A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device. A detector surface is located on the cassette casing and is adapted to interact with an array of sensors on the printing device to identify at least one characteristic of the tape cassette. The detector surface is positioned at a second corner of the four corners of the cassette casing most distant from the first corner.
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0. 6. A cassette for use with a printing device including a print head, the cassette comprising:
a tape feeding roller;
a cassette case comprising:
a tape path;
a ribbon path; and
a tape feeding roller opening formed in a bottom surface of the cassette case so as to communicate with the tape feeding roller, the tape feeding roller opening being positioned so that a tape drive cam provided in the printing device can drive the tape feeding roller when the cassette is installed in the printing device;
a tape spool for dispensing a printing tape to be conveyed along the tape path;
a ribbon spool for dispensing an ink ribbon to be conveyed along the ribbon path;
a printing location at which the printing tape, the ink ribbon and the print head are in contact when the cassette is installed in the printing device and the printing device is in operation; and
a detector surface including one or more sensor holes capable of interacting with one or more sensors in the printing device when the cassette is installed in the printing device, the sensor holes being positioned on a first corner of the cassette case positioned diagonally opposite from a second corner of the cassette case where the tape feeding roller is located;
wherein the ribbon path includes an acute turn at a location immediately downstream of the printing location, the acute turn in the ribbon path being formed around a separation portion that is integrally formed with the cassette case, thereby the separation portion does not move during an operation.
0. 1. A tape cassette for use with a printing device that includes a tape drive, pins, a print head, an array of sensors, and a drive shaft, the tape cassette comprising:
printing tape; and
a cassette casing housing the printing tape and defining four corners and a feed path through which the printing tape moves in a feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a head recess adapted to receive the print head of the printing device, the cassette casing further defining a recess to receive the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corners of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feeding direction and adapted to engage the tape drive of the printing device to feed the printing tape in the feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes communicating with the pins of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device, the cassette casing defining a detector surface adapted to interact with the array of sensors of the printing device to identify at least one characteristic of the tape cassette, the detector surface positioned absolutely at a second corner of the four corners, the second corner positioned diagonally opposite the first corner, the detector surface defining multiple sensor holes that interact with the array of sensors of the printing device.
0. 2. A tape cassette for a printing device that includes a printing head support, a tape drive, pins, and an array of sensors, the tape cassette comprising:
tape; and
a cassette casing housing the tape and defining a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a head recess adapted to accommodate the printing head support of the printing device, the cassette casing defining a tape exit portion proximate the head recess where the tape exits the cassette casing after being printed, the cassette casing further including a drive roller disposed downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feeding direction and adapted to engage the tape drive of the printing device to feed the tape in the feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a first positioning hole adjacent the drive roller and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive roller, the first and second positioning holes communicating with pins of the printing device to ensure proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device, the cassette casing including a sensor portion having a surface adapted to interact with the array of sensors of the printing device to identify at least one characteristic of the tape cassette, the sensor portion being located absolutely at a corner position of the cassette casing most distant from the tape exit portion, the surface of the sensor portion defining multiple sensor holes that interact with the array of sensors of the printing device.
0. 3. A tape cassette for a printing device that includes a printing head support, a tape drive, pins, and an array of sensors, the tape cassette comprising:
tape; and
a generally rectangular cassette casing that is bounded by four corners, the cassette casing housing the tape and defining a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a head recess adapted to accommodate the printing head support of the printing device, the cassette casing defining a tape exit portion proximate the head recess and adjacent a first corner of the four corners, the cassette casing further including a drive roller disposed downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feeding direction and adapted to engage the tape drive of the printing device to feed the tape in the feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a first positioning hole adjacent the drive roller and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive roller, the first and second positioning holes communicating with pins of the printing device to ensure proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device, the cassette casing including a sensor portion having a surface adapted to interact with the array of sensors of the printing device to identify at least one characteristic of the tape cassette, the sensor portion being located absolutely at a second corner of the four corners positioned diagonally from the first corner, the surface of the sensor portion defining multiple sensor holes that interact with the array of sensors of the printing device.
0. 4. A tape cassette for a printing device that includes a print head, a tape drive, pins, and an array of sensors, the tape cassette comprising:
printing tape; and
a cassette casing defining upper and lower surfaces and a lateral surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the cassette casing housing the printing tape and defining a feed path through which the printing tape moves in a feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a head recess adapted to receive the print head of the printing device, the cassette casing forming a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, the cassette casing further including a drive roller adjacent a first corner of the four corners of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feeding direction and adapted to engage the tape drive of the printing device to feed the tape in the feeding direction, the cassette casing defining a first positioning hole adjacent the drive roller and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive roller, the first and second positioning holes communicating with pins of the printing device to ensure proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device, the cassette casing including a flanged portion extending outwardly from the cassette casing substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface and adapted to interact with the array of sensors on the printing device to identify at least one characteristic of the tape cassette, the flanged portion defining an outer edge and multiple sensor holes spaced from the outer edge that interact with the array of sensors of the printing device to facilitate identification of the at least one characteristic, the flanged portion being positioned absolutely at a second corner of the four corners of the cassette casing most distant from the first corner.
