Patent Publication Number: US-8967892-B2

Title: Tape printer which prints purchase support information for a tape cartridge

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-239481, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a tape printer that performs desired printing on a print-receiving tape. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are known printers configured to perform desired printing on a print-receiving medium, such as a print-receiving tape. In this printer, a cartridge filled with ink (an ink cartridge) is mounted, and the ink supplied from that mounted cartridge is used to perform printing on a print-receiving medium (recording medium). 
     Here, the ink within the cartridge is consumed with each use, and thus the cartridge is a consumable good. Accordingly, at the very least, when all of the ink within the cartridge is consumed, the operator must replenish the ink by purchasing a new cartridge in order to newly perform printing. Or, sometimes the operator purchases a new cartridge as a reserve before the ink within the cartridge is consumed as described above. 
     When purchasing a new cartridge as described above, the operator generally intends to purchase a cartridge of the same model as the cartridge being used at that point in time (that is, the cartridge mounted to the printer). Here, according to the prior art, once the time for cartridge replacement draws near, the model of the cartridge is printed on a recording medium, thereby producing a warning letter and notifying the operator accordingly. 
     Nevertheless, at the time the new cartridge is to be purchased, the possibility exists that the model of the cartridge that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist as the result of a model change, etc., on the manufacturer side due to changes in consumer needs, minor changes on the printer side, version upgrades, and the like. In such a case, the operator, for example, needs to investigate on his or her own the new model corresponding to the model of the cartridge that ceased to exist and write down and separately bring the investigation results to a distributor, etc., which is extremely troublesome. 
     On the other hand, known printers that perform printing on a print-receiving medium similar to the above prior art include tape printers that perform printing on a print-receiving tape. In the tape printer, when a tape cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder, the print-receiving tape supplied from that mounted tape cartridge is fed, and desired printing is performed on that fed print-receiving tape by a printing device. Since the print-receiving tape is consumed with each use by printing, this tape cartridge is also a consumable good, similar to the above. Accordingly, in a case where the model of the tape cartridge that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist, the same troublesome task as previously described arises. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a tape printer capable of decreasing the trouble experienced by the operator at the time of tape cartridge purchase and improving user-friendliness, even in a case where the model of the tape cartridge that the operator wants to purchase has ceased to exist. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the aspect of the present application, there is provided a tape printer comprising: a cartridge holder configured to mount a tape cartridge configure to supply a print-receiving tape; a cartridge sensor configured to detect a portion to be detected, the portion formed on the tape cartridge; a feeding device configured to feed a print-receiving tape supplied from the tape cartridge mounted to the cartridge holder; a printing device configured to perform desired printing on the print-receiving tape fed by the feeding device, a communication device configured to perform network communication with a communication line; and a controller is configured to detect attribute information of the tape cartridge mounted to the cartridge holder via the cartridge sensor; identify a model of the mounted tape cartridge in accordance with the detected attribute information, and acquire corresponding current model information; acquire latest model information of the tape cartridge corresponding to the detected attribute information via the communication device, from an information providing device related to the tape cartridge; generate purchase support information based on the acquired current model information and the acquired latest model information, when the tape cartridge of a model indicated by the current model information or the latest model information is newly purchased; and control the printing device so that the generated purchase support information is formed into print on the print-receiving tape. 
     In the tape printer of the present disclosure, when the tape cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder, the print-receiving tape supplied from that mounted tape cartridge is fed by a feeding device. Desired printing is then performed by the printing device on the fed print-receiving tape. 
     Since the print-receiving tape is consumed with each use by such printing formation, the tape cartridge is a consumable good. Accordingly, at the very least, when the print-receiving tape within the tape cartridge mounted to the cartridge holder is consumed and new print-receiving tape can no longer be fed, the operator must replenish the tape cartridge by purchasing a new tape cartridge in order to newly perform tape printing. Or, sometimes the operator purchases a new tape cartridge as a reserve before the print-receiving tape within the tape cartridge is consumed as described above. 
     At such a time of purchase of a new tape cartridge, the operator normally intends to purchase a tape cartridge of the same model as the tape cartridge used at that point in time (that is, the tape cartridge mounted to the cartridge holder). Nevertheless, at the time the new tape cartridge is purchased, the possibility exists that the model of the tape cartridge that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist as the result of a model change, etc., on the manufacturer side due to changes in consumer needs, minor changes on the tape printer side, version upgrades, and the like. 
     Here, in the present disclosure, the controller detects the attribute information (such as the tape width, tape color, and tape material, etc., of the print-receiving tape, for example) of the tape cartridge mounted to the tape cartridge holder, and acquires the current model information of the mounted tape cartridge corresponding to that attribute information. Further, the controller accesses a tape cartridge related information providing device (such as a product information site of the manufacturer of the tape printer, a distributer site, a mail-order site, etc., for example), and acquires the latest model information of the tape cartridge corresponding to the detected attributed information. 
     Then, based on both the current model information and the latest model information, the controller generates purchase support information. With this arrangement, in a case where the model of the tape cartridge that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist as described above, the new model information indicated by the latest model information newly prepared in place of the model that does not exist by the information providing device can be generated as the purchase support information, rather than the model indicated by the current model information, which does not exist. In a case where the model of the tape cartridge that the operator intends to purchase exists, the current model information corresponding to the current tape cartridge is simply generated as the purchase support information as is. 
