WO2012128018A1

WO2012128018A1 - Tape printing device

Info

Publication number: WO2012128018A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/055514
Authority: WO
Inventors: 功一近藤; 大河内　肇; 石井　秀和
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2011-03-18
Filing date: 2012-03-05
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: JP2012196781A

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to reduce deformation of a platen roller in a tape printing device when a roller holder provided with the platen roller and side sensor is crimped by the tape cassette, the tape printing device being capable of detecting the type of tape cassette with the aid of a side sensor. Cassette detection processing (S13, S15) is performed when printing is performed by a thermal head (S16-3). With this cassette detection processing (S13, S15), the roller holder is crimped onto the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit, the type of tape cassette is detected by the side sensor, the roller holder is thereafter released from the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting unit, and the device is placed in a print standby state. Deformation of the platen roller can be reduced because the platen holder provided to the roller holder is not pressed into constant contact with the thermal head.

Description

Tape printer

The present invention relates to a tape printer capable of detecting the type of a tape cassette by a side sensor when a roller holder provided with a platen roller and a side sensor is pressure-bonded to the tape cassette.

Some conventional printing apparatuses can detect the type of a tape cassette by a side sensor provided on the roller holder when the roller holder is pressure-bonded to the tape cassette (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2010-284848 A

However, if the time for which the roller holder is pressure-bonded to the tape cassette is extended for a long time, the time for which the platen roller provided in the roller holder is pressed against the thermal head via the tape of the tape cassette becomes longer. Further, as the number of times of crimping increases, the number of times of pressure contact also increases. Therefore, a part of the platen roller provided in the roller holder may be deformed. In this way, if a part of the platen roller is deformed, the tape feeding accuracy is lowered.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when the roller holder provided with the platen roller and the side sensor is pressure-bonded to the tape cassette, the type of the tape cassette can be detected by the side sensor. It is an object of the present invention to reduce deformation of a platen roller in a tape printer.

The invention made to solve this problem includes a cassette mounting portion on which a tape cassette is mounted, a thermal head erected in the cassette mounting portion, and a roller holder that is rotatably provided in the cassette mounting portion. And a platen roller provided in the roller holder, and a side sensor provided in the roller holder, and the roller holder is rotated forward with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion. When the roller holder is in a pressure-bonded state, the platen roller is pressed against the thermal head via the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the tape cassette can be detected by the side sensor, and the inside of the cassette mounting portion The tape holder mounted on the roller holder In the tape printing apparatus in which the roller holder is released by a rolling operation, the tape printing apparatus includes a control device that controls the rotation operation of the roller holder, and the control device, when performing printing with the thermal head, By performing a forward rotation operation of the roller holder, the roller holder is brought into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion, and after detecting the type of the tape cassette by the side sensor, The roller holder is reversely moved so that the roller holder is released with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion.

That is, in the tape printer of the present invention, when the roller holder provided with the platen roller and the side sensor is pressure-bonded to the tape cassette, the type of the tape cassette can be detected by the side sensor. When printing with the thermal head, the roller holder is pressed against the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting section, the type of the tape cassette is detected by the side sensor, and then mounted in the cassette mounting section. Since the roller holder is released with respect to the tape cassette, it is in the print standby state, and the platen roller provided in the roller holder is not pressed against the thermal head all the time, so the deformation of the platen roller Can be reduced.

It is a flowchart figure by which the 1st main program of the tape printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was represented. It is the flowchart figure by which the program of the process at the time of power-on was represented. It is a flowchart figure by which the program of the cassette detection process was represented. It is a flowchart figure by which the program of the cassette information acquisition process was represented. It is the flowchart figure by which the 2nd main program of the same tape printer was represented. It is the flowchart figure by which the 3rd main program of the same tape printer was represented. It is a perspective view of the tape printer in the state where the cover was opened. It is a perspective view of the tape cassette with which the tape printer is mounted. It is the perspective view which represented the roller holder of the tape printer from diagonally backward. It is a block diagram of the tape printer.

[1. Configuration of the present invention]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 7, the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body housing 2 and a cover 3. The cover 3 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body housing 2. The main body housing 2 includes a keyboard 4, a liquid crystal display 5, a cassette mounting portion 6, a thermal head 7, a plate portion 8, and the like.

