Printing apparatus, program product, and control method

Abstract

Appropriate operation of the platen roller is performed according to an instruction of a user based on the state of the printing device. The printing apparatus includes: an operation unit; a thermal head for printing on a printing medium; a roller capable of conveying the printing medium by rotating in a state in which the printing medium is sandwiched between the roller and the thermal head; a cartridge accommodating part for accommodating the printing medium (tape cartridge) before printing; a cover which is opened and closed when the printing medium is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating part; and a control unit. The control unit rotates the platen roller (step S14) when a rotation instruction (step S11: YES) indicating a rotation operation of the platen roller is received from the operation unit and the lid is open (step S2: YES) and the cartridge housing unit does not house the printing medium (step S12: NO).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printing device, a program product and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing device that prints on a printing medium using a thermal head is used. For example, there is a technique in which a thermal head is pressed against a platen roller and printing is performed on a recording paper sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-291385).

[0003] In such a thermal printer, dust and dirt inevitably adhere to the thermal head and the platen roller, and they need to be cleaned regularly. Therefore, a cleaning method is adopted in which the thermal head and the platen roller are wiped with a cotton swab containing alcohol, for example. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] However, in the process of cleaning the platen roller, it is necessary not only to clean the portion of the platen roller exposed to the thermal head side, but also to clean the entire circumference of the platen roller. Therefore, it is desirable to rotate the platen roller when cleaning the platen roller.

[0006] In addition, in order to place a cleaning member such as a cotton swab against the platen roller, it is necessary to ensure space to reach the platen roller. In the printing device, whether the cleaning member can contact the platen roller changes depending on whether the cover (cover portion) is open and whether the printing medium is placed. If the space for the platen roller is not ensured, cleaning cannot be performed even if the platen roller is rotated. At present, based on the state of the printing device, the platen roller cannot be properly moved in response to the user's instructions (rotation instructions for the platen roller).

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to perform appropriate operation of the platen roller in response to a user's instruction based on the state of the printing apparatus.

[0008] Means used to solve problems

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the printing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0010] Operations Department;

[0011] A thermal head, which prints on the printing medium;

[0012] a roller capable of conveying the printing medium by rotating in a state where the printing medium is sandwiched between the roller and the thermal head;

[0013] a receiving portion for receiving the printing medium before printing by the thermal head;

[0014] a cover that is opened and closed when the printing medium is accommodated in the accommodation portion; and

[0015] Control Department,

[0016] The control unit rotates the roller when the cover is open and the storage unit does not store the print medium when a rotation instruction for instructing the rotation operation of the roller is obtained from the operation unit.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the platen roller can be operated appropriately in response to the user's instruction based on the state of the printing apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the printing device showing a state in which the cover is opened and the tape cassette is not stored.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the printing device in a state where the cover is opened and the tape cassette is accommodated.

[0022] Figure 4A 1 is a plan view schematically showing the thermal head, the platen roller, and the cartridge housing portion, and is a view showing a state where the platen roller is separated from the thermal head.

[0023] Figure 4B It is a plan view schematically showing the thermal head, the platen roller, and the cartridge housing portion, and is a view showing a state where the platen roller is pressed against the thermal head.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the printing device.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a platen roller control process executed by the printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the printing device, program, and control method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, various technically preferred limitations are added to the embodiments described below in order to implement the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0027] [Structure of printing device]

[0028] First, the configuration of the printing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printing device 1 . Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the printing device 1 in a state where the cover 2 is opened and the tape cassette 70 is not stored. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the printing device 1 in a state where the cover 2 is opened and the tape cassette 70 is accommodated.

[0030] Inside the tape cassette 70 , a long tape as a printing medium is preliminarily wound into a roll.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the conveying direction of the tape (hereinafter referred to as the printing tape) supplied from the tape cassette 70 is defined as the "conveying direction X", the width direction of the printing tape orthogonal to the conveying direction X is defined as the "width direction Y", and the thickness direction of the printing tape is defined as the "thickness direction Z". These X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0032] The printing device 1 is a label printer that heats a printing tape to print images such as characters, symbols, marks, and graphics. The printing device 1 has functions such as cutting the printed printing tape and communicating with external devices via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0033] The printing tape includes: a tape body having an adhesive layer; and a release paper attached so as to be releasable so as to cover the adhesive layer of the tape body.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the printing device 1 is provided with a cover 2 and a plurality of buttons (a power button 31, a wireless LAN switching button 32, a feed button 33, a cut button 34, and an open button 35) on the upper surface of a box-shaped housing 3.

