Patent Abstract:
The disclosure discloses a recording apparatus comprising a take-up body, a recording speed determining portion, a total length acquiring portion, and a take-up time determining portion. The take-up body sequentially takes up a recorded medium around a predetermined axis and produces a roll-shaped recorded matter. The recording speed determining portion determines a recording speed by a recording head based on a medium information acquired by a medium information acquiring portion. The total length acquiring portion acquires a total recording length by the recording head. The take-up time determining portion predicts and determines a take-up time by the take-up body before the take-up body starts take-up of the recorded medium, based on the total recording length acquired by the total length determining portion and the recording speed determined by the recording speed determining portion.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-007926, which was filed on Jan. 20, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus that produces recorded matter. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There are known recording apparatuses that form desired print while feeding adhesive tape with paste applied to its back surface. According to the prior art, an adhesive tape with print on which print has been formed is sequentially taken up around a core material, thereby producing a roll-shaped printed matter. 
         [0006]    In a case where the roll-shaped printed matter is produced by take-up of the adhesive tape with print as described above, the time required from the start of printed matter production to completion may be relatively long, depending on the length of the adhesive tape with print taken up (in other words, the total printing length when printing is performed). When the time required until production completion is not known at the start of production, the user must aimlessly wait until production completion of the printed matter, resulting in inconvenience. In the prior art described above, such a point was not taken into particular consideration. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a recording apparatus that allows the user to find out the time required until completion of printed matter production, and is capable of improving convenience. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the aspect of the present application, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising a feeding roller configured to feed a long medium to be recorded, a medium information acquiring portion configured to acquire medium information related to the medium to be recorded, a data acquiring portion configured to acquire record data for recording on the medium to be recorded, a recording head configured to perform recording in accordance with the record data acquired by the data acquiring portion on the medium to be recorded fed by the feeding roller, and form a recorded medium, a take-up body configured to sequentially take up the recorded medium around a predetermined axis and produce a roll-shaped recorded matter, a recording speed determining portion configured to determine a recording speed by the recording head based on the medium information acquired by the medium information acquiring portion, a total length acquiring portion configured to acquire a total recording length by the recording head, and a take-up time determining portion configured to predict and determine a take-up time by the take-up body before the take-up body starts take-up of the recorded medium, based on the total recording length acquired by the total length determining portion and the recording speed determined by the recording speed determining portion. 
         [0009]    In the recording apparatus of the present disclosure, when the medium to be recorded is fed by the feeding roller, recording based on record data is executed on the fed medium to be recorded by a recording head. The recorded medium after recording has been performed is sequentially taken up around a predetermined axis by a take-up body, thereby producing a roll-shaped recorded matter. 
         [0010]    Then, according to the present disclosure, before the start of recorded matter production, the aforementioned required time is estimated and displayed. That is, recording speed determining portion determines the recording speed by the recording head based on medium information of the medium to be recorded acquired by medium information acquisition portion. Based on this determined recording speed and the total recording length acquired by total length acquisition portion, take-up time determining portion predicts and determines the take-up time by the take-up body. Then, a first display signal for displaying the determined take-up time is output from the first display signal output portion. 
         [0011]    With this arrangement, it is possible to display the take-up time of the take-up body to be executed in the production by suitable display device. As a result, before the start of recorded matter production, the user can find out the time required until completion of recorded matter production. Accordingly, it is possible to improve convenience for the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the tape printer related to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the tape printer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the tape printer with the first, second, and frontward-side opening/closing covers open. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the tape printer with the first, second, and frontward-side opening/closing covers open and the tape cartridge and ink ribbon cartridge removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the tape cartridge. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a function block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the tape printer. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A-7C  is an explanatory view showing the tape feeding, take-up behavior, and the like in preparation processing. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A-8B  is an explanatory view showing the tape feeding, print formation, tape take-up behavior, and the like during printed matter production. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 9A-9B  is an explanatory view showing the tape feeding, cutting, take-up behavior, and the like during printed matter production. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the control procedure executed by the CPU during printed matter production. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S 200  in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a printing speed table used for determining the printing speed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S 100  in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a function block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the tape printer in a modification in which the cooling status of the print head is predicted to determine the take-up time. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the cooling processing executed by the cooling control portion of the CPU. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing the control procedure executed by the print control portion of the CPU. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S 200 ′ in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings. Note that, in a case where “Front,” “Rear,” “Left,” “Right,” “Up,” and “Down” are denoted in the drawings, the terms “Frontward (Front),” “Rearward (Rear),” “Leftward (Left),” “Rightward (Right),” “Upward (Up),” and “Downward (Down)” in the explanations of the description refer to the denoted directions. 
       General Configuration of Tape Printer 
       [0030]    First, the general configuration of the tape printer related to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       Housing 
       [0031]    In  FIGS. 1-4 , a tape printer  1  in this embodiment comprises a housing  2  that constitutes the apparatus outer contour. The housing  2  comprises a housing main body  2   a , a rearward-side opening/closing part  8 , and a frontward-side opening/closing cover  9 . 
         [0032]    The housing main body  2   a  comprises a first storage part  3  disposed on the rearward side, and a second storage part  5  and a third storage part  4  disposed on the frontward side. 
         [0033]    The rearward-side opening/closing part  8  is connected to an upper area of the rearward side of the housing main body  2   a  in an openable and closeable manner. This rearward-side opening/closing part  8  is capable of opening and closing the area above the first storage part  3  by pivoting. The rearward-side opening/closing part  8  comprises a first opening/closing cover  8   a  and a second opening/closing cover  8   b.    
         [0034]    The first opening/closing cover  8   a  is capable of opening and closing the area above the frontward side of the first storage part  3  by pivoting around a predetermined pivot axis K 1  disposed in the upper area of the rearward side of the housing main body  2   a . Specifically, the first opening/closing cover  8   a  is capable of pivoting from a closed position (the states in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in which it covers the area above the frontward side of the first storage part  3 , to an open position (the states in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) in which it exposes the area above the frontward side of the first storage part  3 . 
         [0035]    A head holding body  10  is disposed in the interior of the first opening/closing cover  8   a  (refer to  FIG. 3  as well). Then, the first opening/closing cover  8   a  pivots around the above described pivot axis K 1 , making it possible to move a print head  11  included in the head holding body  10  relatively closer to or farther away from a feeding roller  12  disposed in the housing main body  2   a . That is, the print head  11  moves close to the feeding roller  12  in the above described closed position (the states in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the first opening/closing cover  8   a , and moves away from the feeding roller  12  in the above described open position (the states in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the first opening/closing cover  8   a.    
         [0036]    The second opening/closing cover  8   b  is disposed further on the rearward side than the above described first opening/closing cover  8   a , and is capable of opening and closing the area above the rearward side of the first storage part  3  separately from the opening and closing of the above described first opening/closing cover  8   a  by pivoting around a predetermined pivot axis K 2  disposed on the upper end of the rearward side of the housing main body  2   a . Specifically, the second opening/closing cover  8   b  is capable of pivoting from a closed position (the states in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in which it covers the area above the rearward side of the first storage part  3 , to an open position (the states in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) in which it exposes the area above the rearward side of the first storage part  3 . 
