Patent Publication Number: US-10328726-B2

Title: Label creation apparatus and control method in label creation apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a label creation apparatus that performs printing on a tape to create a label and a control method in the label creation apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, there has been known a thermal printer including a thermal head, a platen, a sheet cutter provided on the downstream side of the thermal head, a reflective optical sensor provided at a position facing the tip end of the sheet cutter, and a warning buzzer. At the time of starting printing, the thermal printer reverses the platen to perform back feed by a prescribed amount so that the tip end of a print sheet comes to a printing position. If the print sheet is not detected by the reflective optical sensor before performing the back feed, the thermal printer rings the warning buzzer. In the way described above, the thermal printer prevents idle printing (see Patent Document 1). 
     [Patent Document 1] JP-U-63-106646 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventor has found out the following problems. 
     When a tape has been put into a “tape-end” state in which the end of the tape has passed through a print head (printing position) in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label at the time of continuously creating a plurality of labels in a label creation apparatus, the n-th label becomes imperfect. In view of this, it is assumed that the label creation apparatus includes a detection unit to detect the presence or absence of the tape at a detection position on the downstream side of the printing position, and that the creation of the labels is resumed from the n-th label after the replacement of the tape when the absence of the tape is detected at the detection position in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label. However, even in this way, the absence of the tape is detected at the detection position in the middle of the operation of creating the (n+1)-th label rather than being detected in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label when the end of the tape has passed through the printing position but has not passed through the detection position at a point at which the operation of creating the n-th label is ended. In this case, the label creating apparatus resumes the creation of the labels from the (n+1)-th label rather than resuming the creation of the labels from n-th label. Therefore, the n-th label is not created again even if the n-th label becomes imperfect due to the tape put into the tape-end state in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label. 
     The present invention has an object of providing a label creation apparatus and a control method in the label creation apparatus capable of creating the n-th label again when the n-th label becomes imperfect due to a tape put into a tape-end state in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label. 
     The present invention provides a label creation apparatus that performs printing on a tape to create a label, the label creation apparatus including: a label creation unit having a print head and a driving unit, the print head performing printing on the tape at a printing position on a feeding path for the tape, the driving unit driving a platen roller that feeds the tape sandwiched between the print head and the platen roller at the printing position and a feeding unit that feeds the tape on a downstream side of the printing position on the feeding path; a detection unit that detects presence or absence of the tape at a detection position on the downstream side of the printing position on the feeding path; and a control unit that controls, at a time of continuously creating a plurality of the labels by the label creation unit, the label creation unit to resume the creation of the labels from an n-th label when determining a tape-end state in which a tape end of the tape has passed through the printing position based on a detection result of the detection unit in a tape-end detection period for the n-th label, the tape-end detection period for the n-th label indicating a period from a point at which an (n−1)-th label has been determined to be completed to a point at which the n-th label has been determined to be completed, wherein the control unit determines that the n-th label has been completed when the driving unit operates by a prescribed amount after an end of an operation of creating the n-th label by the label creation unit. 
     The present invention provides a control method in a label creation apparatus that performs printing on a tape to create a label, the label creation apparatus including a label creation unit having a print head and a driving unit, the print head performing printing on the tape at a printing position on a feeding path for the tape, the driving unit driving a platen roller that feeds the tape sandwiched between the print head and the platen roller at the printing position and a feeding unit that feeds the tape on a downstream side of the printing position on the feeding path, and a detection unit that detects presence or absence of the tape at a detection position on the downstream side of the printing position on the feeding path, the control method performing: a step of determining whether the tape has been put into a tape-end state based on a detection result of the detection unit in a tape-end detection period for an n-th label at a time of continuously creating a plurality of the labels by the label creation unit, the tape-end detection period for the n-th label indicating a period from a point at which an (n−1)-th label has been determined to be completed to a point at which the n-th label has been determined to be completed; a step of resuming the creation of the labels from the n-th label when the tape has been determined to be put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label; and a step of determining that the n-th label has been completed when the driving unit operates by a prescribed amount after an end of an operation of creating the n-th label by the label creation unit. 
     According to the configuration, even when the tape has been put into the tape-end state but has not determined to be put into the tape-end state at a point at which the operation of creating the n-th label is ended, it can be determined that the tape has been put into the tape-end state until the driving unit operates by a prescribed amount, i.e., before the n-th label has been determined to be completed. As a result, the creation of the labels is resumed from the n-th label. Thus, according to the configuration, the n-th label can be created again when the n-th label becomes imperfect due to the tape put into the tape-end state in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label. 
     In the label creation apparatus, the control unit preferably determines that the tape has been put into the tape-end state when the absence of the tape is detected by the detection unit, and the control unit preferably determines that the n-th label has been completed at a point at which the driving unit operates by at least an amount corresponding to a distance between the printing position and the detection position to feed the tape after an end of a printing operation on the n-th label by the print head. 
