Printer, printing control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a printer, a printing control method, and a program which can efficiently create a label.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a thermal head 7 which performs printing in a printing region Ar1 of a tape member 5; a platen roller 8 which conveys the tape member 5; a half-cut mechanism 9b being first cutting means which forms a partial layer cutting part 92 in which a partial layer of the tape member 5 is cut; a full-cut mechanism 9a being second cutting means which is arranged so as to have a gap β between the half-cut mechanism 9b and itself and forms a full-layer cutting part 91 in which the full layer of the tape member 5 is cut; and a control unit 10 which controls the cutting operation of the full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b so as to form a pair of the partial layer cutting part 92 adjacent to the printing region Ar1 and the full-layer cutting part 91 arranged at a position farther from the printing region Ar1 than the partial layer cutting part 92, on the upstream side of the printing region Ar1 in the tape member 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a printing device (referred to as a "label creation device" in Patent Document 1) that prints characters, figures, etc. using a printing unit while transporting a print medium such as a tape material, and then creates a label by cutting the printed print medium with a cutter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such a printing device, the cutter is disposed downstream of the printing unit in the transport direction, and after printing, the print medium is transported to the cutter position and cut. However, the printing unit and the cutter are spaced apart by a certain distance. Therefore, if the next printing is started in the same position after cutting the print medium, a blank area will be created from the leading edge of the print medium to the printing start position where nothing is printed.

[0004] Therefore, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the direction of rotation of the transport roller is changed by controlling the power supply to the motor, making it possible to transport the print medium in both forward and reverse directions, and if the leading edge of the print medium is too far from the printing unit, the print medium is rewound to fill in the blank space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-121672 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if the print medium is repeatedly transported in the forward direction and the reverse direction during a series of printing operations, it takes time accordingly, and printing efficiency decreases.

[0007] In particular, the print medium used in such a printing device includes a substrate having an adhesive layer and a release layer that covers the adhesive layer and is peeled off from the substrate when the label is used. In addition to full cutting to separate the label, the print medium is also half-cut, cutting only the substrate portion to make it easier to peel the substrate from the release layer when used. As a result, in order to perform full cuts and half cuts at the appropriate positions, the printing medium had to be transported forward and backward many times, which created the problem of taking a long time to create labels.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a printing device, a printing control method, and a program that can efficiently produce labels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the printing device of the present invention comprises: a printing means for printing on a printing area of ​​a print medium; a conveying means for conveying the print medium in a conveying direction and in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a first cutting means for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting means disposed at a distance from the first cutting means and configured to form a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the print medium; a control means for controlling the cutting operations of the first cutting means and the second cutting means to form a pair of the partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cutting portion located at a position farther from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion, on the upstream side of the printing area in the printing medium; Equipped with the control means conveys the print medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction until the leading edge of the print medium reaches a print start position; When the leading edge of the print medium is positioned at the print start position, printing is performed on the print area of ​​the print medium by a printing means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to produce labels efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an external configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view showing the printing device shown in FIG. 1 with the cover open. FIG. [Figure 3] 2. (a) is an enlarged view of the part III indicated by a box in FIG. 2, and (b) is an enlarged view of the part b indicated by a circle in (a). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of the control configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a print control process in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in the printing device of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in the printing device of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in the printing device of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in the printing device of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a conventional printing device, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a conventional printing device, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a conventional printing device, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a conventional printing device, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a conventional printing device, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a print control process in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a printing device of a second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 17]10A and 10B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a printing device of a second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a printing device of a second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of the printing procedure in a printing device of a second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view of the device showing the printing unit to the cutting mechanism, and (b) is a plan view of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in (a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a printing device, a printing control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9(a) and 9(b). It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the external configuration of a printing device in this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the printing device with the cover open in Fig. 1. Fig. 3(a) is an enlarged view of part III shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of part b shown in Fig. 3(a). FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing device. The printing device 1 of this embodiment is a label printer that prints on a tape member 5, which is a long print medium, to create a label 50 (see FIG. 9(b), etc.). In the following, a thermal transfer label printer using an ink ribbon will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a thermal method using thermal paper.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 includes a device housing 2 having a cassette housing section 21 therein. The cassette housing portion 21 houses a tape cassette 51. The tape cassette 51 houses a tape member 5 and an ink ribbon (not shown). A lid 3 is provided on a portion of the device housing 2 in a position that covers the cassette housing section 21. When a button 3a is pressed, a locking mechanism (not shown) of the lid 3 is released, and the lid 3 rotates upward and opens as shown in Fig. 2. With the lid 3 in the open state, the user can insert or remove the tape cassette 51.

[0015] In this embodiment, unevenness such as notches and recesses (not shown) is provided at different positions on the corners of the tape cassette 51, depending on the type of tape material 5 stored therein, such as the tape width. A tape type detection unit (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of unevenness on the tape cassette 51 is provided inside the cassette storage unit 21 at a position corresponding to the corners of the tape cassette 51, and by obtaining detection information from the tape type detection unit, the control unit 10 can determine the type of tape material 5 stored in the tape cassette 51, such as the tape width, and whether the tape cassette 51 is set in the cassette storage unit 21.

[0016] Further, within the cassette housing portion 21, there is provided a printing means for printing on a printing area Ar1 (see FIG. 6(b) and the like) of the tape member 5, which is a long print medium. In this embodiment, the printing means includes a thermal head 7 (see FIG. 2, etc.) equipped with a plurality of heating elements 71. The operation of the thermal head 7 (heating elements 71) is controlled by a head drive circuit 17 (see FIG. 4), and printing is performed in accordance with print data. The plurality of heating elements 71 are arranged across the width direction of the tape member 5 when the tape cassette 51 is housed in the cassette housing portion 21. A thermistor 72 (see FIG. 4) is embedded in the thermal head 7. The thermistor 72 measures the temperature of the thermal head 7 (heating element 71) and outputs the temperature to the control unit .

