JP2012201005A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on a manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to version upgrade of a printing apparatus or development of a new product.
After cutting the printed label tape 109, primary acceleration control for accelerating from a stopped state to start transporting the tape 103 and the like to increase the rotation speed of the roller driving motor 208, and a predetermined first period The first constant speed control for controlling the rotation speed of the roller driving motor 208 so that the tape 103 and the like are conveyed at the second speed and the roller driving motor 208 until the tape 103 and the like are conveyed at the first speed. Secondary acceleration control for increasing the rotation speed of the printer, and a primary shortening control for shortening the energization timing interval for each line print data, and holding the energization timing interval at a constant interval. The first holding control and the secondary shortening control for performing the shortening control of the energization timing interval are executed.
[Selection] Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing while conveying a printing medium.

  As a printing apparatus that performs desired printing on a tape-shaped printing medium, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this conventional printing apparatus, a conveyance roller (platen roller) conveys a printing medium (tape) by a driving force of a conveyance motor (stepping motor), and a thermal head (head unit) is conveyed with respect to the conveyed printing medium. Performs the desired printing. A cutting means (cutter) cuts the printing medium after printing. At this time, there is a case where the conveyance is temporarily stopped and cutting by the cutting means is performed in a state where printing on the printing medium by the thermal head has not yet been completed.

  Here, as described above, the conveying roller rotates by being driven by the driving force of the motor, and contacts the printing medium and transmits the rotation by friction to convey. At that time, due to the inertia of the transport roller when the transport is stopped, the transport roller stops slightly after a slight delay even if the motor stops rotating, or the motion roller remains twisted or distorted due to its movement. May stop at. Also, when the subsequent conveyance is resumed, as described above, due to the inertia of the conveyance roller, even if the rotation of the motor resumes, the conveyance roller starts to rotate with a slight delay, or the above-described conveyance roller twist or distortion remains. In some cases, the conveying roller starts to rotate after opening them. When such a behavior occurs when the conveyance is stopped, the conveyance behavior and the printing operation are not changed as they are until the conveyance roller is accelerated and reaches a predetermined conveyance speed until it rotates regularly. Misalignment causes printing disturbance (distortion, fading, deformation, etc. of the actual print image).

  Therefore, in the above prior art, in order to eliminate this, the print control unit switches the energization timing of the heat generating elements of the thermal head in accordance with the transport behavior that becomes a complicated mode when transport is resumed as described above. . That is, for example, taking into account the rotation start delay and twist / distortion of the conveying roller as described above, even if such behavior occurs, a desired printed image of the intended shape is formed on the printed matter as a result. A switching pattern of energization timing of the heating elements is calculated and set in advance. When the conveyance is resumed, the energization of the power generation element is switched in accordance with the set energization switching pattern until the conveyance roller is accelerated and reaches a predetermined conveyance speed until it continuously rotates, and printing is performed. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-827

  However, the following problems exist in the above-described conventional technology. In other words, the behavior at the time of resuming the conveyance is based on the large difference between the two states of the state where the conveyance roller and the motor are rotating at a certain speed and the state where the conveyance roller and the motor are not rotating as described above. This is caused by a combination of various factors. Therefore, the mode of the behavior varies greatly depending on the magnitude of the conveyance speed executed during the regular conveyance. As a result, as described above, even if the energization switching pattern from when the conveyance is resumed after the conveyance is stopped until the predetermined conveyance speed is reached, if the conveyance speed changes to a large value, for example, The set energization switching pattern cannot be used. For this reason, even if the manufacturer of the printing apparatus has set up the energization switching pattern by experimenting or simulating at the time of manufacturing and selling the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus is later upgraded or new product When the conveyance speed increases due to development of the above, it is necessary to create a new energization switching pattern by performing experiments and simulations from the beginning again. As a result, the burden on the manufacturer has become very large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can reduce the burden on the manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to version upgrade of the printing apparatus or development of a new product.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transport motor, transport means for transporting a print medium at a predetermined first speed using a driving force of the transport motor, and transports the print medium. A thermal apparatus comprising a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction transported by the means and forming at least each dot on each print line obtained by dividing the print medium into print resolutions in the transport direction. The head and the plurality of heat generation corresponding to the print data while switching the energization mode for each line print data obtained by dividing the print data for printing into one print line unit after the transport by the transport unit is started A printing control means for controlling energization of the elements; a cutting means disposed downstream in the transport direction from the thermal head; and after the start of transport by the transport means, The front end of the front margin having a predetermined length set in the direction opposite to the printing direction from the print start position on the printing medium by the head is stopped at the position where the end on the upstream side in the transport direction faces the cutting means. As described above, when the conveyance of the printing medium by the conveyance unit stops, the cutting unit controls the cutting unit so that the cutting unit cuts the printing medium when the conveyance unit stops. A cutting control unit, wherein the conveyance control unit accelerates from a stopped state after the cutting unit cuts the printing medium and starts conveying the printing medium; Primary acceleration control means for increasing the rotation speed of the carry motor until the print medium is carried at a predetermined second speed smaller than the speed, and the printing target is controlled by the primary acceleration control means. When the body transport speed reaches the second speed, a first constant speed control that controls the rotation speed of the transport motor so that the printing medium is transported at the second speed at a constant speed for a predetermined first period. And the first constant speed control means, after the printing medium is conveyed at the second speed for the first period, the printing medium is conveyed at the first speed from that state. Secondary acceleration control means for increasing the rotation speed of the transport motor until the print control means corresponds to the control of the transport motor by the primary acceleration control means. In correspondence with the control of the conveyance motor by the first constant speed means and the primary shortening control means for shortening and controlling the energization timing interval for each line, the energization timing interval for each line print data is held at a constant interval. You First holding control means, and secondary shortening control means for shortening and controlling the interval of energization timing for each line print data corresponding to the control of the transport motor by the secondary acceleration control means. It is characterized by that.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the conveying means conveys the printing medium by the driving force of the conveying motor, and the thermal head performs desired printing on the conveyed printing medium. The cutting means cuts the printed medium after printing. At this time, since the cutting means is provided downstream of the thermal head along the transport direction, there is a certain distance along the transport direction between the cutting position of the cutting means and the thermal head. That is, when the printing apparatus this time starts conveyance, printing, and cutting operations, a space between the cutting position by the previous cutting operation and the thermal head is inevitably a blank portion that cannot be printed.