     The purchase support information generated as described above is formed into print on the print-receiving tape by the printing device, based on the control of the controller. With this arrangement, the operator brings the tape cartridge removed from the cartridge holder after the purchase support information was formed into print on the print-receiving tape (or only the section of the print-receiving tape where print is formed, separated from the tape cartridge) to a distributor, etc., making it possible to reliably purchase a tape cartridge of the same function as the tape cartridge that the operator intended to purchase, even when the model has ceased to exist as described above. Accordingly, the operator, for example, no longer needs to investigate on his or her own the new model corresponding to the model of the tape cartridge that ceased to exist or write down and separately bring the investigation results to a distributor, etc. As a result, the trouble experienced by the operator when purchasing a new tape cartridge for replenishment or reserve is decreased, making it possible to improve user-friendliness. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram showing a label producing system comprising the label producing apparatus of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance configuration of a cartridge holder in the interior of the label producing apparatus main body and a cartridge mounted to the cartridge holder, with the opening/closing lid of the apparatus open. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the area surrounding the cartridge holder with a laminated-type cartridge mounted thereto, along with the cartridge. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the area surrounding the cartridge holder with a thermal-type cartridge mounted thereto, along with the cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the label producing apparatus. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view showing an example of the outer appearance of a regular printed label produced by the label producing apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a top view showing the outer appearance of a printed label on which purchase support information is formed into print in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view showing another example of the outer appearance of a regular printed label produced by the label producing apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a top view showing the outer appearance of a printed label on which purchase support information is formed into print in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6C  is a top view showing another example of the outer appearance of a regular printed label produced by the label producing apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a top view showing the outer appearance of a printed label on which purchase support information is formed into print in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6D  is a top view showing another example of the outer appearance of a regular printed label produced by the label producing apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a top view showing the outer appearance of a printed label on which purchase support information is formed into print in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the control contents executed by the CPU of the control circuit of the label producing apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S 100 . 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing the control contents executed by the CPU in a modification where all model information and apparatus specification information applicable to the label producing apparatus are formed into print. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the control contents executed by the CPU in a modification where a two-dimensional barcode with recorded purchase support information is formed into print. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following describes one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings. 
     System Configuration 
     The system configuration of the label producing system of this embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , a label producing system LS comprises a label producing apparatus  100  capable of producing a printed label L on which desired printing was performed, and an operation terminal  400  for operating the above described label producing apparatus  100 . The label producing apparatus  100  and the operation terminal  400  are connected in an information communicable way via a wired or wireless communication line NW. Further, in this example, the label producing apparatus  100  and the operation terminal  400  are connected in an accessible manner to a product information Web site WA of a manufacturer of the label producing apparatus  100 , a Web site WB of a distributor of the label producing apparatus  100 , and a mail-order Web site WC of the label producing apparatus  100  via the above described communication line NW. 
     The label producing apparatus  100  has an apparatus main body  101  comprising an apparatus housing  101   s  of an overall right-angled parallelepiped shape, constituting an outer shell of the label producing apparatus  100 . On the upper surface of the apparatus main body  101  is provided an opening/closing lid  102  provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner). A tape discharging exit  104  is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body  101 . This tape discharging exit  104  is a discharging exit for discharging a produced label tape  23  with print, etc. (refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  described later). 
     The operation terminal  400  is generally a commercially-sold general purpose personal computer, which has a display portion  401 , such as a liquid crystal display, and an operation portion  402 , such as a keyboard or mouse. The operator can use the operation portion  402  to instruct production of the regular printed label L or a support information label LA described later. 
     Internal Configuration of Label Producing Apparatus 
     The outer appearance configuration of the cartridge holder and the cartridge in the interior of the label producing apparatus  100  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . Note that, in  FIG. 2 , the illustration of the opening/closing lid  102  opened upward has been omitted to avoid illustration complexities. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a cartridge holder  27 , a print head  19 , a feeding roller driving shaft  30 , a ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31 , and a cartridge sensor  37  are provided in the interior of the apparatus main body  101  of the label producing apparatus  100 . 
     The cartridge holder  27  is capable of selectively attaching and detaching a plurality of types of cartridges  10  and  10 ′, each having a different type of tape stored. The cartridge  10  is a cartridge (refer to  FIG. 3  described later) having a base tape roll  17  around which is wound a base tape  16  for producing the printed label L. The cartridge  10 ′ is a cartridge (refer to  FIG. 4  described later) having a thermal tape roll  17 ′ around which is wound a thermal tape  16 ′ for producing the printed label L. Furthermore, the cartridge holder  27  is capable of selectively attaching and detaching a plurality of types of cartridges, each having a different tape width stored in each of the cartridges  10  and  10 ′, each having a different type of the above described tape. Note that, hereinafter, the above described cartridges  10  and  10 ′ are described as “the cartridge  10 , etc.” when generally termed. 
     The print head  19  performs desired printing on a cover film  11  described later (or the above described thermal tape  16 ′) fed out from the above described feeding roller driving shaft  30 , etc. The feeding roller driving shaft  30  and the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31  are driving shafts that respectively provide feeding driving power to a used ink ribbon  13  and the label tape  23  with print (for both, refer to  FIG. 3  described later), and are rotationally driven in coordination. 
     The cartridge sensor  37  indirectly detects the type information (in other words, the attribute information described later) of the cartridge  10 , etc., by mechanically detecting (or detecting in a non-contact manner) a portion  24  to be detected (refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 4  described later) formed on the mounted cartridge  10 , etc., when the cartridge  10 , etc., is mounted. According to this embodiment, as previously described, the cartridge types available include a laminated type comprising the base tape  16  and the cover film  11  bonded thereto, such as the cartridge  10  shown in  FIG. 3  described later, and a thermal type comprising the thermal tape  16 ′, such as the cartridge  10 ′ shown in  FIG. 4  described later. 
     The cartridge  10 , etc., comprises a cartridge housing  70  formed in a substantially overall right-angled parallelepiped shape, and a head insertion opening  39  that passes through both the front and rear surfaces for insertion of the above described print head  19  is formed on this cartridge housing  70 . 
     Laminated-Type Cartridge 
     A case where the above described laminated-type cartridge  10  is mounted will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the cartridge  10  is detachably housed in the above described cartridge holder  27 , which is a recess within the apparatus main body  101 . The cartridge  10  comprises the base tape roll  17  around which the base tape  16  is wound, a cover film roll  12  around which the cover film  11  is wound, a ribbon supply side roll  14  configured to feed out the ink ribbon  13  for printing, a ribbon take-up roller  15  configured to wind up the ink ribbon  13  after printing, and a feeding roller  18 . 
     The base tape roll  17  is provided with the above described base tape  16  that is wound around the periphery of a base tape spool  17   a  rotatably inserted into a boss  95  arranged in a standing condition on the bottom of the cartridge  10 . 