     According to the configuration, when the tape end has not pass through the detection position but has passed through the printing position at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label by the print head is ended, the tape end passes through the detection position until the driving unit operates by the amount corresponding to the distance between the printing position and the detection position, i.e., before it is determined by the control unit that the n-th label has been completed. Therefore, it is determined by the control unit that the tape has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label. As a result, the creation of the labels is resumed from the n-th label. Thus, according to the configuration, the n-th label L can be created again when an error that printing on the n-th label becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label because the tape end has passed through the printing position in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label. 
     In this case, the label creation unit preferably further has a half cutter that forms cut lines on a surface layer of the tape at a position on the downstream side of the printing position on the feeding path, the half cutter preferably performs a half-cut operation on the n-th label at the time of continuously creating the plurality of the labels, the half-cut operation on the n-th label indicating an operation of forming the cut lines on the surface layer of the tape at a boundary between the n-th label and an (n+1)-th label, the control unit preferably determines that the tape has been put into the tape-end state when the absence of the tape is detected by the detection unit, and the control unit preferably determines that the n-th label has been completed at a point at which the driving unit operates by at least an amount corresponding to a distance between the printing position and the detection position to feed the tape after an end of the half-cut operation on the n-th label. 
     According to the configuration, when the tape end has not passed through the detection position but has passed through the printing position at a point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label by the half cutter is ended, the tape end passes through the detection position until the driving unit operates by the amount corresponding to the distance between the printing position and the detection position to feed the tape, i.e., before it is determined by the control unit that the n-th label has been completed. Therefore, it is determined by the control unit that the tape has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label. As a result, the creation of the labels is resumed from the n-th label. Thus, according to the configuration, the n-th label L can be created again when an error that the deviation of cutting lines or the like occurs in the n-th label because the tape end has passed through the printing position until the half-cut operation on the n-th label is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label. 
     In this case, the label creation unit preferably further has a full cutter that cuts off the tape at a full-cut position between the printing position and the detection position on the feeding path, the full cutter preferably performs a full-cut operation on the n-th label at the time of continuously creating the plurality of the labels, the full-cut operation on the n-th label indicating an operation of cutting off the tape at a boundary between the n-th label and an (n+1)-th label, the control unit preferably determines that the tape has been put into the tape-end state when the presence of the tape is not detected by the detection unit at a point at which the driving unit operates by at least an amount corresponding to a distance between the full-cut position and the detection position to feed the tape after an end of the full-cut operation on the n-th label, and the control unit preferably determines that the n-th label has been completed at a point at which the presence of the tape is detected by the detection unit until the driving unit operates by at least the amount corresponding to the distance between the full-cut position and the detection position to feed the tape after the end of the full-cut operation on the n-th label. 
     According to the configuration, when the tape end has not passed through the detection position but has passed through the printing position at a point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label by the full cutter is ended, the (n+1)-th label is not fed even if the driving unit operates by the amount corresponding to the distance between the full-cut position and the detection position. Therefore, the presence of the tape is not detected by the detection unit. Thus, it is determined by the control unit that the tape has been put into the tape-end state before it is determined by that control unit that the n-th label has been completed, i.e., in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label. As a result, the creation of the labels is resumed from the n-th label. Thus, according to the configuration, the n-th label L can be created again when an error that the deviation of a cutting part by the full cutter or the like occurs in the n-th label because the tape end has passed through the printing position until the full-cut operation on the n-th label is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label. 
     In this case, the feeding unit preferably has a pair of rollers that feeds the sandwiched tape, and the detection unit preferably detects the presence or absence of the tape between the pair of rollers. 
     According to the configuration, the feeding unit and the detection unit are not required to be arranged side by side in a line along the feeding path on which the tape is to be fed. Therefore, the feeding path can be shortened, and space efficiency can be improved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a label creation apparatus according an embodiment of the present invention, a tape cartridge to be loaded into the label creation apparatus, and an information processing apparatus connected to the label creation apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a label creation unit of the label creation apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a pair of rollers of the label creation unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing the pair of rollers of the label creation unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram for describing continuous printing performed by the label creation apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4B  in the case of continuous printing without cutting. 
         FIG. 4D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4B  in the case of half-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 4E  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4D . 
         FIG. 4F  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4B  in the case of full-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 4G  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 4F . 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing contents displayed by the information processing apparatus during continuous printing. 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing contents displayed by the information processing apparatus during the continuous printing. 
         FIG. 5C  is a diagram showing contents displayed by the information processing apparatus during the continuous printing. 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram for describing a comparative example of tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting. 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 6D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 6C . 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram for describing an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting. 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 7C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 7B . 
         FIG. 7D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 7C . 
         FIG. 8A  is a diagram for describing a comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 8B . 
