JP5353446B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer surely preventing defective printing. <P>SOLUTION: When printing is carried out by a printing format of a cooling object (S35:YES), a predetermined initial value is set to a count value (S36). Regardless of a power supply status, ON or OFF of the tape printer 1, the count value is counted down following the lapse of time from a time point when printing is carried out. Printing is withheld until the counted-down count value reaches "0" even if there is a printing instruction. Printing is permitted after the counted-down count value reaches "0". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium using a thermal head.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printing apparatus that heat-generates a heat generating element of a thermal head by energizing the thermal head and sequentially prints print data for one line on a recording medium. In a printing apparatus using such a thermal head, the temperature of the thermal head may become very high when the number of heating elements (that is, the number of printing dots) that generate heat (energize) during printing is large. When printing is continuously performed in a state where the temperature of the thermal head is high, printing defects such as printing crushing and printing fading have occurred.

  Therefore, when the temperature of the thermal head is detected by a thermistor or the like after performing a printing process conventionally, and the detected temperature is high, the temperature of the thermal head is not continuously performed without performing the next printing process. The printing process has been interrupted until it falls (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-116346).

JP-A-5-116346 (2nd to 4th pages, FIGS. 2 to 4)

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head must be attached to the thermal head, so that a space for installing the thermistor is required around the thermal head. Accordingly, it is difficult to install a thermistor in a particularly small printing apparatus, and a configuration that does not use a thermistor has been desired.

  Further, the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that once the power of the apparatus main body is turned off, the process related to the interruption of the printing process due to the high temperature of the thermal head is reset. . That is, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the thermal head is high, the thermal head is detected by repeatedly performing the process of detecting the temperature of the thermal head after interrupting the printing process for a predetermined time. The printing process is interrupted until the temperature of the printer drops. However, once the power was turned off while the printing process was interrupted, there was a problem that when the power was turned on immediately after that, the printing process could be executed even though the temperature of the thermal head was still high. .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and without attaching a temperature sensor such as a thermistor to the thermal head, and during the interruption of the printing process due to the high temperature of the thermal head. Even when the power is turned off, it is possible to interrupt the next printing process until the temperature of the thermal head drops to an appropriate temperature that does not cause printing defects. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can prevent the above.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application includes power supply switching means for switching the power of the apparatus main body ON or OFF, and a heating element, and prints on a print medium based on energization of the heating element. Regardless of whether the power supply of the apparatus main body is ON or OFF, the thermal head performs printing by the thermal head last time by the processor that continuously supplies power from the power supply source. The elapsed time counting means for counting the count value stored in the memory according to the elapsed time from the time point when the power source of the apparatus main body is switched ON or OFF by the power supply switching means, and the memory stored in the memory when the count value variation means for varying a count value, the count value stored in the memory has reached a predetermined value And print permitting means for permitting printing by the next of said thermal head, characterized by having a.
The “count” includes a countdown for subtracting the count value and a countup for adding the count value.

  A printing apparatus according to claim 2 is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elapsed time counting means when the printing content previously performed by the thermal head is a predetermined printing content. Is characterized by starting counting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising format selection means for selecting a print format for performing printing from a plurality of print formats. The elapsed time counting means starts counting when the selected print format is a predetermined format.

A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising operation accepting means for accepting a user operation, wherein the print permission means is the memory. Even if the count value stored in the table does not reach a predetermined value, if a specific operation is received by the operation receiving means, the next printing by the thermal head is permitted. .

  A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the elapsed time counting means is turned off when the power of the apparatus main body is in an ON state. The speed at which the count value is counted is changed depending on whether the state is in the state.

  A printing apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the printing medium is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable and is in an open state. Has a cover member that can be housed inside the apparatus, and an open / close detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the cover member, and the elapsed time counting means is in a closed state when the cover member is in an open state. The speed at which the count value is counted is changed depending on the case.