A thermal head 7 is erected on the cassette mounting portion 6 and a plate portion 8 is provided. The plate part 8 covers a roller holder described later. The cassette mounting portion 6 appears or is covered with the cover 3 by opening and closing the cover 3. Further, a tape cassette 11 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tape cassette 11 has an arm portion 13 that is a protruding portion of the cassette case 12. A cassette identification unit 14 is provided on the front surface of the arm unit 13. The cassette identification unit 14 indicates the type of the tape cassette 11 by the arrangement of holes formed in the front surface of the arm unit 13.

The printing tape 15 is discharged from the tip of the arm part 13. A head insertion portion 16 is formed on the back side of the arm portion 13 and the back side of the printing tape 15. When the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 6 (see FIG. 7), the thermal head 7 (see FIG. 7) is inserted into the head insertion section 16.

Furthermore, when the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (see FIG. 7 above), the roller holder 31 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed against the front surface of the arm portion 13 and the printing tape 15. The

As shown in FIG. 9, the roller holder 31 includes a movable conveyance roller 32, a platen roller 33, a side sensor 34, and the like. Further, the roller holder 31 has a shaft support portion 35. The shaft holder 35 receives rotation of a roller holder motor, which will be described later, directly or indirectly, so that the roller holder 31 is rotatably provided in the cassette mounting portion 6 (see FIG. 7) and rotates forward. Or reverse operation.

That is, when the roller holder 31 is rotated forward by the shaft support 35 or the like, if the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8) is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (see FIG. 7), the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8 above). The roller holder 31 is pressed against the front surface of the arm portion 13 and the printing tape 15. At this time, the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is pressed against the thermal head 7 (see FIG. 7) via the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8). At the same time, the side sensor 34 of the roller holder 31 is brought into pressure contact with the cassette identification section 14 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8), and can detect the type of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8). .

Thereafter, when the roller holder 31 is rotated in the reverse direction by the shaft support portion 35 or the like, the roller holder 31 is released from the front surface of the arm portion 13 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8 above) or the printing tape 15. At this time, since the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is released from the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8), the platen roller 33 is not pressed against the thermal head 7 (see FIG. 7). At the same time, since the side sensor 34 of the roller holder 31 is released from the cassette identification unit 14 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8), it is impossible to detect the type of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8). It is said.

Even if the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8) is not mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (see FIG. 7), the roller holder 31 can be rotated forward by the shaft support portion 35 and the like. It is also possible for the roller holder 31 to reversely rotate by the support portion 35 or the like.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 60, a head drive circuit 68, a cutting motor drive circuit 69, a roller holder motor drive circuit 70, and a transport motor drive circuit 71. Etc. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a CG-ROM 62, an EEPROM 63, a ROM 64, and a RAM 66. Further, the control unit 60, and the head driving circuit 68, the cutting motor drive circuit 69, a roller holder motor driving circuit 70, is connected to the transport motor drive circuit 71. Moreover, the control unit 60, the connection interface 81, a communication interface 82, a keyboard 4, a liquid crystal display 5, the side sensor 34, the color sensor 41 is also connected to the cover sensor 42.

The CPU 61 is a central processing unit that plays a central role in various controls in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the CPU 61 is based on print data, control signals, various control programs, or the like input via the keyboard 4, the connection interface 81, or the communication interface 82. Display 5 etc.).

CG-ROM 62 is a character generator memory for image data of the printed characters and symbols are stored in correspondence with code data with a dot pattern. The EEPROM 63 is a nonvolatile memory capable of writing / erasing stored contents. The ROM 64 stores various control programs and data in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment.

The RAM 66 is a storage device that temporarily stores the calculation results in the CPU 61. In the RAM 66, for example, print data input via the keyboard 4, the connection interface 81, or the communication interface 82 is stored. Further, the RAM 66 stores a cassette information variable described later. The connection interface 81 is for connecting a personal computer (not shown). The communication interface 82 is for receiving communication data from a peripheral device (not shown).