         FIG. 8D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 8C . 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagram for describing an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 9B . 
         FIG. 9D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 9C . 
         FIG. 10A  is a diagram for describing a comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 10B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 10B . 
         FIG. 10D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 10C . 
         FIG. 11A  is a diagram for describing an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing. 
         FIG. 11B  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 11C  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 11B . 
         FIG. 11D  is a diagram showing a step after  FIG. 11C . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter a description will be given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a label creation apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     A description will be given, with reference to  FIG. 1 , of the label creation apparatus  1 , a tape cartridge  2  to be loaded into the label creation apparatus  1 , and an information processing apparatus  3  communicably connected to the label creation apparatus  1 . 
     The information processing apparatus  3  is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer. The information processing apparatus  3  includes a PC body  31 , an operation unit  32 , and a display unit  33 . The PC body  31  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk drive. In the PC body  31 , application software adapted to the label creation apparatus  1  is installed. The operation unit  32  includes a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit  32  receives the input/edit operations or the like of character strings that are to be printed by the label creation apparatus  1 . The display unit  33  displays character strings, various messages, or the like that are being input/edited. The information processing apparatus  3  transmits various commands and various data to the label creation apparatus  1  based on the input/edit operations or the like of character strings received by the operation unit  32 . 
     The label creation apparatus  1  performs printing on a tape  21  to create a label L (see  FIG. 4B ) based on various commands and various data transmitted from the information processing apparatus  3 . The label creation apparatus  1  includes an opening/closing lid  11 , a cartridge loading part  12 , and a tape ejection port  13 . Although omitted in  FIG. 1 , the label creation apparatus  1  includes a detection unit  14  and a control unit  15  (see  FIG. 2 ). In addition, the label creation apparatus  1  includes a label creation unit  16  (see  FIG. 2 ), but  FIG. 1  shows only some constituents (such as a print head  161 ). 
     Note that the label creation apparatus  1  includes an operation panel  17  that functions like the operation unit  32  of the information processing apparatus  3  and a display  18  that functions like the display unit  33  of the information processing apparatus  3 . Therefore, the label creation apparatus  1  is capable of creating the label L even in a standalone configuration in which the label creation apparatus  1  is not connected to the information processing apparatus  3 . 
     The opening/closing lid  11  opens/closes the cartridge loading part  12 . The tape cartridge  2  is attachably/detachably loaded into the cartridge loading part  12 . In the cartridge loading part  12 , the print head  161 , a platen driving shaft  162 , and a winding driving shaft  163  that will be described later are provided. 
     The tape ejection port  13  is a place at which the printed tape  21  fed from the tape cartridge  2  loaded into the cartridge loading part  12  is to be ejected. 
     The tape cartridge  2  includes the tape  21 , a tape core  22 , an ink ribbon  23 , a ribbon feeding core  24 , a ribbon winding core  25 , a platen roller  26 , and a cartridge case  27  that accommodates these constituents. The cartridge case  27  is provided with a tape delivering port  28 . 
     The tape  21  includes a print tape  211  and a release tape  212 . Printing is performed on one of the front and rear surfaces of the print tape  211 . The other of the front and rear surfaces of the print tape  211  is coated with an adhesive, and the release tape  212  is releasably affixed to the print tape  211  via the adhesive. The tape  21  is feedably wound on the tape core  22 . The tape  21  fed from the tape core  22  is delivered from the tape delivering port  28  to the outside of the cartridge case  27 . 
     On the ribbon feeding core  24 , the ink ribbon  23  is feedably wound. The ink ribbon  23  fed from the ribbon feeding core  24  is wound by the ribbon winding core  25 . The ribbon winding core  25  engages the winding driving shaft  163  in a state in which the tape cartridge  2  is loaded into the cartridge loading part  12 . 
     The platen roller  26  engages the platen driving shaft  162  in a state in which the tape cartridge  2  is loaded into the cartridge loading part  12 . In this state, the platen roller  26  sandwiches the tape  21  and the ink ribbon  23  between the print head  161  and the platen roller  26 . 
     A description will be given, with reference to  FIG. 2 , of the label creation unit  16 , the detection unit  14 , and the control unit  15 . The label creation unit  16  includes the print head  161 , the platen driving shaft  162 , the winding driving shaft  163 , a pair of rollers  164 , a feeding motor  165 , a gear train  166 , a full cutter  167 , a half cutter  168 , and a cutter motor  169 . 
     The print head  161  and the platen driving shaft  162 , the full cutter  167 , the half cutter  168 , and the pair of rollers  164  are provided in this order from an upstream side along a feeding path  19  of the tape  21 . 
     The print head  161  performs printing on the tape  21  sandwiched together with the ink ribbon  23  between the platen roller  26  and the print head  161 . That is, the ink of the ink ribbon  23  is transferred onto the tape  21  by heat applied from the print head  161  to the ink ribbon  23  to perform printing on the tape  21 . 
