Electronic device

Abstract

To make it easy for the user to understand that the cutting of the strip is assigned to the power switch. An electronic device (1) that switches power on or off based on a first operation of the power switch (32) includes: a housing (10) having a discharge port (18); a cutting unit (70) disposed inside the housing, which cuts a strip-shaped strip (55) that is drawn out from the inside of the housing through the discharge port (18) and has a strip surface; and a control unit (81) that, based on a second operation of the power switch, causes the cutting unit to cut the strip, the second operation having a different sequence of operations than the first operation. The power switch is configured such that the direction of operation of the power switch based on the second operation is along the normal direction of the strip surface located in the portion of the strip at the discharge port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-1036 discloses a label printer that prints on a strip of printing medium using a thermal head and cuts the printed medium using a cutter. The cutter operates both manually and electrically. In manual mode, when the user presses down a mechanical button, the linear motion of the button is converted into the rotational motion of a rotating blade via a transmission mechanism. Therefore, the rotating blade approaches the fixed blade from back to front, and the strip is cut by both the movable and fixed blades.

[0003] The label printer described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-1036 has multiple electrical operation keys in addition to buttons. By pressing the operation keys, the user can provide the label printer with inputs, commands, or information assigned to the operation keys, and the label printer will perform processing or actions corresponding to the inputs, commands, or information assigned to the pressed operation keys. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0005] However, to reduce the manufacturing cost of label printers, the number of operation keys is considered. When the number of operation keys is reduced, the variety of commands available to the label printer decreases. To solve this problem, one could consider assigning multiple commands to a single operation key, and then assigning different operations to that key to different commands. However, users may sometimes be unaware of the correspondence between these operations and commands.

[0006] The objective of this invention is to make it easy for users to understand the situation of assigning the belt cut-off to the power switch.

[0007] Problem-solving methods

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided that connects or disconnects a predetermined power supply based on a first operation of a power switch, characterized in that it comprises: a discharge port for extracting a strip-shaped belt from inside a frame with the belt surface facing a predetermined direction; and a control unit for driving and controlling a cutting unit disposed inside the frame based on a second operation of the power switch, so that the cutting unit cuts the belt, wherein the operation sequence of the second operation is different from that of the first operation, and the power switch is configured such that the operation direction in the second operation is a direction along the normal direction of the belt surface located in the portion of the discharge port.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided that connects or disconnects a predetermined power supply based on a first operation of a power switch, characterized in that it comprises: a discharge port configured in a transversely elongated shape that is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, and for extracting a strip-shaped belt from inside a frame; and a control unit that, based on a second operation of the power switch, drives and controls a cutting unit disposed inside the frame to cut the belt, wherein the operation sequence of the second operation is different from that of the first operation, and the power switch is configured such that the operation direction in the second operation is along the vertical direction.

[0010] The effects of the invention

[0011] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the user can easily understand the situation of assigning the cut-off of the belt to the power switch. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 Describes the appearance of electronic devices.

[0013] Figure 2 This indicates the internal structure of an electronic device.

[0014] Figure 3 This refers to the various components of an electronic device.

[0015] Figure 4 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses the power switch once.

[0016] Figure 5 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses and holds the power switch.

[0017] Figure 6 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses the power switch twice.

[0018] Figure 7 This describes the processing flow performed by the control unit of an electronic device.

[0019] Figure 8 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses the power switch twice.

[0020] Figure 9 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses the power switch twice.

[0021] Figure 10 This indicates the change in signal when the user presses the power switch once after pressing it twice.

[0022] Figure 11 This indicates the change in signal from the control unit of the electronic device when it is not determined to be a double press.

[0023] Figure 12This indicates the change in signal from the control unit of the electronic device when it is not determined to be a double press.

[0024] Figure 13 This indicates the change in signal from the control unit of the electronic device when it is not determined to be a double press.

[0025] Figure 14 This indicates the change in signal from the control unit of the electronic device when it is not determined to be a double press.

[0026] Figure 15 This describes the appearance of a modified electronic device.

[0027] Figure 16 These represent the blocks of a modified electronic device. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. Since the drawings are provided for illustration only, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings.

[0029] [1. Electronic devices]

[0030] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view showing the appearance of electronic device 1. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of electronic device 1. Figure 3 This is a block diagram of electronic device 1.

[0031] Electronic device 1 is a portable printing device, more specifically a thermal printer, and more specifically a label printer. Electronic device 1 includes a frame 10, a main board 30, a relay board 31, a power switch 32, a light source 33, a conveyor motor 40, a cartridge 50, a thermal head 60, a conveyor roller 65, a rotary encoder 66, an electric cutter 70, a main control circuit 80, a processing unit 91, and a switching circuit 92.

[0032] (1) Frame

[0033] The frame 10 is a slightly rounded rectangular box shape. The width of the frame 10 is less than its depth and height. The height of the frame 10 is approximately equal to its depth. The depth, width, and height directions of the frame 10 are orthogonal to each other; the depth direction is also the front-to-back direction, the width direction is also the left-to-right direction, and the height direction is also the up-to-down direction. The up-to-down direction is not necessarily the vertical direction.