The head drive circuit 68 is a circuit that controls the drive state of the thermal head 7 by supplying a drive signal to the thermal head 7 (see FIG. 7) based on a control signal from the CPU 61.

Cutting motor drive circuit 69 supplies drive signals to the cutting motor 72 based on a control signal from the CPU 61, a circuit for controlling the driving of the cutting motor 72. When the cutting motor 72 is driven, a cutter (not shown) is driven, and the printing tape 15 (see FIG. 8) can be cut in the width direction.

The roller holder motor drive circuit 70 is a circuit that controls the drive of the roller holder motor 73 by supplying a drive signal to the roller holder motor 73 based on a control signal from the CPU 61. When the roller holder motor 73 is driven, the shaft support portion 35 of the roller holder 31 (see FIG. 9 above) receives the drive directly or indirectly, and the roller holder 31 can be rotated forward or backward. it can. That is, the shaft support 35 of the roller holder 31 (see FIG. 9) is directly or indirectly connected to a roller holder motor 73.

Conveying motor drive circuit 71 supplies drive signals to transport motor 74 based on a control signal from the CPU 61, a control circuit for controlling the driving of the conveying motor 74. When the transport motor 74 is driven, a transport mechanism (not shown) is driven to transport the printing tape 15 (see FIG. 8 above).

As described above, the side sensor 34 is provided on the roller holder 31 and is pressed against the cassette identification unit 14 of the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8) mounted on the cassette mounting unit 6 (see FIG. 7). Thus, the type of the tape cassette 11 is detected.

The color sensor 41 detects color information (tape color, ink ribbon color, etc.) regarding the tape cassette 11 (see FIG. 8) mounted on the cassette mounting unit 6 (see FIG. 7). The detection principle of the color sensor 41 includes, for example, detecting a plurality of protruding pieces protruding from the tape cassette 11 being mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6, and based on the combination of the detected plurality of protruding pieces. Some color information (such as tape color and ink ribbon color) is detected.

The cover sensor 42 detects the open / closed state of the cover 3 (see FIG. 7 above). The detection principle of the cover sensor 42 includes, for example, detecting a protruding piece protruding from the cover 3 and detecting the open / closed state of the cover 3 based on the presence or absence of the detection.

[2. First operation of the present invention]
Next, the 1st operation | movement performed with the tape printer 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. The control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 1 is a first main program, which is stored in the ROM 64 and the like and executed by the CPU 61. As shown in FIG. 1, in the first main program, first, in S11, a process at power-on is performed.

In the power-on process, as shown in FIG. 2, first, cassette information variables are initialized in S101. Specifically, the cassette information variable secured in the RAM 66 is initialized. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S102. In S102, other power-on processing is performed.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to S12 in FIG. In S12, it is determined whether or not the cover 3 is closed. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. If the cover 3 is open (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S14 described later. On the other hand, when the cover 3 is closed (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S13. In S13, a cassette detection process is performed.

In the cassette detection process, as shown in FIG. 3, first, in S111, the roller holder 31 is pressure-bonded. That is, the roller holder 31 is rotated forward. At this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6, the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is pressed against the thermal head 7 via the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11, and at the same time, the roller holder 31. The side sensor 34 is in pressure contact with the cassette identification section 14 of the tape cassette 11 and can detect the type of the tape cassette 11. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S112.

In S112, the cassette is detected. Specifically, at this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6, information on the type of the tape cassette 11 is detected via the side sensor 34. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S113.

In S113, the detected information is substituted into the cassette information variable. Specifically, if information relating to the type of the tape cassette 11 is detected in S112, the detected information is overwritten and stored in the cassette information variable of the RAM 66. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S114.

In S114, the roller holder 31 is released. That is, the roller holder 31 is reversely operated. At this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6, the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is released from the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11, so that it is not pressed against the thermal head 7. side sensor 34 of the roller holder 31, since it is released from the cassette identifying unit 14 of the tape cassette 11, is impossible to detect the type of the tape cassette 11.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to S14 in FIG. In S14, it is determined whether or not the cover 3 is closed. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. At this time, if the cover 3 is closed (S14: YES), the process proceeds to S15.