         [0037]    Then, the first opening/closing cover  8   a  and the second opening/closing cover  8   b  are configured so that, when each is closed, an outer circumference part  18  of the first opening/closing cover  8   a  and an edge part  19  of the second opening/closing cover  8   b  substantially contact each other and cover almost the entire area above the first storage part  3 . 
         [0038]    The frontward-side opening/closing cover  9  is connected to the upper area of the frontward side of the housing main body  2   a  in an openable and closeable manner. The frontward-side opening/closing cover  9  is capable of opening and closing the area above the third storage part  4  by pivoting around a predetermined pivot axis K 3  disposed on the upper end of the frontward side of the housing main body  2   a . Specifically, the frontward-side opening/closing cover  9  is capable of pivoting from a closed position (the states in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in which it covers the area above the third storage part  4 , to an open position (the states in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) in which it exposes the area above the third storage part  4 . 
       Print-Receiving Tape Roll and Surrounding Area Thereof 
       [0039]    At this time, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , a tape cartridge TK (refer to  FIG. 2 ) is detachably mounted in a first predetermined position  13  below the frontward-side opening/closing cover  9  (when closed) in the housing main body  2   a . This tape cartridge TK comprises a first roll R 1  wound around and formed on an axis O 1 . 
         [0040]    That is, the tape cartridge TK comprises the first roll R 1  and a connecting arm  16 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The connecting arm  16  comprises a left and right pair of first bracket parts  20 ,  20  disposed on the rearward side, and a left and right pair of second bracket parts  21 ,  21  disposed on the frontward side. 
         [0041]    The first bracket parts  20 ,  20  are set so that the above described first roll R 1  is sandwiched from both the left and right sides along the axis O 1 , holding the first roll R 1  rotatably around the axis O 1  with the tape cartridge TK mounted to the housing main body  2   a . These first bracket parts  20 ,  20  are connected by a first connecting part  22  that is extended substantially along the left-right direction on the upper end, avoiding interference with the outer diameter of the first roll R 1 . 
         [0042]    The first roll R 1  is rotatable when the tape cartridge TK is mounted in the interior of the housing main body  2   a . The first roll R 1  winds a print-receiving tape  150  (comprising a print-receiving layer  154 , a base layer  153 , an adhesive layer  152 , and a separation material layer  151  described later; refer to the enlarged view in  FIG. 2 ) consumed by feed-out around the axis O 1  in the left-right direction in advance. 
         [0043]    The first roll R 1  is received in the first storage part  3  from above by the mounting of the above described tape cartridge TK and stored with the axis O 1  of the winding of the print-receiving tape  150  in the left-right direction. Then, the first roll R 1 , stored in the first storage part  3  (with the tape cartridge TK mounted), rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (a direction A in  FIG. 2 ) inside the first storage part  3 , thereby feeding out the print-receiving tape  150 . 
         [0044]    This embodiment illustrates a case where a print-receiving tape  150  comprising adhesive is used. That is, the print-receiving tape  150  is layered in the order of the print-receiving layer  154 , the base layer  153 , the adhesive layer  152 , and the separation material layer  151 , from one side in the thickness direction (upward side in  FIG. 2 ) toward the other side (downward side in  FIG. 2 ). The print-receiving layer  154  is a layer in which a desired print part  155  (refer to the enlarged partial view in  FIG. 2 ) is formed by the heat transfer of ink from the above described print head  11 . The adhesive layer  152  is a layer for affixing the base layer  153  to a suitable adherent (not shown). The separation material layer  151  is a layer that covers the adhesive layer  152 . 
       Feeding Roller and Print Head 
       [0045]    Returning to  FIGS. 2-4 , the above described feeding roller  12  is disposed on a middle upward side of the first storage part  3  and the second storage part  5  of the housing main body  2   a . The feeding roller  12  is driven by a feeding motor M 1  disposed in the interior of the housing main body  2   a  via a gear mechanism (not shown), thereby feeding the print-receiving tape  150  fed out from the first roll R 1  stored in the first storage part  3  in a tape posture in which the tape-width direction is in the left-right direction. 
         [0046]    Further, the above described head holding part  10  disposed on the first opening/closing cover  8   a  comprises the above described print head  11 . The print head  11 , as described above, is capable of moving relatively closer to or farther away from the feeding roller  12  by the pivoting of the first opening/closing cover  8   a  around the pivot axis K 1 . This print head  11  is disposed in a position that faces the area above the feeding roller  12  of the head holding part  10 , with the first opening/closing cover  8   a  closed, sandwiching the print-receiving tape  150  fed by the feeding roller  12  in coordination with the feeding roller  12 . Accordingly, when the first opening/closing cover  8   a  is closed, the print head  11  and the feeding roller  12  are disposed facing each other in the up-down direction. Then, the print head  11  forms desired print on the print-receiving layer  154  of the print-receiving tape  150  sandwiched between the print head  11  and the feeding roller  12  using an ink ribbon IB of an ink ribbon cartridge RK described later, thereby forming a tape  150 ′ with print. 
       Ink Ribbon Cartridge 
       [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the ink ribbon cartridge RK is detachably mounted in a second predetermined position  14 , which is below the first opening/closing cover  8   a  (when closed) and above the tape cartridge TK in the housing main body  2   a . This ink ribbon cartridge RK comprises a ribbon feed-out roll R 4  around which is wound the unused ink ribbon IB in manner that enables feed-out, and a ribbon take-up roll R 5 . A rearward-side feed-out roll storage part  81  and a frontward-side take-up roll storage part  82  is connected by a center connecting part (not shown) of the ink ribbon cartridge RK. The connecting part connects the above described take-up roll storage part  82  and the above described feed-out roll storage part  81  while exposing the above described ink ribbon IB fed out from the ribbon feed-out roll R 4  to the outside of the ink ribbon cartridge RK. 
         [0048]    The ribbon feed-out roll R 4  is rotatably supported inside the feed-out roll storage part  81 , and rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (a direction D in  FIG. 2 ) with the ink ribbon cartridge RK mounted, thereby feeding out the ink ribbon IB for print formation by the print head  11 . 
         [0049]    The ribbon take-up roll R 5  is rotatably supported inside the take-up roll storage part  82  and rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (a direction E in  FIG. 2 ) with the ink ribbon cartridge RK mounted, thereby taking up the used ink ribbon IB after print formation. 
         [0050]    That is, in  FIG. 2 , the ink ribbon IB fed out from the ribbon feed-out roll R 4  is disposed further on the print head  11  side of the print-receiving tape  150  sandwiched between the print head  11  and the feeding roller  12 , contacting the area below the print head  11 . Then, after the ink of the ink ribbon IB is transferred to the print-receiving layer  154  of the print-receiving tape  150  by the heat from the print head  11  to execute print formation, the used ink ribbon IB is taken up on the ribbon take-up roll R 5 . 
       Separation Material Roll and Surrounding Area Thereof 
       [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connecting arm  16  of the tape cartridge TK comprises a peeling part  17  that includes a substantially horizontal slit shape, for example. This peeling part  17  is an area that peels the separation material layer  151  from the tape  150 ′ with print fed out from the first roll R 1  and fed to the frontward side. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the above described peeling part  17  peels the above described separation material layer  151  from the tape  150 ′ with print on which print was formed as described above, thereby separating the separation material layer  151  and a tape  150 ″ with print made of the other layers, i.e., the print-receiving layer  154 , the base layer  153 , and the adhesive layer  152 . 