[0017] Furthermore, a platen roller 8 is provided at a position facing the thermal head 7 with the tape member 5 interposed therebetween as a transport means for transporting the tape member 5, which is a print medium, in a transport direction along the length direction. FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged view of the area within a frame III indicated by a dashed line in FIG. As shown in Figure 3(a), the platen roller 8 faces the thermal head 7 at a portion where the heating elements 71 are arranged. When the tape member 5 passes between the platen roller 8 and the thermal head 7, the platen roller 8 presses the tape member 5 toward the thermal head 7 (heating elements 71). This allows printing to occur, and the portion where the platen roller 8 and the thermal head 7 (heating elements 71) face each other is the "printing position p" in this embodiment.

[0018] The platen roller 8 is rotated by a transport motor 80 (see FIG. 4 ), which will be described later, and transports the tape member 5 appropriately along the transport direction (the longitudinal direction of the tape member 5). In this embodiment, the platen roller 8, which is transport means, is configured to be able to transport the tape member 5 in a first direction (a direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, the forward direction) from the thermal head 7, which is printing means, toward an outlet 22 that discharges the tape member 5, and in a second direction opposite thereto (a direction from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction, the reverse direction). Furthermore, a tape core engagement shaft that engages with the tape core around which the tape member 5 in the tape cassette 51 is wound in a roll, and a take-up shaft that takes up the printed ink ribbon (neither of which is shown) are provided inside the cassette accommodating section 21. The take-up shaft is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) to appropriately take up the ink ribbon.

[0019] An outlet 22 is formed on the side of the device housing 2 (in this embodiment, the right side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) at a position corresponding to the cassette storage section 21 as an outlet section through which the labels 50 cut off from the tape member 5 after printing are discharged. The tape member 5 (labels 50) on which printing has been performed inside the printing device 1 is discharged from the outlet 22 to the outside of the device.

[0020] In the device housing 2, between the thermal head 7, which is a printing means, and the discharge outlet 22, a full-cut mechanism 9a and a half-cut mechanism 9b are provided as cutting mechanisms for cutting the tape member 5. The full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b are both provided across the width of the tape member 5, and are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction at a "fixed distance α" (see FIG. 3(a), for example, about 6 mm). In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), the full-cut mechanism 9a is arranged downstream in the transport direction of the thermal head 7, which is the printing unit, and the half-cut mechanism 9b is arranged further downstream in the transport direction than the full-cut mechanism 9a.

[0021] FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the circled portion b of the tape member 5 (the label 50 cut off from the long tape member 5) surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 3(a). As shown in Figure 3(b), the tape member 5, which is the printing medium in this embodiment, comprises a base material 5a having an adhesive layer (not shown), and a release layer 5b that is provided to cover the adhesive layer and is peeled off from the base material 5a when the label 50 is used (attached).

[0022] The full-cut mechanism 9a is a second cutting means that has a cutting blade that cuts the base material 5a of the tape member 5, which is the print medium, along the width direction together with the release layer 5b, and performs a so-called full-cut operation. The full-cut mechanism 9a as the second cutting means forms a full-layer cut section 91 that cuts all layers of the tape member 5 (i.e., the base material 5a and release layer 5b). The full-cut mechanism 9a performs the cutting operation using the power of a full-cut mechanism drive motor 90a (see FIG. 4).

[0023] The half-cut mechanism 9b has a cutting blade that cuts only the base material 5a of the tape member 5 along the width direction, and is a first cutting means that performs a so-called half-cut operation. The half-cut mechanism 9b as the first cutting means forms a partial layer cut portion 92 by cutting a portion of the layer (i.e., the base material 5a) of the tape member 5. The half-cut mechanism 9b performs the cutting operation using the power of a half-cut mechanism drive motor 90b (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the "constant distance α" between the full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b refers to the distance between the center position m of the cutting blade of the full-cut mechanism 9a and the center position n of the cutting blade of the half-cut mechanism 9b (see Figure 3(a)).

[0024] In this embodiment, a detection unit 13 is provided between the full cut mechanism 9a and the portion where the platen roller 8 and the thermal head 7 (heating element 71) face each other (i.e., the "printing position p"). The detection unit 13 is configured with, for example, a photosensor or the like, and detects the leading end position of the tape material 5 on the transport path.

[0025] Normally, once the label 50 is created, the label 50 is separated from the tape member 5 by the full cut mechanism 9a and discharged outside the device, and the leading end of the remaining tape member 5 is positioned at a position corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a (i.e., the center position m of the cutting blade of the full cut mechanism 9a, not shown). Except for exceptional cases such as when the tape cassette 51 is replaced, the leading edge of the tape medium 5 at the start of the printing process is located at the center position "m" of the cutting blade of this full-cut mechanism 9a. Note that in Figure 6(b) and Figures 10(b) and 16(b) described below, the position corresponding to the center position "m" of the cutting blade is indicated by a dashed line.

[0026] The "printing position p" and the full cut mechanism 9a (center position m of the cutting blade) are separated by a "distance β" (see Figure 3), and if printing is started while the tape member 5 is in a fully cut state, unnecessary margins will be created in front of the printing area Ar1 (see Figure 6(b), etc.) where printing is performed. For this reason, before printing starts, the tape member 5 is temporarily fed in the opposite direction of the feeding direction (i.e., the reverse direction, the second direction) to adjust the leading edge position of the tape member 5 to an appropriate position relative to the "printing position p" (for example, printing may start 2 mm from the leading edge position of the tape member 5, hereinafter also referred to as the "printing start position"). By detecting the leading edge position of the tape member 5 with the detection unit 13, the leading edge position of the tape member 5 can be accurately adjusted to an appropriate position (the "printing start position") relative to the "printing position p".

