Printer, method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To prevent rolling of a printed medium discharged after execution of printing thereon.SOLUTION: A printer (10) comprises: a storage part (26) that stores a rolled medium (TA) to be printed; an outlet (16) through which a cut printed medium (TB) obtained by executing printing on the rolled medium and further cutting it is discharged from a printer body (11); and a cover (13) that can be opened / closed with respect to the printer body and receives, in an opened state, the cut printed medium discharged through the outlet at a position lower than the outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method for a printing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a case that can store roll paper on which recording media is wound, and a cover that can open and close the case.The cover is opened when the roll paper is installed in the case, printing is performed on the recording media with the cover closed, and the printed recording media is discharged to the outside from an outlet at the boundary between the case and the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-047480 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In printing devices that store rolled print media inside the device body and perform printing, the print media often has a tendency to curl, resulting in the print media being discharged from the device body with a curved shape. This causes the curled print media to roll away after being discharged from the device body, making it difficult to collect the print media after printing. The printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not address this problem.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent a print medium that has been printed on and discharged from rolling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a storage section for storing a roll of printing medium, an outlet for discharging cut printing medium created by printing on the printing medium and then cutting it from the printing device main body comprising the storage section, and a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the printing device main body and, when in the open state, receives the cut printing medium discharged from the outlet at a position below the outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the print medium that has been printed on and discharged from rolling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the cover closed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device with the cover closed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device with the cover open. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of determination data used to determine the possibility of tape rolling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The illustrated printing device 10 is a label printer that creates labels by printing on tape T, a strip-shaped printing medium. The printing device 10 is installed so that the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction during printing, and the X-axis and Y-axis directions are horizontal.

[0010] The printing device 10 is controlled by a control unit 40 (see FIG. 5). The control unit 40 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 40 reads out a program stored in the memory and executes it through calculations in the processor, thereby controlling the operation of each unit in the printing device 10. Print data input to the printing device 10 is processed by the control unit 40, which controls each unit of the printing device 10 in accordance with the program, thereby controlling operations such as printing and conveying, which will be described below. The functions of a memory unit 41 and a determination unit 42, which will be described later, are realized by the operation of the processor, memory, etc.

[0011] The printing device 10 comprises a main body 11, a lid 12, and a cover 13. The main body 11 is equipped with the main components for printing on and transporting the tape T, and the main body 11 constitutes the main body of the printing device. The lid 12 and the cover 13 can each be opened and closed relative to the main body 11. FIGS. 1 and 3 show a state in which both the lid 12 and the cover 13 are closed, while FIGS. 2 and 4 show a state in which the lid 12 is closed and the cover 13 is open. The lid 12 is opened and closed by moving it in the Y-axis direction relative to the main body 11, and a boundary line L in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates the boundary between the main body 11 and the lid 12. The cover 13 is connected to the main body 11 via a hinge 14 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and is opened and closed by rotating the hinge 14 about the axis in the Y-axis direction.

[0012] The main body 11, lid 12, and cover 13 form the housing 15 of the printing device 10. The housing 15 is box-shaped and has six exterior surfaces: a front surface 15a facing the +Y direction, a rear surface 15b facing the -Y direction, a top surface 15c facing the +Z direction, a bottom surface 15d facing the -Z direction, a side surface 15e facing the +X direction, and a side surface 15f facing the -X direction. The top surface 15c and the bottom surface 15d are generally parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. The front surface 15a, the rear surface 15b, the side surface 15e, and the side surface 15f are each slightly inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction. Moving from the top surface 15c toward the bottom surface 15d, the distance between the front surface 15a and the rear surface 15b gradually increases, and the distance between the side surface 15e and the side surface 15f gradually increases. That is, when viewed along the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction, the housing 15 has a trapezoidal shape in which the bottom surface 15d is slightly wider than the top surface 15c.

