JP2020196140A - Control method of printing device and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control method of a printing device that can control conveyance amounts of a printing medium regardless of a state of the printing medium, and a printing device.SOLUTION: The control method of a printing device (1) includes processing for: determining a timing for stopping operation of a conveying part (104A) on the basis of at least one or more of the kind, the conveyance direction and the conveyance amounts of a printing medium (12); and stopping the operation of the conveying part (104A) at the determined timing, during conveyance of the printing medium (12) by the conveying part (104A).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The disclosure of the present specification relates to a control method of a printing device and a printing device.

Some printing devices that print on a tape-shaped printing medium perform an operation of transporting the printing medium in a predetermined direction by a predetermined length at the time of printing. Some printing devices of this type use rollers that are rotated by the power of a transfer motor to transfer the print medium.

When a transport motor is used as the power for transporting the print medium, the transport of the print medium is stopped by stopping the application (supply) of the drive current to the transport motor and stopping the operation of the transport motor. However, in a printing device using a transfer motor, the print medium is conveyed by the inertial rotation of the transfer motor even after the application of the drive current to the transfer motor is stopped. For this reason, in a printing device using a transfer motor, in consideration of the amount of transfer of the print medium due to the inertial rotation of the transfer motor, the transfer motor is used before the transfer position of the print medium reaches a predetermined stop position. Some of them stop the supply of the drive current to (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-124562

However, since the amount of the print medium conveyed by the inertial rotation of the transfer motor changes depending on the state of the tape which is the print medium, the transfer of the print medium should be controlled in consideration of the amount of the print medium conveyed by the inertial rotation of the transfer motor. Was sometimes difficult.

The present invention is based on the above circumstances, and in one aspect, the present invention is a printing apparatus capable of controlling the amount of the printing medium conveyed by the inertial rotation of the conveying motor regardless of the state of the printing medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and a printing apparatus.

The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention determines the timing at which the operation of the transport unit is stopped based on at least one of the type of print medium, the transport direction, or the transport amount, and the transport This is a control method of a printing apparatus including a process of stopping the operation of the transfer unit when the determined timing is reached while the print medium is being conveyed by the unit.

The printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport unit that performs a transport operation for transporting a print medium, a control unit that controls the transport operation of the transport unit, and a type, transport direction, or transport amount of the print medium. The control unit includes a storage unit that stores information indicating a timing at which the transfer operation of the transfer unit is stopped, which is associated with at least one of the control units, and the control unit determines the type, transfer direction, or transfer amount of the print medium. The timing for stopping the transport operation of the transport unit is determined based on at least one or more, and when the determined timing is reached while the print medium is being transported by the transport unit, the transport of the transport unit is performed. A printing device configured to stop its operation.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a printing device control method and a printing device capable of controlling the transport amount of the print medium due to the inertial rotation of the transport motor regardless of the state of the print medium.

It is a top view of the printing apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure example of the part overlapping with the lid 4 in the printing apparatus 1 of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the transfer method of the thermal tape 12. It is a figure explaining the inertia running of a thermal tape 12. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the printing apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the inertia traveling amount table 107B. It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the printing apparatus 1. It is a flowchart explaining the content of the printing process which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the content of the motor stop position calculation process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the content of the encoder interrupt process of FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the printing process performed by the printing apparatus 1. It is a figure explaining the example of the motor stop position calculated by the motor stop position calculation process. It is a figure explaining the 1st example of the method of updating the inertia traveling amount table 107B. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example of the method of updating the inertia traveling amount table 107B. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the printing apparatus 1.

Hereinafter, some embodiments relating to the printing apparatus and the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of internal configuration of a portion of the printing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 that overlaps with the lid 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a method of transporting the thermal tape 12. The X and Y directions in FIG. 2 coincide with the X and Y directions in FIG. 1, and the Y direction in FIG. 3 coincides with the Y direction in FIG.

The printing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a label printer that prints on the heat-sensitive tape 12 included in the recording medium 11. The recording medium 11 is, for example, a medium in which a thermal tape 12 is wound around a cylindrical core material. The thermal tape 12 includes, for example, a thermal layer that develops color or changes color when heated, an adhesive layer laminated on the thermal layer, and a separator (release paper) that protects the adhesive layer. The thermal tape 12 is an example of a printing medium supplied (delivered) to the printing apparatus 1. The recording medium 11 is housed in the medium adapter 10 and is supported by the medium adapter 10 in a state in which it can rotate about the axial direction of the core material as a rotation axis. In the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the directions orthogonal to each of the X and Y directions are the axial directions of the core material of the recording medium 11 (that is, the rotation axis of the recording medium 11). The heat-sensitive tape 12 of the recording medium 11 is extended to the outside of the medium adapter 10 from a drawer (not shown) provided in the medium adapter 10, and a character string or the like is printed on the extended portion. The underlined number "9" in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates that the width of the thermal tape 12 is 9 mm.

Hereinafter, a heat-sensitive label printer that prints on the heat-sensitive tape 12 will be described as an example of the printing device 1, but the printing method of the printing device 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the printing device 1 may be a thermal transfer type label printer that uses an ink ribbon. Further, the printing device 1 which is a label printer is not limited to the thermal printer. For example, the printing device 1 may be an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or the like. Further, the printing device 1 may perform printing by a single-pass (one-pass) method or may perform printing by a multi-pass (scan) method. Further, the case of printing on the heat-sensitive tape 12 including the above-mentioned heat-sensitive layer, adhesive layer, and separator will be described below, but the configuration of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is not particularly limited. For example, the heat-sensitive tape 12 may be a heat-sensitive tape including a magnet layer instead of the adhesive layer.

The printing device 1 includes a device housing 2, an input device 3, a lid 4, and a display device 5.

The apparatus housing 2 houses a printed circuit board (not shown) including a part of a control circuit that controls the operation of the printing apparatus 1, a medium adapter 10, a platen roller 6, a printing unit 7, a cutter 8, and the like. A lid 4 is attached to the device housing 2 so as to be openable and closable. Although not shown, the device housing 2 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

When the lid 4 is closed in the device housing 2, the region below the lid 4 (the region overlapping the lid 4) in the XY plan view includes the adapter accommodating portion 2a, the platen roller 6, and printing. A unit 7 and a cutter 8 are provided. The adapter accommodating portion 2a is a concave portion that defines a space in which the medium adapter 10 can be accommodated. The adapter accommodating portion 2a is not limited to the medium adapter 10 accommodating the printable medium 11 having a width of 9 mm of the thermal tape 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and has other widths (for example, 6 mm, 12 mm, and 18 mm). Etc.), the medium adapter 10 for accommodating the printable medium 11 of the thermal tape 12 is also formed in a shape capable of accommodating.

The platen roller 6 is a roller that conveys the thermal tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10. The platen roller 6 is connected to a transfer motor (not shown) and rotates by the power of the transfer motor. The transport motor in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a motor that coasts and rotates when the operation is stopped, such as a DC (direct current) motor. In the printing apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platen roller 6 is held in a state where the heat-sensitive tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10 is sandwiched between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 701 of the printing unit 7. The heat-sensitive tape 12 is conveyed in a desired conveying direction by rotating. In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat-sensitive tape 12 is conveyed to the left (direction in which the medium adapter 10 is fed) by rotating the platen roller 6 counterclockwise. Further, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the heat-sensitive tape 12 is conveyed to the right (direction of being returned to the medium adapter 10) by rotating the platen roller 6 clockwise in FIG. Hereinafter, the rotation of the platen roller 6 in the direction in which the thermal tape 12 is fed out from the medium adapter 10 is referred to as “forward rotation”, and the rotation of the platen roller 6 in the direction opposite to the forward rotation is referred to as “reverse rotation”. The platen roller 6 is an example of a transport unit that transports the thermal tape 12.

