Printing device and data creation device

Abstract

To provide a printer and a data creation device which can expand a color region that can be expressed by a printing medium.SOLUTION: A printer creates printing data in order to form an image on a thermal tape 4 of a label 9. The thermal tape 4 has the transparency and is constituted such that a plurality of thermal layers 42 that develop mutually different colors with application of heat are laminated. The printer determines whether to use the plurality of labels in a superimposed manner. The printer creates the printing data according to the determination result. The printer can create the plurality of labels 9 that can be used in the superimposed manner by performing printing on the thermal tape 4 based on the printing data. Since a color region of colors that can be expressed by the label 9 can be expanded by superimposing the plurality of labels 9, a specific color difficult to be expressed with printing can be expressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a data creation device. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing device described in Patent Document 1 prints an image by applying heat from a heating element to a print medium. The print medium is composed of multiple image-forming layers stacked together. The multiple image-forming layers are transparent, and when heat is applied, they produce different colors. Therefore, the print medium can express colors that the image-forming layers alone cannot produce. The printing device generates print data for driving the heating element according to multiple types of print medium in which the stacking orders of the multiple image-forming layers differ from one another. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-15315 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, if the image forming layer that makes up the print medium has a three-layer structure in which cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are laminated in that order, green, which is expressed by coloring the two layers of Y and C, is difficult to express because it requires control to color Y and C without coloring the intermediate layer between them, M. This causes the problem of a narrow color gamut that can be expressed on the print medium.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and a data creation device that can expand the color gamut that can be represented on a printing medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the printing device of the present invention comprises a thermal head having a heating element, a creation means for creating print data for driving the heating element based on image data in order to form an image on a transparent printing medium composed of a plurality of laminated heat-sensitive layers that emit different colors when heat is applied thereto, and a drive means for driving the heating element based on the print data, and the printing device prints the image by applying heat from the heating element to the printing medium, and is characterized in that the printing device has a judgment means for determining whether to use multiple printing media, including at least one of the printing media, in a superimposed state, and the creation means creates the printing data in accordance with the judgment result of the judgment means.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the printing device determines whether multiple printing media are to be used overlapping each other, and creates print data according to the result of the determination. The printing device creates print data corresponding to the overlapping use, and prints on the printing media based on the print data, thereby creating labels that can be used overlapping each other. By overlapping two or more labels, the color gamut that can be expressed on the printing medium can be expanded, making it possible to express specific colors that are difficult to express by printing. In addition, in order to enlarge the color dots on the printing medium, printing is performed at a high temperature and in a short time, so in conventional products it was necessary to apply a high voltage to the heating element, but in this aspect, two or more colors can be expressed overlapping each other, so dark colors can be expressed even with a printing device that consumes little power.

[0008] The creation means of the first aspect may create print data for generating at least two or more labels in which at least part of the color information of the print data differs from one another when the determination means determines that multiple print media, including at least one of the print media, will be used in an overlapping manner. Since the printing device creates print data for generating at least two or more labels, it is possible to generate two or more labels that can be used in an overlapping manner.

[0009] The creation means of the first aspect may create print data for generating at least two or more linked labels, in which at least part of the color information of the print data differs from one another, when the determination means determines that multiple print media, including at least one of the print media, are to be used in an overlapping manner. Since the printing device creates print data for generating at least two or more linked labels, even a printing device that does not have a cutting mechanism such as a cutter can create print data for generating labels that can be used in an overlapping manner. In addition, by creating print data for generating two or more linked labels, the margin between the labels can be narrowed, thereby saving the amount of print media used.

[0010] When the determination means determines that a plurality of print media are to be used in an overlapping manner, the creation means of the first aspect may correct the print data to express a specific color in the image by overlapping different colors, and create print data for generating at least two or more labels in which the portions corresponding to the specific color are composed of different colors. By overlapping two or more different colors, the printing device can express a specific color that is difficult to express by printing, for example. In addition, by overlapping two or more colors with different color intensities, a color can be expressed in a darker manner.

[0011] The specific color in the first embodiment may be a color expressed by coloring at least two or more of the thermosensitive layers in the printing medium, at least one of the colored thermosensitive layers being colored by the thermosensitive layers that are not adjacent to each other, and the creation means may create print data for generating at least two or more labels in which the portion corresponding to the specific color is composed of each color developed by the two thermosensitive layers that are not adjacent to each other. The printing device creates print data for generating at least two or more labels in which the portion corresponding to the specific color is composed of each color developed by the two thermosensitive layers that are not adjacent to each other. The printing device can generate, for example, a label colored in a first color and a label colored in a second color based on the created print data. Thereby, the printing device can express a color that is difficult to express on the printing medium by overlapping two labels generated by printing. In addition, it is possible to make each dot color larger.

[0012] In a first aspect, the printing device may further include a first storage unit that stores a first color range that can be expressed by heating the printing medium to develop a color, and the creation unit may include a synthesis unit that synthesizes a second color range that can be expressed by heating the printing medium to be used in an overlapping manner in accordance with the judgment result of the judgment unit with the first color range stored in the first storage unit, a temporary print data creation unit that generates temporary print data for printing the image based on the synthesized color range obtained by synthesis by the synthesis unit, a first final print data creation unit that converts the temporary print data created by the temporary print data creation unit into print data based on the first color range, and a second final print data creation unit that converts the temporary print data created by the temporary print data creation unit into print data based on the second color range. This allows the printing device to create print data corresponding to each of a plurality of printing media to be used in an overlapping manner.

[0013] The data creation device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a data creation device that creates print data for driving a heating element of a thermal head of a printing device based on image data in order to form an image on a transparent printing medium that is composed of a laminate of a plurality of heat-sensitive layers that emit different colors when heat is applied, and is characterized by comprising a determination means for determining whether a plurality of printing media including at least one of the printing media are to be used in an overlapping manner, and a creation means for creating the print data according to the determination result of the determination means. The data creation device determines whether a plurality of printing media are to be used in an overlapping manner, and creates print data according to the determination result. The printing device can create a label that can be used in an overlapping manner by printing on the printing medium based on the print data created by the data creation device. By overlapping two or more labels, the gamut of colors that can be expressed on the printing medium can be expanded, so that a specific color that is difficult to express by printing can be expressed. In addition, in order to enlarge the color dots on the printing medium, printing is performed at a high temperature and in a short time, so in conventional products, a high voltage had to be applied to the heating element. However, in this aspect, it is possible to create print data that generates a label that can be expressed by overlapping two or more colors, so that even a printing device with low power consumption can express dark colors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device 1. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the tape cassette 30 and the mounting portion 8. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view of the mounting portion 8 in which the tape cassette 30 is mounted. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a heat-sensitive tape 4, an adhesive tape 7, and a label 9. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a printing flow by the printing device 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the process in which two color gamuts R1 are combined to generate color gamut R2. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the process in which color gamuts R1 and R4 are combined to generate color gamut R5. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overlapping label 90. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of use of overlapping labels 91 and 92. [Figure 10] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a print control process. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram of image data E3. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of print data D1 to D3. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a color correction process and a print color conversion process in scene (1). [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing color correction processing and print color conversion processing in scene (2). [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the color correction process and the print color conversion process in scene (3). [Figure 17] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 and the data creating device 200. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ, and the configurations, controls, and the like of the described devices are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0016] In the following description, the lower left, upper right, lower right, upper left, upper side, and lower side in Fig. 1 are respectively the front, rear, right, left, upper side, and lower side of the printing device 1. The lower right, upper left, upper right, lower left, upper side, and lower side in Fig. 2 are respectively the front, rear, right, left, upper side, and lower side of the tape cassette 30. For ease of understanding, Fig. 3 shows the tape cassette 30 mounted in the mounting portion 8 with the upper case 312 removed.