[0027] The distance from the leading end of the tape member 5 to be set as the "print start position" is stored in advance in the memory unit 11 or the like as a default value or an arbitrary setting value set by the user. It should be noted that the "print start position" and the "print position p" coincide when printing starts without leaving a gap from the leading end position of the tape member 5. In this case, the leading end position of the tape member 5 is adjusted to be positioned at the "print position p."

[0028] It should be noted that providing the detection unit 13 is not an essential configuration. The "distance β" between the "printing position p" and the full-cut mechanism 9a (center position m of the cutting blade) is known on the device side. Therefore, when the leading edge position of the tape material 5 is correctly located at a position corresponding to the full-cut mechanism 9a (center position m of the cutting blade), the leading edge position of the tape material 5 can be conveyed backward by a certain distance based on the "distance β" without the detection unit 13 detecting the leading edge position of the tape material 5. However, when the user replaces the tape cassette 51, the leading end position of the tape member 5 is pulled downstream from the position corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a (the center position m of the cutting blade). It is also possible that the cutting blade 9a is not fully cut, or that the cutting blade 9a has not reached the position corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a (center position m of the cutting blade). In this regard, it is preferable to provide a detection unit 13, because no matter where the leading end of the tape member 5 is located, the leading end position can be accurately determined and aligned with an appropriate position ("print start position") relative to the "print position p." In the following embodiment, an example in which a detection unit 13 is provided will be described.

[0029] The lid 3 is formed with a window 31 so that even when the lid 3 is closed, it is possible to visually check whether or not a tape cassette 51 is housed in the printing device 1. The lid 3 also has a display unit 4.

[0030] The display unit 4 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or other flat display. In this embodiment, the display unit 4 may display various setting values ​​input by the user, as well as character strings and designs to be printed on the label 50, so that the user can check them. A touch panel for various inputs may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 4. In this case, the touch panel also functions as the input unit 6.

[0031] An input unit 6 is also provided on the device housing 2. The input unit 6 includes various keys such as character input keys, a cross key, a conversion key, and an enter key. As mentioned above, if a touch panel is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 4, the touch panel functions as the input unit 6, and the user can perform various input and setting operations by touching the touch panel.

[0032] As described above, the printing device 1 includes the display unit 4, input unit 6, thermal head 7 (heating element 71), thermistor 72, platen roller 8, detection unit 13, full cut mechanism 9a, and half cut mechanism 9b, as well as a control unit 10, a memory unit 11, a power supply circuit 12, a display unit drive circuit 14, a head drive circuit 17, a conveyance motor drive circuit 18, a cutter motor drive circuit 19, etc., as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] The control unit 10 is a control means including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 11 also includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), both not shown, and a FLASH (registered trademark) memory, which is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that functions as a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 10 and the storage unit 11 constitute a computer, and the control unit 10 loads various programs stored in the ROM or the like into a working area of ​​the RAM and executes them, thereby controlling the operation of each unit of the printing device 1 in an integrated manner.

[0034] Specifically, the control unit 10 cooperates with a program (for example, a print processing application program) to realize various functions for the printing device 1 to perform printing. Each function of the control unit 10 may be realized by the control unit 10 executing a program (software), or may be realized by a dedicated module (hardware).

[0035] The storage unit 11 (for example, a flash memory serving as the storage unit 11) stores a program (such as the source code of the program) for printing on the tape member 5, and various data required for executing the program (for example, character data (kanji, katakana, hiragana, alphabet, etc.) composed of several types of fonts, data on symbols and figures, spacing between figures and characters, predetermined width margins, and various other data required for printing operations). In addition, if there is data created by the user, the user-created data is also saved in the storage unit 11.

[0036] The power supply circuit 12 is a power supply unit that generates an output voltage from the voltage from the power supply and supplies power to each unit of the printing device 1. The power source may be an internal battery or the like, or an external power source connected via a cable or the like.

[0037] The display unit drive circuit 14 is a controller that controls the operation of the display unit 4, and under the control of the control unit 10, controls the driver of the display unit 4 to perform display based on the display data. That is, the display unit drive circuit 14 receives display data output from the control unit 10, and causes the display unit 4 to display various display screens based on this display data.

[0038] The head driving circuit 17 is a head driving unit that drives the thermal head 7 (heating elements 71) based on control signals and print data supplied from the control unit 10. When the user issues a print command, data specifying characters, symbols, figures, etc. selected or input by the user from the input unit 6 or the like for creating the label 50 is sent as print data to the head drive circuit 17 via the control unit 10. The head drive circuit 17 controls whether to apply or not apply voltage to the multiple heating elements 71 based on the print data. The head drive circuit 17 selectively applies current to the heating elements 71 in accordance with print data, causing the heating elements 71 to generate heat and heat the ink ribbon. As a result, the thermal head 7 prints on the tape member 5 by thermal transfer.

[0039] The conveyance motor drive circuit 18 drives the conveyance motor 80 to rotate the platen roller 8 . The conveyor motor 80 is, for example, a stepping motor, and enables accurate conveyance by driving it in steps corresponding to the pulse signal input from the conveyor motor drive circuit 18. As described above, the platen roller 8 in this embodiment can freely rotate in both the forward and reverse directions in the conveyance direction, and the conveyor motor drive circuit 18 switches the signal input to the conveyor motor 80 as needed to switch whether the platen roller 8 rotates forward or backward.