[0013] The main body 11 forms most of the rear surface 15b, the top surface 15c, and the bottom surface 15d, as well as a portion of the side surface 15e and a portion of the side surface 15f that are continuous with the rear surface 15b. The lid 12 forms most of the front surface 15a, as well as a portion of the side surface 15e and a portion of the side surface 15f that are continuous with the front surface 15a. The cover 13 forms a portion of the side surface 15e, as well as a portion of the front surface 15a and a portion of the rear surface 15b that are continuous with the side surface 15e. As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the main body 11 is disposed so as to overlap the inside of the lid 12 and the cover 13 that form the side surface 15e.

[0014] When printing with the printer 10, it is placed on a support 1 (see Figures 3 and 4) such as a desk or floor with the bottom surface 15d facing downward. The support 1 has a flat surface that allows the printer 10 to stand on its own when placed on it. Based on the orientation of the printer 10 when in use and supported by the support 1, the +Z direction is defined as the upper side and the -Z direction is defined as the lower side.

[0015] 3 and 4, the main body 11 is provided with an outlet 16 for discharging the printed tape T from the main body 11 to the outside. The outlet 16 is an elongated opening extending in the Y-axis direction, and is located at a position facing the side surface 15e of the housing 15 (on the +X direction side).

[0016] When the cover 13 is closed, the tip end 13a, which is opposite the base end connected to and supported by the main body 11 via the hinge portion 14, is located above (in the +Z direction) the discharge opening 16. In other words, when the cover 13 is closed, the size of the cover 13 (the length in the direction of the rotation radius from the hinge portion 14) is large enough to cover the area where the discharge opening 16 is formed. The cover 13 has an opening 17 of approximately the same size and shape as the discharge opening 16, at a position that overlaps with the discharge opening 16 in the X-axis direction when the cover 13 is closed. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 13 is closed, the tape T discharged from the discharge opening 16 passes through the opening 17 and moves to the outside of the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover 13 is open, the opening 17 is located below and spaced apart from the path of movement of the tape T, and the tape T is discharged to the outside of the housing 15 only through the discharge opening 16.

[0017] Inside the main body 11, there are a print head 20 which is a printing unit that prints on the tape T, a platen roller 21 which is a transport unit that transports the tape T, and a full cutter 22 and a half cutter 23 which are cutting units that cut the tape T.

[0018] The print head 20 has multiple heating elements (not shown) arranged in the Y-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction. The print head 20 is capable of changing the position of the portion where the heating elements are arranged in the Z-axis direction, and moves between a separation position where the heating elements are separated from the platen roller 21, and a printing position where the heating elements are brought close to the platen roller 21. With the tape T sandwiched between the print head 20 and the platen roller 21, printing is performed by heating the heating elements of the print head 20 under the control of the control unit 40. Printing by the print head 20 is performed by thermal transfer, thermal printing, etc.

[0019] The platen roller 21 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the Y-axis direction. The driving force of a conveyance motor 24 is transmitted via a transmission unit 25 such as a gear train, causing the platen roller 21 to rotate.

[0020] A tape cartridge 27 can be stored in a storage section 26 provided inside the main body 11. The storage section 26 is a recess that is open on the +Y direction side, and is covered by the lid 12 in the closed state. By opening the lid 12, the storage section 26 is exposed, and the tape cartridge 27 can be attached to and detached from the storage section 26.

[0021] The tape cartridge 27 contains the tape T wound in a roll shape around a cylindrical tape core 28. Hereinafter, the rolled tape T (rolled print medium) contained in the tape cartridge 27 will be referred to as the tape roll TA. When the tape cartridge 27 is attached to the housing 26, the axis of the tape core 28 faces the Y-axis direction. In other words, the tape cartridge 27 is attached to the printing device 10 with the width direction of the tape T facing the Y-axis direction. The tape T pulled out from the tape roll TA to the outside of the tape cartridge 27 is supported by tape guides 29 provided on the tape cartridge 27.

[0022] When the lid 12 is open, the print head 20 is spaced apart from the platen roller 21. When the tape cartridge 27 is attached to the storage section 26, the tape T, which has been pulled out from the tape roll TA and is positioned just before being supported by the tape guide 29, enters between the print head 20 and the platen roller 21 in the spaced-apart state.