In S15, a cassette detection process is performed. Since this cassette detection process is the same as the cassette detection process of S13, the description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to S14, and the processes after S14 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the cover 3 is not closed in S14 (S14: NO), the process proceeds to S16. In S16, it is determined whether print data has been received. In this determination, it is determined whether print data from a personal computer (not shown) is received via the connection interface 81. If print data has not been received (S16: NO), the process proceeds to S17 described later. On the other hand, if the print data is received (S16: YES), the process proceeds to S16-2.

In S16-2, it is determined whether or not the cover 3 is closed. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. If the cover 3 is open (S16-2: NO), the process proceeds to S17, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the cover 3 is closed (S16-2: YES), the process proceeds to S16-3.

In S16-3, a printing process is performed. In the printing process, the print data determined to have been received in S16 is printed on the printing tape 15. At this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 and the cover 3 is closed, the roller holder 31 is rotated forward, so that the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 It is pressed against the thermal head 7 via the printing tape 15. After the printing is completed, the roller holder 31 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is released from the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11, so that it is not pressed against the thermal head 7. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S17.

In S17, it is determined whether or not there is a cassette information transmission request. This request is made from a personal computer (not shown) via the connection interface 81. Here, when there is no request for transmission of cassette information (S17: NO), the process returns to S14 and the processes after S14 are repeated.

On the other hand, when there is a request for transmitting cassette information (S17: YES), the process proceeds to S18. In S18, a cassette information transmission process is performed.

In the cassette information transmission process, as shown in FIG. 4, the contents of the cassette information variable are returned in S121. Specifically, the contents of the cassette information variable in the RAM 66 are transmitted to a personal computer (not shown) via the connection interface 81. If no cassette is detected in S112, information “no cassette” is transmitted to the personal computer (not shown) via the connection interface 81 as the contents of the cassette information variable.

Thereafter, the process returns to S14, and the processes after S14 are repeated.

When the first main program is executed in this way, the cassette is detected when the cover 3 is closed (S14: YES) or when the power is on and the cover 3 is closed (S12: YES). By performing the processing (S13, S15), the roller holder 31 is pressure-bonded (S111), the tape cassette 11 is detected (S112), and information on the type of the tape cassette 11 obtained by the detection is obtained. It is stored in the RAM 66 (S113). Thereafter, the roller holder 31 is released (S114), and a print standby state is set. When the information about the type of the tape cassette 11 is needed: The (S17 YES), the information stored in the RAM66 is used (S121).

In other words, when the time when the cover 3 is closed (S14: YES) or the state where the cover 3 is closed (S12: YES) is regarded as the time when the tape cassette 11 is replaced, when the tape cassette 11 is replaced and when the power is turned on. The tape cassette 11 is detected (S112), and then the roller holder 31 is released (S114). Further, if the information about the type of the tape cassette 11 is needed: The (S17 YES), the information stored in the RAM66 is used (S121). Accordingly, since it is not necessary to continue the compression of the roller holder 31 (S 111), it is possible to reduce the deformation of the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31.

[3. Second operation of the present invention]
Next, the second operation executed by the tape printer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is a second main program, which is stored in the ROM 64 and executed by the CPU 61.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the second main program, first, in S31, processing is performed when the power is turned on. Since this power-on process is the same as the power-on process in the first operation (S11 in FIG. 1), description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S32.

In S32, color information detection processing is performed. In this process, detection signals from the color sensor 41 are acquired. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S33.

In S33, it is determined whether or not the color information is unknown. In this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S32 is treated as color information. If the color information is unknown (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S35 described later. On the other hand, if the color information is not unknown (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S34.

In S34, a cassette detection process is performed. Since this cassette detection process is the same as the cassette detection process (S13, S15) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35.

In S35, it is determined whether or not the state of the color sensor 41 has changed. This determination process is performed based on the detection signal acquired from the color sensor 41. If the state of the color sensor 41 has changed (S35: YES), the process proceeds to S36.

In S36, color information detection processing is performed. In this process, detection signals from the color sensor 41 are acquired. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S37.