     The base tape  16  comprises a layered structure of a plurality of layers (four layers in this example; refer to the partially enlarged view in  FIG. 3 ). That is, the base tape  16  is designed with layers comprised of an adhesive layer  16   a  made of a suitable adhesive for bonding the above described cover film  11 , a tape base layer  16   b  made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, for example, an adhesive layer  16   c  made of a suitable adhesive, and a separation sheet  16   d , which are layered in that order from the side rolled to the inside (the right side in the enlarged view) to the opposite side (the left side in the enlarged view). 
     The separation sheet  16   d  is peeled off when the above described printed label L eventually formed is to be affixed to an object such as a predetermined article, thereby making it possible to adhere the printed label L to the article or the like by the adhesive layer  16   c.    
     The cover film roll  12  is provided with the cover film  11  that has substantially the same width as the above described base tape  16  in this example and is wound around the periphery of a cover film spool  12   a  rotatably inserted into a boss  96  arranged in a standing condition on the bottom of the cartridge  10 . 
     The ink ribbon  13  is wound around the ribbon supply side roll  14 , around a ribbon supply side spool  14   a . The ribbon take-up roller  15  comprises a ribbon take-up spool  15   a , and is driven by the above described ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31  on the cartridge holder  27  side, thereby winding up the used ink ribbon  13  around the ribbon take-up spool  15   a.    
     The feeding roller  18  is configured to affix the above described base tape  16  and the above described cover film  11  to each other by applying pressure, and feeds the label tape  23  with print thus formed in the direction of an arrow T in  FIG. 3 , when driven by the above described feeding roller driving shaft  30  on the cartridge holder  27  side. That is, the feeding roller  18  functions as a pressure roller as well. 
     The above described ribbon take-up roller  15  and the feeding roller  18  are rotationally driven in coordination by the driving power of a feeding motor  33  (refer to  FIG. 5  described later), which is a pulse motor, for example, provided on the outside of each of the cartridges  10 . This driving power is transmitted to the above described ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31  and the feeding roller driving shaft  30  via a gear mechanism (not shown). 
     The portion  24  is formed on the cartridge  10  in the corner (the upper right corner in  FIG. 3 ) that is opposite the above described feeding roller  18 . A plurality of switch holes is formed in predetermined patterns on this portion  24 , and each of these patterns includes cartridge attribute information as previously described, such as the type information of the cartridge  10 , that is, the tape width, tape color, tape material, etc., of the base tape  16  and the cover film  11 . The aforementioned cartridge sensor  37  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) detects the pattern of the switch holes which differs according to the type of the cartridge  10  as described above, making it possible to detect the type of the cartridge  10 . 
     On the other hand, the cartridge holder  27  comprises the above described print head  19 , the above described ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31 , the above described feeding roller driving shaft  30 , and a roller holder  22 . The print head  19  comprises a great number of heat emitting elements, and performs printing in a predetermined print area of the cover film  11  fed out from the above described cover film roll  12 . 
     The feeding roller driving shaft  30  feeds the cover film  11  fed out from the cover film roll  12  of the cartridge  10  mounted to the cartridge holder  27 , and the base tape  16  fed out from the base tape roll  17  when driven by the above described feeding roller  18 . 
     The roller holder  22  is rotatably supported by a support shaft  29  and can switch between a printing position and a release position via a switching mechanism (not shown). On this roller holder  22  are rotatably arranged a platen roller  20  and a tape pressure roller  21 . When the roller holder  22  switches to the above described printing position (the position shown in  FIG. 3 ), the platen roller  20  and the tape pressure roller  21  press against the above described print head  19  and the feeding roller  18 . 
     Furthermore, on the cartridge holder  27  is arranged a cutter  28  that is adjacent to a discharging exit (not shown) of the cartridge  10 . This cutter  28  operates when a cutter driving button  38  (refer to  FIG. 5  described later) is pressed, cutting the label tape  23  with print at a desired length to generate the printed label L. 
     With the above described configuration, once the cartridge  10  is mounted to the above described cartridge holder  27 , the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31  and the feeding roller driving shaft  30  are simultaneously rotationally driven by the driving power of the feeding motor  33  (refer to  FIG. 5  described later). The feeding roller  18 , the platen roller  20 , and the tape pressure roller  21  rotate in accordance with the drive of the feeding roller driving shaft  30 , thereby feeding out the base tape  16  from the base tape roll  17  and supplying the base tape  16  to the feeding roller  18  as described above. On the other hand, the cover film  11  is fed out from the cover film roll  12  and power is supplied to the plurality of heat emitting elements of the print head  19  by a print-head driving circuit  32  (refer to  FIG. 5  described later). At this time, the ink ribbon  13  is pressed against the above described print head  19 , coming in contact with the rear surface of the cover film  11 . As a result, desired printing is performed in the predetermined print area on the rear surface of the cover film  11 . Then, the above described base tape  16  and the above described cover film  11  on which printing was performed are affixed to each other by the feeding roller  18  and the tape pressure roller  21  so as to form a single tape, thereby forming the label tape  23  with print, which is then fed to outside the cartridge  10  via the above described discharging exit. The label tape  23  with print is then cut by the cutter  28  to generate the printed label L on which desired printing was performed. 
     Thermal-Type Cartridge 
     The structure of the area surrounding the cartridge holder  27  with the above described thermal-type cartridge  10 ′ mounted thereto will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Note that the components of  FIG. 4  that are the same as those in the above described  FIG. 3  are denoted using the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted; only those components that differ from  FIG. 3  will be described. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the cartridge  10 ′ comprises the thermal tape roll  17 ′ around which the thermal tape  16 ′ is wound. This cartridge  10 ′ differs from the above described laminated-type cartridge  10  in that it does not have the cover film roll  12  around which is wound the cover film  11 , the ribbon supply side roll  14 , or the ribbon take-up roller  15 . The thermal tape roll  17 ′ is provided with the above described thermal tape  16 ′ that is wound around the periphery of a thermal tape spool  17   a ′ rotatably inserted into the boss  95  arranged in a standing condition on the bottom of the cartridge  10 ′. 
     The thermal tape  16 ′, in this example, has a three-layered structure (refer to the partially enlarged view in  FIG. 4 ), comprising a cover film  16   a ′ made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like having a thermal recording layer on the surface, an adhesive layer  16   b ′ made of a suitable adhesive material, and a separation sheet  16   c ′. The three layers of the thermal tape  16 ′ are layered in that order from the side rolled to the inside (the left side in the enlarged view) to the opposite side (the right side in the enlarged view). 