[0023] In conjunction with closing the lid 12, the print head 20 moves to the printing position, and the tape T is sandwiched between the print head 20 and the platen roller 21. During printing, the print head 20 is heated under the control of the control unit 40 while the tape T is sandwiched. Additionally, the platen roller 21 is rotated under the control of the control unit 40 while the tape T is sandwiched, thereby feeding the tape T in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] After printing has been performed by the print head 20, the tape T is transported in the discharge direction on the +X side by the rotation of the platen roller 21, and is discharged to the outside of the printing device 10 through the discharge outlet 16 (or through the discharge outlet 16 and the opening 17 when the cover 13 is closed). The transport direction of the tape T from the platen roller 21 to the discharge outlet 16 is roughly in the X-axis direction. The discharge outlet 16 is located between the top surface 15c and the bottom surface 15d of the housing 15 in the Z-axis direction (i.e., above the bottom surface 15d).

[0025] The printing device 10 is capable of printing on multiple types of tape T with different widths, and can print on each type of tape T using the print head 20 and transport the tape using the platen roller 21. The tape cartridge 27 is provided with a tape information recording unit that records information such as the width of the tape T stored therein, and the information from the tape information recording unit is read by a tape information reading unit 30 (see Figures 3 to 5) provided in the storage unit 26 and input to the control unit 40. The input tape information is stored in a memory unit 41 (see Figure 5) of the control unit 40. The function of the memory unit 41 is realized by a memory that constitutes the control unit 40. The tape information recording unit may indicate tape information by differences in the shape of the tape cartridge 27, or may record tape information electronically on an electronic chip or the like.

[0026] The multiple types of tape T used in the printing device 10 are standardized, and the length of the unused tape roll TA in the tape cartridge 27 is determined according to the width of the tape T. The control unit 40 calculates the feed amount of the tape T based on the drive amount of the platen roller 21 and other factors each time printing is performed. The remaining amount of the tape roll TA can then be calculated by subtracting the cumulative feed amount of tape for each print from the tape length of the unused tape roll TA. The cumulative feed amount is reset when the tape cartridge 27 is replaced with a new one, for example.

[0027] Inside the main body 11, a full cutter 22 and a half cutter 23 are provided before the discharge opening 16. The full cutter 22 cuts the entire thickness of the tape T (full cut). The half cutter 23 cuts the tape T halfway through its thickness (half cut), leaving the release paper behind. The full cutter 22 and half cutter 23 are each operated by the driving force of a cutter drive motor 31 (see FIG. 5), and constitute an automatic cutter that automatically performs cutting under the control of the control unit 40. The control unit 40 feeds the tape T by a feed amount based on label length information included in the print data, and drives the cutter drive motor 31 to cause the full cutter 22 or half cutter 23 to cut the tape T.

[0028] The tape T printed by the printing device 10 is further cut by the full cutter 22 to produce a cut tape TB (see FIGS. 3 and 4) which is a cut print medium separated from the tape roll TA on the tape cartridge 27 side. The cut tape TB is discharged to the outside of the housing 15 from the discharge port 16 (or the discharge port 16 and the opening 17 when the cover 13 is closed).

[0029] The unprinted tape roll TA housed in the tape cartridge 27 has a tendency to curl due to the roll shape wound around the tape core 28. Due to this tendency, the cut tape TB transported in the X-axis direction and discharged outside the housing 15 from the discharge opening 16 is likely to curl downward (be curved). Furthermore, because the discharge opening 16 is located above the bottom surface 15d in the Z-axis direction, the cut tape TB discharged from the discharge opening 16 falls downward in the −Z direction due to gravity. Therefore, the cut tape TB discharged from the discharge opening 16 falls below the discharge opening 16 while curled due to the tendency to curl and its own weight. If the curled cut tape TB falls as is, it may roll on the support unit 1 and move to a position away from the printing device 10, which creates a problem of time and effort required to collect the cut tape TB.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, by opening the cover 13 relative to the main body 11, the curled cut tape TB discharged from the discharge opening 16 can be received by the cover 13 at a position below the discharge opening 16, preventing the cut tape TB from rolling. In other words, the open cover 13 functions as a tray to receive the curled cut tape TB and hold the cut tape TB without letting it roll. Furthermore, the discharged cut tape TB rests on the open cover 13, making it easier to pick up the cut tape TB. Therefore, the printing device 10 makes it easier for the user to collect the cut tape TB, improving the workability of label production.