         [0052]    The tape cartridge TK, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , comprises a third roll R 3  formed by winding the above described peeled separation material layer  151  around an axis O 3 . That is, the third roll R 3  is received in the above described second storage part  5  from above by the mounting of the aforementioned tape cartridge TK and stored with the axis O 3  for winding the separation material layer in the left-right direction. Then, the third roll R 3 , stored in the second storage part  5  (with the tape cartridge TK mounted), is driven by a separation sheet take-up motor M 3  that is disposed inside the housing main body  2   a  via a gear mechanism (not shown) and rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (a direction C in  FIG. 2 ) inside the second storage part  5 , thereby taking up the separation material layer  151 . 
         [0053]    At this time, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the above described second bracket parts  21 ,  21  of the tape cartridge TK are set so that the above described third roll R 3  is sandwiched from both the left and right sides along the axis O 3 , holding the third roll R 3  rotatably around the axis O 3  with the tape cartridge TK mounted to the housing main body  2   a . These second bracket parts  21 ,  21  are connected by a second connecting part  23  extended substantially along the left-right direction on the upper end. Then, the first bracket parts  20 ,  20  and the first connecting part  22  on the rearward side, and the second bracket parts  21 ,  21  and the second connecting part  23  on the frontward side are connected by a left and right pair of roll connecting beam parts  24 ,  24 . 
         [0054]    Further,  FIG. 5  shows the state before the separation material layer  151  is wound around the axis O 3  and the third roll R 3  is formed (in the case of the unused tape cartridge TK). That is,  FIG. 5  shows substantially circular roll flange parts f 3 , f 4  disposed so as to sandwich both width-direction sides of the separation material layer  151 , and conveniently denotes the location where the third roll R 3  is formed using the reference number “R 3 .” 
         [0000]    Tape Roll with Print and Surrounding Area Thereof 
         [0055]    On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , a take-up mechanism  40  for sequentially winding the above described tape  150 ″ with print is received in the above described third storage part  4  from above. The take-up mechanism  40  is stored so that it is supported rotatably around an axis O 2  with the axis O 2  of the winding of the tape  150 ″ with print in the left-right direction. Then, the take-up mechanism  40 , stored in the third storage part  4 , is driven by an adhesive take-up motor M 2  that is disposed in the interior of the housing main body  2   a  via a gear mechanism (not shown) and rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (a direction B in  FIG. 2 ) inside the third storage part  4 , taking up and layering the tape  150 ″ with print. With this arrangement, the tape  150 ″ with print is sequentially wound around the outer circumference side of the take-up mechanism  40 , forming a second roll R 2 . 
       Cutter 
       [0056]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a cutter  30  is disposed on the downstream side of the print head  11  and the upstream side of the second roll R 2 , along the tape transport direction. 
         [0057]    The cutter  30 , while not shown in detail, comprises a movable blade and a carriage that supports the movable blade and is capable of travelling in the tape-width direction (in other words, the left-right direction). Then, the carriage travels by the driving of a cutter motor MC (refer to  FIG. 6  described later) and the movable blade moves in the tape-width direction, cutting the above described tape  150 ″ with print in the width direction. 
       Overview of Operation of Tape Printer 
       [0058]    Next, an overview of the operation of the tape printer  1  with the above described configuration will be described. 
         [0059]    That is, when the tape cartridge TK is mounted in the above described first predetermined position  13 , the first roll R 1  is stored in the first storage part  3  positioned on the rearward side of the housing main body  2   a , and the axis O 3  side that forms the third roll R 3  is stored in the second storage part  5  positioned on the frontward side of the housing main body  2   a . Further, the take-up mechanism  40  for forming the second roll R 2  is stored in the third storage part  4  positioned on the frontward side of the housing main body  2   a.    
         [0060]    At this time, when the feeding roller  12  is driven, the print-receiving tape  150  fed out by the rotation of the first roll R 1  stored in the first storage part  3  is fed to the frontward side. Then, desired print is formed by the print head  11  on the print-receiving layer  154  of the print-receiving tape  150  thus fed, thereby forming the tape  150 ′ with print. When the tape  150 ′ with print on which print was formed is further fed to the frontward side and fed to the peeling part  17 , the separation material layer  151  is peeled at the peeling part  17 , forming the tape  150 ″ with print. The peeled separation material layer  151  is fed to the downward side, introduced to and wound inside the second storage part  5 , forming the third roll R 3 . 
         [0061]    On the other hand, the tape  150 ″ with print from which the separation material layer  151  was peeled is further fed to the frontward side, introduced to the third storage part  4 , and wound on the outer circumference side of the take-up mechanism  40  inside the third storage part  4 , thereby forming the second roll R 2 . At this time, the cutter  30  disposed on the transport direction downstream side (that is, the frontward side) cuts the tape  150 ″ with print. With this arrangement, the tape  150 ″ with print wound around the second roll R 2  can be cut based on a timing preferred by the user and the second roll R 2  can be removed from the third storage part  4  after cutting. 
         [0062]    Note that, at this time, although not explained by illustration, a non-adhesive tape (one without the above described adhesive layer  152  and separation material layer  151 ) may be wound around the first roll R 1 . In this case as well, the first roll R 1  which winds the non-adhesive tape is received in the first storage part  3  from above by the mounting of the tape cartridge TK and stored with the axis O 1  of the winding of the non-adhesive tape in the left-right direction. Then, the first roll R 1 , stored in the first storage part  3  (with the tape cartridge TK mounted), rotates in a predetermined rotating direction (the direction A in  FIG. 2 ) inside the first storage part  3 , thereby feeding out the non-adhesive tape. 
         [0063]    Further, at this time, a shoot  15  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) for switching the feeding path of the above described non-adhesive tape (or the above described print-receiving tape  150 ) between a side toward the second roll R 2  and a side toward the discharging exit (not shown) may be disposed. That is, the non-adhesive tape after print formation (or the tape  150 ″ with print) may be discharged as is from the discharging exit (not shown) disposed on the second opening/closing cover  8   b  side, for example, of the housing  2  to the outside of the housing  2  without being wound inside the third storage part  4  as described above by switching the tape path by a switch operation of the shoot  15  using a switch lever (not shown). 
       Control System 
       [0064]    Next, the control system of the tape printer  1  will be described using  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , the tape printer  1  comprises a CPU  212  that constitutes a computing part that performs predetermined computations. The CPU  212  is connected to a RAM  213  and a ROM  214 . The CPU  212  performs signal processing in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM  214  while utilizing a temporary storage function of the RAM  213 , and controls the entire tape printer  1  accordingly. 
         [0065]    Further, the CPU  212  is connected to a motor driving circuit  218  that controls the driving of the above described feeding motor M 1  that drives the above described feeding roller  12 , a motor driving circuit  219  that controls the driving of the above described adhesive take-up motor M 2  that drives the above described second roll R 2 , a motor driving circuit  220  that controls the driving of the above described separation sheet take-up motor M 3  that drives the above described third roll R 3 , a print head control circuit  221  that controls the conduction of the heating elements of the above described print head  11 , a motor driving circuit  222  that controls the driving of the cutter motor MC that causes the carriage comprising the above described movable blade to travel, a display part  215  that performs suitable displays, and an operation part  216  that permits suitable operation input by the user. Further, while the CPU  212  is connected to a PC  217  serving as an external terminal in this example, the CPU  212  does not need to be connected in a case where the tape printer  1  operates alone (a so-called all-in-one type). 