[0035] The power button 31 is a button for accepting an operation instruction to turn on / off the power of the printing device 1 .

[0036] The wireless LAN switching button 32 is a button for accepting an operation instruction to switch between the access point mode and the client mode as the wireless LAN communication mode of the printing device 1. The access point mode is a mode in which the printing device 1 functions as an access point of the wireless LAN and is a mode in which the printing device 1 directly communicates with an external device via the wireless LAN access point. The client mode is a mode in which the printing device 1 communicates with an external device via the wireless LAN access point.

[0037] The feed button 33 is a button for accepting an operation instruction to feed the printing tape supplied from the tape cassette 70. Feeding means sending out the printing tape, and refers to idle feeding to distinguish it from conveying the printing tape during printing.

[0038] The cut button 34 is a button for accepting an operation instruction to cut the printing tape supplied from the tape cassette 70 .

[0039] The open button 35 is a button for opening the cover 2. When closing the cover 2, the user manually closes the cover 2.

[0040] The cover 2 is openably and closably disposed so as to cover an opening formed on the upper surface side of the frame body 3 .

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the cover 2 includes an upper surface portion 21 , side surface portions 22 , a window portion 23 , a protruding portion 24 , and a locking claw 25 .

[0042] The upper surface portion 21 is a portion that covers an opening formed on the upper surface side of the frame body 3 and has a shape (substantially rectangular) corresponding to the opening. A window portion 23 is provided in the upper surface portion 21 .

[0043] The side surface portion 22 is a portion that is provided in connection with the end portion of the upper surface portion 21 and covers an opening formed in the side surface of the frame body 3 .

[0044] Even when the cover 2 is closed, the window portion 23 enables a person to visually confirm whether or not the tape cassette 70 is housed in the interior of the housing 3 (the cassette housing portion 60 ).

[0045] The protrusion 24 is provided so as to contact the cover state detection unit 36 ​​(see FIG. Figure 2 , Figure 3 The protrusion 24 is engaged with the cover state detection unit 36, and the cover state detection unit 36 ​​electrically detects the closed state of the cover 2.

[0046] The locking claw 25 is provided so as to engage with the locking recess 37 (see Figure 2 , Figure 3 The locking claw 25 is locked with the locking recess 37, so that the cover 2 will not be opened by mistake.

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in addition to the above-mentioned plurality of buttons, the cover state detection unit 36 ​​and the locking recess 37, the frame 3 is further provided with a cassette storage unit 60. The cassette storage unit 60 can store a tape cassette 70 (printing medium) in a removable manner. The tape cassette 70 stores the printing tape before printing by the thermal head 40 in a wound state. When the tape cassette 70 is stored in the cassette storage unit 60, the cover 2 is opened and closed.

[0048] A discharge port 38 is formed on the side surface of the housing 3 at a portion downstream in the “transport direction X” of the printing tape supplied from the tape cassette 70. The printing tape printed by the thermal head 40 in the printing device 1 is discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside of the device.

[0049] The platen roller 50 is provided at a position facing the thermal head 40 across the printing tape supplied from the tape cassette 70 .

[0050] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is a plan view schematically showing the thermal head 40 , the platen roller 50 , and the cartridge housing portion 60 .

[0051] The cassette storage unit 60 of this embodiment can store a first tape cassette 70A and a second tape cassette 70B. The first tape cassette 70A is a tape cassette 70 having a relatively large outer dimension on the XZ plane formed by the "transport direction X" and the "thickness direction Z". The outer dimension of the second tape cassette 70B on the XZ plane is smaller than that of the first tape cassette 70A.

[0052] In addition, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first tape cassette 70A and the second tape cassette 70B, the tape cassette 70 including them will be described.

[0053] The platen roller 50 may be separated from the thermal head 40 (see Figure 4A ), and the state of being pressed by the thermal head 40 (refer to Figure 4B ).

