Printer, printing system including the same, and computer-readable medium therefor

A printer includes a controller configured to perform a first printing process to control a thermal head to print a first image with a first density, store first print data for identifying the first image and first density data for identifying the first density into a first memory device attached to an attachment holder, when a second memory device storing second print data and second density data is attached to the attachment holder, acquire from the second memory device the second print data and the second density data stored into the second memory device by another printer, and perform a second printing process to control the thermal head to print a second image with a second density, the second image being identified based on the acquired second print data, the second density being identified based on the acquired second density data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-087779 filed on Apr. 27, 2017. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to a printer, a printing system including the printer, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium therefor.

Related Art

A printer has been known that is configured to perform printing using a replaceable cassette housing a print medium and an ink ribbon. The known printer may store a table containing a plurality of pieces of individual information and a plurality of usage histories associated with each other. Each piece of individual information may contain a thickness of a tape in a tape cassette and an identifier for discriminating the tape cassette from other tape cassettes. Each usage history contains a plurality of printing histories and a remaining amount of the tape. The printer may control a display to display a first selection screen for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of individual information contained in the table. Further, in response to one of the plurality of pieces of individual information being selected on the first selection screen, the printer may control the display to display a second selection screen for selecting one of the plurality of printing histories contained in the usage history associated with the selected individual information. In response to one of the plurality of printing histories being selected, the printer may determine whether the printer is allowed to perform printing in accordance with the selected printing history, based on the remaining amount of the tape. When determining that the printer is allowed to perform printing according to the selected printing history, the printer may perform printing in accordance with the selected printing history.

SUMMARY

In a printing system including a plurality of the known printers, by using the aforementioned technology, each individual printer may print on the print medium an image (e.g., a character string) in common among the plurality of printers. However, the printing system has a problem that a printer of the system might not print the common image with the same density as when the common image is printed by another printer of the system.

Aspects of the present disclosure are advantageous to provide one or more improved techniques, for a printing system including a plurality of printers, which enable each printer of the system to print an image in common among the plurality of printers with the same density as when the common image is printed by any other printer of the system.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a printer is provided, which includes a thermal head configured to, when heated, print a particular image on a print medium with a particular density, an attachment holder configured to hold a memory device detachably attached thereto, the memory device storing print data for identifying the particular image and density data for identifying the particular density, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a first printing process to control the thermal head to print a first image on the print medium with a first density, after the first printing process, store first print data for identifying the first image and first density data for identifying the first density into a first memory device attached to the attachment holder, when a second memory device storing second print data and second density data is attached to the attachment holder, acquire the second print data and the second density data from the second memory device, the second print data and the second density data having been stored into the second memory device by another printer, and perform a second printing process to control the thermal head to print a second image on the print medium with a second density, the second image being identified based on the acquired second print data, the second density being identified based on the acquired second density data.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, further provided is a printing system including a first printer and a second printer. The first printer includes a first thermal head, a first attachment holder configured to hold a memory device detachably attached thereto, and a first controller configured to perform a first printing process to control the first thermal head to print a first image with a first density, and after the first printing process, store first print data for identifying the first image and first density data for identifying the first density into the memory device attached to the first attachment holder. The second printer includes a second thermal head, a second attachment holder configured to hold the memory device detachably attached thereto, and a second controller configured to, when the memory device storing the first print data and the first density data is attached to the second attachment holder, acquire the first print data and the first density data from the memory device, the first print data and the first density data having been stored into the memory device by the first printer, and perform a second printing process to control the second thermal head to print the first image with the first density, the first image being identified based on the acquired first print data, the first density being identified based on the acquired first density data.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, further provided is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that are executable by a processor coupled with a printer. The printer includes a thermal head configured to, when heated, print a particular image on a print medium with a particular density, and an attachment holder configured to hold a memory device detachably attached thereto, the memory device storing print data for identifying the particular image and density data for identifying the particular density. The instructions are configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a first printing process to control the thermal head to print a first image on the print medium with a first density, after the first printing process, store first print data for identifying the first image and first density data for identifying the first density into a first memory device attached to the attachment holder, when a second memory device storing second print data and second density data is attached to the attachment holder, acquire the second print data and the second density data from the second memory device, the second print data and the second density data having been stored into the second memory device by another printer, and perform a second printing process to control the thermal head to print a second image on the print medium with a second density, the second image being identified based on the acquired second print data, the second density being identified based on the acquired second density data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on circuits (such as application specific integrated circuits) or in computer software as programs storable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like.