         [0066]    The ROM  214  stores control programs for executing predetermined control processing (including programs that execute the flow processing in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 , and  FIG. 17  described later). The RAM  213  comprises an image buffer  213   a  that expands print data (refer to step S 203  described later) generated in correspondence with an operation by an operator using the above described operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ) into dot pattern data for printing in a predetermined print area of the above described print-receiving layer  154 , and stores the data, for example. The CPU  212  prints one image (unit print image data) corresponding to the above described dot pattern data stored in the image buffer  213   a  while feeding out the print-receiving tape  150  by the feeding roller  12  on the print-receiving tape  150  by the print head  11  (repeatedly along the tape longitudinal direction), based on the above described control programs. 
         [0000]    Behavior from Start of Take-Up to Completion 
         [0067]    In the above, the essential point in this embodiment is the prediction of the time required for take-up (before take-up completion) when the tape  150 ″ with print is wound by the take-up mechanism  40  as described above, forming the second roll R 2 . First, the specific behavior from the start of the above described take-up to completion will be described based on  FIGS. 7A-7C ,  FIGS. 8A-8C , and  FIGS. 9A-9C . 
       Preparation Processing 
       [0068]    According to this embodiment, before the aforementioned feeding, print formation, and the like, first, predetermined preparation processing is performed.  FIGS. 7A-7C  schematically show this preparation processing step. First, the user manually feeds out the print-receiving tape  150  from the first roll R 1  of the tape cartridge TK, and passes the fed out print-receiving tape  150  between the feeding roller  12  and the print head  11  (refer to  FIG. 7A ). At this time, the CPU  212  controls the feeding motor M 1  for a predetermined period of time so that the feeding roller  12  is rotated in the transport direction. Note that the print-receiving tape  150  passed between the feeding roller  12  and the print head  11  and advanced to the downstream side thereof in this manner is referred to as a tape  150 - 0  for convenience of explanation. This tape  150 - 0  is an area corresponding to the tape  150 ′ with print after the start of print formation by the print head  11  described later. 
         [0069]    Subsequently, the user manually peels the separation material layer  151  from the above described tape  150 - 0 , and secures the tip end of a tape  150 - 1  (an area corresponding to the tape  150 ″ with print after the start of print formation by the print head  11  described later) made of the base layer  153  and the adhesive layer  152  to a winding core  41  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) of the take-up mechanism  40  for forming the second roll R 2 . With this arrangement, the above described second roll R 2  is formed by the winding of the tape  150 - 1  and the above described tape  150 ″ with print with the rotation of the winding core  41  thereafter. On the other hand, the user secures the tip end of the separation material layer  151  peeled from the tape  150 - 0  to a winding core  29  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) for forming the third roll R 3  (refer to  FIG. 7B ). With this arrangement, the above described third roll R 3  is formed by the winding of the separation material layer  151  with the rotation of the winding core  29  thereafter. 
         [0070]    In this state, the CPU  212  stops the feeding roller  12  for a predetermined period of time and controls the feeding motor M 1  and the adhesive take-up motor M 2  so that only the above described winding core  41  is rotated in the take-up direction (refer to  FIG. 7B ). With this arrangement, the above described tape  150 - 1  from which the separation material layer  151  was peeled is pulled by the stopped feeding roller  12  and the winding core  41  that rotates in the take-up direction and, at the moment that the slack is removed, the rotation of the winding core  41  stops, causing tension to be applied to the tape  150 - 1 . Note that, if rotation of the winding core  41  is detected at the moment that tension is to be applied to the tape  150 - 1  in this manner, the winding core  41  (in other words, the second roll R 2 ) is regarded as rotating idly since the tip end of the tape  150 - 1  is not well secured to the winding core  41 , and a defect is reported (refer to step S 135  and step S 190  described later). 
         [0071]    Next, the CPU  212  stops the feeding roller  12  for a predetermined period of time and controls the feeding motor M 1  and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3  so that only the above described winding core  29  is rotated in the take-up direction (refer to  FIG. 7C ). With this arrangement, the separation material layer  151  peeled from the tape  150 - 0  is pulled by the stopped feeding roller  12  and the winding core  29  (in other words, the third roll R 3 ) that rotates in the take-up direction and, at the moment that the slack is removed, the rotation of the winding core  29  stops, causing tension to be applied to the tape  150 - 0 . Further, at this time, even if the separation point between the tape  150 - 0  and the separation material layer  151  has moved by the retraction of the tape  150 - 0  due to the rotation of the above described second roll R 2  only, the point can be returned to its original position (refer to the broken line in  FIG. 7C ). Note that, if rotation of the third roll R 3  is detected at the moment that tension is to be applied to the separation material layer  151  in this manner, the third roll R 3  is regarded as rotating idly since the tip end of the separation material layer  151  is not well secured to the above described winding core  29 , and a defect is reported (refer to step S 155  and step S 198  described later). 
         [0072]    Next, the CPU  212  controls the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3  for a predetermined period of time so as to rotate the feeding roller  12 , the second roll R 2 , and the third roll R 3  (without performing a print operation; not particularly shown). With this final verification operation, it is possible to verify in advance whether or not the series of operations including the feed-out and feeding of the print-receiving tape  150 , the feeding of the tape  150 - 0 , the feeding and take-up of the tape  150 - 1 , the peeling and take-up of the separation material layer  151 , and the like are normally performed. 
       Print Formation 
       [0073]    After the above described preparation processing, the above described printed matter is produced by the aforementioned print formation. That is, as already described, the print-receiving tape  150  is fed by the feeding roller  12  from the state shown in  FIG. 7C , as shown in  FIG. 8A . Note that the feeding speed at this time is a fixed value individually determined in advance in accordance with selection results of a material and print mode (standard mode or fine mode) of the print-receiving tape  150  in this example (refer to  FIG. 12  described later). 
         [0074]    Subsequently, as already described, the feed-out and feeding of the print-receiving tape  150 , the generation and feeding of the tape  150 ′ with print resulting from print formation on the print-receiving tape  150 , the generation of the tape  150 ″ with print resulting from the peeling of the separation material layer  151  from the tape  150 ′ with print and the take-up of the peeled separation material layer  151 , and the feeding and take-up of the tape  150 ″ with print (hereinafter suitably collectively referred to as the “printed matter formation operation”) is started (refer to  FIG. 8B ). The tape  150 ″ with print resulting from the peeling of the separation material layer  151  from the tape  150 ′ with print is sequentially taken up around the axis O 2  by the take-up mechanism  40 . 
         [0075]    Subsequently, the printed matter formation operation advances further from the state shown in  FIG. 8B  and, once the print-receiving tape  150 , the tape  150 ′ with print, and the tape  150 ″ with print are in a specific transport direction position determined in advance before the start of the printed matter production operation, the rotation of the feeding roller  12 , the second roll R 2 , and the third roll R 3  is stopped as shown in  FIG. 9A . As a result, the feed-out and feeding of the above described print-receiving tape  150 , the feeding of the tape  150 ′ with print, and the feeding and take-up of the tape  150 ″ with print stop (note that print formation is stopped in advance of the above described stop so that the area between the cutter  30  and the print head  11  becomes an area of the above described tape  150 - 0 , where printing is not formed, in this stopped state). In this state, the cutter  30  cuts the tape  150 ″ with print between the feeding roller  12  and the second roll R 2  (refer to  FIG. 9A ). 