0. 5. A printing system, comprising:
a tape cassette;
tape; and
a printing device that includes a thermal head, a tape cassette mounting area having a first surface, a printing head support extending from the first surface and supporting the thermal head, a tape exit area proximate the thermal head to allow the tape to exit the tape cassette mounting area, a step portion elevated relative to the first surface, a plurality of sensors arranged on the step portion, the plurality of sensors constituting a complete set of sensors to identify a size of the tape cassette attached in the tape cassette mounting area, a tape drive and positioning pins;
the tape cassette being adapted to be mounted in the tape cassette mounting area, the tape cassette housing the tape and defining a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction, the tape cassette having a head recess formed therein to accommodate the printing head support and a bottom surface facing toward the first surface of the tape cassette mounting area when the tape cassette is mounted in the tape cassette mounting area, the tape cassette further including a detection area elevated relative to the bottom surface, the detection area defining a detector surface facing the plurality of sensors when the tape cassette is mounted in the tape cassette mounting area, the detector surface defining multiple sensor holes and being configured to interact with selected ones of the plurality of sensors to identify the size of the tape cassette, detector surface being located absolutely at a corner position diagonally opposite the tape exit area, the tape cassette further including a drive roller disposed downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feeding direction and adapted to engage the tape drive of the printing device to feed the tape in the feeding direction, the tape cassette defining a first positioning hole adjacent the drive roller and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive roller, the first and second positioning holes communicating with the positioning pins of the printing device to ensure proper positioning of the tape cassette within the printing device.
0. 7. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the acute turn is located at a separating point where the ink ribbon separates from the printing tape during operation.
0. 8. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the cassette case includes at least one positioning hole capable of receiving a corresponding positioning pin provided in the printing device when the cassette is installed in the printing device.
0. 9. The cassette of claim 6, wherein:
the cassette case includes a ribbon-take up spool;
the cassette case includes a ribbon take-up opening formed in the bottom surface so as to communicate with the ribbon take-up spool; and
the ribbon take-up opening is positioned so that a ribbon take-up cam provided in the printing device can drive the ribbon take-up spool when the cassette is installed in the printing device.
0. 10. The cassette of claim 6, wherein:
the cassette case includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite from the top surface and at least one side surface; and
the at least one side surface includes a recess at a position one end, the recess being configured to receive a tape-feeding subroller provided in the printing device when the cassette is installed in the printing device.
0. 11. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the ink ribbon path includes an obtuse turn at a location immediately upstream of the printing location.
0. 12. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the ink ribbon path includes two successive obtuse turns at locations immediately upstream of the printing location.
0. 13. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the first corner is a junction between a first side surface of the cassette case and a second side surface of the cassette case, and the second corner is a conjunction between a third side surface of the cassette case and a fourth side surface of the cassette case.
0. 14. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the ink ribbon includes a first surface coated with ink and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and the second surface of the ink ribbon is guided by the ribbon path.
0. 15. The cassette of claim 6, wherein the ribbon path includes an obtuse turn at location immediately upstream of the printing location.
0. 16. The cassette of claim 14, wherein the ink ribbon is wound on the ribbon spool so that the first surface faces inwardly.
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More than one reissue application has been filed for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,179. In addition to the present application, the following seven applications for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,179 have been filed: 1) Re. application Ser. No. 11/125,418, filed May 10, 2005, which is now Re. 41,354, 2) Re. application Ser. No. 11/599,636, filed Nov. 15, 2006, 3) Re. application Ser. No. 11/599,637, filed Nov. 15, 2006, 4) Re. application Ser. No. 11/599,635, filed Nov. 15, 2006, 5) Re. application Ser. No. 11/980,692, filed Oct. 31, 2007, 6) Re. application Ser. No. 11/980,693, filed Oct. 31, 2007, and 7) Re. application Ser. No. 11/980,699, filed Oct. 31, 2007.
This application is a division of Ser. No. 09/737,551 file date Dec. 18, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,724, which is a division of Ser. No. 09/302,955 file date Apr. 30, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,069, which is a CIP of Ser. No. 08/450,356 file date May 25, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,542 and a division of Ser. No. 08/621,835 file date Mar. 26, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,539.
The present invention relates to a tape-shaped label printing device, and more particularly, to a tape-shaped label printing device capable of setting accurate print start position so as to perform several times of printings on an identical region of a tape printing medium by rewinding the tape and repeatedly performing printing.
One conventional tape-shaped label printing device is described in a commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,297 in which characters and marks such as alphabetic characters and symbols are printed on a tape printing medium and a resultant printed tape is suitable for making labels to adhere to file tabs. This tape-shaped label printing device includes a keyboard, a display, and a printing mechanism of the thermal printing type, and is configured to print characters, marks, and the like in a variety of font styles and sizes on a printing tape medium of widths such as 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 mm.
Further, in the conventional label printing device, a tape cutting mechanisms is provided at a position downstream a thermal head in a tape feeding direction. Further, a length of a front margin and a rear margin can be set. After starting printing operation while feeding the tape in the tape feeding direction, if a distance between a tape cutting position of the tape cutting mechanism and a print start position becomes equal to a length of the front margin, the tape feeding is temporarily stopped and the tape is cut, and thereafter, the subsequent printing operation is performed.
Attempt was made on a conventional tape-shaped label printing device so as to be able not only to feed the printing tape, but also to rewind the printing tape. For example, after printing characters, symbols, and the like on the printing tape, the tape can be rewound to the print start position or a print start point of origin, and a second array of characters, symbols, and the like can be printed over the first printing area. In this way, a synthesized characters, or characters decorated with designs can be produced in the tape-shaped label.
Further, the tape-shaped labels printed with character arrays are not limited to use on file tabs. These labels are also appropriate for sticking on cassettes and their cases, or video tapes and their cases, for example. In such a case, multiple colored character arrays may be intended in accordance with recorded data and kind by repeatedly performing tape rewinding and tape printing process.