Hereinafter, an illustrative embodiment according to aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printer1is configured to print an image (e.g., characters, a character string, symbols, numeric characters, figures, and pictographs) on a tape50(seeFIG. 2) as a print medium, thereby producing a label. In the illustrative embodiment, the following description will be provided under an assumption that a character string is printed as an image to be printed on the label. In the following description, a left side, a right side, a front side, a rear side, an upside, and a downside of the printer1may be defined as shown inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the printer1includes a main body cover2. The main body cover2is a housing formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The printer1includes a keyboard3disposed on an upper front surface of the main body cover2. A user may input a character string via the keyboard3. The keyboard3includes a power switch, specific-purpose keys, and cursor keys. At the rear of the keyboard3, a display5is disposed. The display5is configured to display various kinds of information. For instance, the display5may include a dot matrix LCD. Behind the display5(i.e., on a rear side of the display5), a cassette cover6is disposed. The cassette cover6is openable and closable relative to the main body cover2. At a left rear portion of the main body cover2, a discharge port9is formed. Through the discharge port9, a printed tape50is discharged out of the main body cover2.

As shown inFIG. 2, an attachment compartment8is formed at a lower portion of the cassette cover6(seeFIG. 1) inside the main body cover2. The attachment compartment8is a recessed section formed to accommodate a tape cassette30. In other words, the attachment compartment8is configured in such a manner that the tape cassette30is detachably attached thereto. In the following description, the tape cassette30that is attached into the attachment compartment8may be referred to as the “attached tape cassette30.” The printer1is configured to print a character string input via the keyboard3, using the attached tape cassette30.

The tape cassette30includes a box-shaped cassette case33configured to accommodate the tape50and an ink ribbon60. A tape spool40around which the unprinted tape50is wound is rotatably supported at a left rear portion inside the cassette case33. A ribbon spool42around which the unused ribbon60is wound is rotatably supported at a right front portion inside the cassette case33. A width of the ink ribbon60is identical to a width of the tape50. A ribbon winding spool44is rotatably supported between the tape spool40and the ribbon spool42. The ribbon winding spool44is configured to pull the unused ink ribbon60out of the ribbon spool42and wind the ink ribbon60used for printing. A tape driving roller46is rotatably supported at a left front corner portion inside the cassette case33. The tape driving roller46is configured to pull the unprinted tape50out of the tape spool40.

An IC tag47is attached to the tape cassette30. The IC tag47is disposed at a right rear corner portion inside the cassette case33. The IC tag47includes a memory device470(seeFIG. 3). The memory device470is configured to store a below-mentioned table471(seeFIGS. 4 and 5).

In the attachment compartment8, a ribbon winding shaft (not shown), tape driving shaft (not shown), a thermal head10, a platen mechanism12and a data read/write device16are disposed. The ribbon winding shaft is inserted into the ribbon winding spool44. The ribbon winding shaft is configured to rotate in response to receipt of a driving force from a tape feed motor23(seeFIG. 3). The tape driving shaft is inserted into a tape driving roller46. The tape driving shaft is configured to rotate in response to receipt of the driving force from the tape feed motor23via a transmission mechanism (not shown). The thermal head10is disposed at the right of the tape driving shaft. The printer1is configured to, by heating the thermal head10, perform printing on the tape50with the unused ink ribbon60. The platen mechanism12is configured to bring the tape50and the ink ribbon60into pressure contact with each other, between the thermal head10and the platen mechanism12.

The data read/write device16is disposed at a right rear portion of the attachment compartment8. The data read/write device16is opposed to the IC tag47of the attached tape cassette30across a right wall of the cassette case33. The data read/write device16is configured to read data from and write data into the memory device470of the IC tag47of the attached tape cassette30in an RFID method (“RFID” is an abbreviation of “radio-frequency identification”). A cutting mechanism17is disposed near the discharge port9. The cutting mechanism17is configured to cut the tape50in a particular position in response to receipt of a driving force from a cutting motor24(seeFIG. 3).

The printer1may set one of five levels (e.g., “lowest,” “lower,” “normal,” “higher,” and “highest”) as a print density for a printing process to heat the ink ribbon60by the thermal head10and perform printing on the tape50. The printer1controls the print density by changing a heating condition for the thermal head10for each level of the print density. For instance, the heating condition may be an electric current value for supplying electricity to a plurality of heating elements included in the thermal head10. For the sake of easy understanding, the five levels for the print density may be expressed as specific values. Specifically, the five different print densities may be expressed as “lowest: 3,” “lower: 4,” “normal: 5,” “higher: 6,” and “highest: 7.”