       Finishing Processing 
       [0076]    After the above described cutting, finishing processing is performed. That is, the adhesive take-up motor M 2  is controlled so that the second roll R 2  stops after rotation for a predetermined amount of time in the take-up direction (with the feeding roller  12  stopped as is). That is, after completion of the cutting of the tape  150 ″ with print by the cutter  30 , the second roll R 2  does not stop immediately, but rather after rotation for a predetermined amount of time. With this arrangement, the second roll R 2  is rotated a predetermined amount after cutting completion, and the end edge of the tape  150 ″ with print generated by cutting is reliably taken up on the second roll R 2  (refer to  FIG. 9B ). With this arrangement, one second roll R 2  around which the tape  150 ″ with print is wound is generated. 
       Required Time for Take-Up 
       [0077]    In a case where the roll-shaped printed matter is produced by take-up of the adhesive tape  150 ″ with print in this manner, the time required from the start of production of the above described printed matter to completion may be relatively long, depending on the length of the tape  150 ″ with print taken up (in other words, the total printing length when printing is performed by the print head  11 ). When the time required until production completion is not known at the start of production, the user must aimlessly wait until production completion of the printed matter, resulting in inconvenience. 
       Control Procedure 
       [0078]    Hence, according to this embodiment, before the start of printed matter production, the printing speed by the print head  11  is determined based on medium information (described later) of the print-receiving tape  150 , and the take-up time by the above described take-up mechanism  40  is predicted and determined based on the determined printing speed and the total printing length of the above described tape  150 ″ with print. Then, the determined take-up time is displayed. The control procedure executed by the CPU  212  for this will now be described using the flow in  FIG. 10 . Note that, in  FIG. 10 , the name of each component is suitably abbreviated (the same for  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13  described later as well). 
         [0079]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the control procedure executed by the CPU  212  during print formation. In  FIG. 10 , the flow is started by the user turning ON the power of the tape printer  1 , for example (“START” position). 
         [0080]    First, in step S 200 , the CPU  212  executes take-up time prediction processing. 
       Control of Take-Up Time Prediction Processing 
       [0081]    The following describes the control procedure of the take-up time prediction processing in the above described step S 200 , using  FIG. 11 . 
         [0082]    First, in step S 201 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the medium information, such as the material and type of the print-receiving tape  150 , has been input based on a detection result of a suitable medium detection sensor (not shown) disposed inside the housing  2 , for example (or input results from the operation part  216  or the above described PC  217  by the user). According to this embodiment, paper tape, PET tape, cloth tape, craft tape, or the like may be selectively used as the material (type) of the above described print-receiving tape  150 , for example, and the applicable material (type) of these is input as the above described medium information. During the period in which the above described medium information is not input, the condition of step S 201  is not satisfied (S 201 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. Once the above described medium information is input, the condition of step S 201  is satisfied (S 201 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 202 . 
         [0083]    In step S 202 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the total length data indicating the length of the printed matter to be produced (in other words, the total length which is the total printing length along the transport direction of the above described tape  150 ″ with print to be generated) has been input in accordance with an operation by the user using the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ). According to this embodiment, the operator can specify the length of the above described tape  150 ″ with print to be generated in meters by an operation input, for example, and the value input by the operation is then input as the above described total length data. If the above described total length data has not been input, the condition of step S 202  is not satisfied (S 202 : NO), the flow returns to the above described step S 201 , and the same procedure is repeated. Once the above described total length data is input, the condition of step S 202  is satisfied (S 202 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 203 . 
         [0084]    In step S 203 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not print data indicating one image to be formed by print (by repeated print in the tape longitudinal direction in this example) on the above described print-receiving tape  150  has been input in accordance with a user operation using the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ). According to this example, the operator can suitably input (or select) the text print, image, and the like corresponding to the above described one image and, in this step S 203 , the above described one image corresponding to the operation input (or selection) is acquired. If the print data has not been input, the condition of step S 203  is not satisfied (S 203 : NO), the flow returns to the above described step S 201 , and the same procedure is repeated. Once the above described print data is input, the condition of step S 203  is satisfied (S 203 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 204 . 
         [0085]    In step S 204 , the CPU  212  determines the printing speed by the print head  11  (in other words, the feeding speed by the feeding roller  12  performed in synchronization with the print formation operation) based on the above described medium information (material, type, and the like) acquired in the above described step S 202 . To make the determination at this time, the CPU  212  uses the printing speed table (shown in  FIG. 12 ) that is prepared and stored in a suitable location in advance, for example. As shown in  FIG. 12 , in this example, the four types of the above described “paper tape,” “PET tape,” “cloth tape,” and “craft tape” are presumed in advance as the materials (types) of the print-receiving tape  150 . Further, “standard mode” and “fine mode” are prepared as the two print modes for each material, and either mode is selectable in accordance with a user operation using the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ), for example. Then, the printing speed is uniquely set in accordance with the combination of each material and mode selection result. 
         [0086]    In the example shown, if the print-receiving tape  150  is a paper tape, the printing speed is set to 225 [mm/s] in the above described standard mode, and to 150 [mm/s] in the above described fine mode. Similarly, if the print-receiving tape  150  is a PET tape, the printing speed is set to 150 [mm/s] in the above described standard mode, and to 75 [mm/s] in the above described fine mode. Further, if the print-receiving tape  150  is a cloth tape, the printing speed is set to 150 [mm/s] in the above described standard mode, and to 75 [mm/s] in the above described fine mode. If the print-receiving tape  150  is a craft tape, the printing speed is set to 225 [mm/s] in the above described standard mode, and to 150 [mm/s] in the above described fine mode. When step S 204  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 205 . 
         [0087]    In step S 205 , the CPU  212  predicts and determines the take-up time by the above described take-up mechanism  40 , based on the above described total length data acquired in the above described step S 202  and the above described printing speed determined in the above described step S 204 . Note that this take-up time generally includes the print formation time ( FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B , and  FIG. 9A ) acquired by dividing the above described total length data by the above described printing speed, the take-up time (refer to  FIGS. 7A-7C ) to be executed during the above described preparation processing, set in a fixed manner, for example, and the tape take-up time (refer to  FIG. 9B ) during the above described finishing operation after the cutting of the tape  150 ″ with print, set in a fixed manner, for example. When step S 205  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 210 . 
         [0088]    In step S 210 , the CPU  212  outputs a display signal that displays the take-up time determined in the above described step S 205  on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ), and displays the take-up time on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ).  FIG. 1  shows an example in which “Predicted take-up time: 30 min.” is displayed on the aforementioned display part  215 . Once step S 210  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 215  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0089]    Returning to  FIG. 10 , in step S 215 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a production start instruction signal corresponding to a production start operation for the above described printed matter performed by the user using the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ) has been input. If the above described production start instruction signal has not been input, the condition of step S 215  is not satisfied (S 215 : NO), and this flow is terminated. Once the above described production start instruction signal is input, the condition of step S 215  is satisfied (S 215 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 220 . 
         [0090]    In step S 220 , the CPU  212  starts counting the remaining time, which is acquired by subtracting the time that has passed since the production start instruction signal was input in the above described step S 215  from the take-up time determined in the above described step S 205 , for example. When step S 220  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 225 . 