[0034] The frame 10 is made of resin. The frame 10 has a hollow space 17 on its inner side, serving as a first internal space. The frame 10 has a discharge port 18 at the center of its front surface 12 in the vertical direction. The discharge port 18 is a transversely elongated slot; that is, the dimension of the transverse discharge port 18 is longer than the dimension of the longitudinal discharge port 18. The printed strip 55 is discharged from this discharge port 18 to the outside of the frame 10. Inside the discharge port 18, the width direction of the strip 55 is generally parallel to the transverse direction of the discharge port 18. Furthermore, the transverse direction of the discharge port 18 is parallel to the width direction of the frame 10, and the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 18 is parallel to the height direction of the frame 10.

[0035] The frame 10 houses the box 50 inside. A portion of the frame 10 is configured to be openable, closable, or detachable relative to the other portions of the frame 10. When the portion of the frame 10 is opened or removed relative to the other portions of the frame 10, the box 50 is exposed. Therefore, the box 50 can be installed, removed, and replaced.

[0036] The frame 10 has an operating member 22 at the rear of its upper surface 11. The operating member 22 can be pressed down. The operating direction of the operating member 22, i.e., the direction in which the operating member 22 is pressed, is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 18 and parallel to the normal of the surface (outer surface) of the belt 55 within the outlet 18. Moreover, the operating direction of the operating member 22 is parallel to the direction of movement of the movable blade 72 of the electric cutter 70, which will be described later. In addition, the surface (outer surface) of the belt 55 is also referred to as the belt surface.

[0037] The frame 10 has a transparent window 23 at the rear of its upper surface 11. The window 23 is positioned in front of the operating element 22.

[0038] The frame 10 houses at least one battery 99 on its inner side (see reference). Figure 3 Battery 99 is either a primary or secondary battery.

[0039] (2) Power switch, light source and relay board

[0040] The power switch 32 is disposed inside the housing 10, below the operating member 22. The power switch 32 is mounted, for example, on a circuit board fixed to the housing 10 inside the housing 10. The power switch 32 is a push-button switch. More specifically, the power switch 32 is a touch switch, a momentary release switch, a dome switch, a membrane switch, or a pressure-sensitive switch. The power switch 32 is pressed by the user together with the operating member 22. By pressing the power switch 32, the power switch 32 is turned on. When the pressing of the power switch 32 is released, the power switch 32 is turned off.

[0041] The operating direction of the power switch 32, i.e., the direction in which the power switch 32 is pressed, is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 18 and parallel to the normal to the surface of the strip 55 within the outlet 18. Furthermore, the operating direction of the power switch 32 is parallel to the direction of movement of the movable blade 72 of the electric cutter 70, which will be described later. Therefore, the user can recall the cutting direction of the electric cutter 70 on the strip 55 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32. Furthermore, the user can easily and intuitively understand that the command to cut the strip is assigned to the power switch 32 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32.

[0042] By pressing the power switch 32 once, pressing it twice, or holding it down, the user sends a signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81. Thus, the user provides commands corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81. Specifically, pressing the switch once provides a power-on command to the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81. Pressing it twice provides a power-off command to the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81. Holding the switch down provides a power-off command to the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81. A single press means that after pressing the power switch 32, the press is released after a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second). A double press means that after pressing the power switch 32 twice, the second press is released after the first press is released, after a predetermined period. A long press means that after pressing the power switch 32, the press is released after a specified period (e.g., 1 second) from that moment. Pressing once and long pressing are the first operations for turning the main power of electronic device 1 on and off, while pressing twice is the second operation for initiating the cut-off action of electronic device 1.

[0043] The light source 33 can change the color of its emitted light. The light source 33 has two or more LEDs that emit different colors of light. By individually illuminating and extinguishing these LEDs, the light source 33 emits light in various colors. For example, when the light source 33 has both red and green LEDs, the emitted light is orange when both are illuminated; red when only the red LED is illuminated; and green when only the green LED is illuminated.

[0044] The power switch 32 and the light source 33 are mounted on the surface of the relay substrate 31. The relay substrate 31 is mounted inside the frame 10. The relay substrate 31 is connected to the main board 30 via flexible wiring such as FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), leads, or wire harnesses.

[0045] (3) Conveyor motor

[0046] The conveyor motor 40 is mounted on the frame 10 within the frame 10. The conveyor motor 40 outputs torque to the conveyor roller 65 and the take-up reel 58, which will be described later, via a transmission mechanism.

[0047] (4) boxes

[0048] The box 50 is detachable from the frame 10. The box 50 has a box housing 51, an initial roll 52, an initial roll 53, a take-up roll 58, a tape roll 54, and a ribbon roll 56.

[0049] The central axes of spools 52, 53, and 58 are parallel to each other and rotatably mounted within the housing 51. The initial spool 52 is mounted at the center of a tape roll 54, which is housed within the housing 51. The tape roll 54 is wound with a tape 55 serving as the printing medium. The tape 55 is guided from the tape roll 54 to the outer side of the upper surface of the housing 51. The tape 55 is a laminate consisting of a substrate, an adhesive material, and a tape body, with the adhesive material capable of being peeled off from the substrate. The initial spool 53 is mounted at the center of a sub-tape roll 56, which is housed within the housing 51. The tape roll 56 is wound with a heat transfer ink tape 57. The ink tape 57 is guided from the tape roll 56 to the outer side of the housing 51, where it overlaps with the tape 55, and from there is guided to the take-up spool 58 on the inner side of the housing 51.

