JP3674132B2 - Tape label production equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of selecting a ribbon color for printing a text in a printing color suitable for the color of a tape mounted on the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the applicant of the present application, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-84994, is a label suitable for printing a character or symbol character or mark on a printing tape as a printing medium and affixing it to a back cover of a file. A tape-shaped label producing apparatus suitable for producing the tape was proposed and put into practical use. This label producing apparatus includes a keyboard, a display, and a thermal printing type printing mechanism. Characters and marks are printed on a printing tape (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 mm) as a printing medium. It is configured to print in size and typeface.
[0003]
By the way, the tape-like label created by printing characters is not limited to the back cover of the file, but is suitable for being attached to, for example, a cassette tape, its cassette tape case, and further a video tape or its video tape case. In addition, it is conceivable that the print character string is printed in a colorful manner by partially changing the color according to the recorded contents and genre. Therefore, the inventors of the present application are not only “black” but also a plurality of types of ribbon cassettes, such as “red”, “green”, “blue”,... The ribbon cassette is configured to be detachable from the tape cassette, and the color for multicolor printing is set in the order of printing, while the input text is Input by changing the ribbon cassette that has the same ribbon color as the set print color in order to execute the color range setting process to set the print target range for each print color to be printed with the set multiple colors The idea was to print the multicolored text in multiple colors.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the device conceived by the inventors of the present application, since the tape color and the ribbon color of the ink ribbon can be freely combined, for example, the same color tape is accidentally printed on the black tape with the black ribbon. And the ink ribbon are combined, resulting in a problem that the print result cannot be recognized at all.
[0005]
Further, depending on the combination, the tape color and the ribbon color may be a combination of colors that are not suitable in design, and a problem arises that a label that is not good in appearance and difficult to see what is printed is created.
[0006]
In addition, for example, when printing on a light blue tape with a red ink ribbon, the print result looks brown, etc. The problem is that it changes depending on the color of the ribbon and changes from the original ribbon color.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and by making it possible to select and set a ribbon color suitable for the color of the attached tape, printing is performed with a ribbon color suitable for the tape color. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of producing a good-looking label printed with a desired printing color.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1 includes an input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands, a data storage means for storing input text data, Tape-like label production comprising display means including a display and printing means including a print head for printing on a tape as a printing medium and having a plurality of removable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing in a plurality of printing colors A tape color detecting means for detecting the color of the tape, a print color storing means for storing a combination of the tape color and a print color suitable for the tape color, and a tape color detected by the tape color detecting means Printing color selection means for reading out the printing color suitable for the printing from the printing color storage means and selecting the printing color to be set in the text from the read printing color.
[0009]
In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, configured as described above, the color of the tape on which the tape color detecting means is mounted is detected when setting the print color for the text input by the input means. Then, the print color selection means reads the print color suitable for the tape color detected by the tape color detection means from the print color storage means, and selects the print color to be set for the text from the print color.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a tape cassette that accommodates the tape, wherein the tape color detecting means is provided on the side where the tape cassette is accommodated, It is comprised from the to-be-detected member which differs for every tape color provided in the tape cassette side.
[0011]
The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 2 configured as described above has the same operation as that of claim 1, but is provided in a tape cassette equipped with a detection switch provided on the cassette housing portion side. By detecting the detected member, the color of the tape stored in the tape cassette is detected.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the number of print colors suitable for the tape color is stored and the tape color detected by the tape color detection means. Printing color number setting means for enabling setting of the number of printing colors equal to or less than the number of printing colors suitable for the above.
[0013]
The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 3 configured as described above has the same operation as that of claim 1 except that the tape color detecting means detects the tape color and the print color number setting means is the print color number setting means. The number of print colors suitable for the tape color detected from the color number storage means is read, and the number of print colors less than that number can be set.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the ribbon color detecting means for detecting the ribbon color of the ink ribbon via the ribbon cassette mounted thereon and the data storage means are stored. In response to the setting results of the color-specific range setting means for setting the print target range for each print color to be printed in multiple colors, the text data and the setting results of the color-specific range setting means, multiple prints A print control means for controlling the printing means to print in a predetermined printing order by color, and a print color to be printed by the print control means and a ribbon color detected by the ribbon color detection means when printing with each print color And a comparison command means for instructing the print control means to execute printing only when they match.
[0015]
In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 4 configured as described above, the same effect as in claim 1 is obtained, but the ribbon color detecting means passes through the ribbon cassette attached to the label producing apparatus. Since the ribbon color of the ink ribbon is detected and the color-specific range setting means sets the print target range for each print color to be printed in a plurality of colors among the text stored in the data storage means, the print control means Receives the text data and the setting result of the color-specific range setting means, and controls the printing means to print in a predetermined printing color order with a plurality of printing colors. By the way, the comparison command means compares the print color to be printed by the print control means with the ribbon color detected by the ribbon color detection means when printing in each print color, and prints only when both colors match. Command the control means to execute printing.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the tape color stored in the print color storage means and the print color suitable for the tape color are displayed on the display. Command means are provided.
[0017]
In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 5 configured as described above, the same effect as that of claim 1 is achieved, but the print color display command means and the tape color stored in the print color storage means The print color suitable for the tape color is displayed on the display.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label producing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands; data storage means for storing input text data; and display means including a display; A tape color setting means for setting the color of the tape as a printing medium, a print color storage means for storing a combination of the tape color and a print color suitable for the tape color, and a tape color set by the tape color setting means Printing color selection means for reading out a printing color suitable for printing from the printing color storage means and selecting a printing color to be set for the text from the read printing color.
[0019]
In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 6, configured as described above, when setting the print color for the text input by the input means, the tape color setting means sets the color of the tape and prints it. The color selection means reads the print color suitable for the tape color set by the tape color setting means from the print color storage means, and selects the print color to be set for the text from the print color.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of multicolor printing by replacing a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors with a printing tape as a printing medium for a large number of characters such as characters and symbols. Is the case.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 4 provided with various function keys in addition to character keys such as characters, symbols, and numbers is disposed at the front of the main body cover 2 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1. A liquid crystal display 5 capable of displaying input characters and symbols is provided immediately behind the keyboard 4 and is provided inside the main body cover 2 corresponding to the cassette cover 3 that is opened and closed when the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced. Is provided with a thermal printing mechanism 10 having a thermal head 12. Here, the cassette cover 3 can be opened by sliding the slide knob 6, and the printed printing tape 22 can be manually cut by pressing the cutting knob 85 downward.