  In order to reduce the blank portion as described above as much as possible in the printed matter after cutting, the printing apparatus according to the present invention sets a front margin portion, and this front margin portion is in the middle of the above series of conveyance, printing, and cutting operations. And is separated from the printed body. That is, after the conveyance by the conveyance unit is started and printing by the thermal head is started by the print control unit, the conveyance is performed when the upstream end (rear end) of the front margin portion in the conveyance direction faces the cutting unit. The drive of the transport motor is stopped by the control of the means, and the transport of the printing medium by the transport means is stopped. At this time, printing by the thermal head is also stopped under the control of the printing control means. In this state, the cutting unit cuts the print medium under the control of the cutting control unit. Thereby, the front margin including the blank portion is separated from the other printed material main body. Thereafter, the drive of the transport motor is resumed by the control of the transport means, the transport of the print medium by the transport means is resumed, and the printing of the thermal head by the control of the print control means is also restarted. When printing corresponding to all print data is completed by the print head and the trailing end position of the predetermined print medium is directly facing the cutting means, the conveyance of the print medium by the conveyance means is stopped as described above, and the cutting means is Cut the print medium. Thereby, a printed matter having a desired length is completed.

  As described above, the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a procedure of temporarily stopping and resuming printing and conveyance after starting printing and conveyance in one generation operation of printed matter. Here, as described above, the conveying means is driven and rotated by the driving force of the motor, contacts the printing medium, and transmits the rotation by friction to carry. At that time, due to the inertia of the conveying means when the conveyance is stopped, even if the motor stops rotating, the conveying means stops after moving slightly after a slight delay, or the movement means that the twist or distortion remains in the conveying means. May stop at. Depending on the type of motor, the motor may rotate slightly before stopping due to the inertia of the motor itself. When the subsequent conveyance is resumed, as described above, due to the inertia of the conveyance means, even if the rotation of the motor is resumed, the conveyance means starts to rotate with a slight delay, and the above-described twist or distortion of the conveyance means remains. In some cases, the conveying means may start to rotate after opening them. In addition, as described above, depending on the type of motor, there may be a slight response delay before starting rotation due to the inertia of the motor itself.

  On the other hand, the thermal head includes a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The plurality of heating elements perform printing by forming dots on each print line of the printing medium. Specifically, under the control of the printing control unit, the energization mode of the heating element is changed in response to the printing medium being conveyed by the conveying unit and the print line of the printing medium sequentially passing through the position of the heating element. The line print data is sequentially switched. Accordingly, the thermal head can perform printing at a printing speed that matches the conveyance speed of the printing medium by the conveyance unit.

  The thermal head further stops printing and resumes printing when the conveyance is stopped and resumed under the control of the printing control unit. However, if the behavior described above occurs when the transportation is stopped, the transportation behavior and printing will continue until the transportation means is accelerated, reaches a predetermined transportation speed, and rotates continuously after the transportation is resumed. Inconsistency with the operation causes printing disturbance (distortion, blurring, deformation, etc. of the actual print image). In order to solve this problem, the print control unit performs energization switching of the heating elements in accordance with the transport behavior that becomes a complicated mode when transport is resumed as described above. That is, for example, taking into account the rotation start delay and twist / distortion of the conveying means as described above, even if such behavior occurs, a desired printed image of the intended shape is formed on the printed matter as a result. The energization switching pattern of the heating element is calculated and set in advance. When the conveyance is resumed, the energization of the power generation element is switched according to the set energization switching pattern until the conveyance means is accelerated and reaches a predetermined conveyance speed until it rotates regularly, and printing is performed. .

  Therefore, in the present invention, when the conveyance is resumed after the conveyance is stopped, the rotation of the conveyance means is not accelerated at a stretch to the predetermined conveyance speed, but an intermediate conveyance speed is provided, and the acceleration is primarily accelerated to the conveyance speed. After rotating at a constant speed, the control is further accelerated to reach the predetermined conveying speed. That is, the conveyance control means for controlling the conveyance motor includes a primary acceleration control means, a first constant speed control means, and a secondary acceleration control means. When transport is resumed, first, the transport motor is accelerated from the stopped state by the control of the primary acceleration control means, and the rotational speed increases until transport is performed at a second speed smaller than the first speed, which is the transport speed during steady operation. To do. Thereafter, under the control of the first constant speed control means, the transport motor rotates at a constant speed for a predetermined period. As a result, the transport means transports at a constant speed at the second speed for the predetermined period. Thereafter, under the control of the secondary acceleration control means, the transport motor is further accelerated, and the rotational speed increases until transport is performed at the first speed that is the transport speed during steady operation.

  Corresponding to the above, the printing control means for controlling the thermal head includes a primary shortening control means, a first holding control means, and a secondary shortening control means. The primary shortening control unit performs the shortening control so as to shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data with respect to the thermal head in response to the acceleration control of the transport motor by the primary acceleration control unit immediately after the transport is resumed. Thereafter, the first holding control means holds the interval of the energization timing of the thermal head at a constant interval corresponding to the constant speed control of the transport motor by the first constant speed means. Then, the secondary shortening control means performs the shortening control so as to shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data of the thermal head, corresponding to the acceleration control of the transport motor by the secondary acceleration control means.

  As described above, in the present invention, the acceleration interval of the conveyance motor after resumption of conveyance is divided into the first half acceleration interval (acceleration control up to the second speed by the primary acceleration control means) and the second half acceleration interval (the first acceleration by the secondary acceleration control means). The control mode is divided into (acceleration control up to 1 speed). The manufacturer of the printing apparatus according to the present invention provides the energization switching pattern for the primary shortening control means corresponding to the acceleration control by the primary acceleration control means and the secondary shortening corresponding to the acceleration control by the secondary acceleration control means. The energization switching pattern for the control means is calculated and set by experiment, simulation, or the like.

  Here, as described above, when the conveyance speed needs to be increased, the first speed that is the final target of acceleration must be changed accordingly. However, the conveyance control and the print control can be executed without changing the second speed which is the intermediate speed. Therefore, even in such a case, the manufacturer can use the energization switching pattern for the primary shortening control means corresponding to the acceleration control by the primary acceleration control means as it is. There is no need to conduct new experiments or simulations.

  However, the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control means corresponding to the acceleration control by the secondary acceleration control means needs to be newly experimented or simulated. Here, the energization switching pattern in the above-described conventional method corresponds to two states having a large difference between a state where the conveying means and the motor are rotating at a certain speed and a state where the conveying means and the motor are stopped without rotating. To do. On the other hand, the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control means includes a state in which the printing medium is being conveyed at the second speed by the conveying means and the motor, and a state where the printing medium is the first by the conveying means and the motor. The transporting state and the motor are both in a state of being transported at a speed, and the transporting unit and the motor are rotating. As a result, the experiments and simulations necessary for re-creation of the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control means accompanying the increase in the conveyance speed described above are compared with the experiments and simulations necessary for the conventional method. Much easier and simpler. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to the upgrade of the printing apparatus or the development of a new product.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to version upgrade of a printing apparatus, development of a new product, or the like.