         [0091]    In step S 225 , the CPU  212  outputs a display signal that displays the remaining time for which counting was started in the above described step S 215  on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ), and displays the above described remaining time on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ). The above described  FIG. 1  shows an example in which “Remaining time: 28 min.” is displayed on the aforementioned display part  215 . When step S 255  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 100 . 
       Control of Preparation Processing 
       [0092]    In the above described step S 100 , the CPU  212  performs control for executing the above described preparation processing described using  FIGS. 7A-7C . The details of the control procedure will now be described using  FIG. 13 . 
         [0093]    First, in step S 105 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  218 , and starts driving the feeding motor M 1  (refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 7A ). When step S 105  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 110 . 
         [0094]    In step S 110 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has passed since the driving of the feeding motor M 1  was started in the above described step S 105 . If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the condition of step S 110  is not satisfied (step S 110 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state until the predetermined amount of time passes. In this case, the predetermined amount of time that the flow is in a standby state may be about the amount of time it takes for the above described tape  150 - 0  positioned on the tip end side of the print-receiving tape  150  fed out from the first roll R 1  to be fed from the feeding roller  12  and arrive at the second roll R 2  or the third roll R 3 . If the predetermined amount of time has passed, the condition of step S 110  is satisfied (step S 110 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 115 . 
         [0095]    In step S 115 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  218  and stops the driving of the feeding motor M 1 . When step S 115  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 120 . 
         [0096]    In step S 120 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not an operation that instructs operation restart has been input by the user via the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ). If the above described instruction operation has not been input, the condition of step S 120  is not satisfied (step S 120 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state until the instruction operation is input. If the above described instruction operation has been input, the condition of step S 120  is satisfied (step S 120 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 125 . 
         [0097]    In step S 125 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  219 , and starts driving the adhesive take-up motor M 2  (abbreviated “AD motor” in the figure; refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 7A ). When step S 125  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 130 . 
         [0098]    In step S 130 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has passed since the driving of the adhesive take-up motor M 2  was started in the above described step S 125 . If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the condition of step S 130  is not satisfied (step S 130 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state until the predetermined amount of time passes. In this case, the predetermined amount of time that the flow is in a standby state may be about the amount of time it takes for the slack of the above described tapes  150 - 0 ,  150 - 1  from the feeding roller  12  to the second roll R 2  to be removed and appropriate tension to be applied (1 s maximum, for example). If the predetermined amount of time has passed, the condition of step S 130  is satisfied (step S 130 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 135 . 
         [0099]    In step S 135 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the second roll R 2  is rotating at this moment based on a detection result of a suitable rotation detection sensor (such as an optical sensor, for example; not shown) disposed in accordance with the second roll R 2 . If the second roll R 2  is not rotating, the condition is not satisfied (S 135 : NO), and the flow proceeds to step S 140 . 
         [0100]    In step S 140 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  219  and stops the driving of the adhesive take-up motor M 2 . When step S 140  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 145 . 
         [0101]    In step S 145 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  220 , and starts the driving of the separation sheet take-up motor M 3  (abbreviated as “separation sheet motor” in the figure; refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 7C ). When step S 145  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 150 . 
         [0102]    In step S 150 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has passed since the start of the driving of the separation sheet take-up motor M 3  in the above described step S 145 . If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the condition of step S 150  is not satisfied (step S 150 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state until the predetermined amount of time passes. In this case, the predetermined amount of time that the flow is in a standby state may be about the amount of time it takes for the slack of the separation material layer  151  from the feeding roller  12  to the third roll R 3 , including the pull-back of the aforementioned separation point, to be removed and appropriate tension to be applied. If the predetermined amount of time has passed, the condition of step S 150  is satisfied (step S 150 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 155 . 
         [0103]    In step S 155 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the third roll R 3  is rotating at this moment based on a detection result of a suitable rotation detection sensor (such as an optical sensor, for example; not shown) disposed in accordance with the third roll R 3 . If the third roll R 3  is not rotating, the condition is not satisfied (S 155 : NO), and the flow proceeds to step S 160 . 
         [0104]    In step S 160 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  220  and stops the driving of the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . When step S 160  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 165 . 
         [0105]    In step S 165 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and starts the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . When step S 165  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 170 . 
         [0106]    In step S 170 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has passed since the start of the driving of each motor in the above described step S 165 . If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the condition of step S 170  is not satisfied (step S 170 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state until the predetermined amount of time passes. In this case, the predetermined amount of time that the flow is in a standby state may be about the amount of time that it takes to adequately visually verify whether or not the series of operations including the feed-out and feeding of the print-receiving tape  150 , the feeding of the tape  150 - 0 , the feeding and take-up of the tape  150 - 1 , the take-up of the separation material layer  151 , and the like will be normally performed. If the predetermined amount of time has passed, the condition of step S 170  is satisfied (step S 170 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 175 . 
         [0107]    In step S 175 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and stops the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . When step S 175  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 180 . 
         [0108]    In step S 180 , the CPU  212  reports that all operations have been normally performed and the preparation processing has normally ended by displaying so on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ) or the like. This flow then terminates here. 
         [0109]    On the one hand, if the CPU  212  determines that the second roll R 2  had been rotating in the above described step S 135 , the condition is satisfied (S 135 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 185 . 
         [0110]    In step S 185 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  219  and stops the driving of the adhesive take-up motor M 2 . When step S 185  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 190 . 
         [0111]    In step S 190 , the CPU  212  regards the second roll R 2  as rotating idly since the tip end of the tape  150 - 1  is not well secured to the winding core  41  for the second roll R 2 , and reports so by display on the display part  215  (or the PC  217 ). This flow then terminates here. 
         [0112]    Further, on the other hand, if the CPU  212  determines that the third roll R 3  had been rotating in the above described step S 155 , the condition is satisfied (S 155 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 195 . 
         [0113]    In step S 195 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  220  and stops the driving of the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . 
         [0114]    Subsequently, in step S 198 , the CPU  212  regards the third roll R 3  as rotating idly since the tip end of the separation material layer  151  is not well secured to the winding core  29  for the third roll R 3 , and reports so by display on the display part  215 . This flow then terminates here. When the step S 100  ends as described above, the flow proceeds to step S 230  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0115]    Returning to  FIG. 10 , in step S 230 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and starts the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up (AD) motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . With this arrangement, the feeding of the above described print-receiving tape  150 , the tape  150 ′ with print, and the tape  150 ″ with print (hereinafter suitably simply referred to as “tape feeding”), and the take-up of the above described tape  150 ″ with print is started (refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 8A ). When step S 230  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 235 . 
         [0116]    In step S 235 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the above described tape feeding has arrived where the print head  11  faces the corresponding print start position by a known technique, based on the print data indicating one image that is to be formed by print (by repeated print in the tape longitudinal direction in this example) on the above described print-receiving tape  150 , input in the above described step S 203 . If the feeding has not arrived at the print start position, the condition is not satisfied (S 235 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. If the feeding has arrived at the print start position, the condition of step S 235  is satisfied (S 235 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 240 . 
         [0117]    In step S 240 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the print head control circuit  221 , conducts current to the heating elements of the print head  11 , and starts repeated print formation (repeated formation of the print part  155  having the same contents) on the above described print-receiving tape  150  as one image corresponding to the above described input print data. When step S 240  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 245 . 