     The platen driving shaft  162  is provided at a position facing the print head  161  across the feeding path  19  through which the tape  21  is to be fed. The platen driving shaft  162  engages the platen roller  26  in a state in which the tape cartridge  2  is loaded into the cartridge loading part  12 . The platen driving shaft  162  rotates with the feeding motor  165  as a driving source. When the platen driving shaft  162  rotates, the platen roller  26  engaging the platen driving shaft  162  also rotates. Thus, the tape  21  and the ink ribbon  23  sandwiched between the platen roller  26  and the print head  161  are fed. 
     The winding driving shaft  163  engages the ribbon winding core  25  in a state in which the tape cartridge  2  is loaded into the cartridge loading part  12 . The winding driving shaft  163  rotates with the feeding motor  165  as a driving source. When the winding driving shaft  163  rotates, the ribbon winding core  25  engaging the winding driving shaft  163  also rotates. Thus, the ink ribbon  23  is wound by the ribbon winding core  25 . 
     The pair of rollers  164  rotates with the feeding motor  165  as a driving source. Thus, the pair of rollers  164  ejects the sandwiched tape  21  toward the tape ejection port  13 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each of rollers  1641  constituting the pair of rollers  164  includes a roller body  1642  and a gear-shaped rotation body  1643 . The rotation body  1643  is a member for detecting the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  with the detection unit  14 . The rotation body  1643  is rotatably provided about an axis common to the roller body  1642 . In addition, the rotation body  1643  incorporated in one of the rollers is separably provided with respect to the rotation body  1643  incorporated in the other of the rollers. That is, one of the rotation bodies  1643  engages the other of the rotation bodies  1643  in a state in which the tape  21  is absent between the pair of rollers  164  (see  FIG. 3A ). One of the rotation bodies  1643  disengages and separates from the other of the rotation bodies  1643  in a state in which the tape  21  is present between the pair of rollers  164  (see  FIG. 3B ). 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , a description will be given again. The feeding motor  165  is a driving source for the platen driving shaft  162 , the winding driving shaft  163 , and the pair of rollers  164 . The feeding motor  165  is a stepping motor. The gear train  166  transmits the power of the feeding motor  165  to the platen driving shaft  162 , the winding driving shaft  163 , and the pair of rollers  164 . That is, the gear train  166  branches off from the feeding motor  165  to the platen driving shaft  162 , the winding driving shaft  163 , and the pair of rollers  164 . Thus, the platen driving shaft  162 , the winding driving shaft  163 , and the pair of rollers  164  rotate in conjunction with each other. 
     Here, if the peripheral speed of the pair of rollers  164  is slower than that of the platen roller  26 , the tape  21  is bent between the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 , which causes a factor responsible for jamming or the like. Therefore, the reduction gear ratio of the gear train  166  is so designed that the peripheral speed of the pair of rollers  164  becomes, for example, 1.2 times as fast as that of the platen roller  26 . Further, a clutch mechanism  1661  is incorporated in the middle of the gear train  166  branching off toward the pair of rollers  164 . The clutch mechanism  1661  is, for example, a torque limiter. The clutch mechanism  1661  absorbs a difference in the peripheral speed between the pair of rollers  164  and the platen roller  26 . That is, when the tape  21  is fed in a state of extending between the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 , the pair of rollers  164  rotates at the same peripheral speed as that of the platen roller  26  in such a manner that the clutch mechanism  1661  slides. On the other hand, when the tape  21  is fed only by the pair of rollers  164 , the clutch mechanism  1661  does not slide and the pair of rollers  164  rotates at a peripheral speed faster than that of the platen roller  26 . Accordingly, the tape  21  is fed faster when fed only by the pair of rollers  164 , compared with a case in which the tape  21  is fed in a state of extending between the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 . 
     The full cutter  167  performs a full-cut operation with the cutter motor  169  as a driving source. Thus, the full cutter  167  cuts off the tape  21 . That is, the full cutter  167  cuts off both the print tape  211  and the release tape  212 . The half cutter  168  performs a half-cut operation with the cutter motor  169  as a driving source. Thus, the half cutter  168  cuts off only the print tape  211  without cutting off the release tape  212  to form cut lines on the surface layer (the surface on the side of the print tape  211 ) of the tape  21 . Note that the half cutter  168  may be configured to cut off the release tape  212  without cutting off the print tape  211  to form cut lines on the surface layer (the surface on the side of the release tape  212 ) of the tape  21 . In the following description, the cut lines formed on the surface layer of the tape  21  will be called half-cut lines H (see  FIG. 4D ). The cutter motor  169  is a driving source for the full cutter  167  and the half cutter  168 . 