In the printing apparatus according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration, the power source of the apparatus main body is turned off without attaching a temperature sensor such as a thermistor to the thermal head and during interruption of the printing process due to the high temperature of the thermal head. Even in this case, it is possible to interrupt the next and subsequent printing processes until the temperature of the thermal head is lowered to an appropriate temperature that does not cause defective printing. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent printing defects.
In addition, it is possible to correct the cooling time of the thermal head to an appropriate time in consideration of the change in the heat dissipation rate of the thermal head accompanying the switching of the power supply of the apparatus main body. As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to claim 2, the temperature of the thermal head rises to a temperature at which the thermal head may cause defective printing from the content of the printing process performed without attaching a temperature sensor such as a thermistor to the thermal head. It is possible to appropriately predict that

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, the temperature of the thermal head rises from the print format of the implemented printing process to a temperature at which there is a possibility of causing a printing defect without attaching a temperature sensor such as a thermistor to the thermal head. It is possible to appropriately predict that

  In the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the printing process can be executed when a predetermined operation is accepted even during the cooling of the thermal head. Can be satisfied.

  In the printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to correct the cooling time of the thermal head to an appropriate time in consideration of the difference in the heat dissipation rate of the thermal head in each power supply state of the apparatus main body. As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.

  In the printing apparatus according to claim 6, the cooling time of the thermal head is corrected to an appropriate time in consideration of the difference in the heat release rate of the thermal head between the state where the cover of the apparatus body is opened and the state where the cover is closed. It becomes possible to do. As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.

1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to a first embodiment. It is the top view which showed the cassette storage part periphery of the tape printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the tape printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the print format which can be selected with the tape printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the main process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the countdown process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of a print processing program according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart of the main process program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the countdown process program which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the countdown process program which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on first to fourth embodiments embodied in a tape printing apparatus 1 that performs printing on a tape discharged from a tape cassette. .

[First Embodiment]
First, a schematic configuration of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the periphery of the cassette housing portion of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is a printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape ejected from a tape cassette 5 (see FIG. 2) built in the housing. A keyboard 3 and a liquid crystal display 4 are provided on the upper surface of the housing. Similarly, a cassette housing portion 8 for housing the tape cassette 5 having a rectangular shape in plan view is disposed on the upper surface of the housing so as to be covered with a housing cover 9. Further, a control board (not shown) on which a control circuit unit is configured is disposed below the keyboard 3. Further, a tape discharge port 10 through which a printed tape is discharged is formed on the left side surface portion of the cassette housing portion 8. A connection interface (not shown) is disposed on the right side surface of the tape printer 1. This connection interface is used when making a wired or wireless connection with an external device (for example, a personal computer). Therefore, the tape printer 1 can also print the print data transmitted from the external device.

  The keyboard 3 includes a plurality of types of input keys such as a character input key 3A, a print key 3B, a cursor key 3C, a power key 3D, a reset key 3E, a format selection key 3F, and a return key 3R. The character input key 3A is used for character input when creating text composed of document data. The print key 3B is used when commanding execution of printing of print data composed of created text or the like. The cursor key 3C is used when the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is moved up, down, left and right. The power key 3D is used when turning on or off the power of the apparatus main body. The reset key 3E is used when resetting the apparatus main body. The format selection key 3F is used to select a print format for printing from a plurality of types of print formats (see FIG. 4) described later. The return key 3R is used when a line feed command, execution of various processes, or selection determination is commanded.

  On the other hand, the liquid crystal display 4 is a display device that displays characters such as characters over a plurality of lines, and can display print data created by the keyboard 3. In addition, when the tape printing apparatus 1 interrupts the printing process to cool the thermal head 41 as will be described later, the time until the resumption of printing is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tape printer 1 is configured so that the tape cassette 5 can be attached to the internal cassette housing 8. Further, a tape cutting mechanism including a tape drive printing mechanism 16 and a cutter 17 is disposed inside the tape printer 1. The tape printer 1 can perform printing based on desired print data on the tape drawn from the tape cassette 5 by the tape drive printing mechanism 16. And the tape printer 1 can cut | disconnect the printed tape with the cutter 17 of a tape cutting mechanism. The cut tape is discharged from a tape discharge port 10 formed on the left side surface of the tape printer 1.

A cassette housing frame 18 is disposed inside the tape printer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette 5 is detachably attached to the cassette housing portion frame 18.
The tape cassette 5 includes therein a tape spool 32, a ribbon supply spool 34, a take-up spool 35, a base material supply spool 37, and a joining roller 39, and each is rotatably supported by a shaft. A surface tape 31 is wound around the tape spool 32. The surface layer tape 31 is a transparent tape made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film or the like. An ink ribbon 33 is wound around the ribbon supply spool 34. The ink ribbon 33 is coated with ink that is melted or sublimated by ink heating to form an ink layer. The take-up spool 35 takes up the ink ribbon 33 used for printing. A double tape 36 is wound around the base material supply spool 37. This double tape 36 is configured by attaching a release tape to one side of a double-sided adhesive tape having the same width as the surface tape 31 and having an adhesive layer on both sides. Further, the double tape 36 is wound around the base material supply spool 37 so that the peeling tape is located outside. The joining roller 39 is used when the double tape 36 and the surface tape 31 are overlapped and joined.

