JPH07228015A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] By controlling the printing mechanism, conveying device and cutter mechanism of the printing device with one command, a complex command signal and many key switches are not required, and the operator can operate To provide a printing device that does not burden the user. [Structure] When the I / F 57 detects pressing of the F key 6b (S33: YES), or when the I / F 58 receives an F command signal from the data creating device (S39: YES),
The CPU 54 determines whether or not there is unprinted data in the RAM 56 (S50). When the CPU 54 determines that there is unprinted data, the thermal head 16 causes the thermal head 16 to print the unprinted data in accordance with the program in the ROM 55 (S51). After the printing, the tape feed motor 50 and the DC motor 71 are turned on. It is driven to perform feed cut (S52). On the other hand, when the CPU 54 determines that there is no print data, only feed cut is performed (S52).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having cutting means for cutting a printing medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing device provided with a cutting means, for example, a facsimile or a tape, which prints on a long material such as roll paper and separates only the printed portion to create one printed material. Printing devices and the like are known.

And, as a processing operation that is often performed,
It is performed to print the desired data and to obtain the previously printed document (label), to remove the paper (tape) that failed to print, and to align the beginning of the paper (tape). There is a feed cut process.

The feed cut process is a paper (tape)
Is conveyed for a predetermined distance from the current state, and then the paper (tape) is cut by the cutting mechanism.
In addition, it is usual that the feed cut process is continuously performed after the printing process described above.

[0005]

However, in the printing apparatus having the above-mentioned cutting means, a large number of key switches for operating each mechanism, such as a print command key for printing data and a paper sheet, are used. A plurality of keys such as a discharge command key for discharging the (tape) and a cut key for cutting the paper (tape) are required. Further, the key switch hinders the downsizing of the printing apparatus, which imposes a cost burden.

Also, when controlling these printers from the outside by a host computer or the like, similarly, a large number of command signals defining the operation of each mechanism are required.

Further, in order to cause the printing apparatus to carry out a desired operation, it is necessary to finely specify the operation by pressing these keys or combining the command signals. Was burdened with key operations.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and according to the present invention, a print command, a discharge command, and a cut command can be realized by one command (or key). It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which can perform operations corresponding to various uses by one of the commands.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a printing apparatus of the present invention has a storage means capable of storing input print data, a conveyance means for conveying a print medium, and a storage means for storing the storage means. A print means for printing the printed print data on a print medium, and a cutting means for cutting the print medium. Further, a command receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal and the command receiving means are provided. When a predetermined signal is received, the determining means determines whether or not there is unprinted data in the storage means, and when the determining means determines that there is unprinted data, the printing means determines whether or not the unprinted data exists. When the print data is printed, and after the printing, the feed means is cut by the feeding means and the cutting means; , And a second control means for causing only the feed cut by said conveying means and cutting means.

The command receiving means may receive a signal issued by pressing a predetermined one key switch.

The signal from the command transmitting means may be a command signal sent from an external computer.

[0012]

In the printing apparatus of the present invention having the above construction, the storage means stores the input print data, and the command receiving means receives a predetermined command signal. When the command receiving means receives the command, the determining means determines whether or not there is unprinted data in the storage means. When the determination unit determines that there is unprinted data, the first control unit causes the printing unit to print the unprinted data, and after the printing, the feed unit and the cutting unit perform feed cutting. To perform. On the other hand, when the determining unit determines that there is no print data, the second control unit causes the carrying unit and the cutting unit to perform only feed cutting.

As described above, by simply sending one kind of predetermined signal to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus automatically determines the operation status in response to the signal and performs the operation according to the operation status.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a tape printer capable of inputting valid data for a large number of characters and figures such as alphabetic characters and symbols and printing on a printing tape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 is
A CRT display 3 capable of displaying a plurality of lines of characters and symbols, a keyboard 4, and a control body 5 are connected to the data preparation device 2 and the control body 5 of the data preparation device 2 by a connecting line L. It is composed of a printer 6.
Here, the CRT display 3 and the keyboard 4 are connected to the control main body section 5 via connection lines, respectively. still,
The printer 6 corresponds to the printing device of the present invention, and the data creation device 2 corresponds to the external computer.

The keyboard 4 includes character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor vertically and horizontally, a size setting key for setting the size of a print character, A typeface setting key for setting the typeface of print characters, various editing function keys, a print key for executing printing, and the like are provided.

