US20100309491A1 - Printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure discloses a printer comprising: a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of a target device; and a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-133586, which was filed on Jun. 3, 2009, No. 2009-137507, which was filed on Jun. 8, 2009, and No. 2009-182039, which was filed on Aug. 5, 2009, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• The present disclosure relates to a printer and printing system connectable to a variety of target devices.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• In the past, a printer was connected to a host device, such as a PC, and printing was performed based on the control information from the host device. As a result, when an operator wanted to use the printer, the operator needed to connect the PC and printer using a cable or the like, and suitably operate the PC keyboard, mouse, or other device to set up various print settings and provide print execution instructions. Such operations have been burdensome to the operator, especially those without a thorough understanding of office automation equipment, such as the elderly and children.
• In prior art, there has been proposed a printer designed with the objective of resolving the above-described problem and achieving ease of use for all (refer to JP, A, 8-142440, for example). With this printer of prior art, the printer itself comprises a host function rather than the above-described PC, etc., making it possible to perform printing independently. Additionally, the printer made it possible to connect an image scanner or barcode reader as a target device (hereinafter suitably “target device”) of this host function, and perform print operations in accordance with the reading result of the image scanner or barcode reader.
• On the other hand, as one printer, a label producing apparatus that produces print labels by printing desired characters on a label tape for label production (a roll sheet of undefined length) rolled into a roll shape while feeding the label tape from the roll is known. In prior art, there has been proposed a label producing system that connects a plurality of such label producing apparatuses on a network (refer to JP, A, 2007-317157).
• In the prior art of the above-described JP, A, 8-142440, interfaces (image scanner interface and barcode reader interface) corresponding to target devices are prepared in advance within the printer for cases where the printer host function is utilized and a target device is connected to the printer. Since it is difficult to provide interfaces corresponding to all models of each target device, however, there are inevitably bootable models for which a corresponding interface has been provided, and unbootable models for which a corresponding interface has not been provided. Nevertheless, the operator is unable to distinguish between the bootable and unbootable target devices based on outward appearances. For this reason, the operator must suffer the extreme inconvenience of connecting each arbitrary target device to the printer using a USB cable or the like, and testing each device one by one to see if the device is bootable.
• On the other hand, in the prior art described in JP, A, 2007-317157, a plurality of label producing apparatuses is connected to operation terminals via a network. Each label producing apparatus detects its type of label tape and outputs the detection result to an operation terminal. When the operator performs an operation to produce labels of a desired form on the operation terminal, the operation terminal determines which label producing apparatus is suitable based on the detection result of the label tape type of each of the above-described label producing apparatuses. Then, an instruction signal corresponding to the label production operation performed by the above-described operator is inputted via the network into the above-described label producing apparatus thus identified. The label producing apparatus then produces the labels in accordance with the above-described label production operation, based on the above-described inputted instruction signal.
• Nevertheless, in the above-described prior art, in order to suitably use the plurality of label producing apparatuses to produce labels of a form intended by the operator, the plurality of label producing apparatuses and the operation terminal must be connected in advance to a network using a LAN cable or wireless LAN. However, to construct a fixed system with such extensive network connections is extremely cumbersome for the operator. Additionally, the network connections may result in recognition errors or communication errors as a result of the effects of the communication environment or the like, and prompt recovery from such errors is not easy for an operator having a normal skill level. As a result, from the viewpoint of making the plurality of label producing apparatuses easier to use, the above-described prior art shows room for improvement. Further, depending on the environment, network construction itself may be difficult and, in such a case, the above-described prior art does not particularly take that into consideration.
• Thus, as described above, each of the aforementioned prior arts increases the labor burden of the operator, decreasing operator convenience.
SUMMARY
• It is therefore a first object of the present disclosure to provide a printer and printing system capable of improving operator convenience.
• It is a second object of the present disclosure to provide a printer that makes it possible to visually recognize at a glance whether or not the target device is bootable.
• It is a third object of the present disclosure to provide a printing system capable of producing desired labels from a plurality of printers in a system simply and easily constructed without use of a network.
• In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the first aspect, theter is provided a printer comprising: a printer comprising: a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of a target device; and a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from the target device when the host communication device performs information transmission and reception with the target device.