[0017] The printing system of this embodiment includes a printing device 1 (see FIG. 1) and a tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2). The printing device 1 is a thermal printer, and can print characters, figures, symbols, etc. on a thermal tape 4 using the tape cassette 30. A label 9 is created by laminating an adhesive tape 7 to the printed thermal tape 4.

[0018] The external configuration of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 1 has a body cover 2. The body cover 2 is box-shaped. A keyboard 3 is provided on the front top surface of the body cover 2. A user operates the keyboard 3 to input various information into the printing device 1. A display 5 is provided behind the keyboard 3. The display 5 is capable of displaying the various input information.

[0019] A cassette cover 6 is provided behind the display 5. The cassette cover 6 opens and closes an attachment section 8 (see FIG. 2) described below from above. A user opens and closes the cassette cover 6 when replacing a tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2). An ejection slit (not shown) is provided at the rear left surface of the main body cover 2. The ejection slit ejects the label 9 to the outside of the printing device 1.

[0020] The internal configuration of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, an attachment section 8 is provided below the cassette cover 6 (see Figure 1). The attachment section 8 is shaped to correspond to the tape cassette 30 and is recessed downward from the upper surface of the main body cover 2. The tape cassette 30 is detachably attached to the attachment section 8. A head holder 19 is provided in front of the attachment section 8. The head holder 19 is plate-shaped and extends up, down, left and right. A thermal head 10 is provided on a front surface 191 of the head holder 19. The thermal head 10 includes a plurality of heating elements 11. The plurality of heating elements 11 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. When the tape cassette 30 is attached to the attachment section 8, the thermal head 10 uses the plurality of heating elements 11 to heat the thermal tape 4 exposed from an opening 341 (described below).

[0021] A drive shaft 18 is provided diagonally to the rear left of the head holder 19. The drive shaft 18 extends upward from the bottom surface of the mounting portion 8, and is driven to rotate by a conveying motor 95 (see FIG. 10). The drive shaft 18 conveys the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7, which will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the cutting mechanism 16 is provided to the left of the drive shaft 18. The cutting mechanism 16 cuts the label 9 by driving a cutting motor 96 (see Figure 10). The platen holder 12 is provided in front of the head holder 19. The platen holder 12 is arm-shaped, and is supported by a support shaft 121 so as to be swingable around an axis in the vertical direction. The support shaft 121 is provided at the right end of the platen holder 12.

[0023] A platen roller 15 and a movable roller 14 are both rotatably supported on the tip side of the platen holder 12. The platen roller 15 is capable of moving toward and away from the thermal head 10 as the platen holder 12 swings. The movable roller 14 is provided on the left side of the platen roller 15, and is capable of moving toward and away from a transport roller 33 (described below) as the platen holder 12 swings.

[0024] In this embodiment, when the cassette cover 6 is opened, the platen holder 12 moves toward the standby position (the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3), and when the cassette cover 6 is closed, the platen holder 12 moves toward the printing position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3). At the standby position, the platen holder 12 moves in a direction away from the mounting portion 8. This allows the user to attach and detach the tape cassette 30 to and from the mounting portion 8.

[0025] At the printing position, the platen holder 12 moves in a direction approaching the mounting section 8. Therefore, when the tape cassette 30 is mounted in the mounting section 8, the platen roller 15 presses the heat-sensitive tape 4 against the thermal head 10, and the movable roller 14 overlaps the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 and presses them against the conveying roller 33.

[0026] The platen roller 15 is rotated together with the drive shaft 18 by a conveying motor 95 (see FIG. 10). In this embodiment, in order to prevent the thermal tape 4 from becoming loose due to conveyance, the platen roller 15 and the drive shaft 18 are connected to the conveying motor 95 via multiple gears (not shown) so that the rotation speed of the platen roller 15 is slower than the rotation speed of the drive shaft 18 (conveying roller 33).

[0027] The structure of the tape cassette 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the tape cassette 30 has a cassette case 31. The cassette case 31 is substantially rectangular, and is formed by combining a lower case 311 and an upper case 312.

[0028] An arm portion 34 is provided on the front surface 301 of the cassette case 31. The arm portion 34 extends from the right front portion of the cassette case 31 to the left front portion. An opening 341 is provided at the left end of the arm portion 34. The opening 341 is formed in a slit shape extending in the vertical direction, and ejects the thermal tape 4 pulled out from a first supply roll 40 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, from inside to outside the cassette case 31. As a result, a portion of the thermal tape 4 is exposed to the outside of the cassette case 31.

[0029] A head insertion portion 39 is formed on the rear side of the arm portion 34. The head insertion portion 39 penetrates the cassette case 31 in the up-down direction. The left front portion of the head insertion portion 39 opens forward. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the "head opening 391." The head opening 391 is located downstream (to the left) of the opening 341 in the transport direction of the thermal tape 4. The head holder 19 is inserted into the head insertion portion 39 with the tape cassette 30 attached to the attachment portion 8.

[0030] A transport roller 33 is provided on the left side of the head insertion section 39. The transport roller 33 is located between the opening 341 and a guide section 38 described below in the transport direction (left-right direction). The transport roller 33 is cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction. The front end of the transport roller 33 is exposed forward from the cassette case 31. The transport roller 33 supports the adhesive tape 7 in a state in which the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 are overlapped. The transport roller 33 is rotatably supported by a support hole 35. The support hole 35 penetrates the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction. The drive shaft 18 is inserted inside the transport roller 33 with the tape cassette 30 attached to the attachment section 8. The transport roller 33 rotates by being driven to rotate by the drive shaft 18, and transports the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7.