On the upper surface of the printer 6, a power key 6a for the printer 6 and a function key for performing various operations such as feed cutting of the printing tape 8 and execution of printing (hereinafter referred to as "function key") , F key) 6b. In the feed cut of this embodiment, two printing tapes 8 are used.
The tape is cut after feeding 5 mm. Further, a cassette cover 7 is attached to the side surface of the printer 6 so as to be openable and closable, and by opening the cassette cover 7, the tape storage cassette CS can be attached to the printing mechanism PM described later.

Next, the printing mechanism PM built in the printer 6 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. The rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM.
Has been installed, and this tape storage cassette CS has
A tape spool 9 on which a printing tape 8 having a width of about 24 mm made of a transparent film is wound, a ribbon supply spool 11 on which an ink ribbon 10 is wound, and a take-up spool 12 on which the ink ribbon 10 is wound. A supply spool 14 in which a double-sided tape 13 having the same width as the printing tape 8 is wound with the release paper outside and a joining roller 15 for joining the printing tape 8 and the double-sided tape 13 are rotatably provided. Has been.

A thermal head 16 is provided upright at a position where the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 overlap each other, and a platen roller 17 for pressing the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 against the thermal head 16 and a printing head Tape 8
A feed roller 18 that presses the double-sided tape 13 against the joining roller 15 is rotatably supported by a support body 19 that is rotatably attached to the frame of the printer 6. In this thermal head 16, a heating element group consisting of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged in a row.

Therefore, when the tape feed motor 50 (see FIG. 3) is driven in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 15 and the take-up spool 12 are driven in synchronism with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating elements are energized. At this time, characters are printed on the printing tape 8 by a plurality of dot rows, and the printing tape 8 is fed in the tape feeding direction A in a state where the double-sided tape 13 is joined, and as shown in FIG. 6 is sent out. The details of the printing mechanism PM are the same as those of the known printing mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The joining roller 15 and the tape feed motor 50 correspond to the conveying means of the present invention, and the thermal head 16
Is the main body of the printing means of the present invention.

As the tape accommodating cassette CS, five kinds of cassettes CS accommodating the printing tapes 8 having tape widths of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm and 24 mm are prepared. The bottom wall is provided with any one of the first to third projecting pieces 20 to 22 in combination. Then, on the frame of the printer 6, the first protruding piece to the third protruding piece 2 are provided.
A tape width sensor 53 (see FIG. 3) made of a photo interrupter for detecting the presence or absence of 0 to 22 is attached.

In the vicinity of the label discharge hole 23 on the downstream side of the thermal head 16 along the feeding direction of the printing tape 8, the cutter mechanism 6 corresponding to the cutting means of the present invention.
5 are provided. The cutter mechanism 65 has the same structure as known scissors, and includes a fixed blade 66 and a movable blade 67. The movable blade 67 is fixed to a rotating lever 69 that rotates about a pivot shaft 68, and the rotating lever 69 is a pinion fixed to a drive shaft 71A of a DC motor 71 via a gear mechanism 70. It is connected to 72.

Therefore, the movable blade 67 is opened and closed with the pivot shaft 68 as a fulcrum via the pinion 72, the gear mechanism 70, and the turning lever 69 in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive shaft 71A of the DC motor 71. , The fixed blade 6 with this opening / closing operation
The label 25 produced in cooperation with 6 is cut. The printing position by the thermal head 11 and the cutting position by the cutter mechanism 65 are separated by a distance n.
This distance n is defined as the head-cutter distance n. In this embodiment, n = 25 mm.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
The block diagram of FIG.

First, the control system of the data creation device 2 will be described. A CRT display controller (C) having a keyboard (K / B) 4 and a display RAM for outputting display data to a CRT display (CRTD) 3.
The RTC) 30 and the floppy disk drive controller (FDC) 32 for the floppy disk drive (FDD) 31 provided in the control body 5 are the input / output interfaces () of the control device C1 provided in the control body 5. Input / output I / F) 36 are connected to each.

The control device C1 includes a CPU 33 and this CP
An input / output interface 36 connected to the U33 via a bus 38 such as a data bus, a communication interface (I / F) 37, and a hard disk drive controller (HDC) for a hard disk drive device (HDD) 34 equipped with a hard disk. ) 35 and RAM4
It is composed of 0 and 0.

In the hard disk, a display pattern data memory in which dot pattern data for display is stored in association with code data for each of a large number of characters, and for each of a large number of characters in order to print a character, The outline data that defines the outline of the character (outline data) is classified according to the typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) and stored in association with the code data. A display drive control program for controlling the CRT display controller 30 in association with code data of characters such as numbers and symbols, and outline data corresponding to each code data in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 is converted into dot pattern data and the printer is processed. Image output to 6 Di deployment control program and the like are stored.

