Printing device and printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a printing device capable of suppressing defects generated during reverse conveyance of a printing medium.SOLUTION: The printing device comprises: a storage unit that detachably stores a printing cassette storing a long printing medium; a conveyance unit; a printing unit; a cutting unit; an acquisition unit; and a control unit. The control unit executes a conveyance process for conveying the printing medium from the printing unit to the cutting unit by the conveyance unit, a cutting process for cutting a part to be printed apart from an unprinted part by the cutting unit, an acquisition process for acquiring control information from the printing cassette by the acquisition unit, a determination process for determining a reverse conveyance amount of the printing medium on the basis of the acquired control information, and a reverse conveyance process for reverse-conveying the printing medium from which the part to be printed has been separated from the cutting unit toward the printing unit on the basis of the determined reverse conveyance amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a printing cassette.

Background Art

[0002] In a printing apparatus that prints on a long printing medium (i.e., printing tape) housed in a cassette, the printed medium after printing by the printing unit is conveyed to a cutting unit. The conveyed printing medium is cut by the cutting unit, and the printed portion is separated from the unprinted portion.

[0003] In such a printing apparatus, in order to reduce the margin in the unprinted portion and save the consumption of the printing medium, a mechanism for reversely conveying the printing medium from the cutting unit toward the printing unit after cutting is known (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described printing apparatus, if the reverse conveyance amount is increased too much for margin reduction, the printing medium may move to a position where conveyance or printing cannot be performed. Further, depending on the characteristics and usage conditions of the printing medium, there may be a problem in the conveyance mechanism of the printing apparatus during reverse conveyance.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing problems during reverse conveyance of a printing medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising: a storage unit in which a printing cassette containing a long printing medium is detachably housed; a transport unit for transporting the printing medium; a printing unit for printing on the printing medium; a cutting unit for cutting the printing medium; an acquisition unit for acquiring control information from the printing cassette; and a control unit.

[0008] The control unit performs the following processes: a transport process in which the transport unit transports the printing medium from the printing unit to the cutting unit; a cutting process in which the cutting unit cuts the printed portion of the printing medium so as to separate it from the unprinted portion; an acquisition process in which the acquisition unit acquires control information from the printing cassette stored in the storage unit; a determination process in which the amount of reverse transport of the printing medium is determined based on the acquired control information; and a reverse transport process in which the transport unit transports the printing medium, with the printed portion separated, in the reverse direction from the cutting unit towards the printing unit based on the determined reverse transport amount.

[0009] With this configuration, the reverse transport amount is determined based on control information assigned to the printing cassette, allowing the reverse transport amount of the printing medium to be adjusted according to the characteristics of the printing device and / or the printing medium. As a result, malfunctions during the reverse transport of the printing medium can be suppressed.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising: a long printing medium; a case for housing the printing medium; an opening that exposes the printing medium to the outside of the case and in which printing is performed on the printing medium; and a storage unit that stores control information regarding the amount of reverse transport when the printing medium is transported in the opposite direction to the direction in which the printing medium is transported from the inside of the case to the opening.

[0011] With this configuration, the amount of reverse transport by the printing device is determined based on the control information stored in the printing cassette, so the amount of reverse transport of the printing medium can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the printing device and / or the printing medium. As a result, malfunctions during reverse transport of the printing medium can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing apparatus and the printing cassette in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic magnified view of the area near the printed portion in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] <Printing device> The printing apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1 is a device that prints on a long-length printing medium using a printing cassette 10 (see Figure 2).

[0014] In this embodiment, the insertion direction of the printing cassette 10 into the storage section 101 is defined as downward, the direction in which the printing tape 11A is discharged from the printing device 100 is defined as leftward, and the direction perpendicular to both the vertical and left-right directions is defined as front-back.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 100 comprises a housing 110, a keyboard 111, and a display 112.

[0016] Keyboard 111 is an input device for entering printed content such as characters and for setting functions. The display 112 is a display device that displays print content entered by the keyboard 111, as well as information such as control errors.

[0017] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 101, a printing unit 102, a conveyance unit 103, a cutting unit 104, an acquisition unit 105, a drive input unit 106, and a control unit 107. Note that the printing apparatus 100 in FIG. 2 is in a state where the keyboard 111 is removed from the housing 110.