<Electrical Configuration of Printer>

An electrical configuration of the printer1will be described with reference toFIG. 3. The printer1includes a controller70. The controller70includes a plurality of circuits. More specifically, the controller70includes a CPU71, a ROM72, a CGROM73, a RAM74, a flash memory75, and an I/O I/F77(“I/O I/F” is an abbreviation of “input/output interface”). The aforementioned elements included in the controller70are interconnected via a data bus. The CPU71is configured to take overall control of the printer1. The ROM72may store programs76to be executed by the CPU71. Further, the ROM72may store various parameters for the CPU71to execute programs. In this regard, it is noted that the flash memory76may store the programs76. The flash memory76may store below-mentioned tables751and752(seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The CGROM73may store internal fonts. The RAM74has a plurality of storage areas such as a text memory and a print buffer.

The I/O I/F77is connected with the keyboard3, an LCDC (“LCDC” is an abbreviation of “Liquid Crystal Drive Circuit”)25, drive circuits26,27, and28, and the data read/write device16. The LDCD25includes a video RAM (not shown) for transmitting display data to the display5. The drive circuit26is configured to drive the thermal head10. The drive circuit27is configured to drive the tape feed motor23. The drive circuit28is configured to drive the cutting motor24.

The thermal head10of the printer1may deteriorate with time by repeatedly performing a printing process. In such a case, even when the thermal head10is heated under the same heating condition, it is more difficult to increase a temperature of the thermal head10that is more deteriorated by aging. Therefore, as the thermal head10becomes more deteriorated by aging, an amount of ink to be transferred from the ink ribbon60to the tape50becomes smaller. Accordingly, as the thermal head10becomes more deteriorated by aging, the print density of a character string to be printed on the tape50becomes lower.

Further, a degree of aged deterioration of the thermal head10may differ depending on colors of the ink ribbon60and the tape50housed in the tape cassette30and/or widths of the ink ribbon60and the tape50. This is because the heating condition for the thermal head10may differ depending on the color of the ink ribbon60and/or the color of the tape50, even in attempts to print the same character string. Further, because a heated area of the thermal head10in a printing process may differ depending on the widths of the ink ribbon60and the tape50.

The printer1may identify a deterioration degree by performing test printing. The deterioration degree is a parameter representing a degree of aged deterioration of the thermal head10. More specifically, first, the printer1performs a printing process to print a particular test character string with each of the five settable levels (i.e., “lowest,” “lower,” “normal,” “higher,” and “highest”) of the print density. At this time, the printer1refers to an initial condition that is previously stored in the ROM72as a heating condition for the thermal head10for each individual level of the print density. After the printing process, the user identifies a print density of the test character string printed with each of the five levels of the print density.

When the test printing is performed by a printer1that is not deteriorated by aging, resulting print densities of the test character string printed with the five settable levels (i.e., “lowest,” “lower,” “normal,” “higher,” and “highest”) of the print density are identified as “lowest: 3,” “lower: 4,” “normal: 5,” “higher: 6,” and “highest: 7,” respectively. Hereinafter, these print densities of the test character string may be referred to as “standard densities.” Meanwhile, when the test printing is performed by a printer1that is deteriorated by aging, a print density of the test character string printed with each of the five settable levels of the print density is lower than a corresponding one of the standard densities. Suppose for instance that, due to influences of the aged deterioration, print densities of the test character string printed with the five settable levels (i.e., “lowest,” “lower,” “normal,” “higher,” and “highest”) of the print density are identified as “lowest: 2,” “lower: 3,” “normal: 4,” “higher: 5,” and “highest: 6,” respectively. The user inputs the identified print densities into the printer1. The printer1registers density data for identifying the input print densities, onto the table751stored in the flash memory75.

FIG. 4shows a table751A stored in a flash memory75of a printer1A. After execution of test printing by the printer1A, resulting print densities (“lowest: 2,” “lower: 3,” “normal: 4,” “higher: 5,” and “highest: 6”), respectively corresponding to the five settable levels (i.e., “lowest,” “lower,” “normal,” “higher,” and “highest”) of the print density, are registered on the table751A. Density data for identifying the registered print densities is stored on the table751A in association with respective colors (e.g., black and white) of an ink ribbon60and a tape50housed in a tape cassette30attached to an attachment compartment8, and a width (e.g., 12 mm) of the ink ribbon60and the tape50. Hereinafter, a combination of respective colors of the ink ribbon60and the tape50housed in the tape cassette30and a width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50may be referred to as “cassette parameters.”