The text memory 41 of the RAM 40 stores document data input from the keyboard 4. The print format memory 42 stores a plurality of print format information such as set character size data and typeface number data. In the print buffer 43,
Stores dot pattern data for printing of characters and symbols that have been image-developed. The work memory 44 temporarily stores data necessary for data processing.

Next, the control system of the printer 6 will be described. The drive circuit 5 for driving the thermal head 16
2 and a drive circuit 5 for driving the tape feed motor 50
1 and a drive circuit 73 for driving the DC motor 71
The tape width sensor 53 and the key switch 60 are the input / output interface (input / output I / F) 5 of the controller C2.
7 are connected respectively.

The controller C2 and the CPU 54 and the CP
An input / output interface (input / output I / F) 57 connected to the U 54 via a bus 59 such as a data bus, a communication interface (I / F) 58, and a ROM 55.
It is composed of a RAM 56. The RAM 56 corresponds to the storage means of the present invention, and the input / output I / F 57 and I / F 5
8 corresponds to the command receiving means of the present invention.

The ROM 55 receives the print drive control program for driving the thermal head 16, the tape feed motor 50 and the like based on the dot pattern data transmitted from the data generating device 2, the data generating means 2 or the key switch 60. Programs and the like for controlling each mechanism based on commands are stored.

In the RAM 56, a receiving buffer 56a for receiving the dot pattern data transmitted from the data creating device 2 via the communication interface 58, an image buffer 56b for storing the received data,
Various memories for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 54, a flag indicating an operation state of each unit, a pointer, and the like are provided.

Next, the tape printing control routine executed by the controller C1 of the data creating apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the schematic flow charts of FIGS. still,
Reference numeral Si (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) In the drawing represents each step.

When the power is turned on, this control is started, and when the printable keys such as the alphabet keys, the symbol keys and the number keys are operated (S10 / S11: Yes), the input code data is converted into the document data. As the document data input process for storing the text data in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 is executed, the display process for displaying the character corresponding to the code data on the CRT display 3 is executed (S12), and the process returns to S10. For example, as the document data, the document data “Thomas JEF” for label printing is used.
When "FERSON" is input, this document data is stored in the text memory 41 and displayed on the CRT display 3.

Next, when the size setting key, typeface setting key, or various editing keys are operated (S10: Yes, S11: N
o, S13: No, S15: NO), print format information such as character size data and typeface number data is stored in the print format memory 42 of the RAM 40, and a process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S17). , Return to S10.

In S10, when the discharge key is operated (S11: NO, S12: YES), a predetermined function command signal for causing the printer 6 to perform the function processing (see FIG. 7) described later is transmitted to the printer 6. , Return to S10.

Next, when printing of the data "Thomas JEFFERSON" is selected and the print key is operated (S1
0: Yes, S11: No, S13: Yes), print processing control (FIG. 5)
(See) is executed (S14).

When this control is started, each character or symbol of the document data (“Thomas ...”) of the first label stored in the text memory 41 is stored in the print format memory 42. Outline data is read from the font memory based on the print format information stored. On the other hand, the dot pattern is expanded or reduced to have the set character size and expanded into a dot pattern. Then, the developed dot pattern data is stored in the print buffer 43 (S20).

When the image conversion process is completed, an operation status notification command is sent to the printer 6 via the communication interface 37 and the connection line L, and the printer 6 is made to send the operation status of each internal mechanism (S21). If the received operation status is normal and operation is possible (S22: N
O), the previous dot pattern data is transmitted to the printer 6 via the communication interface 37 and the connection line L (S23). On the other hand, when the printer 6 has an abnormality or the printing process is in progress (S22: YES), the CRT
The reason is displayed on the display 3, and the process waits until the abnormality is resolved or the previous printing process is completed.

When the dot pattern data for one label is transmitted, a function command signal is then transmitted to the printer 6 (S24). As a result, the document data is printed on the printing tape 8 by the function processing of the printer 6 described later. Then, after the printing tape 8 is fed by a predetermined amount, it is cut by the cutter mechanism 65, and the label "Thomas JEFFERSON" is completed.

When document data of the next label exists in the text memory 41 in addition to the created label (S26: YES), the processing steps of S20 to S26 are repeated. When there is no other document data (S26: NO), this control is ended and the process returns to S10 of tape printing control.

Next, the tape printing control routine executed by the controller C2 of the printer 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on the schematic flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on, this control is started, and first, data relating to tape printing control such as clearing the reception buffer 56a and the image buffer 56b of the RAM 56 is initialized (S30). And printer 6
It is detected whether or not any one of the key switches 60 provided for is pressed (S31).