[0018] (Storage Unit) The storage unit 101 is a recess in which the printing cassette 10 is detachably mounted. The storage unit 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10. The storage unit 101 is provided in the housing 110. The keyboard 111 constitutes a lid that covers the printing cassette 10 within the storage unit 101.

[0019] (Printing Unit) The printing unit 102 is disposed inside the storage unit 101. The printing unit 102 is a print head that performs printing on the printing tape 11A accommodated in the printing cassette 10.

[0020] The printing unit 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled. The printing unit 102 is disposed within the opening 18 of the printing cassette 10 in a state where the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the storage unit 101.

[0021] (Conveyance Unit) The conveyance unit 103 conveys and reversely conveys the printing tape 11A. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance unit 103 includes a platen roller 103A, a pressing roller 103B, and a roller holder 103C.

[0022] The platen roller 103A is disposed near the printing unit 102 so as to face the printing unit 102 inside the storage unit 101. The platen roller 103A rotates in a conveyance direction for conveying the printing tape 11A from the printing unit 102 to the cutting unit 104 and in a reverse conveyance direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

[0023] The platen roller 103A is rotationally driven by a platen gear (not shown) connected to the platen roller 103A. The platen gear receives the driving force input to the printing cassette 10 by the drive input unit 106 and rotates from the printing cassette 10. The rotation direction of the platen roller 103A is determined by the rotation direction of the drive input unit 106.

[0024] The pressure roller 103B is positioned downstream of the platen roller 103A in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A. Together with the pinch roller 15 of the printing cassette 10, the pressure roller 103B presses the laminate tape 13A onto the printed printing tape 11A.

[0025] The roller holder 103C holds the platen roller 103A and the pressure roller 103B. The platen roller 103A and the pressure roller 103B are movable toward or away from the printing unit 102 and the printing cassette 10 by the oscillation of the roller holder 103C.

[0026] (cutting part) The cutting unit 104 is a cutter that cuts the printing tape 11A after it has been printed by the printing unit 102.

[0027] The cutting section 104 is located at the discharge port for the printing tape 11A in the storage section 101. In other words, the cutting section 104 is located downstream of the printing section 102 and the transport section 103 in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0028] (Acquisition Department) The acquisition unit 105 shown in Figure 2 acquires control information from the print cassette 10. The acquisition unit 105 detects the control information from the storage unit 19 of the print cassette 10 using mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic reading sensors.

[0029] (Drive input section) The drive input unit 106 is a shaft that inputs driving force to the printing cassette 10. Specifically, the drive input unit 106 engages with the winding spool 14 of the printing cassette 10 and rotates the winding spool 14. The drive input unit 106 also engages with the input gear 16 of the printing cassette 10 and inputs driving force to the input gear 16.

[0030] The drive input unit 106 is located inside the housing unit 101. The drive input unit 106 is rotated axially by a drive source (not shown). As the drive source, for example, a mechanism combining a motor and gears can be used.

[0031] (Control Unit) As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 107 processes the information input from the keyboard 111 and the acquisition unit 105. The control unit 107 also controls the display 112, the printing unit 102, the transport unit 103, and the cutting unit 104.

[0032] The control unit 107 is composed of a computer, for example, a processor, a storage medium such as RAM or ROM, and an input / output unit. The control unit 107 controls the printing, transport, and cutting of the printing tape 11A by executing a pre-stored program. The specific processing of the control unit 107 will be described later.

[0033] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10 shown in Figure 3 contains a long printing medium, which is a printing tape 11A. The printing cassette 10 shown in Figure 3 is a printing cassette capable of forming a printed product by laminating a laminate tape 13A onto the printed printing tape 11A.

[0034] The printing cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from different types of printing devices 100 (for example, those with different platen roller diameters 103A). By replacing the printing cassette 10, the printing medium can be replenished and the type of printing medium (for example, size, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0035] The printing cassette 10 comprises a first roll 11, a second roll 12, a third roll 13, a take-up spool 14, a pinch roller 15, an input gear 16, a case 17, an opening 18, and a storage unit 19.

[0036] (First roll) The first roll 11 is a spool on which a printing tape 11A is to be printed. The surface of the printing tape 11A is printed by the printing unit 102 and the ink ribbon 12A of the printing device 100.

[0037] The first roll 11 rotates together with the spool as the printing tape 11A is transported by the platen roller 103A of the printing device 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the printing unit 102.