[0031] A guide portion 38 is provided at the left front corner of the cassette case 31. The guide portion 38 is located downstream (left side) of the opening 341 in the transport direction, more specifically downstream of the transport rollers 33 in the transport direction. The guide portion 38 is formed in a slit shape extending in the vertical direction. When the label 9 is transported via the transport rollers 33, it passes inside the guide portion 38. At this time, the guide portion 38 supports the label 9 from both sides in the width direction. As a result, the label 9 is discharged from the cassette case 31 while maintaining the attitude of the label 9. In other words, the guide portion 38 guides the label 9 to the outside of the cassette case 31.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a first supply roll 40 and a second supply roll 70 are housed inside the cassette case 31. The first supply roll 40 is a supply source of the thermal tape 4, and is provided in the right rear part inside the cassette case 31. The first supply roll 40 is configured by winding the thermal tape 4 around the first tape spool 21 in a clockwise direction in a plan view in a direction away from the center of rotation of the first tape spool 21. In detail, the thermal tape 4 is wound so that a plurality of thermal layers 42 (see FIG. 4(A)) are on the inside with respect to a substrate 41 (see FIG. 4(A)) described below. The first tape spool 21 is rotatably supported by a support hole 36. The support hole 36 passes through the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction.

[0033] The second supply roll 70 is a supply source of the adhesive tape 7, and is provided at the left rear part inside the cassette case 31, i.e., to the left of the first supply roll 40. The second supply roll 70 is configured by winding the adhesive tape 7 around the second tape spool 22 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view away from the center of rotation of the second tape spool 22. In detail, the adhesive tape 7 is wound so that a first adhesive layer 73 (see FIG. 4(B)), which will be described later, is on the inside relative to a second adhesive layer 74 (release paper 75, see FIG. 4(B)). The second tape spool 22 is rotatably supported by a support hole 37. The support hole 37 passes through the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction.

[0034] The configuration of the thermal tape 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the following description, the upper and lower sides of FIG. 4 refer to the upper and lower sides of each tape, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the thermal tape 4 is a long medium, and is configured by laminating multiple layers. In detail, the thermal tape 4 has a base material 41, multiple thermal sensitive layers 42, multiple heat shield layers 43, and an overcoat layer 44 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "each layer of the thermal tape 4"). The multiple thermal sensitive layers 42 include a first thermal sensitive layer 421, a second thermal sensitive layer 422, and a third thermal sensitive layer 423. The multiple heat shield layers 43 include a first heat shield layer 431 and a second heat shield layer 432.

[0035] The base material 41, the first thermosensitive layer 421, the first heat shielding layer 431, the second thermosensitive layer 422, the second heat shielding layer 432, the third thermosensitive layer 423, and the overcoat layer 44 are laminated in this order from the lower side of the thermosensitive tape 4 in the thickness direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 4(A)) of the thermosensitive tape 4. In other words, the overcoat layer 44 is provided on the opposite side of the base material 41 with respect to the multiple thermosensitive layers 42, specifically on the upper surface of the thermosensitive tape 4.

[0036] The substrate 41 is a resin film, specifically a non-foamed resin film, and more specifically a non-foamed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In other words, the substrate 41 does not contain any air bubbles.

[0037] Each of the plurality of thermosensitive layers 42 develops a color corresponding to the layer by being heated to a color development temperature corresponding to the layer. The plurality of thermosensitive layers 42 uses, for example, a chemical described in JP-A-2008-6830.

[0038] The first thermosensitive layer 421 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the first heat shielding layer 431. The first thermosensitive layer 421 develops a first color when it exceeds a first temperature. In this embodiment, the first color is cyan.

[0039] The second thermosensitive layer 422 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the second heat shielding layer 432. The second thermosensitive layer 422 develops a second color when the second temperature exceeds a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. In this embodiment, the second color is magenta.

[0040] The third thermosensitive layer 423 is formed in a film shape by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the second heat shielding layer 432. The third thermosensitive layer 423 develops a third color when it exceeds a third temperature. The third temperature is higher than the second temperature. In this embodiment, the third color is yellow.

[0041] The heat shield layers 43 are in the form of a sheet. Since the heat shield layers 43 have low thermal conductivity, the heat shield layers 43 act as a resistance against heat conduction. Therefore, a temperature gradient occurs inside each of the heat shield layers 43 in the direction in which heat is transmitted. When the thermal head 10 heats the thermal tape 4 from the upper side in FIG. 4 as described below, the temperature of the lower surface of each heat shield layer 43 becomes lower than the temperature of the upper surface of each heat shield layer 43. As a result, each heat shield layer 43 can provide a desired difference in temperature between the two heat-sensitive layers 42 adjacent to each other on both the upper and lower sides of each heat shield layer 43 according to the thermal conductivity of the heat shield layer 43.

[0042] In detail, the second heat-shielding layer 432 can make the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422 lower than the temperature of the third heat-sensitive layer 423. The first heat-shielding layer 431 can make the temperature of the first heat-sensitive layer 421 lower than the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422. In this way, by the action of the heat-shielding layer 43, the heat-sensitive tape 4 can intentionally control the temperature of the first heat-sensitive layer 421 to a temperature higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature, the temperature of the second heat-sensitive layer 422 to a temperature higher than the second temperature and lower than the third temperature, and the temperature of the third heat-sensitive layer 423 to a temperature higher than the third temperature.

[0043] The overcoat layer 44 is formed into a film by coating the upper surface of the third thermosensitive layer 423, and transmits more blue visible light (e.g., light with a wavelength of about 470 nm) than yellow visible light (e.g., light with a wavelength of about 580 nm). In other words, the yellow visible light transmittance of the overcoat layer 44 is lower than the blue visible light transmittance of the overcoat layer 44. The overcoat layer 44 protects the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 from the side opposite to the substrate 41 (i.e., the upper surface side of the thermosensitive tape 4).

[0044] The thermal tape 4 as a whole has visible light transmittance in the thickness direction of the thermal tape 4. That is, each layer of the thermal tape 4 has visible light transmittance. The visible light transmittance (%) of the base material 41 may be the same as or different from the visible light transmittance of at least one of the multiple thermal layers 42, the multiple heat shielding layers 43, and the overcoat layer 44. The visible light transmittance of each layer of the thermal tape 4 is, for example, 90% or more, preferably 99% or more, and more preferably 99.9% or more. The visible light transmittance of each layer of the thermal tape 4 may be such that the user can at least visually recognize the color development in the thermal layer 42 through the base material 41, even if the visible light transmittance of each layer of the thermal tape 4 is less than 90%. Each layer of the thermal tape 4 is transparent or translucent, and is preferably transparent.

[0045] The ultraviolet ray transmittance (%) of the base material 41 is lower than the ultraviolet ray transmittance of the first heat shield layer 431 , and more specifically, is lower than the ultraviolet ray transmittance of any of the plurality of heat shield layers 43 .

[0046] The thermal conductivity of the base material 41 is lower than the thermal conductivity of the first heat shield layer 431, and more specifically, lower than the thermal conductivity of any of the multiple heat shield layers 43. The thermal conductivity (W / K) of a layer is the product of the thermal conductivity of the layer (W / (m K)) and the thickness of the layer (m).