As shown in FIG. 2, an arm 20 is disposed on the cassette housing frame 18 so as to be swingable about a shaft 20a. A platen roller 21 and a transport roller 22 are pivotally supported at the tip of the arm 20 so as to be rotatable. Each of the platen roller 21 and the conveying roller 22 has a flexible member such as rubber on the surface.
When the arm 20 swings most clockwise, the platen roller 21 presses the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 against a thermal head 41 described later. At this time, the conveying roller 22 presses the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36 against the joining roller 39.

A plate 42 is erected on the cassette housing frame 18. A thermal head 41 is disposed on the side surface of the plate 42 on the platen roller 21 side. The thermal head 41 is configured by arranging a plurality of (for example, 128 or 256) heating elements in a row in the same direction as the width direction of the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36.
When the tape cassette 5 is mounted at a predetermined position, the plate 42 is fitted into the recess 43 of the tape cassette 5.

A tape transport motor 2 is disposed in the cassette housing unit frame 18. The driving force by the tape transport motor 2 is transmitted to the platen roller 21 and the transport roller 22 through gear trains arranged along the cassette housing frame 18.
Accordingly, when the rotation of the output shaft of the tape transport motor 2 is started by supplying power to the tape transport motor 2, the platen roller 21, the transport roller 22 and the like also start to rotate in conjunction with each other. As a result, the surface layer tape 31, the ink ribbon 33, and the double tape 36 in the tape cassette 5 are unwound from the tape spool 32, the ribbon supply spool 34, and the base material supply spool 37, and downstream (the tape discharge port 10, It is conveyed in the direction of the take-up spool 35).

  Then, the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 pass between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 41 after being overlapped with each other. Accordingly, in the tape printing apparatus 1, the surface tape 31 and the ink ribbon 33 are conveyed while being sandwiched between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 41. At this time, a large number of heating elements arranged in the thermal head 41 are selectively and intermittently energized by the control unit 60 (see FIG. 3) based on print data and a print control program described later.

  Here, each heating element generates heat when energized and melts or sublimates ink applied to the ink ribbon 33, so that the ink on the ink ribbon 33 is transferred to the surface tape 31 in dot units. As a result, a dot image desired by the user based on the print data is formed on the surface tape 31 as a mirror image.

  Thereafter, the ink ribbon 33 passes through the thermal head 41 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 15. On the other hand, the surface tape 31 is overlapped with the double tape 36 and passes between the conveying roller 22 and the joining roller 39. At this time, the surface tape 31 and the double tape 36 are pressed against each other by the conveying roller 22 and the joining roller 39 to form a laminated tape 38. Here, the laminated tape 38 is firmly overlapped with the double tape 36 on the printed surface side of the surface tape 31 on which dot printing has been completed. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the normal image of the printed image from the back side of the printing surface of the surface tape 31 (that is, the front side of the laminated tape 38).

Thereafter, the laminated tape 38 is conveyed further downstream of the conveying roller 22 and reaches a tape cutting mechanism including the cutter 17. The tape cutting mechanism includes a cutter 17 and a cutting motor 72 (see FIG. 3). The cutter 17 is a scissor-type cutter that is provided in the fixed blade 17a and the rotating blade 17b and shears the object to be cut by rotating the rotating blade 17b with respect to the fixed blade 17a. The rotating blade 17b is disposed so as to be reciprocally swingable around a fulcrum by a cutting motor 72. Therefore, by driving the cutting motor 72, the laminated tape 38 is sheared to the fixed blade 17a and the rotating blade 17b.
The cut laminated tape 38 is discharged to the outside of the tape printer 1 through the tape discharge port 10. And the said laminated tape 38 can be used as an adhesive label which can be affixed on arbitrary places, if the peeling tape of the double tape 36 is peeled and an adhesive bond layer is exposed.