Further, the printer1A subtracts the registered print densities from standard densities, thereby calculating a deterioration degree of “1.” Each of the standard densities is shown within a parenthesis for a corresponding one of the five settable levels of the print density. The calculated deterioration degree of “1” is stored in association with the cassette parameters and the density data. As a degree of aged deterioration according to repeated uses of the printer1A becomes higher, the deterioration degree becomes a larger value. Namely, the deterioration degree may be a parameter representing a degree of aged deterioration based on a usage state (e.g., a usage frequency) of the printer1.

Each time test printing is performed after a different tape cassette30is attached, new density data and a new deterioration degree are stored onto the table751. Therefore, the table751A shown inFIG. 4stores density data and a deterioration degree associated with cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 6 mm”), as well as the density data and the deterioration degree associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”).

<Overview of Printing Process in First Mode>

A case in which a print instruction specifying a character string and a print density level is input via the keyboard3of the printer1will be exemplified. In this case, the printer1stores, onto the table752, print data for identifying the input character string, and density data for identifying the input print density level.FIG. 4shows a table752A stored in the flash memory75of the printer1A. When a print instruction specifying a character string “ERASER” and a print density level “normal” is input via the keyboard3of the printer1A, the printer1A stores, onto the table752A, print data for identifying the character string “ERASER” and density data for identifying the print density level “normal” in association with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”).

Each time a print instruction specifying a character string and a print density is input, new print data and new density data are stored onto the table752. Therefore, the table752A shown inFIG. 4stores, as well as a combination of “ERASER” and “5,” a combination of “PENCIL” and “3,” a combination of “RULER” and “5,” and a combination of “SCISSORS” and “5” as combinations of print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”). Further, the table752A stores a combination of “CCC” and “4” and a combination of “DDD” and “4” as combinations of print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 6 mm”).

When print data for identifying the input character string is already stored on the table752in association with the same cassette parameters as the cassette parameters for the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8, density data stored in association with the print data may be overwritten and updated with density data for identifying the input print density. Alternatively, the user may make a selection as to whether to overwrite and update the density data stored on the table752with the density data for identifying the input print density. In any case, the table752stores print data and density data in association with each combination of cassette parameters.

A case where the printer1A performs a printing process in response to an input print instruction will be exemplified. In this case, even when the printer1A heats the thermal head10under an initial condition that is associated with an input print density level “normal” among the initial conditions stored in the ROM72, the temperature of the thermal head10does not sufficiently increase due to influences of the aged deterioration. Therefore, a resulting print density of a printed character string is lower than the standard density “5” for the print density level “normal.”

To address such a problem, in the illustrative embodiment, the printer1A specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with a print density level “higher,” which is identified by a modified density “6” obtained by adding a deterioration degree “1” to the standard density “5” of the input print density level “normal.” The printer1A heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition. Thereby, the character string is printed on the tape50with the standard density “5.” Namely, referring to the density data stored on the table751A, the printer1A may directly identify the standard density “5” of the print density level “normal.” At the same time, to specify the heating condition for the thermal head10, referring to the density data stored on the table751A, the printer1A may indirectly identify the intended print density “6” of the print density level “higher” based on the deterioration degree “1.” An operation mode in which a printing process is performed based on a character string and a print density specified via the keyboard3in the aforementioned manner may be referred to as a “first mode.”

After performing the printing process in response to the print instruction, the printer1A extracts print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8from among the print data and the density data stored on the table752A. The printer1A stores the extracted print data and density data onto the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8, via the data read/write device16.

In the example shown inFIG. 4, the table752A stores the combination of “PENCIL” and “3,” the combination of “ERASER” and “5,” the combination of “RULER” and “5,” and the combination of “SCISSORS” and “5” as combinations of print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”) of the attached tape cassette30. Therefore, the printer1A extracts the combination of “PENCIL” and “3,” the combination of “ERASER” and “5,” the combination of “RULER” and “5,” and the combination of “SCISSORS” and “5,” and stores the extracted combinations of print data and density data onto the table471of the tape cassette30.