     Note that a position at which printing is to be performed on the tape  21  by the print head  161 , i.e., a position at which the tape  21  and the ink ribbon  23  are to be sandwiched by the print head  161  and the platen roller  26  on the feeding path  19  will be called a printing position P 1 . A position at which the tape  21  is to be cut off by the full cutter  167  on the feeding path  19  will be called a full-cut position P 2 . A position at which the half-cut lines H are to be formed on the tape  21  by the half cutter  168  on the feeding path  19  will be called a half-cut position P 3 . A position at which the presence or absence of the tape  21  is to be detected by the detection unit  14 , i.e., a position at which the tape  21  is to be sandwiched by the pair of rollers  164  on the feeding path  19  will be called a detection position P 4 . As a positional relationship between positions from the printing position P 1  to the detection position P 4 , the printing position P 1 , the full-cut position P 2 , the half-cut position P 3 , and the detection position P 4  are set in this order from the upstream side of the feeding path  19 . 
     The detection unit  14  detects the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164 , i.e., at the detection position P 4 . That is, the detection unit  14  detects whether the rotation body  1643  incorporated in one of the rollers  1641  is separated from the rotation body  1643  incorporated in the other of the rollers  1641  to detect the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164 . 
     The control unit  15  transmits and receives various commands and various data to and from the information processing apparatus  3  and controls each of the units of the label creation apparatus  1  based on the received various commands and the various data. The control unit  15  includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU runs various programs stored in the ROM using the RAM to perform various processing. 
     A description will be given, with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4G , of continuous printing to be performed by the label creation apparatus  1 . The continuous printing is processing for continuously creating a plurality of labels L. Note that the character strings of the plurality of labels L continuously printed may be, for example, the same strings such as “ABC,” “ABC,” and “ABC” or strings having sequential numbers such as “No. 1,” “No. 2,” and “No. 3.” 
       FIG. 4A  shows a state in which the tape  21  has been cut off by the full cutter  167  in the previous printing processing and the tip end of the tape  21  has been set at the full-cut position P 2 . Upon receiving print data based on a character string input/edited through the information processing apparatus  3 , the number of the labels L to be continuously printed, and a command for performing printing, the label creation apparatus  1  starts the continuous printing. 
     In the continuous printing, the label creation apparatus  1  performs the printing on the tape  21  with the print head  161  while feeding the tape  21  with the platen roller  26 .  FIG. 4B  shows a state in which a printing operation on the n-th label L has been completed. Note that in  FIG. 4B  or the like, the printed part of the (n−1)-th label L is indicated by a slanted pattern, the printed part of the n-th label L is indicated by a dot pattern, and the printed part of the (n+1)-th label L is indicated by solid black for illustration convenience. In addition, in  FIG. 4B  or the like, a suffix n added to a symbol L indicates that a label L is the n-th one. 
     A description will be given of processing after the completion of the printing operation on the n-th label L for each of the cases of continuous printing without cutting, half-cut continuous printing, and full-cut continuous printing. 
     In the continuous printing without cutting, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the label creation apparatus  1  does not cut off the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L and does not form the half-cut lines H on the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L. That is, the label creation apparatus  1  continues to perform the printing on the (n+1)-th label L without stopping the feeding of the tape  21  even if the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L reaches the full-cut position P 2  or the half-cut position P 3 . 
     In the half-cut continuous printing, as shown in  FIG. 4D , the label creation apparatus  1  stops the printing on the (n+1)-th label L and forms the half-cut lines H on the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L with the half cutter  168  when the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L reaches the half-cut position P 3 . After that, as shown in  FIG. 4E , the label creation apparatus  1  resumes the printing on the (n+1)-th label L. 
     In the full-cut continuous printing, as shown in  FIG. 4F , the label creation apparatus  1  stops the printing on the (n+1)-th label L and cuts off the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L with the full cutter  167  when the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L reaches the full-cut position P 2 . After that, as shown in  FIG. 4G , the label creation apparatus  1  ejects the n-th label L from the tape ejection port  13  with the pair of rollers  164  and resumes the printing on the (n+1)-th label L. Note that since the peripheral speed of the pair of rollers  164  is faster than that of the platen roller  26  as described above, the n-th label L is fed faster than the tape  21  in which the printing is being performed on the (n+1)-th label L. 