The platen roller 6 is connected to, for example, a transport amount measuring mechanism such as the rotary encoder 9 shown in FIG. The printing device 1 measures the rotation amount of the platen roller 6 by the rotary encoder 9, calculates the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 based on the rotation amount, and controls the operation of the DC motor (platen roller 6). Specifically, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 set in one transfer operation (operation from the start to stop of transfer) and the transfer operation. The timing at which the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped is controlled based on the amount of rotation of the platen roller 6 from the start and the amount of inertial traveling generated in the transfer operation. The inertial running amount is the amount of heat-sensitive tape 12 conveyed due to the inertial rotation of the DC motor (platen roller 6) after the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. The inertial running amount is stored in the inertial running amount table described later. Further, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment measures the inertial travel amount generated in one transfer operation by the rotary encoder 9, and updates (corrects) the inertial travel amount corresponding to the transfer operation in the inertial travel amount table. To do.

The printing unit 7 prints on the thermal tape 12, and includes a thermal head (printing head) 701. The thermal head 701 has a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a main scanning direction (that is, a direction parallel to the width direction of the heat sensitive tape 12) orthogonal to the transport direction of the heat sensitive tape 12, and the heat sensitive tape 12 is heated by the heat generating elements. By doing so, printing is performed line by line.

The cutter 8 is a cutting device that cuts the thermal tape 12, and includes, for example, a first cutter 801 and a second cutter 802 as shown in FIG. The first cutter 801 is a cutter used when the thermal tape 12 is fully cut, that is, when the entire thermal tape 12 including the separator (release paper) is cut and the thermal tape 12 is cut out (individualized). When the heat-sensitive tape 12 is half-cut, that is, at least a part of the heat-sensitive tape 12 on both sides of the cutting position is not cut and the second cutter 802 maintains an integrated state (for example, heat-sensitive). It is a cutter used when cutting the thermal tape 12 (so as not to cut the separator in the tape 12).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the inertial running of the thermal tape 12. The U direction in FIG. 4 is the transport direction of the heat sensitive tape 12 in the transport path of the flattened heat sensitive tape 12, and the + U direction is the transport direction at the time of normal rotation.

As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the platen roller 6 is rotated by the power of the DC motor to convey the thermal tape 12. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the DC motor is rotated in the normal direction to transport the cutting position CL of the thermal tape 12 from the position U0 to the position U1 in the transport path. In the printing device 1, after applying a drive current to the DC motor to start the operation of the DC motor, the transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 calculated based on the rotation amount of the platen roller 6 measured by the rotary encoder 9 is the distance. When it coincides with LU (= U1-U0), the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. However, as described above, since the DC motor coasts, the platen roller 6 may rotate in the normal direction and the heat-sensitive tape 12 may be conveyed even after the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. In this case, the position U2 of the cutting position CL at the stop position of the thermal tape 12 on the transport path is a position further transported by a distance ΔL from the position U1 at which the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. In the present specification, the additional transfer amount (distance ΔL) of the heat-sensitive tape 12 due to the inertial rotation of the DC motor is referred to as the inertial traveling amount.

In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the timing of stopping the application of the drive current to the DC motor in the operation of conveying the thermal tape 12 is controlled in consideration of the inertial traveling amount ΔL. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the inertial traveling amount ΔL corresponds to 5 lines in terms of lines that are printing units for the thermal tape 12. Therefore, the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped when the position 5 lines before the cutting position CL of the thermal tape 12 (the tip 12A side of the thermal tape 12) reaches the position U1 in the transport path. Then, due to inertial running, the thermal tape 12 stops at a position where the cutting position CL substantially coincides with the position U1 in the transport path.

In the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, attention was paid to the fact that the inertial traveling amount ΔL differs depending on the type (for example, width W) of the heat-sensitive tape 12 to be conveyed, the individual difference of the DC motor, and the like, and the measurement was performed during the printing operation. The information on the inertial travel amount is autonomously updated (corrected) based on the inertial travel amount.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the inertial traveling amount table 107B.

As shown in FIG. 5, from the viewpoint of functional configuration, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 101, an input unit 102, a display unit 103, a transport processing unit 104, and a printing processing unit 105. It includes a cutting processing unit 106 and a storage unit 107. Further, the printing device 1 includes an adapter detection unit 110 and a tape information acquisition unit 111.

The control unit 101 controls various processes that can be executed in the printing apparatus 1, including the printing process described later.

The input unit 102 receives input of characters and figures to be printed on the thermal tape 12, input of set values and execution commands related to various processes, and the like. The input unit 102 is, for example, one of the functions of the input device 3 shown in FIG. The display unit 103 displays characters and figures corresponding to the input from the input unit 102, selection menus for various settings, messages related to various processes, and the like. The display unit 103 is one of the functions of the display device 5 shown in FIG.

The transport processing unit 104 performs a process of transporting the heat-sensitive tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10 in a predetermined transport direction by a predetermined transport amount (convey length). The transport processing unit 104 is one of the functions of the transport mechanism including the platen roller 6, and includes a transport unit 104A such as the platen roller 6 and a transport amount measuring unit 104A (for example, the rotary encoder 9 shown in FIG. 3). Including. The print processing unit 105 applies heat energy to the heat-sensitive tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10 to print characters and figures on the heat-sensitive tape 12. The print processing unit 105 is one of the functions of the print unit 7 including the thermal head 701. The cutting processing unit 106 performs a process of cutting the thermal tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10. The cutting processing unit 106 is one of the functions of the cutting mechanism including the cutter 8.

The storage unit 107 stores information required for various processes in the printing device 1. The storage unit 107 stores, for example, the application 107A, the inertial traveling amount table 107B, and the history information 107C. The application 107A includes a program for executing various processes in the printing apparatus 1, a set value, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6, the inertial traveling amount table 107B includes information set for each type of the thermal tape 12 and showing the transport direction of the thermal tape 12 and the relationship between the transport amount and the inertial travel amount ΔL. The inertial traveling amount table 107B is an example of information indicating a timing for stopping the operation of the conveying unit 104A, which is related to any one or more of the type of printing medium, the conveying direction, and the conveying amount. The history information 107C includes, for example, information on characters and figures input via the input unit 102, print history, and the like, and information on the amount of coasting travel measured during the printing process.

The adapter detection unit 110 detects whether or not the medium adapter 10 is accommodated in the adapter accommodating portion 2a, and whether the accommodating medium adapter 10 is suitable for accommodating the recorded medium 11 having a tape width. .. Further, the tape information acquisition unit 111 acquires information on the thermal tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10. The tape information acquisition unit 111 acquires at least information on the width W of the heat-sensitive tape 12 to be supplied as information on the heat-sensitive tape 12.

The printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can print on four types of heat-sensitive tapes 12 having a tape width W of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 18 mm, for example. Since the heat-sensitive tapes 12 having different tape widths W have different areas in contact with the thermal head 701 during printing, the load applied to the platen roller 6 during transportation is different. Further, the load applied to the platen roller 6 is different between the case where the platen roller 6 is rotated in the normal direction to convey the thermal tape 12 and the case where the platen roller 6 is reversed to convey the thermal tape 12. This means that, for example, when the heat-sensitive tape drawn from the medium adapter 10 is conveyed toward the inside of the medium adapter 10, the wound portion of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in the medium adapter 10 can be sufficiently rotated. This is due to the fact that it cannot be wound (that is, the portion returned into the medium adapter 10 cannot be wound), and the movement into the medium adapter 10 is hindered. The difference in the load applied to the platen roller 6 when the thermal tape 12 is conveyed affects the inertial traveling amount ΔL. Further, as the amount of heat-sensitive tape 12 conveyed in one transfer operation increases (that is, the longer the time for rotating the DC motor), the inertia (biasing force) due to the rotation of the platen roller 6 increases, and the amount of rotation of inertial rotation. Becomes larger. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer direction and the transfer amount are set for each of the four types of heat-sensitive tapes 12 having a tape width W of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 18 mm. An inertial travel amount table 107B for determining the inertial travel amount ΔL according to the combination is prepared and stored in the storage unit 107.

