Printing device, printing method, and program

Abstract

To suppress consumption power and print time involved in divided printing.SOLUTION: A printing device 1 divides a plurality of heat generating elements provided in a printing part into a plurality of N groups, and when the N is 2k (k is a natural number), performs alternately forward conveying / printing in which the printing part performs printing on a medium to be printed while a conveying part conveys the medium to be printed in a forward direction and backward conveying / printing in which the printing part performs printing on the medium to be printed while the conveying part conveys the medium to be printed in a backward direction, so that the forward conveying / printing is performed N / 2 times in total and the backward conveying / printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the printing part performs printing using one different group of heat generating elements in each conveying / printing; and when N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), performs alternately the forward conveying / printing and the backward conveying / printing, so that the forward conveying / printing is performed (N+1) / 2 times in total and the backward conveying / printing is performed (N-1) / 2 times in total, and the printing part performs printing using one different group of heat generating elements in each conveying / printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosure of this specification relates to a printing device, a printing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printing device that uses a thermal head to print characters, figures, etc. on a print medium (for example, see Patent Document 1). The printing method used in this type of device includes a thermal method using a thermal tape, a thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon, etc.

[0003] A known example of a thermal transfer printing device is the printer described in Patent Document 2. This printer is capable of reducing power consumption by dividing printing into multiple prints. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-028448 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-276735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the divided printing (divided print) performed by the printer described in Patent Document 2 has problems in that the number of divisions is limited to a few times due to the use of an ink ribbon, and the overall printing time (printing time) increases due to the repeated printing (printing) and rewinding of the ink ribbon.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing power consumption and printing time associated with divided printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a print medium, a printing unit that has a plurality of heating elements arranged along a main scanning direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium and prints on the print medium, and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the printing unit, and the control unit controls the plurality of heating elements. ,before Divide the area into N equal parts along the main scanning direction. (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) and dividing the printing medium into a plurality of N groups by conveying the printing medium in a forward direction while printing on the printing medium, and alternately conveying the printing medium in a reverse direction while printing on the printing medium, When N is an odd number, The forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and each printing is performed using a different group of heating elements. When the N is an even number, the forward printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and each of the forward printing operations is performed using a different group of heating elements. The transport unit and the printing unit are controlled so as to

[0008] A printing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a printing unit that includes a plurality of heating elements arranged along a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of a print medium; ,before Divide the area into N equal parts along the main scanning direction. (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) and alternately performing forward transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction. When N is an odd number, The forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and in each of the forward printing operations, printing is performed using one group of heating elements of a different printing unit. When the N is an even number, the forward printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and each of the forward printing operations is performed using a different group of heating elements. cormorant.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of a print medium, the plurality of heating elements being included in a printing unit. ,before Divide the area into N equal parts along the main scanning direction. (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2)and alternately performing forward transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction. When N is an odd number, The total number of sequential printing operations is (N+1) / 2. times The reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and in each of the reverse printing operations, the printing unit performs printing using a group of heating elements different from one another. When the N is an even number, the forward printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and each of the forward printing operations is performed using a different group of heating elements. The processor is caused to execute a process for controlling the above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the above aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption and printing time involved in division printing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing device 1 with the lid 4 closed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing device 1 with the lid 4 open. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a printing device 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a heat-sensitive tape 21 sandwiched between a platen roller 7 and a thermal head 8. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of division printing. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a divided print control process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a divided print control process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a pre-printing process (subroutine 1). [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a print end process (subroutine 2). [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing one-line printing process (subroutine 3). [Figure 11]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mask data table. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a tape forward transport process (subroutine 4). [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a tape reverse transport process (subroutine 5). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the printing device 1 with the lid 4 closed. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the printing device 1 with the lid 4 open. The configuration of the printing device 1 will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0013] The printing device 1 is a label printer that prints on a print medium, a thermal tape 21. In the following, a thermal label printer that uses a thermal tape 21 will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited. The printing device 1 may also be a thermal transfer label printer that uses an ink ribbon.