[0023]
Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
First, the tape cassette 20 that is detachably mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
Inside the tape case 21 of the tape cassette 20, a tape spool 23 around which a print tape 22 made of a thin film is wound is rotatably provided. A plurality of print tapes 22 fed out from the tape spool 23 are provided. The guide portion is guided in a curved shape, passes immediately before the thermal head 12, is transferred in the tape feed direction by the tape feed roller 24, and is discharged to the outside of the tape cassette 20.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, two spaced apart portions of the outer peripheral wall of the tape case 21 are provided for guiding and supporting the ribbon cassette 30 in the vertical direction when the ribbon cassette 30 described below is attached or detached. The lower ends of the pair of guide shafts 21a and 21b are integrally formed. Further, the tape case 21 is formed with a pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d which are in contact with and supported by the lower side of the ribbon cassette 30.
[0027]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the maximum for detecting the tape color of the printing tape 22 accommodated in the tape cassette 20 between the pair of guide shafts 21a and 21b on the outer peripheral wall of the tape case 21. In FIG. 5, a detection hole group 25 (one detection hole 25a is provided in FIG. 5) in which two detection holes 25a are combined is provided. The number of detection holes 25a forming the detection hole group 25 is not limited to two, and three to four may be formed according to the type of tape color.
[0028]
Next, the ribbon cassette 30 detachably mounted on the tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0029]
In the ribbon case 31 of the ribbon cassette 30, an upper wall portion 31a that is in contact with a part of the tape case 21 from the upper side extends horizontally and is integrally formed. A pair of the tape case 21 is formed at the end of the upper wall portion 31a. A pair of engaging legs 31b and 31c having through holes are formed to be fitted around the guide shafts 21a and 21b, and a vertical wall 31d that is in contact with the notch 21e of the tape case 21 is formed. Yes. The ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head accommodating portion 37 that accommodates the thermal head 12 that is inserted from below through the tape cassette 20.
[0030]
Further, a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound and a ribbon take-up spool 34 for winding the ink ribbon 32 are rotatably provided inside the ribbon case 31, and are wound around the ribbon spool 33. When the ink ribbon 32 faces the thermal head 12, the ink ribbon 32 temporarily approaches a parallel shape with the printing tape 22, and is bent at a substantially acute angle by a separation portion 35 a of a separation member 35 formed integrally with the ribbon case 31. The ribbon is separated from the print tape 22 and is taken up by a ribbon take-up spool 34. That is, the separation member 35 of the ribbon case 31 is located downstream of the thermal head 12 in the tape feeding direction. The ribbon case 31 is formed with a lid member 31e that supports the ribbon spool 33, the take-up spool 34, the separation member 35, and the like from above.
[0031]
On the other hand, a ribbon cassette housing portion 21f (see FIG. 7) for housing the ribbon cassette 30 is formed in the tape case 21, and a tab piece is provided on the upper surface of the lid member 31e and the upper wall portion 31a of the ribbon case 31. Since 31f and 31g are formed, for printing, a tape case 21 is first mounted in a mounting recess (not shown) provided in the main body cover 2, and then a ribbon having an ink ribbon 32 of a desired print color. The cassette 30 can be mounted in the ribbon cassette housing part 21 f of the tape case 21. At this time, the pair of engaging leg portions 31b and 31c are first fitted onto the corresponding guide shafts 21a and 21b through the through-holes while the pair of knob pieces 31f and 31g are grasped with two fingers. However, the ribbon cassette 30 is moved downward and stored in the ribbon cassette storage portion 21f. At this time, the upper wall portion 31a of the ribbon case 31 overlaps the upper surface of the tape cassette 20, and the lower end portion of the ribbon cassette 30 abuts against the pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d of the tape case 21 from above. The cassette 30 is held at a predetermined position with respect to the tape case 21 (see FIG. 8).
[0032]
By the way, the ribbon cassette 30 is prepared in plural types depending on the ribbon color (red, green, yellow, black,...) Of the ink ribbon 32 and the ribbon width (12, 18, 24, 32 mm). In the lower end portion of the vertical wall portion 31d of the case 31, in order to detect any one of these plural types of ribbon cassettes 30, a detection hole group 36 (in FIG. One detection hole 36a is formed).
[0033]
Next, a tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 40 capable of transferring the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 in the feeding direction as the printing direction and the rewinding direction as the reverse printing direction will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
The main body frame 11 includes a tape take-up cam 41 that can be engaged with the center portion of the tape spool 23, a ribbon take-up cam 42 that can be engaged with the center portion of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and the center of the tape feed roller 24. A tape drive cam 43 that engages with the portion is pivotally supported, and the thermal head 12 is erected.
[0035]
The main body frame 11 is provided with a ribbon detection switch group 103 including first to sixth detection switches in order to detect the presence or absence of the six detection holes 36a of the detection hole group 36 of the ribbon cassette 30. A ribbon detection signal RS based on a combination of switch signals from these six detection switches is output.
[0036]
Further, in order to detect the presence or absence of the two detection holes 25a of the detection hole group 25 of the tape cassette 20 at a position adjacent to the ribbon detection switch group 103, a tape color detection composed of seventh to eighth detection switches. A switch group 105 is provided, and a tape color detection signal TCS based on a combination of switch signals from these two detection switches is output. The tape color detection switch group 105 is not limited to the one formed by two detection switches, and a plurality of tape color detection switch groups 105 are arranged in accordance with the maximum number of holes of the detection hole group 25 formed in the tape cassette 20. A detection switch may be provided.
[0037]
Further, a tape drive motor 44 composed of a stepping motor is attached to the right end portion of the front end portion of the main body frame 11, and a gear 46 rotatably supported on the main body frame 11 by a drive gear 45 of the tape drive motor 44. ˜53 are sequentially meshed with each other, and the tape drive gear 54 and the gear 55 fixed to the tape drive cam 43 are meshed with the gear 53. Here, the gear 48 and the gear 49 are integrally formed and fixed to the lower end portion of the ribbon take-up cam 42, the gear 50 and the gear 51 are integrally formed, and the tape take-up gear 52 is It is fixed to the lower end of the tape take-up cam 41. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 through these gears 45 to 54, and the print tape 22 is transferred by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.