The value of the inertial travel amount ΔL in the inertial travel amount table 107B of FIG. 6 is an example of an initial value to be stored in the storage unit 107 at the time of shipment of the printing apparatus 1, for example. The initial value of the inertial running amount ΔL is, for example, the average value of the inertial running amount ΔL measured by each of the plurality of printing devices 1 extracted from the printing devices 1 of the same lot. Further, the initial value of the inertial traveling amount ΔL may be the inertial traveling amount ΔL obtained by measuring each printing device 1 before shipment and obtaining the measurement.

Further, the transport operation (combination of transport direction and transport amount) in the inertial traveling amount table 107B is not limited to the combination shown in FIG. 6, and can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing device 1. When the power is turned on, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment first performs a predetermined activation process (step S1) as shown in FIG. 7. Next, the printing device 1 performs a print data creation process (step S2). In the print data creation process of step S2, for example, the printing device 1 operates the input device 3 to input information such as a character string and a font, information on the number of printed sheets, and a cut ( It accepts information about (full cut and half cut) and creates print data for printing on the heat sensitive tape 12. The input unit 102 receives the information input by operating the input device 3. The control unit 101 creates the print data. The information received by the input unit 102 and the information related to the print data created by the control unit 101 are displayed on, for example, the display unit 103 (display device 5). As the information used for creating the print data, for example, a portable recording medium such as a memory device having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or an SD standard memory card may be read. Further, the information used for creating the print data may be input using a communication terminal such as a smartphone.

When the creation of the print data is completed and the information indicating the start of printing is input, the printing device 1 performs the printing process (step S3). A specific example of the printing process of step S3 performed by the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described later.

When the printing process is completed, the printing device 1 determines whether or not to perform new printing (step S4). When the printing process is completed, the printing device 1 displays, for example, information asking whether or not to perform new printing on the display unit 103, and the input unit 102 receives the user's answer to the inquiry. When the answer indicating that new printing is to be performed is received (step S4; YES), the printing device 1 repeats the processes after step S2. When the answer indicating that new printing is not performed is received (step S4; NO), the printing device 1 ends the process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the printing process according to the embodiment.
When the print process (step S3) is started, the printing apparatus 1 first performs a predetermined print start process (step S301). The print start process includes, for example, a process in which the control unit 101 determines whether or not the medium adapter 10 is housed in the adapter accommodating unit 2a of the device housing 2 based on the detection information from the adapter detection unit 110. .. Further, the print start process includes, for example, a process in which the control unit 101 determines whether or not the thermal tape 12 is correctly supplied based on the information acquired from the tape information acquisition unit 111. Further, in the print start process, for example, the control unit 101 obtains control information regarding the operations of the transfer process unit 104, the print process unit 105, and the cut process unit 106 in the print process based on the print data created in step S2. It may include a process to generate.

Next, the printing device 1 detects the tape width W of the heat-sensitive tape 12 supplied from the medium adapter 10 (step S302). The tape width W of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is detected and acquired by the tape information acquisition unit 111. In the process of step S302, for example, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the detected tape width W and the tape width set as the printing target match, and if they do not match, the thermal tape. It may include a process of displaying a message or the like prompting the replacement of the 12 (printed medium 11).

Next, the printing device 1 performs a motor stop position calculation process (step S303). The motor stop position calculation process is a process of calculating the transfer position of the thermal tape 12 for stopping the application of the drive current to the DC motor for each transfer operation in the current printing process. In other words, the motor stop position calculation process is a process of determining the timing at which the operation of the transport unit 104A is stopped based on at least one of the type of print medium, the transport direction, or the transport amount. The motor stop position calculation process is performed, for example, on the print data created in step S2 by the control unit 101, the transport direction and transport amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in each transport operation, the width W of the heat-sensitive tape 12, and the coasting travel amount table 107B. Based on this, the transport position (transport amount) of the thermal tape 12 for stopping the application of the drive current to the DC motor is calculated for each transfer operation. Specifically, the control unit 11 converts the total transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in one transfer operation into the number of lines in the printing process, and subtracts the inertial traveling amount ΔL from the converted number of lines to obtain a value obtained by subtracting the inertial traveling amount ΔL from the converted number of lines. Calculated as the transport position at which the application of the drive current to is stopped. The transfer position of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in the present specification is a relative position of the heat-sensitive tape 12 on the transfer path of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in the printing apparatus 1, and is associated with the transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12.

Next, the printing device 1 initializes the counter and permits encoder interrupt processing (step S304). In the process of step S304, the control unit 101 initializes the counts of the encoder counter and the inertia counter, which will be described later (for example, set to “0”). Further, in the process of step S304, the control unit 101 initializes the count of the line counter that counts the transferred amount of the thermal tape 12 in one transfer operation in line conversion (for example, set it to "1").

Next, the printing device 1 performs the motor operation start process (step S305). In the motor operation start processing, for example, the control unit 101 drives the transfer processing unit 104 to the DC motor based on the transfer direction of the heat-sensitive tape 12 specified in the transfer operation first performed in the current printing process. Start applying current.

Next, the printing device 1 performs the encoder interrupt process (step S306). The encoder interrupt process includes, for example, a process in which the control unit 101 increments the encoder counter indicating the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 based on the measurement result of the transfer amount measurement unit 104B (rotary encoder 9). Further, the encoder interrupt process includes, for example, a process in which the control unit 101 increments the inertia counter indicating the inertial running amount of the thermal tape 12 based on the measurement result of the transport amount measurement unit 104B.

Next, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the transport processing unit 104 is in the tape stop processing (step S307). Here, the tape stop process is a process of stopping the operation of the transport unit 104A, in other words, stopping the application of the drive current to the DC motor to stop the transport of the thermal tape 12. The printing apparatus 1 determines that the tape stop process is in progress for the period from when the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped until the inertial rotation of the DC motor is completed and the transfer of the thermal tape 12 is stopped.

When it is determined that the tape stop process is not in progress (step S307; YES), the printing apparatus 1 then determines whether or not the thermal tape 12 has been conveyed for one line, which is a printing unit (step S308). In step S308, for example, when the count of the encoder counter is equal to or greater than the threshold value corresponding to one line, it is determined that one line has been conveyed. When the count of the encoder counter is smaller than the threshold value, that is, when the transfer for one line is not completed (step S308; NO), the printing apparatus 1 returns to the determination in step S307.

On the other hand, when the transfer for one line is completed (step S308; YES), the printing apparatus 1 then initializes the count of the encoder counter and increments the line counter (that is, 1 is added to the count of the line counter). Add) (step S309).

After the process of step S309, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not printing is in progress (step S310). In step S310, for example, when the area of the thermal tape 12 currently facing the thermal head 701 is a print area (an area for printing a part of characters or figures) set on the thermal tape 12 based on print data. It is determined that printing is in progress. When printing is in progress (step S310; YES), the print processing unit 105 of the printing apparatus 1 prints one line on the area of the thermal tape 12 currently facing the thermal head 701 (step S311). After that, the printing device 1 determines whether or not the transport position of the thermal tape 12 is the motor stop position (step S312). If printing is not in progress (step S310; NO), the printing device 1 skips the process of step S311 and makes a determination in step S312.

In step S312, for example, when the count of the current line counter is equal to or greater than the value corresponding to the motor operation stop position in the current transfer operation, the motor stop position is determined. In the case of the motor stop position (step S312; YES), the printing device 1 performs the motor operation stop process (step S313) and returns to the encoder interrupt process in step S306. In the process of step S313, for example, the transfer processing unit 104 stops applying the drive current to the DC motor in accordance with a command from the control unit 101, and stops the operation of the transfer unit 104A. If the motor is not in the stop position (step S312; NO), the printing device 1 skips the process of step S313 and returns to the encoder interrupt process of step S306.