[0050] When cartridge 50 is housed within frame 10, reels 52, 53, and 58 are arranged sequentially from back to front. Tape 55 is guided from tape reel 54 to outlet 18, and take-up reel 58 is connected to conveyor motor 40 via a transmission mechanism. When conveyor motor 40 rotates and drives take-up reel 58, ink tape 57 is pulled out from initial reel 53 toward take-up reel 58 and wound up by take-up reel 58.

[0051] (5) Thermal head, conveyor roller and rotary encoder

[0052] The thermal head 60 and the conveyor roller 65 are mounted inside the frame 10 at a position receding from the outlet 18. The conveyor roller 65 is positioned above the thermal head 60 and is pressed against the thermal head 60 by springs or the like. When the cartridge 50 is housed within the frame 10, the overlapping portions of the tape 55 and the ink tape 57 are sandwiched between the conveyor roller 65 and the thermal head 60.

[0053] The conveyor roller 65 is connected to the conveyor motor 40 via a transmission mechanism. When the conveyor motor 40 rotates and drives the conveyor roller 65, conveying force is provided from the conveyor roller 65 to the belt 55 and the ink ribbon 57. The belt 55 is conveyed toward the discharge port 18, and the ink ribbon 57 is conveyed toward the take-up reel 58. In addition, the conveyor roller 65 is also called a pressure roller.

[0054] The thermal head 60 has multiple heating elements arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the conveyor roller 65. These heating elements heat the ink individually, transferring it from the ink belt 57 to the belt 55. Thus, images of text, numbers, symbols, and graphic characters are printed onto the belt 55, particularly onto the surface of the belt body.

[0055] A rotary encoder 66 is mounted on the conveyor roller 65. The rotary encoder 66 detects the conveying speed and conveying distance of the belt 55 by outputting a pulse signal each time the conveyor roller 65 rotates a specified rotation angle.

[0056] (6) Electric cutter

[0057] The electric cutter 70 is a cutting unit for cutting the tape 55. The electric cutter 70 is located inside the frame 10 near the outlet 18. The electric cutter 70 has a fixed blade 71, a movable blade 72, and a drive mechanism 73. The fixed blade 71 is fixed to the frame 10 between the housing 50 and the outlet 18. The movable blade 72 is mounted to the frame 10 via a guide between the housing 50 and the outlet 18. The movable blade 72 is positioned above the fixed blade 71, with the tape 55 placed between it and the fixed blade 71, and is guided vertically by the guide. The drive mechanism 73 moves the movable blade 72 vertically to contact or separate it from the fixed blade 71. The drive mechanism 73 has a cutting motor 74 and a transmission mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the cutting motor 74 into the vertical motion of the movable blade 72. When the drive mechanism 73, powered by the cutting motor 74, moves the movable blade 72 toward the fixed blade 71, the tape 55 is cut by both the movable blade 72 and the fixed blade 71. When the drive mechanism 73 cuts off the power of the motor 74 to return the movable blade 72 from the fixed blade 71, the movable blade 72 moves upward from the fixed blade 71.

[0058] (7) Motherboard, switching circuit, processor and main control circuit

[0059] The motherboard 30 is housed in the frame 10.

[0060] The switching circuit 92, the processing unit 91, and the main control circuit 80 are mounted on the motherboard 30. Alternatively, the processing unit 91 may also be mounted on the relay board 31. The entire switching circuit 92 or a portion thereof may also be mounted on the relay board 31.

[0061] The switching circuit 92 has at least one transistor, such as an electrolytic transistor or a bipolar transistor. The switching circuit 92 is disposed on the power supply path from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80. The switching circuit 92 enables / disrupts the power supply from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80. When the switching circuit 92 is turned on, it enables the power supply from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80. When the switching circuit 92 is turned off, it disconnects the power supply from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80.

[0062] The main control circuit 80 includes a control unit 81, a storage unit 82, a driver 83, a head drive circuit 84, a motor driver 85, a signal processing circuit 86, a motor driver 87, an interface circuit 88, and a wireless device 89.

[0063] The driver 83 is controlled by the control unit 81 and drives the light source 33. The control unit 81 outputs signals related to the lighting, extinguishing, flashing, and color specification of the light source 33 to the driver 83, and the driver 83 operates the light source 33 according to the signals input from the control unit 81. Alternatively, the processing unit 91 may output signals related to the lighting, extinguishing, flashing, and color specification of the light source 33 to the driver 83, and the driver 83 operates the light source 33 according to the signals input from the processing unit 91.

[0064] The head drive circuit 84 is controlled by the control unit 81 and drives the thermal head 60. The head drive circuit 84 energizes the heating element of the thermal head 60 based on the signal input from the control unit 81.

[0065] The motor driver 85 is controlled by the control unit 81 and drives the conveyor motor 40. That is, the control unit 81 outputs signals related to the operation, stop, rotation speed and rotation direction of the conveyor motor 40 to the motor driver 85, and the motor driver 85 causes the conveyor motor 40 to operate according to the signals input from the control unit 81.

[0066] The motor driver 87 is controlled by the control unit 81 and drives the cut-off motor 74.

[0067] The signal processing circuit 86 processes the pulse signal output by the rotary encoder 66 and outputs the processed signal to the control unit 81.

