Tape printer and control method for tape printer

Abstract

To inhibit a decrease in the tape-feeding accuracy due to influence of backlash in a gear train mechanism.SOLUTION: From a state where a specific position of tape is in a detection position of a sensor 43, a tape printer 1 causes a drive motor 45a to rotate in one of first and second rotation directions by a first rotation amount and then causes the drive motor 45a to rotate in a direction opposite to the one direction. The printer measures a detected rotation amount, which is the amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a from when the drive motor 45a starts rotating in the reverse direction to when the passage of the specific position of the tape through the detection position is detected. The tape printer calculates an idle feed amount based on the measured detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount, where the idle feed amount is the amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a from the reversal of the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a until the start of rotation of a platen roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus and a method for controlling a tape printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device has been known that includes a drive motor and a gear train mechanism that transmits the drive motor's power to a feed roller that feeds the tape. In this type of printing device, to prevent a decrease in tape feeding accuracy due to the influence of backlash in the gear train mechanism when the drive motor's rotation direction is switched, after switching the drive motor's rotation direction, the drive motor is driven a certain amount corresponding to the backlash in the gear train mechanism before starting to drive the drive motor, which corresponds to the amount of tape feed. The amount of rotation of the drive motor after switching the drive motor's rotation direction until the feed roller starts to rotate is called the "idle feed amount." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-148926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, conventional printing devices are designed with a fixed amount of empty feed, but in reality, there are individual differences between devices. As a result, the designed empty feed amount and the actual empty feed amount may not match. In other words, conventional printing devices have the problem of insufficient tape feed accuracy even when they switch the rotation direction of the drive motor, drive the drive motor a fixed amount, and then start driving the drive motor equivalent to the tape feed amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The tape printing device of the present invention comprises a drive motor that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, a gear train mechanism that transmits the power of the drive motor to a feed roller that feeds the tape, a sensor that detects a specific position on the tape, and a control unit.The control unit performs measurement control to rotate the drive motor in either the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction by a first rotation amount from a state where the specific position on the tape is located at the detection position of the sensor, and then rotate the drive motor in the direction opposite to the one direction, measuring a detected rotation amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor from when the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction until it is detected that the specific position on the tape has passed the detection position, and calculation control to calculate an idle feed amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor from when the rotation direction of the drive motor is switched until the feed roller starts to rotate, based on the detected rotation amount measured by the measurement control and the first rotation amount.

[0006] The control method for a tape printing device of the present invention is a control method for a tape printing device that has a drive motor that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, a gear train mechanism that transmits the power of the drive motor to a feed roller that feeds the tape, and a sensor that detects a specific position on the tape, and the tape printing device performs the following steps: from a state in which the specific position on the tape is located at the detection position of the sensor, rotate the drive motor in one of the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction by a first rotation amount, then rotate the drive motor in the direction opposite to the one direction, and measure the detected rotation amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor from when the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction until it is detected that the specific position on the tape has passed the detection position; and based on the measured detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount, calculates the idle feed amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor from when the rotation direction of the drive motor is switched until the feed roller starts to rotate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a print head, a sensor, and a cutter. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tape. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tape printing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gear train mechanism. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading end of the tape is located in the −X direction from the detection position. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading end of the tape is located at a detection position. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the drive motor is rotated in a second rotation direction by a first rotation amount from a state in which the leading end of the tape is located at a detection position. FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the tape has been positioned to the beginning when the margin distance is shorter than the distance between the sensor heads; [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the tape has been positioned to the beginning when the margin distance is longer than the distance between the sensor heads; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading end of the tape is located in the +X direction from the detection position. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the drive motor is rotated in a first rotation direction by a first rotation amount from a state in which the leading end of the tape is located at a detection position. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a part of a flowchart according to Modification 1. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a tape printing device according to a second modification. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart according to Modification 2. [Figure 20]19 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The tape printing device and the method for controlling the tape printing device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in some of the drawings, directions based on an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system are used for the sake of convenience of explanation only, and do not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0009] 1 is an external view of a tape printing device 1 and a tape cartridge C. The tape printing device 1 is a device that prints on a long tape T. The tape printing device 1 according to this embodiment uses, as the tape T, a printing tape on which printing is performed and a release paper tape used as a release paper, which are superimposed on each other.

[0010] The tape printing device 1 includes a device case 3 and a mounting section cover 5. On the +Z direction surface of the device case 3, an operation key group 21, a display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24 are provided.

[0011] The operation key group 21 accepts various operations by the user, such as editing the print image to be printed on the tape T. The display 22 displays various information, such as an editing screen for the print image. The tape printing device 1 generates print data based on the user's editing operations for the print image, and performs printing processing based on the generated print data.

[0012] The cartridge mounting portion 23 is a recess that is open in the +Z direction. A tape cartridge C is removably mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23. The mounting portion cover 5 is rotatably attached to the end of the device case 3 in the +Y direction, and opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion 23.

[0013] The tape cartridge C includes a tape core 15, a platen roller 17, a supply core 18, a take-up core 19, and a cartridge case 11 that houses these. The platen roller 17 is an example of a "feed roller."

[0014] The tape T is wound around the tape core 15. The ink ribbon R is wound around the payout core 18. The ink ribbon R paid out from the payout core 18 is taken up by the take-up core 19. The cartridge case 11 is provided with a head insertion hole 12 penetrating in the Z direction. Furthermore, a tape outlet 13 extending in the Z direction is provided on the -X direction surface of the cartridge case 11. The tape T paid out from the tape core 15 is fed out of the cartridge case 11 from the tape outlet 13.