         [0118]    In step S 245 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the above described tape feeding has arrived where the print head  11  faces the corresponding print end position, by a known technique based on the above described input print data. If the feeding has not arrived at the print end position, the condition is not satisfied (S 245 : NO), the flow returns to the above described step S 240 , and the same procedure is repeated. If the feeding has arrived at the print end position, the condition is satisfied (S 245 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 250 . 
         [0119]    In step S 250 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the print head control circuit  221 , stops conducting current to the heating elements of the print head  11  and print formation on the above described print-receiving tape  150 . At this time, the tape feeding is continually performed. With this arrangement, a blank state where the print part  155  does not exist (the aforementioned tape  150 - 0 ) is thereafter formed on the tape  150 ′ with print. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 255 . 
         [0120]    In step S 255 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not the above described tape feeding has arrived at the cutting position by the above described cutter  30  (a cutting position such as where the total length along the transport direction of the tape  150 ″ with print wound as the second roll R 2  by the take-up mechanism  40  becomes the length intended by the operator), in accordance with the above described total length data acquired in the above described step S 202 . If the feeding has not arrived at the cutting position, the condition is not satisfied (S 255 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. If the feeding has arrived at the cutting position, the condition is satisfied (S 255 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 260 . 
         [0121]    In step S 260 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and stops the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . With this arrangement, the feeding of the above described print-receiving tape  150 , the tape  150 ′ with print, and the tape  150 ″ with print (including the above described tape  150 - 0  as well) stops. When step S 260  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 265 . 
         [0122]    In step S 265 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  222 , drives the above described cutter motor MC, and cuts the tape  150 ″ with print by the operation of the above described cutter  30  (refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 9A ). When step S 265  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 270 . 
         [0123]    In step S 270 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  219 , starts the driving of the adhesive take-up motor M 2  and the take-up of the end edge of the tape  150 ″ with print (refer to the aforementioned  FIG. 9B ). When step S 270  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 275 . 
         [0124]    In step S 275 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has passed since the cutting operation of the cutter  30  in the above described step S 265 . If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the condition is not satisfied (S 275 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. This predetermined amount of time only needs to be a sufficient amount of time for taking up the above described end edge of the tape  150 ″ with print on the above described winding core  41  of the take-up mechanism  40 . If the above described predetermined amount of time has passed, this condition is satisfied (S 275 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 280 . 
         [0125]    In step S 280 , the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuit  219  and stops the driving of the adhesive take-up motor M 2 . With this arrangement, the end edge of the tape  150 ″ with print generated by the above described cutting can be reliably taken up. Once step S 280  ends, this flow is terminated. 
       Advantages of the Embodiment 
       [0126]    As described above, in the tape printer  1  in this embodiment, when the print-receiving tape  150  is fed by the feeding roller  12 , printing based on print data is executed on the fed print-receiving tape  150  by the print head  11 . The tape  150 ″ with print after printing has been performed is sequentially taken up around a predetermined axis by the take-up mechanism  40 , thereby producing a roll-shaped printed matter. 
         [0127]    Then, according to the tape printer  1  in this embodiment, the time required until printed matter production completion is estimated and displayed before the start of production of the above described printed matter. That is, the printing speed by the print head  11  is determined (refer to step S 204 ) based on the input medium information of the print-receiving tape  150  (refer to step S 201 ), and the take-up time by the above described take-up mechanism  40  is predicted and determined (refer to step S 205 ) based on this determined printing speed and the input above described total length data (refer to step S 202 ) of the above described tape  150 ″ with print. Then, the determined take-up time is displayed (refer to step S 210 ). 
         [0128]    With this arrangement, before the start of printed matter production, the user can find out the time required until printed matter production is completed. Accordingly, it is possible to improve convenience for the user. 
         [0129]    Further, in particular, according to this embodiment, before the start of printed matter production, predetermined preparation processing (refer to the above described  FIG. 7A-7C ), which includes slack removal by applying tension to the print-receiving tape  150 , is performed. When the above described take-up time is determined, the determined time includes the tape take-up time executed during this preparation processing as well. With this arrangement, the user can find out the time required until completion of printed matter production with high accuracy, making it possible to reliably improve convenience. 
         [0130]    Further, in particular, in this embodiment, after the cutting by the cutter  30 , the above described finishing processing wherein a piece of tape positioned further on the transport-direction downstream side than the cutting area is fully taken up on the roll outer circumference side is performed. Then, when the above described take-up time is determined, the determined time includes the tape take-up time executed during this finishing processing as well. With this arrangement, the user can find out the time required until printed matter production completion with high accuracy, making it possible to more reliably improve convenience. 
         [0131]    Further, in particular, according to this embodiment, the remaining time, which is acquired by subtracting the time that has passed since the take-up mechanism  40  started take-up of the tape  150 ″ with print from the determined take-up time, is displayed (refer to step S 225 ). With this arrangement, the user can find out the remaining time until production completion, which constantly changes after the start of printed matter production, in realtime. As a result, convenience can be further improved. 
       Modifications 
       [0132]    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. 
         [0000]    Determining Take-Up Time Taking into Account Cooling of Print Head 
         [0133]    That is, according to this modification, the cooling status resulting from so-called natural cooling and the like in order to suppress the overheating of the print head  11  resulting from printing for a long period of time is predicted. Then, if cooling execution is predicted, the take-up time, including the printing stop time resulting from cooling, is determined. 
       Control System 
       [0134]      FIG. 14  shows the control system of the tape printer  1  in this modification. In the tape printer  1  in this modification, a temperature sensor SR that detects a temperature of the print head  11  is newly connected to the CPU  212 . Further, the CPU  212  functionally comprises a print control portion  212 A and a cooling control portion  212 B. 
         [0135]    The print control portion  212 A comprises the same functions as those of the CPU  212  in the above described embodiment, and controls the print head  11 , the feeding roller  12 , the cutter  30 , and the like in coordination with each other. On the other hand, the cooling control portion  212 B outputs a pause instruction signal (described later) to the print control portion  212 A based on the detection result of the above described temperature sensor SR. 
       Control by Cooling Control Portion 
       [0136]    First, the control procedure of the cooling processing for print formation executed by the cooling control portion  212 B of the CPU  212  will be described using the flow in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0137]    First, in step S 310  and step S 320 , the cooling control portion  212 B of the CPU  212  sets a print stop temperature T 1  (60° C., for example) at which print formation by the print head  11  is stopped, and a restart temperature T 2  (40° C., for example) for restarting print formation once again after it was stopped. respectively. For these settings, values stored in suitable storage means (the above described ROM  214 , for example) in advance may be read and stored in the RAM  213 , or values corresponding to an operation by the user using the operation part  216  (or the above described PC  217 ) may be acquired and stored in the RAM  213 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 330 . 
         [0138]    In step S 330 , the cooling control portion  212 B determines whether or not a temperature T of the print head  11  is at least the above described print stop temperature T 1  (if T≧T 1 ), based on the detection result of the above described temperature sensor SR. During the period T&lt;T 1 , the condition of step S 330  is not satisfied (S 330 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. Once T≧T 1 , the condition of step S 330  is satisfied (S 330 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 340 . 
         [0139]    In step S 340 , the cooling control portion  212 B outputs a pause instruction signal for pausing the print formation processing by the print control portion  212 A (refer to step S 241  in  FIG. 16  described later) to the print control portion  212 A. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 350 . 