[0068] Wireless device 89 is, for example, a device having an antenna, a transmitter, and a receiver. Wireless device 89 is controlled by control unit 81 to transmit and receive radio waves according to specified standards such as wireless LAN standards and Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards. Wireless device 89 modulates the radio waves according to the signals input from control unit 81. Wireless device 89 demodulates radio waves received from other devices into signals and outputs these signals to control unit 81. Furthermore, other devices include, for example, information processing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, and gaming devices.

[0069] The interface circuit 88 may include, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller. The interface circuit 88 is controlled by the control unit 81 and transmits and receives data with other devices.

[0070] Communication between the wireless device 89 or the interface circuit 88 and other devices is used for transmitting printed data from other devices to the electronic device 1, transmitting data from the electronic device 1 to other devices, and setting the electronic device 1 by other devices.

[0071] The control unit 81 is a control unit responsible for the overall control of the electronic device 1. The control unit 81 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 82 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM of the storage unit 82 provides storage or operating areas to the control unit 81. For example, printed data received from other devices via the wireless device 89 or interface circuit 88 is stored in the RAM of the storage unit 82. The ROM of the storage unit 82 stores programs that the control unit 81 executes. By executing these programs, the control unit 81 manages and controls the driver 83, head drive circuit 84, motor driver 85, signal processing circuit 86, motor driver 87, wireless device 89, and interface circuit 88.

[0072] The signal input terminal of the control unit 81 is connected to the power switch 32, which is connected to the battery 99. Therefore, a signal accompanying the on / off operation of the power switch 32 is input to the control unit 81. When the power switch 32 is pressed to turn on, a high-level signal is input to the control unit 81. When the power switch 32 is released to turn off, a low-level signal is input to the control unit 81. The control unit 81 recognizes commands provided by the user via the power switch 32 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82.

[0073] The processing unit 91 is connected to the battery 99 and is always operational. Therefore, even if the main control circuit 80 is not operating, the processing unit 91 will still consume standby power. The power consumption of the processing unit 91 is sufficiently small compared to the power consumption of the control unit 81.

[0074] The signal input terminal of the processing unit 91 is connected to the power switch 32, which is connected to the battery 99. Therefore, a signal accompanying the on / off operation of the power switch 32 is input to the processing unit 91. When the power switch 32 is pressed to turn on, a high-level signal is input to the control unit 81. When the power switch 32 is released to turn off, a low-level signal is input to the processing unit 91.

[0075] The processing unit 91 includes a microcomputer and a ROM. The processing unit 91 stores programs that the microcomputer can execute in the ROM. The processing unit 91 recognizes commands provided by the user through the power switch 32 by having the microcomputer execute the program.

[0076] The processing unit 91 is connected to the control unit 81 via a signal line. The processing unit 91 monitors the status of the control unit 81 via the signal line. The status of the control unit 81 refers to: (A) the control unit 81 performs the startup process described later, (B) the control unit 81 performs the shutdown process described later, (C) the control unit 81 performs the band cut-off process, (D) the battery 99 does not supply power to the control unit 81 and stops (i.e., the control unit 81 is in a power-off state), (E) the control unit 81 is not in any of (A) to (D) above and is in a normal state.

[0077] [2. How to use and operate electronic devices]

[0078] The method of using electronic device 1 is explained. Furthermore, the operation of electronic device 1 when used by a user is described. Additionally, refer to... Figures 4 to 14 The process flow of the control unit 81 and processing unit 91 of electronic device 1 according to the program will be explained.

[0079] Here, Figures 4-6 as well as Figures 8 to 14 This is a timing diagram showing the changes in signals input from the power switch 32 to the control unit 81 and the processing unit 91. If the user presses the power switch 32, the signal is high; if the user releases the power switch 32, the signal is low. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process executed by the control unit 81 when the switch circuit 92 is turned on.

[0080] (1) Start

[0081] When the switching circuit 92 is disconnected, that is, when the power supply from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80 is cut off, the user provides a power-on command to the processing unit 91 by pressing the power switch 32 once. The processing unit 91 recognizes the power-on command as follows.

[0082] When the user presses the power switch 32, such as Figure 4 As shown, the signal input from the power switch 32 to the processing unit 91 rises from low to high. The processing unit 91 then uses this rise as a trigger to begin a program for recognizing a power-on command. This program causes the processing unit 91 to continuously execute a drop-down determination process. The drop-down determination process refers to the process by which the processing unit 91 determines whether the signal from the power switch 32 has dropped from high to low.

[0083] When the signal from power switch 32 drops from high to low, processing unit 91 recognizes the power-on command and activates switch circuit 92. Switch circuit 92 then allows power supply from battery 99 to main control circuit 80, and control unit 81 executes startup processing according to the program stored in storage unit 82. Furthermore, when processing unit 91 outputs a signal specifying the light emission color and activating the light source to driver 83, driver 83 illuminates light source 33 with the specified light emission color, such as orange. Afterwards, if control unit 81, through startup processing, reaches a normal state capable of managing / controlling driver 83, head drive circuit 84, motor drivers 85 and 87, signal processing circuit 86, interface circuit 88, and wireless device 89, control unit 81 outputs a signal indicating this to processing unit 91. Processing unit 91 then outputs a signal specifying the light emission color and activating the light source to driver 83. The specified light emission color is different from the previously specified color by processing unit 91. Therefore, driver 83 changes the light emission color of light source 33, for example, from orange to green. In addition, the control unit 81 can also change the emission color of the light source 33 by outputting a signal specifying the emission color and lighting it to the driver 83.