[0038] (Roll 2) The second roll 12 is an ink ribbon 12A used for printing on the printing tape 11A, wound onto a spool.

[0039] The ink ribbon 12A is superimposed on the printing tape 11A at the opening 18 and used for printing by the printing unit 102. The ink ribbon 12A used for printing is wound onto the winding spool 14.

[0040] The second roll 12 rotates together with the spool as the ink ribbon 12A is wound onto the winding spool 14, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 12A to the printing unit 102.

[0041] (Roll 3) The third roll 13 is a spool of laminate tape 13A used to protect the printing tape 11A.

[0042] The third roll 13 rotates together with the spool as the laminate tape 13A is bonded to the printing tape 11A by the pinch roller 15 and the pressure roller 103B, thereby supplying the laminate tape 13A.

[0043] (Reel spool) The winding spool 14 has an inner circumferential surface that defines a hollow portion into which the drive input unit 106 is inserted, and spline teeth provided on this inner circumferential surface.

[0044] The drive input unit 106 transmits driving force to the winding spool 14 by engaging with the spline teeth of the winding spool 14. The winding spool 14 is rotated by the drive input unit 106 and winds up the ink ribbon 12A.

[0045] (Pinch Roller) The pinch roller 15, together with the pressure roller 103B of the printing device 100, sandwiches the printing tape 11A and the laminate tape 13A in the thickness direction. This causes the laminate tape 13A to adhere to the printing tape 11A.

[0046] (Input gear) The input gear 16 has an inner circumferential surface that defines a hollow portion into which the drive input unit 106 is inserted, and spline teeth provided on this inner circumferential surface. The input gear 16 is positioned so as to overlap the winding spool 14 in the vertical direction.

[0047] The driving force input to the input gear 16 by the drive input unit 106 is transmitted to the platen roller 103A (specifically, the platen gear) by a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) provided inside the printing cassette 10.

[0048] (case) Case 17 houses the first roll 11, the second roll 12, the third roll 13, the winding spool 14, the pinch roller 15, and the input gear 16.

[0049] (Opening) The opening 18 exposes the printing tape 11A to the outside of the case 17. Printing on the printing tape 11A is performed by the printing unit 102 at the opening 18.

[0050] The opening 18 is a portion of the case 17 that has been cut out. The opening 18 forms a space in which the printing unit 102 is positioned when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device 100.

[0051] At the opening 18, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 12A are stretched in a left-right direction. After printing, the printing tape 11A is transported by the transport unit 103 from the opening 18 toward the outside of the printing device 100. After printing, the ink ribbon 12A is wound onto the winding spool 14 from the opening 18.

[0052] (Storage part) The memory unit 19 stores control information used when the printing tape 11A is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit 103 of the printing device 100.

[0053] The storage unit 19 causes the acquisition unit 105 of the printing device 100 to detect the control information. The reading of the storage unit 19 may be either contact-based or non-contact-based. The storage unit 19 may be composed of an electronic circuit or a physical marker.

[0054] The location of the storage unit 19 is not limited to the illustrated position, as long as it is a location that can be detected by the acquisition unit 105 of the printing device 100. Furthermore, the printing cassette 10 may include multiple storage units 19, each storing a portion of the control information.

[0055] The electronic circuit includes, for example, a memory for storing control information and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that causes the acquisition unit 105 to acquire the control information. The physical marker is composed of, for example, recesses, holes, protrusions, or a combination thereof provided in the case 17.

[0056] The control information includes information regarding the amount of reverse transport when the printing tape 11A is transported in the opposite direction to the direction in which the printing tape 11A is transported from inside the case 17 to the opening 18.

[0057] Information regarding the reverse transport amount is set according to the printing tape 11A. The control information includes at least one of the following as information regarding the reverse transport amount: distance information, rotation information, temperature information, humidity information, usage information, media characteristics information, reverse transport feasibility information, and cassette authentication information.

[0058] The distance information represents the distance (for example, in millimeters) over which the printing tape 11A is reverse-transported by the platen roller 103A. Alternatively, the distance information may be a coefficient used by the control unit 107 to determine the reverse transport amount (i.e., a relative value indicating the magnitude of the reverse transport amount).

[0059] The control information may include multiple distance information sets prepared for each type of printing device 100. For example, the control information may include a first reverse transport distance when the printing device 100 has a mechanism for measuring the rotation angle of the platen roller 103A, and a second reverse transport distance when the printing device 100 does not have a measuring mechanism. In order to ensure a margin for deviations in the rotation of the platen roller 103A, the second reverse transport distance is set to a smaller value than the first reverse transport distance.