[0014] 1, the printing device 1 includes a device housing 2, an input unit 3, an openable / closable cover 4, a window 5, and a display unit 6. Although not shown, the device housing 2 is also provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

[0015] The input unit 3 is provided on the top surface of the device housing 2. The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a conversion key, and a decision key. The lid 4 is disposed on the device housing 2. A user can open the lid 4 as shown in FIG. 2 by pressing a button 4a to release the locking mechanism. A window 5 is formed in the lid 4 so that the user can visually check whether or not the thermal tape 21 is stored in the printing device 1 even when the lid 4 is closed. The lid 4 also includes a display unit 6.

[0016] The display unit 6 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 6 displays characters corresponding to input from the input unit 3, a selection menu for various settings, messages related to various processes, etc. The display unit 6 may be a display with a touch panel, and may function as a part of the input unit 3.

[0017] 2, the device housing 2 is provided with a medium adapter housing section 2a, a platen roller 7, and a thermal head 8 below the lid 4. A medium adapter 20 is housed in the medium adapter housing section 2a. The device housing 2 further includes a full cutter 9, a half cutter 10, and a photosensor 11 between the thermal head 8 and the discharge outlet 2b through which the thermal tape 21 is discharged. The half cutter 10, full cutter 9, and photosensor 11 are disposed in this order from the discharge outlet 2b side.

[0018] The media adapter 20 accommodates the thermal tape 21. The thermal tape 21 accommodated in the media adapter 20 is, for example, wound in the longitudinal direction to have a cylindrical shape. The media adapter 20 is designed to match the tape width (length in the width direction) of the thermal tape 21. In this example, the media adapter 20 is a media adapter for a tape with a tape width of 6 mm.

[0019] In the printing device 1, the media adapter 20 containing the thermal tape 21 is accommodated in the printing device 1, thereby accommodating the thermal tape 21 in the printing device 1. The printing device 1 can accommodate media adapters corresponding to different tape widths. Specifically, the printing device 1 can accommodate, for example, a media adapter for a 12 mm tape, a media adapter for an 18 mm tape, etc., in addition to the media adapter 20 for a 6 mm tape shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] The thermal tape 21 has a five-layer structure in which, from the bottom up, a separator, an adhesive layer, a base material, a coloring layer, and a protective layer are laminated. The separator is attached to the base material so as to be peelable and cover the adhesive layer. The material of the separator is, for example, paper, but is not limited to paper and may be PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The adhesive layer is an adhesive material applied to the base material. The material of the base material is, for example, colored PET. The coloring layer is a thermosensitive coloring layer that develops color when heated by thermal energy. The material of the protective layer is, for example, transparent PET. The configuration of the thermal tape 21 is not limited to such a five-layer structure. For example, the thermal tape 21 may not have a protective layer and the coloring layer may be exposed.

[0021] The platen roller 7 is a transport section that transports the thermal tape 21. The platen roller 7 rotates by the rotation of a transport motor 32 (see FIG. 3). The transport motor 32 is, for example, a stepping motor, a direct current (DC) motor, or the like. The platen roller 7 rotates while holding the thermal tape 21, which has been unwound from the medium adapter 20, between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8, thereby transporting the thermal tape 21 in the transport direction.

[0022] The thermal head 8 is a printing unit that prints on the thermal tape 21. The thermal head 8 has a plurality of heating elements 8a (see FIG. 3) arranged along a main scanning direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the thermal tape 21, and performs printing by heating the thermal tape 21 with the heating elements 8a.

[0023] The full cutter 9 is a cutting device that performs full cutting and creates tape pieces by cutting the thermal tape 21. Note that full cutting refers to an operation of cutting all layers that make up the thermal tape 21 along the width direction of the thermal tape 21.

[0024] The half cutter 10 is a cutting device that performs half-cutting, and makes a slit in the heat-sensitive tape 21. Note that half-cutting refers to the operation of cutting the layers of the heat-sensitive tape 21 other than the separator along the width direction.