• The first aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-described object is a printer that transmits and receives information with a target device by host communication device, thereby functioning as a host-side device of the target device. When the host communication device transmits and receives information with the target device, target processing portion performs predetermined processing in accordance with the information on the target device side acquired by the target device side. With this arrangement, the printer which serves as a host-side device determines the connectability with the target device, notifies the operator in accordance with the determination result and, in a case where the target device is another printer that differs from the host, acquires the printing related information of the other printer, thereby making it possible to execute printing using the appropriate printer in accordance with the print form intended by the operator. Thus, operator convenience is improved.
• In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the second aspect, theter is provided a printing system comprising: a printer which is a host device of a target device, and the target device, wherein: the printer comprises: a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of the target device; and a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from the target device when the host communication device performs information transmission and reception with the target device; and the target device comprises a target communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a target device of the printer.
• The second aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-described objects is a printing system that is connected to a printer and target device in a manner that enables information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication, wherein the printer performs information transmission and reception with the target device by host communication device, thereby functioning as a host-side device of the target device. In the printer, when the host communication device transmits and receives information with the target device, the target processing portion performs predetermined processing in accordance with the information on the target device side acquired by the target device side. With this arrangement, the printer which serves as a host-side device determines the connectability with the target device, notifies the operator in accordance with the determination result and, in a case where the target device is another printer that differs from the host, acquires the printing related information of the other printer, thereby making it possible to execute printing using the appropriate printer in accordance with the print form intended by the operator. Thus, operator convenience is improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a label producing system ofembodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the outer appearance configuration of a cartridge holder inside the label producing apparatus main body and a cartridge mounted thereto, with the opening/closing lid of the apparatus open.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the area surrounding the cartridge holder with a cartridge mounted, along with the cartridge.
• FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view and a bottom plan view illustrating the appearance of an exemplary print label.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional view of cross-section VI-VI′ turned 90°.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the operation terminal.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed procedure of step SA100.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the label producing system of an exemplary modification wherein a plurality of label producing apparatuses is connected in series to one another via a communication cable.
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the operation terminal.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a label producing system of an exemplary modification wherein the label producing apparatuses perform infrared communication with one another.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the operation terminal.
• FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents executed by the control circuit of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 21 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a print label producing system that includes a label producing apparatus according toembodiment 2 of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram explaining the type information of the target device.
• FIG. 23 is a table conceptually showing an example of a type information list stored in EEPROM.
• FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by an LED.
• FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the notification processing function of the CPU of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 26 is a table explaining the classes of target devices in an exemplary modification that uses class information, sub-class information, and protocol information as type information.
• FIG. 27 is a table conceptually showing the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of a target device.
• FIG. 28 is a table conceptually showing an example of a type information list stored in EEPROM.
• FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by an LED.
• FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the notification processing function of the CPU of the label producing apparatus.
• FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the communication interface of the label producing system.
• FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by an LED.
• FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating the notification processing function of the CPU of the label producing apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The following describesembodiment 1 of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings.
• The configuration of the label producing system of this embodiment will now be described with reference toFIG. 1.
• InFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B, a label producing system LS comprises alabel producing apparatus100 and alabel producing apparatus200 capable of producing a print label L (refer toFIG. 5 described later) on which desired printing was performed, anoperation terminal400 for operating the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100, and a plurality of communication cables9 (in this example, twocommunication cables9aand9b) comprising a USB cable, in this example.
• Thelabel producing apparatus100 comprises an apparatusmain body101, and ahousing101sof an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell comprising anupper surface part108, a lower surface part (not shown), afront surface part109, arear surface part110, and both left and rightside surface parts106 and107.
• On theupper surface part108 is provided an opening/closing lid102 provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner).
• On the front surface part109 (refer toFIG. 1A) are provided atape discharging exit104, and afirst host socket105H that detachably mounts afirst connector9H (described later) of the above-describedcommunication cable9. Thetape discharging exit104 discharges a formedlabel tape23 with print (refer toFIG. 3 described later).