     When the cartridge  10 ′ is mounted to the cartridge holder  27  and a roller holder  25  is moved to the contact position from a distant location, as previously described, the thermal tape  16 ′ is brought between the print head  19  and the platen roller  20 , and then between the feeding roller  18  and the tape pressure roller  21 . Then, the feeding roller  18 , the tape pressure roller  21 , and the platen roller  20  are synchronously rotated so as to feed out the thermal tape  16 ′ from the thermal tape roll  17 ′. 
     The fed thermal tape  16 ′ is supplied to the print head  19  on the downstream side of the feeding direction from the above described head insertion opening  39  while guided to a substantially cylindrical shaped reel  92  rotatably inserted in a reel boss  91  arranged in a standing condition on the cartridge bottom. The print head  19  supplied with power as previously described prints print characters R on the surface of the above described cover film  16   a ′ of the thermal tape  16 ′, forming a label tape  23 ′ with print, and feeds the label tape  23 ′ with print to the outside of the cartridge  10 ′. Subsequently, the label tape  23 ′ with print is cut by the cutter  28  to generate the printed label L on which desired printing was performed. 
     Note that, while in the cartridge  10 ′ of the above described configuration printing is performed by only the heat emission of the print head  19  using the thermal tape  16 ′ and not an ink ribbon, etc., in particular, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, a tape comprising a transferred layer made of a transferred material capable of print formation by heat transfer from an ink ribbon may be used in place of the above described thermal tape  16 ′, with printing performed using ink ribbon, similar to the cartridge  10  previously described. 
     Control System of the Label Producing Apparatus 
     The functional configuration of the control system of the label producing apparatus  100  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , a control circuit  40  is disposed on a control board (not shown) of the label producing apparatus  100 . The control circuit  40  is provided with a CPU  44 , which is connected to an input/output interface  41 , a ROM  46 , a flash memory (EEPROM)  47 , a RAM  48 , a table storage portion  49 , and a communication interface (communication I/F)  43 , via a data bus  42 . 
     The ROM  46  stores various programs required for control, such as a print-head driving control program configured to read the data of a print buffer  48 B described later, drive the above described print head  19  and the feeding motor  33 , and execute the procedures shown in the flows of  FIGS. 7 to 10  described later, and a cutter driving control program configured to drive the feeding motor  33  so that the label tape  23  with print is fed to a cutting position after printing is completed, and drive a solenoid  35  described later to cut the label tape  23  with print. The CPU  44  performs various operations based on such programs stored in the ROM  46 . 
     The RAM  48  temporarily stores the results of various operations performed by the CPU  44 , and the like. This RAM  48  is provided with devices such as a text memory  48 A, the print buffer  48 B, and a work memory  48 C that stores various operation data and the like. The text memory  48 A stores print data such as document data. 
     The table storage portion  49  comprises in portion a storage area of the ROM  46  or the EEPROM  47 , for example. This table storage portion  49  stores in advance a model table (not shown) that associates the forms of the portion  24  of the cartridges  10  and  10 ′ with the models of the cartridges  10  and  10 ′, set by the manufacturer of the label producing apparatus  100  when the label producing apparatus  100  is manufactured, for example. 
     The flash memory (EEPROM)  47  stores the current model information (details described later) of the cartridge  10 , etc., each time a label is produced. The communication I/F  43  performs network communication with the operation terminal  400  via the above described communication line NW. 
     Further, the input/output interface  41  is connected to the print-head driving circuit  32  for driving the above described print head  19 , a feeding motor driving circuit  34 , a solenoid driving circuit  36 , the above described cartridge sensor  37 , and the cutter driving button  38 . 
     The feeding motor driving circuit  34  drives the feeding motor  33 , thereby driving the aforementioned feeding roller driving shaft  30  and ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31 , feeding the base tape  16 , the cover film  11 , and the label tape  23  with print. The solenoid driving circuit  36  drives the solenoid  35  for driving the above described cutter  28  to perform the cutting operation. The cutter driving button  38  is for activating the above described cutter  28  when manually operated by the operator to form the printed label L at a desired length. 
     The detection result of the portion  24  formed in the aforementioned cartridge  10 , etc., is input from the cartridge sensor  37 , and the CPU  44  detects the type information of the cartridge  10 , etc., based on the detected result. 
     In the control system of the above described configuration, the print data produced by a suitable operation of the operation terminal  400  is input to the label producing apparatus  100  via the communication line NW. The input print data is sequentially stored in the text memory  48 A. Then, the stored print data is read once again and subjected to predetermined conversion by a converting function of the control circuit  40 , thereby generating dot pattern data. This data is then stored in the print buffer  48 B. The print head  19  is driven via the print-head driving circuit  32  and each of the above described heat-emitting elements is selectively driven to emit heat in accordance with the print dots of one line, thereby printing the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer  48 B. At the same time, the feeding motor  33  controls the feeding of the above described cover film  11 , etc., via the feeding motor driving circuit  34 , eventually producing the printed label L. 
     Outer Appearance of Printed Label 
     The outer appearance and structure of the printed label L produced by the label producing apparatus  100  as described above will now be described with reference to  FIG. 6A . 
     In  FIG. 6A , the printed label L has a five layer structure with the cover film  11  added to the base tape  16  shown in the aforementioned  FIG. 3 . That is, the printed label L is designed with layers comprised of the cover film  11 , the adhesive layer  16   a , the tape base layer  16   b , the adhesive layer  16   c , and the separation sheet  16   d , which are layered in that order from the front surface to the opposite side (cross-sectional structure not shown). On the rear surface of the cover film  11 , the print characters R (the characters “Hokkaido Taro” in this example) of the content corresponding to the print data input via the operation portion  402  of the operation terminal  400  by the operator are printed by minor-image printing. 
     Special Characteristics of this Embodiment 
     In the basic configuration described above, the most significant special characteristic of this embodiment lies in that a support information label, on which purchase support information (details described later) which aids the operator when the operator newly purchases the cartridge  10 , etc., is formed into print, is produced at suitable timing. 