[0038]
On the other hand, the base end portion of the swing lever 56 is supported in a state where an appropriate frictional resistance is applied between the two gears 50 and 51 in the gap between the two gears 50 and 51 formed integrally. A planetary gear 57 that always meshes with the gear 51 is pivotally supported by the lever 56 so as to be rotatable. Further, the base end portion of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is sandwiched between the one end and the base end portion of the winding spring 59 supported by the cutting prohibition lever 84 on the pivot shaft 58 of the gear 53. The urging force of the winding spring 59 is pressed and supported.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction for normal printing (forward rotation drive) and the gear 50 rotates in the clockwise direction, the frictional force between the two causes The swing lever 56 is also rotated in the clockwise direction so that the planetary gear 57 does not mesh with the tape take-up gear 52 and the tape take-up cam 41 becomes free. At the same time as the printing tape 22 is fed out, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the cutting prohibiting lever 84 rotates in the counterclockwise rotating direction, and the leading end of the cutting prohibiting lever 84 is a cutting lever described later. 82, the cutting operation is prohibited, and the ribbon take-up cam 42 is rotated counterclockwise via a clutch spring (not shown) by the rotation of the ribbon drive gear 45 in the counterclockwise direction. Rotates in the direction, the ink ribbon 32 is taken ribbon take-up spool 34 wound.
[0040]
Incidentally, a roller holder 67 that rotatably supports the rubber platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 is pivotally supported on a pivot shaft 68 provided upright on the main body frame 11. The release lever 71 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with opening and closing, and the position is switched over between the print position shown in FIG. 9 and the release position shown in FIG.
[0041]
Here, the roller holder 67 is always elastically biased to the release position by a winding spring (not shown). That is, the roller 72 pivotally attached to the release lever 71 contacts the standing wall 11a of the main body frame 11 and one end of the release lever 71 contacts the roller holder 67 from the rear side. When the left end of the release lever 71 moves leftward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 10 to the operating position shown in FIG. 9, the left end of the release lever 71 enters the wedge shape between the roller holder 67 and the standing wall 11a, and the roller holder 67 is released. Switch from position to print position.
[0042]
At this time, the platen roller 65 presses the thermal head 12 via the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32, and the tape feed sub-roller 66 presses the tape feed roller 24 via the print tape 22.
[0043]
Here, when the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, the platen gear (not shown) fixed to the lower end portion of the platen roller 65 is engaged with the gear 55 and the sub roller gear (fixed to the lower end portion of the tape feed sub roller 66 ( (Not shown) meshes with the tape drive gear 54.
[0044]
Next, a head release mechanism 70 for driving the release lever 71 to the right in conjunction with the opening of the cassette cover 3 to release the roller holder 67 to the thermal head 12 by switching to the release position will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 will be briefly described.
[0045]
A rear end portion of the cassette cover 3 is supported by a pivot pin attached to the main body cover 2 so as to be opened and closed at a plurality of locations. A curved groove cam is formed on the right side wall of the cassette cover 3. An engagement pin 75 that engages with the groove cam is fixed to the rear end portion of the operating plate 74 disposed below the right end portion of the main body frame 11. By the way, the right end of the release lever 71 is pivotally supported by one lever of a bifurcated lever 76 pivotally attached to the body frame 11, and the other lever of the bifurcated lever 76 has The operation plate 74 is connected via a pin 77 fixed to the front end portion.
[0046]
When the cassette cover 3 is closed, that is, when the roller holder 67 is in the printing position shown in FIG. 9, when the cassette cover 3 is opened, the engaging pin that engages with the groove cam by the movement of the groove cam. 75 moves backward, so that the operation plate 74 moves backward, the bifurcated lever 76 rotates counterclockwise, and the release lever 71 moves to the right, so that the roller holder 67 is moved. Switch to the release position. At this time, when the operation plate 74 moves rearward, the cover open / close detection switch 102 (see FIG. 11) outputs an “H” level cover open / close signal VS.
[0047]
When the cassette cover 3 is opened, that is, when the roller holder 67 is at the release position shown in FIG. 10 and the cassette cover 3 is closed, the engaging pin 75 moves forward by the movement of the groove cam 3b. Therefore, the operation plate 74 moves forward, the bifurcated lever 76 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 10, and the release lever 71 moves to the left, so that the roller holder 67 moves. The print position is switched to the non-release state.
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when printing is performed, the tape cassette 20 is first attached to the thermal printing mechanism 10, and then the ribbon cassette 30 is attached to the tape cassette 20, and the cassette cover 3 is attached. When is closed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position.
[0049]
In this state, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the normal printing direction, the gears 45 to 55 are driven in predetermined rotation directions, and the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are counterclockwise. Since the tape feed sub-roller 66 and the tape feed roller 24 are rotated in synchronization with each other in the rotation direction, the print tape 22 is connected to the tape cutting mechanism 80 and the tape detection mechanism 90 while being printed by the thermal head 12. It passes through and is discharged outside.
[0050]
At this time, since the tape take-up cam 41 becomes free, the print tape 22 wound around the tape spool 23 is sequentially fed out without resistance. At the same time, the ink ribbon 32 is fed from the ribbon spool 33 in synchronism with the print tape 22 by the rotation of the platen roller 65, and the ribbon take-up cam 42 is rotated by the rotation of the ribbon take-up gear 48. The ribbon is taken up by a ribbon take-up spool 34 that engages and rotates.
[0051]
On the other hand, when the first color printing is completed and the second color printing is executed, the cassette cover 3 is first opened, and when the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the roller holder 67 is moved to the release position by the head release mechanism 70. It has been switched. When the tape drive motor 44 is reversely driven in the counterclockwise rotation direction (rewinding direction), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, these gears 45 to 55 are respectively driven in predetermined rotation directions. At this time, by the rotation of the gear 50 in the counterclockwise direction, the swing lever 56 is also rotated in the counterclockwise direction so that the planetary gear 57 meshes with the tape take-up gear 52 and the tape take-up cam. 41 rotates counterclockwise, and the printed print tape 22 is wound on the tape spool 23. Here, the ribbon take-up gear 48 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction. However, since the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the ink ribbon 32 taken up on the ribbon take-up spool 34 is not fed out.