[0025] The photosensor 11 is a sensor arranged on the transport path of the thermal tape 21 to detect the leading end of the thermal tape 21. The photosensor 11 includes, for example, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element is, for example, a light-emitting diode, and the light-receiving element is, for example, a photodiode. The photosensor 11 detects the reflected light of the light emitted from the light-emitting element by the light-receiving element, and outputs a signal to a control circuit 12 (see FIG. 3) described later. The control circuit 12 detects the leading end of the thermal tape 21 based on, for example, a change in the amount of reflected light detected by the light-receiving element. Note that the photosensor 11 is not limited to a photoreflector that detects the reflected light of the light emitted from the light-emitting element. The photosensor 11 may be a photointerrupter in which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged opposite each other.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of the printing device 1. In addition to the above-mentioned components, the printing device 1 includes a control circuit 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a display drive circuit 15, a head drive circuit 16, a thermistor 17, a conveyor motor drive circuit 31, a conveyor motor 32, an encoder 33, a cutter motor drive circuit 34, a cutter motor 35, and a tape width detection switch 36, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0027] The control circuit 12 is a control unit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control circuit 12 loads a program stored in a ROM 13 into a RAM 14 and executes the program to control each part of the printing device 1 (for example, the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8).

[0028] ROM 13 stores programs (including programs for performing the divided print control processing shown in Figs. 6 and 7 described below) and various data required for executing the programs (e.g., fonts and a mask data table described below). RAM 14 is a work memory used for executing the programs. A portion of RAM 14 is used, for example, as a print buffer in which print data is stored. Computer-readable recording media for storing programs and data used in processing by the printing device 1 include physical (non-temporary) recording media such as ROM 13 and RAM 14.

[0029] The display drive circuit 15 is a liquid crystal display driver circuit and an organic EL display driver circuit. Under the control of the control circuit 12, the display drive circuit 15 controls the display unit 6 based on the display data stored in the RAM .

[0030] The head driving circuit 16, under the control of the control circuit 12, controls the supply of electricity to the heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 based on the print data and control signals. The thermal head 8 has a plurality of heating elements 8a arranged along the main scanning direction, and performs printing by heating the thermal tape 21 with the heating elements 8a. That is, in the printing device 1, the control circuit 12 is a control unit that controls the thermal head 8 by controlling the supply of electricity to the heating elements 8a via the head driving circuit 16. The thermistor 17 is embedded in the thermal head 8. The thermistor 17 measures the temperature of the thermal head 8.

[0031] The conveyor motor drive circuit 31 drives the conveyor motor 32 under the control of the control circuit 12. The conveyor motor 32 may be, for example, a stepping motor or a direct current (DC) motor. The conveyor motor 32 rotates the platen roller 7. Under the control of the conveyor motor drive circuit 31, the conveyor motor 32 rotates not only in the forward direction in which the thermal tape 21 is paid out, but also in the reverse direction in which the thermal tape 21 is rewound.

[0032] The platen roller 7 is a conveying unit that rotates by the driving force of the conveying motor 32 and conveys the heat-sensitive tape 21 along the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction, conveying direction) of the heat-sensitive tape 21. When the conveying motor 32 rotates in the forward direction, the platen roller 7 pays out the heat-sensitive tape 21 from the medium adapter 20 (forward conveyance of the heat-sensitive tape 21), and when the conveying motor 32 rotates in the reverse direction, the platen roller 7 rewinds the heat-sensitive tape 21 that has been paid out from the medium adapter 20 (reverse conveyance of the heat-sensitive tape 21). In other words, in the printing device 1, the control circuit 12 is a control unit that controls the platen roller 7 by controlling the conveying motor 32 via the conveying motor driving circuit 31.

[0033] The encoder 33 outputs a signal corresponding to the drive amount (amount of rotation) of the feed motor 32 or the platen roller 7 to the control circuit 12. The encoder 33 may be provided on the rotation shaft of the feed motor 32, or on the rotation shaft of the platen roller 7. The control circuit 12 can determine the feed amount of the heat-sensitive tape 21 based on the signal from the encoder 33, and can also measure the feed speed of the heat-sensitive tape 21.

[0034] The cutter motor drive circuit 34 drives the cutter motor 35 under the control of the control circuit 12. The full cutter 9 is operated by the power of the cutter motor 35 and cuts the thermal tape 21 to create tape pieces. The half cutter 10 is operated by the power of the cutter motor 35 and cuts the layers of the thermal tape 21 other than the separator.

[0035] The tape width detection switch 36 is a switch for detecting the width of the thermal tape 21 housed in the media adapter 20 based on the shape of the media adapter 20, and is provided in the media adapter housing section 2a. A plurality of tape width detection switches 36 are provided in the media adapter housing section 2a. Media adapters 20 corresponding to different tape widths are configured to press the plurality of tape width detection switches 36 in different combinations. This allows the control circuit 12 to identify the type of media adapter 20 from the combination of the pressed tape width detection switches 36, and detect the width (tape width) of the thermal tape 21 housed in the media adapter 20.