[0060] Furthermore, the control information may include multiple distance information prepared for each printing mode of the printing device 100. For example, the control information may include a third reverse transport distance for printing modes with small print margins and a fourth reverse transport distance for printing modes with large print margins. In order to increase the margin of the printing tape 11A in the next print, the fourth reverse transport distance is set to a value smaller than the third reverse transport distance.

[0061] The rotation information represents the rotation angle (e.g., in rads or degrees) of the platen roller 103A during reverse transport, or the number of steps taken by the motor that rotates the platen roller 103A during reverse transport. The control information may include multiple rotation information sets prepared for each type of printing device 100.

[0062] For example, the control information may include multiple rotational information (i.e., a rotational information table) corresponding to the diameter of the platen roller 103A of the printing device 100. The larger the diameter of the platen roller 103A, the smaller the rotational angle of the platen roller 103A or the number of motor steps.

[0063] The temperature information represents the upper limit temperature (e.g., in degrees Celsius) at which reverse transport of the printing tape 11A is permitted. The humidity information represents the upper limit humidity (e.g., in percent) at which reverse transport of the printing tape 11A is permitted.

[0064] The usage information is information regarding the consumption or usage time of the printing tape 11A. Specifically, the usage information includes the diameter of the first roll 11 (i.e., the remaining amount of printing tape 11A in the first roll 11), the manufacturing date and time of the printing cassette 10, etc. The usage information is overwritten by the printing device 100 as the printing cassette 10 is used.

[0065] Media characteristic information refers to information regarding the curling tendency of the printing medium. Specifically, media characteristic information includes the width, thickness, material, and layer structure of the printing tape 11A, and the inner diameter of the first roll 11 (i.e., the outer diameter of the spool), etc.

[0066] The reverse transport capability information indicates whether reverse transport of the printing tape 11A is possible or impossible. In printing cassettes 10 where reverse transport is unsuitable due to the characteristics of the printing tape 11A, the reverse transport capability information is set to a value indicating reverse transport is prohibited. For example, if the rigidity of the printing tape 11A is low, reverse transport may cause jamming, so reverse transport is prohibited.

[0067] Cassette authentication information is information indicating that the print cassette 10 is compatible with the printing device 100. When a print cassette 10 is compatible with the printing device 100, the acquisition unit 105 acquires the cassette authentication information, and the control unit 107 successfully performs the authentication. On the other hand, if the printing cassette 10 is not compatible with the printing device 100, authentication by the control unit 107 will fail.

[0068] <Handling by the Department Head> The control unit 107 performs acquisition processing, authentication processing, determination processing, printing processing, transport processing, cutting processing, reverse transport processing, and forced reverse transport processing.

[0069] (Retrieval process) The acquisition process begins when the printing cassette 10 is installed in the storage unit 101. During the acquisition process, the acquisition unit 105 acquires control information from the printing cassette 10 stored in the storage unit 101.

[0070] Specifically, the control unit 107 acquires necessary information from the storage unit 19, including distance information, rotation information, temperature information, humidity information, usage information, media characteristics information, reverse transport feasibility information, and cassette authentication information.

[0071] The control unit 107 will not perform the reverse transport process if some of the information that needs to be acquired from the storage unit 19 during the acquisition process cannot be acquired. For example, even if the numerical value of the reverse transport distance can be acquired as distance information, if the labels that distinguish between the third reverse transport distance and the fourth reverse transport distance cannot be acquired (i.e., if it is not possible to distinguish whether it is the reverse transport distance for a print mode with small print margins or the reverse transport distance for a print mode with large print margins), the reverse transport process will not be performed.

[0072] Furthermore, the control unit 107 does not execute the reverse transport process even if the acquired reverse transport feasibility information indicates that transport is prohibited.

[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 107 does not perform the reverse transport process if the temperature in the operating environment of the printing device 100 (i.e., ambient temperature) exceeds the upper limit temperature indicated by the temperature information, or if the humidity in the operating environment (i.e., ambient humidity) exceeds the upper limit humidity indicated by the humidity information. The ambient temperature and ambient humidity are measured by sensors provided in the printing device 100.