[0052]
Next, the tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printed printing tape 22 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
[0053]
The lower end portion of the fixed blade 81 is fixed to the left end wall 11b in which the left end portion of the main body frame 11 is partially bent downward, and the base end portion of the cutting lever 82 having a substantially L shape in side view is a screw 83. The cutting lever 82 is pivotally supported so that a movable blade is formed. Here, during printing, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 53 rotates counterclockwise, and the tip of the cutting prohibiting lever 84 moves to the lower side of the cutting lever 82, so that the cutting operation is performed. prohibited.
[0054]
However, when the tape drive motor 44 is rotated slightly in the rewinding direction at the end of printing, the gear 53 rotates slightly in the clockwise direction, and the tip of the cutting prohibiting lever 84 is below the cutting lever 82. When the cutting knob 85 at the front end of the cutting lever 82 is pressed downward when the cutting operation becomes possible, the movable blade rotates to the cutting position, and the fixed blade and the movable blade The printing tape 22 positioned between the two is cut by the cooperation of these two blades. At this time, the cutting detection switch 101 (see FIG. 11) attached to the main body frame 11 is operated by the operating member attached to the cutting lever 82 and outputs the cutting detection signal CS. When the pressing operation of the cutting lever 82 is stopped, the cutting lever 82 is rotated back to the original predetermined position indicated by the solid line by a biasing force by a spring (not shown).
[0055]
Next, a tape detection mechanism 90 that is provided outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 and detects the presence or absence of the print tape 22 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
[0056]
Guide members 94 and 95 are integrally formed on the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80, and a light emitting element 92 is attached in one guide member 95, and the other guide member 94 receives light. Element 93 is attached. A slit 98 through which the printing tape 22 can pass is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95, and a small-diameter light passage hole is formed in a portion opposite to the pair of guide members 94 and 95. In addition, the inclined guide portions 99 are formed, and the leading end portion of the print tape 22 that has passed through the tape cutting mechanism 80 is guided by this guide portion 99, so that it can be reliably detected through the slit 98. It is possible.
[0057]
The sensor light emitted from the light emitting element 92 passes through the light passage holes formed in the guide members 94 and 95 and is projected onto the light receiving element 93. That is, only when the printing tape 22 enters the tape detection sensor 91 and exists between the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 93, the sensor light is cut off. The L "level tape detection signal TS is output.
[0058]
Next, the control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
[0059]
The input / output interface 113 of the control device CD includes a keyboard 4, a tape detection sensor 91, a cut detection switch 101, a cover open / close detection switch 102, a ribbon detection switch group 103, a tape color detection switch group 105, and a liquid crystal. A display controller (LCDC) 104 having a video RAM for outputting display data to the display (LCD) 5, a drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12, and a drive circuit 108 for the tape drive motor 44. Each is connected.
[0060]
The control device CD includes a CPU 110, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus, a font ROM 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 120.
[0061]
The font ROM 111 stores display dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters such as characters and symbols, and stores print dot pattern data for a plurality of print character sizes.
[0062]
The ROM 112 has a display drive control program for controlling the display controller 104 in correspondence with character code data such as characters, symbols, and numbers input from the keyboard 4, and characters and symbols stored in the text memory 121. Print control program for creating dot pattern data to be used for printing, and print drive control program for sequentially printing dot pattern data for each dot row to the thermal head 12 or the tape drive motor 44 for the created dot pattern data A control program for multicolor printing control, which will be described later, which is unique to the present application is stored. The ROM 112 has a ribbon cassette detection table that detects the ribbon color and ribbon width of the ink ribbon 32 based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches. Stored.
[0063]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, the ROM 112 stores a combination reference table 113 that stores the tape color of the print tape 22, the print color suitable for the tape color, and the number of print colors in association with each other. . In this combination reference table 113, for example, “white”, “gold”, and “silver” are associated with “black”, which is one of the tape colors of the print tape 22, as suitable print colors. “3” is associated with the number of print colors. The tape color “yellow” is associated with “black”, “red”, and “green” as print colors and “3” as the number of print colors, respectively. For example, “black”, “red”, “green”, “blue”, “gold”, “silver” are associated with the print colors, and “6” is associated with the number of print colors. The print color and the number of each color are stored.
[0064]
In the text memory 121 of the RAM 120, text data composed of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 is stored in association with the set print color data. In the color number memory 122, the color number data of the set print color is stored. The print color order memory 123 stores data on the color order of the set print colors. The margin amount memory 124 stores margin amount data relating to the same set front margin amount and rear margin amount. In the print data buffer 125, dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in the text memory 121 is expanded and stored. Further, the RAM 120 is provided with a memory for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110.
[0065]
Next, a routine for multicolor printing control performed by the control device CD of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, reference sign Si (i = 10, 11, 12,...) Represents each step.
[0066]
Here, prior to multicolor printing control, the positional relationship among the tape detection position by the tape detection sensor 91, the tape cutting position by the tape cutting mechanism 80, and the printing position by the thermal head 12 will be described based on FIG. In the feeding direction T of the printing tape 22, the printing position (P position), the tape cutting position (C position), the tape detection position (S position) are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the feeding direction T. The printing / cutting distance Dcp is about 25 mm, and the cutting / detecting distance Dsc between the tape cutting position and the tape detection position is about 15 mm. Further, the separation position (B position) by the separation portion 35a of the separation member 35 is located on the downstream side in the feed direction T by about 6 mm from the printing position.
[0067]
When the tape label producing apparatus 1 is turned on, first, initialization processing for initializing the thermal printing mechanism 10 and the control device CD is executed (S10). Since the text input screen is displayed on the display 5, after setting the print format, an input process for inputting text data and a display process for displaying the input text are executed. The data is stored in the text memory 121 (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the input text data “Akamidori Kuro” is stored in the text memory 121.
[0068]
Next, print color order setting process control (see FIG. 13) is executed (S12).