The inventors of the present application conceived the idea to provide a plurality of ribbon cassettes, separate from the tape cassette, with ink ribbons of not only black, but a plurality of colors such as red, green, and blue. Each of the ribbon cassettes is detachably mounted to the tape cassette, and the printing is made by the desired colors. A color range setting process is performed with respect to the input text data so as to make correspondence with the selected character array of the input text data with the color which has been set. The ribbon cassettes having the same ribbon color as the set printing colors are exchanged in sequence during the printing process.
During first printing operation with first ribbon cassette for printing an image with the first color, the tape is cut to obtain the predetermined amount of front margin. In the second and subsequent time of printing, the printing tape is rewound by a length corresponding to the feeding length of the tape in the preceding printing. In this way, can be produced a label printed with a synthesized characters, characters with colorful designs and characters with multiple colors.
In order to produce a label printed with the synthesized characters, patterns or characters with multiple colors, the identical region of the tape is repeatedly subjected to printing. Further, in the first printing operation, tape cutting is performed to obtain a preset front margin length. Therefore, in the second and subsequent time of printing operation, the printing tape must be rewound at high speed by a length corresponding to the tape feed amount in the precedent first printing operation. During rewinding operation, accurate rewinding amount may not be obtained due to the slippage between a platen roller and the printing tape. Further, the printing operation begins immediately after completion of the rewinding operation. As a result, print start position may not be accurate due to the backlash of a plurality of gears which constitutes the tape transfer mechanism.
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tape-shaped label printing device capable of accurately setting a print start point of origin in each printing in case the printing tape must be rewound at every printing so as to perform repeated printing by several times with respect to an identical region of the printing tape, and also capable of providing an accurate front margin length.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such device in which the printing tape can be cut while providing a present front margin length in a case where repeated printing are performed at the identical area of the printing tape.
These and other objects of the present invention will be attained by providing a tape-shaped label printing device for printing an image on a tape printing medium comprising a tape transfer mechanism, printing means, control means, tape detection means, and setting means. The tape transfer mechanism is adapted for alternatively transferring the tape printing medium in a tape feeding direction or a tape rewinding direction. The tape transfer mechanism provides a tape transfer passage having a downstream end. The printing means has a print head and is disposed at the tape transfer passage for printing the image onto the tape printing medium. The control means is adapted for controlling a printing process. The tape detection means is adapted for detecting the tape at a position nearby the downstream end of the tape transfer passage. The setting means is adapted for setting a particular tape portion as a point of origin for starting a printing operation thereat. The particular tape portion is a portion in confrontation with the print head when a predetermines position of the tape is detected by the tape detection means.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label printing device for printing an image on a tape printing medium comprising a tape transfer mechanism, printing means, a tape cutting mechanism, setting means, and control means. The tape transfer mechanism is adapted for alternatively transferring the tape printing medium in a tape feeding direction or a tape rewinding direction. The tape transfer mechanism provides a tape transfer passage having a downstream end portion. The printing means has a print head defining a printing position. The printing means is disposed at the tape transfer passage for printing the image onto the tape printing medium. The tape cutting mechanism is adapted for cutting the tape printing medium at a position nearby the downstream end of the tape transfer passage. The setting means is adapted for setting a cut position of the tape printing medium at a position downstream of the printing position. The cut position becomes a leading end of a front margin. The control means is adapted for controlling the tape transfer mechanism at an initial tape feeding period of a final time printing of a plurality of times of printing on an identical portion of the tape printing medium, so that a transfer of the tape printing medium in the feeding direction is stopped when the cut position imparted on the tape printing medium by the setting means reaches the tape cutting mechanism.
In the drawings;
A tape-shaped label printing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
Next, a tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to
A tape spool 23 is rotatably provided on the inside of a tape case 21 of the tape cassette 20. A printing tape 22 formed of a thin film is wound around the tape spool 23. The printing tape 22 supplied from the tape spool 23 is moved in the tape feeding direction by a tape feeding roller 24 while being guided in a curved passage by a plurality of guides, passing directly in front of the thermal head 12, and discharged out of the tape cassette 20.
As shown in
Next, the ribbon cassette 30, which is removably mounted on the tape cassette 20, will be described with reference to
In addition, the inner portion of the ribbon case 31 is rotatably provided with a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound, and a take-up spool 34 for taking up the ink ribbon 32. Through an ink ribbon passage provided in; the ribbon cartridge 30, the ink ribbon 32 winding over the ribbon spool 33 extends in parallel with and in the vicinity of the printing tape 22 when the ink ribbon 32 is placed against the thermal head 12, and the ink ribbon is bent in an approximate acute angle at a separation portion 35a of a separation member 35 provided integrally with the ribbon case 31. Thus the ink ribbon 32 is separated from the printing tape 22 and taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 34. The separation member 35 of the ribbon case 31 is positioned on the downstream side of the thermal head 12 in the tape feeding direction. A lid 31e is provided on the ribbon case 31 to support the ribbon spool 33, the take-up spool 34, and the separation member 35, etc.
A ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f for accommodating the ribbon cassette 30 is formed in the tape case 21 as shown in
With colors such as red, green, yellow, and black and ribbon widths such as 12, 18, 24, and 32 mm, a plurality of varieties of ink ribbons 32 have been prepared for the ribbon cassette 30. A group of detection holes 36 made up of a maximum of six detection holes 36a (the ribbon cassette of
Next, a tape/ribbon transfer mechanism 40 will be described with reference to
Supported rotatably on the main frame 11 are a tape take-up cam 41 engageable with the center portion of the tape spool 23, a ribbon take-up can 42 engageable with the center portion of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and a tape drive cam 43 engageable with the center portion of the tape feed roller 24. The main frame 11 is provided with the thermal head 12, and also with a group of ribbon detection switches 103, including detection switches No. 1 through No. 6, for detecting the existence of the six detection holes 36a in the previously mentioned group of detection holes 36. A ribbon detection signal RS is adapted to be output according to the combination of switch signals from these six detection switches. The cassette detection means is thus constructed by the group of ribbon detection switches 103 and the group of detection holes 36.
Further, a tape drive motor 44 such as a stepper motor is installed on the right front end portion of the main frame 11. Gears 46 through 53, each rotatably supported on the main frame 11 are interlocked sequentially with a drive gear 45 of the tape drive motor 44. A gear 55 and a tape drive gear 54 coupled to the tape drive cam 43 are meshedly engaged with the gear 53. Among these gears, gears 48 and 49 are provided integrally and are fixed to the lower end-portion of the ribbon take-up cam 42. Gears 50 and 51 are provided integrally. Additionally, tape take-up gear 52 is fixed to the lower end portion of the tape take-up cam 41. Thus, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via the gears 45 through 54. Accordingly, the printing tape 22 is fed in the feeding direction by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.
A swing lever 56 is provided. The swing lever 56 has a base portion supported in a space between the gears 50 and 51 integral therewith., An appropriate amount of frictional resistance is provided between the swing lever 56 and the two gears. The swing lever 56 is rotatably provided with a planet gear 57 continuously engaged with the gear 51.
The gear 53 has a rotation shaft 58 to which-a base end portion of a cut-restricting lever 84 is urgedly supported. That is, the cut-restricting lever 84 supports thereon a torsion spring 59, and one end of the torsion spring and the base end of the lever 84 interpose therebetween the shaft 58, so that the base end of the cut-restricting lever 84 is urgedly pressed against the shaft 58 by the biasing force of the torsion spring 59.
As shown in
A roller holder 67 for rotatably supporting a rubber platen roller 65 and a rubber tape feeding sub-roller 66 is pivotably supported on the main frame 11 by a pivot shaft 68. A release lever 71 is provided movably in the leftward and rightward direction in interlocking relation to the opening and closing motion of the cassette cover 3. The release lever 71 changes its position between a printing position shown in
Therefore, when the release lever 71 is moved in the left direction from a release position shown in
When the roller holder 67 is changed to the printing position, a platen gear (not shown) fixed to the lower end portion of the platen roller 65 is brought into meshing engagement with the gear 55, and a sub-roller gear (also not-shown) fixed to the lower end portion of the tape feeding sub-roller 66 is brought into meshing engagement with the tape drive gear 54.
Next, a head release mechanism 70 will be described with reference to
As shown in
In a state where the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in
Further, when the cassette cover 3 is in the open position shown in
As shown in
After the-printing with the first color is completed and the second color is to be printed, the cassette cover 3 is released. In a state where the ribbon cassette 30 is removed from the tape cassette 20, the roller holder 67 is changed to the release position by the head release mechanism 70. Then, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, (the tape rewinding direction), each of the gears 45 through 55 is driven to rotate in its prescribed direction, as shown in
Next, a tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printing tape 22 that has been printed will be described with reference to
The main frame 11 has a left end wall 11b which is provided by partially bending downwardly the left end portion of the frame 11, and a lower end of a fixed blade 81 is fixed to the left end wall 11b. A cutting lever 82, which, from the side view, looks like an abbreviated L shape, has a base end portion pivotally supported by a screw 83 to the left end wall 11b. A movable blade 82a is formed on the cutting lever 82. As shown in
However, when printing is completed and the tape drive motor 44 is rotated only slightly in the rewinding direction, gear 53 is rotated slightly in the clockwise direction as shown in
Next, the tape detection unit 90 will be described with reference to
Guiding members 94 and 95 are provided integrally with main cover 2 at a position outside the tape cutting mechanism 90. The guiding members 94 and 95 are designed to form a tightly sealed pair of sensor accommodating chambers 96 and 97. Alight emitting element 92 is installed in the sensor accommodating chamber 96, while a light receiving element 93 is installed in the sensor accommodating chamber 97. A slit 98 is formed between the pair of guiding members 94 and 95 to allow the printing tape 22 to pass therethrough. Light transmitting holes 94a and 95b having a small diameter are formed in the guide members 94, 95 in alignment with each other. The slanted guides 99 are also formed at the confronting portions between the guide members 94, 95. The slanted guide portions 99 are positioned at upstream side of the guide members 94, 95. The slanted guides 94 defines gradually narrowing passage so that the leading end of the tape 22 can easily be introduced into the slit 98. Therefore, the tape passing through the cutting mechanism 80 will reliably pass through this slit 98, so that the printing tape 22 can be accurately detected.
At this point, the-light emitted from the light emitting element 92 passes through the light transmitting holes 94a and 94b formed in the sensor accommodating chambers 96 and 97, and is received on the light receiving element 93. Therefore, when the printing tape 22 proceeds into the tape detection sensor 91, and the printing tape 22 is positioned between the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 93, the light is interrupted by the printing tape. Thus, the tape detection sensor 91 outputs an “L” level tape detection signal TS.
The control system of the tape-shaped label printing device 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of
The control device CD includes a CPU 110, the input/output interface 113 connected to the CPU 110 via buses 114 including a data bus, a font ROM 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 120. The font ROM 111 is adapted for storing dot pattern data for display, concerning all of the numerous characters, such as the alphabetic characters and symbols, and dot pattern data for printing in a plurality of printing character sizes.