[0047] The refractive index of the base material 41 is higher than the refractive index of the first heat shield layer 431 , and more specifically, higher than the refractive index of any of the multiple heat shield layers 43 .

[0048] The thickness of the base material 41 is greater than the thickness of the first heat shield layer 431, and more specifically, greater than the thickness of any of the multiple heat shield layers 43. The thickness of the layer corresponds to the length of the layer in the vertical direction in FIG. 4(A). Note that in FIG. 4(A), for ease of understanding, the thickness of each layer of the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the magnitude relationship of the thickness of each layer are shown typically, and the actual thickness of each layer and the magnitude relationship of the thickness of each layer may differ from FIG. 4(A) (the same applies to FIG. 4(B) and FIG. 5). For example, the thickness of the overcoat layer 44 may be greater than, the same as, or smaller than the thickness of each layer of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42.

[0049] The structure of the adhesive tape 7 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4(B), the adhesive tape 7 is a long medium and is formed by laminating a plurality of layers. In detail, the adhesive tape 7 includes a double-sided adhesive tape 71 and a release paper 75. The double-sided adhesive tape 71 is white, and includes a sheet 72, a first adhesive layer 73, and a second adhesive layer 74. The sheet 72 is transparent.

[0050] The first adhesive layer 73 is provided on the lower surface of the sheet 72. The second adhesive layer 74 is provided on the upper surface of the sheet 72. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is constructed by applying an adhesive to both the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 72.

[0051] The release paper 75 is attached to the double-sided adhesive tape 71 via the second adhesive layer 74. A slit 76 is provided in the release paper 75. The slit 76 extends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape 7 and divides the release paper 75 into two in the lateral direction. The slit 76 penetrates into part of the double-sided adhesive tape 71, but does not reach the first adhesive layer 73. In other words, the sheet 72 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76. In other words, the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is connected in a continuous manner across the slit 76.

[0052] The structure of the label 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4(C), the label 9 is formed by bonding the lower surface of the adhesive tape 7 to the upper surface of the printed heat-sensitive tape 4. Therefore, in the label 9, the base material 41, the first heat-sensitive layer 421, the first heat-shielding layer 431, the second heat-sensitive layer 422, the second heat-shielding layer 432, the third heat-sensitive layer 423, the overcoat layer 44, the first adhesive layer 73, the sheet 72, the second adhesive layer 74, and the release paper 75 are laminated in this order in the thickness direction.

[0053] The user views the label 9 from the substrate 41 side (i.e., the bottom side of the label 9) (see the viewing direction Y1). Since the heat-sensitive tape 4 as a whole is transparent to visible light, when the user views the label 9 from the substrate 41 side, the color development of each layer of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 (i.e., the printed image) can be seen through the substrate 41. In this embodiment, since the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is transparent, when the user views the label 9 from the substrate 41 side, the background can be seen through it. For example, the user can peel off the release paper 75 from the double-sided adhesive tape 71 and attach it to a predetermined wall, mount, etc., to use the label 9. In this case, the adherend, such as a predetermined wall, is seen as the background.

[0054] Furthermore, even if the release paper 75 is peeled off from the double-sided adhesive tape 71 from the adhesive tape 7 side (i.e., the top side of the label 9), the user cannot see the color of the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 (i.e., the printed image) because the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is located in front of the multiple thermosensitive layers 42.

[0055] The transport paths of the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 will now be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the heat-sensitive tape 4 is pulled downward from the right end of the first supply roll 40 and bends leftward at the right front corner of the cassette case 31. The heat-sensitive tape 4 passes through the inside of the arm portion 34 and exits from the opening 341 to the outside of the cassette case 31.

[0056] 5(A), in the head opening 391, the side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 (the upper surface side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) faces the thermal head 10, and the side of the substrate 41 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 (the lower surface side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) faces the platen roller 15. In other words, the thermal head 10 is located on the opposite side of the substrate 41 (i.e., the rear side of the heat-sensitive tape 4) with respect to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 when the tape cassette 30 is attached to the attachment section 8. Therefore, in the head opening 391, the heat-sensitive tape 4 is heated by the thermal head 10 from the opposite side of the substrate 41 (see printing direction Y2).

[0057] As shown in Fig. 3, the heat-sensitive tape 4 passes between the transport roller 33 and the movable roller 14 via the head opening 391. At this time, the side of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the transport roller 33, and the side of the base material 41 of the heat-sensitive tape 4 faces the movable roller 14, as shown in Fig. 5(B).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive tape 7 is pulled downward from the left end of the second supply roll 70. The adhesive tape 7 bends leftward while contacting the right front portion of the outer periphery of the transport roller 33. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the release paper 75 side (upper surface side of the adhesive tape 7) of the adhesive tape 7 faces the transport roller 33, and the double-sided adhesive tape 71 side (lower surface side of the adhesive tape 7) of the adhesive tape 7 faces the movable roller 14. Therefore, the transport roller 33 supports the adhesive tape 7 from the opposite side to the heat-sensitive tape 4 with respect to the adhesive tape 7 in a state in which the adhesive tape 7 is superimposed on the heat-sensitive tape 4 from the opposite side to the substrate 41 with respect to the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42.

[0059] The movable roller 14 sandwiches the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 in an overlapping state between the movable roller 14 and the transport roller 33 to bond the thermal tape 4 and the adhesive tape 7 together. In this way, a label 9 is produced. As shown in FIG. 3, the label 9 passes inside the guide portion 38 and is discharged to the outside of the tape cassette 30. The label 9 is transported to the cutting mechanism 16 and cut by the cutting mechanism 16. The cut label 9 is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 through the discharge slit in the main body cover 2.

[0060] The color gamut that can be expressed by the label 9 (thermal tape 4) will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the "color gamut" refers to the color reproduction area that can be reproduced by printing with the printing device 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the standard color gamut 100 is a standard color reproduction area, and is shown as a hexagon with the six basic colors of CMYRGB as vertices. Here, the general L * a * b * Space a * b * The standard color gamut 100 shown in FIG. * Therefore, the center is L * White on the positive axis, L * Black is indicated on the axis 0 side. The six basic colors that can be represented are the six vertices of the standard color gamut 100. The color gamut differs depending on the type of thermal tape 4. Note that in this embodiment, the color gamut of the label 9 is the same as the color gamut of the thermal tape 4.

[0061] The color gamut R1 is a color reproduction area determined by the type of thermal tape 4 printed by the printer 1. The color gamut R1 is reduced compared to the standard color gamut 100. Colors outside the color gamut R1 cannot be expressed. Therefore, if there is a color in the image to be printed on the label 9 that is outside the color gamut R1, that color will be difficult to express.