[0074] (Authentication process) During the authentication process, the print cassette 10 stored in the storage unit 101 is authenticated. Specifically, authentication is performed by comparing the cassette authentication information obtained by the acquisition unit 105 from the storage unit 19 during the acquisition process. If the authentication of the print cassette 10 is unsuccessful, the control unit 107 does not perform the reverse transport process.

[0075] (Decision process) In the decision process, the amount of reverse transport of the printing tape 11A is determined based on the acquired control information.

[0076] Specifically, the control unit 107 determines the reverse transport amount of the printing tape 11A based on distance information or rotation information corresponding to the type of printing device 100. At this time, the control unit 107 reduces the reverse transport amount as the consumption amount or usage time based on usage information increases. In addition, the control unit 107 reduces the reverse transport amount as the tendency to curl increases based on media characteristic information.

[0077] The corrected reverse transport volume based on usage information or media characteristics information may be determined by referring to a table that lists reverse transport volumes corresponding to consumption, usage time, or curl susceptibility, or by a function that takes consumption, usage time, or curl susceptibility as variables.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit 107 may perform a correction to reduce the reverse transport amount as the ambient temperature or humidity increases. For example, the control unit 107 may not perform a correction if the ambient temperature is below a predetermined correction temperature, but if the ambient temperature exceeds the correction temperature but is below the upper limit temperature, it may perform a calculation to reduce the reverse transport amount as the ambient temperature increases.

[0079] Furthermore, the control unit 107 may be configured not to perform reverse conveying if the sum of the current cumulative rotation distance of the platen roller 103A and the determined reverse conveying amount exceeds the allowable value of the rotation distance.

[0080] The permissible rotation distance is a predetermined value indicating the upper limit of use for the platen roller 103A. If the platen roller 103A rotates beyond the permissible rotation distance, wear may cause slippage, potentially leading to malfunctions during reverse conveyance.

[0081] (Printing process) During the printing process, the printing unit 102 prints onto the printing tape 11A inside the opening 18. The printing process is initiated by user input.

[0082] (Transportation process) In the transport process, the transport unit 103 transports the printed tape 11A from the printing unit 102 to the cutting unit 104. Specifically, after the printing process is completed, the control unit 107 transports the printed tape 11A by rotating the drive input unit 106 in the transport direction.

[0083] (Cutting process) In the cutting process, the cutting unit 104 cuts the printing tape 11A so that the printed portion printed by the printing unit 102 is separated from the unprinted portion. Specifically, after the transport process is completed, the control unit 107 drives the motor of the cutting unit 104 to move the blade of the cutting unit 104 toward the printing tape 11A.

[0084] (Reverse transport process) In the reverse transport process, the transport unit 103 transports the printing tape 11A, with the printed portion separated, in reverse from the cutting unit 104 towards the printing unit 102 based on a determined reverse transport amount. Specifically, after the cutting process is completed, the control unit 107 rotates the drive input unit 106 in the reverse transport direction to transport the printing tape 11A in reverse.

[0085] (Forced reverse transport process) In forced reverse transport processing, if reverse transport processing is not performed, the printing tape 11A is transported in reverse according to instructions from the user.

[0086] Specifically, the control unit 107 rotates the drive input unit 106 in the reverse transport direction based on a user instruction for forced reverse transport when any of the reverse transport cancellation conditions described above that do not execute the reverse transport process are met. The reverse transport amount in the forced reverse transport process is the reverse transport amount determined in the determination process, the reverse transport amount entered by the user, or a predetermined reverse transport amount for forced reverse transport.

[0087] The instruction for forced reverse transport may be entered by the user via the keyboard 111 each time the conditions for canceling reverse transport are met. Alternatively, the user may pre-set and register whether or not forced reverse transport is permitted in the memory of the control unit 107.

[0088] (Control flow) The following describes an example of the processing performed by the control unit 107 on the printed and cut printing tape 11A, with reference to Figure 5.

[0089] Once the cutting of the printing tape 11A is complete, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the authentication process has been successful (step S110). If the authentication process has failed (S110: NO), the control unit 107 sets the first flag to 1 (i.e., on) (step S120). On the other hand, if the authentication process has been successful (S110: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the first flag at its default value (i.e., zero).

[0090] Next, the control unit 107 determines whether the printing tape 11A can be transported in reverse based on the reverse transport feasibility information (step S130). If reverse transport is prohibited (S130: NO), the control unit 107 sets the second flag to 1 (step S140). On the other hand, if reverse transport is possible (S130: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the second flag at its default value.