[0054] To make the positional relationship easier to understand, Figure 4A and Figure 4B Although the tape cassette 70 is illustrated in the figure, the tape cassette 70 may not be accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 60 .

[0055] The thermal head 40 is a printing head that prints on the printing tape (printing medium) supplied from the tape cassette 70. The thermal head 40 prints on the printing tape while the printing tape is sandwiched between the thermal head 40 and the platen roller 50. The thermal head 40 has a plurality of heating elements (not shown) whose energization states are independently controlled.

[0056] The platen roller 50 is a conveying roller that conveys the printing tape by rotating while sandwiching the printing tape between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40. The platen roller 50 conveys the printing tape toward the discharge port 38 in the “conveying direction X”.

[0057] In addition, the cartridge accommodating portion 60 is provided with a cartridge detecting portion 61 (see Figure 5 ). The cartridge detection unit 61 includes a plurality of detection switches 61A to 61E (see Figure 4A and Figure 4B ).

[0058] The cassette detection section 61 detects whether or not the tape cassette 70 is housed in the cassette housing section 60 .

[0059] The cassette detection unit 61 detects the type (size / tape width) of the tape cassette 70 based on the shape of the tape cassette 70 accommodated in the cassette accommodating unit 60. Different types of tape cassettes 70 are configured by pressing a plurality of detection switches 61A to 61E in different combinations. The cassette detection unit 61 determines the size of the tape cassette 70 based on the combination of the pressed detection switches 61A to 61E, and detects the width of the printing tape (tape width).

[0060] In this embodiment, in the case of the first tape cassette 70A, five tape widths, for example, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm, can be detected by the detection switches 61A to 61E. In addition, in the case of the second tape cassette 70B, eight tape widths, for example, 3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, and 46 mm can be detected.

[0061] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cassette storage portion 60 is provided with an ink ribbon winding shaft 62. The ink ribbon winding shaft 62 is used to rotate the ink ribbon winding core 71 (see Figure 4A and Figure 4B The ink ribbon winding shaft 62 rotates when the ribbon cassette 70 is accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 60, thereby eliminating the slack of the ink ribbon in the cassette 70.

[0062] Although not shown, the housing 3 is provided with a power line connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, etc. If the printing device 1 is operated by an internal power source such as a battery, there may be no power line connection terminal.

[0063] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the printing device 1 .

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 10, an input unit 11, a display unit 12, a storage unit 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a communication unit 15, a power circuit 16, a thermal head 40, a head driving circuit 41, a platen roller 50, a rotation driving motor 51, a pressing motor 52, a cutter 80, a cutter driving circuit 81, a cover status detection unit 36, and a box detection unit 61.

[0065] The control unit 10 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and reads out a program stored in the storage unit 13 and expands it in the RAM 14 , and realizes various functions of the printing device 1 for printing in cooperation with the program.

[0066] The input unit 11 (operation unit) includes buttons such as a power button 31, a wireless LAN switch button 32, a feed button 33, a cut button 34, and an open button 35, and receives various operation instructions from the user. The input unit 11 outputs operation signals corresponding to the various operation instructions to the control unit 10.

[0067] The input unit 11 includes various keys such as a character input key, a conversion key, and a determination key, and receives various operation instructions related to the generation of print data from the user. When the user inputs or selects characters, symbols, marks, graphics, etc. for making labels from the input unit 11 and issues a print instruction, the control unit 10 generates print data. In addition, the control unit 10 can obtain print data generated in an external device such as a PC via the communication unit 15.

[0068] The input unit 11 may include a touch panel integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 12. In this case, the input unit 11 can perform various input / setting operations by touch operations on the touch panel.

[0069] The display unit 12 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various display screens according to the control of the control unit 10 .

[0070] The display unit 12 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the like, and notifies the status, error, etc. of the printing device 1 by lighting the LED.

[0071] The storage unit 13 stores programs executed by the control unit 10, various setting data, etc. The programs are stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of computer-readable program codes. The storage unit 13 includes storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0072] The RAM 14 provides a working storage space for the control unit 10 and stores temporary data.

[0073] The communication unit 15 is composed of a network interface and the like, and performs data communication with external devices connected via a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, a dedicated cable, and the like.

[0074] The power circuit 16 supplies power to each unit of the printing device 1. The power source may be an internal battery or the like, or an external power source connected via a cable or the like.