[0062] In this embodiment, by overlapping multiple labels 9, it is possible to express colors that are difficult to express with a single label 9. For example, two labels 9 are printed by the printer 1 using the same tape cassette 30. The same tape cassette 30 means that the type of thermal tape 4 stored therein is the same. Therefore, when two printed labels 9 are used by overlapping each other, the color gamut R2 is a range in which the two color gamuts R1 are combined, and is a pentagon larger than the color gamut R1. In other words, by overlapping multiple labels 9, it is possible to expand the color gamut that can be expressed.

[0063] Meanwhile, two labels are printed by the printer 1, using different types of thermal tape for the first and second labels. For example, assume that the first label is printed using a tape cassette 30 that stores a CMY triple-layer thermal tape 4, and the second label is printed using a tape cassette that stores a single-layer magenta (M) thermal tape. As shown in Figure 7, the color gamut of the CMY triple-layer thermal tape 4 is R1. The color gamut of the M1-layer thermal tape is R4. The color gamuts R1 and R4 have different shapes. When the color gamuts R1 and R4 are combined, the color gamut becomes R5. The color gamut R5 is a pentagon that is larger than the color gamut R1.

[0064] In this embodiment, for example, by creating an overlapped label 90 by overlapping two labels 9, it is possible to beautifully express colors that are difficult to express with a single label 9. The printing device 1 can create print data for generating multiple labels for overlapping by executing a print control process (see FIG. 11) described below. Note that although the examples in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 both show examples in which two labels 9 are overlapped, three or more labels 9 may be overlapped on top of each other. By using overlapping labels 9, the color gamut becomes a range in which the color gamuts of the individual labels are combined, and so changes according to the number of labels to be overlapped.

[0065] The structure of the overlapping label 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The overlapping label means a label created by overlapping a plurality of labels in the thickness direction. The overlapping label 90 is created by overlapping two labels 9A and 9B. As an example of a method for creating the overlapping label 90, a user places the label 9B on a desk with the base material 41 side facing down, and peels off the release paper 75 of the adhesive tape 7, which is the upper surface. The second adhesive layer 74 is exposed. The user overlaps and attaches the base material 41 side of the label 9A to the second adhesive layer 74 from above. In this way, one overlapping label 90 is created.

[0066] The user views the overlapping label 90 from the substrate 41 side of the label 9B (i.e., the bottom side of the overlapping label 90) (see the viewing direction Y1). As described above, the heat-sensitive tape 4 and the double-sided adhesive tape 71 of each of the labels 9A and 9B are transparent to visible light as a whole. Therefore, when the overlapping label 90 is viewed from the substrate 41 side, the color development (i.e., the printed image) of each of the multiple heat-sensitive layers 42 of each of the labels 9A and 9B can be viewed superimposed through the substrate 41. As described above, since the double-sided adhesive tape 71 is transparent, when the user views the overlapping label 90 from the substrate 41 side, the background can be seen through it. The user can peel off the release paper 75 from the double-sided adhesive tape 71 and attach the overlapping label 90 to a predetermined wall, mount, or the like.

[0067] An example of the use of the overlapping label 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As described above, the overlapping label 90 can expand the color gamut that can be expressed by one label 9. By utilizing such an effect of the overlapping label 90, various examples of use can be envisioned.

[0068] A first use example will be described. As described above, in the label 9, the first thermosensitive layer 421(C), the second thermosensitive layer 422(M), and the third thermosensitive layer 423(Y) are laminated in this order from the substrate 41 side (see FIG. 4(C)). In the case of such a thermosensitive layer 42, green expressed by coloring the two layers of the first thermosensitive layer 421(C) and the third thermosensitive layer 423(Y) is difficult to express with one label 9 because it requires control to color the first thermosensitive layer 421(C) and the third thermosensitive layer 423(Y) without coloring the second thermosensitive layer 422(M), which is the intermediate layer between them. In such a case, by creating a laminated label 91, the green can be expressed more beautifully than with a single label 9.

[0069] For example, as shown in Figure 9(A), image data E1 is data for an image including the letter "A" in green. Printing device 1 creates print data based on image data E1. When printing device 1 prints an image onto label 9 based on the created print data, it is difficult to express the color green beautifully for the reasons described above.

[0070] In this case, the printing device 1 creates labels 9A and 9B with different character colors for "A" through a print control process (see FIG. 11) described later. The character color of label 9A is cyan, and the character color of label 9B is yellow. By overlapping these, an overlapping label 91 is created. When the overlapping label 91 is viewed from the base material 41 side, the cyan "A" and the yellow "A" overlap, allowing the user to recognize the character color of "A" as green, which is closer to the character color of "A" in the image data E1. This allows the overlapping label 91 to express a color closer to the image of the image data E1.

[0071] A second use example will be described. As described above, the heat-sensitive layer 42 of the label 9 is transparent to visible light, so it is transparent even at the colored position. Therefore, when a color is developed alone, the color tends to be light even at maximum color development. Also, in order to make the colored dots larger, it is necessary to apply a high voltage in order to print at a high temperature and in a short time. Even in such a case, a dark color can be expressed by creating an overlapping label 90.

[0072] For example, as shown in Figure 9(B), image data E2 is data for an image including the letter "A" in red with a color density of K1. The color density is an absolute density, but when it is an absolute transmission density, it may be read as transmittance. The printing device 1 creates print data based on the image data E2. When the printing device 1 prints an image onto a label 9 based on the created print data, for the reasons described above, the color appears lighter than the color density K1.

[0073] In this case, the printing device 1 also creates the labels 9C and 9D, each having a different color density of "A", by a print control process (see FIG. 11) described later. The color density of the label 9C is K2, and the color density of the label 9D is K3. Note that "different color density" is the same concept as "different color". For example, the color density K2 of the label 9C may be the same as the color density K1 of the image data E2, and the color density K3 of the label 9D may be lighter than the color density K2. By overlapping these, the overlapping label 92 is created. When the overlapping label 92 is viewed from the substrate 41 side, the "A" of the color density K2 and the "A" of the color density K3 overlap, so that the user can visually recognize the "A" of the color density K4, which is darker than the color density K2. As a result, even the overlapping label 92, which has transparency, can express a color closer to the image of the image data E2.

[0074] The electrical configuration of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The printing device 1 includes a CPU 81. The CPU 81 controls the printing device 1 and functions as a processor. The CPU 81 is electrically connected to a flash memory 82, a ROM 83, a RAM 84, a keyboard 3, a display 5, a thermal head 10, a conveying motor 85, a cutting motor 86, and a communication unit 87. The flash memory 82 stores a program executed by the CPU 81, cassette information, color gamut information, and the like. The cassette information is information on the type of tape cassette 30, and includes information on the type of thermal tape 4 stored in the tape cassette 30. The color gamut information includes information on the color gamut for each type of thermal tape 4, and information on the color gamut synthesized according to the combination of overlapping the tapes. The ROM 83 stores various parameters required when various programs are executed. The RAM 84 stores various temporary data, such as print data for forming an image. The communication unit 87 is connected to an external device (not shown) wirelessly or via a wire, and can communicate with each other.