That is, when it is determined in step S307 that the tape stop process is not in progress, the printing device 1 prints (prints) on the heat-sensitive tape 12 in the same procedure as the conventional printing device (steps S308 to S311). The process of controlling the application of the drive current to the DC motor (steps S312 and S313) is performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S307 that the tape stop process is in progress (step S307; YES), the printing apparatus 1 then determines whether or not the tape stop process is completed (step S314). In step S314, for example, when the count of the inertia counter in the determination of the immediately preceding step S314 and the count of the current inertia counter are the same, it is determined that the tape stop process is completed. When the tape stop process is not completed (step S314; NO), the printing apparatus 1 determines in step S308.

On the other hand, when the tape stop process is completed (step S314; YES), the printing apparatus 1 then updates the inertial travel amount of the inertial travel amount table 107 according to the count of the inertia counter (step S315). Initialize the count of the inertia counter (step S316). In the process of step S315, for example, the control unit 101 converts the count of the current inertia counter into the number of lines (inertia travel amount ΔL), and the inertia travel amount ΔL in the inertia travel amount table 107B corresponding to the current transport operation. Is updated to the number of converted lines. In step S315, when the inertial travel amount based on the count of the inertia counter and the inertial travel amount ΔL in the inertial travel amount table 107B are different, the value of the inertial travel amount ΔL in the inertial travel amount table 107B is changed. It may be processing. Further, the order of steps S315 and S316 is reversed under the condition that the count of the inertia counter can be initialized while the control unit 101 holds the count of the inertia counter before the initialization. May be good.

After completing the processes of steps S315 and S316, the printing apparatus 1 then determines whether or not the transport position of the thermal tape 12 is the cut position (step S317). In step S317, for example, when the tape stop process for stopping the thermal tape 12 at the current stop position is a process for half-cutting or full-cutting the thermal tape 12, in other words, the immediately preceding transport operation causes the thermal tape 12 to be stopped. When the operation is to transport to the transport position for half-cut or full-cut, it is determined to be the cut position. In the case of the cut position (step S317; YES), the printing apparatus 1 performs a cut process (step S318) on the thermal tape 12. In step S318, the cutting processing unit 106 performs a full cut by the first cutter 801 or a half cut by the second cutter 802 based on the control information from the control unit 101. Further, when the first cutter 801 performs a full cut, for example, the cutting processing unit 106 discharges the thermal tape 12 which has been separated by the full cut from the discharge port of the apparatus housing 2.

After performing the cutting process, or when it is determined in step S317 that the position is not the cut position (step S317; NO), the printing apparatus 1 then determines whether or not printing is completed (step S319). In step S319, it is determined that the printing is completed when all the printing and cutting on the thermal tape 12 performed based on the print data are completed. When printing is not completed (step S319; NO), the printing device 1 performs the motor operation restart process (step S320) and then determines in step S308. In step S320, the control unit 101 causes the transfer processing unit 104 to start applying the drive current to the DC motor based on the transfer direction of the thermal tape 12 specified in the next transfer operation, and the transfer unit 104A. Start the transport operation. Further, in step S320, for example, the count of the line counter, which is information indicating the amount of the thermal tape 12 conveyed in one transfer operation, is initialized. On the other hand, when printing is completed (step S319; YES), the printing apparatus 1 performs a predetermined printing end process (step S321) to end the print process.

As described above, in the printing process according to the present embodiment, the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit 104A (DC motor) is determined based on the inertial travel amount ΔL stored in the inertial travel amount table 107B, and the transport unit 104A determines the timing to stop the operation. When the timing determined during the transfer of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is reached, the operation of the transfer section 104A is stopped. The inertial traveling amount ΔL stored in the inertial traveling amount table 107B is associated with the type, the conveying direction, and the conveying amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 which is a printing medium as described above. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately control the transport amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 based on the type, transport direction, and transport amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12. Further, in the printing process according to the present embodiment, the printing process is stored in the inertial traveling amount table 107B based on the conveyed amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 due to the inertial rotation of the platen roller 6 obtained by measuring when the operation of the DC motor is stopped. The inertial running amount ΔL is updated. In other words, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment determines the amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 transported from the time when the operation of the transport unit 104A that conveys the heat-sensitive tape 12, which is the printing medium, is stopped until the transfer of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is stopped. Based on the measured and measured transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12, the inertial traveling amount ΔL, which is information indicating the timing to stop the operation of the transfer unit 104A, is updated. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the inertial traveling amount ΔL stored in the inertial traveling amount table 107B is appropriately adjusted according to the type of the thermal tape 12 used for printing and the operating characteristics of the DC motor at the time of printing. Can be updated to any value. Therefore, the accuracy of the transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 can be improved.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the content of the motor stop position calculation process of FIG.
In the motor stop position calculation process (step S303), as shown in FIG. 9, the printing apparatus 1 first determines the control information of the tape transport direction and the transport amount based on the printing conditions including the print data (step S303a). ). In step S303a, control information of the transfer direction and the transfer amount is determined for each transfer operation of the thermal tape 12 performed in the current printing process based on the print conditions. The transfer amount determined in step S303a is the total transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 in one transfer operation. The transport operation of the thermal tape 12 performed in the printing process includes, for example, a transport operation in which the platen roller 6 is reversed to transport the tip 12A of the thermal tape 12 to a predetermined position in the transport path. Further, in the transport operation of the thermal tape 12, for example, while printing on the thermal tape 12 by rotating the platen roller 6 in the normal direction, the half-cut position of the thermal tape 12 is the half-cut position in the transport path (depending on the second cutter 802). Includes a transport operation that transports until the half-cut position) is reached. Further, in the transport operation of the thermal tape 12, for example, after printing on the thermal tape 12 by rotating the platen roller 6 in the normal direction, the full cut position of the thermal tape 12 is continuously the full cut position in the transport path (first). It includes a transport operation of transporting until the position (position at which full cutting is performed by the cutter 801) is reached.

Next, the printing apparatus 1 performs a loop process (steps S303b to S303e) for calculating the motor operation stop position for each set of the transfer direction and the transfer amount determined in step S303a. In this loop processing, the printing apparatus 1 selects, for example, one set of the set of the unselected transport direction and the transport amount at the start end (step S303b), and for the set of the selected transport direction and the transport amount. , Steps S303c and S303d are performed. The process of step S303c is a process of acquiring the inertial travel amount ΔL corresponding to the selected transfer direction and the transfer amount from the inertial travel amount table 107B. The process of step S303d is a process of calculating the position where the operation of the DC motor is stopped based on the number of lines corresponding to the conveyed amount and the acquired inertial traveling amount ΔL. Specifically, in step S303d, a value obtained by subtracting the coasting travel amount ΔL from the number of lines corresponding to the transport amount (that is, the total transport amount in one transport operation) is calculated.

After performing the processes of steps S303c and S303d, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not there is a set of the transfer direction and the transfer amount for which the position where the operation of the DC motor is stopped is not calculated at the end of the loop process. Then, if there are uncalculated pairs, the loop processing is continued, and if all the pairs are calculated, the loop processing is terminated (step S303e).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the encoder interrupt process of FIG.
In the encoder interrupt process (step S306), the printing apparatus 1 first determines the presence or absence of an interrupt (step S306a), as shown in FIG. When there is no interrupt (step S306a; NO), the printing apparatus 1 skips the processes of steps S306b to S306d and ends the encoder interrupt process.

On the other hand, when there is an interrupt (step S306a; YES), the printing device 1 increments the encoder counter (step S306b). As described above, the encoder counter is a value used for measuring the transfer amount for one line in one transfer operation. In step S306b, for example, based on the rotation amount of the platen roller 6 measured by the transport amount measuring unit 104B (for example, the rotary encoder 9) during the period from the processing of the previous step S306b to the processing of the current step S306b. The transport amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 in the period is calculated, and the value corresponding to the transport amount is added to the count of the encoder counter.

