S4” is “ON”, “S5” is “ON”, “S6” is “OFF”, When “S7” is “OFF”, the “tape type” is stored in the RAM 54 as “laminate type” and the “tape width” is “24 mm”. Furthermore, “S1” is “off”, “S2” is “off”, “S3” is “off”, “S4” is “on”, “S5” is “off”, “S6” is “off”, When “S7” is “off”, “tape type” is stored in the RAM 54 as “laminate type” and “tape width” is “36 mm”.

  In S02, the CPU 51 executes “whether a compatible tape cassette type has been detected?” For determining whether a compatible cassette type has been detected from the RAM 54. At this time, if “Yes (tape cassette present in the tape discrimination data table 70)”, the process proceeds to S09. If “No (tape cassette not present in the tape discrimination data table 70)”, the process proceeds to S03.

  In S09, the CPU 51 executes “printing with the corresponding printing control” for printing with the corresponding printing control. When the print key 3 on the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 51 sequentially reads characters and the like that are input by the character input key 2 and stored in the print buffer of the RAM 54, and each print-receiving tape via the thermal head 11. In synchronization with this, the tape 22 to be printed 22 is sent out while being stuck to the double-sided adhesive tape 24 by the tape feed motor 34 and the feed roller 15. An example of the printing result is shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A is a sample diagram by standard processing printing.

  In S03, the CPU 51 controls the LCDC 57 to execute a display control to display on the LCD 7 "A compatible tape cassette is not detected. Check whether the tape cassette is loaded."

  Subsequently, in S04, the CPU 51 again executes “whether a compatible tape cassette type has been detected?” For determining whether a compatible cassette type has been detected from the RAM 54. At this time, if “Yes (tape cassette present in the tape discrimination data table 70)”, the process proceeds to S09, and if “No (tape cassette not present in the tape discrimination data table 70)”, the process proceeds to S05.

  In S05, the CPU 51 controls the LCDC 57 to execute display control for displaying on the LCD 7 "Your tape cassette is not compatible with this device. Do you want to continue printing?"

  Subsequently, in S06, the CPU 51 executes “whether the print key has been pressed?” For determining whether the print key 3 of the keyboard 6 has been pressed. At this time, if “Yes (print key pressed)”, the process proceeds to S07, and if “No (print key not pressed)”, the process returns to S03.

  In S07, the CPU 51 controls the LCDC 57 to execute display control for displaying on the LCD 7 "Non-standard tape cassette has been detected. Printing in the special mode to protect the main body".

Subsequently, in S08, the CPU 51 executes “printing by special processing control” for printing by special processing control.
As shown in FIG. 6, in S <b> 10, the CPU 51 executes “set printing energy lower than the reference value” to set the printing energy lower than the reference value. The CPU 51 controls the drive circuit 58 that drives and controls the thermal head 11 to set the electrical energy applied to the thermal head 11 to be lower than the reference value.

  In S <b> 11, the CPU 51 executes “execute printing”. When the print key 3 of the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 51 sequentially reads characters and the like input by the character input key 2 and stored in the print buffer of the RAM 54, and sets the print energy to be lower than the reference value. Printing is performed on the print-receiving tape 22 of the tape cassette 21 that does not exist in the tape discrimination data table 70 via the thermal head 11, and the double-sided adhesive is applied to the print-receiving tape 22 by the tape feed motor 34 and the feed roller 15 in synchronization with this. Sending out while adhering to the tape 24. An example of the printing result is shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B is a sample diagram by special processing printing with the printing energy set low.

As described above in detail, in the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 that controls the drive of the thermal head 11 to apply electricity to the thermal head 11. Since the energy is lower than the electrical energy applied to the thermal head 11 in a predetermined printing operation, the ink ribbon 23 generated because the ink ribbon 23 is not predetermined causes the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 14 to melt. It is possible to solve the problem that the ink ribbon 23 adheres and printing cannot be performed thereafter. Further, it is possible to prevent damage to the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 14 that are generated when the thermal head 11 directly prints on the platen roller 14.
Further, before the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 to start printing by the thermal head 11, a plurality of types of printing tapes 22 and ink ribbons 23 that are determined in advance via the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary operations from being brought into the subsequent process.
Further, the tape printer 1 is provided with an LCD 7 for displaying characters, symbols, etc., and the confirmation content that the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 needs to confirm to the operator is displayed on the LCD 7. The contents of confirmation can be clearly communicated to.
Further, before the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 to start printing by the thermal head 11, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 sends confirmation contents that require confirmation to the operator to the LCD 7, for example, The tape cassette is not detected. Check if the tape cassette is installed. "And" Your tape cassette is not compatible with this device. Do you want to continue printing? " Since the display is displayed in a plurality of steps, it is possible to eliminate mistakes by informing the operator a plurality of times that the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 23 are not of a plurality of types, and the operation is further improved. When the user presses the print key 3, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 to proceed with printing by the thermal head 11. In this case, the printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation performed by the thermal head 11 is performed via the drive circuit 58, thereby reliably preventing the fusing of the ink ribbon 23, the surface damage of the platen roller 14, and the like. it can.
The CPU 51 of the control unit 50 is different from the predetermined printing operation when the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 to start printing with a printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation by the thermal head 11. The LCD 7 indicates that the printing operation is in progress, for example, "A non-standard tape cassette has been detected. Printing in the special mode to protect the main unit." Or, a problem mistaken for malfunction can be prevented.