[0036] In the printer 1 configured as above, in addition to normal printing in which printing is performed while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the forward direction, it is also possible to perform divided printing in which printing is divided into multiple prints while feeding the thermal tape 21 alternately in the forward and reverse directions. In divided printing, the control circuit 12 performs the following divided printing control. The control circuit 12 performs divided printing control by dividing the multiple heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 into multiple N groups, and when N is 2k (k is a natural number), forward feeding printing, in which printing is performed on the thermal tape 21 while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the forward direction, and reverse feeding printing, in which printing is performed on the thermal tape 21 while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the reverse direction, are alternately performed, so that forward feeding printing is performed N / 2 times in total and reverse feeding printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and printing is performed using a different group of heating elements 8a in each feeding printing.When N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), the control circuit 12 performs divided printing control by controlling the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 to alternately perform forward feeding printing and reverse feeding printing, so that forward feeding printing is performed (N+1) / 2 times in total and reverse feeding printing is performed (N-1) / 2 times in total, and printing is performed using a different group of heating elements 8a in each feeding printing. As a result, in divided printing, printing is performed on the thermal tape 21 not only during forward transport but also during reverse transport, so divided printing is performed more efficiently than, for example, a method in which printing is performed only during forward transport and not during reverse transport, and as a result, power consumption and printing time related to divided printing can be reduced. The divided printing performed by the printer 1 will be specifically described with reference to Figures 4 to 13. Note that in this specification, a natural number refers to a positive integer.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the heat-sensitive tape 21 sandwiched between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8. In the printing device 1, in addition to normal printing, division printing can also be performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, at least the transport path of the range in which the printed area of ​​the heat-sensitive tape 21 moves during forward printing and the transport path of the range in which the printed area of ​​the heat-sensitive tape 21 moves during reverse printing are symmetrical. That is, the transport path of the heat-sensitive tape 21 is under the same conditions during forward printing and reverse printing. In addition, the pressure of the heat-sensitive tape 21 by the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 is under the same conditions during forward printing and reverse printing. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in print quality that may occur in division printing because the transport path and pressure of the heat-sensitive tape 21 are not under the same conditions during forward printing and reverse printing.

[0038] 5 is a diagram showing a schematic example of divided printing. This example shows an example in which divided printing is performed by dividing the multiple heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 into four equal parts along the main scanning direction into four groups, 1st to 4th. In this example, the multiple heating elements 8a are divided into four groups, so that forward conveyance printing and reverse conveyance printing are performed alternately, forward conveyance printing is performed a total of 2 (= 4 / 2) times, and reverse conveyance printing is performed a total of 2 (= 4 / 2) times, and the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 are controlled so that printing is performed using a different group of heating elements 8a in each conveyance printing.

[0039] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first group of heating elements 8a prints from the 1st line to the Lth line while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the forward direction (first 1 / 4 printing). Here, the total number of printed lines in the feeding direction is L. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second group of heating elements 8a prints from the Lth line to the 1st line while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the reverse direction (second 1 / 4 printing). Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the third group of heating elements 8a prints from the 1st line to the Lth line while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the forward direction (third 1 / 4 printing). Next, as shown in FIG. 5D, the fourth group of heating elements 8a prints from the Lth line to the 1st line while feeding the thermal tape 21 in the reverse direction (fourth 1 / 4 printing). This completes the printing on the thermal tape 21, but in order to finally cut the thermal tape 21 at the correct position, the thermal tape 21 is fed in the forward direction as shown in Fig. 5(E). Note that, hereinafter, forward feed printing shown in Fig. 5(A) is also referred to as feed printing of division number 1, reverse feed printing shown in Fig. 5(B) is also referred to as feed printing of division number 2, forward feed printing shown in Fig. 5(C) is also referred to as feed printing of division number 3, and reverse feed printing shown in Fig. 5(D) is also referred to as feed printing of division number 4.

[0040] Such divided printing shown in Fig. 5 is realized by divided printing control performed by the control circuit 12. This divided printing control will be specifically described with reference to Figs.