[0075] The print control process will be described with reference to FIG. 11. When the printer 1 is powered on, the CPU 81 reads the print control program from the flash memory 82 and executes this process. The CPU 81 accepts the selection of overlay via the keyboard 3 (S10). The CPU 81 stores whether or not to overlay, for example, using a flag. The CPU 81 determines whether or not to overlay based on the flag stored in the RAM 84 (S11). If overlay is not to be performed (S11: NO), the CPU 81 reads image data from the flash memory 82 (S31) and creates print data based on the read image data (S32). After creating the print data, the CPU 81 proceeds to S20, which will be described later.

[0076] If overlapping labels is to be performed (S11: YES), the CPU 81 accepts input of the number of labels to be used for overlapping via the keyboard 3 (S12). The CPU 81 stores the accepted number in the RAM 84. The CPU 81 accepts the type of tape cassette 30 to be used via the keyboard 3 (S13). For example, if printing is to be performed using a different type of tape cassette for each label, the user enters the types of all tape cassettes to be used via the keyboard 3.

[0077] The CPU 81 reads image data (S14). The image data is read from image data stored in advance in the flash memory 82, but externally input image data may also be read. In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that image data E3 shown in FIG. 12 is read. The image data E3 is image data of a color photograph of a basket containing fruits and vegetables. The CPU 81 stores color information of each pixel constituting the image data in the RAM 84. The color information is, for example, a color code indicating the type of color. In this embodiment, an arbitrary pixel of a green pepper, which is a vegetable, is designated as X1, and an arbitrary pixel of an apple, which is a fruit, is designated as X2. The color information of X1 is green, and the color information of X2 is red.

[0078] The CPU 81 determines selectable color gamut information from the color gamut information stored in the flash memory 82 based on the number of labels received in S12 and the type of tape cassette 30 received in S13 (S15). The CPU 81 stores the determined color gamut information in the RAM 84. Note that instead of S12 and S13, the selection of the color gamut may be received from the keyboard 3.

[0079] The CPU 81 determines whether or not to concatenate the image data (S17). Since the user will be overlapping labels, the CPU 81 creates image data for the number of labels. The user can select using the keyboard 3 whether or not to concatenate the image data. If the image data will be concatenated (S17: YES), the CPU 81 creates one piece of print data (S18). If the image data will not be concatenated (S17: NO), print data for the number of labels is created (S19).

[0080] Here, referring to Fig. 13, an example will be described in which the image to be printed is "ABC" and two labels to be superimposed are created. When linking image data, as shown in Fig. 13(A), the CPU 81 creates one piece of print data D1 in which image data E11 and E12 for two labels are linked. The printer 1 prints on the thermal tape 4 based on the print data D1, thereby creating one label in which the two labels are linked together.

[0081] On the other hand, when the image data is not concatenated, the CPU 81 creates two pieces of print data D2 and D3 in which the image data E11 and E12 are separate, as shown in Fig. 13(B). The printer 1 prints on the thermal tape 4 based on the print data D2 and D3, thereby creating two labels on which the image data E11 and E12 are printed separately.

[0082] By creating one label by joining two labels, the blank space at the beginning of the label can be made shorter than when creating two labels separately. When creating two labels separately, the user does not have to cut the center of one label by himself. Note that the printing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a cutting mechanism 16, but in the case of a printing device that does not have a cutting mechanism 16, the CPU 81 determines in the determination process of S17 that the image data should be joined (S17: YES) and creates one piece of print data. The CPU 81 stores the created print data in the RAM 84.

[0083] The CPU 81 executes color correction processing for all pixels of the created print data (S20), and then executes print color conversion processing (S21). Here, the color correction processing and color conversion processing executed for arbitrary pixels X1 and X2 shown in FIG. 12 will be described in order in the following divided into each of the following (1) to (3). (1) When printing on one label 9 without overlapping (2) When printing on two overlapping labels 9 on the same type of tape cassette 30 (3) When printing on two overlapping labels 9 using two different types of tape cassettes Scene (1) corresponds to the color correction process (S20) and the print color conversion process (S21) when no overlapping is performed (S11: NO).

[0084] (1) When printing on one label 9 without overlapping As shown in FIG. 14A, the color information of pixel X1 is green, so X1 is located at A1 in the standard color gamut 100. A1 is near the apex of G. The color information of pixel X2 is red, so X2 is located at B1 in the standard color gamut 100. B1 is near the apex of R. The color gamut of the tape cassette 30 is the color gamut R1 of the tape cassette 30 mounted in the mounting portion 8. The CPU 81 executes color correction processing for pixels X1 and X2. As described above, the color gamut R1 is reduced compared to the standard color gamut 100. Therefore, the printing device 1 performs correspondence from the color signals (R, G, B) of the standard to the color signals (R', G', B') of the printing device 1 while taking into account such reduction in the color space. As a result, pixel X1 is corrected from A1 to A2 in the color gamut R1, and pixel X2 is corrected from B1 to B2 in the color gamut R1. A2 is a position corresponding to green in the color gamut R1. B2 is the position corresponding to red within the color gamut R1.

[0085] Next, the CPU 81 executes color conversion processing for pixels X1 and X2 whose respective color information has been corrected to A2 and B2 within the color gamut R1. The color conversion processing is a process for converting into print colors that can be printed by the printing device 1. However, since overlay is not performed in scene (1), only one label 9 is printed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14(B), pixels X1 and X2 are assigned as they are within the same color gamut R1 as in the color correction processing, and there is no change in their respective color information.

[0086] (2) When printing on two overlapping labels 9 on the same type of tape cassette 30 As shown in FIG. 15(A), the color information of pixel X1 is green, so X1 is located at A1 in the standard color gamut 100. A1 is near the apex of G. The color information of pixel X2 is red, so X2 is located at B1 in the standard color gamut 100. B1 is near the apex of R. The printer 1 prints two labels 9 on the same type of tape cassette 30, so the color gamut that can be expressed by overlapping the two labels 9 is R2. In addition, in scene (2), it is assumed that the color gamut R2 was selected in S16. The CPU 81 executes a color correction process, so that the color information of pixels X1 and X2 is corrected to within the color gamut R2. As shown in FIG. 15(B), pixel X1 is corrected from A1 to A3 in the color gamut R2, and pixel X2 is corrected from B1 to B3 in the color gamut R2. A3 is a position corresponding to green in the color gamut R2. B3 is a position corresponding to red in the color gamut R2.

[0087] Next, the CPU 81 executes color conversion processing for pixels X1 and X2 that have been corrected to the positions A3 and B3, respectively, within the color gamut R2. The CPU 81 receives two labels in S12, and one type of tape cassette 30 in S13. Therefore, both the first and second labels 9 are printed using the same type of tape cassette 30. The color gamuts of both tape cassettes 30 are R1.