Next, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the tape printer 1.
A control board (not shown) is disposed in the tape printer 1. On this control board, a control unit 60, a timer 67, a head drive circuit 68, a cutting motor drive circuit 69, and a transport motor. A drive circuit 70 is provided.

The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a CG-ROM 62, an EEPROM 63, a ROM 64, and a RAM 66. The control unit 60 is connected to a timer 67, a head drive circuit 68, a cutting motor drive circuit 69, and a transport motor drive circuit 70. Further, the control unit 60 is also connected to the liquid crystal display 4, the cassette sensor 7, the cover sensor 73, the keyboard 3, and the connection interface 71.
The CPU 61 is a central processing unit that plays a central role in various controls in the tape printer 1. Therefore, the CPU 61 controls each peripheral device such as the liquid crystal display 4 on the basis of various control programs including an input signal from the keyboard 3 and the like and a print processing program described later.

The CG-ROM 62 is a character generator memory that stores image data of characters and symbols to be printed in correspondence with code data in a dot pattern. The EEPROM 63 is a non-volatile memory in which stored contents can be written / erased, and stores data indicating user settings and the like in the tape printer 1.
The ROM 64 stores various control programs and data for the tape printer 1. Therefore, a print processing program to be described later is stored in the ROM 64. Furthermore, the ROM 64 stores a plurality of types of print formats. Then, the control unit 60 prints characters and symbols in a print format selected by the user from among a plurality of print formats. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print format stored in the ROM 64 in the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, “12345” is printed in each print format. As shown in FIG. 4, even when the same character content is printed, the character size, layout, typeface, and the like change for each format. That is, the number of heating elements (that is, the number of print dots) that generate heat (energize) during printing differs for each format. For example, when printing in “Format C”, “Format A” or “Format B” The number of heating elements that generate heat (energize) during printing is greater than when printing is performed.

The RAM 66 is a storage device that temporarily stores calculation results and the like in the CPU 61. The RAM 66 also stores print data generated by input from the keyboard 3, print data fetched from the external device 78 via the connection interface 71, and a count value described later.
The timer 67 is a time measuring device that times the predetermined period when the control of the tape printer 1 is executed. Specifically, the timer 67 is referred to when starting / ending the energization period and the like for the heating element of the thermal head 41 in a print processing program to be described later. Further, when the printing process is interrupted for cooling of the thermal head 41, it is also referred to when counting the remaining time until the resumption of printing.
The cover sensor 73 is a contact sensor that detects opening and closing of the storage cover 9, and a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 60 in a state where the storage cover 9 is opened.

  The head drive circuit 68 is a circuit that controls a drive mode of the thermal head 41 by supplying a drive signal to the thermal head 41 based on a print processing program to be described later based on a control signal from the CPU 61. At this time, the head drive circuit 68 controls the heat generation mode of the entire thermal head 41 by controlling whether or not each heating element is energized based on the strobe number associated with each heating element. The cutting motor driving circuit 69 is a circuit that controls the driving of the cutting motor 72 by supplying a driving signal to the cutting motor 72 based on a control signal from the CPU 61. The transport motor drive circuit 70 is a control circuit that supplies a drive signal to the tape transport motor 2 based on a control signal from the CPU 61 and controls the drive of the tape transport motor 2.

  Next, a main processing program in the tape printer 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main processing program related to the tape printer 1. Here, the main processing program shown in FIG. 5 is a timing at which power is supplied to the CPU 61 and the CPU 61 starts driving (that is, when the battery is first attached to the tape printer 1 or for the first time the AC adapter). Is executed). The programs shown in the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 to 10 below are stored in the ROM 64 and the like, and are executed by the CPU 61.

  When the execution of the main processing program is started, first, the CPU 61 performs initialization (initialization) in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1.

  Next, in S2, the CPU 61 sets the power status of the tape printer 1 to the power OFF state. The power status is a status indicating the current power status of the tape printing apparatus 1. When the power of the tape printing apparatus 1 is turned on, the power status is set to the power on state and the power of the tape printing apparatus 1 is turned off. In the state where it is set, the power is turned off. The current power status of the tape printer 1 is stored in the EEPROM 63.

  Subsequently, in S3, the CPU 61 performs a countdown process (FIG. 6) described later. The countdown process is a process for counting down the count value from a predetermined initial value as time passes when the printing process is interrupted for cooling of the thermal head 41. The printing is resumed when the count value reaches a predetermined value (for example, 0) (see FIG. 7).