Next, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the tape stop process is in progress (step S306c). If the tape stop process is in progress (step S306c; YES), the printing device 1 increments the inertia counter (step S306d) and ends the encoder interrupt process. As described above, the inertia counter is a value used for measuring the amount of transport (inertia running amount) of the thermal tape 12 due to the inertial rotation of the platen roller 6 after the supply of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. In step S306d, for example, the value corresponding to the conveyed amount of the thermal tape 12 calculated in step S306b is added to the count of the inertia counter. On the other hand, when the tape stop process is not in progress (step S306c; NO), the printing apparatus 1 skips the process of step S306d and ends the encoder interrupt process.

As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the inertia of the platen roller 6 after stopping the operation of the transport unit 104A (DC motor) by incrementing the inertia counter during the tape stop processing in the encoder interrupt processing. The amount of transport (coasting amount) of the heat-sensitive tape 12 due to rotation can be measured, and the inertial traveling amount ΔL of the inertial traveling amount table 107B can be updated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the printing process performed by the printing apparatus 1. In FIG. 11, in one printing process, a process of printing the character string “ABCD” on the heat-sensitive tape 12 and individualizing (full-cutting) the heat-sensitive tape 12 is performed to create one label. The transport direction and the transport amount of 12 are shown. Further, the heat-sensitive tape 12 in FIG. 11 is supplied from a medium to be printed (not shown) located on the right side of the heat-sensitive tape 12, and the individualized label (heat-sensitive tape 12) is discharged to the left.

The position of the thermal tape 12 on the transport path before starting the printing process is, for example, the half-cut position HCL and printing between the tip 12A of the thermal tape 12 and the thermal head 701 as shown in FIG. 11A. The starting position PS is often present. Further, the half-cut position HCL and the printing start position PS of the thermal tape 12 are defined, for example, by converting the distance from the tip 12A of the thermal tape 12 into the number of lines. Therefore, when starting the printing process, for example, first, as shown in FIG. 11B, the platen roller 6 is reversed so that the position of the tip 12A of the thermal tape 12 is close to the thermal head 701. The first transfer operation is performed in which the thermal tape 12 is conveyed by the transfer amount LF1. As a result, the half-cut position HCL and the print start position PS are on the right side (printed medium side) of the thermal head 701.

Next, the printing device 1 rotates the platen roller 6 in the normal direction, prints on the heat-sensitive tape 12, and presses the heat-sensitive tape 12 until the half-cut position HCL reaches a position where half-cut by the second cutter 802 is possible. A second transport operation for transport is performed. During the second transfer operation, the heat-sensitive tape 12 is conveyed by the transfer amount LF21, and when the print start position PS reaches the left end side of the thermal head 701 as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the printing device 1 is heat-sensitive. Printing on the tape 12 is started. After printing is started, when the heat-sensitive tape 12 is further conveyed by the transfer amount LF22 and the half-cut position HCL reaches a position where half-cut by the second cutter 802 is possible as shown in FIG. 11 (d), The thermal tape 12 stops. After the heat-sensitive tape 12 is stopped, the printing apparatus 1 operates the second cutter 802 to perform a half-cut process on the heat-sensitive tape 12.

When the half-cut process is completed, the printing apparatus 1 rotates the platen roller 6 in the normal direction, performs the remaining printing on the thermal tape 12 as shown in FIG. 11 (e), and has the first full-cut position FCL. A third transfer operation is performed in which the thermal tape 12 is conveyed until it reaches a position where full cutting by the cutter 801 is possible. In the third transfer operation, the printing apparatus 1 stops the heat-sensitive tape 12 at a position where the transfer amount LF3 is transferred. After that, the printing apparatus 1 performs a cutting process for fully cutting the thermal tape 12 with the first cutter 801 and performs a cutting process to fully cut the thermal tape 12 (that is, the full cut position FCL in the thermal tape 12 shown in FIG. 11 (e)). The part on the left side of the boundary) is discharged and the printing process is completed.

When such a printing process is performed by the printing apparatus 1, as described above, the heat-sensitive tape 12 due to the inertial rotation of the platen roller 6 in each of the first transfer operation, the second transfer operation, and the third transfer operation. Coasting occurs. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1, the heat-sensitive tape 12 reaches the total transport amount (stop position of the heat-sensitive tape 12) set in one transport operation in consideration of the increase in the transport amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 due to inertial running. The operation of the DC motor is stopped before the operation is performed. The position at which the operation of the DC motor is stopped is calculated in the motor stop position calculation process (step S303 in FIG. 8). The printing device 1 performs, for example, a process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 as a motor stop position calculation process. When the width of the thermal tape 12 shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (e) is 9 mm, the motor stop position for each transfer operation can be calculated based on the inertial traveling amount table 107B of FIG. 6, for example, FIG. It becomes like the table 20 shown in.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a motor stop position calculated by the motor stop position calculation process.
As described above, the first transfer operation (first transfer operation) in one printing process is an operation in which the platen roller 6 is reversed to transfer the thermal tape 12 by the transfer amount LF1. The transport amount LF1 is a transport amount converted into the number of lines, and the transport amount in cm units is generally set to any length in the range of 1 cm to 2 cm. That is, the first transfer operation is the "operation 1" in the inertial traveling amount table 107B of FIG. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the inertial travel amount ΔL = 5 corresponding to the set of the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the first transfer operation from the inertial travel amount table 107B (step S303c in FIG. 9), and stops the motor operation. The position is LF1-5 (step S303d in FIG. 9).

The second transfer operation (second transfer operation) is an operation in which the platen roller 6 is rotated in the normal direction to transfer the thermal tape 12 by the transfer amount LF2 (= LF21 + LF22). Here, it is assumed that the transport amount LF2 is the transport amount converted into the number of lines, and the transport amount in cm units is 1.8 cm. In this case, the second transfer operation is the "operation 3" in the inertial traveling amount table 107B of FIG. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the inertial travel amount ΔL = 7 corresponding to the set of the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the second transfer operation from the inertial travel amount table 107B (step S303c in FIG. 9), and stops the motor operation. The position is LF2-7 (step S303d in FIG. 9).

The third transfer operation (third transfer operation) is an operation in which the platen roller 6 is rotated in the normal direction to transfer the thermal tape 12 by the transfer amount LF3. Here, it is assumed that the transport amount LF3 is the transport amount converted into the number of lines, and the transport amount in cm units is 2.2 cm. In this case, the third transfer operation is the "operation 4" in the inertial traveling table 107B of FIG. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the inertial travel amount ΔL = 9 corresponding to the set of the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the third transfer operation from the inertial travel amount table 107B (step S303c in FIG. 9), and stops the motor operation. The position is LF3-9 (step S303d in FIG. 9).

In the motor operation start process (step S305) performed after the motor operation stop position calculation process, the printing device 1 applies a drive current for reversing the platen roller 6 to the DC motor in order to perform the first transfer operation. After that, the printing apparatus 1 repeats the processes of steps S306 to S312 (excluding S311) until the amount of the thermal tape 12 conveyed reaches the LF1-5 line. Then, when the amount of the thermal tape 12 conveyed reaches the LF1-5 line, the determination in step S312 becomes YES. Therefore, the printing device 1 performs the motor operation stop process (step S313) and applies the drive current to the DC motor. Stop. As a result, since the printing apparatus 1 is in the tape stop processing, the determination in step S307 to be performed next is YES, and the determination as to whether or not the tape stop processing is completed (step S314) is performed. Immediately after stopping the application of the drive current to the DC motor, the platen roller 6 is coasting and the inertia counter is incremented in the encoder interrupt process (step S306) (that is, the tape stop process is not completed). , The determination in step S314 becomes NO. Then, the printing apparatus 1 returns to the process of step S306 through the processes after step S308, and then makes the determination of step S314 again. The printing apparatus 1 repeats the process of performing the determination in step S314 after returning to the process of step S306 through the processes after step S308 until the determination in step S314 becomes YES. Then, when the determination in step S314 becomes YES (that is, the inertial running of the thermal tape 12 is stopped), the printing device 1 performs "operation 1" and "tape" in the inertial running amount table 107B based on the count of the inertia counter. The inertial travel amount ΔL having a width of 9 mm (“5” in FIG. 6) is updated to the inertial travel amount measured in the first transport operation (step S315). After that, the printing apparatus 1 initializes the count of the inertia counter (step S316), performs the motor operation restart process (step S320) to start the second transfer operation, and then determines in step S308. In the motor operation restart process at this time, the printing device 1 applies a drive current for rotating the platen roller 6 to the DC motor.