<Overview of Printing Process in Second Mode>

A case in which the tape cassette30used in the printing process by the printer1A is attached to an attachment compartment8of a printer1B (seeFIG. 5) different from the printer1A will be exemplified. As a specific example of the case, there may be a case where in the middle of a particular operation to repeatedly print a character string by the printer1A, the user switches the printer1in use from the printer1A to the printer1B and resumes the particular operation by the printer1B. In this case, it is preferred that a print density of the character string printed by the printer1A is identical to a print density of the character string to be printed by the printer1B.

As shown inFIG. 5, the tape cassette30, of which the print data and the density data are stored on the table47by the printer1A (seeFIG. 4), is detached from the printer1A and then attached to the attachment compartment of the printer1B. At this time, it is assumed that tables751B and752B are already stored in a flash memory75of the printer1B. In this case, the printer1B reads out the print data and the density data stored on the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30via a data read/write device16. The printer1B stores the read print data and density data onto the table752B in association with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”) of the attached tape cassette30. Consequently, the table752B is changed to a table752C. InFIG. 5, the print data and the density data added in the aforementioned manner are shown as surrounded by a thick frame on the table752C.

The printer1B extracts, from the table752C, print data associated with the cassette parameters of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8. The printer1B displays, on the display5, character strings “AAA,” “BBB,” “PENCIL,” “ERASER,” “RULER,” and “SCISSORS” specified by the extracted print data. Suppose for instance that the user selects the character string “ERASER,” which is the same as the character string printed by the printer1A, from among the displayed character strings.

The printer1B performs a printing process to print the selected character string “ERASER” in the following manner. The printer1B extracts, from the table752C, the density data “5” associated with the print data of the selected character string “ERASER.” Even when the printer1B heats the thermal head10under the initial condition corresponding to the print density level “normal” among the initial conditions stored in the ROM72, the temperature of the thermal head10does not sufficiently increase due to influences of the aged deterioration. Hence, a print density of the printed character string is lower than the standard density “5” for the print density level “normal.”

To address such a problem, in the illustrative embodiment, the printer1B extracts, from the table752C, a deterioration degree “2” associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”) of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8. The printer1B specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with a print density level “highest,” which is identified by a modified density “7” obtained by adding the extracted deterioration degree “2” to the standard density “5” of the input print density level “normal.” Namely, referring to the density data stored on the table752C, the printer1B may directly identify the standard density “5” of the print density level “normal” for the character string to be printed. At the same time, to specify the heating condition for the thermal head10, referring to the density data stored on the table752C, the printer1A may indirectly identify the intended print density “7” of the print density level “highest” based on the deterioration degree “2.” The printer1B heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition. Thereby, the character string “ERASER” is printed on the tape50with the standard density “5.” Thus, the printer1B may print the character string “ERASER” on the tape50with the same print density as the print density for the printing process to print the character string “ERASER” by the printer1A. An operation mode in which a printing process is performed based on a character string and a print density level stored on the table752in the aforementioned manner may be referred to as a “second mode.”

A main process will be described with reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B. In response to receipt of a print instruction input via the keyboard3, the CPU71starts the main process by executing one or more programs76stored in the ROM72. It is noted that the one or more programs76may be stored in the flash memory75. The CPU71detects a type of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8(S11). Based on the detected type of the tape cassette30, the CPU71specifies cassette parameters (the color of the ink ribbon60, the color of the tape50, the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50) of the tape cassette30(S11).

The CPU71detects an operation to select one of the first mode and the second mode, via the keyboard3. When detecting an operation to select the first mode (S13: Yes), the CPU71goes to S41. When detecting an operation to select the second mode (S13: No), the CPU71goes to S14.

When the first mode is selected (S13: Yes), an operation to input a character string and a print density is performed via the keyboard3. The CPU71acquires the input character string and the input print density (e.g., one of the print density “3” of the print density level “lowest,” the print density “4” of the print density level “lower,” the print density “5” of the print density level “normal,” the print density “6” of the print density level “higher,” and the print density “7” of the print density level “highest”) (S41). The CPU71acquires, from the table751(seeFIGS. 4 and 5), a deterioration degree associated with the cassette parameters specified in S11. The CPU71calculates a modified density by adding the deterioration degree to the input print density. The CPU71specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with the same print density as the modified density (S43). The CPU71heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition. Thereby, the CPU71heats the ink ribbon60by the thermal head10and prints the input character string on the tape50(S45). Afterwards, the CPU71goes to S47.