[0041] 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the divided print control process, and also show a printing method. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the pre-print process (subroutine 1). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the print end process (subroutine 2). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the one-line print process (subroutine 3). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mask data table. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the tape forward transport process (subroutine 4). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the tape reverse transport process (subroutine 5). The divided print control process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a process performed by the control circuit 12 as a result of the processor executing a program stored in the ROM 13. This divided print control process is a process that is started, for example, when the printer 1 acquires a print instruction input from the input unit 3.

[0042] When the division print control process starts, as shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 12 first performs a pre-print process (subroutine 1) (step S11). In this pre-print process (subroutine 1), as shown in FIG. 8, the control circuit 12 first feeds the heat-sensitive tape 21 in the forward direction until the leading end of the heat-sensitive tape 21 reaches the position of the full cutter 9 (step S101). This feeding is performed, for example, by feeding the heat-sensitive tape 21 in the forward direction, and when the photosensor 11 detects the leading end of the heat-sensitive tape 21, feeding the heat-sensitive tape 21 further in the forward direction by the distance between the photosensor 11 and the full cutter 9. Next, the control circuit 12 fully cuts the heat-sensitive tape 21 with the full cutter 9 (step S102). As a result, the excess portion of the heat-sensitive tape 21 is cut off. When step S102 ends, the process returns.

[0043] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 12 sets the variable D indicating the number of divisions to 4 (D=4) and sets the number of divisions (step S12). The value of D is also the number of divisions of the multiple heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8. Here, the thermal head 8 has 144 heating elements arranged in a line along the main scanning direction, and the 144 heating elements 8a are divided into four equal parts along the main scanning direction to be divided into four groups. Specifically, the 36 heating elements 8a from the 1st to the 36th are set as heating elements of the first group, the 36 heating elements from the 37th to the 72nd are set as heating elements of the second group, the 36 heating elements from the 73rd to the 108th are set as heating elements of the third group, and the 36 heating elements 8a from the 109th to the 144th are set as heating elements of the fourth group, and are divided into four groups.

[0044] Next, the control circuit 12 sets the variable DN indicating the division number to 1 (DN=1) and initializes DN (step S13). Next, the control circuit 12 calculates the total number of print lines L from the print length determined according to the preset tape length (step S14). Here, the tape length is set, for example, according to an input from the input unit 3, and corresponds to the length of the tape piece to be created. Next, the control circuit 12 sets the variable P indicating the print line to be processed to 1 (P=1) and initializes P (step S15).

[0045] Next, the control circuit 12 performs one-line printing process (subroutine 3) (step S16). In this one-line printing process (subroutine 3), as shown in Fig. 10, the control circuit 12 first reads line data of the Pth line from the print buffer (part of RAM 14) in which the print data is stored (step S301). Next, the control circuit 12 sets the value of DN to a variable M that specifies mask data (M = DN), and sets the mask data (step S302).

[0046] Next, the control circuit 12 reads out the mask data corresponding to the value of M from the mask data table shown in FIG. 11 stored in the ROM 13, and calculates the logical sum of the line data of the P-th line read out in step S301 and the mask data corresponding to the read value of M as the print enable data (step S303). In the mask data table shown in FIG. 11, the mask data corresponding to M = 1 is the mask data for printing using only the heating elements 8a of the first group, the mask data corresponding to M = 2 is the mask data for printing using only the heating elements 8a of the second group, the mask data corresponding to M = 3 is the mask data for printing using only the heating elements 8a of the third group, and the mask data corresponding to M = 4 is the mask data for printing using only the heating elements 8a of the fourth group.

[0047] Next, the control circuit 12 performs energization control of the thermal head 8 (144 heating elements 8a) according to the print enable data calculated in step S303 (step S304). When step S304 ends, the process returns.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 12 determines whether the value of DN is even (step S17). If the determination result in step S17 is NO, the control circuit 12 determines whether the value of P is smaller than the value of L (P < L) (step S18). If the determination result in step S18 is YES, the control circuit 12 increments the value of P (P = P + 1) (step S19) and performs tape forward conveyance processing (subroutine 4) (step S20). In this tape forward conveyance processing (subroutine 4), as shown in FIG. 12, the control circuit 12 first sets 4 to the variable STP (STP = 4) and initializes the variable STP (step S401). The value of STP indicates the remaining number of steps of the conveyance motor 32 required to convey the thermal tape 21 forward by one line. It is assumed that the number of steps of the conveyance motor 32 required to convey the thermal tape 21 forward by one line is 4.