It is a perspective view showing the external appearance which looked at the printed label production apparatus from diagonally upward. It is a top view showing the external appearance of a printed label production apparatus. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the printed label production apparatus in the state which removed the transparent panel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a printed label production apparatus. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the cartridge. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of a printed label production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the conveyance and cutting | disconnection behavior of a to-be-printed medium. It is a figure showing the time change of printing speed and motor rotation speed. It is a figure showing the formation state of the printed image before and after conveyance resumption. It is a figure showing the general control method for making printing speed and motor rotational speed correspond. It is a figure showing the time change of the printing speed and motor rotation speed when the increase in conveyance speed is requested | required. It is a figure showing the control method for making printing speed and motor rotation speed correspond in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S5 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S7 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a print label producing apparatus 1 as a printing apparatus. The printed label producing apparatus 1 produces a printed label by cutting a printed label tape on which a desired printing has been performed to a predetermined length. First, a schematic configuration of the print label producing apparatus 1 will be described.

<Outline of device configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 2 that forms the outline of the print label producing apparatus 1 includes a resin lower cover 15 that forms the lower surface of the apparatus and is integrated with the side surface of the apparatus, and a resin that forms the upper surface of the apparatus. And an upper cover 17. The upper cover 17 includes a cartridge cover 17a that can be opened to mount the cartridge 8 on the rear side of the upper surface. The upper cover 17 has functions for executing various functions of the keyboard 3 for performing various operations such as character input from the front direction to the rear direction, and the print label producing apparatus 1 such as a power switch and a print key. A key group 4, an opening 6 having a rectangular opening, for example, and a transparent panel 7 mounted so as to close the opening 6 are provided. Inside the opening 6, a liquid crystal display 5 for displaying input characters, symbols, and the like is disposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the opening 6 is provided in the housing 2 in order to make the liquid crystal display 5 visible from the outside of the housing 2. Inside the housing 2, for example, a main board (not shown) that is disposed below the liquid crystal display 5 and on which an electronic element (IC chip or the like) is mounted and a control circuit 210 (see FIG. 6) described later is provided. ) And a key board 50 connected to the control circuit 210 of the main board via the connector 5a (see FIG. 4) and having a plurality of key contacts.

  The key substrate 50 is a printed wiring board in which a wiring pattern formed of a conductive material on a base material is covered with an electrically insulating resist layer. The key board 50 includes a circuit wiring pattern and a ground wiring pattern formed of a conductive material on a base material, and a plurality of key contacts connected to the circuit wiring pattern and formed of carbon or the like. is doing.

  The key contacts are provided at positions corresponding to the keys constituting the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4 described above. The key contact is closed when the operator operates each key of the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4. The circuit wiring pattern forms a key circuit by connecting at least one key contact and a corresponding terminal of the connector 5a. The grounding wiring pattern is formed, for example, along the outer periphery of the key substrate so as to cover the periphery of the circuit wiring pattern, around the entire periphery of the substrate except for the portion where the terminal holes are formed.

<Cartridge holder and cartridge>
The structure of the cartridge holder and the cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, on the rear side of the upper surface of the print label producing apparatus 1, a cartridge holder 9 to which a cartridge 8 for supplying a printed label tape 109 can be attached and detached is provided. The cartridge holder 9 is always closed by the cartridge cover 17a, and the cartridge holder 9 is exposed when the cartridge cover 17a is opened. The cartridge holder 9 has a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 for taking up the used ink ribbon 105 in the cartridge 8 and a tape feed roller drive shaft 108 (conveying means) for conveying the printed label tape 109. ) And are provided. The cartridge holder 9 is provided with a thermal head 23 for performing desired printing on the cover film 103 (print medium) so as to be positioned at the opening when the cartridge 8 is mounted.

  The cartridge 8 includes a housing 8A and a first roll 102 disposed in the housing 8A and wound with a band-shaped base tape 101 (actually, it is spiral, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure). A second roll 104 wound with the transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width as the base tape 101 (actually a spiral shape, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure), and the ink A ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out a ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape), a ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding the ink ribbon 105 after printing, and a tape discharge portion of the cartridge 8 A tape feeding roller (conveying roller) 27 is rotatably supported in the vicinity.

  The first roll 102 has the base tape 101 wound around a reel member 102a. For example, the base tape 101 is laminated and configured in the order of an adhesive layer for bonding, a base film, an adhesive layer for pasting, and a release paper from the side wound inside to the opposite side. Yes. The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a.

  The tape feeding roller 27 feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 5 while pressing and bonding the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the printed label tape 109. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 transmit the driving force of the roller drive motor 208 (conveyance motor; see FIG. 6 described later) to the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 108. By doing so, it is driven to rotate together.

  Further, on the downstream side of the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 along the transport path of the printed label tape 109, the printed label tape 109 is cut into a predetermined length by operating a cutter lever. A cutter 40 (cutting means) is provided.

  In the above configuration, when the cartridge 8 is mounted on the cartridge holder 9, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the thermal head 23 and the platen roller 26, and the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are also sandwiched. Is sandwiched between the tape feed roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are driven to rotate in synchronization with directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. At this time, the tape feed roller 27, the pressure roller 28, and the platen roller 26 rotate as the tape feed roller drive shaft 108 is driven, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27. The Note that the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are driven rollers that are rotated by the tape conveyance by driving the tape feeding roller 27, for example. Alternatively, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 may be rotationally driven by a gear mechanism (not shown) in synchronization with the tape feed roller drive shaft 108 (to give the same transport speed as the tape feed roller 27). In this case, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28, and the platen roller 26 constitute the conveying means described in each claim. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements 23a (see FIG. 6 described later) of the thermal head 23 are energized by a print drive circuit 205 described later. As a result, a desired print R (see FIG. 6 described later) is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a printed label tape 109, and the cartridge is formed from the tape discharge portion. 8 is carried out. The ink ribbon 105 that has completed the formation of the print R on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

  Thereafter, the printed label tape 109 is cut into a predetermined length by the operation of the cutter 40 based on the operation of the cutter lever, and a printed label L (see FIG. 7E described later) is generated.

<Control system>
A control system of the print label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, as described above, a desired print R is formed on the cover film 103 fed out from the second tape roll 104 by the heating element 23 a of the thermal head 23. Then, the cover film 103 after the printing is formed and the base tape 101 fed out from the first tape roll 101 are pasted together by the tape feed roller 27 to form a printed label tape 109. The printed label tape 109 is cut into a desired length by the cutter 40 to form a printed label L.