[0015] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a print head 26 and a head cover 20. The print head 26 prints on the tape T. The head cover 20 partially covers the print head 26.

[0016] A platen drive shaft 25, a supply shaft 28, and a take-up shaft 29 protrude in the +Z direction from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 23. The platen drive shaft 25 is an example of a "roller drive shaft." When a tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23, the platen drive shaft 25, the supply shaft 28, and the take-up shaft 29 engage with the platen roller 17, the supply core 18, and the take-up core 19, respectively.

[0017] Furthermore, when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23, the print head 26 and head cover 20 are inserted into the head insertion hole 12. Subsequently, when the mounting portion cover 5 is closed, the print head 26 is moved toward the platen roller 17 by a head movement mechanism (not shown). As a result, the tape T and ink ribbon R are sandwiched between the print head 26 and the platen roller 17.

[0018] In this state, when the drive motor 45a (see FIG. 4) provided in the tape printing device 1 rotates in a first rotation direction, the platen roller 17 and the take-up core 19 rotate so that the tape T is fed out of the cartridge case 11 from the tape feed outlet 13 and the ink ribbon R is taken up onto the take-up core 19. At this time, the tape T is fed in the -X direction toward the tape discharge outlet 24. The -X direction is an example of a "first feed direction." When the motor rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the platen roller 17 and the pay-out core 18 rotate so that the tape T is pulled back into the cartridge case 11 and the ink ribbon R is rewound onto the pay-out core 18. At this time, the tape T is fed in the +X direction. The +X direction is an example of a "second feed direction."

[0019] The print head 26 generates heat according to the print data when the tape T is being fed in the -X direction. This causes the ink on the ink ribbon R to be transferred to the tape T, and a print image based on the print data is printed on the tape T. The tape T after printing is then discharged from the tape discharge port 24.

[0020] A sensor 43 and a full cutter 27 are provided between the cartridge loading section 23 and the tape ejection port 24 (see FIG. 2). The sensor 43 detects the leading end of the tape T, which is the end of the tape T in the -X direction. The leading end of the tape T is an example of a "specific position on the tape." The full cutter 27 cuts the tape T in the Z direction, i.e., in the tape width direction. This separates the printed portion of the tape T.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the print head 26, sensor 43, and full cutter 27. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of each component when the tape cartridge C is installed in the cartridge installation section 23. Therefore, the platen roller 17 housed in the cartridge case 11 of the tape cartridge C is positioned opposite the print head 26 with the tape T sandwiched between them.

[0022] 2, the detection position of sensor 43 is located in the -X direction from the printing position of print head 26. Sensor 43 includes a light-emitting unit 43a and a light-receiving unit 43b located opposite light-emitting unit 43a across tape T. In the following description, the distance in the X direction between the detection position of sensor 43 and the printing position of print head 26 is referred to as the "sensor head distance HS."

[0023] Incidentally, when the printing process is completed, the printed portion of the tape T is cut off, so the leading edge of the tape T is normally located at the cutting position of the full cutter 27. However, depending on the usage conditions of the tape cartridge C, the leading edge of the tape T may be located in the +X direction from the detection position of the sensor 43. For example, this may occur when the user removes the tape cartridge C from the cartridge mounting portion 23 and accidentally cuts the tape T near the tape outlet 13 of the cartridge case 11 with scissors.

[0024] In this way, the leading edge of the tape T is not always located at the cutting position of the full cutter 27, so the tape printing device 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position based on the detection result of the sensor 43. Specifically, when the sensor 43 is in a light-receiving state, the tape printing device 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position, and when the sensor 43 is in a light-blocking state, the tape printing device 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position.

[0025] 3 is a diagram showing an example of tape T. In FIG. 3, the hatched area on tape T indicates a print target area ES. The print target area ES refers to the area where printing is performed by the print head 26. The print target area ES is a rectangular area that surrounds the print image to be printed on tape T.

[0026] In the following description, the distance from the leading edge of the tape T to the edge of the print target area ES in the -X direction is referred to as the "margin distance ML." The edge of the print target area ES in the -X direction is the printing start position on the tape T.

[0027] The hardware configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The tape printer 1 includes an operation key group 21, a sensor 43, a control unit 44, a print head 26, a feed mechanism 45, and a cutting mechanism 46.

[0028] The operation key group 21 includes letter keys, numeric keys, and a print key, which is used by the user to instruct the start of printing.

[0029] The sensor 43 is a transmission type sensor including a light-emitting portion 43a and a light-receiving portion 43b (see FIG. 2), and detects the presence or absence of the tape T at the detection position while the tape T is being fed by the feeding mechanism 45. In this embodiment, the sensor 43 is used to determine whether the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction or the -X direction from the detection position, and whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position.

[0030] The control unit 44 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 44b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 44c. The RAM 44c includes a first storage unit M1 for storing the idle feed amount calculated by calculation control, which will be described later.

[0031] The CPU 44a performs various controls by loading a control program, such as firmware stored in the ROM 44b, into the RAM 44c and executing it. Note that the control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit, such as an ASIC, as a processor instead of the CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit, such as an ASIC, operate in cooperation with each other.

[0032] The print head 26 includes a group of heating elements (not shown) and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The group of heating elements is a group of multiple heating elements arranged along the Z direction.

[0033] The feed mechanism 45 includes a drive motor 45a, a gear train mechanism 50, and a platen drive shaft 25. The drive motor 45a rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The gear train mechanism 50 includes multiple gears and transmits the power of the drive motor 45a to the platen drive shaft 25. The platen drive shaft 25 engages with a platen roller 17 provided on the tape cartridge C, causing the platen roller 17 to rotate.