  Thereafter, in S4, the CPU 61 reads the current power status of the tape printer 1 from the EEPROM 63, and determines whether or not the power is on.

  If it is determined that the power status is not in the power ON state (S4: NO), that is, if the power of the tape printer 1 is OFF, the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power status is the power ON state (S4: YES), that is, if the power of the tape printer 1 is ON, the process proceeds to S7.

  In S5, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the power key 3D of the keyboard 3 has been pressed. If it is determined that the power key 3D has been pressed (S5: YES), driving of the apparatus main body is started, and the power status of the tape printer 1 is shifted to the power ON state (S6). Specifically, the current power status of the tape printer 1 is read from the EEPROM 63, set to the power ON state, and then stored in the EEPROM 63 again. Thereafter, the process returns to S3.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S5 that the power key 3D has not been pressed (S5: NO), the process returns to S3.

  In S7, the CPU 61 determines whether the power key 3D of the keyboard 3 has been pressed. If it is determined that the power key 3D has been pressed (S7: YES), the driving of the apparatus main body is stopped (however, the minimum functions are executable), and the power supply of the tape printer 1 is turned on. The status is shifted to the power OFF state (S8). Specifically, the current power status of the tape printer 1 is read from the EEPROM 63, set to a power-off state, and then stored in the EEPROM 63 again. Thereafter, the process returns to S3. When the power of the tape printer 1 is turned off, the printing process and the character input process cannot be executed after that, but the CPU 61 and the like are continuously supplied with power from the power supply source. Thereafter, the program is continuously executed. That is, countdown processing (S3, S32) and the like are executed regardless of whether the power of the tape printer 1 is ON or OFF.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S7 that the power key 3D is not pressed (S7: NO), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S9, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the format selection key 3F of the keyboard 3 has been pressed. If it is determined that the format selection key 3F has been pressed (S9: YES), format selection processing is performed (S10). Specifically, the CPU 61 selects a print format selected based on a user operation from among a plurality of print formats (see FIG. 4) as a format to be printed. Thereafter, the process returns to S3.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S9 that the format selection key 3F has not been pressed (S9: NO), the process proceeds to S11.

  In S11, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the print key 3B of the keyboard 3 has been pressed. If it is determined that the print key 3B is pressed (S11: YES), a printing process (FIG. 7) described later is performed (S12). The printing process is a process for printing the character string input based on the operation of the character input key 3A by the user on the tape in the print format selected in S10.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S11 that the print key 3B is not pressed (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S13.

  In S13, the CPU 61 performs other processing. In other processes, for example, a character input process or a setting process based on an input operation of the character input key 3A is executed. When the other processes are completed, the process returns to S3.

  Next, the countdown processing program executed in S3 of the main processing program and S32 of the printing processing program described later will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the countdown processing program.

  When the execution of the countdown processing program is started, in S21, the CPU 61 reads the count value from the RAM 66 and determines whether or not the count value is “0”. Here, the count value is set to a predetermined initial value (for example, “180”) when the print processing program (FIG. 7) described later determines that the thermal head 41 needs to be cooled, and counts down as time elapses. Parameter. It should be noted that the initial setting is “0”. Further, the count value stored in the RAM 66 is not reset even when the power of the tape printer 1 is turned off or on.

  If it is determined that the count value is “0” (S21: YES), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value is a value other than “0” (S21: NO), the process proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the CPU 61 counts the count value to a predetermined initial value when the count value is counted down in S23, which will be described later, or immediately after the count value is set to a predetermined initial value in S36, which will be described later. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 sec) has elapsed since the value was set.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S22: YES), the count value is counted down (S23). Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “−1” is subtracted from the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S22: NO), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4.

  Next, the print processing program executed in S12 of the main processing program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the print processing program.

  When the execution of the print processing program is started, in S31, the CPU 61 reads the count value from the RAM 66 and determines whether or not the count value is “0”.

  If the count value is determined to be a value other than “0” (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S32. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value is “0” (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S34.

  In S32, the CPU 61 performs the above-described countdown process (FIG. 6). The countdown process is a process for counting down the count value from a predetermined initial value as time passes when the printing process is interrupted for cooling of the thermal head 41.

  Subsequently, in S33, the CPU 61 reads the count value from the RAM 66 and displays the current count value on the liquid crystal display 4 for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the process returns to S31. The user can estimate the time until the instructed printing is started by referring to the displayed count value. Instead of the count value, an expected time until the count value becomes “0” may be displayed.