  The print label producing apparatus 1 includes a print drive circuit 205 for energizing the heat generating element 23a of the thermal head 23, and a tape feed roller drive shaft 108 for rotating the tape feed roller 27 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). ) And the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 for driving the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the energization to the roller drive circuit 209 for controlling the roller drive motor 208 and the cutter solenoid 280 for cutting the cutter 40 is controlled. A cutter solenoid drive circuit 300, and a control circuit 210 for controlling the operation of the entire print label producing apparatus 1 via the print drive circuit 205, the roller drive circuit 209, the cutter solenoid drive circuit 300, and the like are provided. This operation unit is connected to the control circuit 210, and controls the print drive circuit 205, the roller drive circuit 209, the platen roller motor 208, the cutter solenoid drive circuit 300, and the like through the control circuit 210 in accordance with the above settings by the operation unit. .

  The control circuit 210 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, it is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM using the temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing according to the program. The control circuit 210 is powered by a power supply circuit and connected to, for example, a communication line via a communication circuit. A route server (not shown) connected to the communication line, another terminal, a general-purpose computer, an information server, etc. Information can be exchanged between the two. The control circuit 210 also receives an operation signal from a key contact provided on the key board 50 and closed in response to the operation of the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4.

  In the printed label producing apparatus 1 having the above basic configuration, the greatest feature of the present embodiment is that the printing (printing) operation by the thermal head 23 on the cover film 103, the cover film 103, the base tape 101, and the printed label. This is in a cooperative control mode with the transport operation by the tape feed roller 27 (in other words, by the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, hereinafter the same) with respect to the tape 109 (hereinafter simply referred to as “tape 103 etc.” as appropriate). Hereinafter, the details will be described in order.

<Outline of transport / cutting operation>
As described above, in this embodiment, the tape feeding roller 27 transports the tape 103 and the like by the driving force of the roller driving motor 208, and the thermal head 23 performs desired printing on the transported cover film 103. The cutter 40 cuts the printed label tape 109 including the cover film 103 after printing. At this time, since the cutter 40 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 23 along the transport direction, a predetermined distance X is necessarily formed along the transport direction between the cutting position by the cutter 40 and the thermal head 23. Exists (see FIGS. 5 and 6). That is, at this time, when the print label producing apparatus 1 starts conveying, printing, and cutting operations with respect to the tape 103 and the like, the position facing the thermal head 23 from the cutting position Cf by the previous cutting operation of the cutter 40 of the cover film 103. The portion up to (corresponding to the distance X) is inevitably a blank portion that cannot be printed (see FIG. 7A).

  Therefore, in order to reduce the blank portion as described above as much as possible in the cut print label, the front margin portion S1 is set in the present embodiment. The front margin S1 is cut and separated during the above series of transport, printing, and cutting operations. That is, after the transport by the tape feed roller 27 is started and the printing of the desired print R is started by the thermal head 23 (see FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C), the transport direction of the front margin portion S1. When the upstream end (rear end) Cb faces the cutter 40, the tape feed roller 27 stops transporting the tape 103 and the like (see FIG. 7D). At this time, printing by the thermal head 23 is also temporarily stopped. In this state, the cutter 40 cuts the end portion Cb of the printed label tape 109. As a result, the above-mentioned front margin part is separated from S1 by the other part (see FIG. 7D). Thereafter, the conveyance of the tape 103 and the like by the tape feeding roller 27 is resumed, and the printing of the thermal head 23 is also resumed. When the printing corresponding to all the print data of the print label L is completed by the thermal head 23 and the predetermined rear end position Cr of the label tape 109 with print faces the cutter 40, the tape by the tape feed roller 27 is the same as described above. The conveyance of the sheet 103 or the like is stopped, and the cutter 40 cuts the rear end position Cr of the cover film 103. Thereby, the print label L (printed matter) of desired length is completed (refer FIG.7 (e)). Note that the deceleration boundary line Cp and the deceleration distance P related thereto shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C will be described later.

<Principle that causes printing and transport deviation>
As described above, the present embodiment includes a procedure of temporarily stopping printing and conveyance and restarting printing and conveyance after starting printing and conveyance in one generation operation of the print label L (see FIG. 8 (a)). Here, as described above, the tape feeding roller 27 is driven to rotate by the driving force of the roller driving motor 208, contacts the tape 103 or the like, and transmits the rotation by friction to carry. At that time, due to the inertia of the tape feed roller 27 during the temporary stop of printing and transport, even if the roller drive motor 208 stops rotating, the tape feed roller 27 stops slightly after a slight delay, There is a case where the tape feeding roller 27 stops due to the movement while the twist or distortion remains. Depending on the type of the roller driving motor 208, the roller driving motor 208 may slightly rotate until it stops due to its inertia (see FIG. 8B).

  When the conveyance is resumed thereafter, as described above, due to the inertia of the tape feed roller 27, even if the roller driving motor 208 resumes rotation, the tape feed roller 27 starts to rotate slightly later, or the tape feed described above. When the twist or distortion of the roller 27 remains, the tape feed roller 27 may start rotating after the roller 27 is opened. Similarly to the above, depending on the type of the roller driving motor 208, there may be a slight delay in response before starting rotation due to its own inertia (see FIG. 8B).

<Energization control of thermal head>
On the other hand, as described above, the thermal head 23 includes a plurality of heating elements 23a arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The plurality of heating elements 23 a perform printing by forming dots corresponding to the print data on each print line of the cover film 103. Specifically, the control circuit 210 obtains the print data for forming dots by the heating element 23a from, for example, character string information acquired by the operation of the operator via the keyboard 3 or the function key group 4. Generate. That is, the control circuit 210 prints print data (dot-unit data) to be printed based on the input character string and a dot pattern stored in advance in a CG-ROM (not shown) or the like in the control circuit 210. And the print data is further divided into units of one line to be printed by the heating elements 23 a arranged in the thermal head 23. For example, when the print resolution is set to 360 dpi, line print data divided into 360 lines per inch is generated. The print drive circuit 205 supplies a drive signal to the thermal head 23 based on the line print data from the control circuit 210 to control the drive mode of the thermal head 23. That is, the print drive circuit 205 controls the heat generation mode of the entire thermal head 23 by controlling whether or not each heating element 23a is energized based on the strobe number associated with each heating element 23a.