After starting the second transfer operation, the printing apparatus 1 repeats the processes of steps S306 to S310 and S312 until the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 reaches LF21. After the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 reaches LF21, the printing apparatus 1 performs the processes of steps S306 to S312 in a state where the drive current is applied to the DC motor until the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 reaches LF2-7. Printing is repeatedly performed on the thermal tape 12. Then, when the amount of the thermal tape 12 conveyed becomes LF2-7 (that is, the determination in step S312 becomes YES), the printing apparatus 1 stops applying the drive current to the DC motor (step S313). After that, the printing device 1 prints on the heat-sensitive tape 12 that coasts until the coasting of the heat-sensitive tape 12 stops (that is, the determination in step S314 becomes YES).

As described above, the second transfer operation is the "operation 3" in the inertial traveling amount table 107B of FIG. Therefore, when the inertial running of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is stopped, the printing device 1 determines the inertial running amount ΔL of “operation 3” and “tape width 9 mm” in the inertial running amount table 107B based on the count of the inertia counter (FIG. 6). Then, “7”) is updated to the inertial traveling amount measured in the second transport operation (step S315). After that, the printing device 1 initializes the count of the inertia counter (step S316).

Further, the second transport operation is an operation of transporting the thermal tape 12 to a position where the half-cut position HCL of the thermal tape 12 can be half-cut by the second cutter 802 as described above. Therefore, after step S316, the printing apparatus 1 performs a half-cut process (step S318). After that, the printing apparatus 1 performs the motor operation restart process (step S320) to start the third transfer operation, and then determines in step S308. In the motor operation restart process at this time, the printing device 1 applies a drive current for rotating the platen roller 6 to the DC motor.

After starting the third transfer operation, the printing apparatus 1 repeats the processes of steps S306 to S312 in a state where the drive current is applied to the DC motor until the transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 reaches LF3-9. During this time, the printing device 1 prints the remaining portion of the character string "ABCD" on the thermal tape 12. Then, when the amount of the thermal tape 12 conveyed becomes LF3-9 (that is, the determination in step S312 becomes YES), the printing apparatus 1 stops applying the drive current to the DC motor (step S313).

As described above, the third transfer operation is the "operation 4" in the inertial traveling amount table 107B of FIG. Therefore, when the inertial running of the thermal tape 12 is stopped (that is, the determination in step S314 becomes YES), the printing device 1 makes "operation 4" and "operation 4" in the inertial running amount table 107B based on the count of the inertial counter. The inertial travel amount ΔL (“9” in FIG. 6) of “tape width 9 mm” is updated to the inertial travel amount measured in the third transport operation (step S315). After that, the printing device 1 initializes the count of the inertia counter (step S316).

Further, the third transport operation is an operation of transporting the thermal tape 12 to a position where the full cut position FCL of the thermal tape 12 can be fully cut by the first cutter 801 as described above. Therefore, after step S316, the printing apparatus 1 performs a full cut process (step S318). As a result, one label on which the character string "ABCD" is printed is completed and ejected, so that the determination in the next step S319 is YES. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 performs a predetermined printing end processing (step S321) to end the printing process.

After that, when performing a new printing process, the printing apparatus 1 stops the motor operation in each transfer operation based on the inertial traveling amount ΔL stored in the inertial traveling amount table 107B updated in the above printing process. Calculate (determine) the position. Here, for example, it is assumed that the inertial travel amount ΔL of “operation 3” and “tape width 9 mm” in the inertial travel amount table 107B of FIG. 6 is updated from “7” to “9” by the above printing process. In this case, assuming that the new printing process is a new printing process for the thermal tape 12 having a tape width of 9 mm and includes a transfer operation of the transfer amount LF4 corresponding to "operation 3", the motor operation is stopped for the transfer operation. The position is LF4-9. In this way, by updating the value of the inertial travel amount used to determine (calculate) the position for stopping the operation of the DC motor based on the inertial travel amount measured during the printing process, once. It is possible to reduce the difference between the total transfer amount of the thermal tape 12 including the inertial traveling amount in the transfer operation of the above and the transfer amount set based on the print data or the like. Therefore, according to the printing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the inertial traveling amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 can be updated (corrected) to a value corresponding to the characteristics of the printing device 1 for each printing device 1, and the heat-sensitive tape can be updated (corrected). The transport amount (transport position) of 12 can be controlled with high accuracy.

Further, although FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the transport operation when one label is created, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment collectively creates a plurality of labels by continuous printing. It may also be possible. When a plurality of labels are collectively produced by continuous printing, for example, half-cut processing can be performed on the boundary position of two adjacent labels on the thermal tape 12, so that one printing can be performed once. The transport operation in the process includes the transfer operation for performing the half-cut process for the boundary position in addition to the first to third transfer operations described above. According to the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when a half-cut process is included in each of the boundary positions of the labels in the process of collectively creating a plurality of labels by continuous printing, it occurs and accumulates every time the transport operation is performed. The amount of deviation between the boundary position of the label area and the half-cut position can be reduced.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the inertial traveling amount in each transport operation is set and updated for each type (for example, width) of the thermal tape 12 that can be used for printing. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the inertial traveling amount set for each type of the thermal tape 12 is updated to the inertial traveling amount measured when the transfer operation is performed using each of the thermal tapes 12. Can be (corrected). Therefore, according to the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the inertial traveling amount measured in the same transfer operation differs depending on the type of the heat-sensitive tape 12, the control of the transfer amount of the heat-sensitive tape 12 is more accurate. Can be. The type of print medium associated with the inertial travel amount ΔL is not limited to the width of the tape described above, and may include other type information such as the material of the tape that may affect the inertial travel amount. For example, together with the inertia running amount table 107B shown in FIG. 6, a table showing the inertia running amount ΔL when the printing medium is a magnet tape and a table showing the inertia running amount ΔL when the printing medium is a strong adhesive tape. May be stored in the storage unit 107, and the inertial traveling amount table used for determining the inertial traveling amount ΔL may be selected according to the material of the heat-sensitive tape 12 to be printed. Further, the information indicating the timing at which the transport operation is stopped, such as the coasting travel amount ΔL, may be associated with at least one or more of the type of print medium, the transport direction, or the transport amount, as described above. .. For example, when the transfer direction of the thermal tape 12 in the printing process (step S3) is only one direction, the information indicating the timing to stop the transfer operation is associated with either one or both of the print medium type and the transfer amount. It suffices if it is done.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, it is possible to update the inertial traveling amount with respect to the executed transport operation every time the printing process is performed. For example, when the printing process (step S3 in FIG. 7) is performed a plurality of times using one recording medium 11, the remaining amount of the thermal tape 12 in the medium adapter 10, in other words, the thermal tape 12 is wound around the core material. The load received by the platen roller 6 from the thermal tape 12 during the transport operation varies depending on the amount of the portion remaining as the recording medium 11. In the transport operation in which the platen roller 6 is rotated in the normal direction to convey the thermal tape 12, the smaller the remaining amount of the thermal tape 12, the smaller the load received by the platen roller 6 from the thermal tape 12. Therefore, when the printing process (step S3 in FIG. 7) is performed a plurality of times using one recording medium 11, the resistance force (heat sensitive tape) against the inertial rotation of the platen roller 6 as the remaining amount of the heat sensitive tape 12 decreases. The load received from 12) becomes smaller, and the amount of coasting for the same transport operation increases. In the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, even in such a case, the position where the DC motor is stopped based on the inertial traveling amount measured and updated in the printing process immediately before the remaining amount of the thermal tape 12 is substantially the same. Can be determined, and the control of the conveyed amount of the thermal tape 12 can be made highly accurate.