On the other hand, in S34, the CPU 61 executes a printing process. When the printing process is started, the CPU 61 first generates image data to be printed (consisting of dot unit data). The image data is created based on the character string input by the character input key 3A, the print format selected in S10, and the dot pattern stored in the CG-ROM 62. Thereafter, the image data is divided into line print data units for one line printed by the heating elements arranged in the thermal head 41 and stored in the RAM 66. Thereafter, the following processes (a) to (c) are repeatedly executed while the tape transport motor 2 is driven to transport the tape at a predetermined speed.
(A) One line print data is set as target line print data, and the target line print data is read from the RAM 66.
(B) The read target line print data is transferred to the thermal head 41.
(C) Energize the corresponding heating element among the heating elements in the thermal head 41.
As a result, printing based on the target line print data is performed on the surface tape 31. Then, after finishing the printing of all the line print data constituting the print data, the process proceeds to S35.

  In S35, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the print format selected when the printing process is performed in S34 is the format to be cooled. Here, the format to be cooled is a print format in which the ratio of the number of heat generating elements that generate heat (energize) during printing is high, and includes, for example, print formats “format A” to “format C” shown in FIG. In the tape printer 1, “format C” is the format to be cooled.

  Next, in S36, the CPU 61 determines that the thermal head 41 is at a high temperature, and sets a predetermined initial value (for example, “180”) as the count value. Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, a predetermined initial value is substituted for the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. As a result, even if the print key 3B is pressed after the next time, the printing process (S34) is not started until the count value becomes “0”, during which the thermal head 41 is cooled by natural heat dissipation. Is called. When the count value reaches “0”, it is determined that the temperature of the thermal head 41 has dropped to a temperature that does not cause printing failure, and printing is permitted. As a result, the printing process (S34) is executed.

As described above in detail, in the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment, when printing is performed in the print format to be cooled (S35: YES), a predetermined initial value is set as the count value (S36). At the same time, regardless of whether the power of the tape printer 1 is ON or OFF, the count value is counted down as time elapses from the time of printing (S3, S32). Even if there is a print instruction until reaching “0”, the printing process is not executed, and printing is permitted after the counted down count value reaches “0” (S31 to S34). Without attaching a temperature sensor such as a thermistor to the head 41, or while the printing process is suspended due to the high temperature of the thermal head 41 Even when the power of Okimoto body is OFF, it is possible that the temperature of the thermal head 41 until down to an appropriate temperature which does not cause printing defects, to interrupt the printing process for the next time. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent printing defects.
Further, even if a temperature sensor such as a thermistor is not attached to the thermal head 41, it is appropriately predicted that the temperature of the thermal head 41 has risen from the print format of the performed printing process to a temperature at which there is a possibility of causing a printing failure. It becomes possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a tape printer according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 7 are the same as or equivalent to those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Is shown.

The schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Various control processes are also substantially the same as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, the tape printing apparatus according to the second embodiment forcibly performs the printing process when a predetermined operation is performed even when the printing process is interrupted due to cooling of the thermal head 41. This is different from the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment in that it is executed.

  The main processing program executed in the tape printer according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main processing program related to the tape printer.

  Note that the processing of S41 to S46 is the same as the processing of S1 to S6 in the main processing program according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The CPU 61 proceeds to S47 after shifting the power status of the tape printing apparatus to the power ON state in S46.

  In S47, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the reset key 3E is simultaneously pressed when the power key 3D is pressed. If it is determined that the reset key 3E is also pressed at the same time (S47: YES), the process proceeds to S48. On the other hand, when it is determined that only the power key 3D is pressed (S47: NO), the process returns to S43.

  In S48, the CPU 61 performs a reset process for clearing (initializing) various settings set in the tape printer.

  Next, in S49, the CPU 61 sets “0” as the count value. Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “0” is substituted for the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. Accordingly, even when the count value is being counted down, if the print key 3B is pressed after the next time, the printing process (S55) is executed.

  Note that the processing of S50 to S56 is the same as the processing of S7 to S13 in the main processing program according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As described in detail above, in the tape printer according to the second embodiment, a predetermined reset operation is accepted even before the counted down count value reaches “0”, that is, even during the cooling of the thermal head. If it is found (S47: YES), the printing process can be executed. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the user's request for the user who desires the speed rather than the print quality.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a tape printer according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 7 are the same as or equivalent to those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Is shown.

The schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Various control processes are also substantially the same as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the speed at which the count value is counted down is changed depending on the power state (ON state or OFF state) of the tape printing apparatus 1. Is different.

  Hereinafter, a countdown processing program executed in the tape printer according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a countdown processing program according to the tape printer of the third embodiment.

  When the execution of the countdown processing program is started, in S61, the CPU 61 reads the count value from the RAM 66 and determines whether or not the count value is “0”.

  If it is determined that the count value is “0” (S61: YES), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value is a value other than “0” (S61: NO), the process proceeds to S62.

  Thereafter, in S62, the CPU 61 reads the current power status of the tape printer 1 from the EEPROM 63, and determines whether or not the power is on.

  If it is determined that the power status is the power ON state (S62: YES), that is, if the power of the tape printer 1 is ON, the process proceeds to S63. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power status is not in the power ON state (S62: NO), that is, when the power of the tape printer 1 is turned off, the process proceeds to S65.

  In S63, the CPU 61 sets the count value to the predetermined initial value after the count value is counted down at the time of the previous processing execution or immediately after the count value is set to the predetermined initial value (S36). From this, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 sec) for turning on the power has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time for power-on has elapsed (S63: YES), the count value is counted down (S64). Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “−1” is subtracted from the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time for power-on has not elapsed (S63: NO), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4.

  On the other hand, in S65, the CPU 61 sets the count value to the predetermined initial value after the count value is counted down at the previous processing execution or immediately after the count value is set to the predetermined initial value (S36). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 sec) for turning off the power has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time for power-off has elapsed (S65: YES), the count value is counted down (S64). Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “−1” is subtracted from the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time for power OFF has not elapsed (S65: NO), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4.

Here, in a state where the power of the tape printer is turned off, heat generated from the substrate, motor, battery, etc. is reduced as compared with a state where the power is turned on. That is, in the state where the power is turned off, the heat dissipation speed of the thermal head 41 is faster than in the state where the power is turned on. Accordingly, by shortening the “predetermined time for turning off the power” to be shorter than the “predetermined time for turning on the power”, the longer the power is turned off, the longer the cooling time of the thermal head 41 (that is, the printing process). It is possible to make corrections so that the time for interrupting is shortened.
However, if the tape printer 1 has a heat radiating fan, the heat radiating fan stops when the power is turned off. Therefore, the state where the power is on is more thermal than the state where the power is turned off. It is estimated that the heat dissipation rate of the head 41 is increased. Therefore, it is desirable that the predetermined time for turning off the power is longer than the predetermined time for turning on the power.

  As described above in detail, in the tape printer according to the third embodiment, the cooling time of the thermal head 41 is corrected to an appropriate time in consideration of the difference in the heat release rate of the thermal head 41 in each power supply state of the apparatus main body. It becomes possible. As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a tape printer according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 7 are the same as or equivalent to those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Is shown.

The schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment. Various control processes are also substantially the same as those of the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, in the tape printer according to the fourth embodiment, the speed at which the count value is counted down is changed depending on whether the storage cover 9 of the tape printer 1 is open or closed (the storage cover 9 is opened or closed). This is different from the tape printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a countdown processing program executed in the tape printer according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a countdown processing program according to the tape printer of the fourth embodiment.

  When the execution of the countdown processing program is started, in S71, the CPU 61 reads the count value from the RAM 66 and determines whether or not the count value is “0”.

  If it is determined that the count value is “0” (S71: YES), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value is a value other than “0” (S71: NO), the process proceeds to S72.

  Thereafter, in S72, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the storage cover 9 is opened based on the detection signal from the cover sensor 73.

  And when it determines with the storage cover 9 being open | released (S72: YES), it transfers to S73. On the other hand, when it determines with the storage cover 9 being closed (S72: NO), it transfers to S75.

  In S73, the CPU 61 sets the count value to the predetermined initial value after the count value is counted down at the time of the previous processing execution or immediately after the count value is set to the predetermined initial value (S36). From this, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 sec) for opening the cover has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time for opening the cover has elapsed (S73: YES), the count value is counted down (S74). Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “−1” is subtracted from the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time for opening the cover has not elapsed (S73: NO), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4.