In S37, it is determined whether or not the color information is unknown. In this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S36 is treated as color information. If the color information is unknown (S37: NO), the process proceeds to S39 described later. On the other hand, if the color information is not unknown (S37: YES), the process proceeds to S38.

In S38, a cassette detection process is performed. Since this cassette detection process is the same as the cassette detection process (S13, S15) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to S35, and the processes after S35 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the state of the color sensor 41 has not changed in S35 (S35: NO), the process proceeds to S39. In S39, it is determined whether print data has been received. In this determination, it is determined whether print data from a personal computer (not shown) is received via the connection interface 81. Here, when print data is not received (S39: NO), it progresses to S40 mentioned later. On the other hand, when the print data is received (S39: YES), the process proceeds to S39-2.

In S39-2, it is determined whether or not the color information is unknown. In this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S32 or S36 is treated as color information. If the color information is unknown (S39: 2: NO), the process proceeds to S40 described later. On the other hand, if the color information is not unknown (S39-2: YES), the process proceeds to S39-3.

In S39-3, a printing process is performed. In the printing process, the print data determined to be received in S39 is printed on the printing tape 15. At this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 6 and the color information is not known, the roller holder 31 is rotated forward so that the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 It is pressed against the thermal head 7 via the printing tape 15. After the printing is completed, the roller holder 31 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is released from the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11, so that it is not pressed against the thermal head 7. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S40.

In S40, it is determined whether or not there is a cassette information transmission request. This request is made from a personal computer (not shown) via the connection interface 81. Here, when there is no transmission request for the cassette information: The (S40 NO), the flow returns to S35, processing of S35 and later is repeated.

On the other hand, if there is a request for transmitting cassette information (S40: YES), the process proceeds to S41.

In S41, cassette information transmission processing is performed. Since this cassette information transmission process is the same as the cassette information transmission process (S18) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted.

Thereafter, the process returns to S35, and the processes after S35 are repeated.

When the second main program is executed in this way, the state of the color sensor 41 changes (S35: YES) and the color information is not unknown (S37: YES), or the power is turned on and the color If the information is not unknown (S33: YES), cassette detection processing (S34, S38) is performed.

That is, if the state of the color sensor 41 changes (S35: YES) is considered as the time of replacement of the tape cassette 11, the time of replacement of the tape cassette 11 is based on the detection signals (S32, S36) acquired from the color sensor 41. it is possible to detect Te, without using the cover sensor 42, it is possible to perform the cassette detection process (S34, S38) when replacing the tape cassette 11.

Further, when the color information is unknown (S33: NO, S37: NO), it can be considered that the tape cassette 11 is not mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6. That is, when the color information is unknown (S33: NO, S37: NO), that is, when the tape cassette 11 is not loaded in the cassette loading unit 6, the cassette detection process (S34, S38) is not performed. Since the roller holder 31 is not operated, the opportunity to deform the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 can be prevented.

[4. Third operation of the present invention]
Next, the 3rd operation performed with tape printer 1 concerning this embodiment is explained. The control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is a third main program, and is stored in the ROM 64 and executed by the CPU 61.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the third main program, first, in S61, processing is performed when the power is turned on. Since this power-on process is the same as the power-on process in the first operation (S11 in FIG. 1), description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S62.

In S62, it is determined whether or not the cover 3 is closed. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. If the cover 3 is open (S62: NO), the process proceeds to S66 described later. On the other hand, when the cover 3 is closed (S62: YES), the process proceeds to S63.

In S63, color information detection processing is performed. In this process, detection signals from the color sensor 41 are acquired. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S64.

In S64, it is determined whether or not the color information is unknown. In this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S63 is treated as color information. If the color information is unknown (S64: NO), the process proceeds to S66 described later. On the other hand, if the color information is not unknown (S64: YES), the process proceeds to S65.

In S65, a cassette detection process is performed. Since this cassette detection process is the same as the cassette detection process (S13, S15) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S66.

In S66, it is determined whether or not the cover 3 is closed. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. At this time, when the cover 3 is closed (S66: YES), the process proceeds to S67.

In S67, color information detection processing is performed. In this process, detection signals from the color sensor 41 are acquired. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S68.