[0040] During printing, the transport motor drive circuit 18 controls the drive of the transport motor 80 so that the rotation of the platen roller 8 (that is, the transport of the tape member 5) is synchronized with the speed at which printing by the thermal head 7 progresses. During printing, a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the take-up shaft that takes up the ink ribbon also operates in synchronization with the rotation of the platen roller 8, so that the transport of the tape material 5, printing by the thermal head 7, and take-up of the printed ink ribbon are all timed with high precision.

[0041] The cutter motor drive circuit 19 controls the operation of a full-cut mechanism drive motor 90a that operates the full-cut mechanism 9a and a half-cut mechanism drive motor 90b that operates the half-cut mechanism 9b, thereby performing a full cut or half cut on the tape material 5 at an appropriate position.

[0042] The print control method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9(a) and 9(b). Figures 6(a) to 9(a) are schematic top views of the essential parts of the device showing the positional relationship from the thermal head 7, which is the printing unit, to each cutting mechanism (i.e., the full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b), and Figures 6(b) to 9(b) are schematic plan views of the essential parts of the tape member, showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in Figures 6(a) to 9(a). In Figures 6(a) to 9(a) and Figures 6(b) to 9(b), the outline arrows indicate the conveyance direction of the tape member 5. In Figures 6(b) to 9(b), the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), full cut mechanism 9a, and half cut mechanism 9b, which are originally extended across the width of the tape member 5, are only shown with marks to indicate their respective positions for the sake of convenience.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the power switch of the printing device 1 is turned on and a print start instruction is input, the control unit 10 causes the detection unit 13 to detect the leading end position of the tape member 5 (step S1), and based on this detection result, causes the tape member 5 to be transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction (second direction) until the leading end position of the tape member 5 reaches the "print start position" (step S2, see Figures 6(a) and 6(b)). Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the transport motor drive circuit 18 to operate the transport motor 80, causing the platen roller 8 to rotate in the opposite direction to the transport direction, thereby transporting the tape member 5 in the reverse direction. The distance from the detection unit 13 to the "print position p" is known by the control unit 10, so when the detection unit 13 detects the leading end position of the tape member 5, the control unit 10 calculates the distance from that position to the "print start position" and controls the transport motor drive circuit 18 to transport the tape member 5 in the reverse direction by the required distance.

[0044] When the leading end position of the tape member 5 is positioned at the "printing start position," the control unit 10 operates the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), the transport motor 80, etc. to print characters, figures, etc. in the printing area Ar1 of the tape member 5 (step S3, see Figures 7(a) and 7(b)). That is, the control unit 10 controls the platen roller 8 to rotate in the forward direction of the transport direction (first direction) in accordance with the printing speed of the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), so that the printing operation and the transport operation are synchronized.

[0045] When the printing operation is completed, the control unit 10 controls the cutting operation of the half-cut mechanism 9b, which is the first cutting means, and the full-cut mechanism 9a, which is the second cutting means, to form a pair of partial-layer cutting sections 92 adjacent to the printing area Ar1 and full-layer cutting sections 91 positioned further away from the printing area Ar1 than the partial-layer cutting section 92 on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the printing area Ar1 on the tape member 5.

[0046] That is, first, the control unit 10 operates the transport motor 80 and the like to transport the tape member 5 in the forward transport direction, and positions the half-cut mechanism 9b at an arbitrary position upstream of the printing area Ar1 (a half-cut position where the partial layer cut portion 92 is formed) (step S4). For example, if printing is started about 2 mm from the leading end of the tape member 5, the control unit 10 transports the tape member 5 so that the half-cut mechanism 9b is positioned about 2 mm upstream of the end of the character string printed in the printing area Ar1. Then, the half-cut mechanism 9b performs a half-cut at that position, forming the partial layer cut portion 92 (step S5, see FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b)).

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 10 performs a full cut at that position using the full-cut mechanism 9a to form a full-layer cut portion 91 (step S6, see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)). As a result, a pair of a partial-layer cut portion 92 and a full-layer cut portion 91 is formed, and a peel-off margin area Ar2 is secured between the partial-layer cut portion 92 and the full-layer cut portion 91. In this manner, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the conveying operation of the platen roller 8, which is the conveying means, so that the tape member 5 is not conveyed during the cutting operation to form the paired partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91.

[0048] As a result, a peeling margin area Ar2 is formed between the partial layer cutting section 92 and the full layer cutting section 91, the width of which (in the conveying direction, the width in the longitudinal direction of the tape member 5) matches the "constant distance α" between the half cut mechanism 9b and the full cut mechanism 9a. Thereafter, the label 50 cut off from the tape member 5 is discharged from the discharge outlet 22 (step S7), and the remaining tape member 5 is positioned with its tip portion corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a (see Figures 9(a) and 9(b)).

[0049] By adopting such a configuration, an appropriate peeling margin area Ar2 is ensured on the label 50, while avoiding repeated switching between forward and reverse conveyance of the tape member 5 more than with conventional methods, thereby enabling the label 50 to be produced more efficiently. 10(a) and 10(b), in the conventional method, first, the tape member 5 is conveyed in the forward direction to a position where a peeling margin area Ar2 can be secured at the leading end of the tape member 5. In other words, the tape member 5 is conveyed so that the half-cut mechanism 9b is positioned upstream in the conveying direction from the leading end of the tape member 5 by the width of the peeling margin area Ar2, and a cutting operation is performed by the half-cut mechanism 9b at that position (half-cut position) to form a partial layer cut portion 92 (see FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b)).