The ROM 112 stores therein a display drive control program, a printing control program, a printing drive control program, and a control program. The display drive control program is adapted for controlling the display controller 104 to respond to the code data of alphabetic characters, symbols, numbers, and other characters those input from the keyboard 4. The printing control program is adapted to create dot pattern data, for printing, of the characters, symbols, and the like stored in a text memory 121. The printing drive control program is adapted for outputting the created dot pattern data for each row of dots in sequence to the thermal head 12, the tape drive motor 44, and the like for printing. The control program described later is adapted for controlling printing of multiple colors, which is a characteristic of this invention.
Incidentally, the ROM 112 stores a ribbon cassette detection table for detecting the color and width of the ink ribbon 32, based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the group of ribbon detection switches 103, including detection switches Nos. 1 through 6.
The text memory 121 of the RAM 120 stores therein text data, such as alphabetic characters and symbols, input from the keyboard 4, in correspondence to the data for the printing color selected. A color number memory 122 stores therein data of the number of printing colors inputted. A printing color sequence memory 123 stores therein data of the printing color sequence selected. A margin memory 124 stores therein data of the size of the margin selected, where the front or top margin and rear or bottom margin are identical to each other. A printing-data buffer 125 stores the developed dot pattern data corresponding to the character codes stored in the text memory 121. Further, the RAM 120 is provided with a memory for temporarily storing such data as the results of computation by the CPU 110.
Next, multi-color printing control routines carried out in the control device CD of the tape-shaped label printing device 1 will be described with reference to flow charts of
Before entering into a substantive description as to the multi-color printing control, an explanation will be given based on
In
After the step S11 the routine goes into step S12 where a process for setting the printing color sequence is executed as best shown in
Next in the multi-color printing control, the process control for setting the printing range of each color is executed in step S13 as shown in
When this control begins, the color number N is set in a color number counter as a count value I (S33). Then, subtraction of “I” from the color number count value I is executed and if the answer is not zero, that is, if the character array is not the final target character array in connection with the final color (S34: No), then the process for setting the printing target character array is executed in S35 so as to make correspondence of the character array with the first color among the remaining colors based on the color sequence data. This setting is performed by indicating the characters, symbols and the like constituting the target character array, with cursor, in connection with the color.
That is, during this process for setting the printing target character array, the text data is displayed in the display 5. Therefore, by operating the four cursor movement keys provided on the right side of the keyboard 4, each characters, symbols and the like-in the printing target array is indicated with the cursor with respect to the printing color but except for the last printing color. Each time the character-color setting is made by the cursor, a color set key is pressed. After completing setting of the printing target character arrays, a set key is pressed. By pressing this set key, the set color data is appended to the character data of the characters indicated by operating the cursor movement keys and pressing the color set key, and this date is stored in the text memory 121.
Then, the color number count value I is decremented by 1 (S36), and steps S34 through S36 are repeated until (I−1) equals zero. When (I−1) equals zero, that is, when the setting of the printing target character array with respect to all of the printing colors except the last color have been completed (S34: Yes), a process for setting a final color to the character array is executed in Step S37 in order to make correspondence of the remaining characters and symbols in the text data that have not already been set with the last printing color.
Next, the process for setting the final color to the remaining character array will be described in detail with reference to
Provided that the character data “AS CDE “FG” is stored in the text memory 121, the color number N is set to “3,” and the color sequence is set to “red,” “green,” and “black”. During the process for setting the printing target character array in S35, first, the character array “AB” is set for the printing color red by operating the cursor keys and the color set key. As shown in
When setting of the printing color “green” is completed, the color number count value I is such that (I−1) is zero. Therefore, in the process for setting the character array with respect to the final color in S37, the character data of the text memory 121 is read in order, beginning from the top of the memory 121. The character array “FG” of the text data, which has not been set to a printing color, is automatically set to the final printing color, “black,” and the printing date “black” is then saved in the text memory 121, appended to the character data “F” and “G”.
Next, the message “Margin for the printing tape?” is displayed in the display 5. The margins are set to the desirable size by operating the number keys, and the margin set is stored in the margin memory 124 in step S38. Control is then returned to S14 for continuing the multicolor printing control.
When the printing key is pressed in the multi-color printing control (S14: Yes, S15: Yes), the printing start process control (S16) is executed, as shown in
When this process begins, first, the ribbon color R of the ribbon cassette 30 mounted in the tape cassette 20 is read (S40), based on ribbon detection signals RS from the group of ribbon detection switches 103. Then, the leading printing color C in the printing color sequence is read (S41). If the ribbon color R does not match the leading printing color C (S42: No), then an error message is displayed in the display 5 (S43) indicating that the ribbon color does not match the printing color.
After the cassette cover 3 is opened, the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced by another ribbon cassette 30 having am intended ribbon color R, and the cassette cover 3 is closed again. Through the cover opening movement, the cover open and close signal VS is transmitted from the cover open and close detection switch 102, so that the steps S40 and S41 are repeated. Then, if the ribbon color R matches the leading printing color C (S42: Yes), the stored character array appended with data of the leading printing color C is retrieved from the text memory 121. Further, the dot pattern data of that character array is developed in the printing data buffer 125 (S45).
Then, the tape detection signal TS is read from the tape detection sensor 91. If the tape detection signal TS is “L” level, meaning that the printing tape 22 is positioned in confrontation with the tape detection sensor 91 (S46: Yes), then a message prompting that the printing tape be cut is displayed in the display 5 (S47).