[0091] Next, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the necessary information has been acquired (step S150). If there is any necessary information that has not been acquired (S150: NO), the control unit 107 sets the third flag to 1 (step S160). On the other hand, if all the necessary information has been acquired (S150: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the third flag at its default value.

[0092] Next, the control unit 107 determines whether the ambient temperature is below the upper limit temperature at which it can be reversed (step S170). If the ambient temperature exceeds the upper limit (S170: NO), the control unit 107 sets the fourth flag to 1 (step S180). On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is below the upper limit (S170: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the fourth flag at its default value.

[0093] Next, the control unit 107 determines whether the ambient humidity is below the upper limit humidity that can be reversed (step S190). If the ambient humidity exceeds the upper limit (S190: NO), the control unit 107 sets the fifth flag to 1 (step S200). On the other hand, if the ambient humidity is below the upper limit (S190: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the fifth flag at its default value.

[0094] Next, the control unit 107 determines the reverse transport amount and determines whether the determined reverse transport amount is less than or equal to the allowable value of the rotation distance (step S210). If the reverse transport amount exceeds the allowable value (S210: NO), the control unit 107 sets the sixth flag to 1 (step S220). On the other hand, if the reverse transport amount is less than or equal to the allowable value (S210: YES), the control unit 107 leaves the sixth flag at its default value.

[0095] Next, the control unit 107 determines whether all flags (i.e., from the first flag to the sixth flag) are zero or not (step S230). If all flags are zero (S230: YES), the control unit 107 performs reverse transport of the printing tape 11A by reverse transport processing (step S240).

[0096] On the other hand, if either flag is 1 (S230: NO), the control unit 107 determines whether or not the user has instructed forced reverse transport (step S250). If there is an instruction for forced reverse transport (S250: YES), the control unit 107 performs reverse transport of the printing tape 11A by forced reverse transport processing (S240). If there is no instruction for forced reverse transport (S250: NO), the control unit 107 cancels the reverse transport (step S260).

[0097] After reverse transport is performed or canceled, the control unit 107 clears all flags and returns them to their default values ​​(step S270).

[0098] In addition, in the flow shown in Figure 5, if the reverse transport abort condition is met (for example, if authentication fails), instead of setting a flag, the remaining steps may be skipped and the process jumps to the step (S250) that checks whether or not there is an instruction for forced reverse transport.

[0099] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Since the reverse transport amount is determined based on the control information provided to the printing cassette 10, the reverse transport amount of the printing tape 11A can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the printing device 100 and / or the printing tape 11A. As a result, malfunctions during the reverse transport of the printing tape 11A can be suppressed.

[0100] (1b) If some of the information that needs to be acquired cannot be acquired, the reverse transport process will not be executed, thereby preventing the printing tape 11A from being transported in reverse by an unexpected amount.

[0101] (1c) As the consumption of printing tape 11A increases, the diameter of the first roll 11 decreases. As a result, the curl of the printing tape 11A supplied to the opening 18 becomes stronger. Furthermore, as the usage time of the printing cassette 10 increases (i.e., the time elapsed since the manufacturing date), the printing tape 11A is held in a rolled shape for a longer period of time. As a result, the curl of the printing tape 11A becomes stronger.

[0102] In response to this, the reverse transport amount is corrected to decrease in accordance with the increase in consumption or usage time based on the usage information included in the control information, thereby suppressing the reverse transport amount of the printing tape 11A in accordance with the strength of its coiling. As a result, malfunctions during reverse transport can be suppressed.

[0103] (1d) The reverse transport amount is corrected to be smaller in accordance with the degree of curling based on the media characteristics information included in the control information, thereby reducing the reverse transport amount of the printing tape 11A in accordance with the degree of curling. As a result, malfunctions during reverse transport can be suppressed.

[0104] (1e) By not performing the reverse transport process when the ambient temperature exceeds the upper limit and / or the ambient humidity exceeds the upper limit, problems caused by reverse transport of the printing tape 11A, which has become prone to curling, can be suppressed.

[0105] (1f) If the approval / rejection information indicates that reverse transport is prohibited, and / or if authentication of the print cassette 10 is unsuccessful, the reverse transport process will not be executed, thereby preventing reverse transport of the print cassette 10, which has characteristics unsuitable for reverse transport. As a result, malfunctions in both the print cassette 10 and the printing device 100 can be suppressed.