[0031] Cover 13 opens and closes by pivoting about hinge portion 14, which is located near the boundary between bottom surface 15d and side surface 15e of housing 15 (near the lower end of side surface 15e). In the open state, cover 13 extends in the +X direction below discharge opening 16. Therefore, the cut tape TB discharged in the +X direction from discharge opening 16 can be reliably received by open cover 13, which is located below the cut tape TB. In particular, cover 13 in the closed state covers the area from the base end supported by hinge portion 14 to the discharge opening 16. Accordingly, cover 13 extended in the +X direction in the open state has a length sufficient to receive the curled cut tape TB. Note that if the length of the cut tape TB significantly exceeds the length of cover 13 in the open state, the cut tape TB is less likely to curl in a manner that induces it to roll.

[0032] 4, in the open state, the cover 13 has a tip end 13a positioned higher (upper) than the base end supported by the hinge portion 14, and is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the X-axis direction. This has the effect of keeping the cut tape TB received by the cover 13 near the printing device 10 without moving it in a direction away from the printing device 10 (towards the +X direction).

[0033] 2, in the open state, the portion of the cover 13 that formed the side surface 15e of the housing 15 in the closed state becomes the bottom 13b, and both side portions in the Y-axis direction that formed part of the front surface 15a and part of the rear surface 15b of the housing 15 in the closed state become a pair of side walls 13c that protrude in the +Z direction. As a result, in the open state, the cover 13 forms a bathtub-shaped holding space with the bottom 13b and the pair of side walls 13c on both sides, thereby achieving excellent holding ability for the cut tape TB. In particular, by providing a pair of side walls 13c on both sides that protrude in the +Z direction, the effect of suppressing deviation of the cut tape TB in the Y-axis direction is achieved.

[0034] The cover 13 can be opened and closed while the lid 12 is attached to the main body 11. Therefore, while using the printing device 10, the cover 13 can be opened at any time to receive the cut tape TB. The cover 13 is shaped so as not to restrict movement of the lid 12 in the Y-axis direction relative to the main body 11, and the lid 12 can be opened and closed relative to the main body 11 whether the cover 13 is closed or open.

[0035] The main body 11 is provided with a cover drive mechanism 32 that opens and closes the cover 13. The cover drive mechanism 32 transmits the driving force of an opening / closing motor 33 to the cover 13 via a transmission unit 34 such as a gear train, causing the cover 13 to rotate around the hinge unit 14. The control unit 40 controls the opening and closing of the cover 13 via the cover drive mechanism 32.

[0036] The control unit 40 includes a determination unit 42 (see FIG. 5) that determines whether the cut tape TB being discharged from the discharge opening 16 is likely to roll, and when the determination unit 42 determines that there is a high possibility that the cut tape TB will roll, the control unit 40 operates the open / close motor 33 to automatically open the cover 13. In other words, the control unit 40 of the printing device 10 executes a control method that includes the steps of determining whether the cut tape TB being printed on and discharged from the discharge opening 16 is likely to roll, and, when it determines that there is a high possibility that the cut tape TB will roll, opening the cover 13 and causing the cover 13 to receive the cut tape TB at a position below the discharge opening 16.

[0037] The cut tape TB is more likely to roll when it has a curled shape that is close to a circle when viewed from the side. For example, the cut tape TB shown in Figure 3 is more likely to roll because the gap between one end and the other in the longitudinal direction is narrow and the curled shape is close to a circle. Furthermore, if the cut tape TB has no gap in the circumferential direction and is completely circular or has a shape that is close to a circle when viewed from the side (for example, a shape wound more than once), the cut tape TB is even more likely to roll.