• On the rear surface part110 (refer toFIG. 1B) is provided afirst target socket105T that detachably mounts asecond connector9T (described later) of the above-describedcommunication cable9.
• Thelabel producing apparatus200 comprises an apparatusmain body201, and ahousing201sof an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell comprising anupper surface part208, a lower surface part (not shown), afront surface part209, arear surface part210, and both left and rightside surface parts206 and207.
• On theupper surface part208 is provided an opening/closing lid202 provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner).
• On the front surface part209 (refer toFIG. 1A) are provided a tape discharging exit204 (similar to the above-described tape discharging exit104), and asecond host socket205H (which can be omitted in this embodiment) that detachably mounts thefirst connector9H (described later) of thecommunication cable9.
• On the rear surface part210 (refer toFIG. 1B) is provided asecond target socket205T that detachably mounts thesecond connector9T (described later) of the above-describedcommunication cable9.
• Theoperation terminal400 is a general-purpose personal computer generally available on the market, and comprises adisplay part401 of a liquid crystal display or the like, an operation part402 (refer toFIG. 1A) such as a keyboard or mouse, and athird host socket403H (refer toFIG. 1B) that detachably mounts thefirst connector9H of the above-describedcommunication cable9.
• The plurality ofcommunication cables9aand9beach comprise thefirst connector9H (a USB connector which is a so-called series A plug) that makes the connected device function as a host, thesecond connector9T (a USB connector which is a so-called series B plug) that makes the connected device function as a target, and a cablemain body9M disposed between thefirst connector9H and thesecond connector9T (refer to each of the enlarged views inFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B).
• In this example, thecommunication cable9ais designed so that thesecond connector9T is mounted (connected) to thefirst target socket105T of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100, and thefirst connector9H is mounted to thethird host socket403H of the above-describedoperation terminal400. Thus, the functional relationship between thelabel producing apparatus100 and theoperation terminal400 is one wherein thelabel producing apparatus100 functions as the target device, and theoperation terminal400 functions as the host device.
• In this example, thecommunication cable9bis designed so that thefirst connector9H is mounted (connected) to thefirst host socket105H of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100, and thesecond connector9T is mounted to thesecond target socket205T of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200. Thus, the functional relationship between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thelabel producing apparatus200 is one wherein thelabel producing apparatus100 functions as the host device, and thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as the target device.
• Note that thecommunication cable9amay be designed so that it is integrated with theoperation terminal400. In such a case, thecommunication cable9aforms an integrated structure with theoperation terminal400, with thefirst connector9H omitted and thesecond connector9T provided at the end thereof detachably installable to thefirst target socket105T of thelabel producing apparatus100. Conversely, thecommunication cable9amay be designed so that it is integrated with thelabel producing apparatus100. In such a case, thecommunication cable9aforms an integrated structure with thelabel producing apparatus100, with thesecond connector9T omitted and thefirst connector9H provided at the end thereof detachably installable to thethird host socket403H of theoperation terminal400. In either case, thecommunication cable9aconnects theoperation terminal400 as a host and thelabel producing apparatus100 as a target.
• Additionally, thecommunication cable9bmay be designed so that it is integrated with thelabel producing apparatus100. In such a case, thecommunication cable9bforms an integrated structure with thelabel producing apparatus100, with thefirst connector9H omitted and thesecond connector9T provided at the end thereof detachably installable to thesecond target socket205T of thelabel producing apparatus200. Conversely, thecommunication cable9bmay be designed so that it is integrated with thelabel producing apparatus200. In such a case, thecommunication cable9bforms an integrated structure with thelabel producing apparatus200, with thesecond connector9T omitted and thefirst connector9H provided at the end thereof detachably installable to thefirst host socket105H of thelabel producing apparatus100. In either case, thecommunication cable9bconnects thelabel producing apparatus100 as a host and thelabel producing apparatus200 as a target.
• Note that thesecond host socket205H of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200 and athird target socket305T provided by another second label producing apparatus may be connected via thecommunication cable9 so that thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as the host device for the other second label producing apparatus [refer to the exemplary modification (1-1) described later].