[0084] During the startup process performed by the control unit 81, even if the user presses the power switch 32 once, twice, or holds it down, the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81 will determine that the operation is invalid. That is, the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81 ignore the signal from the power switch 32 during the startup process.

[0085] After the control unit 81 returns to its normal state, and the processing unit 91 or the control unit 81 changes the emission color of the light source 33, the control unit 81 ends the startup process and terminates the program used to identify the power-on command. Afterwards, the switch circuit 92 remains on.

[0086] Alternatively, the processing unit 91 may end the program used to identify the power-on command not when the signal input from the power switch 32 drops from high to low, but after a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since the signal began to rise. In this case, even if the user presses and holds the power switch 32, no power will be supplied to the main control circuit 80.

[0087] (2)Printing

[0088] Next, the printing operation of electronic device 1 after it is turned on will be explained.

[0089] The user provides a printing start command to the information processing device using an input device connected to the electronic device 1. When the information processing device recognizes and receives the printing start command, it generates printing data. The information processing device then transmits the printing data to the electronic device 1. In the electronic device 1, the control unit 81 receives the printing data from the information processing device via the interface circuit 88 or the wireless device 89 by performing printing data reception processing through the interface circuit 88 or the wireless device 89. The control unit 81 then drives the transport roller 65 and the take-up reel 58 to rotate via the drive motor driver 85 and the transport motor 40. The tape 55 is then transported from the tape reel 54 to the discharge port 18, and the ink tape 57 is transported from the tape reel 56 to the take-up reel 58. During the transport of the tape 55 and the ink tape 57, the control unit 81 drives the head drive circuit 84 according to the printing data, whereby the thermal head 60 thermally transfers the image from the ink tape 57 onto the tape 55. Thus, the image is printed on the tape 55. Then, the conveyor motor 40 stops, and the conveying of tape 55 and ink tape 57 stops. Afterwards, the control unit 81 drives the motor driver 87. Then, the cutting motor 74 of the electric cutter 70 moves the movable blade 72 towards the fixed blade 71, and tape 55 is cut by the fixed blade 71 and the movable blade 72. Then, the cutting motor 74 of the electric cutter 70 separates the movable blade 72 from the fixed blade 71. Through the above, the printing operation of the electronic device 1 ends.

[0090] (3) With cut-off and shutdown functions

[0091] Next, the cut-off and shutdown actions of electronic device 1 after it is started will be explained.

[0092] When the switch circuit 92 is turned on, that is, when power is supplied from the battery 99 to the main control circuit 80, the control unit 81 controls the driver 83, which causes the light source 33 to illuminate, for example, green. At this time, the user provides a power-off command to the control unit 81 by pressing the power switch 32 twice. Alternatively, the user provides a power-off command to the control unit 81 by pressing and holding the power switch 32. The control unit 81 recognizes the power-off and power-off commands as follows.

[0093] When the user presses the power switch 32, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the signal input from the power switch 32 to the control unit 81 rises from low to high. The control unit 81 then uses this rise as a trigger to begin a program for recognizing commands that include cut-off and power disconnection. Figure 7 The flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 81 is shown. Furthermore, the program used to identify commands with cut-off and power disconnection will be referred to hereafter as the discrimination program.

[0094] First, the control unit 81 starts timing (step S1). This timing is referred to as the first timing.

[0095] Afterwards, the control unit 81 determines whether the time from the start of the first timing (hereinafter referred to as the first timing time) has reached a first predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) (step S2), and determines whether the signal from the power switch 32 has dropped from high to low (step S3). Before the first timing time reaches the first predetermined time (step S2: yes), or before the signal from the power switch 32 drops from high to low (step S3: yes), the control unit 81 repeatedly executes the determination process of steps S2 and S3 (step S2: no, step S3: no).

[0096] (3-1) Long press situation

[0097] When the control unit 81 repeatedly executes the determination process of steps S2 and S3, if the user continues to press the power switch 32, such as Figure 5 As shown, if the signal from the power switch 32 remains high for a first predetermined time, the control unit 81 determines that the first timing period has reached the first predetermined time (step S2: Yes). Therefore, the control unit 81 recognizes the power-off command and executes the power-off process (step S4). During the power-off process executed by the control unit 81, even if the user presses the power switch 32 once, twice, or holds it down, the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81 will determine that the operation is invalid. That is, the control unit 81 ignores the signal from the power switch 32 during the power-off process.

[0098] During the shutdown process, when the control unit 81 outputs the specified light emission color and the lighting signal to the driver 83, the driver 83 lights up the light source 33 with the specified light emission color. At this time, the specified light emission color and the control unit 81 start... Figure 7The emitted light color is different from that before the processing, for example, it was orange. Therefore, the emitted light color of light source 33 changes. Furthermore, if the control unit 81 stops the head drive circuit 84, motor drivers 85 and 87, signal processing circuit 86, interface circuit 88, and wireless device 89 through a shutdown process, the switch circuit 92 is disconnected, forcibly ending other executed processes as well. The disconnection of switch circuit 92 cuts off the power supply from battery 99 to main control circuit 80. Naturally, since power is also not supplied to driver 83, light source 33 is turned off.