[0038] Experimental results revealed that the main conditions affecting the ease with which cut tape TB rolls are the length of the cut tape TB (or, if it is curled, the length when unfolded in a straight line), the width of the cut tape TB, and the curvature of the cut tape TB. Basically, for each width of tape T, there is a range of lengths of cut tape TB within which rolling is likely to occur. Cut tape TB with lengths exceeding this range are less likely to curl significantly due to the influence of the tape T's own weight and tension. For cut tape TB with lengths below this range, even if there is a partial curve, the gap between one end of the cut tape TB tends to widen significantly, making it difficult for the cut tape TB to form a circular shape, and this gap limits the rolling of the cut tape TB. Furthermore, the wider the tape T, the wider the range of lengths of cut tape TB within which rolling is likely to occur, with shorter lengths being particularly prone to rolling.

[0039] Furthermore, as the curvature of the cut tape TB increases, it becomes more likely to roll. The main cause of the curled shape of the cut tape TB is the winding tendency of the tape roll TA inside the tape cartridge 27, and the curvature of the curled shape of the cut tape TB is correlated with the remaining amount of tape in the tape roll TA. As the remaining amount of tape roll TA decreases, the wound tape T approaches the tape core 28, reducing the winding diameter (roll radius), and increasing the curvature of the tape T. Furthermore, when cut out as cut tape TB, the end portion of the tape roll TA, which has a smaller winding diameter, has a larger curvature than the leading end portion, which has a larger winding diameter, and is therefore more likely to roll.

[0040] The storage unit 41 of the control unit 40 stores determination data that sets criteria for determining whether the cut tape TB is likely to roll based on the above conditions (information about the cut tape TB). Figure 6 shows an example of simplified determination data in the form of a table, in which the combinations of width and curvature of the cut tape TB are set in three stages along the horizontal axis, and the length of the cut tape TB is set in a continuous stage along the vertical axis. Note that the actual determination data may be set as table data in which the length of the cut tape TB is divided into a finite number of stages.

[0041] The curvature of the cut tape TB is categorized based on the winding diameter of the tape roll TA before use, with the curvature of the cut tape TB formed from the leading end region of the tape roll TA, which has a larger winding diameter, being small, the curvature of the cut tape TB formed from the middle region of the tape roll TA, which has a medium winding diameter, being medium, and the curvature of the cut tape TB formed from the trailing end region of the tape roll TA, which has a smaller winding diameter, being large. When the printer 10 prints and cuts the tape T to form the cut tape TB, it is possible to determine from the remaining amount information of the tape roll TA calculated by the control unit 40 which region of the leading end region, middle region, or trailing end region of the tape roll TA is the source.

[0042] The determination unit 42 in the control unit 40 determines the possibility of the cut tape TB rolling based on the determination data, by referring to the width of the tape T acquired using the tape information reading unit 30, the magnitude of curvature calculated based on the remaining amount of tape roll TA, and the length of the cut tape TB (the length of the label to be formed) acquired from the print data. As an example, the range indicated by the double-headed arrow in the determination data in FIG. 6 corresponds to the condition where the cut tape TB is likely to roll. If the condition related to the cut tape TB falls within this range, the determination unit 42 determines that the cut tape TB is likely to roll. If it is determined that the roll is likely, the control unit 40 sends a drive signal to the opening / closing motor 33 and causes the cover drive mechanism 32 to open the cover 13. If the cover 13 is already open, the control unit 40 keeps the cover 13 open.

[0043] In this way, when printing, transporting, and cutting tape T in the printing device 10, the possibility of rolling of the cut tape TB discharged from the discharge outlet 16 is determined, and the operation of the cover 13 is controlled according to the determination result, thereby automatically achieving the effect of the cover 13 in suppressing the rolling of the cut tape TB.