Next, the cutting button 85 is pressed for cutting the printing tape 22, and the cut detection signal CS from the cut detection switch 101 becomes “H” level (S48: Yes). Then, the tape detection signal TS becomes “H” level, meaning the tape cutting was detected (S46: No), and the tape drive motor 44 is driven by one step only in the clockwise direction, and the printing tape 22 is moved a very small distance in the feeding direction T so as to allow the leading edge of the tape to reach the tape detection point to be detected by the-tape sensor 91 (S49). As far as the tape detection signal TS maintains “H” level, steps S49 and S50 are repeated.
When the tape detection signal TS becomes “L” level, signifying that the leading edge of the printing tape 22 has reached the tape detection sensor 91 (S50: Yes) as shown in
Here, during step by step movement of the printing tape 22 in the feeding direction T, the leading edge of the printing tape can be reliably guided through the slit 98 by means of the slanting guides 99 formed on the pair of guide members 94 and 95, so that the leading edge of the tape can reach the tape detecting position S, even if the leading edge portion of the printing tape 22 is curled.
It should be noted that the cutting process in step S48 is necessary so as to define the positional relationship between the printing tape 22 and the thermal head 12 in order to obtain the print start point of origin. In
Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the color number N is not “1”, that is, when the printing process is not on the last color (S17: No), the process for setting the color (S18) is executed to print the selected printing color, as shown in
When this control begins, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction to move the printing tape by the initial margin L corresponding to the set front margin L (S60).
If the printing start position of characters to be printed-in the current printing color is still positioned upstream of the print start point of origin in the feeding direction T, even after the feeding of the printing tape by the length of the front margin L, (S61: Yes), for example, as shown in
Next, in the multi-color printing control, the printing tape rewinding process control (S19) is executed as shown in
When this control is begun, first, the tape driving motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction for moving both the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 in the feeding direction T by only the separation feeding distance Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp between the printing position (P position) and the separation position (B position) (S70). This feeding is required because the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused or melted to the printing tape 22 by the thermal head 12 at the final printing position. However, because the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are moved by only the separation feeding distance Dbp, the ink ribbon 32 is forcibly pulled away from the printing tape by the separation portion 35a. Thus, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are separated with certainty.
Next, in order to replace the ribbon cassette 30 with one that has an ink ribbon 32 of the same color as the next printing color, a message prompting for the ribbon cassette 30 to be removed is displayed in the display 5 (S71). Then, the cassette cover 3 is opened, moving the operation plate 74 in the rearward direction, and an “H” level cover open and close signal VS is output from the cover open and close detection switch 102 (S72: Yes). In addition, all six of the detection switch signals become “H” level signals, as the ribbon detection signal RS from the group of ribbon detection switches 103. When the ribbon cassette 30 has been removed (S73: Yes), a message prompting the user not to insert another ribbon cassette 30 is displayed in the display 5 (S74).
Next, to rewind the printing tape 22, the tape drive motor 44 is driven one step only in the counterclockwise direction, moving the printing tape 22 a very slight distance in the rewinding direction (S75). During this rewinding operation, if the tape detection signal TS is “L” level (S76: No), steps S74 through S76 are repeated. Then, if the leading edge of the printing tape 22 is rewound until it is slightly on the upstream side of the tape detection sensor 91, the counterclockwise rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S77). Control is then returned to S20 of the multi-color printing control.
Next, in the multi-color printing control, the printing start position alignment process control (S20) is executed, as shown in
When this control is begun, first, an error message prompting the user to insert a ribbon cassette 30 having an ink ribbon 32 of the same color an the next printing color is displayed in the display 5 (S80). Then, if all of the six switch signals making up the ribbon detection signal RS are not the “H” level, signifying that the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted (S81: Yes), then the ribbon color R of the mounted ribbon cassette 30 is read based on the ribbon detection signals RS (S82). Then, the next printing color C of the printing color sequence is read (S83). If the ribbon color R does not match the next printing color C (S84: No), then steps S80 through S84 are repeated.
When the ribbon color R matches the next printing color C (S84: Yes), the stored character array appended with the data for the next printing color C is read from the text memory 121. Further, dot pattern data for that character array is developed in the printing data buffer 125 (S85). When the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: No), a message prompting for the cassette cover 3 to be closed is displayed in the display 5 (S89). When the cassette cover 3 has been closed (S86: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven one step only in the clockwise direction, until the leading edge of the printing tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91 (S67 and S88: No). If the tape detection signal TS becomes “L” level when the leading edge of the printing tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91, the print start point of origin for the printing tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88: Yes). For example, the positional relationship shown in
Next, in the multi-color printing control, the color number N is decremented by one (S21). If the color number is not “1,” or not the final printing (S17: No), steps S18 through S21 are repeated. If the color number N becomes “1,” or the final printing (S17: Yes), the final color printing process and cutting process control (S22) will be executed, as shown in
This control is classified into four cases. In case 1, the front margin L is greater than the distance Dcp between cutting and printing positions. In case 2, the front margin L is smaller than the Dcp, and no idle feeding is provided. In case 3, the front margin L is smaller than the Dcp, and idle feeding is provided, and further, the total length of the front margin L and the idle feeding is equal to or greater than the distance Dcp between the printing position and the cutting position. In case 4, the front margin L is smaller than the Dcp, and idle feeding is provided, and further, the total length of the front margin L and the idle feeding is smaller than the distance Dcp between the printing position and the cutting position.