[0075] The head driving circuit 41 drives the thermal head 40 based on the control signal and print data supplied from the control unit 10 .

[0076] The head driving circuit 41 selectively flows current through the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 40 according to the printing data, thereby causing the heating elements to generate heat and heat the ink ribbon. Thus, the thermal head 40 prints on the printing ribbon by thermal transfer.

[0077] Alternatively, the thermal printing device 1 may be configured such that the tape body of the printing tape uses thermal paper having a color developing layer that develops color when heated.

[0078] The rotation drive motor 51 rotates the platen roller 50 .

[0079] The pressing motor 52 is a motor for changing the position (distance) of the platen roller 50 relative to the thermal head 40. The pressing motor 52 is a state switching unit capable of switching between a pressing state in which the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are pressed and a separation state in which the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are separated. The pressing state may be a state in which at least one of the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 presses the other, so that the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are pressed against each other.

[0080] In the printing device 1, the pressing and separation of the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 is controlled by a motor (pressing motor 52) independent of the rotational drive motor 51. Thus, the platen roller 50 can rotate even when it is not in close contact with the thermal head 40.

[0081] The cutter 80 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 40 in the “conveying direction X” of the printing tape and on the upstream side of the discharge port 38. The cutter 80 cuts the printing tape along the “width direction Y”.

[0082] The cutter driving circuit 81 drives the cutter 80 .

[0083] The cover state detection unit 36 ​​detects whether the cover 2 is in an opened state or a closed state, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 10 .

[0084] The cover 2 is opened and closed when the tape cassette 70 is stored in the cassette storage portion 60 or when the tape cassette 70 is taken out from the cassette storage portion 60 .

[0085] The cassette detection section 61 detects whether the tape cassette 70 is housed in the cassette housing section 60 , and outputs the detection result to the control section 10 .

[0086] Furthermore, the cassette detection section 61 detects the type (size / tape width) of the tape cassette 70 accommodated in the cassette accommodating section 60 .

[0087] When the control unit 10 obtains a rotation instruction for instructing the rotation of the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11 (operating unit), the cover 2 is opened, and the platen roller 50 is rotated when the printing tape (printing medium) is not stored in the cassette storage unit 60. In the present embodiment, pressing the feed button 33 is used as the rotation instruction for instructing the rotation of the platen roller 50. In addition, in the present embodiment, storing (installing) the tape cassette 70 in the cassette storage unit 60 is equivalent to storing the printing tape in the cassette storage unit 60.

[0088] When the control unit 10 obtains a rotation instruction for instructing the rotation of the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11, the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 for a predetermined time when the cover 2 is open and the printing tape is not stored in the cassette storage unit 60. The predetermined time is pre-stored in the storage unit 13. The time for rotating the platen roller 50 in response to a single feeding instruction of the printing tape (rotation instruction of the platen roller 50) can be set, for example, by the user.

[0089] Alternatively, the control unit 10 may rotate the platen roller 50 in response to the pressing of the feed button 33 , and may continue the rotation of the platen roller 50 until the feed button 33 is pressed again.

[0090] When the cover 2 is open and the printing tape is stored in the cassette storage unit 60 when a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 is obtained from the input unit 11 , the control unit 10 does not rotate the platen roller 50 .

[0091] When the cover 2 is opened, the control unit 10 separates the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 . Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to separate the platen roller 50 from the thermal head 40 .

[0092] When receiving a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11 and the cover 2 is open and the cassette storage unit 60 does not contain a printing tape, the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 while maintaining the separation between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 .

[0093] When the control unit 10 receives a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11 and the cover 2 is open and the printing tape is stored in the cassette storage unit 60, a predetermined error message is notified. The predetermined error message is, for example, a message notifying that the cover 2 is open.

[0094] [Operation of the printing device]

[0095] Next, the operation of the printing device 1 will be described.

[0096] Figure 61 is a flowchart showing the platen roller control process executed by the printing device 1. When the platen roller control process starts, it is assumed that the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are in a separated state (see Figure 4A ).

[0097] First, the control unit 10 determines whether the power is on (step S1 ).

[0098] When the power is on (step S1: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the cover 2 is open (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 10 obtains the detection result from the cover state detection unit 36 ​​and determines whether the cover 2 is open or closed based on the detection result.