     That is, as previously described, in the label producing apparatus  100 , since the cover film  11 , the base tape  16 , the thermal tape  16 ′, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as “the print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 ′, etc.”) of the cartridge  10 , etc., are consumed with each use by print formation, the cartridge  10 , etc., is a consumable good. Accordingly, at the very least, when the print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 ′, etc., of the cartridge  10 , etc., mounted to the cartridge holder  27  are consumed and new print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 ′, etc., can no longer be fed, the operator must replenish the cartridge  10 , etc., by purchasing the new cartridge  10 , etc., in order to newly produce labels. Or, sometimes the operator purchases the new cartridge  10 , etc., as a reserve before the print-receiving tape within the cartridge  10  is consumed as described above. 
     When purchasing such a new tape cartridge  10 , etc., the operator generally intends to purchase the cartridge  10 , etc., of the same model as the cartridge  10 , etc., being used at that point in time (that is, the cartridge  10 , etc., mounted to the cartridge holder  27 ). Nevertheless, at the time the above described new cartridge  10 , etc., is to be purchased, the possibility exists that the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist as the result of a model change, etc., on the manufacturer side due to changes in consumer needs, minor changes on the label producing apparatus  100  side, version upgrades, and the like. 
     Here, in this embodiment, the support information label LA shown in  FIG. 6B  is produced at suitable timing based on an instruction from the operator as previously described. In  FIG. 6B , the support information label LA comprises a current model and latest model information printing area T 1  where the current model information and latest model information of the cartridge  10 , etc., is formed into print as purchase support information, and a usage history information printing area T 2  where the usage history information of the cartridge  10 , etc., used in the past in the label producing apparatus  100  is formed into print as purchase support information. Note that, as shown, the usage history information printing area T 2  is disposed further on the upstream side in the tape feeding direction than the current model information and latest model information printing area T 1 . 
     At this time, the above described current model information of the current model and latest model information printing area T 1  is acquired as follows. That is, when the cartridge  10 , etc., is mounted to the cartridge holder  27 , the attribute information (such as the tape width, tape color, tape material, etc., of the print-receiving tape, for example) of the mounted cartridge  10 , etc. is acquired by the CPU  44  based on the detection result of the cartridge sensor  37 . Then, the CPU  44  acquires the model of the mounted cartridge  10 , etc., as current model information by referring to the above described model table of the table storage portion  49  previously described in response to this acquired attribute information. In the example of  FIG. 6B , the current model (expressed as “Model Currently Used” in the figure) is indicated as “TZ-378,” the cover film  11  and the base tape  16  width are indicated as 12 mm, the color of the base tape  16  is indicated as black, and the above described cartridge  10  is indicated as a laminated type by print formation. 
     On the other hand, the above described latest model information is acquired as follows. That is, the CPU  44  accesses one of the product information Web site WA of the manufacture of the label producing apparatus  100 , the Web site WB of the distributor, the mail-order Web site WC, etc., via the communication I/F  43 . Then, the CPU  44  acquires the latest model information of the cartridge  10 , etc., that corresponds to the attribute information acquired from the detection result of the cartridge sensor  37  as previously described. In the example of  FIG. 6B , the latest model (expressed as “New model” in the figure) corresponding to the above described current model “TZ-378” is indicated as “Tze-733” by print formation. 
     Further, the above described usage history information of the usage history information printing area T 2  is acquired as follows. That is, the label producing apparatus  100  can be used by suitably replacing a plurality of types of the cartridge  10 , etc., as already described. Then, when the cartridge  10 , etc., of the plurality of models is thus sequentially mounted to the cartridge holder  27  and used while being replaced, the control of the CPU  44  applies the model table as described above to the above described attribute information of each of the cartridges  10 , etc., based on the cartridge sensor  37 , and each time stores and accumulates the acquired model (that is, the current model information) of each of the cartridges  10 , etc., as usage history information in the EEPROM  47 . Then, when the above described support information label LA is produced, the usage history information is read from the EEPROM  47  and used. In the example of  FIG. 6B , “Tz-356” (the thermal-type cartridge  10 ′ having the thermal tape  16 ′ with a 24-mm width), “Tz-123” (the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the cover film  11  with a 6-mm width), and “Tz-057” (the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the cover film  11  with a 9-mm width) are indicated as the models used in the past in the label producing apparatus  100  by print formation. 
     Note that the support information label LA of  FIG. 6C  and  FIG. 6D  will be described later (refer to modifications (1) and (2)). 
     Control Contents 
     The control contents executed by the CPU  44  of the control circuit  40  of the label producing apparatus  100  to achieve the above described contents will now be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of the label producing apparatus  100 , for example. 
     First, in step S 10 , the CPU  44  inputs a detection signal from the cartridge sensor  37  and, based on that input signal, detects the above described attribute information (in other words, the above described type information), such as the tape width, tape color, tape material, etc., of the base tape  16  and the cover film  11  of the cartridge  10 , etc., mounted to the above described cartridge holder  27 , and stores the detected information in the RAM  48 , for example. Note that the CPU  44  may continually input the detection result of the cartridge sensor  37  and then store the result in the RAM  48  at this timing. 
     Subsequently, in step S 20 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not a label production instruction signal output from the operation terminal  400  has been input via the communication line NW. Here, as previously described, the existing labels produced by the label producing apparatus  100  include the regular printed label L on which the regular text of “Hokkaido Taro” indicated in  FIG. 6A  is formed into print, and the support information label LA on which the various support information previously described using  FIG. 6B  is formed into print. In a case where the operator intends to produce the printed label L, the print data for forming the above described text into print is generated according to a suitable operation performed by the operator using the operation portion  402 , and the label production instruction signal of the regular printed label L that includes this print data is sent from the operation terminal  400 . On the other hand, in a case where the operator intends to produce the support information label LA, the operator, for example, operates a function key and print key of the operation portion  402  in combination, thereby sending the label production instruction signal of the support information label LA from the operation terminal  400 . Until one of the above described two label production instruction signals is input from the operation terminal  400 , the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied (S 20 : No), and the CPU  44  enters a wait loop. If the label production instruction signal was input from the operation terminal  400 , the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S 20 : Yes), and the flow proceeds to step S 21 . 