• The outer appearance configuration of the cartridge holder inside the apparatusmain body101 and the cartridge mounted thereto with the opening/closing lid102 of thelabel producing apparatus100 open will now be described with reference toFIG. 2. InFIG. 2, the illustration of the opening/closing lid102 opened upward has been omitted to avoid illustration complexities.
• InFIG. 2, acartridge holder27, aprint head19, a feedingroller driving shaft30, a ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31, and acartridge sensor37 are provided in the interior of the apparatusmain body101 of thelabel producing apparatus100.
• Thecartridge holder27 is detachably provided with acartridge10 that supplies a cover film11 (refer toFIG. 3 described later). Note that, in this example, thiscartridge holder27 enables selective mounting and removal of a plurality of types of thecartridges10 having different types of the cover films11 (or different types of base tapes described later; hereinafter the same) of, for example, different tape widths, tape thicknesses, or tape material.
• Theprint head19 performs desired printing on thecover film11 fed out from the above-described feedingroller driving shaft30, etc.
• The feedingroller driving shaft30 and the ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31 provide feeding driving power to a usedink ribbon13 and thelabel tape23 with print (for both, refer toFIG. 3 described later), and are rotationally driven in coordination.
• In this example, when thecartridge10 is mounted, thecartridge sensor37 indirectly detects (described in detail later) the type of cover film11 (tape width, tape thickness, tape material, etc.) provided to thecartridge10 by detecting a detected part24 (refer toFIG. 3 described later) formed on the mountedcartridge10.
• On the other hand, thecartridge10, in this example, has a box shape that is generally formed into a rectangular solid, with ahead insertion opening39 that passes through the front and rear surfaces formed on a part thereof.
• The configuration of the area surrounding thecartridge holder27 with thecartridge10 mounted thereto will now be described with reference toFIG. 3.
• InFIG. 3, thecartridge10 is detachably housed in the above-describedcartridge holder27, which is a recess within the apparatusmain body101. Thecartridge10 comprises abase tape roll17 around which abase tape16 is wound, acover film roll12 around which thecover film11 is wound as a first label tape, a ribbonsupply side roll14 configured to feed out theink ribbon13 for printing (not required in a case of employing a thermal tape as the print-receiving medium), a ribbon take-uproller15 configured to rewind theink ribbon13 after the printing, and a feedingroller18.
• Thebase tape roll17 stores the above-describedbase tape16 in such a manner that it is wound around abase tape spool17a(a spool comprising a shaft orthogonal to the tape longitudinal direction).
• Thebase tape16 comprises a layered structure of a plurality of layers (four layers in this example; refer to the partially enlarged view inFIG. 3). That is, thebase tape16 is designed with layers comprised of anadhesive layer16amade of a suitable adhesive for bonding the above-describedcover film11, atape base layer16bmade of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, anadhesive layer16cmade of a suitable adhesive, and aseparation sheet16d, which are layered from the side wrapped on the inside (the right side inFIG. 3) to the opposite side (the left side inFIG. 3).
• Theseparation sheet16dis peeled off when the print label L eventually formed is to be affixed to an object such as a predetermined article, thereby making it possible to adhere the print label L to the article or the like by theadhesive layer16c.
• Thecover film roll12 is provided with acover film11 having a width substantially the same as the above-describedbase tape16 in this example, that is wound around acover film spool12a(a spool comprising a shaft orthogonal to the tape longitudinal direction).
• The ribbonsupply side roll14 is provided with theink ribbon13 that is wound around a ribbonsupply side spool14a(a spool comprising a shaft that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon13).
• The ribbon take-uproller15 comprises a ribbon take-upspool15a(a spool comprising a shaft orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon13), and is configured to take up and wind the printed (used)ink ribbon13 around the ribbon take-upspool15awhen driven by the above-described ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31 on the side of thecartridge holder27.
• The feedingroller18 is configured to affix the above-describedbase tape16 and the above-describedcover film11 to each other by applying pressure, and feeds thelabel tape23 with print thus formed in the direction of an arrow T inFIG. 3 (i.e. functioning as a pressure roller as well), when driven by the above-described feedingroller driving shaft30 on the side of thecartridge holder27.