The CPU71controls the display5to display an inquiry screen for inquiring of the user whether to store the character string and the print density acquired in S41into the printer1and the tape cassette30. In response to an instruction to store the character string and the print density being input via the keyboard3(S47: Yes), the CPU71goes to S49. On the table752(seeFIGS. 4 and 5), the CPU71stores the cassette parameters specified in S11, in association with print data for identifying the character string acquired in S41and density data for identifying the print density acquired in S41(S49). Further, the CPU71extracts, from the table752, print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters specified in S11. The CPU71stores the extracted print data and the extracted density data onto the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8, via the data read/write device16(S49). The CPU71terminates the main process. Meanwhile, in response to an instruction not to store the character string or the print density being input via the keyboard3(S47: No), the CPU71terminates the main process.

Meanwhile, when the second mode is selected (S13: No), the CPU71reads out the print data and the density data stored on the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30, via the data read/write device16(S14). The CPU71controls the display5to display character strings identified by the read print data. Further, the CPU71extracts, from the table752, print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters specified in S11. The CPU71controls the display5to display character strings identified by the extracted print data.

The CPU71detects an operation to select one of the character strings displayed on the display5, via the keyboard3. The CPU71identifies the selected character string (S15). The CPU71specifies a print density associated with the identified character string with reference to the tables471and752(S17). More specifically, when a character string, identified by print data stored on the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30, is selected, the CPU71specifies a print density based on density data associated with print data for identifying the selected character string among the print data stored on the table471. Meanwhile, when a character string, identified by print data stored on the table752, is selected, the CPU71specifies a print density based on density data associated with print data for identifying the selected character string among the print data stored on the table752.

The CPU71determines whether an operation to input a designated density has been detected via the keyboard3. The user inputs the designated density to newly designate a print density. When determining that an operation to input a designated density has not been detected via the keyboard3, the CPU71determines not to cause the printer1to perform printing with the designated density (S19: No). In this case, the CPU71goes to S29. The CPU71acquires, from the table751, a deterioration degree associated with the cassette parameter specified in S11. The CPU71calculates a modified density by adding the acquired deterioration degree to the print density specified in S17. The CPU71specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with the same print density as the modified density (S29). The CPU71heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition. Thereby, the CPU71heats the ink ribbon60by the thermal head10and prints on the tape50the character string identified in S15(S31). Afterwards, the CPU71terminates the main process.

When determining that an operation to input a designated density has been detected via the keyboard3, the CPU71determines to cause the printer1to perform printing with the designated density (S19: Yes). In this case, the CPU71acquires, from the table751, a deterioration degree associated with the cassette parameters specified in S11. The CPU71calculates a modified density by adding the acquired deterioration degree to the input designated density. The CPU71specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with the same print density as the calculated modified density (S21). The CPU71heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition. Thereby, the CPU71heats the ink ribbon60by the thermal head10and prints on the tape50the character string identified in S15(S23). Afterwards, the CPU71goes to S25.

The CPU71controls the display5to display an inquiry screen for inquiring of the user whether to store the input designated density into the printer1and the tape cassette30. In response to an instruction to store the designated density being input via the keyboard3(S25: Yes), the CPU71goes to S27. On the table752, the CPU71changes and updates density data for identifying the print density specified in S17to density data for identifying the designated density (S27). Further, the CPU71extracts, from the table752, print data and density data associated with the cassette parameters specified in S11. The CPU71stores the extracted print data and the extracted density data onto the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8(S27). The CPU71terminates the main process. Meanwhile, when an instruction not to store the designated density is input via the keyboard3(S25: No), the CPU71terminates the main process.

<Operations and Advantageous Effects of Illustrative Embodiment>

The printer1has the attachment compartment8to which the tape cassette30is detachably attached. The tape cassette30includes the memory device470storing the table471. On the table471, print data and density data are stored in association with each other. When performing a printing process (S45), the printer1stores print data and density data onto the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30(S49). The printer1reads print data and density data out of the table471of the tape cassette30(S14), when the tape cassette30is attached to the attachment compartment8of the printer1after the print data and the density data have been stored onto the table471of the tape cassette30by another printer1. The printer1identifies a character string selected by the user (S15), and specifies a print density associated with the identified character string (S17). The printer1prints the identified character string on the tape50with the specified print density (S23). In this case, the printer1may print a character string on the tape50with the same print density as when the character string is printed by the said another printer1.