[0034] In this embodiment, the drive motor 45a is a stepping motor, and the control unit 44 controls the feed amount of the tape T based on the number of drive steps by which the drive motor 45a rotates.

[0035] The gear train mechanism 50 transmits the power of the drive motor 45a to the platen drive shaft 25 so that when the drive motor 45a rotates in a first rotation direction, the platen roller 17 feeds the tape T in the -X direction, and when the drive motor 45a rotates in a second rotation direction, the platen roller 17 feeds the tape T in the +X direction.

[0036] The cutting mechanism 46 includes a cutter motor 46a and a full cutter 27. The cutter motor 46a is a drive source that drives the full cutter 27. When the cutter motor 46a is driven, the full cutter 27 operates and cuts the tape T in the Z direction.

[0037] The gear train mechanism 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the gear train mechanism 50 includes a first gear 51 and a second gear 52. The first gear 51 is a driving gear to which power is input from the drive motor 45a. The second gear 52 is a driven gear to which power is input from the first gear 51.

[0038] For example, when the drive motor 45a rotates in a first rotation direction, the first gear 51 rotates in a rotation direction R1, and the second gear 52 rotates in a rotation direction R3. When the drive motor 45a rotates in a second rotation direction, the first gear 51 rotates in a rotation direction R2, and the second gear 52 rotates in a rotation direction R4.

[0039] A slight gap known as backlash BL is provided between the tooth surfaces of the first gear 51 and the second gear 52. The backlash BL is a clearance between the tooth surfaces that allows the pair of meshing gears to rotate smoothly. Because of this backlash BL between the tooth surfaces of the gears, when the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched, a discrepancy occurs between the designed feed amount of the tape T based on the number of drive steps of the drive motor 45a and the actual feed amount of the tape T. The amount of this discrepancy varies from tape printer 1 to tape printer 1. The amount of discrepancy also differs depending on the individual tape cartridge C. This is because the amount of gap in the rotation direction of the platen roller 17 at the engagement portion between the platen drive shaft 25 and the platen roller 17 when the tape cartridge C is installed in the cartridge installation portion 23 differs for each tape cartridge C.

[0040] Therefore, in the tape printing device 1 according to this embodiment, in order to prevent a decrease in the feeding accuracy of the tape T due to the influence of the backlash BL of the gear train mechanism 50, after the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched, the drive motor 45a is driven by an amount equivalent to the backlash BL of the gear train mechanism 50, and then the drive motor 45a starts to be driven by an amount equivalent to the feed amount of the tape T. The amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a after the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched and before the platen roller 17 starts to rotate is called the "idle feed amount." Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 according to this embodiment does not store this idle feed amount in advance, but calculates it by actually driving the drive motor 45a to feed the tape T.

[0041] In this way, the tape printing device 1 actually drives the drive motor 45a to feed the tape T, thereby calculating the amount of idle feed that takes into account individual differences between the tape printing device 1 and the tape cartridge C, and therefore can more reliably prevent a decrease in the feeding accuracy of the tape T due to the influence of backlash BL of the gear train mechanism 50. As a result, the tape printing device 1 can prevent the printing start position on the tape T from shifting from the printing position by the print head 26, causing an error in the margin distance ML of the tape T.

[0042] The following provides a detailed description of control for suppressing such a decrease in the feeding accuracy of the tape T. Note that the gear train mechanism 50 shown in Figure 5 is an example, and is not limited to two gears, and may be configured with three or more gears.

[0043] The function of the control unit 44 (see FIG. 4) will now be described. The control unit 44 performs the following measurement control and calculation control to calculate the idle feed amount. First, the measurement control when the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position of the sensor 43 before feeding of the tape T begins will be described. In this case, the control unit 44 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction so that the leading edge of the tape T is located at the detection position. After that, from a state in which the leading edge of the tape T is located at the detection position of the sensor 43, the control unit 44 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction by a first rotation amount, and then rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction. Thereafter, the control unit 44 measures the detected rotation amount, which is the amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a from the start of rotation of the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction until it is detected that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Note that when the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position of the sensor 43, this means that the sensor 43 detects the tape T at the detection position.

[0044] Next, measurement control will be described for the case where the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position of the sensor 43 before the tape T starts to be fed. In this case, the control unit 44 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction so that the leading edge of the tape T is located at the detection position. After that, the control unit 44 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by a first rotation amount from a state where the leading edge of the tape T is located at the detection position of the sensor 43, and then rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction. The control unit 44 then measures the detected rotation amount, which is the amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a from the start of rotation of the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction until it is detected that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Note that a case where the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position of the sensor 43 means that the sensor 43 does not detect the tape T at the detection position.

[0045] After the measurement control, the control unit 44 performs the calculation control. As the calculation control, the control unit 44 calculates the idle feed amount based on the detected rotation amount measured by the measurement control and the first rotation amount. More specifically, the control unit 44 calculates the idle feed amount as the rotation amount obtained by subtracting the first rotation amount from the detected rotation amount. Note that the detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount refer to the number of drive steps of the drive motor 45a.

[0046] Next, the flow of the printing process of the tape printer 1 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 9 and the explanatory diagrams of tape positions of FIGS. 10 to 16. The printing process of the tape printer 1 is an example of a "method of controlling a tape printer." This printing process is started when the tape printer 1 acquires a print start command. The tape printer 1 acquires the print start command when the user operates the print key in the operation key group 21. When the tape printer 1 acquires the print start command, it generates print data based on the results of editing the print image by the user. The printing process described below is executed based on this print data.

[0047] In step S01 of FIG. 6, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position. When the sensor 43 is in a light-blocking state, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, and when the sensor 43 is in a light-receiving state, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position. When the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, the tape printer 1 proceeds to step S02. When the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position, the tape printer 1 proceeds to step S21 of FIG. 8.