[0099] When the cover 2 is not opened (step S2: No), the control unit 10 determines whether the tape cassette 70 is installed in the cassette storage unit 60 (step S3). Specifically, the control unit 10 obtains the detection result from the cassette detection unit 61, and determines whether the tape cassette 70 (printing tape) is stored in the cassette storage unit 60 based on the detection result.

[0100] When the tape cassette 70 is installed in the cassette storage section 60 (step S3: Yes), the control section 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to press the platen roller 50 against the thermal head 40 (step S4). That is, the control section 10 makes the platen roller 50 come into close contact with the thermal head 40 when the power is turned on, the cover 2 is closed, and the tape cassette 70 is installed (see step S5). Figure 4B ).

[0101] If it is determined to be YES in step S3 , when the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are already in the pressed state, the control unit 10 maintains the position of the platen roller 50 at the current state.

[0102] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether there is a feed instruction (rotation instruction of the platen roller 50 ) from the user from the input unit 11 (step S5 ). Specifically, it determines whether the feed button 33 is pressed by the user.

[0103] When there is a feed instruction (step S5: Yes), the control unit 10 controls the rotation drive motor 51 to rotate the platen roller 50 for a predetermined time, thereby feeding the printing tape by a certain amount (step S6). That is, when the cover 2 is closed and the tape cassette 70 is installed when the feed instruction is obtained from the input unit 11, the control unit 10 feeds the printing tape by a certain amount.

[0104] After step S6 or if there is no feeding instruction in step S5 (step S5: No), the control unit 10 determines whether the cover 2 is open (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 10 obtains the detection result from the cover state detection unit 36, and determines whether the cover 2 is opened or closed based on the detection result.

[0105] When the open button 35 is pressed while the cover 2 is closed, the control unit 10 moves the locking recess 37 to disengage from the locking claw 25. As a result, the cover 2 is opened, and the cover state detector 36 detects that the cover 2 is opened.

[0106] In addition, between steps S6 and S7, or between a case where a negative determination is made in step S5 and step S7, a printing operation or other processing may be performed.

[0107] In step S7, when the cover 2 is open (step S7: Yes), that is, when the cover 2 changes from the closed state to the open state, the control unit 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to separate the platen roller 50 from the thermal head 40 (step S8). In other words, the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are separated (see step S8). Figure 4A ).

[0108] After step S8, the process returns to step S2.

[0109] In step S7 , when the cover 2 is not opened (step S7 : No), that is, when the cover 2 continues to be closed, the process returns to step S1 .

[0110] In step S3, when the tape cassette 70 is not installed in the cassette housing 60 (step S3: No), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a feed instruction from the user from the input unit 11 (step S9). Specifically, it determines whether the feed button 33 is pressed by the user.

[0111] When there is a feed instruction (step S9: Yes), the control unit 10 notifies an error that the tape cassette 70 is not installed in the cassette housing portion 60 (step S10). For example, the control unit 10 turns on a predetermined LED provided in the display unit 12, or causes the display unit 12 to display a message that the tape cassette 70 is not installed. In addition, the control unit 10 may notify an error by generating a predetermined sound. That is, when the cover 2 is closed and the tape cassette 70 is not installed when the control unit 10 obtains a feed instruction from the input unit 11, the control unit 10 notifies an error indicating that the tape cassette 70 is not installed.

[0112] After step S10 or when there is no feed instruction in step S9 (step S9 : No), the process returns to step S3 .

[0113] If the cover 2 is open in step S2 (step S2: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a feed instruction from the user from the input unit 11 (step S11). Specifically, it determines whether the feed button 33 is pressed by the user.

[0114] When there is a feed instruction (step S11: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the tape cassette 70 is installed in the cassette storage unit 60 (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 10 obtains the detection result from the cassette detection unit 61 and determines whether the tape cassette 70 (printing tape) is stored based on the detection result.

[0115] When the tape cassette 70 is installed in the cassette storage section 60 (step S12: Yes), the control section 10 notifies of an error that the cover 2 is open (step S13). For example, the control section 10 lights up a prescribed LED provided on the display section 12, or causes the display section 12 to display a message that the cover 2 is open. In addition, the control section 10 may notify of an error by generating a prescribed sound. That is, when the control section 10 obtains a feed instruction from the input section 11 and the cover 2 is open and the tape cassette 70 is installed, the control section 10 notifies of an error that the cover 2 is open. In addition, at this time, the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40 are in a separated state, and the control section 10 does not rotate the platen roller 50.