In S68, it is determined whether or not the color information is unknown. In this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S67 is treated as color information. If the color information is unknown (S68: NO), the process proceeds to S70 described later. On the other hand, if the color information is not unknown (S68: YES), the process proceeds to S69.

In S69, a cassette detection process is performed. Since this cassette detection process is the same as the cassette detection process (S13, S15) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to S66, and the processes after S66 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the cover 3 is not closed in S66 (S66: NO), the process proceeds to S70. In S70, it is determined whether print data has been received. In this determination, it is determined whether print data from a personal computer (not shown) is received via the connection interface 81. Here, when print data is not received (S70: NO), it progresses to S71 mentioned later. On the other hand, if the print data is received (S70: YES), the process proceeds to S70-2.

In S70-2, it is determined whether the cover 3 is closed and the color information is not unknown. This determination process is performed based on a detection signal from the cover sensor 42. Further, in this determination process, the detection signal acquired in S63 or S67 is treated as color information. Here, when the cover 3 is opened, or when the color information is unknown (S70 of 2: NO), the process proceeds to S71 to be described later. In contrast, the cover 3 has been closed, and, if the color information is not unknown (S70 of 2: YES), the process proceeds to 3 of S70.

In S70-3, a printing process is performed. In the printing process, the print data determined to have been received in S70 is printed on the printing tape 15. At this time, if the tape cassette 11 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 and the cover 3 is closed and the color information is not unknown, the roller holder 31 is rotated forward to move the roller holder 31. The platen roller 33 is pressed against the thermal head 7 via the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11. After the printing is completed, the roller holder 31 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 is released from the printing tape 15 of the tape cassette 11, so that it is not pressed against the thermal head 7. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S71.

In S71, it is determined whether or not there is a request for transmitting cassette information. This request is made from a personal computer (not shown) via the connection interface 81. Here, when there is no transmission request for the cassette information: The (S71 NO), the flow returns to S66, processing of S66 and later is repeated.

On the other hand, if there is a request for transmission of cassette information (S71: YES), the process proceeds to S72.

In S72, cassette information transmission processing is performed. Since this cassette information transmission process is the same as the cassette information transmission process (S18) of the first operation, the description thereof is omitted.

Thereafter, the process returns to S66, and the processes after S66 are repeated.

When the third main program is executed in this manner, the cover 3 is closed (S66: YES) and the color information is not unknown (S68: YES), or when the power is turned on and the cover 3 is closed (S62: YES) and if the color information is not unknown (S64: YES), the cassette detecting process (S65, S69) is performed.

In this regard, if the case where the cover 3 is closed (S66: YES) is regarded as the time of replacement of the tape cassette 11, the time of replacement of the tape cassette 11 can be detected based on the detection signal acquired from the cover sensor 42. Therefore, the cassette detection process (S65, S69) can be performed when the tape cassette 11 is replaced.

Further, when the color information is unknown (S64: NO, S68: NO), it can be considered that the tape cassette 11 is not mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6. That is, when the color information is unknown (S64: NO, S68: NO), that is, when the tape cassette 11 is not loaded in the cassette loading unit 6, the cassette detection process (S65, S69) is not performed. Since the roller holder 31 is not operated, the opportunity to deform the platen roller 33 of the roller holder 31 can be prevented.

Furthermore, when the cover 3 is open (S62: NO, S66: NO), the cassette detection process (S65, S69) is not performed. Therefore, when the cassette detection process (S65, S69) is performed, since the cover 3 is in a closed state (S62: YES, S66: YES), the cassette detection process (S65, S69) is performed. The possibility that the user touches the tape cassette 11 during the process can be reduced.

[5. Summary]
That is, in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the side sensor 34 detects the type of the tape cassette 11 when the roller holder 31 provided with the platen roller 33 and the side sensor 34 is pressed against the tape cassette 11. This is possible (S112).

When the first operation of FIG. 1, the second operation of FIG. 5, or the third operation of FIG. 6 is performed, when printing with the thermal head 7 (S16-3, S39-3, S70-3). The cassette detection process (S13, S15, S34, S38, S65, S69) is performed. In this cassette detection process (S13, S15, S34, S38, S65, S69), the roller holder 31 is brought into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (S111). Is detected by the side sensor 34 (S112, S113), the roller holder 31 is released from the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 6 (S114), and the print standby state is set. In addition, since the platen roller 33 provided in the roller holder 31 is never pressed against the thermal head 7, deformation of the platen roller 33 can be reduced.