[0049] Next, the control circuit 12 performs forward excitation for one step for the conveyor motor 32 (step S402), and decrements the value of STP (STP=STP-1) (step S403). Next, the control circuit 12 determines whether the value of STP is greater than 0 (STP>0) (step S404), and if the result of the determination is YES, the process returns to step S402, and if the result of the determination is NO, the process returns.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, if the determination result of step S17 is YES, the control circuit 12 determines whether the value of P is greater than 1 (P>1) (step S21). If the determination result of step S21 is YES, the control circuit 12 decrements the value of P (P=P-1) (step S22) and performs the tape reverse feed process (subroutine 5) (step S23). In this tape reverse feed process (subroutine 5), as shown in FIG. 13, the control circuit 12 first sets the variable STP to 4 (STP=4) and initializes the variable STP (step S501). This value of STP indicates the remaining number of steps of the feed motor 32 required to feed the thermal tape 21 by one line in the reverse direction. The number of steps of the feed motor 32 required to feed the thermal tape 21 by one line in the reverse direction is 4, the same as in the forward direction.

[0051] Next, the control circuit 12 performs one step of reverse excitation on the conveyor motor 32 (step S502), and decrements the value of STP (STP=STP-1) (step S503). Next, the control circuit 12 determines whether the value of STP is greater than 0 (STP>0) (step S504), and if the result of the determination is YES, the process returns to step S502, and if the result of the determination is NO, the process returns.

[0052] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, if the judgment result of step S18 is NO or if the judgment result of step S21 is NO, the control circuit 12 increments the value of DN (DN=DN+1) (step S24), and judges whether the value of DN is greater than the value of D (DN>D) (step S25).

[0053] If the determination result in step S25 is NO, the control circuit 12 performs a forward / reverse conveying rotation correction process (step S26). This forward / reverse conveying rotation correction process is a process performed to prevent the power of the conveying motor 32 from being unable to be transmitted to the platen roller 7 due to backlash or lost motion of the conveying mechanism when the conveying direction of the thermal tape 21 is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction or from the reverse direction to the forward direction and the conveying motor 32 starts to rotate, and for example, the conveying motor 32 is rotated an additional amount to absorb the backlash or the like. After step S26, the process returns to step S16.

[0054] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S25 is YES, the control circuit 12 performs a forward / reverse conveying correction process similar to step S26, as shown in Fig. 7 (step S27). Next, the control circuit 12 sets a variable C indicating the number of conveyed lines to 1 (C=1) to initialize C (step S28). Next, the control circuit 12 performs a tape forward conveying process (subroutine 4) (step S29). This tape forward conveying process (subroutine 4) is as described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0055] Next, the control circuit 12 increments C (C=C+1) (step S30), and determines whether the value of C is less than or equal to the value of L (C≦L) (step S31), and if the result of the determination is YES, the process returns to step S29.

[0056] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S31 is NO, the control circuit 12 performs a print end process (subroutine 2) (step S32). In this print end process (subroutine 2), as shown in FIG. 9, the control circuit 12 forwards the thermal tape 21 by twice the distance between the thermal head 8 (heating element 8a) and the full cutter 9 (step S201). Next, the control circuit 12 fully cuts the thermal tape 21 with the full cutter 9 (step S202). This creates a tape piece on which a print pattern corresponding to the print data is printed. After step S202, the process returns, and the divided print control process ends as shown in FIG. 7.

[0057] In the divided print control process described with reference to Figures 6 to 13, an example was described in which the number of divisions was four, but the divided print control process is performed in the same way when the number of divisions is a number other than four. In this case, however, a mask data table having mask data corresponding to the number of divisions is stored in ROM 13 in advance, and the mask data is used for the process. Furthermore, when the number of divisions is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), steps S27 to S31 in Figure 7 are skipped. In this way, when the number of divisions is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), the power consumption and printing time related to divided printing can be further reduced by the amount that these steps are skipped.