  On the other hand, in S75, the CPU 61 sets the count value to the predetermined initial value after the count value is counted down at the time of the previous processing execution or immediately after the count value is set to the predetermined initial value (S36). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 sec) for closing the cover has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the predetermined time for closing the cover has elapsed (S75: YES), the count value is counted down (S74). Specifically, the count value is read from the RAM 66, and “−1” is subtracted from the read count value, and then stored in the RAM 66 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time for closing the cover has not elapsed (S75: NO), the countdown processing program is terminated, and the process proceeds to S4.

Here, in the state where the storage cover 9 is opened, the thermal head 41 is exposed as compared with the state where the storage cover 9 is closed, so that the heat dissipation rate of the thermal head 41 is increased. Accordingly, by making the “predetermined time for opening the cover” shorter than the “predetermined time for closing the cover”, the longer the time that the storage cover 9 is opened, the longer the time for cooling the thermal head 41 (ie, It is possible to correct so that the time for interrupting the printing process is shortened.
The “predetermined time for opening the cover” may be longer than the “predetermined time for closing the cover”.

  As described in detail above, in the tape printer according to the fourth embodiment, the thermal head 41 in the state where the housing cover 9 of the apparatus main body is opened and in the closed state is taken into consideration, and the thermal printing is performed. It becomes possible to correct the cooling time of the head 41 to an appropriate time. As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the count value may be changed when the power of the tape printer 1 is switched on or off. Specifically, when the power of the tape printer 1 is turned on, an initialization process associated with the power being turned on, a drive process of the liquid crystal display 4 and the like are performed. As a result, the heat dissipation rate of the thermal head 41 is decreased. Therefore, when the power of the tape printer 1 is switched on, the cooling time of the thermal head 41 can be corrected to an appropriate time by increasing the count value by a predetermined number (for example, 10). As a result, the next and subsequent printings can be performed in the shortest interruption time without causing printing defects.
Note that the count value may be decreased by a predetermined number (for example, 10) when the power of the tape printer 1 is switched on. Alternatively, the count value may be increased or decreased by a predetermined number when the power of the tape printer 1 is switched off.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, when it is determined that the thermal head 41 needs to be cooled, a predetermined initial value (for example, “180”) is set as the count value, and the count value is increased as time elapses. Is configured to count down, but may be configured to count up the count value. In this case, “0” is set as an initial value, and printing is permitted when the count value reaches a predetermined value (for example, “180”).

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the thermal head has risen to a temperature that may cause a printing failure based on the printing format selected when printing is performed. However, the determination may be made by referring to the print data that is actually the print target.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tape printing apparatus that prints on a tape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to any printing apparatus that uses a thermal head as a printing unit. It is also possible to apply to other printing apparatuses. For example, the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus that performs printing on thermal paper without using an ink ribbon.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 9 Storage cover 41 Thermal head 61 CPU
73 Cover sensor

Claims (6)

Power supply switching means for switching on or off the power supply of the apparatus body;
A thermal head that includes a heating element and performs printing on a print medium based on energization of the heating element;
Regardless of whether the power supply of the device is on or off, the time elapsed since the last time the thermal head was printed by the processor that continuously supplies power from the power supply source Elapsed time counting means for counting the count value stored in the memory according to
A count value changing means for changing the count value stored in the memory when the power of the apparatus main body is switched ON or OFF by the power supply switching means;
A printing apparatus, comprising: a print permission unit that permits next printing by the thermal head when the count value stored in the memory reaches a predetermined value.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elapsed time counting unit starts counting when printing content previously performed by the thermal head is predetermined printing content. Having a format selection means for selecting a print format for printing from a plurality of print formats;
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elapsed time counting unit starts counting when a printing format selected in the previous printing by the thermal head is a predetermined format. Having an operation accepting means for accepting a user's operation;
Even if the count value stored in the memory does not reach a predetermined value, the print permission unit performs the next printing by the thermal head if the operation reception unit receives a specific operation. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is permitted.   5. The elapsed time counting means changes a speed at which the count value is counted depending on whether the power source of the apparatus main body is in an ON state or an OFF state. The printing apparatus in any one. A cover member attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and capable of storing the print medium inside the apparatus when in an open state;
Open / close detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the cover member,
The said elapsed time counting means changes the speed | rate which counts the said count value with the case where the said cover member is in an open state, and the case where it is in a closed state, In any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing apparatus as described.

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