         [0140]    In step S 350 , the cooling control portion  212 B determines whether or not the temperature T of the print head  11  is the above described restart temperature T 2  or less (if T≦T 2 ), based on the detection result of the above described temperature sensor SR. During the period T&gt;T 2 , the condition of step S 350  is not satisfied (S 350 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. Once T≦T 2 , the condition of step S 350  is satisfied (S 350 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 360 . 
         [0141]    In step S 360 , the cooling control portion  212 B outputs a production restart instruction signal for clearing the pause of the print formation processing by the aforementioned pause instruction signal (refer to step S 243  in  FIG. 16  described later) to the print control portion  212 A. Subsequently, this process terminates here. 
       Control by Print Control Portion 
       [0142]    Next, the processing procedure executed by the print control portion  212 A of the CPU  212  during print formation in this modification will be described using the flow in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0143]    The flow shown in  FIG. 16  differs in that step S 200 ′ is disposed in place of the step S 200  in  FIG. 10 , and step S 241 , step  242 , step S 243 , and step S 244  are newly disposed between step S 240  and step S 245 . 
         [0144]      FIG. 17  shows step S 200 ′ which is executed first in the flow in  FIG. 16 . The flow shown in  FIG. 17  differs in that steps S 206 -S 209  are newly disposed between step S 205  and step S 210  in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0145]    In  FIG. 17 , after the same steps S 201 -S 205  as those in  FIG. 11 , the flow proceeds to the newly disposed step S 206 . In step S 206 , the CPU  212  predicts a temperature change of the print head  11  up to completion of the printed matter production based on the total length data input in the above described step S 202 , the print data input in step S 203 , the printing speed determined in step S 204 , and the like, while referring to the temperature rise characteristics of the print head  11  based on the structure of the tape printer  1 , stored in a suitable location (the ROM  214 , for example) in advance. When step S 206  ends, the flow proceeds to the newly disposed step S 207 . 
         [0146]    In step S 207 , the CPU  212  determines whether or not cooling of the print head  11  is required based on the temperature change prediction of the print head  11  up to printed matter completion, predicted in the above described step S 206 . If the predicted temperature of the print head  11  does not reach a predetermined temperature (60° C., for example) set in advance, the print head  11  is regarded as not requiring cooling, the condition is not satisfied (step S 207 : NO), and the flow proceeds to step S 210  described later. If the predicted temperature of the print head  11  reaches at least the above described predetermined temperature, the print head  11  is regarded as requiring cooling, the above described condition is satisfied (step S 207 : YES), and the flow proceeds to the newly disposed step S 208 . 
         [0147]    In step S 208 , the CPU  212  calculates the time required during cooling execution of the print head  11 . That is, the CPU  212  starts cooling by natural cooling, and calculates the time required for the print head  11  to decrease from the above described predetermined temperature (60 C° in the above described example) to a predetermined temperature (40° C., for example) set in advance as the end cooling temperature. When step S 208  ends, the flow proceeds to the newly disposed step S 209 . 
         [0148]    In step S 209 , the CPU  212  corrects the above described take-up time by adding the cooling time calculated in the above described step S 208  to the take-up time determined in the above described step S 205 . When step S 209  ends, the flow proceeds to step S 210 . Step S 210  is the same as that in the above described  FIG. 10 , and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Once this step S 210  ends, the flow returns to  FIG. 16  and proceeds to step S 215 . 
         [0149]    Steps S 215 -S 240  in  FIG. 16  are the same as those in  FIG. 10 , and descriptions thereof will be omitted. When the above described step S 240  ends, the flow proceeds to the newly disposed step S 241 . 
         [0150]    In step S 241 , the print control portion  212 A determines whether or not the above described pause instruction signal from the cooling control portion  212 B (refer to step S 340  in the above described  FIG. 15 ) has been input. During the period in which the above described pause instruction signal is not input, the condition of step S 241  is not satisfied (S 241 : NO), and the flow proceeds to step S 245  described later. Once the above described pause instruction signal is input, the condition of step S 241  is satisfied (S 241 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 242 . 
         [0151]    In step S 242 , the print control portion  212 A outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and stops the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 . With this arrangement, the feeding of the above described print-receiving tape  150 , the tape  150 ′ with print, and the tape  150 ″ with print stops. Additionally, the CPU  212  outputs a control signal to the print head control circuit  221 , stops conducting current to the heating elements of the print head  11  and print formation on the above described print-receiving tape  150 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 243 . 
         [0152]    In step S 243 , the print control portion  212 A determines whether or not the above described production restart instruction signal from the cooling control portion  212 B (refer to step S 360  in the above described  FIG. 15 ) has been input. During the period in which the above described production restart instruction signal is not input, the condition of step S 243  is not satisfied (S 243 : NO), and the flow loops back and enters a standby state. Once the above described production restart instruction signal is input, the condition of step S 243  is satisfied (S 243 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 244 . 
         [0153]    In step S 244 , the print control portion  212 A, similar to the above described step S 230 , outputs a control signal to the motor driving circuits  218 ,  219 ,  220 , starts the driving of the feeding motor M 1 , the adhesive take-up motor M 2 , and the separation sheet take-up motor M 3 , and restarts the tape feeding and the take-up of the above described tape  150 ″ with print. Additionally, the CPU  212 , similar to the above described step S 240 , outputs a control signal to the print head control circuit  221 , conducts current to the heating elements of the print head  11 , and restarts print formation on the above described print-receiving tape  150 . Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 245 . 
         [0154]    Thereafter, steps S 245 -S 280  are the same as those in  FIG. 10 , and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0155]    As described above, in this modification, when printing is performed for a long period of time, so-called cooling is executed to suppress a decrease in durability of the print head  11  resulting from overheating. That is, if the temperature of the print head  11  detected by the temperature sensor SR reaches the print stop temperature T 1 , printing by the print head  11  is stopped by the control of the print control portion  212 A based on the pause instruction signal from the cooling control portion  212 B (refer to step S 242 ). Then, when the temperature of the print head  11  decreases up to the print restart temperature T 2  by natural cooling and the like after printing is stopped, printing by the print head  11  is restarted by the control of the print control portion  212 A based on the production restart instruction signal from the cooling control portion  212 B (refer to step S 244 ). 
         [0156]    If cooling such as described above is executed during printed matter production, the amount of time until printing is completed is prolonged accordingly. In response, according to this modification, the temperature change behavior of the print head  11  until printed matter production completion, the cooling execution status, the required time during cooling execution, and the like are predicted (refer to steps S 206 -S 208 ). Then, when it is predicted that cooling is to be executed, the above described take-up time is determined so as to include the required time for the predicted cooling (refer to step S 209 ). With this arrangement, the user can find out the time required until printed matter production completion with even higher accuracy, making it possible to more reliably improve convenience. 
         [0157]    Note that, in the above, the arrows shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 14  denote an example of signal flow, but the signal flow direction is not limited thereto. 
         [0158]    Also note that the present disclosure is not limited to the procedures shown in the above described flows of the flowcharts in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 , and  FIG. 17 , and procedure additions and deletions as well as sequence changes and the like may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0159]    Further, other than that already stated above, techniques based on the above described embodiments and the modifications may be suitably utilized in combination as well.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1