[0048] In step S02, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the +X direction.

[0049] In step S03, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-blocking state to a light-receiving state. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state when the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S04. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S02.

[0050] In step S04, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a by a first rotation amount in the second rotation direction. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the drive motor 45a is rotated by the first rotation amount in the second rotation direction after it is determined in step S03 that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Figure 12 shows a state in which the tape T is fed by a first distance L1 in the +X direction as a result of the drive motor 45a being rotated by the first rotation amount in the second rotation direction.

[0051] In step S05, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the second rotation direction to the first rotation direction.

[0052] In step S06, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the −X direction.

[0053] In step S07, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-receiving state to a light-blocking state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 7. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S06.

[0054] 7, the tape printing device 1 measures the detected rotation amount. The tape printing device 1 measures, as the detected rotation amount, the amount of rotation of the drive motor 45a from when the drive motor 45a starts to rotate in the first rotation direction in step S06 until when it is determined in step S07 that the specific position on the tape T has passed the detection position. Note that steps S04 to S08 are an example of "measurement control."

[0055] In step S09, the tape printing apparatus 1 calculates the idle feed amount. The tape printing apparatus 1 calculates the idle feed amount by subtracting the first rotation amount from the detected rotation amount measured in step S08. Note that step S09 is an example of "calculation control."

[0056] In step S10, the tape printing device 1 stores the idle feed amount in the first storage unit M1.

[0057] In step S11, the tape printing apparatus 1 determines whether the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS. If the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS, the process proceeds to step S12. If the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML is longer than the sensor head distance HS, or if the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML and the sensor head distance HS are equal, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0058] In step S12, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction.

[0059] In step S13, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction by {idle feed amount + (HS - ML)}. At this time, the tape printer 1 refers to the first memory unit M1 and reads the idle feed amount from the first memory unit M1. (HS - ML) is the distance obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the sensor head distance HS. In step S13, the tape T is fed in the +X direction by the length obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the sensor head distance HS, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state after the tape T has been fed in step S13. In this way, when the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS, the tape printer 1 performs cueing of the tape T by feeding the tape T in the +X direction by the length obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the sensor head distance HS, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position.

[0060] In step S14, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the second rotation direction to the first rotation direction.

[0061] In step S15, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by the idle feed amount. At this time, the tape printing device 1 refers to the first memory unit M1 and rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by the idle feed amount read out from the first memory unit M1. At this time, the platen roller 17 does not rotate.

[0062] In step S16, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction and drives the print head 26. In this way, the tape printer 1 performs printing on the tape T.

[0063] In step S17, the tape printer 1 determines whether printing has finished. "Printing has finished" means that control based on the print data has finished. If the tape printer 1 determines that printing has finished, it ends the printing process. If the tape printer 1 determines that printing has not finished, it returns to step S16.

[0064] The tape printing device 1 may erase the blank feed amount stored in the first storage unit M1 when printing is completed. Alternatively, when storing the blank feed amount in the first storage unit M1, if a blank feed amount has been previously stored in the first storage unit M1, the tape printing device 1 may overwrite the blank feed amount with the newly calculated blank feed amount. The same applies to step S35 described later.

[0065] In step S18, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by a distance obtained by subtracting the sensor head distance HS from the margin distance ML. As a result, the tape T is fed in the -X direction by a distance obtained by subtracting the sensor head distance HS from the margin distance ML, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. FIG. 14 shows the state after the tape T has been fed in step S18. In this way, when the margin distance ML is longer than the sensor head distance HS, the tape printer 1 positions the beginning of the tape T by feeding the tape T in the -X direction by a distance obtained by subtracting the sensor head distance HS from the margin distance ML, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. Furthermore, when the tape printer 1 determines that the margin distance ML and the sensor head distance HS are equal, the distance obtained by subtracting the sensor head distance HS from the margin distance ML is 0, and therefore the tape T has been positioned without being fed. After step S18, the tape printer 1 proceeds to step S16.

[0066] 8, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the −X direction.

[0067] In step S22, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-receiving state to a light-blocking state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S23. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S21.

[0068] In step S23, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a by a first rotation amount in the first rotation direction. Figure 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the drive motor 45a is rotated by the first rotation amount in the first rotation direction after it is determined in step S22 that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Figure 16 shows a state in which the tape T is fed by a second distance L2 in the -X direction as a result of the drive motor 45a being rotated by the first rotation amount in the first rotation direction.

[0069] In step S24, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction.

[0070] In step S25, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the +X direction.

[0071] In step S26, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-blocking state to a light-receiving state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S27 in FIG. 9. On the other hand, if the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S25.

[0072] 9, the tape printing device 1 measures the detected rotation amount. The tape printing device 1 measures the rotation amount of the drive motor 45a from when it starts to rotate the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction in step S25 until it is determined in step S26 that the specific position on the tape T has passed the detection position, as the detected rotation amount. Note that steps S23 to S27 are an example of "measurement control."

[0073] In step S28, the tape printing device 1 calculates the amount of idle feed. The tape printing device 1 calculates the amount of idle feed by subtracting the first amount of rotation from the amount of rotation detected in step S27. Note that step S28 is an example of "calculation control."

[0074] In step S29, the tape printing device 1 stores the idle feed amount in the first storage unit M1.