[0050] Thereafter, the platen roller 8 is rotated once in the reverse direction of the conveying direction, and the tape member 5 is conveyed in the reverse direction until the leading end position of the tape member 5 is positioned at the "printing start position" so that the printing area Ar1 is positioned after the peeling margin area Ar2 (see Figures 12(a) and 12(b)). When the leading end of the tape member 5 is positioned at the "printing start position," the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), platen roller 8, etc. are operated to print characters, figures, etc. in the printing area Ar1 while transporting the tape member 5 in the forward transport direction (see Figures 13(a) and 13(b)).

[0051] Furthermore, after printing is completed, the tape member 5 is conveyed in the forward direction of the conveyance until the full-cut mechanism 9a is positioned upstream of the printing area Ar1 in the conveyance direction, and the full-cut mechanism 9a is operated at an arbitrary position (full-cut position) to form a full-layer cut portion 91 (see FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b)). As a result, the label 50a is cut off from the tape member 5 and discharged from the discharge opening 22.

[0052] In such a conventional procedure, before printing starts, the tape member 5 must be transported in the forward direction to the half-cut position, and then transported in the reverse direction to the "print start position" and rewound. This increases the distance that the tape member 5 must be transported between the initial position of the tape member 5 before the start of operation (i.e., the position where the leading end of the tape member 5 corresponds to the full-cut mechanism 9a) and the half-cut position (the distance equal to the sum of the width of Ar2 and the width of the fixed interval α), and requires extra time. The pair of partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91 for securing peeling margin area Ar2 may be located either upstream or downstream of print area Ar1 in the transport direction. In this regard, as in the configuration shown in this embodiment, by forming a pair of a partial layer cutting section 92 and a full layer cutting section 91 upstream of the printing area Ar1 in the transport direction after printing, it is possible to eliminate the effort and time required to transport the tape member 5 in the forward and reverse directions back and forth to the half-cut position before printing begins, and to create a label 50 as shown in Figure 9(b), which has a peel-off margin area Ar2 upstream of the printing area Ar1 in the transport direction.

[0053] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment comprises a thermal head 7, which is a printing unit that prints on the printing area Ar1 of the tape member 5, which is a long print medium; a platen roller 8, which is a transport means that transports the tape member 5 in a transport direction along the longitudinal direction; a half-cut mechanism 9b, which is a first cutting means that forms a partial-layer cut portion 92 by cutting a portion of the layer of the tape member 5; a full-cut mechanism 9a, which is a second cutting means that is arranged adjacent to the half-cut mechanism 9b in the transport direction with a "fixed distance α" between them and forms a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the tape member; and a control unit 10 that controls each part of the device.The control unit 10 controls the cutting operations of the half-cut mechanism 9b and the full-cut mechanism 9a, so as to form a pair of partial-layer cut portions 92 adjacent to the printing area Ar1 on the tape member 5, either upstream or downstream of the printing area Ar1 in the transport direction. The partial-layer cut portion 92 is adjacent to the printing area Ar1, and the full-layer cut portion 91 is located further away from the printing area Ar1 than the partial-layer cut portion 92. This makes it possible to ensure a constant width of peeling margin area Ar2 regardless of the arrangement of the half-cut mechanism 9b and full-cut mechanism 9a, thereby maintaining functionality (ease of peeling), and to eliminate the effort and time required to transport the tape member 5 between the cutting operation by the half-cut mechanism 9b and the cutting operation by the full-cut mechanism 9a, thereby enabling labels 50 to be produced efficiently.

[0054] The pair of partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91 are arranged at a fixed interval. This allows the width of the peeling margin area Ar2, which is the area between the partial layer cut portion 92 and the full layer cut portion 91, to be uniform at a constant interval. In particular, in this embodiment, the distance between the partial layer cutting unit 92 and the full layer cutting unit 91 is equal to the "constant distance α" between the half-cutting mechanism 9b and the full-cutting mechanism 9a. In this way, a constant width of the peeling margin area Ar2 is secured by utilizing the arrangement distance between the half-cutting mechanism 9b and the full-cutting mechanism 9a, so there is no need to transport the tape material between the half-cutting and full-cutting, thereby saving time and effort.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the conveying operation by the platen roller 8, which is a conveying means, so that the tape member 5 is not conveyed during the cutting operation to form the paired partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91. As a result, the partial layer cutting unit 92 and the full layer cutting unit 91 are arranged at a "constant interval α" between the half-cutting mechanism 9b and the full-cutting mechanism 9a, ensuring a constant width of the peeling margin area Ar2 and eliminating the effort and time required to transport the tape member 5 between the cutting operation by the half-cutting mechanism 9b and the cutting operation by the full-cutting mechanism 9a. This allows the labels 50 to be produced efficiently.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the platen roller 8, which is a conveying means, is configured to be able to convey the tape material 5 in a first direction (forward direction) from the thermal head 7, which is the printing unit, toward the discharge outlet 22 that discharges the tape material 5, and in a second direction (reverse direction) opposite to this. This allows the leading end position of the tape member 5 to be adjusted appropriately, allowing printing to begin at an appropriate position that is neither too much nor too little, and allows the partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91 to be formed at appropriate positions.

[0057] In this embodiment, a full-cut mechanism 9a is arranged downstream of the thermal head 7 in the transport direction, and a half-cut mechanism 9b is arranged downstream of the full-cut mechanism 9a in the transport direction, and the paired partial layer cutting section 92 and full layer cutting section 91 are formed upstream of the printing area Ar1 in the transport direction. With this configuration, when the thermal head 7, full-cut mechanism 9a, and half-cut mechanism 9b are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction, the pair of partial-layer cutting section 92 and full-layer cutting section 91 for securing the peeling margin area Ar2 can be formed without conveying the tape member 5. This saves the effort and time of repeatedly conveying the tape member 5 while switching between the forward and reverse directions. Even in this case, it is possible to secure the peeling margin area Ar2 having a constant width corresponding to the "constant distance α" between the full-cut mechanism 9a and half-cut mechanism 9b.