     In step S 21 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not the label production instruction signal input from the operation terminal  400  in step S 20  was a label production instruction signal of the support information label LA. In a case where the signal was the label production instruction signal of the support information label LA, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S 21 : Yes), and the flow proceeds to step S 22 . In a case where the signal input was the label production instruction signal of the regular label L and not the support information label LA, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied (S 21 : No), the CPU  44  stores the print data included in the label production instruction signal in the text memory  48 A, and the flow proceeds to step S 30  described later. 
     In step S 22 , the CPU  44  acquires the current model information of the currently mounted cartridge  10 , etc., corresponding to the attribute information of the cartridge  10 , etc., acquired in the above described step S 10  using the above described model table of the table storage portion  49 . 
     Then, the flow proceeds to step S 23  where the CPU  44  accesses the above described product information Web site WA, Web site WB of the distributor, mail-order Web site WC, etc., via the communication I/F  43 , acquires the latest model information of the cartridge  10 , etc., corresponding to the attribute information of the cartridge  10 , etc., detected in the above described step S 10 , and stores that information in the EEPROM. 
     Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 24  where the CPU  44  determines whether or not the latest model information acquired in step S 23  and the current model information acquired in step S 22  match content-wise. In a case where the latest model information and the current model information match, the decision is made that the condition of step S 24  is satisfied (S 24 : Yes), and the flow proceeds to step S 26 . In a case where the latest model information and the current model information do not match sufficiently, the decision is made that the condition of step S 24  is not satisfied (S 24 : No), and the flow proceeds to step S 25 . 
     In step S 25 , the CPU  44  generates the purchase support information, which includes both the latest model information (“Tze-733” in the example of  FIG. 6B ) acquired in step S 23  and the current model information (“Tz-378” in the example of  FIG. 6B ) acquired in step S 22 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 27 . 
     On the other hand, in step S 26 , the CPU  44  generates the purchase support information, which includes the current model information (“Tz-378” in the example of  FIG. 6B ) acquired in step S 22 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 27 . 
     In step S 27 , the CPU  44  acquires the usage history information of the cartridge  10 , etc., used in the label producing apparatus  100  up to that point in time, in the label producing apparatus  100  from the EEPROM  47 . Note that the usage history information that is older than a predetermined elapsed time period, for example, may be cut and not acquired. 
     Subsequently, in step S 28 , the CPU  44  adds the above described usage history information (“Tz-356,” which is the thermal-type cartridge  10 ′ having the thermal tape  16 ′ of a 24-mm width, “Tz-123,” which is the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the color film  11  of a 6-mm width, and “Tz-057,” which is the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the color film  11  of a 9-mm width, in the example of  FIG. 6B ) acquired in step S 27  to the above described purchase support information generated in step S 25  or step S 26 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 30 . 
     In step S 30 , the CPU  44  performs a predetermined conversion, for example, on the above described print data stored in the text memory  48 A for producing the printed label L or on the purchase support information generated in the above described steps S 25 , S 26 , and S 28  for producing the support information label LA, generating dot pattern data (print-head driving data) corresponding to the print contents of the print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 ′, etc. Then, the dot pattern data is stored in the print buffer  48 B. 
     Subsequently, in step S 100 , the CPU  44  executes label production processing that produces the printed label L or the support information label LA on which the print corresponding to the above described dot pattern data is formed. That is, a plurality of heat emitting elements of the print head  19  is supplied with power by the above described print-head driving circuit  32  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), thereby printing print on the print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 , etc., and forming the label tapes  23  and  23 ′ with print. 
     Subsequently, in step S 40 , the CPU  44  stores the current model (the model acquired in step S 22 ) used by the label production processing of the above described step S 100  in the EEPROM  47  as usage history. Note that, in a case where the decision is made that the condition of step S 21  is not satisfied and the label production processing of step S 100  is performed via step S 30 , the CPU  44  may acquire the current model information and store that information as usage history in the EEPROM  47  in this step S 40 , in the same manner as the above described step S 22 . 
     The detailed procedure of step S 100  of the above described  FIG. 7  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . Note that this  FIG. 8  describes a case where a label is produced using the laminated-type cartridge  10  as an example. 
     First, in step S 110 , the CPU  44  outputs a control signal to the feeding motor driving circuit  34 , and the feeding motor  33  drives the feeding roller driving shaft  30  and the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31 . As a result, the feed-out of the base tape  16  from the base tape roll  17  and the feed-out of the cover film  11  from the cover film roll  12  are started, and the feeding of the base tape  16 , the cover film  11 , and the label tape  23  with print (hereinafter collectively simply referred to as “base tape  16 , etc.”) is started. 
     Subsequently, in step S 120 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not the base tape  16 , etc., has been fed a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is a feeding distance required for the top edge of the print area of the cover film  11  to arrive at a position substantially opposite the print head  19 , for example. This determination of the feeding distance may be simply made by a known technique, such as by detecting a marking provided on the base tape  16  using a known tape sensor (not shown), or counting the number of pulses of a control pulse of a control signal output from the feeding motor driving circuit  34  to the feeding motor  33 , which is a pulse motor, for example. Until the base tape  16 , etc., is fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition of step S 120  is not satisfied (S 120 : No), and the CPU  44  enters a wait loop; once the base tape  16 , etc., is fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition of step S 120  is satisfied (S 120 : Yes), and the flow proceeds to step S 130 . 
     In step S 130 , the CPU  44  outputs a control signal to the print-head driving circuit  32 , causing the print head  19  to start printing in accordance with the above described print-head driving data in the print area of the cover film  11 . 
     Subsequently, in step S 140 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not all of the printing in the above described print area of the cover film  11  has been completed (in other words, whether or not formation of all of the above described print-head driving data into print has been completed on the cover film  11  by the print head  19 ). Until all of the printing is completed, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied (S 140 : No) and the CPU  44  enters a wait loop. Then, once all of the printing is completed, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S 140 : Yes) and the flow proceeds to step S 150 . 
     In step S 150 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not the base tape  16 , etc., has been further fed a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance refers to a feeding distance that causes the entire print area to pass the cutter  28  by a predetermined length, for example. At this time, this feeding distance may be simply determined in the same manner as in the above described step S 120 , for example. Until the base tape  16 , etc., is fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied (S 150 : No) and the CPU  44  enters a wait loop. Then, once the base tape  16 , etc., is fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S 150 : Yes) and the flow proceeds to step S 160 . 