[0075] In step S30, the tape printing apparatus 1 determines whether the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS. If the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS, the process proceeds to step S31. If the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML is longer than the sensor head distance HS, or if the tape printing apparatus 1 determines that the margin distance ML and the sensor head distance HS are equal, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0076] In step S31, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction by a length obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the distance between the sensor heads HS. As a result, the tape T is fed in the +X direction by a length obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the distance between the sensor heads HS from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state after the tape T has been fed in step S31. In this way, when the margin distance ML is shorter than the distance between the sensor heads HS, the tape printing device 1 locates the beginning of the tape T by feeding the tape T in the +X direction by a length obtained by subtracting the margin distance ML from the distance between the sensor heads HS from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position.

[0077] In step S32, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the second rotation direction to the first rotation direction.

[0078] In step S33, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by the idle feed amount. At this time, the tape printing device 1 refers to the first memory unit M1 and rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by the idle feed amount read out from the first memory unit M1. At this time, the platen roller 17 does not rotate.

[0079] In step S34, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction and drives the print head 26. In this way, the tape printer 1 performs printing on the tape T.

[0080] In step S35, the tape printer 1 determines whether printing has finished. If it determines that printing has finished, the tape printer 1 ends the printing process. If it determines that printing has not finished, the tape printer 1 returns to step S34.

[0081] In step S36, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the second rotation direction to the first rotation direction.

[0082] In step S37, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by {idle feed amount + (ML - HS)}. At this time, the tape printer 1 references the first memory unit M1 and reads the idle feed amount from the first memory unit M1. (ML - HS) is the length obtained by subtracting the distance HS between the sensor heads from the margin distance ML. In step S37, the tape T is fed in the -X direction by the length obtained by subtracting the distance ML between the sensor heads from the distance HS between the sensor heads, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the state after the tape T has been fed in step S37. In this way, when the margin distance ML is longer than the distance HS between the sensor heads, the tape printer 1 locates the beginning of the tape T by feeding the tape T in the -X direction by the length obtained by subtracting the distance HS between the sensor heads from the margin distance ML, from the state in which the leading edge of the tape T is at the detection position. Furthermore, if the tape printing device 1 determines that the margin distance ML and the sensor head distance HS are equal, the length obtained by subtracting the sensor head distance HS from the margin distance ML is 0, which means that the tape T has been positioned to its beginning without feeding the tape T. After step S37, the tape printing device 1 proceeds to step S34.

[0083] As explained above, the tape printing device 1 can calculate the idle feed amount taking into account individual differences in the tape printing device 1, based on the detected amount of rotation measured by actually driving the drive motor 45a and feeding the tape T. This allows the tape printing device 1 to suppress a decrease in the feeding accuracy of the tape T due to individual differences in the gear train mechanism 50 or the tape cartridge C. As a result, the tape printing device 1 can suppress an error in the margin distance ML of the tape T, which occurs when the printing start position on the tape T is shifted from the printing position by the print head 26.

[0084] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 can calculate the idle feed amount by a simple calculation process such as subtracting the first rotation amount from the detected rotation amount.

[0085] Furthermore, if the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position before the tape T starts to be fed, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the measurement control in the second rotation direction from when the leading edge of the tape T passes the detection position until the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position, and then rotates it in the first rotation direction. Furthermore, if the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position before the tape printer 1 starts to feed the tape T, the tape printer 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction from when the leading edge of the tape T passes the detection position until the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, and then rotates it in the second rotation direction. In this way, the tape printer 1 changes the feed direction in the measurement control depending on whether the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position before the tape T starts to be fed. Therefore, the detected rotation amount can be measured by simply switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a once, regardless of the position of the leading edge of the tape T before the tape T starts to be fed.

[0086] Regardless of the above embodiment, the following modifications can be adopted. [Variation 1] After the determination in step S11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is "Yes," the tape printing apparatus 1 may perform the process shown in FIG.

[0087] 17, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a a second amount of rotation in the first direction. The second amount of rotation may be greater than, less than, or the same as the first amount of rotation. This positions the leading edge of the tape T in the -X direction relative to the detection position.

[0088] In step S42, the tape printing apparatus 1 switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction.

[0089] In step S43, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the +X direction.

[0090] In step S44, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-blocking state to a light-receiving state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S45. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S43.

[0091] In step S45, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction by (HS-ML), where (HS-ML) is the distance between the sensor heads HS minus the margin distance ML.

[0092] Note that steps S46 to S49 are similar to steps S14 to S17 shown in FIG. 7, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] As described above, when the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position and the margin distance ML is shorter than the sensor head distance HS before starting tape feeding, the tape printer 1 according to this modification does not rotate the drive motor 45a by the idle feed amount between measuring the detected rotation amount and performing head alignment. That is, after measuring the detected rotation amount, the tape printer 1 according to this modification temporarily feeds the tape T in the -X direction so that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, switches the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a, and then determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. This allows the tape printer 1 to further reduce the impact of backlash BL in the gear train mechanism 50 when the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction. As described above, the tape printer 1 according to this modification has a longer job time than the tape printer 1 according to the above embodiment, but is able to more reliably prevent a decrease in tape T feeding accuracy.

[0094] Note that if the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position before feeding of the tape T begins, after measuring the detected rotation amount, the control according to this modified example, i.e., the control of temporarily feeding the tape T in the +X direction so that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position, is not necessary. This is because, when the margin distance ML is shorter than the distance HS between the sensor heads, it is not necessary to switch the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a after measuring the detected rotation amount and before performing cueing. On the other hand, when the margin distance ML is longer than the distance HS between the sensor heads, it is necessary to switch the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a after measuring the detected rotation amount and before performing cueing. However, in this case, the margin distance ML of the tape T is long, so there is no significant disruption to the printing results.