     A description will be given, with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , of contents to be displayed on the display unit  33  by the information processing apparatus  3  during the continuous printing. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the information processing apparatus  3  displays information as to what number of the labels L is being printed (created) on the display unit  33  during the continuous printing. As will be described later, upon receiving the fact that the tape  21  has been put into a tape-end state and a detected number from the label creation apparatus  1 , the information processing apparatus  3  displays a message urging the replacement of the tape cartridge  2  on the display unit  33  as shown in  FIG. 5B . When the indication of an “OK” is pressed by clicking or the like on the display shown in  FIG. 5B  after the replacement of the tape cartridge  2 , the information processing apparatus  3  displays a message inquiring about the resumption (creation) of the printing on the label L as shown in  FIG. 5C . At this time, the information processing apparatus  3  also displays information as to what number of the labels L is to be printed again on the display unit  33 . When the indication of “resume printing” is pressed by clicking or the like on the display shown in  FIG. 5C , the information processing apparatus  3  transmits a command for resuming the printing on the label L to the control unit  15 . Note that the label creation apparatus  1  may display on the display  18  these messages or the like displayed on the display unit  33  by the information processing apparatus  3 . 
     Subsequently, a description will be given of tape-end detection control to be performed by the control unit  15  during the continuous printing. In the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines whether a tape end E of the tape  21  has passed through the printing position P 1 , i.e., whether the tape  21  has been put into a tape-end state, based on a detection result of the detection unit  14 . 
     Here, during the continuous printing without cutting and the half-cut continuous printing, it is determined that the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  when the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14  after the detection of the tip end of the tape  21  by the detection unit  14 . Accordingly, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state when the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14  after the detection of the tip end of the tape  21  by the detection unit  14 . 
     In the full-cut continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state when the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14  like the continuous printing without cutting and the half-cut continuous printing until a full-cut operation is performed after the detection of the tip end of the tape  21  by the detection unit  14 . In addition, when the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14  even if the feeding motor  165  operates by a second operation amount that will be described later after the full-cut operation is performed, it is assumed that the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the full-cut operation is performed. This is because the tape  21  on the upstream side of the full-cut position P 2  cannot be fed any more even if the feeding motor  165  operates when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the full-cut operation is performed. Accordingly, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state when the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14  at a point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation is performed. 
     Note that when the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14  even if the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation is performed, the tape end E has not passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the full-cut operation is performed. However, it can also be assumed that the remaining length of the tape  21  has become shorter than the distance between the platen roller  26  (printing position P 1 ) and the pair of rollers  164  (detection position P 4 ). This is because the tape  21  is fed only until the tape end E passes through the printing position P 1  even if the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation is performed and thus the tape  21  does not reach the detection position P 4 . 
     Here, the second operation amount refers to the operation amount (step number) of the feeding motor  165  required to feed the tape  21  by an amount corresponding to the distance between the full-cut position P 2  and the detection position P 4 , preferably an amount corresponding to a distance obtained by adding a slight distance to the distance between the full-cut position P 2  and the detection position P 4  in consideration of the feeding accuracy of the tape  21 . That is, the second operation amount corresponds to the operation amount of the feeding motor  165  required when the tip end of the (n+1)-th label L reaches the detection position P 4  after the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Note that the full-cut operation on the n-th label L refers to a full-cut operation for cutting off the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L. 
     The control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to stop the creation of the labels L when determining that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. In addition, the control unit  15  transmits the fact that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state and a detected number to the information processing apparatus  3  when determining that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. Note that the detected number is information indicating which one of the tape end detection periods for the labels L is regarded as a period in which the tape  21  has been determined to be put into the tape-end state. 
     Here, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L when determining that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L when determining that the n-th label L has been completed. In the respective comparative examples of the tape-end detection control that will be described later, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the operation of creating the n-th label L by the label creation unit  16  is ended. In addition, in the respective embodiments of the tape-end detection control that will be described later, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed when the feeding motor  165  operates by a prescribed amount after the end of the operation of creating the n-th label L by the label creation unit  16 . Hereinafter, a timing at which the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed will be described in the order of a comparative example and an embodiment for each of the cases of the continuous printing without cutting, the half-cut continuous printing, and the full-cut continuous printing. 
     First, a description will be given of a comparative example and an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting. In the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label is ended. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the printing operation on the (n−1)-th label L is ended, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 6A to 6D , of the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a state in which the printing operation on the (n−1)-th label L has been ended. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a state in which the printing operation on the n-th label L has been ended after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, since the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L, an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 6C  shows a state in which the tape end E has passed through the detection position P 4  after the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this time, since the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. 
       FIG. 6D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state after determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in the tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the (n+1)-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. Accordingly, in the comparative example, the n-th label L may not be created again when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     On the other hand, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by a first operation amount after the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the end of the printing operation on the (n−1)-th label L, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. Note that the first operation amount refers to the operation amount (step number) of the feeding motor  165  required to feed the tape  21  by an amount corresponding to the distance between the printing position P 1  and the detection position P 4 , preferably an amount corresponding to a distance obtained by adding a slight distance to the distance between the printing position P 1  and the detection position P 4  in consideration of the feeding accuracy of the tape  21 . That is, the first operation amount corresponds to a substantial operation amount of the feeding motor  165  required by the tape end E to reach the detection position P 4  when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not reached the detection position P 4  at a point at which the printing operation is ended. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 7A to 7D , of the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting. 