  Here, a process in which dots are formed on each print line of the cover film 103 by energizing the thermal head 23 will be described in detail. Here, the printing line is a line in which one row of dots is formed in the width direction of the cover film 103 by energizing the one row of heating elements 23a in one printing cycle. There is an interval divided by resolution. One printing cycle is the time required to form a single row of dots in the width direction of the cover film 103, and the “preheating 1” time to compensate for the lack of heat capacity of the thermal head 23 at the start of printing. And a predetermined temperature at which the temperature of the corresponding heating element 23a can be thermally transferred (that is, the ink layer of the ink ribbon 105 can be melted) (hereinafter referred to as the ink melting required temperature, for example, 90 °). Time of “preheating 2” for increasing the temperature of the heat generating element 23a and time of “main heating” for keeping the temperature of the corresponding heat generating element 23a constant at the ink melting required temperature. Note that the length of one printing cycle varies depending on the resolution and the transport speed of the tape 103 and the like. For example, one printing cycle at the time of printing at 360 dpi and 40 mm / s is a time (about 1.8 ms) required for passing between printing lines at 360 dpi (about 0.07 mm) at 40 mm / s.

  Therefore, when forming one row of dots in the width direction of the cover film 103, the line print data for one print line generated by the control circuit 210 is transferred to the thermal head 23, and the transferred line for one print line is transferred. The corresponding heating element 23a is energized based on the print data. The line print data for one print line is print data for forming a row of dots in the width direction of the cover film 103 by energizing the row of heating elements 23a for one print cycle. Therefore, the heating element 23a energized based on the line printing data for one printing line generates heat up to the ink melting required temperature (for example, 90 °) necessary for melting the ink of the ink layer. As a result, the ink in the portion of the ink layer of the ink ribbon 105 that contacts the thermal head 23 is melted by heating the thermal head 23. Then, the ink of the melted ink layer is adhered to the cover film 103, and then the ink ribbon 105 is separated from the cover film 103 so that only the adhered ink is transferred to the cover film 103 as dots for one printing line. Transcribed. Then, while carrying the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 at an appropriate carrying speed (details will be described later), the thermal transfer process is repeatedly executed for each printing line. A large number of heating elements 23 a arranged in the thermal head 23 are energized selectively and intermittently based on print data for each print line transferred from the control circuit 210 each time. As a result, on the cover film 103, a dot image (text character or the like) desired by the operator corresponding to the operation of the operator via the keyboard 3 or the function key group 4 described above is formed as the print R. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the energization mode of the heating element 23a is line-printed in response to the cover film 103 being conveyed and the printing line of the cover film 103 sequentially passing through the position of the heating element 23a. It is switched sequentially for each data. Thereby, the thermal head 23 can perform printing at a printing speed that matches the transport speed of the tape 103 or the like (see FIG. 9A).

  On the other hand, as described above, in the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D, the conveyance of the tape 103 or the like is stopped in order to cut the end portion Cb of the front margin S1. When resuming, the thermal head 23 also stops printing and resumes printing accordingly. However, when the above-described behavior occurs when the conveyance is stopped, the conveyance behavior is not changed until the tape feeding roller 27 is accelerated, reaches a predetermined conveyance speed, and steadily rotates after the conveyance is resumed. And printing operation cause printing disturbance (distortion, blurring, deformation, etc. of the actual print image). Further, even when the conveyance is stopped, until the tape feeding roller 27 is decelerated from the predetermined conveyance speed and stopped, printing disturbance (distortion of the actual print image, due to mismatch between the conveyance behavior and the printing operation, as described above. (Fuzzing, deformation, etc.) occurs (see FIG. 9B).

<General methods for eliminating printing problems>
In order to eliminate the above-described printing disturbance, the energization switching of the heat generating element 23a is usually executed in accordance with the transport behavior that becomes a complicated mode when transport is resumed as described above. That is, for example, taking into account the delay in the start of rotation of the tape feed roller 27, twisting, distortion, and the like as described above, even if such behavior occurs, a desired printed image (print R, etc.) of the intended shape is obtained as a result. An energization switching pattern of the heating element 23a as formed on the print label L is calculated and set in advance. When the conveyance is resumed, the energization of the power generating element is switched according to the set energization switching pattern until the tape feed roller 27 is accelerated and reaches a predetermined conveyance speed until it continuously rotates. Is performed (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). Similarly, even when the conveyance is stopped, energization of the power generating element is performed in accordance with a predetermined energization switching pattern until the tape feed roller 27 is decelerated from the state of being constantly rotated at a predetermined conveyance speed and stopped. Are switched and printing is performed.

  However, the behavior at the time of resuming the conveyance and the behavior at the time of the conveyance stop are the state where the tape feeding roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are rotating at a certain speed and the state where the rotation is stopped without rotating. This is caused by a combination of various factors as described above based on a large difference between the two states. Therefore, the mode of the behavior varies greatly depending on the magnitude of the conveyance speed executed during the regular conveyance. As a result, as described above, the energization switching pattern is preset in the period from when the conveyance is resumed after the conveyance is stopped until the predetermined conveyance speed is reached (or until the conveyance is decelerated from the predetermined conveyance speed and stopped). Even if it is set, the set energization switching pattern cannot be used if the conveyance speed changes to a large value, for example. For this reason, even if the manufacturer of the printed label producing apparatus 1 has set a current-switching pattern with great effort through experiments, simulations, etc. during the manufacture and sale of the apparatus, the printed label producing apparatus 1 thereafter If the transport speed increases due to version upgrades, new product development, etc. (see the broken lines in FIGS. 11A and 11B), a new energization switching pattern is created by performing experiments and simulations from scratch. There was a need to do.

<Method Principle of this Embodiment for Resolving Printing Disorder>
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the conveyance is resumed after the conveyance is stopped, the rotation of the tape feed roller 27 is not accelerated at a stroke to a predetermined conveyance speed, but as shown in FIG. A second speed) is provided, and after accelerating primarily to the transport speed and rotating at the constant speed, the control is further accelerated to reach the predetermined transport speed.

  That is, when the conveyance is resumed, the roller driving motor 208 is first accelerated by the primary acceleration control until the rotation speed is increased until the conveyance is performed at the second speed that is smaller than the first speed that is the conveyance speed during the steady operation. Rises. Thereafter, the roller driving motor 208 rotates at a constant speed for a predetermined period. Thereby, the tape feed roller 27 carries out constant speed conveyance at the second speed for the predetermined period. Thereafter, the roller acceleration motor 208 is further accelerated by the secondary acceleration control, and the rotation speed is increased until the conveyance is performed at the first speed that is the conveyance speed during the steady operation.