First, case 1 will be described. If the front margin L is greater than the Dcp (S90: Yes), the printing tape 22 is moved only the distance Dcp in the feeding direction T by the tape drive motor 44 being driven in the clockwise direction (S91). Then, the drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped, stopping the tape movement (S92). Next, the tape drive motor 44 is rotated a little in the rewinding direction. When the end portion of the cut prevention lever 84 is removed from beneath the cutting lever 82, making the cutting operation possible, as shown in
If the print start position of the last printing color is upstream from the print start point of origin in the feeding direction T, and there exists an idle feeding (S96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction, moving the printing tape 22 in the feeding direction T by the length of the idle feeding (S97). Then, the characters, symbols, and the like, based on the dot image data read similar to S63 described earlier, are printed in the final printing color (S98).
Next, in order to provide the rear margin L behind the printed character array, the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction, moving the printing tape 22 in the feeding direction T only by the distance Dcp plus the rear margin L (S99). Then, the tape drive motor 44 is rotated slightly in the rewinding direction. When the end portion of the cut prevention lever 84 is removed from beneath the cutting lever 82, making the cutting operation possible, a message prompting the user to cut the printing tape 22 is displayed in the display 5 (S100). Then, when the printing tape 22 is cut and the cutting detection signal CS becomes the “H” level, signifying the tape cutting has been detected (S101: Yes), control is returned to S10 of the multi-color printing control.
Next, case 2 will be described. When the front margin L is less than the distance Dcp and no idle feeding exists (S90 and S102: NO), the tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction for moving the printing tape 22 in the feeding direction T by the distance of the front margin L (S103). Then, the final printing process and cutting of the printing tape 22 is performed according to the steps beginning at S104.
More specifically, one row of the dot pattern data is read from the printing data buffer 125 and printing is performed with the one row of the dot pattern (S104). The tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction, moving the printing tape 22 only by the short distance corresponding to the one row of dots (S105). If the amount of tape movement after the final printing has begun is less than a distance given by subtracting the front margin L from the distance Dcp, that is, if the top position of the front margin has not yet reached the cutting position (C position) (S106: No), then steps S104 through S106 are repeated.
When the top position of the front margin L has reached the cutting position (S106: Yes), the printing and tape movement are stopped (S107). Then, the tape drive motor 44 is rotated slightly in the rewinding direction. When the end portion of the cut prevention lever 84 is removed from beneath the cutting-lever 82, making the cutting operation possible, a message prompting the user to cut the printing tape 22 is displayed in the display 5 (S108). Then, when the cutting button 85 is pressed, the printing tape 22 is cut, and the cutting detection signal CS becomes the “H” level, signifying the tape cutting has been detected (S109: Yes). Thereafter, printing of the remaining dot pattern data to be printed is carried out (S110). The rear margin L is provided according to the above described steps S99 through S101, and the tape is cut, and control is returned to S10.
Next, case 3 will be described. When the front margin L is smaller than the distance Dcp between the printing position P and the cutting position C, and an idle feeding exists and the total length of this idle feeding and to the front margin L is greater than the distance ocp (S90: No; S102 and S111: Yes), the tape is moved as in the previously described steps S91 through S94, and the tape is cut (S112 through S115). Further, the printing tape 22 is moved in the feeding direction T by a distance (front margin L+idle feeding−Dcp) (S116). Then, the steps beginning from S98 are executed, so that printing in the final color is performed (S98), and the rear margin L is provided (S99), and the tape is cut (S101). Control is then returned to S10.
Finally, case 4 will be described. When the front margin L is smaller than the distance Dcp, and an idle feeding exists, and the total length of the idle feeding and the front margin L is less than the distance Dcp (S90: No; S102: Yes; S111: No), the printing tape 22 is moved in the feeding direction T by the distance of the total length of the front margin L and the idle feeding (S117). Then one row of the dot pattern data is read from the printing data buffer 125 and printing is performed (S118). The tape drive motor 44 is driven in the clockwise direction, moving the printing tape 22 only by the short distance corresponding to the one row of dots (S119).
When the amount of tape movement after the final printing has begun is less than the difference between the distance Dcp and the total length of the front margin L and the idle feeding length, that is, the top position of the front margin L has not yet reached the cutting position, (S120: No), then steps S118 through S120 are repeated.
When the top position of the front margin L has reached the cutting position (S120: Yes), the steps beginning from S107 are executed. In this way, the front margin L is provided in S109, and the rear margin L is provided in S101. Control is then returned to S10.
As in the example of the input text “AS CDE FG” shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, after the text is input, the process for setting the printing color sequence in executed to set the color number N and the color sequence of the printing colors. Then, a process to set the printing object range for each of the colors among a plurality of colors to be printed is executed. In this process, a front margin which is a distance between the front end of the tape and the print start position is also set.
Thereafter, prior to the printing process, print start process is executed. In the print start process, the printing tape 22 is fed in the feeding direction T after cutting the print tape 22. This cutting process is conducted to provide the front end of the tape. The printing position of the thermal head 12 with respect to the printing tape 22 when the leading edge of the tape is detected by the tape detection sensor 91 is set as the print start point of origin. Each time the printing process is executed with the set color, the tape rewinding process is executed and, the print start position adjustment process is executed. In the print start position adjustment process, after the ribbon cassette 30 is exchanged with a new ribbon cassette, the printing tape 22 is fed in the feeding direction T, and each printing process with the set color is executed from the print start point of origin on the tape when the leading edge of the printing tape is detected by the tape detection sensor 91.