       FIG. 7A  shows a state in which the feeding motor  165  has operated by the first operation amount after the end of the printing operation on the (n−1)-th label L. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 7B  shows a state in which the printing operation on the n-th label L has been ended after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, since the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L, an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 7C  shows a state in which the tape end E has passed through the detection position P 4  before the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this time, since the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. At this point, the feeding motor  165  has not operated by the first operation amount, and thus the control unit  15  does not determine that the n-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 7D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the n-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state before determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the n-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the n-th label L. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the n-th label L may not be created again when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     In other words, in the embodiment, the detection unit  14  that detects the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164 , i.e., at the detection position P 4  may detect whether the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  at the point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended. 
     Next, a description will be given of a comparative example and an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing. In the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label is performed. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the half-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L is performed, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Note that the half-cut operation on the n-th label L refers to a half-cut operation for forming the half-cut lines H on the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 8D , of the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a state in which the half-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L has been performed. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 8B  shows a state in which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L has been performed after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  until the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, the tape end E has not passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended, and thus the n-th label L is printed to the end. On the other hand, the tape  21  is fed only by the pair of rollers  164  after the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 . Therefore, as described above, the tape  21  is fed faster compared with a case in which the tape  21  is fed in a state of extending between the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 . As a result, an error that the half-cut lines H are formed at a position deviated to the side of the (n+1)-th label L from the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L occurs in the n-th label L. That is, a part (tip end part) of the (n+1)-th label L is included in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a state in which the tape end E has passed through the detection position P 4  after the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. At this time, since the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. 
       FIG. 8D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state after determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in a tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the (n+1)-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. Accordingly, in the comparative example, the n-th label L may not be created again when an error that the half-cut lines H are deviated occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  until the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. In addition, in the comparative example, the n-th label L may not be created again like the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     On the other hand, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the half-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L is performed, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Here, the first operation amount corresponds to a substantial operation amount of the feeding motor  165  required by the tape end E to reach the detection position P 4  when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not reached the detection position P 4  at a point at which the half-cut operation is performed. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 9A to 9D , of the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing. 
       FIG. 9A  shows a state in which the feeding motor  165  has operated by the first operation amount after the end of the half-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 9B  shows a state in which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L has been performed after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  until the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, the tape end E has not passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended, and thus the n-th label L is printed to the end. On the other hand, the tape  21  is fed only by the pair of rollers  164  after the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 . As a result, an error that the half-cut lines H are formed at a position deviated to the side of the (n+1)-th label L from the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L occurs in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 9C  shows a state in which the tape end E has passed through the detection position P 4  before the feeding motor  165  operates by the first operation amount after the end of the half-cut operation on the n-th label L. At this time, since the absence of the tape  21  is detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. At this point, the feeding motor  165  has not operated by the first operation amount, and thus the control unit  15  does not determine that the n-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 9D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the n-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state before determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the n-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the half-cut continuous printing, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the n-th label L. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the n-th label L may be created again when an error that the half-cut lines H are deviated occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  until the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. In addition, in the embodiment, the n-th label L may be created again like the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     In other words, in the embodiment, the detection unit  14  that detects the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164 , i.e., at the detection position P 4  may detect whether the passage of the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  at the point at which the half-cut operation on the n-th label L is ended. 
     Next, a description will be given of a comparative example and an embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing. In the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label is performed. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the full-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L is performed, and ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Note that the full-cut operation on the n-th label L refers to a full-cut operation for cutting off the tape  21  at the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 10A to 10D , of the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing. 
       FIG. 10A  shows a state in which the full-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L has been performed. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 10B  shows a state in which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L has been performed after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  until the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this point, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, the tape end E has not passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended, and thus the n-th label L is printed to the end. On the other hand, the tape  21  is fed only by the pair of rollers  164  after the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 . Therefore, as described above, the tape  21  is fed faster compared with a case in which the tape  21  is fed in a state of extending between the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 . As a result, an error that the tape  21  is cut off at a position deviated to the side of the (n+1)-th label L from the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L occurs in the n-th label L. That is, a part (tip end part) of the (n+1)-th label L is included in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 10C  shows a state in which the feeding motor  165  has operated by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 , and thus the (n+1)-th label L is not fed any more. Therefore, since the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. 
       FIG. 10D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state after determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in a tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the (n+1)-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the (n+1)-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the (n+1)-th label L. Accordingly, in the comparative example, the n-th label L may not be created again when an error that a cutting part is deviated occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  until the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. In addition, in the comparative example, the n-th label L may not be created again like the comparative example of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     On the other hand, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed at a point at which the presence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  is detected by the detection unit  14  until the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. Therefore, the control unit  15  starts a tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at the point at which the presence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  is detected by the detection unit  14  until the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L is performed. In addition, the control unit  15  ends the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L at a point at which the presence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  is detected by the detection unit  14  until the feeding motor  165  operates by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. 