Various methods can be considered for updating the inertial travel amount ΔL of the inertial travel amount table 107B. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a method of updating the inertial traveling amount table 107B. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a method of updating the inertial traveling amount table 107B.

The upper inertial travel amount table 107B of the two inertial travel amount tables 107B shown in FIG. 13 is the one before the update, and has the same contents as the inertial travel amount table 107 shown in FIG. When calculating the motor operation stop position for the transfer operation of rotating the platen roller 6 in the normal direction to convey the heat-sensitive tape 12 having a width of 9 mm by 0.8 cm based on the inertial traveling amount table 107B before the update, the motor operation stop. The position is LF5-5, which is the value obtained by subtracting 5 from the value LF5 obtained by converting the amount of heat-sensitive tape 12 conveyed (0.8 cm) into the number of lines. Therefore, after starting the transfer operation, the printing apparatus 1 stops applying the drive current to the DC motor when the transfer amount (converted to the number of lines) of the thermal tape 12 reaches the LF5-5 line. Here, it is assumed that the inertial running amount of the thermal tape 12 calculated based on the counter of the inertial counter is equivalent to 7 lines. In this case, the printing device 1 sets the inertial travel amount ΔL of “operation 2” and “tape width 9 mm” corresponding to the carried out transfer operation as shown in the updated inertial travel amount table 107B shown in FIG. Update from 5 to 7.

As described above, in the first example of the method of updating the inertial traveling table 107B, only the inertial traveling amount corresponding to the one-time transport operation performed is updated. When updating the inertial travel amount, for example, the inertial travel amount of the inertial travel amount table 107 (initial table) stored in the storage unit 107 at the time of shipment of the printing device 1 is held in the storage unit 107. You may update with.

Further, when the inertial traveling amount table 107B is updated based on the inertial traveling amount measured in one conveying operation, the relationship with the inertial traveling amount of the conveying operation is based on the correction amount of the inertial traveling amount of the conveying operation. The inertial running amount for other highly likely transport operations may be updated.

The updated inertial running amount table 107B shown in FIG. 14 shows the case where the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the executed transfer operation correspond to the “operation 2” and the tape width of the thermal tape 12 is 9 mm. An example of the inertial running amount ΔL to be updated is shown. The inertial traveling amount ΔL surrounded by the thick dotted line in FIG. 14 is the inertial traveling amount of another conveying operation that is highly related to the inertial traveling amount of the conveying operation of “operation 2” and “tape width 9 mm”. Other highly relevant transfer operations include, for example, the transfer operation of "operation 2" and "tape width 6 mm", or the transfer operation of "operation 2" and "tape width 12 mm". Is the same, and there is a transport operation in which the difference in width of the thermal tape 12 is small. Further, for other highly relevant transfer operations, the tape widths are the same, such as the transfer operation of "operation 1" and "tape 9 mm" or the transfer operation of "operation 3" and "tape width 9 mm". Therefore, there is a transport operation in which the difference in transport amount is small.

As described above, in the second example of the method of updating the inertial traveling table 107B, the inertial traveling amount corresponding to the one-time conveying operation performed is updated, and the inertial traveling amount of the conveying operation is highly related. Update the inertial running amount for the transport operation of. As a result, for example, when performing a transfer operation that has not been performed in the past printing process, it is based on the inertial traveling amount that reflects the characteristics of the inertial rotation of the platen roller 6 in the own device, which was updated in the past printing process. The motor stop position can be determined (calculated).

When another transfer operation having a high relationship between the executed transfer operation and the corresponding inertial travel amount is performed by the same printing process, the inertial travel amount corresponding to the other transfer operation is, for example, the other. It may be updated to the inertial running amount measured during the transport operation of, or it may be updated to a value calculated based on a plurality of inertial running amounts set in one printing process including the measured inertial running amount. May be good.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the transfer operation in which the transfer amount is constant regardless of the content of the print data (for example, the first transfer operation described with reference to FIG. 11) is inertial. Instead of storing the travel amount ΔL in the inertial travel amount table 107B, the value of the transport amount in the transfer operation may be updated based on the inertial travel amount ΔL. For example, instead of updating the inertial traveling amount ΔL related to the first transport operation described with reference to FIG. 11, the transport amount in the first transport operation may be updated from LF1 to LF1-ΔL. Thereby, for example, it is possible to reduce the amount of calculation processing in the motor stop position calculation processing performed every time the printing processing is performed.

The printing device 1 and the control method of the printing device 1 according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed as long as the gist of the above-described embodiment is not deviated. For example, the process of updating the inertial traveling amount table 107B is performed every time the print process (step S3 in FIG. 5) is performed, but every time the print process is performed only a predetermined number of times, or every time a predetermined period elapses. It may be carried out in. Further, when the process of updating the inertial travel amount table 107B is performed every time the print process is performed only a predetermined number of times, for example, the inertial travel amount measured in the transport operation in each print process is stored in the storage unit 107. The inertial running amount may be updated based on the inertial running amount stored in the storage unit 107. When there are a plurality of inertial traveling amounts having the same combination of the transport operation and the type of the heat sensitive tape 12 in the inertial traveling amount stored in the storage unit 107, for example, the average value of the plurality of inertial traveling amounts is stored. Calculate and update to the average value of the inertial running amount.

Further, for example, the printing apparatus 1 detects the width of the heat-sensitive tape 12 and performs a predetermined transfer operation (step S1 in FIG. 7) when the power is turned on or when the opened lid 4 is closed. For example, the transport operation corresponding to each of the operations 1 to 4 in the inertial travel amount table 107B of FIG. 6) may be performed to update the corresponding inertial travel amount in the inertial travel amount table 107B.

Further, the printing device 1 is not limited to dedicated hardware configured to execute the processes according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 10 to realize the functions of the blocks of FIG. 5, and is a part of the functions. May be configured to be realized by a computer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 15, the printing device 1 that realizes a part of the functions by a computer displays a processor 3001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3002, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3003, and an auxiliary storage device 3004. It includes a processing unit 3005 and an input / output IF (interface) 3006. These components 3001 to 3006 in the printing apparatus 1 are connected to each other by a bus 3010, and various data can be exchanged with each other. The computer in the printing apparatus 1 includes components 3001 to 3006 interconnected by a bus 3010.

The processor 3001 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor, and executes, for example, a printing program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 10. The processor 3001 functions (operates) as the control unit 101 in the printing device 1 of FIG. 5 by executing the above printing program.

The ROM 3002 and the RAM 3003 are so-called main storage devices. The ROM 3002 stores, for example, a program executed by the processor 3001 when the printing device 1 such as an OS (Operating System) is started. The RAM 3003 provides, for example, a storage area for temporarily storing various information when executing various programs and applications including the above printing program in the printing device 1. The RAM 3003 can be used, for example, to store print data created in the print data creation process (step S2), information indicating a motor stop position in a transfer operation, control information related to other print processes, print history, and the like. Further, the auxiliary storage device 3004 provides, for example, a storage area for storing various programs and applications including the above-mentioned printing program, the inertial traveling amount table 107B, and the like. The ROM 3002, the RAM 3003, and the auxiliary storage device 3004 function as the storage unit 107 in the printing device 1 of FIG.

The display processing unit 1005 creates display data to be displayed on the display device 5, and causes the display device 5 to display the display data. The display processing unit 1005 creates information such as characters and figures input by the input device 3, display data such as a print condition setting screen and a print image, and displays them on the display device 5.