[0099] (3-2) Press twice

[0100] During the repeated execution of steps S2 and S3 by the control unit 81, if the user releases the first press of the power switch 32 before the first predetermined time is reached, then... Figure 6 As shown, the signal from power switch 32 drops from high to low. Therefore, control unit 81 determines that the signal from power switch 32 has dropped from high to low (step S3: Yes). Triggered by this drop, control unit 81 restarts the timing based on resetting the first timing time (step S5). Hereinafter, the restarted timing will be referred to as the second timing, and the time from the start of the second timing will be referred to as the second timing time.

[0101] Then, the control unit 81 determines whether the signal from the power switch 32 has dropped from high to low (step S6), and determines whether the second timing time has reached the second predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) (step S7).

[0102] Here, when the user presses the power switch 32 a second time, such as Figure 6 As shown, the signal input from the power switch 32 to the control unit 81 rises from low to high. Therefore, triggered by this rise, the control unit 81 initiates a discrimination procedure for recognizing commands with cut-off and power disconnection. Thus, the control unit 81 executes in parallel a series of processes based on the initially initiated discrimination procedure and a series of processes based on the subsequently initiated discrimination procedure. The series of processes based on the initially initiated discrimination procedure of the control unit 81 is referred to as the first task, and the series of processes based on the subsequently initiated discrimination procedure of the control unit 81 is referred to as the second task. The second press in the first task is equivalent to the first press in the second task. The second task will be explained in detail later.

[0103] During the process of repeatedly executing steps S6 and S7 of the first task in the control unit 81, if the user releases the second power switch 32 before the second timeout period reaches the second predetermined time, then... Figure 6As shown, the signal from power switch 32 drops from high to low. Therefore, control unit 81 determines that the signal from power switch 32 has dropped from high to low (step S6: Yes). Then, control unit 81 recognizes the command to cut off and executes the cut-off process (step S8). During the cut-off process executed by control unit 81, even if the user presses power switch 32 once, twice, or holds it down, processing unit 91 and control unit 81 ignore the signal from power switch 32 and determine the operation as invalid. Figure 8 As shown, even if the user presses and releases the power switch 32 for the third time before, for example, the second timeout reaches the second predetermined time, the processing unit 91 and the control unit 81 will determine the third press and release of the power switch 32 as invalid.

[0104] During the cutting process, the control unit 81 forcibly terminates the second task. Additionally, during the cutting process, when the control unit 81 outputs a flashing signal to the driver 83, the driver 83 causes the light source 33 to flash, for example, in green. Furthermore, the control unit 81 drives the conveyor motor 40 to rotate the conveyor roller 65 and the take-up reel 58 via the drive motor driver 85. Thus, the belt 55 is conveyed from the belt reel 54 to the outlet 18, and the ink ribbon 57 is conveyed from the belt reel 56 to the take-up reel 58. During the conveying of the belt 55 and ink ribbon 57, if the conveying distance of the belt 55 detected by the rotary encoder 66 reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 81 controls the motor driver 85 to stop the conveyor motor 40. Then, the control unit 81 drives the motor driver 87. Consequently, the cutting motor 74 of the electric cutter 70 moves the movable blade 72 towards the fixed blade 71, and the belt 55 is cut by the fixed blade 71 and the movable blade 72. Then, the cutting motor 74 of the electric cutter 70 separates the movable blade 72 from the fixed blade 71. After the drive motor driver 87, when the control unit 81 outputs a signal specifying the light emission color and illuminating the light source 33 to the driver 83, the driver 83 illuminates the light source 33 with the specified light emission color, such as green. Through the above steps, the cutting process of the control unit 81 ends, and the first task is completed.

[0105] In addition, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, regardless of whether the user presses the power switch 32 a second time too early or too late, or whether the user releases the power switch 32 a second time too early or too late, as long as the user releases the power switch 32 a second time before the timer reaches the second predetermined time, the control unit 81 will perform a cut-off process.

[0106] (3-3) If the press is not released after the first press, and the second timer reaches the second specified time.

[0107] During the process of repeatedly executing the decision-making steps S6 and S7 of the first task in the control unit 81, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, if the user does not release the second press of the power switch 32, and the second timing reaches the second predetermined time, the control unit 81 determines that the second timing has reached the second predetermined time (step S7: Yes). Therefore, the control unit 81 ends the first task. Thus, in the first task, the control unit 81 does not recognize commands for cutting off or disconnecting the power.

[0108] (3-3-1) Second task

[0109] Incidentally, the control unit 81 does not recognize commands with cut-off and power disconnection during the first task, and continues to execute the second task even after the first task ends. Specifically, the control unit 81 repeatedly executes the decision processing of steps S2 and S3 of the second task. Figure 11 As shown, if the user releases the second press of the power switch 32 before the first timeout period in step S1 of the second task reaches the first predetermined time (step S3: Yes), the second task proceeds from step S3 to step S5. Then, if the user does not operate the power switch 32, the control unit 81 does not determine that there is a signal drop (step S6: No), but determines that the second timeout period in the second task has elapsed for the second predetermined time (step S7: Yes), and therefore the control unit 81 terminates the second task. Therefore, in the second task, the control unit 81 does not recognize commands with cut-off and power disconnection. Furthermore, after the second task proceeds from step S3 to step S5, if the user presses the power switch 32 for a shorter time than the second predetermined time (see reference...), Figure 11 If the signal waveform is shown by the double-dotted line, the control unit 81 determines that there is a signal drop (step S6: Yes). In the second task, the control unit 81 recognizes a command with a cutoff signal.