[0058] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of a printing device, a printing control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the arrangement of the full-cut mechanism and the half-cut mechanism, and therefore the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0059] As shown in Figures 16(a) to 19(a), etc., in this embodiment, the thermal head 7, full cut mechanism 9a, and half cut mechanism 9b are arranged in the following order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction: thermal head 7, half cut mechanism 9b, full cut mechanism 9a. Since the device configuration of the printing device 1 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same members are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] Next, a print control method performed by the printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19(a) and 19(b). Figures 16(a) to 19(a) are schematic top views of the essential parts of the device showing the positional relationship from the thermal head 7, which is the printing unit, to each cutting mechanism (i.e., the full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b), and Figures 16(b) to 19(b) are schematic plan views of the essential parts of the tape member showing the surface of the tape member in the state shown in Figures 16(a) to 19(a). As in the first embodiment, the white arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction of the tape material 5, and in Figures 16(b) to 19(b), the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), full cut mechanism 9a, and half cut mechanism 9b are only indicated by marks to show their respective positions.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the cutting operation of the half-cut mechanism 9b, which is the first cutting means, and the full-cut mechanism 9a, which is the second cutting means, to form a pair of a partial layer cutting section 92 adjacent to the printing area Ar1 and a full layer cutting section 91 located further downstream in the conveying direction than the partial layer cutting section 92 on the tape member 5 downstream in the conveying direction of the printing area Ar1.

[0062] Specifically, when the power switch of the printing device 1 is turned on and a command to start printing is input, the control unit 10 first operates the half-cut mechanism 9b at the current position where the previous printing (label creation operation) was completed before starting to transport the tape member 5, performs a half-cut, and forms a partial layer cut section 92 (step S11, see Figures 16(a) and 16(b)). In this case, the full-layer cutting section 91, which is located downstream of the partial-layer cutting section 92 in the conveying direction and pairs with the partial-layer cutting section 92, is the full-layer cutting section 91 that was formed when the label 50a was cut off during the previous printing (label creation operation).

[0063] As a result, a peeling margin area Ar2 is secured between the pair of partial layer cut portion 92 and full layer cut portion 91 (see FIG. 16(b), etc.). Thus, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the conveying operation by the platen roller 8, which is the conveying means, so as not to convey the tape member 5 during the cutting operation to form the paired partial layer cutting section 92 and full layer cutting section 91.

[0064] When the partial layer cut portion 92 is formed, the control unit 10 reversely transports the tape member 5 until the partial layer cut portion 92 reaches the "printing start position" (step S12; see FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)). As in the first embodiment, the "printing start position" here refers to a position appropriate for the "printing position p" where the thermal head 7 (heating element 71) and the platen roller 8 face each other. For example, if printing is to start 2 mm from the partial layer cut portion 92, the "printing start position" is a position 2 mm upstream of the partial layer cut portion 92 in the transport direction. The distance from the partial layer cut portion 92 to be the "printing start position" is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 or the like as a default value or an arbitrary setting value set by the user. If printing is to start without leaving a gap from the partial layer cut portion 92, the partial layer cut portion 92 is adjusted to be positioned at the "printing position p."

[0065] Specifically, the transport motor drive circuit 18 is controlled to operate the transport motor 80, causing the platen roller 8 to rotate in the opposite direction to the transport direction, thereby transporting the tape material 5 in the reverse direction. The distance from the partial layer cutting unit 92 (i.e., the center position of the cutting blade of the half-cut mechanism 9b) to the "printing position p" is known by the control unit 10, so when the position of the partial layer cutting unit 92 is acquired, the control unit 10 calculates the distance from that position to the "print start position" and controls the transport motor drive circuit 18 to transport the tape material 5 in the reverse direction by the required distance.

[0066] When the partial layer cutting unit 92 is positioned at the "printing start position," the control unit 10 operates the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), the transport motor 80, etc. to print characters, figures, etc. in the printing area Ar1 of the tape member 5 (step S13, see Figures 18(a) and 18(b)). That is, the control unit 10 controls the platen roller 8 to rotate in the forward transport direction in accordance with the printing speed of the thermal head 7 (heating element 71), so that the printing operation and the transport operation are synchronized.

[0067] When the printing operation is completed, the control unit 10 controls the cutting operation of the full-cut mechanism 9a, which is the second cutting means, to form a full-layer cut portion 91 on the tape member 5 upstream of the printing area Ar1 in the transport direction. That is, first, the control unit 10 operates the transport motor 80 etc. to transport the tape member 5 in the forward transport direction, and positions the full-cut mechanism 9a at an arbitrary position upstream of the printing area Ar1 (a full-cut position where the full-layer cut portion 91 is formed) (step S14). For example, if printing is started about 2 mm away from the partial-layer cut portion 92 side, the control unit 10 transports the tape member 5 so that the full-cut mechanism 9a is positioned about 2 mm upstream of the end of the character string printed in the printing area Ar1. Then, the full-cut mechanism 9a performs a full cut at that position, forming the full-layer cut portion 91 (step S15, see FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b)).

[0068] Thereafter, the label 50a cut off from the tape member 5 is discharged from the discharge outlet 22 (step S16), and the remaining tape member 5 is positioned with its tip end corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a (see Figures 19(a) and 19(b)).

[0069] By adopting such a configuration, an appropriate peeling margin area Ar2 is secured on the label 50a, while avoiding repeated switching between forward and reverse conveyance of the tape member 5 more than with conventional methods, thereby enabling the label 50a to be produced more efficiently. That is, as in the configuration shown in this embodiment, by arranging the half-cut mechanism 9b upstream of the full-cut mechanism 9a in the conveying direction, a pair of a partial layer cutting section 92 and a full layer cutting section 91 is formed downstream of the printing area Ar1 in the conveying direction before printing, and it is possible to create a label 50a as shown in Figure 19(b), which has a peel-off margin area Ar2, without having to take the time and effort to convey the tape member 5 in the forward direction once before printing begins.