[0069]
When this control is started, the tape color TC of the print tape 22 housed in the tape cassette 20 loaded is read based on the tape color detection signal TCS from the tape color detection switch group 105 (S25). ) And temporarily stored in the RAM 120. Next, since the message “What is the number of print colors?” Is displayed on the display 5, a color number setting process for setting the number of colors N by operating the numeric keys is executed, and the set number of colors N is the number of colors. It is stored in the memory 122 (S26).
[0070]
The set color number N is compared with the settable print color number stored in association with the tape color TC read in S25 from the combination reference table 113 (S27). If it is larger than the settable print color number (S27: No), the color number setting process is executed again. On the other hand, if the number of colors N is equal to or less than the settable number of print colors (S27: Yes), the settable print colors stored in association with the tape color TC read in S31 from the combination reference table 113 are stored. It is displayed on the display 5 (S28).
[0071]
Next, a color order setting process for sequentially setting the colors to be printed and the print order for the set number N of colors from the print colors displayed on the display 5 is executed, and data of the set color order is printed. It is stored in the color order memory 123 (S29), this control is terminated, and the process returns to S13 of the multicolor printing control.
[0072]
For example, if the tape color TC of the printing tape 22 housed in the tape cassette 20 mounted on the label producing apparatus 1 is black, printing that can be set when the tape color is black in the combination reference table 113. Since the number of colors is “3”, the color number setting process is repeated until the number of colors N becomes “3” or less. When the set number of colors N becomes “3” or less, the combination reference table 113 reads the tape. A print color that can be set when the color is black is read out, and three colors of “white”, “silver”, and “gold” are displayed on the display 5. From the displayed print colors, the print colors and the print order are set for the set number N of colors. As a result, a print color suitable for the tape color of the attached print tape 22 can be set.
[0073]
Next, in multicolor printing control, printing target range setting processing control (see FIG. 14) for each color is executed (S13).
[0074]
When this control is started, first, the color number N is set to the count value I of the color number counter (S33), and when "1" is subtracted from this color number count value I and is not "0", that is, the final value When the print character string is not set (S34: No), the character or symbol to be printed is selected with the cursor for the first print color in the print color order among the unset colors based on the color order data. A print target character string setting process instructed and set is executed (S35).
[0075]
That is, in this print target character string setting process, text data is displayed on the display 5, so that the four cursor movement keys arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4 are operated to print each print other than the final print color. For color, each character or symbol to be printed is instructed with the cursor by operating the cursor movement key, and the color confirmation key is operated each time, and when the setting of the character string to be printed is completed, the confirmation key is operated. . By the operation of the confirmation key, the set color data is stored in the text memory 121 in association with the character data of the character designated by the operation of the cursor movement key and the color confirmation key.
[0076]
Then, the color number count value I is decremented by 1 (S36), and S34 to S36 are repeatedly executed until (I-1) becomes "0". When (I-1) becomes “0” and the setting of the print target character string is completed for each print color other than the final print color (S34: Yes), the text data for the final print color is displayed. Among these, a character string setting process for setting the remaining characters excluding the already set characters and symbols is executed (S37).
[0077]
This character string setting process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 15. First, character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the head (S371), and it is determined whether or not color data is attached. (S372). If the read character data is accompanied by color data (S372: Yes) and the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374), and the above S372 The process is executed again. On the other hand, if color data is not attached to the read character data (S372: No), color data corresponding to the final print color is stored in association with the character data (S375). The process of S373 is executed. Each of the above processes is repeatedly executed up to the last character data stored in the text memory 121. If it is determined in S373 that the character data is the last character data (S373: Yes), the process returns to S38 in FIG. .
[0078]
For example, if the character data “Akamidori Kuro” is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors 3 and the color order “red”, “green”, and “black” are set, in the print target character string setting process in S35, first, For the print color “red”, the character string “red” is set by the operation of the cursor key and the color confirmation key. As shown in FIG. 22, the character data “red” and “ka” in the text memory 121 are attached. When the color data “red” is stored and the character string “green” is set for the print color “green”, the character data “mi”, “do” and “ri” in the text memory 121 are associated with each character data. Color data “green” is stored.
[0079]
Here, when the setting of the print color “green” is completed, the color count value (I−1) becomes “0”. Therefore, in the character string setting process of S37, the character data is read sequentially from the top of the text memory 121. The final print color “black” is automatically set for the character string “black” for which the text data print color has not been set, and is attached to the character data “ku” “ro” in the text memory 121. Color data “black” is stored.
[0080]
Next, the message “What is the margin amount of the print tape?” Is displayed on the display 5. When the desired margin amount is set by operating the numeric keys, the set margin amount is stored in the margin amount memory 124. Stored (S38), this control is terminated, and the process returns to S14 of the multicolor printing control.
[0081]
In the multicolor printing control, when the printing key is operated (S14 / S15: Yes), the printing start process control (see FIG. 16) is executed (S16).
[0082]
When this control is started, the ribbon color R of the loaded ribbon cassette 30 is first read based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103 (S40), and the first print color C in the print color sequence is set. When the ribbon color R and the head print color C do not match (S42: No), an error message notifying the print color mismatch is displayed on the display 5 (S43).
[0083]
Next, based on the cover open / close signal VS of the cover open / close detection switch 102, when the cassette cover 3 is opened and the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced and then the cassette cover 3 is closed again (S44: Yes), S40 to S41 are Executed. When the ribbon color R and the head print color C match (S42: Yes), the character string that accompanies the data of the head print color C is read from the text memory 121, and the dot of the character string is further read. The pattern data is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S45). Next, when the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, the tape detection signal TS is at the “L” level, and the printing tape 22 is positioned corresponding to the tape detection sensor 91 (S46: Yes). ), A message prompting the cutting of the printing tape is displayed on the display 5 (S47).
[0084]
Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cutting detection signal CS from the cutting detection switch 101 becomes "H" level (S48), and the tape detection signal TS becomes "H" level. Thus, when tape cutting is detected (S46: No), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward (clockwise) by one step in order to allow the tip of the print tape 22 to enter the tape detection sensor 91. When the print tape 22 is transported in the feeding direction T by a minute distance (S49) and the tape detection signal TS is at "H" level (S50: No), S49 to S50 are repeatedly executed.