[0110] On the other hand, such as Figure 12 As shown, if the user does not release the second press of the power switch 32 (this press is equivalent to the first press in the second task), after the first timer starts in step S1 of the second task and reaches the first predetermined time, the control unit 81 determines this situation (step S2: yes), and the second task transfers from step S2 to step S4. Therefore, based on recognizing the power disconnection command and executing the shutdown process, the control unit 81 ends the second task.

[0111] (3-4) Cases where there is no second press or the second press is delayed.

[0112] During the process of repeatedly executing the decision processing of steps S2 and S3 of the first task by the control unit 81, if the user releases the first press of the power switch 32 before the first predetermined time is reached, the control unit 81 restarts the timing as described above (step S5). Then, the control unit 81 repeatedly executes the decision processing of steps S6 and S7 of the first task. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, if the user does not press the power switch 32 a second time, and the second timing reaches the second predetermined time, the control unit 81 determines that the second timing has reached the second predetermined time (step S7: Yes). Therefore, the control unit 81 ends the first task. In this case, since the user did not press the power switch 32 a second time, the control unit 81 does not execute the second task.

[0113] Then, as Figure 14 As shown, if the user presses the power switch 32, the control unit 81 will start the first task again.

[0114] (3-5) Variations

[0115] In the above description, if the user presses the power switch 32 for the first time, the signal of the power switch 32 rises from low to high, and the control unit 81 begins a discrimination procedure to identify commands that include cutting off and power disconnection. Correspondingly, the processing unit 91 can also begin a discrimination procedure to identify commands that include cutting off and power disconnection. In this case, the processing unit 91 executes steps S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, and S7. In step S4, based on the recognition of a power disconnection command, the processing unit 91 issues a power-off command to the control unit 81. Then, the control unit 81 executes the power-off process as described above. Furthermore, in step S8, based on the recognition of a cutting-off command, the processing unit 91 issues a cutting-off command to the control unit 81. Then, the control unit 81 executes the cutting-off process as described above.

[0116] [3. Examples of variations of electronic devices]

[0117] (1) Variation Example 1

[0118] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the modified electronic device 101. Figure 16 This is a block diagram of a modified electronic device 101. In addition to the same constituent elements as electronic device 1, electronic device 101 also includes a second power switch 35 and a second operating element 25.

[0119] like Figure 15As shown, a pressable second operating member 25 is located at the rear of the upper surface 11 of the frame 10. A second power switch 35 is disposed inside the frame 10, below the operating member 25. The operating direction of the second power switch 35 and the operating member 25, i.e., the direction in which the second power switch 35 and the operating member 25 are pressed, is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 18 and parallel to the normal to the surface of the strip 55 within the outlet 18. Furthermore, the operating direction of the second power switch 35 and the operating member 25 is parallel to the direction of movement of the movable blade 72 of the electric cutter 70. Therefore, the user can recall the cutting direction of the electric cutter 70 on the strip 55 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32. Furthermore, the user can recall the cutting of the strip 55 by the electric cutter 70 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32 and intuitively understand that the command to cut the strip is assigned to the power switch 32.

[0120] like Figure 16 As shown, the signal input terminal of the control unit 81 is connected to the second power switch 35, which is connected to the battery 99. Therefore, a signal accompanying the on / off operation of the second power switch 35 is input to the control unit 81. When the second power switch 35 is pressed to turn on, a high-level signal is input to the control unit 81. When the second power switch 35 is released to turn off, a low-level signal is input to the control unit 81. The control unit 81 recognizes commands provided by the user via the second power switch 35 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82.

[0121] Here, as described above, power switch 32 is the main power supply switch, that is, the switch for power input / power cut-off of the main control circuit 80. In contrast, second power switch 35 is the auxiliary power supply switch. That is, second power switch 35 is the switch for power input / power cut-off of any component of the main control circuit 80. More specifically, second power switch 35 is the switch for power input / power cut-off of the wireless device 89. Therefore, second power switch 35 can also be referred to as a switch for enabling / disabling the communication function.

[0122] In addition, similar to the case where the power switch 32 is also used for printing start as described above, the second power switch 35 is also used for printing start.

[0123] When the control unit 81 cuts off power from the battery 99 to the wireless device 89, i.e., when power is not supplied to the wireless device 89, the user provides a command to the control unit 81 to turn on the communication power by pressing the second power switch 35 once. If the control unit 81 recognizes the command to turn on the communication power, it allows power to be supplied from the battery 99 to the wireless device 89. The processing and procedure for the control unit 81 to recognize the command to turn on the communication power based on the signal from the second power switch 35 are the same as the processing and procedure for the processing unit 91 to recognize the command to turn on the power based on the signal from the power switch 32.