  Corresponding to the above, primary shortening control and secondary shortening control are performed on the thermal head 23. In the primary shortening control, in correspondence with the acceleration control of the roller driving motor 208 by the primary acceleration control immediately after resumption of conveyance, the above-described interval of energization timing for each line print data with respect to the thermal head 23 is shortened. (In other words, the printing speed is controlled to be accelerated. The same applies hereinafter). Thereafter, in correspondence with the constant speed control of the roller driving motor 208, the interval of the energization timing of the thermal head 23 is kept constant. Then, in the secondary shortening control, the shortening control is performed so as to shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data of the thermal head 23 corresponding to the acceleration control of the roller driving motor 208 by the secondary acceleration control. The

  In the present embodiment, when the conveyance is stopped, the rotation of the tape feed roller 27 is not decelerated from the predetermined conveyance speed and stopped at the same time as when the conveyance is resumed. 3 speeds), the speed is first decelerated to the transport speed and rotated at a constant speed, and then the transport is further decelerated to stop the transport. That is, when the conveyance is stopped, first, the roller driving motor 208 is decelerated from the state where the conveyance is performed at the first speed by the primary deceleration control, and is rotated until the conveyance is performed at the third speed smaller than the first speed. Speed decreases. Thereafter, the roller driving motor 208 rotates at a constant speed for a predetermined period. As a result, the tape feed roller 27 carries at a constant speed at the third speed for the predetermined period. Thereafter, by the secondary deceleration control, the roller driving motor 208 is further decelerated, and the rotational speed decreases until the conveyance is stopped.

  Corresponding to the above, the primary extension control and the secondary extension control are performed on the thermal head 23. In the primary extension control, in response to the deceleration control of the roller driving motor 208 by the primary deceleration control immediately after the start of the conveyance deceleration, the interval of the energization timing for each line print data to the thermal head 23 is increased. The expansion control is performed (in other words, the printing speed is controlled to be reduced, and so on). Thereafter, in correspondence with the constant speed control of the roller driving motor 208, the interval of the energization timing of the thermal head 23 is kept constant. In the secondary extension control, the extension control is performed so as to increase the interval of the energization timing for each line print data of the thermal head 23 corresponding to the deceleration control of the roller driving motor 208 by the secondary deceleration control. The

<Details of control contents>
A control procedure executed by the control circuit 210 to execute the above control contents will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S <b> 1, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 and starts driving the roller driving motor 209. As a result, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108 is rotationally driven to start the rotation of the tape feed roller 27. As described above, the cover film 103, the base tape 101, and the printed label tape on which these are bonded together. 109 is started.

  Thereafter, in step S2, the control circuit 210 determines whether the transport direction position of the cover film 103 has reached a predetermined print start position by a known method. If the print start position has not been reached (step S2: NO), the determination is not satisfied, and the same procedure is repeated by returning to step S1. When the print start position is reached, the determination in step S2 is satisfied (step S2: YES), and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal based on the print data to the print drive circuit 205. As a result, the heating element 23 a of the thermal head 23 corresponding to the print data is driven, and the print R corresponding to the print data is formed on the cover film 103. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the transport amount after the start of transport in step S1 has reached a value smaller than the aforementioned distance X by a predetermined deceleration distance P, that is, XP. As described above with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D, in order to cut the end portion Cb of the front margin S1 after the transport of the tape 103 or the like is started, the transport amount after the transport is started is the above. The conveyance may be stopped when the distance X is reached. However, as described above, in the present embodiment, deceleration control (primary deceleration control and secondary deceleration control) is performed immediately before the conveyance is stopped. Therefore, if the conveyance distance during the deceleration control is P (preliminarily calculated and set), whether or not the conveyance amount after the conveyance start becomes XP (in other words, the deceleration boundary line Cp is the cutter). If this is detected, deceleration control is started. An appropriate known method may be used to detect the transport amount. For example, when the roller driving motor 208 is a pulse motor, the number of pulses after starting the conveyance of the tape 103 or the like may be counted in step S1 (note that the roller driving motor 208 is not a pulse motor). Or a normal DC motor can be used). Alternatively, an appropriate identifier provided on the tape 103 or the like may be detected by a sensor or the like. The determination in step S4 is not satisfied until the conveyance amount after the conveyance start in step S1 becomes XP (step S4: No), and the loop waits. If the conveyance amount becomes XP, the determination in step S4 is satisfied. (Step S4: YES), the process proceeds to Step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the control circuit 210 performs a conveyance stop process and a print stop process (see FIG. 14 described later for details), and stops conveyance of the tape 103 and the like and printing by the thermal head 12. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 300. As a result, the cutter solenoid 280 is energized and excited, and the cutter 40 performs a cutting operation to cut the printed label tape 109 at the end Cb of the front margin S1. This step S6 functions as a cutting control means described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control circuit 210 performs conveyance resumption processing and printing resumption processing (refer to FIG. 15 described later for details) to resume conveyance of the tape 103 and the like and printing by the thermal head 23. The steps S5 and S7 function as a print control unit and a conveyance control unit described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the transport direction position of the tape 103 or the like has reached a predetermined print end position (in other words, the print area in which the print R is to be formed, which is determined according to the print data). It is determined whether or not the thermal head 23 has arrived at a position facing the end of the head. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached (step S8: NO), and a loop is waited. When the print end position is reached, the determination in step S8 is satisfied (step S8: YES), and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205, stops energization of the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23 corresponding to the print data, and ends printing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control circuit 210 determines whether the transport direction position of the printed label tape 109 has reached the tape cutting position, in other words, whether the rear end position Cr faces the cutter 40. Until the tape cutting position is reached, the determination is not satisfied (step S10: NO), and the loop waits. When the tape cutting position is reached, the determination in step S10 is satisfied (step S10: YES), and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209, and stops driving the roller driving motor 209. Thereby, the rotational drive of the tape feed roller drive shaft 108 is stopped, and the rotation of the tape feed roller 27 is stopped. As a result, the transport of the cover film 103, the base tape 101, and the printed label tape 109 on which these are bonded is stopped.

  In step S12, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 300 as in step S6. As a result, the cutter solenoid 280 is energized and excited, and the cutter 40 performs a cutting operation to cut the printed label tape 109 at the rear end position Cr to generate the print label L. Thereafter, this flow is terminated.

  Details of the conveyance stop / print stop processing in step S5 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 14, first, in step S21, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 to control the driving of the roller driving motor 208, whereby a predetermined first conveyance deceleration pattern is determined. The conveyance speed is primarily decelerated (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, the rotation of the roller driving motor 208 is decelerated from the state in which the tape 103 or the like is transported at the normal first speed, and the tape 103 or the like is transported at a predetermined third speed smaller than the first speed. The rotation speed decreases until the operation is performed. At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205 to primarily decelerate the printing speed according to a predetermined first printing deceleration pattern (primary extension switching characteristic) (FIG. 12B). reference). Specifically, in response to the deceleration control of the roller driving motor 208, extension control is executed to increase the interval of the energization timing for each line print data with respect to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. The step S21 functions as a primary deceleration control unit and a primary expansion control unit described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S22, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller drive circuit 209, and at a third speed after the rotation of the roller drive motor 208 is decelerated for the predetermined second period. Drive control is performed so as to maintain a constant speed (see FIG. 12A). At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205, and in response to the constant speed control of the roller drive motor 208, the interval of energization timing for each line print data to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. Is controlled to be kept constant (in other words, the printing speed is kept constant) (see FIG. 12B). This step S22 functions as the second constant speed control means and the second holding control means described in each claim.