• The above-described ribbon take-uproller15 and the feedingroller18 are rotationally driven in coordination by the driving power of a feeding motor33 (refer toFIG. 4 described later), which is a pulse motor, for example, provided on the outside of each of thecartridges10. This driving power is transmitted to the above-described ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31 and the feedingroller driving shaft30 via a gear mechanism (not shown).
• The detectedpart24 is formed on thecartridge10 in the corner (the upper right corner inFIG. 3) that is opposite the above-describedfeeding roller18. On this detectedpart24 is provided a plurality of switch holes in a predetermined pattern that indicates the type (for example, tape width, tape thickness, tape material, etc.) of thecover film11 inside thecartridge10. Thecartridge10 is provided in a variety of different types in accordance with the differences in the types of the above-describedcover films11, and is selectively mountable to thecartridge holder27.
• The aforementioned cartridge sensor37 (refer toFIG. 2) detects the pattern of the switch holes which differs according to the type of thecartridge10 as described above, making it possible to detect the type of thecartridge10. Thecartridge sensor37, in this example, thus detects the type of thecartridge10 and indirectly detects the type of the above-describedcover film11. Note that thecartridge sensor37 may be configured to directly detect the type of the above-describedcover film11. Additionally, sometimes the type of themountable cartridge10 is uniquely defined as a single specific type. In such a case, thecartridge sensor37 need not perform the function of detecting the type of thecartridge10 as described above, but rather may simply perform the function of detecting that thecartridge10 is mounted to thecartridge holder27.
• On the other hand, thecartridge holder27 comprises the above-describedprint head19, the above-described ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31, the above-described feedingroller driving shaft30, and aroller holder22.
• Theprint head19 comprises a plurality of heat emitting elements, and performs printing in a print area of thecover film11 fed out from the above-describedcover film roll12.
• The feedingroller driving shaft30 feeds thecover film11 fed out (supplied) from thecover film roll12 of thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27, and thebase tape16 fed out from thebase tape roll17 when driven by the above-describedfeeding roller18.
• Theroller holder22 is rotatably supported by asupport shaft29 and can switch between a print position and a release position via a switching mechanism. On thisroller holder22 are rotatably provided aplaten roller20 and atape pressure roller21. When theroller holder22 switches to the above-described print position, theplaten roller20 and thetape pressure roller21 press against the above-describedprint head19 and the feedingroller18.
• Furthermore, on thecartridge holder27 is provided acutter28 that is adjacent to a discharging exit (not shown) of thecartridge10. Thiscutter28 operates when a cutter driving button38 (refer toFIG. 4 described later) is pressed, cutting thelabel tape23 with print at a predetermined length to produce the print label L.
• With the above-described configuration, once thecartridge10 is mounted to the above-describedcartridge holder27, the ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31 and the feedingroller driving shaft30 are simultaneously rotationally driven by the driving power of the feeding motor33 (refer toFIG. 4 described later). The feedingroller18, theplaten roller20, and thetape pressure roller21 rotate in accordance with the drive of the feedingroller driving shaft30, thereby feeding out thebase tape16 from thebase tape roll17 and supplying thebase tape16 to the feedingroller18 as described above. On the other hand, thecover film11 is fed out from thecover film roll12 and power is supplied to the plurality of heat emitting elements of theprint head19 by a print-head driving circuit32 (refer toFIG. 4 described later). At this time, theink ribbon13 is pressed against the above-describedprint head19, coming in contact with the rear surface of thecover film11. As a result, the desired printing (reflected-image printing) is performed in the print area on the rear surface of thecover film11. Then, the above-describedbase tape16 and the above-described printedcover film11 are affixed to each other by the feedingroller18 and thetape pressure roller21 so as to form a single tape, thereby forming thelabel tape23 with print, which is then fed to outside thecartridge10 via the above-described discharging exit. Thelabel tape23 with print is then cut by thecutter28 to form the print label L on which desired printing was performed.
• The functional configuration of thelabel producing apparatus100 will now be described with reference toFIG. 4.
• InFIG. 4, acontrol circuit40 is disposed on a control board (not shown) of thelabel producing apparatus100. Thecontrol circuit40 is provided with aCPU44, which is connected to an input/output interface41, aROM46, a flash memory (EEPROM)47, aRAM48, and communication interfaces (communication I/F)43T and43H, via adata bus42.