[0124] When the control unit 81 allows power to be supplied from the battery 99 to the wireless device 89, that is, when power is supplied to the wireless device 89, the user provides a cut-off command to the control unit 81 by pressing the second power switch 35 twice. If the control unit 81 recognizes the cut-off command, the control unit 81 controls the motors 40 and 79 via the motor drivers 85 and 87, thereby causing the belt 55 to be fed a certain amount and cut off.

[0125] When the control unit 81 allows power to be supplied from the battery 99 to the wireless device 89, the user provides a command to the control unit 81 to disconnect the communication power by pressing and holding the second power switch 35. The control unit 81 then cuts off the power supply from the battery 99 to the wireless device 89.

[0126] The processing and procedure for the signal identification band cut-off and communication power disconnection command of the control unit 81 based on the second power switch 35 is the same as the processing and procedure for the signal identification band cut-off and power disconnection command of the control unit 81 or the processing unit 91 based on the power switch 32.

[0127] (2) Variation Example 2

[0128] The operating element 22 and window 23 can be positioned at the front of the upper surface of the frame 10, near the outlet 18, and the power switch 32 and light source 33 can be positioned below the operating element 22 and window 23, respectively. The second power switch 35 and operating element 25 in Modification 1 are also positioned similarly.

[0129] (3) Variation Example 3

[0130] The power switch 32 may be a slide switch rather than a push-button switch. In this case, the power switch 32 is located on the front surface 12, left side, right side, or rear surface of the frame 10, and the sliding direction of the power switch 32 is up and down. That is, the sliding direction of the power switch 32 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 18 and parallel to the normal line of the surface of the strip 55 inside the outlet 18. Therefore, the user can recall the cutting direction of the electric cutter 70 on the strip 55 based on the sliding direction of the power switch 32. In addition, when the user slides the power switch 32 downward, the power switch 32 is turned on, and when the user removes the power switch 32 and slides it back to its original position upward, the power switch 32 is turned off.

[0131] (4) Variation Example 4

[0132] In the above embodiment, commands for turning on the main power supply, turning off the main power supply, and cutting off are assigned to the power switch 32. An operation such as pressing the power switch 32 once is assigned to the command for turning on the power supply, an operation such as pressing and holding the power switch 32 for a long time is assigned to the command for turning off the power supply, and an operation such as pressing the power switch 32 twice is assigned to the command for cutting off the power supply. However, the types of commands and operations assigned to the power switch 32 are not limited to those described above.

[0133] [4. Summary]

[0134] (1) The operating direction of the power switch 32 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outlet 18, which is formed in a horizontally elongated shape, and also parallel to the normal to the surface of the strip 55 within the outlet 18. That is, the operating direction of the power switch 32 is set to be parallel to the direction of operation when the strip is pressed against the strip surface for cutting. Therefore, the user can recall the cutting direction of the electric cutter 70 on the strip 55 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32. The user can recall the cutting of the strip 55 by the electric cutter 70 based on the operating direction of the power switch 32, and can easily and intuitively understand that the command to cut the strip is assigned to the power switch 32. It can be said that the same applies to the power switch 35 in Modified Example 1.

[0135] (2) Power switch 32 is a main power switch, and users are likely to notice that its purpose and intended use are for main power. However, users are unlikely to notice that power switch 32 is used for cutting off the belt. Even so, since the operating direction of power switch 32 is reminiscent of the cutting direction of electric cutter 70 on belt 55, the operating direction of power switch 32 becomes a trigger for users to notice that power switch 32 is used for cutting off the belt. It can be said that the same applies to power switch 35 in variant example 1.

[0136] (3) The only objects operated by the user are the operating components 22 and the power switch 32, without the need for other buttons or the like in the electronic device 1. In the case of the electronic device 101 in Modification 1, the only objects operated by the user can be the operating components 22 and 25 and the power switches 32 and 35. In this case, the number of components in the electronic devices 1 and 101 is reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the electronic devices 1 and 101 is reduced. In addition, the electronic devices 1 and 101 have a simple appearance and high design flexibility.

Claims

1. An electronic device that connects or disconnects a predetermined power supply based on a first operation of a power switch, characterized in that, have: A discharge port, located on the front surface of the frame, is used to extract the strip-shaped belt from the interior of the frame with the belt surface facing a predetermined direction; and The control unit, based on a second operation of the power switch, drives and controls a cutting unit located inside the frame to cut the strip. The order of the second operation differs from that of the first operation. The power switch is disposed on the upper surface of the frame such that the operating direction in the second operation is along the normal direction of the surface of the strip located at the outlet, and the power switch is positioned on the upper surface of the frame close to the rear surface of the frame.

2. An electronic device that connects or disconnects a predetermined power supply based on a first operation of a power switch, characterized in that, have: An outlet, with a transversely longer shape than longitudinally, is provided on the front surface of the frame for extracting the strip from the interior of the frame; and The control unit, based on a second operation of the power switch, drives and controls a cutting unit located inside the frame to cut the strip. The order of the second operation differs from that of the first operation. The power switch is disposed on the upper surface of the frame such that the operating direction in the second operation is along the longitudinal direction, and the power switch is positioned on the upper surface of the frame close to the rear surface of the frame.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second operation is set to press the power switch multiple times within a specified time.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The power supply to the device involved in the specified function is turned on or off based on the first operation of the power switch.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The specified function is a communication function.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The main power supply is turned on or off based on the first operation of the power switch.

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