[0116] In step S12, when the tape cassette 70 is not installed in the cassette accommodating portion 60 (step S12: No), the control unit 10 controls the rotation drive motor 51 to idle the platen roller 50 for a predetermined time for cleaning (step S14). That is, when the cover 2 is open and the tape cassette 70 is not installed when the feed instruction is obtained from the input unit 11, the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 by the rotation drive motor 51 while maintaining the separation state between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40. As the predetermined time, a time sufficient for cleaning a full circumference of the platen roller 50 is set.

[0117] The user wipes the surfaces of the thermal head 40 and the platen roller 50 with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

[0118] After step S13 , after step S14 , or when there is no feed instruction in step S11 (step S11 : No), the process returns to step S2 .

[0119] If the power is no longer on in step S1 (step S1: No), that is, if the power button 31 is pressed while the power is on, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to separate the platen roller 50 from the thermal head 40. Then, the control unit 10 turns off the power of the printing device 1.

[0120] The platen roller control process ends as described above.

[0121] In addition, the rotation amount (rotation time) of the platen roller 50 based on the feed indication does not necessarily have to be the same during normal belt conveying (step S6) and during cleaning (step S14). That is, the rotation time of the platen roller 50 during cleaning can be a time set for cleaning, and can be the same as or different from the feed time during normal belt conveying. For example, the control unit 10 can make it easier for the user to wipe the platen roller 50 with a cotton swab by rotating the platen roller 50 longer than the normal belt conveying time during cleaning. Alternatively, after the control unit 10 starts rotating the platen roller 50 during cleaning, the platen roller 50 can continue to rotate until some operation is performed again (for example, the feed button 33 is pressed again).

[0122] As described above, according to the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 10 obtains the rotation instruction for instructing the rotation operation of the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11 (operating unit), the platen roller 50 is rotated when the cover 2 is open and the tape cartridge 70 (printing tape) is not accommodated in the cartridge accommodating unit 60. The control unit 10 can perform an appropriate operation of the platen roller 50 in response to the user's instruction (rotation instruction) based on the state of the printing device 1 such as the open / closed state of the cover 2 and whether the tape cartridge 70 is installed.

[0123] Since the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 with the cover 2 open and the tape cassette 70 not installed, a space up to the platen roller 50 can be ensured, making it easy to clean the platen roller 50. The user can clean the entire circumference of the platen roller 50 using a cotton swab soaked in alcohol or the like.

[0124] In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 can cause the platen roller 50 to idle under the condition that the cover 2 is opened and the tape cassette 70 is not installed.

[0125] Furthermore, since the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 for a predetermined time when the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied, the user can easily clean the entire circumference of the platen roller 50 .

[0126] When the cover 2 is open and the tape cassette 70 is stored in the cassette storage section 60 when a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 is obtained from the input section 11, the control section 10 does not rotate the platen roller 50. In this case, even if there is a rotation instruction from the user, the control section 10 does not rotate the platen roller 50 because it is not appropriate to clean the thermal head 40.

[0127] When the cover 2 is open, the control unit 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to separate the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40. Therefore, when the cover 2 is open, the control unit 10 does not print on the printing tape or convey the printing tape.

[0128] On the other hand, when the cover 2 is closed and the tape cassette 70 is installed, the control unit 10 controls the pressing motor 52 to press the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40. Thus, the control unit 10 can make the printing device 1 capable of printing on the printing tape and conveying the printing tape.

[0129] When the control unit 10 obtains a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11, and the cover 2 is open and the tape cassette 70 is not stored in the cassette storage unit 60, the control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 while maintaining the separation state between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40. The control unit 10 rotates the platen roller 50 while maintaining the separation state between the platen roller 50 and the thermal head 40, thereby ensuring a space for the user to insert a cotton swab or the like. Therefore, it is easy to clean the entire circumference of the platen roller 50.