When there is a key input (S32: NO) and it is detected that the key is the F key 6b (S33: YES),
The function processing shown in FIG. 6 is performed (S35). When the process is completed, the process proceeds to S36.

When the key input detected in S32 is not the F key 6b, the process corresponding to the depressed key is performed (S34). For example, switching of the automatic cut mode or the like. When those processes are completed, the process proceeds to S36.

If there is no key input (S32: YES), the state of receiving and receiving the data sent from the data creating device 2 is set (S36).

When the data is received (S36, S37: NO) and the data is the document data consisting of the dot pattern of the label (S38: YES), the received document data is RA.
The images are sequentially stored in the image buffer 56b of M56 (S4
2). After storing, the process returns to S31 to detect again whether the key switch 60 is pressed.

If the data received in S38 is not image data, it is determined whether or not the data is a function command (F command) (S39). If it is the F command (S39: YES), the function process shown in FIG. 7 is performed (S41), and the document data stored in the image buffer 56b is printed on the printing tape 8 or the printing tape 8 is feed cut. To do When the process is complete,
Return to S31.

If the F command is not received in S39, the operation according to each received command such as data operation, print operation setting, driving of each mechanism of the printer 6 and the like is performed (S4).
0). For example, when the operation status notification command is received, the operation status of the printer 6 such as the current print processing status and abnormality of each mechanism is returned. When receiving a memory clear command, R
The document data in AM56 is deleted. After each operation according to the command is completed, the process returns to S31.

In the function processing in S35 or S41, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is first determined whether the document data exists in the image buffer 56b of the RAM 56 (S50). If document data exists (S50: YES), print processing is performed (S51). In the printing process, the image data stored in the image buffer 56b is sequentially printed line by line on the printing tape 8 by the thermal head 16. After the printing process is completed, the tape feed motor 50 feeds the tape by 25 mm, and then the DC motor 71 is driven to cut the tape, that is, a so-called feed cut process is performed (S5).
2).

On the other hand, the image buffer 56 of the RAM 56
If there is no document data in b (S50: NO), the process proceeds to S52 and only feed cut processing is performed.

After performing the feed cut, the function process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. Incidentally, S50 of the processing step corresponds to the determining means of the present invention, S51 and S52 of the processing step corresponds to the first control means of the present invention, and S52 of the processing step corresponds to the second control means of the present invention. To do.

As described above, even if the printer 6 of this embodiment receives the same key operation and the same command signal, it senses the operator's intention based on the presence or absence of the document data at that time, Perform the desired action.

As described above, since printing, tape feeding, and tape cutting can be instructed with one key, the operator can press the key without hesitation. Moreover, without making the structure of the printer 6 complicated,
Manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

Similarly, when commanding printing, tape feeding, and tape cutting from an external device such as the data creating device 2 to the printer 6, it is possible to cover the command with a single command signal. Communication mechanism (interface 3
7, 58, connection line L, etc.) can also be simplified. In addition, since the command signal is simplified, the interfaces 37, 58
It is possible to prevent abnormal operation caused by poor communication or communication.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, the printing apparatus of the present invention can realize the print command, the discharge command, and the cut command with one command (or key), and the command 1 By doing so, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of performing operations corresponding to various uses, thereby simplifying the command signal of the external computer or the key input mechanism of the device, and the operator's operational burden. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape printer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a tape printing control routine in the data creation device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine in the data creation device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a tape printing control routine in the printer.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine in the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 2 Data Creation Device 6 Printer 8 Printing Tape 15 Bonding Roller 16 Thermal Head 50 Tape Feed Motor 54 CPU 55 ROM 56 RAM 57 Input / Output Interface 58 Interface 60 Key Switch 65 Cutter Mechanism C2 Control Device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor, Kazuko Ishida, 15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Storage means capable of storing input print data, conveying means for conveying a print medium, printing means for printing the print data stored in the storage means on a print medium, and printing In a printing apparatus having a cutting means for cutting a medium, a command receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal, and whether or not unprinted data exists in the storage means when the command receiving means receives the predetermined signal And a determining unit that determines whether or not unprinted data exists, the printing unit causes the unprinted data to be printed, and after the printing, the conveying unit and the cutting unit perform feed cutting. If the first control means for performing the operation and the determination means determine that there is no print data, only the feed cut is performed by the transport means and the cutting means. Printing apparatus characterized by comprising a second control means for causing. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command receiving unit receives a signal issued by pressing a predetermined one key switch. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal from the command transmitting means is a command signal sent from an external computer.