[0044] The control unit 40 controls the cover 13 to be in the open, unfolded state only when it is determined that there is a high possibility that the cut tape TB will roll, and when it is determined that there is a low possibility that the cut tape TB will roll, printing is performed with the cover 13 closed. This eliminates the need for extra power or time for the opening operation, compared to a configuration in which the cover 13 must be opened every time printing is performed, and allows printing to proceed efficiently.

[0045] When closed, cover 13 is large enough to cover discharge outlet 16 of main body 11, thereby providing the effect of protecting discharge outlet 16 and its surroundings. Furthermore, by extending cover 13 to a position that covers discharge outlet 16, cover 13, when unfolded in the open state, extends long below discharge outlet 16 in the feed direction of tape T, making it easier for cover 13 to receive cut tapes TB of various lengths and shapes. Cover 13 has opening 17 formed in a position that overlaps discharge outlet 16 when closed, and tape T discharged from discharge outlet 16 can pass through opening 17, so that the discharge operation of tape T is not impeded when cover 13 is closed.

[0046] As a modified example, it is possible to configure the cover 13 so that the tip end 13a of the cover 13 in the closed state is positioned below the discharge port 16, that is, the cover 13 in the closed state does not cover the discharge port 16. In this case, regardless of whether the cover 13 is open or closed, the discharge port 16 is always exposed to the side surface 15e of the housing 15, so there is no need to provide an opening corresponding to the opening 17 in the cover 13.

[0047] When the control unit 40 controls the operation of the cover drive mechanism 32, it is also possible to adjust the tilt angle of the cover 13 in the open state (the angle at which the cover 13 opens from the closed state) based on information such as the length of the cut tape TB. For example, since the longer the cut tape TB, the more space is required to hold the discharged cut tape TB, the control unit 40 sets the drive amount of the opening / closing motor 33 so that the longer the cut tape TB, the greater the opening angle of the cover 13 in the open state (the smaller the tilt angle of the cover 13 relative to the X-axis direction).

[0048] Alternatively, when the control unit 40 determines the possibility of the cut tape TB rolling in the determination unit 42, it may determine the degree of the likelihood of rolling at different levels, and set the drive amount of the open / close motor 33 according to the determined level to open the cover 13. For example, as the possibility of the cut tape TB rolling increases, the opening angle of the cover 13 from the closed state when opening the cover 13 may be reduced (the inclination angle of the cover 13 relative to the X-axis direction may be increased), thereby enhancing the effect of the open cover 13 in suppressing the rolling of the cut tape TB. In this case, the control unit 40 may control the cover 13 to set a minimum opening angle when opening the cover 13 so that the cover 13 does not interfere with the discharge of the cut tape TB from the discharge opening 16.

[0049] As a measure to prevent the cut tape TB from rolling, the control unit 40 may control the cover drive mechanism 32 to automatically open the cover 13, but may instead notify the user that it is recommended to open the cover 13 when the determination unit 42 determines that there is a high possibility that the cut tape TB will roll. The user may be notified using notification means such as a speaker or lamp provided in the printing device 10, or through an image display or sound on an external device (such as a portable information terminal) connected to the printing device 10 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0050] The user who has received the notification performs an operation to open the cover 13. As one operation example, the user operates the cover drive mechanism 32 to send an operation instruction, which drives the cover drive mechanism 32 to open the cover 13. As another operation example, the cover 13 is configured to be opened and closed manually by the user, and the user who has received the notification opens the cover 13 manually.

[0051] In the above embodiment, when determining the possibility of the cut tape TB rolling, the remaining amount of tape roll TA is referenced as information regarding the curvature of the cut tape TB. However, it is also possible to set conditions regarding the curvature of the cut tape TB based on the winding diameter (roll radius) of the tape roll TA. As explained above, the smaller the winding diameter of the tape roll TA, the greater the curvature of the cut tape TB after cutting. Therefore, by obtaining information about the winding diameter of the tape roll TA at the time of printing, it is possible to determine the possibility of rolling using determination data such as that shown in Figure 6. If the diameter of the tape core 28 is φd, the thickness of the tape T is t, and the length of the tape T is L, the winding diameter φD of the tape roll TA can be calculated using the following equation (1): (1)φD=√φd 2 +(4×t×L) / π