[0058] According to the printing device 1 described above, during divisional printing, printing is performed on the thermal tape 21 not only during forward transport but also during reverse transport. Therefore, divisional printing is performed more efficiently than, for example, a system in which printing is performed only during forward transport and not during reverse transport, and as a result, power consumption and printing time related to divisional printing can be reduced.

[0059] The above-described embodiments are illustrative examples for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The printing device, printing method, and program can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0060] For example, the control circuit 12 may determine the number of divisions when performing divided printing according to the temperature of the thermal head 8. In this case, the control circuit 12 may determine the number of divisions to be set so that the higher the temperature of the thermal head 8, the larger the number of divisions to be set. This makes it possible to suppress the temperature rise of the thermal head 8 during printing when performing divided printing, and to prevent a decrease in print quality that may occur due to an increase in the temperature of the thermal head 8. The temperature of the thermal head can be measured by the thermistor 17.

[0061] The control circuit 12 may also determine whether to perform normal printing or divided printing depending on the tape width of the thermal tape 21. For example, normal printing may be performed when the tape width of the thermal tape 21 is less than a threshold value, and divided printing may be performed when the tape width is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In this case, the threshold value may be set to, for example, half the length in the main scanning direction of the heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8. This allows divided printing to be performed on a thermal tape with a large tape width, which consumes relatively large power during printing in normal printing, and therefore it is possible to reduce power consumption during printing on such a thermal tape with a large tape width. The tape width of the thermal tape 21 can be detected by the tape width detection switch 36.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control circuit 12 divides the heat generating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 into a plurality of groups, the division is not limited to dividing the heat generating elements 8a into adjacent heat generating elements 8a (for example, into the above-mentioned 36 adjacent heat generating elements 8a). For example, when dividing the heat generating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 into two groups, the heat generating elements 8a may be divided into a group consisting of odd-numbered heat generating elements 8a and a group consisting of even-numbered heat generating elements 8a.

[0063] Furthermore, when the control circuit 12 divides the multiple heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 into multiple groups, the division is not limited to dividing the elements so that the number of heating elements 8a in each group is the same. For example, depending on the division number, it may not be possible to divide the multiple heating elements 8a of the thermal head 8 equally, in which case the elements may be divided so that the number of heating elements 8a in each group is approximately the same.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a specific example was shown in which the printing device 1 has an input unit 3 and a display unit 6, but the printing device 1 does not have to have an input unit 3 or a display unit 6, and may receive printing data, printing instructions, etc. from an electronic device other than the printing device.

[0065] The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below. [Appendix 1] A conveying unit that conveys the print medium; A printing unit having a plurality of heating elements for printing on the print medium; A control unit that controls the transport unit and the printing unit; Equipped with The control unit is Dividing the plurality of heating elements into a plurality of N groups; When N is 2k (k is a natural number), forward transport printing, in which printing is performed on the print medium while transporting the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which printing is performed on the print medium while transporting the print medium in a reverse direction, are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total and the reverse transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and printing is performed using a different group of heating elements in each transport printing. This separate printing control is performed. A printing device comprising: [Appendix 2] A conveying unit that conveys the print medium; A printing unit having a plurality of heating elements for printing on the print medium; A control unit that controls the transport unit and the printing unit; Equipped with The control unit is Dividing the plurality of heating elements into a plurality of N groups; When N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), forward transport printing, in which printing is performed on the print medium while transporting the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which printing is performed on the print medium while transporting the print medium in a reverse direction, are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times and the reverse transport printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and the transport printing is performed using a different group of heating elements. This separate printing control is performed. A printing device comprising: [Appendix 3] The control unit is When N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), the forward printing and the reverse printing are alternately performed, the forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and the conveying unit and the printing unit are controlled so that printing is performed using a different group of heating elements in each conveying printing. This separate printing control is performed. 2. The printing device according to claim 1 . [Appendix 4] A storage unit storing mask data corresponding to each of the N groups, In each transfer printing, the printing unit performs printing according to the effective print data calculated using the corresponding mask data. 4. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [Appendix 5] The control unit determines N in accordance with the temperature of the printing unit. 5. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Appendix 6] the control unit performs the divided printing control when a medium width of the print medium is equal to or greater than a threshold value. 6. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Appendix 7] The pressure and transport path of the print medium are the same during the forward transport printing and during the reverse transport printing. 7. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [Appendix 8] A plurality of heating elements of the printing unit are divided into a plurality of groups (N groups); When N is 2k (k is a natural number), forward transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction and reverse transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total and the reverse transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and in each transport printing, the printing unit performs printing using heating elements of one group that is different from the other. A printing method comprising: [Appendix 9] A plurality of heating elements of the printing unit are divided into a plurality of groups (N groups); When N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), forward transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction and reverse transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times and the reverse transport printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and in each transport printing, the printing unit performs printing using heating elements of one group that is different from the other. A printing method comprising: [Appendix 10] A plurality of heating elements of the printing unit are divided into a plurality of groups (N groups); When N is 2k (k is a natural number), forward transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction, are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total and the reverse transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the printing unit is controlled to perform printing using a different group of heating elements in each transport printing. A program that causes a processor to execute a process. [Appendix 11] A plurality of heating elements of the printing unit are divided into a plurality of groups (N groups); When N is 2k-1 (k is a natural number), forward transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and reverse transport printing, in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction, are alternately performed, so that the forward transport printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times and the reverse transport printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and the printing unit performs printing using a different group of heating elements in each transport printing. A program that causes a processor to execute a process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Printing device 2. Equipment case 2a Media adapter housing 2b Outlet 3. Input section 4 Lid 4a Button 5. Windows 6 Display section 7 Platen roller 8 Thermal Head 8a Heating element 9 Full Cutter 10 Half Cutter 11 Photo sensor 12 Control circuit 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Display driver circuit 16 Head drive circuit 17 Thermistor 20 Media Adapter 21 Thermal Tape 31 Transport motor drive circuit 32 Conveyor motor 33 Encoder 34 Cutter motor drive circuit 35 Cutter motor 36 Tape width detection switch