The input / output IF 3006 connects the transport mechanism 31, the printing mechanism 32, the cutting mechanism 33, and the sensor 34 in the printing device 1 to the computer in the printing device 1. The transport mechanism 31, the printing mechanism 32, and the cutting mechanism 33 each function (operate) as the transport processing unit 103, the print processing unit 105, and the cutting processing unit 107 in the printing device 1 of FIG. 5 under the control of the processor 3001. To do. The sensor 34 includes, for example, a sensor that detects the presence / absence of the medium adapter 10, a sensor that detects the width of the thermal tape 12, and the like. Under the control of the processor 3001, the sensor 34 functions (operates) as the medium adapter detection unit 110 and the tape information acquisition unit in the printing device 1 of FIG.

The printing device 1 according to the present invention is, for example, a printing device in which an input device 3, a display device 5, and a printing processing device for printing on a heat-sensitive tape 12 are integrated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Not limited to 1, for example, the print data creating device including the input device 3 and the display device 5 may be separate. In this type of printing device 1, as a printing data creating device, for example, a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer can be used.

Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims at the time of filing the application of the present application will be added.
[Appendix 1]
The timing to stop the operation of the transport unit is determined based on at least one of the type of print medium, the transport direction, or the transport amount.
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising a process of stopping the operation of the transfer unit when the determined timing is reached while the print medium is being conveyed by the transfer unit.
[Appendix 2]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 1.
Based on at least one of the type, transport direction, or transport amount of the print medium, before performing the transport operation of operating the transport unit to transport the print medium in a predetermined direction by a predetermined transport amount. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises determining a timing at which the operation of the transport unit is stopped.
[Appendix 3]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2.
The timing for stopping the operation of the transfer unit is set for each of a plurality of types of transfer operations in which the combination of the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the print medium is different.
The process of determining the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit shall be determined at the timing set for the transport operation corresponding to the operation of the transport unit for the print medium among the plurality of types of transport operations. A method of controlling a printing device, which comprises.
[Appendix 4]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2.
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein the type of the printing medium includes a type of the width of the printing medium.
[Appendix 5]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 1.
The transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the operation of the transfer unit to the stop of the transfer of the print medium is measured, and the operation of the transfer unit is stopped based on the measured transfer amount of the print medium. A method of controlling a printing apparatus, which further includes a process of updating the timing.
[Appendix 6]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 5.
The transport unit is a roller that is rotated by the power of a DC motor to transport the print medium.
In the process of measuring the transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the operation of the transfer unit to the stop of the transfer of the print medium, the roller stops after the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized in that measurement is performed based on the amount of rotation of the roller.
[Appendix 7]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 5.
The process of updating the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit is the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit, which is determined based on at least one of the type, the transport direction, and the transport amount of the print medium. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises updating the timing and a timing corresponding to another operation related to the operation of the transport unit corresponding to the timing.
[Appendix 8]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 5.
When the transport amount in the operation of the transport unit is constant regardless of the content to be printed on the print medium, the constant transport amount is updated based on the measured transport amount of the print medium. A characteristic printing device control method.
[Appendix 9]
The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to Appendix 5.
The timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit is the timing according to the transport amount when the print medium is transported in the first direction and the second direction opposite to the first direction for the print medium. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which includes a timing corresponding to the amount of transportation in the case of transporting to.
[Appendix 10]
The method for controlling the printing apparatus according to Appendix 9.
Either the timing when the print medium is conveyed in the first direction and the timing when the print medium is conveyed in the second direction are
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of timings in which the transfer amount is different.
[Appendix 11]
A transport unit that performs a transport operation that transports print media,
A control unit that controls the transfer operation of the transfer unit,
A storage unit that stores information indicating a timing for stopping the transfer operation of the transfer unit associated with any one or more of a type, a transfer direction, or a transfer amount of a print medium.
The control unit determines the timing at which the transfer operation of the transfer unit is stopped based on at least one of the type, the transfer direction, or the transfer amount of the print medium, and the transfer unit transfers the print medium. A printing apparatus characterized in that the transport operation of the transport unit is stopped when the determined timing is reached during transport.
[Appendix 12]
The printing apparatus according to Appendix 11,
The control unit further measures the transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the transfer operation to the stop of the transfer of the print medium, and based on the measured transfer amount of the print medium, the transfer unit. A printing apparatus characterized in that it is configured to update the information indicating the timing at which the transfer operation is stopped.

1 Printing device 2 Device housing 3 Input device 4 Lid 5 Display device 6 Platen roller 7 Printing unit 701 Thermal head 8 Cutter 801 First cutter 802 Second cutter 9 Rotary encoder 10 Medium adapter 11 Recorded medium 12 Thermal tape 101 Control unit 102 Input unit 103 Display unit 104 Transport processing unit 104A Transport processing unit 104B Transport amount measuring unit 105 Printing processing unit 106 Cutting processing unit 107 Storage unit 107A Application 107B Coastal travel amount table 107C History information 110 Adapter detection unit 111 Tape information acquisition unit 3001 Processor 3002 ROM
3003 RAM
3004 Auxiliary storage device 3005 Display processing unit 3006 Input / output IF
3010 Bus 31 Conveying mechanism 32 Printing mechanism 33 Cutting mechanism 34 Sensor

Claims (12)

The timing to stop the operation of the transport unit is determined based on at least one of the type of print medium, the transport direction, or the transport amount.
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising a process of stopping the operation of the transfer unit when the determined timing is reached while the print medium is being conveyed by the transfer unit. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1.
Based on at least one of the type, transport direction, or transport amount of the print medium, before performing the transport operation of operating the transport unit to transport the print medium in a predetermined direction by a predetermined transport amount. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises determining a timing at which the operation of the transport unit is stopped. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The timing for stopping the operation of the transfer unit is set for each of a plurality of types of transfer operations in which the combination of the transfer direction and the transfer amount of the print medium is different.
The process of determining the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit shall be determined at the timing set for the transport operation corresponding to the operation of the transport unit for the print medium among the plurality of types of transport operations. A method of controlling a printing device, which comprises. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein the type of the printing medium includes a type of the width of the printing medium. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the operation of the transfer unit to the stop of the transfer of the print medium is measured, and the operation of the transfer unit is stopped based on the measured transfer amount of the print medium. A method of controlling a printing apparatus, which further includes a process of updating the timing. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 5.
The transport unit is a roller that is rotated by the power of a DC motor to transport the print medium.
In the process of measuring the transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the operation of the transfer unit to the stop of the transfer of the print medium, the roller stops after the application of the drive current to the DC motor is stopped. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized in that measurement is performed based on the amount of rotation of the roller. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 5.
The process of updating the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit is the timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit, which is determined based on at least one of the type, the transport direction, and the transport amount of the print medium. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises updating the timing and a timing corresponding to another operation related to the operation of the transport unit corresponding to the timing. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 5.
When the transport amount in the operation of the transport unit is constant regardless of the content to be printed on the print medium, the constant transport amount is updated based on the measured transport amount of the print medium. A characteristic printing device control method. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 5.
The timing for stopping the operation of the transport unit is the timing according to the transport amount when the print medium is transported in the first direction and the second direction opposite to the first direction for the print medium. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which includes a timing corresponding to the amount of transportation in the case of transporting to. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 9.
Either the timing when the print medium is conveyed in the first direction and the timing when the print medium is conveyed in the second direction are
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of timings in which the transfer amount is different. A transport unit that performs a transport operation that transports print media,
A control unit that controls the transfer operation of the transfer unit,
A storage unit that stores information indicating a timing for stopping the transfer operation of the transfer unit associated with any one or more of a type, a transfer direction, or a transfer amount of a print medium.
The control unit determines the timing at which the transfer operation of the transfer unit is stopped based on at least one of the type, the transfer direction, or the transfer amount of the print medium, and the transfer unit transfers the print medium. A printing apparatus characterized in that the transport operation of the transport unit is stopped when the determined timing is reached during transport. The printing apparatus according to claim 11.
The control unit further measures the transfer amount of the print medium from the stop of the transfer operation to the stop of the transfer of the print medium, and based on the measured transfer amount of the print medium, the transfer unit. A printing apparatus, characterized in that it is configured to update the information indicating the timing at which the transfer operation is stopped.

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