In this way, in the printing with the first color, the printing tape 22 is fed in the tape feeding direction, and the position of the thermal head 12 with respect to the tape 22 is set as the print start point of origin in response to the detection signal TS which is transmitted when the leading edge of the tape is detected by the tape detection sensor 91. After each printing is executed with the subsequent order of colors, the printing tape 22 is rewound and, each time the leading edge of the tape is detected by the tape detection sensor 91, the print start point of origin is set and printing process is executed from the point of origin. Accordingly, even if error is appearing in the tape rewinding amount due to the slippage of the printing tape 22 with respect to the platen roller 65 and backlash of the plurality of gears provided in the tape/ribbon transfer mechanism 40 when the printing tape 22 undergoes rewinding, the print start point of origin can be set accurately in each printing operation for plural times of printing because the pint start point of origin is not dependent on the tape rewinding amount of the printing tape.
In the print start process and the print start position adjustment process, a distance between the tape detecting position of the tape detection sensor 91 and the printing position of the thermal head 12 is always constant, that is, the distance is the sum of the print-cutting distance Dcp (about 25 mm) and the cutting-detection distance Dsc (about 15 mm) as shown in
Further, as shown in
Further, in the final printing operation, the final color printing process and cutting process-is performed. If a distance between the cutting position of the cutting mechanism 80 and the print start position becomes equal to the preset front margin length L, feeding of the printing tape 22 is suspended. Consequently, printing tape can be cut by manipulating the cutting knob 85, so that the preset front margin length can be provided. The cutting prohibiting lever 84 is displaced from the lower portion of the cutting lever 82 only when the feeding of the printing tape is suspended. Therefore, accurate and timely cutting can be made.
In the last printing process and after the repeated printing and rewinding of the tape, when the distance from the tape cutting position of the tape cutting mechanism 80 to the print start position becomes equal to the front margin length L, the tape feeding is stopped, and the tape can be cut for providing the front margin L. Further, in every printing operation, the print start position is always constant at a position downstream of the front end of the tapes Therefore, the accurate print start position cart be provided irrespective of the accuracy of the tape transferring mechanism.
Further, in the tape cutting mechanism 80, manual cutting is achievable by manipulating the cutting knob 85, which is only manipulatable when the tape feeding is suspended. Accordingly, particular driving mechanism for driving the tape cutting mechanism is not required, and accordingly a compact and economical device can be provided. Moreover, erroneous tape cutting such as tape cutting operation during tape feeding or tape printing can be prevented. Furthermore, when the tape feeding is stopped, a message prompting the tape cutting is displayed on the display 5. Therefore, necessity of tape cutting can be easily recognized.
In this case, the tape detection sensor 91A can be positioned close to the printing position of the thermal head 12 in comparison with the foregoing embodiment where the tape detection sensor 91A is disposed downstream of the tape cutting position in the tape feeding direction. Therefore, distance between the tape detecting position and tape cutting position can be reduced. That is, the distance between the front end of the printing tape 22 and the print start point of origin can be reduced. Consequently, a length of the tape 22A cut by the tape cutting mechanism 80A can be shortened after the final printing operation, for minimizing waste of the printing tape at every cutting operation.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, in the illustrated embodiments when the removal of the ribbon cassette 30 is detected, a message prompting the user not to insert another ribbon cassette 30 is displayed in the display 5, and then, rewinding of the printing tape 22 is automatically begun. However, alternative process may be conceivable. For example, rewinding of the printing tape 22 is not begun immediately in spite of the detection of the removal of the ribbon cassette 30. Instead, automatic tape rewinding operation can be started after elapse of predetermined period during which the removal of the ribbon cassette 30 has been completed. Another alternative may be such that a message such as “Press the some key” is displayed in the display 5 along with the message prompting the user not to insert another ribbon cassette 30. Then, when some key is pushed on the keyboard 4, rewinding of the printing tape 22 is begun. In this way, by starting the tape rewinding operation after the prescribed amount of time has passed, or at the moment of a key being pressed, it is possible to avoid tape jamming which otherwise may be caused by starting the rewinding operation of the printing tape 22 during the removal operation of the ribbon cassette 30 and the printing tape is brought into contact with the ink ribbon, harming the printing surface of the printing tape 22 and preventing rewinding operation of the printing tape 22.
Further, the leading end of the tape can be detected when the printing tape 22 is being rewound based on the tape detection signal TS which is switched from “tape exist” to “tape non-exist”. Furthermore, a group of ribbon detection switches 103 can be provided by various sensors, such as proximity switches and photo-interrupters.
Further, it is possible to provide a manipulation member instead of the cassette cover for performing head releasing operation of the head releasing mechanism 70. Furthermore, photo-interrupter can be used as a cover open/close detection switch 102.
Further, the tape cutting mechanism 80, 80A can be provided by using a pair of movable blades movable toward each other for cutting. A tape detection sensor 91, 91A can be provided by using various detection switch.
Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the particular tape portion in confrontation with the print head is set as the point of origin for starting printing operation thereat when the tape detection unit 90 detects the leading edge of the tape. However, the tape detection unit can be adapted to detect another predetermined position of the tape instead of the leading edge thereof so as to set the point of origin.
Further, it goes without saying that the tape-shaped label printing device according to the present, invention can be applied to various device such that the a print data in the form of a text is transmitted from an external equipment such as a on-line connected computer, and multicolor printing operations are successively performed by sequentially exchanging a ribbon cassette with a new cassette having a color different from that of the precedent ribbon cassette.
Yamaguchi, Koshiro, Hattori, Mitsuharu
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