  In step S23, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 to control the driving of the roller driving motor 208, thereby controlling the conveying speed according to a predetermined second conveying deceleration pattern. Secondary deceleration is performed (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, the rotation speed decreases until the rotation of the roller driving motor 208 is further decelerated from the state in which the tape 103 or the like is transported at the third speed to stop the transport. At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205 and secondarily decelerates the printing speed in accordance with a predetermined second printing deceleration pattern (secondary expansion switching characteristic) (FIG. 12). (See (b)). In other words, in response to the deceleration control of the roller driving motor 208, extension control is performed to further increase the interval of the energization timing for each line print data with respect to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. This step S23 functions as the secondary deceleration control means and secondary expansion control means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S24, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 to drive and control the roller driving motor 208, thereby stopping the conveyance of the tape 103 and the like. At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205, stops energization of the heat generating element 23a, and stops printing. Thereafter, this routine is terminated.

  Details of the conveyance resumption / print resumption processing in step S7 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 15, first, in step S21, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 to control the driving of the roller driving motor 208, whereby a predetermined first conveyance acceleration pattern is determined. The conveyance speed is primarily accelerated (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, the rotation of the roller driving motor 208 is accelerated from a state where the conveyance of the tape 103 or the like is stopped, and a predetermined second speed smaller than the normal first speed (whether the value is the same as or different from the third speed). The rotation speed is increased until the tape 103 or the like is conveyed. At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205 to primarily accelerate the printing speed by a predetermined first printing acceleration pattern (primary shortening switching characteristic) (FIG. 12B). reference). Specifically, in response to the acceleration control of the roller driving motor 208, shortening control is executed to shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data with respect to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. The step S31 functions as a primary acceleration control means and a primary shortening control means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S32, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller drive circuit 209, and a predetermined first period (which may be the same value as or different from the second period), the roller drive motor Drive control is performed so that the rotation of 208 is kept constant at the second speed after the acceleration (see FIG. 12A). At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205, and in response to the constant speed control of the roller drive motor 208, the interval of energization timing for each line print data to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. Is controlled to be kept constant (in other words, the printing speed is kept constant) (see FIG. 12B). This step S32 functions as the first constant speed control means and the first holding control means described in each claim.

  In step S33, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 209 to control the driving of the roller driving motor 208, so that the conveying speed is set according to a predetermined second conveying acceleration pattern. Secondary acceleration is performed (see FIG. 12A). Specifically, the rotation of the roller driving motor 208 is further accelerated from the state in which the tape 103 or the like is transported at the second speed to transport the tape 103 or the like at the first speed (steady transport). The rotation speed increases until the state becomes. At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205 to secondarily accelerate the printing speed by a predetermined second printing acceleration pattern (secondary shortening switching characteristic) (FIG. 12). (See (b)). That is, in response to the acceleration control of the roller driving motor 208, shortening control is executed to further shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data with respect to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. This step S33 functions as the secondary acceleration control means and the secondary shortening control means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S34, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller drive circuit 209 to drive and control the roller drive motor 208, whereby the tape 103 and the like are transported at the first speed. Steady transport state). At the same time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205 and holds the intervals of the energization timings of the heating elements 23a at a constant interval corresponding to the above-described steady conveyance state. Thereafter, this routine is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the acceleration section of the roller driving motor 208 after the resumption of conveyance is divided into the first half acceleration section (acceleration control up to the second speed by the primary acceleration control) and the second half acceleration section (secondary acceleration). The control mode is divided into acceleration control up to the first speed by control). The manufacturer (manufacturer) of the label producing apparatus 1 switches the energization switching pattern for the primary shortening control corresponding to the primary acceleration control and the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control corresponding to the secondary acceleration control. Are calculated and set by experiment or simulation.

  Here, as described above, when the conveyance speed needs to be increased, the first speed that is the final target of acceleration must be changed accordingly. However, the conveyance control and the print control can be executed without changing the second speed, which is an intermediate speed. Therefore, even in such a case, the manufacturer can use the energization switching pattern for the primary shortening control corresponding to the primary acceleration control as it is, and perform a new experiment like the conventional method described above. There is no need to perform simulation.

  However, the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control corresponding to the acceleration control by the secondary acceleration control needs to be newly experimented or simulated. Here, the energization switching pattern in the above-described conventional method is greatly different between a state where the tape feeding roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are rotating at a certain speed and a state where the tape feeding roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are stopped without rotating. This corresponds to two states. On the other hand, the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control in the present embodiment includes a state in which the tape 103 and the like are being conveyed at the second speed by the tape feed roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208, and the tape Both the state where the tape 103 and the like are conveyed at the first speed by the feed roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208, and the state where the tape feeding roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are rotating, as described above. There is no big difference between the two states. As a result, the experiment and simulation necessary for re-creation of the energization switching pattern for the secondary shortening control accompanying the increase in the conveyance speed described above are compared to the experiment and simulation necessary for the conventional method, Much easier and simpler is enough. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to version upgrade of the label producing apparatus 1 or development of a new product.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first half deceleration section (deceleration control up to the third speed by the primary deceleration control) and the second half deceleration section (secondary deceleration) are also applied to the deceleration section of the roller driving motor 208 after the resumption of conveyance. The control mode is divided into (deceleration control until conveyance stop by deceleration control). The manufacturer (manufacturer) of the label producing apparatus 1 selects an energization switching pattern for primary extension control corresponding to the primary deceleration control and an energization switching pattern for secondary extension control corresponding to the secondary deceleration control. Are calculated and set by experiment or simulation. As a result, as described above, even when the conveyance speed needs to be increased, the manufacturer can use the energization switching pattern for the primary extension control corresponding to the primary deceleration control as it is. There is no need to perform a new experiment or simulation as in the conventional method described above. The energization switching pattern for the secondary extension control is similar to the above in the state where the tape 103 or the like is being conveyed at the first speed by the tape feed roller 27 or the roller driving motor 208, and the tape 103. Etc. are in a state where the tape feed roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are rotating, and the two states are not so different as described above. As a result, the experiment and simulation necessary for re-creation of the energization switching pattern for the secondary extension control accompanying the increase in the conveyance speed described above are compared to the experiment and simulation necessary for the conventional method, Much easier and simpler is enough. Therefore, similarly to the above, it is possible to reduce the burden on the manufacturer when the conveyance speed increases due to version upgrade of the label producing apparatus 1 or development of a new product.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the control circuit 210 performs acceleration control of the printing speed by the thermal head 23 so as to harmonize with the acceleration characteristics of the roller driving motor 208. That is, in the primary shortening control and the secondary shortening control described above, energization switching is performed for each line print data based on the predetermined first print acceleration pattern and second print acceleration pattern. At this time, the first and second printing acceleration patterns are generated by the thermal head 23 with respect to the transport characteristics of the tape feed roller 27 during the primary acceleration control and the transport characteristics of the tape feed roller 27 during the secondary acceleration control. The shape of the actual print image formed on the cover film 103 is determined so as to be substantially the same as or similar to the shape of the image image of the print data. Thereby, even if the rotation start delay or twist / distortion of the tape feed roller 27 occurs when the conveyance is resumed after the conveyance is stopped, a desired printed image of the intended shape can be reliably formed on the print label L.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the control circuit 210 controls the printing speed of the thermal head 23 at a reduced speed so as to harmonize with the deceleration characteristics of the roller driving motor 208. That is, in the above-described primary extension control and secondary extension control, energization switching is performed for each line print data based on the predetermined first print deceleration pattern and second print deceleration pattern. At this time, the first and second printing deceleration patterns are generated by the thermal head 23 with respect to the conveyance characteristics of the tape feed roller 27 during the primary deceleration control and the conveyance characteristics of the tape feed roller 27 during the secondary deceleration control. The shape of the actual print image formed on the cover film 103 is determined so as to be substantially the same as or similar to the shape of the image image of the print data. As a result, even if the tape feed roller 27 and the roller driving motor 208 are stopped late or the tape feed roller is twisted or distorted when the conveyance is stopped, a desired printed image of the intended shape is reliably formed on the print label L. be able to.