[0085]
Then, when the tape detection signal TS becomes “L” level and enters the leading tape detection sensor 91 of the printing tape 22 as shown in FIG. 24A (S50: Yes), this control is terminated. Return to S17 of the multicolor printing control. At this time, the print position of the thermal head 12 with respect to the print tape 22 when the leading end of the tape is detected is set as the print start reference origin position. Here, when the printing tape 22 is transported in the feeding direction T, even when the leading end of the printing tape 22 is curled, the printing tape 22 is formed by the guide portions 99 formed on the pair of guide members 94 and 95. Can be reliably guided to the slit 98.
[0086]
Next, in multicolor printing control, when the number of colors N is not “1”, that is, when printing is not the last time (S17: No), set color printing processing control for printing with each set printing color (see FIG. 17). Is executed (S18).
[0087]
When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 24B, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward in order to transfer the print tape 22 by the front margin amount L corresponding to the set margin amount L. (S60). Next, when the print start position of the character to be printed with the current print color is positioned upstream of the print start reference origin position for label printing, that is, for example, as shown in FIG. When the character “Midori” is printed in the print color “green”, when there is an idle feed amount (S61: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward, and the print tape 22 is It is transferred in the feed direction T by the idle feed amount (S62). However, when there is no idle feed amount (S6: No), S62 is skipped and the process proceeds to S63. Then, the dot pattern data developed in the print data buffer 125 is read, and the print processing for printing by driving the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 is executed (S63). The process returns to S19 of the multicolor printing control.
[0088]
Next, in multicolor printing control, printing tape rewinding processing control (see FIG. 18) is executed (S19).
[0089]
When this control is started, the tape drive motor 44 is first driven to rotate forward, and the print tape 22 and the ink are separated by the separation feed amount Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp between the print position (P position) and the separation position (B position). The ribbon 32 is transferred in the feed direction T (S70). That is, at the final print location printed by the thermal head 12, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused to the print tape 22, but the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred by the separation feed amount Dbp. As a result, the ink ribbon 32 is forcibly separated from the print tape 22 by the separating portion 35a, so that the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are reliably separated.
[0090]
Next, a message prompting the user to remove the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5 in order to replace the ribbon cassette 30 having the ribbon color ink ribbon 32 similar to the next printing color (S71). First, when the cassette cover 3 is opened, the operation plate 74 moves rearward, and the cover open / close detection switch 102 outputs an “H” level cover open / close signal VS (S72: Yes), and further the ribbon detection switch. As the ribbon detection signal RS from the group 103, when all of the six detection switch signals become “H” level signals and the ribbon cassette 30 is removed (S73: Yes), a message prompting not to mount the ribbon cassette 30 Is displayed on the display 5 (S74).
[0091]
Next, in order to rewind the print tape 22, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction) by one step, and the print tape 22 is transported in the rewind direction by a minute distance (S75). When the signal TS is at “H” level (S76: No), S74 to S76 are repeatedly executed. When the leading end of the print tape 22 is rewound slightly inside the tape detection sensor 91 (S76: Yes), the reverse drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S77), and this control is terminated. Return to S20 of the multicolor printing control.
[0092]
Next, in the multicolor printing control, printing start alignment processing control (see FIG. 19) is executed (S20).
[0093]
When this control is started, an error message for prompting the user to mount the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 having the same ribbon color as the next printing color is first displayed on the display 5 (S80). As the ribbon detection signal RS, when all of the six switch signals are not “H” level signals and the ribbon cassette 30 is loaded (S81: Yes), the ribbon cassette loaded is based on the ribbon detection signal RS. 30 ribbon color R is read (S82), the next print color C in the print color sequence is read (S83), and if the ribbon color R and the next print color C do not match (S84: No), S80 To S84 are repeatedly executed.
[0094]
Next, when the ribbon color R and the next print color C match (S84: Yes), a character string storing the data of the next print color C is read from the text memory 121, and the character is further read. The dot pattern data of the column is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S85). Next, when the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: No), a message to close the cassette cover 3 is displayed on the display 5 (S89). When the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward by one step until the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91 (S87 / S88: No). When the tape detection signal TS becomes “L” level and the tip of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91, the print start reference origin position for the print tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 ( S88: Yes), this control is terminated, and the process returns to S21 of the multicolor printing control.
[0095]
Next, in multicolor printing control, the number of colors N is decremented by 1 (S21), and when the number of colors N is not "1" and printing is not the last time (S17: No), S18 to S21 are repeatedly executed. The When the number of colors N is “1” and printing is performed for the last time (S17: Yes), final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 20) is executed (S22).
[0096]
In this control, the first case where the front margin amount L is larger than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and the second case where there is no blank feed amount when the front margin amount L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. In the third case where there is a blank feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the blank feed amount is a third case where the distance between printing and cutting Dcp is greater than or equal to the fourth case where the distance between printing and cutting is smaller than Dcp. In this case, the tape is cut while printing.
[0097]
First, the first case will be described. When the front margin amount L is equal to or greater than the printing / cutting distance Dcp (S90: Yes), the printing tape 22 is printed by the printing / cutting distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44. Is transferred in the feed direction T (S91), the drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped, and the tape transfer is stopped (S92). Next, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the leading end portion of the cutting prohibiting lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82, the cutting operation becomes possible. A message prompting disconnection is displayed on the display 5 (S93). When the print tape 22 is cut and the cut detection signal CS becomes “H” level and the tape cut is detected (S94: Yes), the shortage of the previous margin amount L (previous margin amount L−printing. The printing tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the distance between cuts Dcp) (S95).
[0098]
Next, when the printing start position of printing by the final printing color this time is upstream of the printing start reference origin position of label printing in the feeding direction T and there is an idle feed amount (S96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 Is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and the printing tape 22 is transported in the feed direction T by the idle feed amount (S97). Next, characters and symbols are printed in the final print color based on the read dot image in the same manner as in S63 (S98). Next, in order to provide a trailing margin amount L on the rear side of the printing character string, the printing tape 22 is fed by a value obtained by adding the trailing margin amount L to the printing / cutting distance Dcp by the forward rotation driving of the tape drive motor 44. Then, the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction, and the tip of the cutting prohibiting lever 84 is detached from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable cutting operation. Sometimes, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed again on the display 5 (S100). When the print tape 22 is cut and the cut detection signal CS becomes “H” level and the tape cut is detected (S101: Yes), this control is terminated and the process returns to S10 of the multicolor print control. .