[0095] As a further variant, if the leading edge of the tape T is in the +X direction from the detection position before the tape T starts to be fed and the margin distance ML is longer than the distance HS between the sensor heads, the tape printing device 1 may perform control to reverse the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a in steps S41 to S43 after measuring the detected rotation amount and before performing head positioning.

[0096] [Variation 2] The tape printing device 1 does not have to be configured to calculate the idle feed amount for each printing process, as in the above embodiment. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tape printing device 1 according to this modified example. The tape printing device 1 according to this modified example has an open / close detection unit 41 that detects whether the tape attachment unit cover 5 is open or closed. The open / close detection unit 41 is an example of an "attachment / detachment detection unit." The open / close detection unit 41 is a mechanical switch that detects whether the tape attachment unit cover 5 is open or closed. The tape printing device 1 according to this modified example also has a second memory unit M2 in the ROM 44b. The second memory unit M2 is an example of a "memory unit." The ROM 44b according to this modified example is assumed to be a rewritable ROM.

[0097] When the control unit 44 according to this modification calculates the idle feed amount, it stores the calculated idle feed amount in the second memory unit M2. Then, if the idle feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2 before starting to feed the tape T, the control unit 44 starts feeding the tape T without performing the measurement control and calculation control shown in the above embodiment. On the other hand, if the idle feed amount is not stored in the second memory unit M2 before starting to feed the tape T, the control unit 44 starts feeding the tape T after performing the measurement control and calculation control.

[0098] Furthermore, when the open / close detection unit 41 detects that the tape cartridge mount cover 5 is open, the control unit 44 erases the idle feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2. That is, when the control unit 44 detects that the tape cartridge mount cover 5 is open, it determines that the tape cartridge C is being removed and erases the idle feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2. The reason why the idle feed amount is erased when the tape cartridge mount cover 5 is opened is because the amount of gap in the rotation direction of the platen roller 17 at the engagement portion between the platen drive shaft 25 and the platen roller 17 varies depending on the individual tape cartridge C.

[0099] 19 is a flowchart showing printing processing according to this modified example. In step S51, the tape printing device 1 determines whether or not a blank feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2. If the tape printing device 1 determines that a blank feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2, the process proceeds to step S52. If the tape printing device 1 determines that a blank feed amount is not stored in the second memory unit M2, the process proceeds to step S01 in FIG. 6. In this case, the tape printing device 1 stores the blank feed amount calculated in step S10 in FIG. 7 and step S29 in FIG. 9 in the second memory unit M2.

[0100] In step S52, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position, the process proceeds to step S53. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position, the process proceeds to step S71 in FIG. 20.

[0101] In step S53, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the +X direction.

[0102] In step S54, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-blocking state to a light-receiving state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S55. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S53.

[0103] Note that steps S55 to S62 are similar to steps S30 to S37 in Fig. 9, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In this case, however, the tape printing apparatus 1 reads out the idle feed amount from the second storage unit M2 in steps S58 and S62.

[0104] 20, the tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction, thereby feeding the tape T in the −X direction.

[0105] In step S72, the tape printer 1 determines whether the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position. Here, the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position when the sensor 43 changes from a light-receiving state to a light-blocking state. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, it proceeds to step S73. If the tape printer 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T has not passed the detection position, it returns to step S71.

[0106] Note that steps S73 to S80 are similar to steps S11 to S18 in Fig. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. However, in this case, the tape printing apparatus 1 reads out the idle feed amount from the second storage unit M2 in steps S75 and S77.

[0107] As described above, according to the tape printing device 1 of this modified example, if the idle feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2 before the feeding of the tape T begins, there is no need to perform measurement control and calculation control, and therefore the job time can be shortened.

[0108] Furthermore, depending on the individual differences of the tape cartridge C, the amount of gap in the rotation direction of the platen roller 17 may differ at the engagement portion between the platen roller 17 and the platen drive shaft 25. However, according to the tape printing device 1 of this modified example, when the open / close detection unit 41 detects that the mounting unit cover 5 has been opened, the amount of empty feed stored in the second memory unit M2 is erased, so that the amount of empty feed can be calculated taking into account the individual differences of the mounted tape cartridge C.

[0109] As a further modification, the tape printing device 1 may erase the idling feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2 when it is detected that the mounting unit cover 5 is closed, rather than when the open / close detection unit 41 detects that the mounting unit cover 5 is open.

[0110] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 may be provided with an attachment detection unit (not shown) that detects whether or not the tape cartridge C is attached to the cartridge attachment unit 23, instead of the open / close detection unit 41. In this case, the attachment detection unit is an example of the "attachment / detachment detection unit." The attachment detection unit is, for example, a mechanical switch provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge attachment unit 23. When the attachment detection unit detects that the tape cartridge C has been attached to the cartridge attachment unit 23 or that the tape cartridge C has been removed from the cartridge attachment unit 23, the tape printing device 1 may erase the idling feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2.

[0111] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 may be provided with a tape type detection unit (not shown) that detects the type of tape cartridge C instead of the open / close detection unit 41. In this case, the tape type detection unit is an example of an "attachment / detachment detection unit." The tape type detection unit optically reads, for example, a code image (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the tape cartridge C. Alternatively, the tape type detection unit reads tape type information from a circuit board having a memory element or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag (neither of which are shown) provided on the tape cartridge C. If the tape type detected by the tape type detection unit is changed from the tape type detected last time, the tape printing device 1 simply erases the idle feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2.

[0112] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 may erase the idle feed amount stored in the second storage unit M2 in accordance with a user instruction, rather than detecting the attachment or detachment of the tape cartridge C.