  Next, 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention is described based on FIG. 7, FIG. 9C. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9C is based on special processing printing that is forcibly matched with the printing conditions of the minimum tape width set in any case. It is a sample figure. The tape printer 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. However, in the special processing printing, the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment has the printing energy. While printing is performed on the print-receiving tape 22 through the thermal head 11 set to be lower than the reference value, in the tape printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, any of the print-receiving tapes 22 is selected. Even in this case, printing is performed forcibly according to the printing conditions of the set minimum tape width. In the second embodiment, only the points for special processing printing will be described, and the same reference numerals are used for the same functions.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in S12, the CPU 51 changes the character size to the size corresponding to the minimum width tape in any tape cassette 21 to change the character size to the size corresponding to the minimum width tape. Execute ". The CPU 51 changes the character or the like input by the character input key 2 and stored in the print buffer of the RAM 54 to a size corresponding to the minimum width tape, and stores it again in the print buffer of the RAM 54.

  In S <b> 13, the CPU 51 executes “execute printing”. When the print key 3 of the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 51 sequentially reads out characters and the like that have been input by the character input key 2 and changed to the size corresponding to the minimum width tape stored in the print buffer of the RAM 54. Then, printing is performed on the print-receiving tape 22 of the tape cassette 21 that does not exist in the tape discrimination data table 70 via the thermal head 11, and the print-receiving tape 22 is double-sided by the tape feed motor 34 and the feed roller 15 in synchronization with this. Sending out while adhering to the adhesive tape 24. An example of the printing result is shown in FIG. 9C.

  As described above, in the tape printer 1 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 has a print width corresponding to the print tape 22 having the smallest tape width among the plurality of types of print tapes 22. Since the thermal head 11 is driven so as to perform printing, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 controls the drive circuit 58 for driving and controlling the thermal head 11 so that the printing is wider than the width of the set printing tape 22. Since the printing is performed by the printing operation of the tape 22 and the ink of the ink ribbon 23 is transferred to the platen roller 14 and the unevenness of the ink is formed on the surface of the platen roller 14, the subsequent printing is hindered. Can prevent the problem of end.

  Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of special processing printing of the tape printer according to the third embodiment. The tape printer 1 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment and the tape printer 1 according to the second embodiment. The tape printer 1 of the embodiment prints on the print-receiving tape 22 via the thermal head 11 in which the print energy is set lower than the reference value. In the tape printer 1 of the second embodiment, the print-receiving tape 22 is printed. In any of the cases, the printing is forcibly matched with the printing condition of the minimum tape width set, whereas in the third embodiment, the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 is set to a predetermined printing operation. This is less than the conveying force of the tape feed motor 34 in FIG. In the third embodiment, only the points for special processing printing will be described, and the same reference numerals are used for those having the same function.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in S <b> 14, the CPU 51 executes “set the transport force of the tape feed motor lower than the reference value” in order to set the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 lower than the reference value. The CPU 51 sets the drive circuit 59 so that the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 is controlled to be lower than the reference value.

  In S15, the CPU 51 executes “execute printing”. When the print key 3 of the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 51 sequentially reads out characters and the like input by the character input key 2 and stored in the print buffer of the RAM 54, and the tape discrimination data table via the thermal head 11. The tape feed motor 34 and feed roller controlled by the drive circuit 59 so that printing is performed on the tape 22 to be printed of the tape cassette 21 that does not exist at 70 and the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 is controlled to be lower than the reference value. 15, the print-receiving tape 22 is sent out while being stuck to the double-sided adhesive tape 24.

  As described above, in the tape printer 1 according to the third embodiment, the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 reduces the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 more than the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 in a predetermined printing operation. Therefore, each of the printing tapes 22 and ink ribbons 23 other than a plurality of predetermined types is stretched or cut by the transport force of the tape feed motor 34 during transport, and the thermal head 11, the platen roller 14, and the print quality. Can prevent the problem of causing trouble.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said 1st Embodiment thru | or 3rd Embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  The present invention can be applied to all electronic devices that perform printing with a thermal head using an ink ribbon.

Claims (8)

A printing means for performing a predetermined printing operation for printing characters and the like on the printing tape by a print head while carrying a plurality of predetermined printing tapes and ink ribbons by a carrying device;
Detecting means for detecting the type of each printing tape;
And a protective means for protecting the printing means by performing a printing operation different from the predetermined printing operation when a plurality of types of printing tapes are detected via the detection means. Printing device.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection unit reduces the electrical energy applied to the print head in the printing unit to be lower than the electrical energy applied to the print head in the predetermined printing operation. .   The said protection means drives the said print head so that it may print by the printing width corresponding to the printing tape of the minimum tape width among the said multiple types of printing tapes. The printing device described.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection unit reduces a conveyance force of the conveyance device to be less than a conveyance force of the conveyance device in the predetermined printing operation.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection unit includes a confirmation unit configured to confirm when a plurality of types of printing tapes are detected via the detection unit.   6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus includes display means for displaying characters, symbols, and the like, and confirmation by the confirmation means is displayed by the display means.   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing operation of the protection unit is performed after the confirmation unit is executed a plurality of times.   The said protection means is configured to display on the display means that the printing operation is different from the predetermined printing operation when starting the printing operation of the protection means. Printing device.

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