[0052] In the above embodiment, when the determination unit 42 determines whether the cut tape TB can roll, it references all of the information on the length, width, and curvature of the cut tape TB. This allows for highly accurate determination of the rollability of the cut tape TB and precise control of the opening and closing operation of the cover 13. However, this is not limited to the above embodiment. The rollability of the cut tape TB may be determined by reference to only one or two types of information: the length, width, and curvature of the cut tape TB. For example, considering that the length of the cut tape TB has a particularly large effect on the ease with which the cut tape TB can roll, the rollability may be determined based solely on the length of the cut tape TB. Furthermore, in the case of a printing device that can only print on tapes of one width, differences in rollability due to differences in tape width may be omitted from the determination.

[0053] When determining the rollability of the cut tape TB, in addition to the length, width, and curvature of the cut tape TB described in the above embodiment, it is also possible to make the determination taking into account information such as the thickness, hardness, and material of the tape T. The thickness, hardness, and material of the tape T are factors that affect whether the cut tape TB will form a curled shape that makes it easy to roll, so by making a determination taking this information into account, it is possible to achieve an even more accurate determination.

[0054] In the above-described printing device 10, the tape roll TA is housed in a tape cartridge 27, and the tape cartridge 27 is housed in the housing section 26 inside the main body 11. Unlike this configuration, the present invention can also be applied to a printing device of a type in which a roll of tape is directly attached to and housed in the housing section of the main body without using a tape cartridge. For rolled tape that is attached without using a tape cartridge, it is possible to obtain information about the length and width of the tape, as well as information about the curvature based on the remaining amount of tape and the winding diameter. As with the above-described printing device 10, the possibility of the tape rolling after printing and being discharged can be determined, and the cover opening operation can be controlled.

[0055] The above embodiments are specific examples shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10: Printing device, 11: Main body (printing device main body), 13: Cover, 15: Housing, 16: Discharge port, 17: Opening, 26: Storage section, 27: Tape cartridge, 32: Cover drive mechanism, 33: Opening / closing motor, 40: Control section, 41: Memory section, 42: Determination section, T: Tape (printing medium), TA: Tape roll (roll-shaped printing medium), TB: Cut tape (cut printing medium)

Claims

1. a storage section for storing a roll of printing medium; an outlet for discharging the cut print medium, which has been printed on and further cut, from the printing device body including the storage section; a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the printing device body and that, in an open state, receives the cut print medium discharged from the discharge opening at a position below the discharge opening; A printing device comprising:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has an opening at a position that overlaps with the discharge opening when the cover is closed, through which the cut print medium discharged from the discharge opening can pass.

3. the cover is supported so as to be openable and closable around a base end portion connected to the printing device body; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the cover is positioned higher than the base end when the cover is in an open state.

4. a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the cover, the control unit includes a determination unit that determines whether the cut print medium discharged from the discharge port can roll; 4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the cover to be in an open state when the determination unit determines that there is a high possibility that the cut printing medium will roll.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines whether the cut print medium can roll based on information about the cut print medium discharged from the discharge port.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein the information includes at least one of the length, width, curvature, thickness, hardness, material, and remaining amount of the cut printing medium.

7. A control unit provided in the printing device A step of determining whether the cut print medium on which printing has been performed can roll and is discharged from the discharge port of the printing device body; When it is determined that there is a high possibility that the cut printing medium will roll, an openable cover is opened relative to the printing device body, and the cut printing medium discharged from the discharge opening is received by the cover at a position below the discharge opening; A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:

8. A program for controlling a printing device, A process for determining whether the cut print medium on which printing has been performed and which is discharged from the discharge port of the printing device body can roll; a process of opening a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the printing device body when it is determined that there is a high possibility that the cut printing medium will roll, and causing the cover to receive the cut printing medium discharged from the discharge opening at a position below the discharge opening; a program for causing a control unit of the printing device to execute the above steps.

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