In the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 61 performs printing with the thermal head 7 when performing the first operation in FIG. 1, the second operation in FIG. 5, or the third operation in FIG. 6. The cassette detection process (S13, S15, S34, S38, S65, S69) is also performed in cases other than the case (S16-3, S39-3, S70-3). In this cassette detection process (S13, S15, S34, S38, S65, S69), the roller holder 31 is brought into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (S111). Is detected by the side sensor 34 (S112, S113), the roller holder 31 is released from the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting portion 6 (S114). For example, a thermal head 7 (S16-3, S39-3, S70-3), even if the tape cassette 11 is replaced (S12: YES, S14: YES, S33: YES, S37: YES, S64: YES, S68: YES), cassette detection processing (S13, S15, S34, S38, Than to 65, S69) is performed, is it possible to detect the type of the tape cassette 11 by the side sensor 34.

In the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 61 performs printing with the thermal head 7 when performing the first operation in FIG. 1 or the third operation in FIG. 6 (S16-3, S70). 3), that is, when the cover sensor 42 detects that the cover 3 is closed (S12: YES, S14: YES, S62: YES, S66: YES), or the power supply of the tape printer 1 When is turned on (S11, S61), cassette detection processing (S13, S15, S65, S69) is performed. In this cassette detection process (S13, S15, S65, S69), the roller holder 31 is pressed against the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting section 6 (S111), and the type of the tape cassette 11 is changed to the side. After detection by the sensor 34 (S112, S113), the roller holder 31 is released with respect to the tape cassette 11 mounted on the cassette mounting unit 6 (S114). For example, the thermal head 7 performs printing. Even if it is performed (S16-3, S70-3), the cassette detection process (S12: YES, S14: YES, S62: YES, S66: YES) will occur even if an opportunity to acquire the type of the tape cassette 11 is reached S13, S15, S65, and S69) can be performed, and the side sensor 3 Is it possible to detect the type of the tape cassette 11 by.

[6. Others]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 3 Cover 6 Cassette mounting part 7 Thermal head 11 Tape cassette 15 Printing tape 31 Roller holder 33 Platen roller 34 Side sensor 42 Cover sensor 61 CPU

Claims

A cassette mounting portion in which a tape cassette is mounted, a thermal head standing in the cassette mounting portion, a roller holder rotatably provided in the cassette mounting portion, and a platen roller provided in the roller holder And a side sensor provided in the roller holder, and when the roller holder is brought into a pressure-bonded state by a normal rotation operation of the roller holder with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion, The platen roller is pressed against the thermal head via the tape of the tape cassette, and the type of the tape cassette can be detected by the side sensor. The tape holder mounted in the cassette mounting portion is Release the roller holder by reverse movement In the tape printing apparatus according to the state in which,
A control device for controlling the rotation operation of the roller holder;
When performing printing with the thermal head, the control device performs a normal rotation operation of the roller holder to bring the roller holder into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion. After the type of the tape cassette is detected by the side sensor, the roller holder is reversely operated to release the roller holder with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion. A tape printer characterized by that.
The tape printer according to claim 1,
Even if the control device does not perform printing with the thermal head, the roller holder is brought into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion by performing the forward rotation operation of the roller holder. After the type of the tape cassette is detected by the side sensor, the roller holder is reversely operated to release the roller holder with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion. A tape printer characterized by that.
The tape printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
An openable / closable cover for revealing or covering the cassette mounting portion;
A cover sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the cover,
The control device, when it is detected that the cover has shifted to a closed state by the cover sensor, or when the tape printer is turned on, other than when printing with the thermal head, By performing a forward rotation operation of the roller holder, the roller holder is brought into a pressure-bonded state with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion, and after detecting the type of the tape cassette by the side sensor, A tape printing apparatus characterized in that the roller holder is released with respect to the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting section by performing a reverse operation of the roller holder.