[0099]
Next, the second case will be described. When the front margin amount L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and there is no idle feed amount (S90 / S102: No), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward. The printing tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the front margin amount L (S103). Then, from the next S104, the printing tape 22 is cut while performing the final printing process.
[0100]
That is, dot pattern data for one dot row is read from the print data buffer 125 and printed (S104), and printing is performed by forward rotation driving of the tape drive motor 44 by a minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row. The tape 22 is transferred (S105). Next, when the tape transfer amount after starting the final printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the front margin amount L from the printing / cutting distance Dcp, that is, the cutting position (P position) is the head of the front margin amount L. When the position has not been reached (S106: No), S104 to S106 are repeatedly executed.
[0101]
When the leading position of the front margin L has reached the cutting position (S106: Yes), printing and tape transfer are stopped (S107), and then the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction. When the distal end portion of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 and the cutting operation is possible, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed on the display 5 (S108). Next, when the cutting knob 85 is pressed and the printing tape 22 is cut, the cutting detection signal CS becomes “H” level and the tape cutting is detected (S109: Yes), the remaining dot pattern data is determined. The remaining printing process for printing is executed (S110), the trailing margin amount L is provided by S99 to S101, the tape is cut, this control is terminated, and the process similarly returns to S10.
[0102]
Next, when the front margin amount L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp, a value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the blank feeding amount and the blanking amount is equal to or larger than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. In the case of (S90: No, S102, S111: Yes), the tape is cut after the tape transfer (S112 to S115) in the same manner as S91 to S94 (S112 to S115). The printing tape 22 is transported in the feed direction T by the amount-distance between printing and cutting Dcp) (S116). Then, S98 and subsequent steps are executed, the printing process is executed with the final color, the trailing margin amount L is provided and the tape is cut, this control is terminated, and the process similarly returns to S10.
[0103]
On the other hand, when the front margin amount L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp, there is a fourth value in which there is a blank feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the blank feeding amount is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. Sometimes (S90: No, S102: Yes, S111: No), the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the feed amount obtained by adding the blank feed amount to the previous margin amount L (S117). Then, dot pattern data for one dot row is read from the print data buffer 125 and printed (S118), and printing is performed by forward rotation driving of the tape drive motor 44 by a minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row. The tape 22 is transferred (S119).
[0104]
Next, when the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L from the printing / cutting distance Dcp, that is, the cutting position ( When (P position) does not reach the leading position of the front margin amount L (S120: No), S118 to S120 are repeatedly executed. When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S120: Yes), S107 and subsequent steps are executed, the front margin amount L and the rear margin amount L are provided, respectively, and the tape is cut. The process ends, and the process returns to S10 in the same manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, for the input text “Akamidori Kuro”, a front and rear margin amount L is provided, the character string “Aka” is red, the character string “Midori” is green, and the character string “Kuro” The tape-like label 22A printed with black is obtained.
[0105]
Next, the operation of multicolor printing control will be described.
[0106]
After the text is input, a print color order setting process for setting the number N of print colors and the color order is executed. At this time, the tape cassette 20 mounted on the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is executed. The tape color TC of the printing tape 22 accommodated in the tape color TC is read, and based on the combination reference table 113, the color number N is set to be equal to or less than the number of print colors that can be set for the tape color TC, and the tape color TC The printing color and the printing order are set among the printing colors suitable for the printing. Further, processing for setting a print target range for each print color to be printed in a plurality of colors is executed.
[0107]
As described above, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, the print color can be set from among the print colors suitable for the tape color TC of the attached print tape 22, and therefore the same color as the tape color TC of the print tape 22 is erroneously set. It is possible to prevent the production of a tape label that cannot be recognized at all. In addition, it is possible to prevent a tape label having a poor appearance and a difficult-to-see tape by setting a print color of a combination that is not suitable for design with respect to the tape color TC of the attached print tape 22. Further, the ribbon color of the ink ribbon having a weak hiding power is set as the print color for the tape color TC of the attached print tape 22 to create a tape-like label in which the print result looks different from the desired print color. This is also prevented.
[0108]
When printing is started, printing start processing is executed, and the ribbon color R of the loaded ribbon cassette 30 is detected based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103, and the ribbon color is detected. When R and the head print color C are compared and these two colors do not match, an error message notifying the print color mismatch is displayed on the display 5, so the ribbon cover 30 is replaced by opening and closing the cassette cover 3. .
[0109]
As a result of comparison between the ribbon color R and the first print color C, when these two colors match, a character string that stores the print color C data is read from the text memory 121 and the thermal head 12 is read. The tape drive motor 44 is driven and printed. Further, each time printing is performed with each of the second and subsequent printing colors, a printing start alignment process is performed, and the ribbon color R of the ribbon cassette 30 that is mounted is compared with the next printing color C, and both these colors are determined. If they do not match, an error message notifying that the print colors do not match is displayed on the display 5, and if these two colors match, the print string C data is similarly printed.
[0110]
As described above, when the ribbon cassette 30 of the wrong different ribbon color is mounted in the preset print color order, the wrong ribbon color is not printed, and the print color to be printed next and the ribbon color are different. Only when there is a match, characters and symbols in the print target range of the text set to be printed in that print color are printed, so no preparatory work is required to ensure that the print color order is correct in multicolor printing. First, each character or symbol of the input text can be reliably printed with a preset printing color.
[0111]
Further, the detection hole group 36 provided in the vertical wall portion 31d of the ribbon cassette 30 is configured by combining a maximum of six detection holes 36a according to the ribbon color, and from among a plurality of ribbon cassettes 30 having different ribbon colors. Since the ribbon color of the mounted ribbon cassette 30 is detected by the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches provided on the cassette housing portion side of the label producing apparatus 1, the mounted ribbon cassette 30 The ribbon color can be reliably detected.
[0112]
In addition, since the print color is set for each character or symbol of the text, the correspondence between the character or symbol of the text and the print color is clarified, and the character or symbol of the text is printed with the set print color. be able to. In addition, when the print color to be printed next and the ribbon color do not match, an error message is displayed on the display 5, so that the error of the ribbon cassette 30 loaded can be confirmed through the displayed error message. It can be easily recognized.