[0130] The control unit 10 can control the rotation drive motor 51 for rotating the platen roller 50 and the pressing motor 52 for changing the position of the platen roller 50 relative to the thermal head 40. Therefore, the control unit 10 can rotate the platen roller 50 while keeping the platen roller 50 separated from the thermal head 40.

[0131] When the control unit 10 obtains a rotation instruction to rotate the platen roller 50 from the input unit 11, the cover 2 is open and the tape cassette 70 is stored in the cassette storage unit 60, the control unit 10 notifies a predetermined error message. For example, the control unit 10 can urge the user to close the cover 2 by notifying an error message indicating that the cover 2 is open.

[0132] In addition, the description in the above embodiment is an example of the printing device, program and control method of the present invention, and is not limited to this. The detailed structure and detailed operation of each part constituting the device can also be appropriately changed within the scope of the main purpose of the present invention. In addition, in the above description, an example of using the storage unit 13 as a non-temporary recording medium readable by a computer is disclosed, but it is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, information recording media such as SSD, flash memory, CD-ROM, etc. can be applied.

[0133] Although the above-mentioned embodiment describes the printing device 1 having a structure in which the position of the platen roller 50 side relative to the thermal head 40 is changed, the same description is basically applicable to the printing device 1 having a structure in which the position of the thermal head 50 side relative to the platen roller 50 is changed. That is, the pressing state / separation state of the thermal head 40 relative to the platen roller 50 and the rotation of the platen roller 50 can be controlled according to the state of the printing device such as the opening and closing state of the cover 2 and whether the tape cassette 70 is installed.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the button for instructing the rotation of the platen roller 50 and the button for instructing the feeding of the printing tape (feed instruction) are set to the same button (feed button 33). Instead of this, a rotation instruction button for cleaning the platen roller 50 may be provided separately. Alternatively, the existing buttons may be used in combination, and the instruction contents may be distinguished by long pressing or the like.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: have: Operations Department; A thermal head, which prints on the printing medium; a roller capable of conveying the printing medium by rotating in a state where the printing medium is sandwiched between the roller and the thermal head; a receiving portion for receiving the printing medium before printing by the thermal head; a cover that is opened and closed when the printing medium is accommodated in the accommodation portion; as well as Control Department, The control unit rotates the roller when the cover is open and the storage unit does not store the print medium when a rotation instruction for instructing the rotation operation of the roller is obtained from the operation unit.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that When the cover is opened and the printing medium is stored in the storage section when the rotation instruction is obtained from the operation section, the control section does not rotate the roller.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: further comprising a state changing section capable of changing a pressed state in which the roller and the thermal head are pressed, and a separated state in which the roller and the thermal head are separated, When the cover is opened, the control unit controls the state changing unit to bring the roller and the thermal head into a separated state.

4. The printing device according to claim 3, characterized in that When the cover is opened and the storage portion does not store the print medium when the rotation instruction is obtained from the operation portion, the control portion rotates the roller while maintaining a separated state between the roller and the thermal head.

5. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control unit rotates the roller for a predetermined time when the cover is open and the storage unit does not store the print medium when the rotation instruction is obtained from the operation unit.

6. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control unit notifies a predetermined error message when the cover is open and the printing medium is stored in the storage unit when the rotation instruction is obtained from the operation unit.

7. A computer program product for causing a computer of a printing device to execute processing, the printing device comprising: an operating unit; a thermal head for printing on a printing medium; a roller capable of conveying the printing medium by rotating in a state where the printing medium is clamped between the roller and the thermal head; a storage unit for storing the printing medium before printing by the thermal head; and a cover that is opened and closed when the printing medium is stored in the storage unit. The processing is: When a rotation instruction for instructing the rotation operation of the roller is obtained from the operation unit, the roller is rotated when the cover is open and the storage unit does not store the print medium.

8. A control method, a control method of a printing device, the printing device comprising: an operating unit; a thermal head for printing on a printing medium; a roller capable of conveying the printing medium by rotating while the printing medium is clamped between the roller and the thermal head; a storage unit for storing the printing medium before printing by the thermal head; and a cover for opening and closing when the printing medium is stored in the storage unit. The control method comprises: The step of rotating the roller when a rotation instruction for instructing a rotation operation of the roller is obtained from the operation unit and the cover is open and the storage unit does not store the print medium.

Images