  In the above description, the cover film 103 different from the base tape 101 is printed and bonded together. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and printing is performed on the print-receiving tape layer provided on the base tape. You may apply this invention to the system (type which does not perform bonding) which performs.

  In the above, the case where the present invention is applied to a print label producing apparatus that produces the print label L as a printing apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as an example of a printing apparatus, the present invention may be applied to a printer that forms an image or prints characters on a normal printing paper such as A4, A3, B4, or B5 size. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 Print label production device (printing device)
23 thermal head 23a heating element 40 cutter (cutting means)
103 Cover film (printed medium)
208 Roller drive motor (conveyance motor)
210 Control circuit Cb End of front margin S1 Front margin

Claims (4)

A transport motor;
Transport means for transporting the print medium at a predetermined first speed using the driving force of the transport motor;
A plurality of dots that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction in which the print medium is transported by the transport means, and at least each dot is formed on each print line obtained by dividing the print medium in the transport direction into a print resolution. A thermal head with a heating element of
Energization of the plurality of heating elements corresponding to the print data while switching the energization mode for each line print data obtained by dividing print data for printing into one print line unit after the conveyance by the conveyance unit is started Printing control means for controlling,
Cutting means disposed downstream in the transport direction from the thermal head;
After the start of transport by the transport means, an upstream end of the front margin of a predetermined length set in a direction opposite to the print direction from the print start position on the print medium by the thermal head Transport control means for controlling the transport motor so that the motor stops at a position facing the cutting means;
A cutting control means for controlling the cutting means so that the cutting means cuts the printing medium when the conveyance of the printing medium by the conveying means is stopped;
A printing device comprising:
The transport control means includes
After the print medium is cut by the cutting means, the print medium is accelerated from a stopped state and starts to be transferred until the print medium is transferred at a predetermined second speed smaller than the first speed. Primary acceleration control means for increasing the rotational speed of the transport motor;
When the transport speed of the print medium reaches the second speed by the control of the primary acceleration control means, the transport motor is configured so that the print medium is transported at a constant speed at the second speed for a predetermined first period. First constant speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of
After the medium to be printed is conveyed at the second speed for the first period under the control of the first constant speed control means, from the state until the medium to be printed is conveyed at the first speed, Secondary acceleration control means for increasing the rotation speed of the transport motor;
With
The print control means includes
Corresponding to the control of the conveyance motor by the primary acceleration control means, primary shortening control means for controlling to shorten the interval of energization timing for each line print data;
Corresponding to the control of the conveyance motor by the first constant velocity means, a first holding control means for holding an interval of energization timing for each line print data at a constant interval;
Corresponding to the control of the conveyance motor by the secondary acceleration control means, secondary shortening control means for controlling to shorten the interval of the energization timing for each line print data;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The primary shortening control means and the secondary shortening control means are:
The thermal head is formed on the print medium with respect to the transport characteristic of the transport unit during the control of the primary acceleration control unit and the transport characteristic of the transport unit during the control of the secondary acceleration control unit. The line printing is performed based on predetermined primary shortening switching characteristics and secondary shortening switching characteristics determined so that the shape of the actual print image is substantially the same or similar to the shape of the image image of the print data. A printing apparatus that performs energization switching for each data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The transport control means includes
The conveyance motor rotates until the printing medium is decelerated from the state where the printing medium is conveyed at the first speed and the printing medium is conveyed at a predetermined third speed smaller than the first speed. Primary deceleration control means for lowering the speed;
When the transport speed of the printing medium reaches the third speed by the control of the primary deceleration control means, the transport motor is configured so that the printing medium is transported at a constant speed at the third speed for a predetermined second period. Second constant speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of
After the medium to be printed is conveyed at the third speed for the second period under the control of the second constant speed control means, the rotation speed of the conveyance motor from that state until the conveyance of the medium to be printed is stopped. Secondary deceleration control means for lowering control,
With
The print control means includes
Corresponding to the control of the conveyance motor by the primary deceleration control means, primary extension control means for extending and controlling the interval of energization timing for each line print data;
In response to the control of the conveyance motor by the second constant velocity means, second holding control means for holding the intervals of energization timing for each line print data at a constant interval;
In response to the control of the conveyance motor by the secondary deceleration control means, secondary extension control means for extending and controlling the interval of energization timing for each line print data;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
The primary decompression control means and the secondary decompression control means are:
The thermal head is formed on the printing medium with respect to the transport characteristic of the transport unit during the control of the primary deceleration control unit and the transport characteristic of the transport unit during the control of the secondary deceleration control unit. The line printing is performed based on predetermined primary extension switching characteristics and secondary extension switching characteristics determined so that the shape of the actual print image is substantially the same as or similar to the shape of the image of the print data. A printing apparatus that performs energization switching for each data.

Images