When respective usage states of a plurality of printers1are different from each other, respective degrees of aged deterioration of the plurality of printers1are different from each other. Therefore, even when each of the plurality of printers1heats the thermal head10under the same heating condition, respective print densities of a character string printed by the plurality of printers1may be different from each other. In order to address such a problem, in the illustrative embodiment, the printer1specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10based on a print density and a deterioration degree associated with specified cassette parameters with reference to the table471in the memory device470of the tape cassette30(S21). The printer1heats the thermal head10under the specified heating condition, and prints a character string on the tape50(S23). Thereby, the plurality of printers1may print the same character string on the tape50with the same print density.

The printer1stores, on the table751, a deterioration degree in association with each combination of cassette parameters. Each combination of cassette parameters includes respective colors of the ink ribbon60and the tape50housed in the tape cassette30, and a width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50. In this case, even though the usage state of the thermal head10differs depending on each combination of cassette parameters, the printer1may adjust the heating condition for the thermal head10in accordance with each combination of cassette parameters. Thereby, even though the usage state of the thermal head10differs depending on each combination of cassette parameters of the attached tape cassette30, the printer1may print a character string on the tape50with the same print density as when the character string is printed by another printer1.

When an instruction to store a character string and a print density is input via the keyboard3(S47: Yes), the printer1stores, onto the table752, print data for identifying the input character string and density data for identifying the input print density (S49). In this case, the user may flexibly determine whether to store the print data and the density data into the memory device470of the tape cassette30. Hence, for instance, the user may store the print data and the density data into the memory device470of the tape cassette30, only when the user has an intension to print the same character string by another printer1.

The tape cassette30attached to the printer1includes the ink ribbon60and the tape50. Therefore, when the tape cassette30is attached to the attachment compartment8, the printer1may heat the ink ribbon60by the thermal head10and perform printing on the tape50. Further, the tape cassette30includes the memory device470. Hence, when the tape cassette30is attached to another printer1, the said another printer1may print a character string on the tape50with the same print density as when the character string is printed by the printer1.

Hereinabove, the illustrative embodiment according to aspects of the present disclosure has been described. The present disclosure can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it should be recognized that the present disclosure can be practiced without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

Only an exemplary illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure and but a few examples of their versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For instance, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the following modifications are possible.

An image to be printed by the printer1is not limited to a character string, but may be one or more numeric characters, one or more patterns, one or more symbols, or a barcode. When an image to be printed by the printer1is a character string, print data for identifying the character string may be raster data, JIS codes, or ASCII codes. Further, when an image to be printed by the printer1is one or more symbols or a barcode, print data for identifying the one or more symbols or the barcode may be multi-digit number (i.e., numerals in a plurality of digits) containing a country number, a maker number, a product number, and a check digit. The table471may not be stored in the memory device470of the IC tag47of the tape cassette30. For instance, the table471may be stored in a storage medium (e.g., a USB memory or an SD card) attachable to the printer1. In this case, the printer1may have, as an attachment compartment, a socket to which the storage medium is attachable. In the aforementioned illustrative embodiment, it is assumed that the thermal head10is deteriorated by aging. Nonetheless, in the printer1, what is influenced by aged deterioration may not necessarily be limited to the thermal head10. The number of the print density levels settable for the printer1is not limited to 5. For instance, the number of the print density levels settable for the printer1may be any of 1 to 4.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiment, through execution of the test printing, the printer1acquires various kinds of information (e.g., density data and a deterioration degree) and stores the information onto the table751. In this regard, the printer1may have a sensor configured to measure a print density of a character string printed in the test printing. Based on the measured print density, the printer1may store the density data onto the table751. Further, the printer1may calculate various kinds of information to be stored on the table751, based on an elapsed period of time since the start of the use of the printer1, a total number of printed sheets, and a total length of the ink ribbon60or the tape50used for printing.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiment, the printer1calculates a modified density by adding a deterioration degree to a print density identified by density data. The printer1specifies a heating condition for the thermal head10to perform printing with the calculated modified density (S29, S43). The deterioration degree is a parameter representing a degree of aged deterioration based on a usage state (e.g., a usage frequency) of the printer1. Nonetheless, the printer1may store, on the table751, a type parameter (e.g., a model and a type) representing a type of the printer1, instead of the deterioration degree. The printer1may specify a heating condition for the thermal head10by making a calculation based on the print density and the type parameter. Further, the printer1may store both the deterioration degree and the type parameter on the table751. The printer1may specify a heating condition for the thermal head10by making a calculation based on the print density, the deterioration degree, and the type parameter.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiment, the deterioration degree is stored on the table751in association with each combination of cassette parameters. Nonetheless, instead of storing the deterioration degree in association with each combination of cassette parameters, the printer1may manage a deterioration degree in common among a plurality of combinations of cassette parameters. Namely, the printer1may store a single deterioration degree on the table751. The printer1may specify a heating condition for the thermal head10based on the single deterioration degree, regardless of cassette parameters of the tape cassette30attached to the printer1.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiment, after printing the input character string on the tape50(S45), when an instruction to store the character string and the print density is input via the keyboard3(S47: Yes), the printer1stores onto the table751the character string and the print density in association with each other (S49). Nonetheless, whenever printing the input character string on the tape50(S45), the printer1may store onto the table751the character string and the print density in association with each other, regardless of whether the printer1receives an instruction to store the character string and the print density. The same may apply to a case where the printer1prints the character string on the tape50in S23.