     In step S 160 , the CPU  44  outputs a control signal to the feeding motor driving circuit  34 , and stops the driving of the feeding roller driving shaft  30  and the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft  31  by the feeding motor  33 , thereby stopping the feed-out of the base tape  16  and the cover film  11  from the base tape roll  17  and the cover film roll  12  as well as the feeding of the base tape  16 , etc. 
     Subsequently, in step S 170 , the CPU  44  determines whether or not the above described cutter driving button  38  was manually operated by the operator. Until the cutter driving button  38  is manually operated, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied (S: No), and the CPU  44  loops and waits. If the cutter driving button  38  has been manually operated, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S: Yes) and the flow proceeds to step S 180 . 
     In step S 180 , the CPU  44  outputs a control signal to the solenoid driving circuit  36  to drive the solenoid  35 , causing the label tape  23  with print to be cut by the cutter  28 . At this point in time, as previously described, the entire label tape  23  with print, including the above described print area, has sufficiently passed the cutter  28 , and the cutting of this cutter  28  generates the printed label L or the support information label LA on which printing in accordance with the print-head driving data was performed. 
     Subsequently, in step S 190 , the CPU  44  outputs a control signal to a discharging motor (not shown) configured to drive a discharging roller (not shown) separately provided, and the printed label L or the support information label LA generated in the above described step S 180  is discharged to outside of the apparatus. Note that in a case where the printed label L or the support information label LA can be manually discharged to outside of the apparatus without a discharging motor, this step S 190  may be omitted. This routine then terminates here. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, purchase support information is generated based on both the above described current model information and the latest model information based on the attribute information acquired by the cartridge sensor  37 , producing the support information label LA on which the purchase support information is formed into print. With this arrangement, in a case where the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that the operator intends to purchase has ceased to exist, it is possible to produce the support information label LA with the new model information formed into print indicating the above described latest model information newly prepared on the manufacturer side in place of the model that does not exist as the purchase support information rather than the model indicated by the current model information, which does not exist. Note that, in a case where the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that the operator intends to purchase exists, the support information label LA with the current model information corresponding to the current cartridge  10 , etc., formed as is into print as the purchase support information is produced. With this arrangement, the operator can reliably purchase the cartridge  10 , etc., having the same function as the cartridge  10 , etc., that the operator intended to purchase, even when the model has ceased to exist as described above, by bringing only the support information label LA separated from the tape cartridge  10 , etc., (in other words, the section of the label tape  23  with print on which the purchase support information is formed into print) to a distributor, etc., or by bringing the cartridge  10 , etc., removed from the cartridge holder  27  with the purchase support information formed into print on the label tape  23  with print to a distributor, etc., in a case where cutting is not performed. As a result, the operator, for example, no longer needs to investigate on his or her own the new model corresponding to the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that ceased to exist or write down and separately bring the investigation results to a distributor, etc. As a result, the trouble experienced by the operator when purchasing the new cartridge  10 , etc., for replenishment or reserve is decreased, making it possible to improve user-friendliness. 
     Further, in particular, according to this embodiment, both the current model information and the latest model information are formed into print in the current model and latest model information printing area T 1  of the support information label LA. With this arrangement, when the model ceases to exist as described above, the operator can clearly visually verify both the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that ceased to exist and that he or she intended to purchase and the model of the new cartridge  10 , etc., corresponding to that model, by the print formed on the print-receiving tape. Accordingly, the sense of security of the operator when purchasing the new cartridge  10 , etc., increases, making it possible to reliably improve user-friendliness. 
     Further, in particular, according to this embodiment, the usage history information is formed into print in the usage history information printing area T 2  of the support information label LA. With this arrangement, the operator can clearly visually verify the models of the cartridge  10 , etc., used in the label producing apparatus  100  in the past as well by the printed contents. As a result, the operator can accurately recognize the models of the cartridge  10 , etc., with proven usage results in the label producing apparatus  100 . Accordingly, the repeat reproducibility achieved when the operator uses the cartridge  10 , etc., and performs tape printing using the label producing apparatus  100  can be increased. 
     Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The following describes such modifications one by one. Note that components identical to those in the above embodiment are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. 
     (1) When all Model Information and Apparatus Specification Information Applicable to the Label Producing Apparatus are Formed into Print 
       FIG. 6C  shows an example of the support information label LA of this modification. In addition to the above described current model and latest model information printing area T 1  and usage history information printing area T 2 , this support information label LA comprises a printing area T 3  for all model information, etc., in which all model information of the cartridge  10 , etc., applicable to the label producing apparatus  100  as well as other apparatus specification information (performance information, specification information, etc.) of the label producing apparatus  100  are formed into print as purchase support information. Note that, as shown, the printing area T 3  for all model information, etc., is disposed further on the upstream side in the tape feeding direction than the usage history information printing area T 2 . 
     The above described printing area T 3  for all model information, etc., and the apparatus specification information are simply acquired from the storage contents of the EEPROM  47 , etc., or from each of the Web sites WA to WC, as previously described. In the example of  FIG. 6C , all models applicable to the label producing apparatus  100  are indicated by print formation as those models of the series “TZ-XXX,” “Tze-XXX,” and “SZ-XXX” having the print-receiving tapes  11 ,  16 ′, etc., of 6-mm to 24-mm widths. Note that, in this example, the information corresponding to all model information (omitted information in this example) is expressed as “TZ/Tze/Sz” in the figure and not as the model information in its entirety (a full model description) per se. Further, compatibility with a predetermined high-speed printing mode and the need for six AA-size alkaline batteries when used based on battery power are indicated by print formation as the previously described apparatus specifications of the label producing apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the control contents executed by the CPU  44  in this modification. Note that, in the flow shown in  FIG. 9 , the only differences from  FIG. 7  are that steps S 29 , S 291 , and S 292  are newly provided between step S 28  and step S 30  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     That is, after the steps S 10  to S 28  of the above described  FIG. 7  are performed, the CPU  44  acquires all model information and the above described apparatus specification information of the cartridge  10 , etc., applicable to the label producing apparatus  100  from the stored contents of the EEPROM  47 , etc., and each of the Web sites WA to WC, as previously described, in the newly provided step S 29  and step S 291 . In the example shown, the apparatus specification information is acquired from the EEPROM  47  in step S 29 , and all model information is acquired from each of the Web sites WA to WC in step S 291 . 