[0070] Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the printing device of this embodiment, a half-cut mechanism 9b as a first cutting means is arranged downstream in the conveying direction from the thermal head 7, which is the printing means, and a full-cut mechanism 9a as a second cutting means is arranged downstream in the conveying direction from the half-cut mechanism 9b, and the paired partial layer cutting section 92 and full layer cutting section 91 are formed downstream in the conveying direction from the printing area Ar1. With this configuration, when the thermal head 7, half-cut mechanism 9b, and full-cut mechanism 9a are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction, the partial-layer cut section 92 is formed in the current state from the time of the previous label production operation, and a peel-off margin area Ar2 is secured between the partial-layer cut section 92 and the full-layer cut section 91 formed during the previous label production operation. This makes it possible to form the pair of partial-layer cut section 92 and full-layer cut section 91 for securing the peel-off margin area Ar2 downstream of the printing area Ar1 in the conveying direction, without feeding the tape member 5. This eliminates the need for time and effort to repeatedly switch between the forward and reverse directions while feeding the tape member 5. Even in this case, a peeling margin area Ar2 having a fixed width corresponding to the "fixed distance α" between the full-cut mechanism 9a and the half-cut mechanism 9b can be secured, thereby efficiently producing functional (easy-to-peel) labels 50a.

[0072] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0073] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where the detection unit 13 is provided between the "printing position p" and the full cut mechanism 9a, but the detection unit 13 only needs to be located downstream of the "printing position p" in the conveying direction at a position where it can detect the leading end position of the tape member 5 on the conveying path, and the specific position at which the detection unit 13 is provided is not particularly limited.

[0074] Furthermore, a detection unit (various sensors) for detecting opening and closing of the lid 3 and the attachment and detachment of the tape cassette 51 may be provided inside the cassette housing unit 21 or on the lid 3, etc. When the opening / closing of the cover 3 or the attachment / detachment of the tape cassette 51 is detected, it is assumed that the leading end of the tape member 5 is not positioned in a position corresponding to the full cutting mechanism 9a. For this reason, if such a detection unit is provided, when opening / closing of the lid 3 or attachment / detachment of the tape cassette 51 is detected, each unit may be controlled to once transport the tape member 5 a certain amount downstream in the transport direction, perform a half-cut using the half-cut mechanism 9b, and then, using the position where the half-cut was performed as a reference, transport the tape member 5 backward to the print start position before starting printing, as in the conventional procedure shown in Figures 10(a) and 14(a) to 10(b) and 14(b). This makes it possible to appropriately form the peel-off margin area Ar2 even when the leading edge position of the tape member 5 is unknown. If opening / closing of the lid 3 or attachment / detachment of the tape cassette 51 is not detected, the leading end position of the tape member 5 is assumed to be at a position corresponding to the full cut mechanism 9a, and control is performed to form a peel-off margin area Ar2 downstream of the printing area Ar1, as described in the first embodiment, for example. In this way, by taking measures according to the detection result of the detection unit, it is possible to appropriately form the peeling margin area Ar2 without providing the detection unit 13 or the like.

[0075] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, an example is given of a case where the printing device 1 performs printing by itself, and the printing device 1 is provided with an input unit 6, etc., and the input of printing data, etc. is performed in the printing device 1, and all calculation processing, etc. is performed by the control unit 10 of the printing device 1, but the printing control processing is not limited to being completed by the printing device 1 alone. For example, if the printing device 1 can communicate with external devices such as various terminal devices, the printing control process may be performed in cooperation with the external devices. In this case, the programs for performing the various processes are stored in the storage unit of the external devices. Furthermore, when the printing device 1 is linked to various external devices, various inputs may be made through the input unit of the external device. Various displays may also be made on the display unit of the external device. In this case, the printing device 1 does not need to be provided with the input unit 6 or the display unit 4.