[0088] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 15(C), in the first label 9, pixels X1 and X2 corrected to be within gamut R2 are each assigned to be within gamut R1. Pixel X1 is assigned from A3 to A4 in gamut R1, and pixel X2 is assigned from B3 to B4 in gamut R1. A4 is a position that corresponds to yellow in gamut R1. B4 is a position that corresponds to red in gamut R1.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 15D, in the second label 9, similarly to the first label 9, pixels X1 and X2 corrected to be within gamut R2 are each assigned to gamut R1. Pixel X1 is assigned from A3 to A5 in gamut R1, and pixel X2 is assigned from B3 to B5 in gamut R1. A5 is a position corresponding to cyan in gamut R1. B5 is a position corresponding to red in gamut R1, and is the same position as B4 assigned in the first label 9. In other words, the color information of pixel X1 in the first label 9 is yellow, and the color information of pixel X1 in the second label 9 is cyan, and different color information is assigned to each other.

[0090] (3) When printing on two overlapping labels 9 using two different types of tape cassettes As shown in FIG. 16(A), the color information of pixel X1 is green, so X1 is located at A1 in the standard color gamut 100. A1 is near the apex of G. The color information of pixel X2 is red, so pixel X2 is located at B1 in the standard color gamut 100. B1 is near the apex of R. The printing device 1 prints two labels 9 using two different types of tape cassettes. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the two different types of tape cassettes are a tape cassette 30 that stores a thermal tape 4 with a three-layer structure of CMY, and a tape cassette that stores a single-color thermal tape of magenta (M).

[0091] The printer 1 prints two labels 9 using the two types of tape cassettes 30. As described above, the color gamut of the thermal tape 4 of three colors, CMY, is R1, and the color gamut of the thermal tape of a single color, magenta, is R4 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the color gamut that can be expressed by overlapping two labels 9 is R5. In scene (3), it is assumed that the color gamut R5 is selected in S16. As shown in FIG. 16(A), the CPU 81 executes a color correction process, so that the color information of pixels X1 and X2 is corrected to within the color gamut R5. As shown in FIG. 16(B), pixel X1 is corrected from A1 to A6 in the color gamut R5, and pixel X2 is corrected from B1 to B6 in the color gamut R5. A6 is a position corresponding to green in the color gamut R5. B6 is a position corresponding to red in the color gamut R5.

[0092] The CPU 81 executes color conversion processing for pixels X1 and X2 that have been corrected to the positions of A6 and B6, respectively, within the color gamut R5. The CPU 81 accepts two numbers of labels in S12, and accepts two different types of tape cassettes 30 in S13. Therefore, the first label 9 is printed using a tape cassette 30 that stores CMY thermal tape 4, and the second label is printed using a tape cassette that stores magenta thermal tape. As described above, the color gamut of the thermal tape 4 is R1, and the color gamut of the magenta thermal tape is R4.

[0093] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16C, in the first label 9, the pixels X1 and X2 corrected to be within the color gamut R5 are each assigned to be within the color gamut R1. The pixel X1 is assigned from A6 to A7 in the color gamut R1, and the pixel X2 is assigned from B6 to B7 in the color gamut R1. A7 is a position corresponding to green in the color gamut R1. B7 is a position corresponding to red in the color gamut R1. As shown in FIG. 16D, in the second label, the pixels X1 and X2 corrected to be within the color gamut R5 are each assigned to be within the color gamut R4. The pixel X1 is assigned from A6 to A8 in the color gamut R4, and the pixel X2 is assigned from B6 to B8 in the color gamut R4. A8 is a position close to the center of the color gamut R4 and corresponds to white (transparent). That is, the color information of the pixel X1 in the first label 9 is green, and the color information of the pixel X1 in the second label 9 is white (transparent), and different color information is assigned to each other.

[0094] In this manner, in each of the above (1) to (3), the color correction process (S21, S33) and the print color conversion process (S22, S34) are executed for all pixels of the image data included in the print data created in S18 or S19, or the print data created in S32. The CPU 81 stores the print data after each process in the RAM 84.

[0095] Returning to FIG. 11, the CPU 81 executes a brightness / density conversion process (S22). The brightness / density conversion process converts the brightness represented by RGB to density represented by CMY. The CPU 81 determines the parameters of the power to be input to the heating element 11 of the thermal head 10 based on the converted CMY density (S23). The CPU 81 prints one label based on the print data stored in the RAM 84 (S24). The CPU 81 determines whether printing of all labels has been completed (S25). If overlapping has not been selected, if there is only one label to be printed, or if printing of all labels has been completed (S25: YES), this process ends.

[0096] Based on the print data stored in RAM 84, if there is a second label to be printed (S25: NO), the CPU 81 determines whether the tape cassette has been replaced in the mounting unit 8 or whether there is no need to do so (S26). If the second label is to be printed using a different tape cassette than the first, the user replaces the tape cassette in the mounting unit 8. If the tape cassette has not been replaced (S26: NO), the CPU 81 returns to S26 and waits. If the tape cassette has been replaced (S26: YES), the CPU 81 prints the second label (S24). Also, if only one label was received in S12 or only one type of tape cassette was received in S13, there is no need to replace the tape cassette (S26: YES), so the CPU 81 ends this process.

[0097] In this way, the CPU 81 executes the above-mentioned print control process to print multiple labels for overlapping. As a result, for example, in two overlapping labels 9 on which image data E1 is printed, the bell pepper portion of the first label 9 is printed in yellow, and the bell pepper portion of the second label 9 is printed in cyan. By forming an overlapping label 90 from these two labels 9, when a user looks from the base material 41 side, the bell pepper portion appears as a beautiful green due to the combination of cyan and yellow.

[0098] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a thermal head 10 having a heating element 11. The CPU 81 of the printing device 1 creates print data to form an image on the thermal tape 4 of the label 9. The thermal tape 4 is transparent and is composed of a plurality of laminated thermal layers 42 that emit different colors when heat is applied. The print data is data for the CPU 81 to drive the heating element 11 based on image data. The CPU 81 prints an image by applying heat from the heating element 11 to the thermal tape 4. The CPU 81 judges whether to use a plurality of labels 9 including at least one label 9 by overlapping them. The CPU 81 creates print data according to the judgment result. The printing device 1 prints on the thermal tape 4 based on the print data, thereby creating a label 9 that can be used by overlapping it. By overlapping two or more labels 9, the color gamut that can be expressed by the label 9 can be expanded, so that a specific color that is difficult to express by printing can be expressed. Also, to enlarge the colored dots on the thermal tape 4, printing is performed at high temperature in a short time, so in conventional products a high voltage had to be applied to the heating element 11, but the printing device 1 can express two or more colors by overlapping them, so dark colors can be expressed even with less power.