     A description will be specifically given, with reference to  FIGS. 11A to 11D , of the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing. 
       FIG. 11A  shows a state in which the feeding motor  165  has operated by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the (n−1)-th label L is performed. At this point, the presence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  is detected by the detection unit  14 . Therefore, the control unit  15  determines that the (n−1)-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 11B  shows a state in which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L has been performed after the passage of the tape end E through the printing position P 1  until the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4 . In addition, the tape end E has not passed through the printing position P 1  at a point at which the printing operation on the n-th label L is ended, and thus the n-th label L is printed to the end. On the other hand, the tape  21  is fed only by the pair of rollers  164  after the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 . As a result, an error that the tape  21  is cut off at a position deviated to the side of the (n+1)-th label L from the boundary between the n-th label L and the (n+1)-th label L occurs in the n-th label L. 
       FIG. 11C  shows a state in which the feeding motor  165  has operated by the second operation amount after the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. At this time, the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1 , and thus the (n+1)-th label L is not fed any more. Therefore, since the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14 , the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state. At this point, the presence of the tape  21  is not detected by the detection unit  14 , and thus the control unit  15  does not determine that the n-th label L has been completed. 
       FIG. 11D  shows a state in which the creation of the labels L has been resumed from the n-th label L. As described above, the control unit  15  determines that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state before determining the completion of the n-th label L, i.e., in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L. As a result, the control unit  15  controls the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the n-th label L when resuming the creation of the labels L. 
     As described above, in the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the full-cut continuous printing, it is determined that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L when the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  but has not passed through the detection position P 4  at the point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed. As a result, the creation of the labels L is resumed from the n-th label L. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the n-th label L may be created again when an error that a cutting part by the full cutter  167  is deviated occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  until the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is performed since the end of the printing operation on the n-th label L. In addition, in the embodiment, the n-th label L may be created again like the embodiment of the tape-end detection control during the continuous printing without cutting when an error that printing on the n-th label L becomes imperfect occurs in the n-th label L because the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  in the middle of the printing operation on the n-th label L. 
     In other words, in the embodiment, the detection unit  14  that detects the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164 , i.e., at the detection position P 4  may detect whether the tape end E has passed through the printing position P 1  at the point at which the full-cut operation on the n-th label L is ended. 
     As described above, the label creation apparatus  1  according to the embodiment includes the label creation unit  16 , the detection unit  14 , and the control unit  15 . The label creation unit  16  includes the print head  161  and the feeding motor  165 . The print head  161  performs printing on the tape  21  at the printing position P 1 . The feeding motor  165  drives the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 . The detection unit  14  detects the presence or absence of the tape  21  at the detection position P 4 . The control unit  15  controls, during the continuous printing, the label creation unit  16  to resume the creation of the labels L from the n-th label L when determining that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state based on a detection result of the detection unit  14  in the tape-end detection period for the n-th label L. In addition, the control unit  15  determines that the n-th label L has been completed when the feeding motor  165  operates by a prescribed amount after the end of the operation of creating the n-th label L. 
     According to the configuration, even when it is not determined by the control unit  15  that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state although the tape has been put into the tape-end state at a point at which the operation of creating the n-th label L is ended, it can be determined by the control unit  15  that the tape  21  has been put into the tape-end state until the feeding motor  165  operates by a prescribed amount, i.e., before it is determined by the control unit  15  that the n-th label has been completed. As a result, the creation of the labels L is started from the n-th label L. Thus, according to the embodiment, the n-th label L can be created again when the n-th label L becomes imperfect due to the tape  21  put into the tape-end state in the middle of the operation of creating the n-th label L. 
     Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment but is capable of employing various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the embodiment can be modified into the following modes. 
     The detection unit  14  may detect the presence or absence of the tape  21  between the pair of rollers  164  by detecting the presence or absence of the energization between the pair of rollers  164 . Moreover, the detection unit  14  may detect the presence or absence of the tape  21  by a photointerrupter provided on the downstream side of the printing position P 1 . Note that the photointerrupter may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side of the pair of rollers  164  in this case but is preferably provided at the same place as or on the upstream side of the pair of rollers  164  so that the tape end E reliably passes through the detection position P 4 . 
     In addition, the label creation apparatus  1  includes the feeding motor  165  common to the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164  as a driving unit that drives the platen roller  26  and the pair of rollers  164 , but may include two separate motors, i.e., a motor that drives the platen roller  26  and a motor that drives the pair of rollers  164 . Of course, any driving source other than motors is available. 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage Entry of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/077554, filed on Sep. 16, 2016; which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-204816 filed on Oct. 16, 2015; the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.