[0113] [Variation 3] 6, if the tape printing device 1 determines that the leading edge of the tape T is in the +X direction from the detection position before starting to feed the tape T, it determines whether the margin distance ML is shorter than the distance HS between the sensor heads, and if it determines that the margin distance ML is longer than the distance HS between the sensor heads, it may omit the measurement control and the calculation control. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may determine "No" in step S73 after steps S71 and S72 in FIG. 20, and then execute steps S80, S78, and S79.

[0114] [Variation 4] 9, if the tape printing device 1 determines that the margin distance ML is longer than the sensor head distance HS, it may rotate the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction by (ML - HS) in step S37. That is, the tape printing device 1 may omit rotating the drive motor 45a by the idle feed amount in step S37. This is because if the margin distance ML is long, this does not significantly affect the printing results.

[0115] [Variation 5] The sensor 43 may be a reflective sensor instead of a transmissive sensor.

[0116] [Variation 6] The tape printing device 1 may use die-cut label tape as the printing medium. Die-cut label tape has multiple labels arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction on a backing tape. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may detect a detection target provided between the labels as the "specific position on the tape." For example, the detection target may be a detection hole or a predetermined mark.

[0117] In die-cut label tape, the detection portions do not necessarily have to be located between the labels. For example, the detection portions may be recesses or protrusions provided at the end of the mount tape in the +Z or −Z direction corresponding to each label.

[0118] [Variation 7] The tape printing device 1 calculates the amount of blank feed by subtracting the first amount of rotation from the detected amount of rotation, but the amount of blank feed may also be calculated using a predetermined formula in which the value obtained by subtracting the first amount of rotation from the detected amount of rotation is used as a variable.

[0119] [Variation 8] The firmware for the tape printer 1 may be provided to the customer as a program. Alternatively, a storage medium on which the firmware for the tape printer 1 is recorded may be provided to the customer. The tape printer 1 may use a printing method other than the thermal transfer method, such as an inkjet method. The tape printer 1 does not have to be configured to be able to mount a tape cartridge C. For example, the tape printer 1 may include a platen roller and print on a tape T supplied from outside the tape printer 1. The drive motor 45a may be a DC motor or other drive motor instead of a stepping motor. In this case, the detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount may refer to, for example, the number of pulses of an encoder provided on the DC motor. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0120] [Note] The tape printing device and the method for controlling the tape printing device will be described below. The tape printing device 1 includes a drive motor that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, a gear train mechanism 50 that transmits the power of the drive motor 45a to the platen roller 17 that feeds the tape T, a sensor 43 that detects a specific position of the tape T, and a control unit 44. The control unit 44 performs measurement control to rotate the drive motor 45a in one of the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction by a first rotation amount from a state where the specific position of the tape T is located at the detection position of the sensor 43, and then rotate the drive motor 45a in the direction opposite to the first direction, and measure a detected rotation amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor 45a from when the rotation of the drive motor 45a in the reverse direction starts until it is detected that the specific position of the tape T has passed the detection position, and calculation control to calculate an idle feed amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor 45a from when the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched until the platen roller 17 starts rotating, based on the detected rotation amount measured by the measurement control and the first rotation amount.

[0121] The control method for the tape printing device 1 is a control method for the tape printing device 1 that includes a drive motor 45a that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, a gear train mechanism 50 that transmits the power of the drive motor 45a to the platen roller 17 that feeds the tape T, and a sensor 43 that detects a specific position of the tape T, and the tape printing device 1 executes the following steps: from a state in which the specific position of the tape T is located at the detection position of the sensor 43, the tape printing device 1 rotates the drive motor 45a in one of the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction by a first rotation amount, and then rotates the drive motor 45a in the direction opposite to the one direction, and measures the detected rotation amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor 45a from when the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a starts to change until it is detected that the specific position of the tape T has passed the detection position; and, based on the measured detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount, calculates the idle feed amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor 45a from when the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a is switched until the platen roller 17 starts to rotate.

[0122] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 can calculate the amount of idling that takes into account the individual differences of the tape printing device 1 based on the detected amount of rotation measured by feeding the tape T, and thus can reliably suppress the deterioration of the feeding accuracy of the tape T due to the influence of the backlash BL of the gear train mechanism 50.

[0123] In the above-described tape printing device 1, it is preferable that the control unit 44 calculates the amount of rotation obtained by subtracting the first amount of rotation from the detected amount of rotation as the amount of idle feed.

[0124] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 can calculate the idle feed amount by simple calculation processing.

[0125] In the above-described tape printing device 1, the gear train mechanism 50 transmits the power of the drive motor 45a to the platen roller 17 so that when the drive motor 45a rotates in a first rotation direction, the platen roller 17 feeds the tape T in the first feed direction, and when the drive motor 45a rotates in a second rotation direction, the platen roller 17 feeds the tape T in the +X direction, which is the opposite direction to the first feed direction; if a specific position on the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position before feeding of the tape T begins, the control unit 44 rotates the drive motor 45a in the second rotation direction so that the specific position is located at the detection position; and in measurement control, it is preferable that from a state in which the specific position is located at the detection position, the drive motor 45a is rotated in the second rotation direction as one direction, and then rotated in the first rotation direction as the opposite direction.

[0126] According to this configuration, when a specific position on the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position before the tape T starts to be fed, the tape printing device 1 can measure the detected rotation amount by simply switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a once during measurement control.

[0127] In the above-mentioned tape printing device 1, when a specific position on the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position before feeding of the tape T starts, the control unit 44 preferably rotates the drive motor 45a in a first rotation direction so that the specific position is located at the detection position, and in measurement control, from a state in which the specific position is located at the detection position, it is preferable to rotate the drive motor 45a in the first rotation direction as one direction, and then rotate it in the second rotation direction as the opposite direction.