The tape cassette30may not necessarily store the tape50. In this case, for instance, a tape roll with the tape50wound therearound may be directly housed in the printer1. Meanwhile, the tape cassette30may not necessarily house the ink ribbon60. In this case, for instance, the tape cassette30may house a thermosensitive tape50. The printer1may cause the thermal head10to directly heat the thermosensitive tape50, thereby performing printing on the tape50.

The printer1may specify a deterioration degree for each of a plurality of sections of the thermal head10divided in a width direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction for the ink ribbon60), and may store each specified deterioration degree onto the table751. Specifically, for instance, the printer1may specify a deterioration degree for each of three sections of the thermal head10divided in the width direction. Further, for instance, the printer1may store, onto the table751B, the specified three deterioration degrees (e.g., 2, 1, and 3) with respect to the three sections of the thermal head10in the width direction, respectively, as deterioration degrees associated with the cassette parameters (“the color of the ink ribbon60: black,” “the color of the tape50: white,” and “the width of the ink ribbon60and the tape50: 12 mm”). Further, before the printer1B performs a printing process, the printer1B may specify a heating condition for each of the three sections of the thermal head10thereof, based on the three deterioration degrees. In this case, even when respective degrees of aged deterioration of the three sections of the thermal head10are different from each other, the printer1B may adjust the heating condition for each section of the thermal head10. Thereby, even when respective degrees of aged deterioration of the three sections of the thermal head10are different from each other, the printer1B may print a character string on the tape50with the same print density as when the character string is printed by another printer1.

In the main process shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, for instance, the CPU71of the printer1A may execute S11, S13, and S41to S49, and the CPU71of the printer1B may executed S11, S13, and S14to S31.

Namely, the CPU71(hereinafter referred to as the “CPU71A”) of the printer1A may acquire a character string and a print density input via the keyboard3(S41), and may specify a heating condition for the thermal head10based on the print density and a deterioration degree (S43). The CPU71A may heat the thermal head10under the specified heating condition, thereby printing the input character string on the tape50(S45). The CPU71A may store print data (hereinafter referred to as “first print data”) for identifying the input character string and density data (hereinafter referred to as “first density data”) for identifying the input print density, into the memory device470of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8(S49). The tape cassette30may be detached from the attachment compartment8of the printer1A, and then, may be attached to the attachment compartment8of the printer1B.

Further, the CPU71(hereinafter referred to as the “CPU71B”) of the printer1B may read the first print data and the first density data out of the memory device470of the tape cassette30attached to the attachment compartment8of the printer1B (S14). The CPU71B may specify a heating condition for the thermal head10of the printer1B, based on a print density identified by the first density data and a deterioration degree (S29). The CPU71B may heat the thermal head10under the specified heating condition, thereby printing on the tape50a character string identified by the first print data (S31).

Associations between elements exemplified in the aforementioned illustrative embodiment and elements according to aspects of the present disclosure will be exemplified below. The printer1may be an example of a “printer” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The thermal head10may be an example of a “thermal head” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The attachment compartment8may be an example of an “attachment holder” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The memory device470included in the tape cassette30may be an example of a “memory device” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The controller70may be an example of a “controller” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The CPU71and the ROM72(or the flash memory75) storing the programs76may be included in the “controller” according to aspects of the present disclosure.