[0113]
In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, the tape color of the print tape 22 and the print color suitable for the tape color can be confirmed by pressing a reference key provided on the keyboard 4.
[0114]
That is, when the reference key is pressed, the combination reference table display process control shown in FIG. 26 is executed. First, a tape color selection process for selecting a tape color is executed (S130), and a tape color for which a print color is to be confirmed is selected. Next, a printable color suitable for the selected tape color is read from the combination reference table 113 and displayed on the display 5 to perform a settable color display process (S131). The display of the print color is continued until any key on the keyboard 4 is pressed (S132: No). When any key is pressed (S132: Yes), the combination reference table display processing control is terminated. To do.
[0115]
By this processing, the print color suitable for the desired tape color is displayed, so that the user can confirm the print color suitable for the desired tape color with a simple operation.
[0116]
In addition, it is configured so that color data is set each time each character or symbol of text data is input, or the character or symbol to be printed of the input text data is specified by setting the setting range by moving the cursor. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, such as being configured to be set, various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments based on existing techniques and techniques obvious to those skilled in the art.
[0117]
For example, the present invention relates to a tape-like label producing unit comprising a personal computer that inputs text and sets a print color for the text, and a tape-like label producing device connected to the computer, other than the tape-like label producing device. It is also possible to adapt. At this time, the tape color may be set by transferring the result detected by the connected label producing apparatus to the computer, or may be set by key input to the computer.
[0118]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, the ribbon color suitable for the color of the mounted tape can be selected and set, so that it is suitable for the tape color. It is possible to create a label that is printed in a ribbon color and has a good print result and a good print result printed in a desired print color.
[0119]
Further, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 2, the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained. However, by changing the shape of the detected member on the tape cassette side according to the tape color, the tape color The tape color of the mounted tape cassette can be reliably detected by a plurality of detection switches provided on the cassette housing portion side.
[0120]
Further, according to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the third aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained. However, when setting the number of print colors to be set in the text, the print color is suitable for the tape color. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the print color from being set too much and the print color not suitable for the tape color from being set in the text.
[0121]
According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained. However, the comparison instruction means displays an error message via the display means when the two colors do not match. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize the mistake of the ribbon cassette loaded through the displayed error message.
[0122]
Moreover, according to the tape-shaped label production apparatus of Claim 5, although there exists an effect similar to Claim 1, the combination of a tape color and the printing color described with the tape color can be confirmed easily. .
[0123]
According to the tape label producing apparatus of the sixth aspect, if the tape color of the tape on which the input text is printed is set, the print color suitable for the tape color can be easily set.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a thermal printing mechanism in a printing state.
FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a tape rewind state.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tape cassette with a ribbon cassette mounted thereon.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape cassette.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of the ribbon cassette.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a ribbon cassette and a tape cassette.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ribbon cassette.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a drive system in a printing state of a thermal printing mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the drive system in the tape rewind state of the thermal printing mechanism.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for multicolor printing control.
FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of print color order setting process control.
FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for processing for setting a print target range for each color.
FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of a remaining character string setting process control routine for the final print color;
FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for print start processing control.
FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a set color printing process control routine;
FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a printing tape rewinding process control routine;
FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for print start alignment processing control.
FIG. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a final color printing process / cutting process control routine;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a printing position (P position), a tape cutting position (C position), and a tape detection position (S position).
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a text memory.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a combination reference table.
FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram of a print start reference origin position on a tape, FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram when the tape is fed by the amount of the previous margin, and FIG. 24C is an idle feed. It is explanatory drawing when the amount of tapes is fed.
FIG. 25 is a plan view of a tape-like label on which three colors are printed in red, green, and black.
FIG. 26 is a schematic flowchart of a combination reference table display process control routine;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tape label making device
4 Keyboard
5 Liquid crystal display
10 Thermal printing mechanism
12 Thermal head
20 Tape cassette
22 Printing tape
25 Detection hole group
30 Ribbon cassette
32 Ink ribbon
36 Holes for detection
44 Tape drive motor
103 Ribbon detection switch group
105 Tape color detection switch group
110 CPU
112 ROM
113 Combination reference table
120 RAM
121 Text memory
CD controller

Claims (6)

A plurality of input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands; data storage means for storing inputted text data; display means including a display; and a print head for printing on a tape as a print medium. A tape-like label producing device comprising printing means having a plurality of removable ribbon cassettes for sequentially printing with the printing colors of
A tape color detecting means for detecting the color of the tape;
Print color storage means for storing a combination of a tape color and a print color suitable for the tape color;
A printing color selection unit that reads a printing color suitable for the tape color detected by the tape color detection unit from the printing color storage unit and selects a printing color to be set for the text from the read printing color; A tape-shaped label making device. A tape cassette for storing the tape;
2. The tape color detection means comprises a detection switch provided on a side for accommodating a tape cassette and a detected member that differs for each tape color provided on the tape cassette side. Tape label production equipment. Print color number storage means for storing the number of print colors suitable for the tape color;
2. A tape-shaped label producing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a print color number setting unit capable of setting a number of print colors equal to or less than the number of print colors suitable for the tape color detected by the tape color detection unit. apparatus. Ribbon color detection means for detecting the ribbon color of the ink ribbon through the mounted ribbon cassette;
Of the text stored in the data storage means, color-specific range setting means for setting a print target range for each print color to be printed in a plurality of colors;
A print control unit that receives the text data and the setting result of the color-specific range setting unit and controls the printing unit to print in a predetermined print order with a plurality of print colors;
When printing with each print color, the print color to be printed by the print control means is compared with the ribbon color detected by the ribbon color detection means, and the print control means is instructed to execute printing only when they match. 2. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison command unit. 2. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print color display command unit that displays on the display a tape color stored in the print color storage unit and a print color suitable for the tape color. . Input means for inputting characters, symbols and various commands;
Data storage means for storing input text data;
Display means including a display;
A tape color setting means for setting the color of the tape as a print medium;
Print color storage means for storing a combination of a tape color and a print color suitable for the tape color;
Printing color selection means for reading a printing color suitable for the tape color set by the tape color setting means from the printing color storage means and selecting a printing color to be set for the text from the read printing color. A tape-shaped label making device.

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