[0076] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application. [Note] <Claim 1> a printing means for printing on a printing area of ​​a print medium; a conveying means for conveying the print medium in a conveying direction; a first cutting means for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting means disposed at a distance from the first cutting means and configured to form a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the print medium; a control means for controlling the cutting operations of the first cutting means and the second cutting means to form a pair of the partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cutting portion located at a position farther from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion, on the upstream side of the printing area in the printing medium; A printing device comprising: <Claim 2> a printing means for printing on a printing area of ​​a print medium; a conveying means for conveying the print medium in a conveying direction; a first cutting means for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting means disposed downstream of the first cutting means with a gap therebetween, the second cutting means forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the print medium; a control means for controlling the cutting operations of the first cutting means and the second cutting means to cause the first cutting means to perform a cutting operation on the print medium, on which the full-layer cut portion has been formed at the downstream tip by the second cutting means, before printing in the print area, and to form a pair of the partial-layer cut portion adjacent to the print area and the full-layer cut portion located at a position farther from the print area than the partial-layer cut portion on the print medium downstream of the print area; A printing device comprising: <Claim 3> 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of the partial layer cutting section and the full layer cutting section are arranged with the interval therebetween. <Claim 4> The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means controls the transport operation by the transport means so that the printing medium is not transported during the cutting operation to form the pair of partial layer cut section and full layer cut section. <Claim 5> 5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport means is configured to transport the printing medium in a first direction from the printing means toward the ejection section of the printing medium and in a second direction opposite thereto. <Claim 6> the second cutting means is disposed downstream of the printing means in the transport direction, and the first cutting means is disposed downstream of the second cutting means in the transport direction, 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the partial layer cutting portion and the full layer cutting portion are formed on the upstream side of the printing area in the transport direction. <Claim 7> the first cutting means is disposed downstream of the printing means in the transport direction, and the second cutting means is disposed downstream of the first cutting means in the transport direction, 3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the partial layer cutting portion and the full layer cutting portion are formed downstream of the printing area in the transport direction. <Claim 8> a printing step of printing a printing area of ​​a print medium by a printing means; a conveying step of conveying the print medium in a conveying direction; a first cutting step of forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting step of forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the printing medium with a gap between the partial-layer cut portion and the full-layer cut portion; Including, A printing control method characterized in that, through the first cutting process and the second cutting process, a pair of partial layer cutting portions adjacent to the printing area and full layer cutting portions positioned further away from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portions are formed on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the printing area on the printing medium. <Claim 9> a printing step of printing a printing area of ​​a print medium by a printing means; a conveying step of conveying the print medium in a conveying direction; a first cutting step of forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting step of forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the printing medium with a gap between the partial-layer cut portion and the full-layer cut portion; Including, A printing control method characterized by forming, prior to the printing process, a pair of partial layer cut portions adjacent to the printing area and a full layer cut portion positioned farther from the printing area than the partial layer cut portion on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the printing area in the printing medium by the first cutting process and the second cutting process. <Claim 10> On the computer, a print control function for causing a printing unit to print on a print area of ​​a print medium; a transport control function for transporting the print medium in a transport direction; a first cutting control function for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting control function for forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the printing medium, with a gap between the partial-layer cut portion and the full-layer cut portion; To achieve this, A program characterized by using the first cutting control function and the second cutting control function to form a pair of the partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cutting portion positioned further away from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion, upstream of the conveying direction of the printing area on the printing medium. <Claim 11> On the computer, a print control function for causing a printing unit to print on a print area of ​​a print medium; a transport control function for transporting the print medium in a transport direction; a first cutting control function for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a full-layer cutting section in which all layers of the printing medium have been cut, with a gap between the partial-layer cutting section and the full-layer cutting section; a second cutting control function for forming the Including, A program characterized by forming a pair of a partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and a full layer cutting portion positioned further from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion on the downstream side of the printing area in the transport direction of the printing medium before printing on the printing area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Printing device 5 Tape material 50 labels 6 Input section 7 Thermal head 71 Heating element 8 Platen roller 9a Full cut mechanism 9b Half-cut mechanism 91 Full thickness cutting section 92 Partial layer cutting part 10 Control Unit 11 Storage section 13 Detector Ar1 Printing Field Ar2 peel off the white space area p Printing position α at a certain interval β distance

Claims

1. a printing means for printing on a printing area of ​​a print medium; a conveying means for conveying the print medium in a conveying direction and in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a first cutting means for cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium to form a partial layer cut portion; a second cutting means disposed at a distance from the first cutting means and configured to cut all layers of the print medium to form a full-layer cut portion; a control means for controlling the cutting operations of the first cutting means and the second cutting means to form a pair of the partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cutting portion located at a position farther from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion, on the upstream side of the printing area in the printing medium; Equipped with the control means conveys the print medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction until the leading edge of the print medium reaches a print start position; A printing device characterized in that, when the leading edge position of the print medium is placed at the print start position, printing is performed on the print area of ​​the print medium by a printing means.

2. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of the partial layer cutting section and the full layer cutting section are arranged with the interval therebetween.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the control means controls the transport operation by the transport means so that the printing medium is not transported during the cutting operation to form the pair of partial layer cut portions and full layer cut portions.

4. the second cutting means is disposed downstream of the printing means in the transport direction, and the first cutting means is disposed downstream of the second cutting means in the transport direction, The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the partial layer cut portion and the full layer cut portion are formed on the upstream side of the printing area in the transport direction.

5. the first cutting means is disposed downstream of the printing means in the transport direction, and the second cutting means is disposed downstream of the first cutting means in the transport direction, The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the partial layer cut portion and the full layer cut portion are formed downstream of the printing area in the transport direction.

6. a printing step of printing a printing area of ​​a print medium by a printing means; a conveying step of conveying the print medium in a conveying direction and in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a first cutting step of forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting step of forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the printing medium with a gap between the partial-layer cut portion and the full-layer cut portion; Including, By the first cutting step and the second cutting step, a pair of the partial layer cut portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cut portion disposed at a position farther from the printing area than the partial layer cut portion is formed on the upstream side of the printing area in the transport direction in the printing medium, the conveying step conveys the print medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction until the leading edge of the print medium reaches a print start position; The printing control method is characterized in that the printing step causes a printing unit to print on a printing area of ​​the print medium when the leading edge position of the print medium is placed at the print start position.

7. On the computer, a print control function for causing a printing unit to print on a print area of ​​a print medium; a transport control function for transporting the print medium in a transport direction and in a direction opposite to the transport direction; a first cutting control function for forming a partial layer cut portion by cutting a part of a layer of the printing medium; a second cutting control function for forming a full-layer cut portion by cutting all layers of the printing medium, with a gap between the partial-layer cut portion and the full-layer cut portion; To achieve this, By using the first cutting control function and the second cutting control function, a pair of the partial layer cutting portion adjacent to the printing area and the full layer cutting portion disposed at a position farther from the printing area than the partial layer cutting portion is formed on the upstream side of the printing area in the transport direction in the printing medium; the transport control function transports the print medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction until the leading edge of the print medium reaches a print start position; The program is characterized in that the print control function causes a printing unit to print on a print area of ​​the print medium when the leading edge position of the print medium is placed at the print start position.

Images