[0128] According to this configuration, even when the specific position of the tape T is located in the +X direction from the detection position before the tape T starts to be fed, the tape printing device 1 can measure the detected rotation amount by simply switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 45a once in the measurement control, just as when the specific position of the tape T is located in the -X direction from the detection position.

[0129] In the above-described tape printing device 1, the control unit 44 stores the calculated idle feed amount in the second memory unit M2, and if the idle feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2 before starting to feed the tape T, it starts feeding the tape T without performing measurement control and calculation control, and if the idle feed amount is not stored in the second memory unit M2 before starting to feed the tape T, it is preferable to start feeding the tape T after performing measurement control and calculation control.

[0130] According to this configuration, if the idle feed amount is stored in the second memory unit M2 before feeding of the tape T begins, the tape printing device 1 does not need to perform measurement control and calculation control, thereby reducing the job time.

[0131] The above-described tape printing device 1 further includes a cartridge mounting section 23 into which a tape cartridge C containing a tape T and a platen roller 17 is detachably mounted, a platen drive shaft 25 that engages with the platen roller 17 and rotates the platen roller 17 by transmitting power from a drive motor 45a via a gear train mechanism 50, and an open / close detection section 41 that detects at least one of the removal of the tape cartridge C from the cartridge mounting section 23 and the installation of the tape cartridge C, and it is preferable that the control section 44 erases the idle feed amount stored in the second memory section M2 when the open / close detection section 41 detects that the tape cartridge C has been removed or that the tape cartridge C has been installed.

[0132] The amount of gap in the rotation direction of the platen roller 17 varies at the engagement portion between the platen roller 17 and the platen drive shaft 25 depending on the individual tape cartridge C. With this configuration, when the tape printing device 1 detects that the tape cartridge C has been removed or installed, it erases the idle feed amount stored in the second memory unit M2, and is therefore able to calculate the idle feed amount appropriate for the installed tape cartridge C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1...tape printing device, 17...platen roller, 23...cartridge mounting section, 25...platen drive shaft, 43...sensor, 44...control section, 45a...drive motor, 50...wheel train mechanism, C...tape cartridge, M2...second memory section, T...tape.

Claims

1. a drive motor that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a gear train mechanism that transmits the power of the drive motor to a feed roller that feeds the tape; a sensor for detecting a specific position on the tape; a control unit, The control unit a detection amount of rotation of the drive motor from when the specific position on the tape is located at the detection position of the sensor to when the drive motor is rotated by a first rotation amount in one of the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction, and then when the drive motor is rotated in the direction opposite to the first direction, and a detection amount of rotation of the drive motor from when the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction to when it is detected that the specific position on the tape has passed the detection position is measured; and a calculation control that calculates an idle feed amount of the drive motor from when the rotation direction of the drive motor is switched to when the feed roller starts to rotate, based on the detection amount of rotation measured by the measurement control and the first rotation amount.

2. 2. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the idle feed amount as the rotation amount obtained by subtracting the first rotation amount from the detected rotation amount.

3. the gear train mechanism transmits power of the drive motor to the feed roller so that, when the drive motor rotates in the first rotation direction, the feed roller feeds the tape in a first feed direction, and, when the drive motor rotates in the second rotation direction, the feed roller feeds the tape in a second feed direction opposite to the first feed direction; The tape printing device described in claim 1, characterized in that, before the tape feed starts, if a specific position on the tape is located in the first feed direction from the detection position, the control unit rotates the drive motor in the second rotation direction so that the specific position is located at the detection position, and in the measurement control, from a state where the specific position is located at the detection position, rotates the drive motor in the second rotation direction as the one direction, and then rotates the drive motor in the first rotation direction as the reverse direction.

4. The tape printing device described in claim 3, characterized in that, before the tape feed starts, if a specific position on the tape is located in the second feed direction from the detection position, the control unit rotates the drive motor in the first rotation direction so that the specific position is located at the detection position, and in the measurement control, from a state where the specific position is located at the detection position, rotates the drive motor in the first rotation direction as the one direction, and then rotates the drive motor in the second rotation direction as the reverse direction.

5. 2. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the calculated idle feed amount in a memory unit, and if the idle feed amount is stored in the memory unit before starting to feed the tape, starts feeding the tape without performing the measurement control and the calculation control, and if the idle feed amount is not stored in the memory unit before starting to feed the tape, starts feeding the tape after performing the measurement control and the calculation control.

6. a cartridge mounting portion to which a tape cartridge containing the tape and the feed roller is detachably mounted; a roller drive shaft that engages with the feed roller and rotates the feed roller by transmitting power of the drive motor via the gear train mechanism; a mounting / dismounting detection unit that detects at least one of the removal of the tape cartridge from the cartridge mounting unit and the mounting of the tape cartridge, The tape printing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit erases the idle feed amount stored in the memory unit when the attachment / detachment detection unit detects that the tape cartridge has been removed or that the tape cartridge has been attached.

7. a drive motor that rotates in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; a gear train mechanism that transmits the power of the drive motor to a feed roller that feeds the tape; a sensor for detecting a specific position on the tape, The tape printing device a step of rotating the drive motor by a first rotation amount in one of the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction from a state where the specific position on the tape is located at the detection position of the sensor, and then rotating the drive motor in a direction opposite to the one direction, and measuring a detected rotation amount, which is the rotation amount of the drive motor from when the drive motor starts to rotate in the opposite direction until it is detected that the specific position on the tape has passed the detection position; a step of calculating an idle feed amount, which is the amount of rotation of the drive motor until the feed roller starts to rotate after the rotation direction of the drive motor is switched, based on the measured detected rotation amount and the first rotation amount.

Images