[0106] (1g) The control information includes multiple distance information and / or multiple rotation information prepared for each type of printing device 100, thereby suppressing malfunctions during reverse transport of the printing tape 11A and allowing the use of a printing cassette 10 common to different types of printing devices 100.

[0107] [2. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0108] (2a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints on a printing medium using an ink ribbon. For example, the printing cassette may include strip-shaped thermal paper as the printing medium printed on by the printing unit.

[0109] (2b) In the printing apparatus of the above embodiment, the cassette authentication information does not necessarily have to be included in the control information. For example, the control unit of the printing apparatus may authenticate the printing cassette based on the shape, internal structure, etc. of the printing cassette.

[0110] (2c) The printing cassette of the above embodiment does not necessarily have to be equipped with laminate tape. In such a printing cassette, there is no need to bond the printed printing tape and the laminate tape together using pinch rollers and pressure rollers, so the reverse transport amount in the control information can be increased.

[0111] (2d) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, substituted for, or otherwise used in the configuration of other above embodiments. Any aspect of the technical concept specified by the wording of the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 10...Printing cassette, 11...First roll, 11A...Printing tape, 12...2nd roll, 12A...ink ribbon, 13...3rd roll, 13A...Laminated tape, 14...Winding spool, 15...Pinch roller, 16...Input gear, 17...Case, 18...Opening, 19...Storage unit, 100...Printing device, 101...Storage section, 102...Printing section, 103...Conveying section, 103A...Platen roller, 103B...Pressing roller, 103C...Roller holder, 104...Cutting section, 105...Acquisition section, 106...Drive input section, 107...Control section, 110...Housing, 111...Keyboard 112... Display.

Claims

1. A printing cassette that holds a printing roll around which a long piece of printing tape is wound, The printing cassette, when stored in the printing device, includes a storage unit that stores control information used when the printing tape is reverse-transported by the transport unit of the printing device after being pulled out of the printing cassette, Equipped with, A printing cassette characterized in that the control information includes distance information relating to the amount of reverse transport in which the printed tape is transported in the reverse transport direction.

2. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the control information further includes usage information relating to the amount of printing tape consumed or the usage time.

3. The printing cassette according to claim 1, further comprising media characteristic information relating to the curling tendency of the printing tape.

4. The printing cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the control information includes a plurality of distance pieces of information prepared for each type of printing device.

5. The printing cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the control information includes a plurality of distance pieces of information prepared for each printing mode.

6. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the control information further includes information on whether reverse transport is possible.

7. The printing cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage unit further stores authentication information.

8. The printing cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the control information further includes temperature information.

9. The printing cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the control information further includes humidity information.

10. Detachable from different types of printing apparatus equipped with platen rollers, The control information includes a plurality of rotational information prepared for each type of printing device, The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rotational information items represents either the rotation angle of the platen roller during reverse transport or the number of steps of the motor that rotates the platen roller during reverse transport.

11. A storage unit for detachably storing a printing cassette, wherein the printing cassette comprises a printing roll around which a long printing tape is wound, and a storage unit for storing control information used when the printing tape is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit of the printing device when the printing cassette is stored in the printing device, wherein the control information includes distance information relating to the amount of reverse transport in which the printing tape is transported in the reverse transport direction, and the storage unit comprises A transport unit for transporting the printing tape pulled out from the printing cassette, A printing unit that prints on the aforementioned printing tape, A cutting section for cutting the aforementioned printed tape, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, The transport unit performs a transport process in which the printed tape is transported from the printing unit to the cutting unit, The cutting section performs a cutting process that separates the printed portion of the printed tape from the unprinted portion by the printing section, An acquisition process for acquiring the control information from the storage unit of the printing cassette stored in the storage unit, A determination process to determine the amount of reverse transport of the printed tape based on the distance information of the acquired control information, The transport unit performs a reverse transport process in which the printed tape, with the printed portion separated, is transported in reverse from the cutting unit towards the printed portion based on the determined reverse transport amount, A printing device that performs this task.

12. The storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of information, including the distance information and other information, as control information. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the reverse transport process is performed when the distance information and the other information are acquired in the acquisition process, and the reverse transport process corresponding to the distance information is not performed when the distance information is acquired but the other information cannot be acquired.

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