[0099] In the above description, the label 9 and the thermal tape 4 are examples of the "printing medium" of the present invention. The CPU 81 that executes the process of S24 in FIG. 11 is an example of the "driving means" of the present invention. The CPU 81 that executes the process of S11 is an example of the "determination means" of the present invention. The CPU 81 that executes the processes of S18 to S21 is an example of the "creation means" of the present invention. Green is an example of the "specific color" of the present invention. The flash memory 82 is an example of the "first storage unit" of the present invention. The color gamut R1 is an example of the "first color range" of the present invention, the color gamut R4 is an example of the "second color range" of the present invention, and the color gamut R5 is an example of the "composite color range" of the present invention. The CPU 81 that executes the processes of S20 and S21 are examples of the "composite means", "temporary print data creation means", and "final print data creation means" of the present invention.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In this embodiment, the CPU 81 of the printing device 1 executes the print control process of FIG. 11, but for example, the CPU 201 of the data creation device 200 shown in FIG. 17 may execute S10 to S23 of the print control process of FIG. 11. The data creation device 200 may be a dedicated terminal, or an external terminal such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a smartphone. The data creation device 200 includes a CPU 201, a flash memory 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a communication unit 205, a keyboard 206, a display 207, and the like. The communication unit 205 is wirelessly connected to the communication unit 87 of the printing device 1. The communication unit 205 may be wired to the communication unit 87. The CPU 201 may execute S11 to S23 of the print control process and transmit the created print data to the printing device 1 via the communication unit 205. The printing device 1 executes printing based on the print data transmitted from the data creation device 200, so that the data creation device 200 can obtain the same effect as the above embodiment.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the adhesive tape 7 may be composed of a sheet 72 and a first adhesive layer 73. In this case, for example, after the label 9 is completed, the user may apply an adhesive to the surface of the sheet 72 opposite to the first adhesive layer 73 (i.e., the surface exposed to the outside). The adhesive tape 7 may be self-adhesive.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 may be configured with two layers. That is, the third thermosensitive layer 423 may be omitted. In this case, the second heat-shielding layer 432 may also be omitted. In this case, the first thermosensitive layer 421 may be formed by applying a chemical to the lower surface of the first heat-shielding layer 431, and the second thermosensitive layer 422 may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the first heat-shielding layer 431. That is, it is sufficient that the heat-sensitive tape 4 is provided with at least one heat-shielding layer.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the multiple thermosensitive layers 42 may be composed of four or more layers. For example, a fourth thermosensitive layer (not shown) may be provided on the opposite side of the third thermosensitive layer 423 to the second thermosensitive layer 422. In this case, the fourth thermosensitive layer develops a fourth color, for example, when it exceeds a fourth temperature. The fourth temperature is higher than the third temperature. The fourth color is, for example, black. In this case, a third heat-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between the third thermosensitive layer 423 and the fourth thermosensitive layer in the thickness direction.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the first color, the second color, and the third color may be colors other than cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and may be the same color, for example. The label 9 can express depth of the formed image by overlapping multiple layers of the same color.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surfaces of the plurality of heat-shielding layers 43. The plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42 may be formed in a sheet shape in advance and adhered to the plurality of heat-shielding layers 43.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the heat-sensitive tape 4 has a plurality of heat-sensitive layers 42. In contrast, the heat-sensitive tape 4 may have only one heat-sensitive layer. In this case, for example, the base material 41, the first heat-sensitive layer 421, the first heat-shielding layer 431, and the overcoat layer 44 are laminated in this order. When the heat-sensitive tape 4 has one heat-sensitive layer, both the first heat-shielding layer 431 and the overcoat layer 44 may be omitted. In this case, the one heat-sensitive layer may be formed by applying a chemical to the upper surface of the base material 41.

[0107] In the print control process of the above embodiment (see FIG. 11), color correction process (S20) and print color conversion process (S21) are executed for the printing data for the overlapping labels for all sheets, and other processes (S22, S23) are executed, and then printing is performed one by one (S24). However, for example, after the processes of S20 to S23 are executed for the first label and printed (S24), the processes of S20 to S23 may be executed in the same way for the second and subsequent labels and printed (S24).

[0108] Instead of the CPU 81, a microcomputer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as a processor. The laminated tape production process may be distributed among a plurality of processors. The non-transitory storage medium may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. The non-transitory storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (e.g., a transmitted signal). For example, the program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network and stored in the flash memory 82. In this case, the program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive provided in the server. The above-mentioned modified examples may be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Printing device 4 Thermal tape 9. Labels 10 Thermal head 11 Heating element 42 Heat sensitive layer 81 CPU 90 Stackable Labels 200 Data Creation Device 201 CPU 421 First heat sensitive layer 422 Second heat sensitive layer 423 Third heat sensitive layer D1~D3 Print data E1~E3,E11,E12 Image data

Claims

1. A printing device including: a thermal head having a heating element; a creating unit that creates print data for driving the heating element based on image data; and a driving unit that drives the heating element based on the print data in order to form an image on a transparent printing medium formed by laminating a plurality of heat-sensitive layers that emit different colors when heat is applied thereto; and the printing device prints the image on the printing medium by applying heat from the heating element, a determination means for determining whether a plurality of printing media including at least one of the printing media are to be used in a superimposed manner; When the determination means determines that a plurality of printing media including at least one of the printing media are to be used in an overlapping manner, the creation means creates print data for generating at least two or more labels in which the portions corresponding to the specific color are made of different colors in order to express the specific color of the image by overlapping different colors. A printing device comprising:

2. The creating means creates print data for generating the two or more labels in a linked state.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The specific color is a color expressed by coloring at least two or more of the thermosensitive layers in the print medium, at least one of the thermosensitive layers being not adjacent to each other, The creating means creates print data for generating at least two or more labels in which the portions corresponding to the specific colors are configured with the colors developed by the two heat-sensitive layers that are not adjacent to each other.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. A first storage unit stores a first color range that can be expressed by heating the print medium to cause color development, The creating means includes: a synthesis means for synthesizing a second color range that can be expressed by heating a printing medium to be used and causing color development by superimposing the first color range stored in the first storage unit in accordance with a determination result of the determination means; a temporary print data generating means for generating temporary print data for printing the image based on a composite color range obtained by the composition by the composition means; a first final print data generating means for converting the temporary print data generated by the temporary print data generating means into the print data based on the first color range; a second final print data creation means for converting the temporary print data created by the temporary print data creation means into the print data based on the second color range; 4. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. A data creation device creates print data for driving a heating element of a thermal head of a printing device based on image data in order to form an image on a transparent printing medium formed by laminating a plurality of heat-sensitive layers that emit different colors when heat is applied, the data creation device comprising: A determination means for determining whether a plurality of printing media including at least one of the printing media are to be used in a superimposed manner; a creating means for creating print data for generating at least two or more labels in which a portion corresponding to a specific color is made of different colors in order to express a specific color of the image by overlapping different colors when the determining means determines that a plurality of printing media including at least one of the printing media are to be used in an overlapping manner; Equipped with A data creation device comprising:

Images