     Subsequently, in step S 292 , the CPU  44  adds the all model information acquired in the above described step S 291  and the apparatus specification information acquired in the above described step S 29  to the purchase support information generated in step S 26  and step S 28 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 30 . The process of steps S 30  and thereafter is the same as that in the above described embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     As described above, in this modification, the operator can clearly visually verify not only the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that ceased to exist and that the operator had intended to purchase, and the model of the new cartridge  10 , etc., corresponding to that format, but also all other models of the cartridge  10 , etc., applicable performance-wise to the label producing apparatus  100  by the print formed on the support information label LA. As a result, the operator can recognize that the cartridges  10 , etc., other than the model he or she had presumed are also available for use. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the applicability and extensibility achieved when the operator uses the cartridge  10 , etc., to produce labels with the label producing apparatus  100 . 
     Further, in this modification, in addition to the model of the cartridge  10 , etc., that the operator intended to purchase, the model of the new cartridge  10 , etc., corresponding to that format, and the cartridge model information that indicates the models, etc., of the cartridge  10 , etc., that had been used in the label producing apparatus  100  in the past, the operator can clearly visually verify the apparatus specification information, such as the performance information, specification information, and the like, of the label producing apparatus  100  by the print formed on the support information label LA. As a result, user-friendliness can be further improved. 
     (2) When the Purchase Support Information is Two-Dimensionally Barcode 
       FIG. 6D  shows an example of the support information label LA of this modification. This support information label LA comprises a two-dimensional barcode area T 4  where a two-dimensional barcode BC is formed into print in place of the above described current model and latest model information printing area T 1 , the usage history information printing area T 2 , and the printing area T 3  for all model information, etc. This two-dimensional barcode BC barcodes the same contents as each set of support information formed into print in the current model and latest model information printing area T 1 , the usage history information printing area T 2 , and the printing area T 3  for all model information, etc., previously described. That is, according to the support information label LA shown in this  FIG. 6D , the two-dimensional barcode BC of the two-dimensional barcode area T 4  can be read by a suitable optical reading device (a so-called barcode reader, etc.; not shown) to display the same current model information, latest model information, and all model information of the cartridge  10 , etc., as well as the same usage history information, specification information, etc., of the label producing apparatus  100  as the contents formed into print in the above described current model and latest model information printing area T 1 , the usage history information printing area T 2 , and the printing area T 3  for all model information, etc., on a suitable display portion (not shown). 
     In the example shown, the same contents as the support information label LA shown in  FIG. 6B , that is that the current model of the cartridge  10  is “TZ-378,” the width of the color film  11  and the base tape  16  is 12 mm, the color of the base tape  16  is black, the cartridge is the above described cartridge  10  of the laminated type, the corresponding latest model is “Tze-733,” the usage history of the label producing apparatus  100  includes “Tz-356” (the thermal-type cartridge  10 ′ having the thermal tape  16 ′ with a 24-mm width), “Tz-123” (the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the cover film  11  with a 6-mm width), and “Tz-057” (the laminated-type cartridge  10  having the cover film  11  with a 9-mm width), are displayed on the above described display portion by the reading of the above described optical reading device. 
       FIG. 10  shows the control contents executed by the CPU  44  in this modification. Note that, in the flow shown in  FIG. 10 , the only difference from that shown in  FIG. 7  is that step S 30 ′ is newly provided in place of step S 30  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     That is, after step S 28  is performed or the decision is made that the condition of step S 21  is not satisfied (S 21 : No), the flow proceeds to step S 30 ′. In step S 30 ′, the CPU  44  applies known barcode production technology to and converts the above described print data stored in the text memory  48 A in order to produce the printed label L, or the purchase support information generated in the above described steps S 25 , S 26 , and S 28  in order to produce the support information label LA, and generates a two-dimensional barcode BC such as one that indicates the print data or purchase support information when read by the above described optical reading device. Then, the print data is stored in the print buffer  48 B. Note that, in a case where a support information label LA is not produced, that is, in a case where the regular label L is produced, the aforementioned step S 30  may be executed rather than this step S 30 ′, thereby generating dot pattern data (print-head driving data) corresponding to the regular text previously described. Step S 100  and step S 40  following step S 30 ′ are the same as those in the above described embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     According to this modification, the two-dimensional barcode BC formed on the support information label LA can be read by an optical reading device to acquire the same model information of the tape cartridge, performance and specification information of the label producing apparatus  100 , and the like as the contents formed into print in the above described embodiment and modification (1). As a result, user-friendliness can be further improved. In particular, this modification is advantageous in a case where the amount of purchase support information is excessive and the information cannot be formed into print in its entirety on the support information label LA. 
     (3) Other 
     While the above has been described in connection with an illustrative scenario in which the printed label tape  23  with print is cut by the cutter  28  to produce the printed label L or the support information label LA, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in a case where a label mount (a so-called die cut label) separated in advance to a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously disposed on the tape fed out from the roll, the present disclosure may also be applied to a case where the label is not cut by the cutter  28  but rather the label mount (a label mount on which corresponding printing has been performed) only is peeled from the tape after the tape has been discharged from the tape discharging exit  104  to produce the printed label L or the support information label LA. 
     Note that while the above has been described in connection with an illustrative scenario in which the label producing apparatus  100  directly accesses each of the Web sites WA to WC to acquire various information, such as the latest model information, etc., the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, a suitable communication terminal or other communicating apparatus connected to the label producing apparatus  100  may suitably access each of the Web sites WA to WC to continually update and acquire the latest information, and the label producing apparatus  100  may access the communication terminal or communicating apparatus to acquire the above described various information, such as the latest model information, etc. In each of these cases as well, the same advantages are achieved. 
     Note that, in the above, the arrow shown in the  FIG. 5  denotes an example of signal flow, but the signal flow direction is not limited thereto. Also note that the present disclosure is not limited to the procedure illustrated in the above described flowcharts of  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , etc., and additions and deletions as well as sequence changes to the procedure may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     Further, other than that already stated above, techniques based on the above described embodiments and each of the modifications may be suitably utilized in combination as well.