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys the print medium; a printing section that has a plurality of heating elements arranged along a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the print medium and that prints on the print medium; A control unit that controls the transport unit and the printing unit; Equipped with The control unit is The plurality of heating elements are divided into a plurality of N groups by dividing the heating elements into N equal parts along the main scanning direction (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2); A forward transport printing process is performed by alternately transporting the print medium in a forward direction while printing on the print medium, and a reverse transport printing process is performed by alternately transporting the print medium in a reverse direction while printing on the print medium. When N is an odd number, the forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and each of the forward printing operations is performed using a different group of heating elements; When N is an even number, the forward transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse transport printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the transport unit and the printing unit are controlled so that printing is performed using a different group of heating elements in each transport printing. This separate printing control is performed. A printing device comprising:

2. A storage unit storing mask data corresponding to each of the N groups, In each transfer printing, the printing unit performs printing according to the effective print data calculated using the corresponding mask data.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines N in accordance with the temperature of the printing unit.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.

4. the control unit performs the divided printing control when a medium width of the print medium is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a first printing unit.

5. The pressure and transport path of the print medium are the same during the forward transport printing and during the reverse transport printing.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a first printing unit.

6. a printing unit that includes a plurality of heating elements arranged along a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of a medium to be printed, the plurality of heating elements being divided into a plurality of N groups by dividing the plurality of heating elements into N equal parts along the main scanning direction (N being a natural number of 2 or more); A forward transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and a reverse transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction are alternately performed, When N is an odd number, the forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and in each of the forward printing operations, printing is performed using one group of heating elements of a different printing unit; When the N is an even number, the forward printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and each of the forward printing operations is performed using a different group of heating elements. A printing method comprising:

7. a plurality of heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of a print medium, the plurality of heating elements being included in a printing unit, the plurality of heating elements being arranged in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a transport direction of a print medium, the plurality of heating elements being divided into a plurality of N groups by equally dividing the plurality of heating elements in the main scanning direction (N being a natural number of 2 or more); A forward transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a forward direction, and a reverse transport printing in which the printing unit prints on the print medium while the transport unit transports the print medium in a reverse direction are alternately performed, When N is an odd number, the forward printing is performed a total of (N+1) / 2 times, and the reverse printing is performed a total of (N-1) / 2 times, and in each of the forward printing operations, printing is performed using one group of heating elements of a different printing unit; When the N is an even number, the forward printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and the reverse printing is performed N / 2 times in total, and each of the forward printing operations is controlled to use a heating element of a different group. A program that causes a processor to execute a process.

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