• TheROM46 stores various programs required for control, such as a print-head driving control program configured to read the data of aprint buffer48B described later and drive the above-describedprint head19 and the feedingmotor33 described later, and a cutter driving control program configured to drive the feedingmotor33 so that thelabel tape23 with print is fed to a cutting position after printing is completed, and drive asolenoid35 described later to cut thelabel tape23 with print. TheCPU44 performs various operations based on such programs stored in theROM46.
• TheRAM48 temporarily stores the results of various operations performed by theCPU44. ThisRAM48 is provided with devices such as atext memory48A, theprint buffer48B, and awork memory48C that stores various operation data and the like. Thetext memory48A stores print data such as document data.
• The communication I/F43T comprises, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc., and performs information communication (serial communication, for example) via the above-describedcommunication cable9 with the host device. The communication I/F43H comprises, for example, a USB, etc., and performs information communication (serial communication, for example) via the above-describedcommunication cable9 with the target device.
• The input/output interface41 is connected to the print-head driving circuit32 for driving the above-describedprint head19, a feedingmotor driving circuit34, asolenoid driving circuit36, the above-describedcartridge sensor37, and thecutter driving button38.
• The feedingmotor driving circuit34 drives the feedingmotor33, thereby driving the aforementioned feedingroller driving shaft30 and ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31, feeding thebase tape16, thecover film11, and thelabel tape23 with print.
• Thesolenoid driving circuit36 drives thesolenoid35 configured to drive the above-describedcutter28 to perform the cutting operation.
• Thecutter driving button38 activates the above-describecutter28 when manually operated by the operator, producing the print label L at a desired length.
• Note that the functional components of thelabel producing apparatus200 other than those shown in the aforementionedFIG. 1 are the same as those in the above-describedFIGS. 2 to 4, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• The following suitably collectively describes thelabel producing apparatus100 and thelabel producing apparatus200, which have the same configuration as described above. In this case, the apparatuses are suitably referred to as “label producing apparatuses100 and200.”
• In the control system having thecontrol circuit40 shown inFIG. 4 at its core, print data are consecutively stored in thetext memory48A when the print data are inputted to thelabel producing apparatus100 from theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9aand the communication I/F43T (or when print data are inputted to thelabel producing apparatus200 from thelabel producing apparatus100 via the communication I/F43H, thecommunication cable9b, and the communication I/F43T). Then, the stored print data are read once again and subjected to predetermined conversion by the converting function of thecontrol circuit40, thereby generating dot pattern data. These data are then stored in theprint buffer48B. Theprint head19 is driven via the print-head driving circuit32 and the above-described heat-emitting elements are selectively driven to emit heat in accordance with the print dots of one line, thereby printing the dot pattern data stored in theprint buffer48B. At the same time, the feedingmotor33 controls the feeding of the above-describedcover film11, etc., via the feedingmotor driving circuit34, eventually producing the print label L.
• An example of the print label L thus produced by thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200 will now be described with reference toFIG. 5A,FIG. 5B, andFIG. 6.
• InFIG. 5A,FIG. 5B, andFIG. 6, the print label L has a five layer structure with thecover film11 added to thebase tape16 shown in the aforementionedFIG. 3. That is, the print label L is designed with layers comprised of thecover film11, theadhesive layer16a, thetape base layer16b, theadhesive layer16c, and theseparation sheet16d, which are layered from the front surface (upper side inFIG. 6) to the opposite side (lower side inFIG. 6).
• On the rear surface of thecover film11, the print characters R (the characters “Nagoya Taro” in this example) of the content corresponding to the print data inputted via theoperation part402 of theoperation terminal400 by the operator are printed by mirror-image printing.
• Subsequently, the control procedure for executing each operation performed by theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100, and thelabel producing apparatus200 will be described with reference toFIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10.
• The control contents executed by the control circuit (not shown) of theoperation terminal400 will now be described with reference toFIG. 7.
• InFIG. 7, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of theoperation terminal400, for example.
• First, in step SS5, the control circuit determines whether or not an operator inputted print data (such as “Nagoya Taro” for example) indicating the print contents of the print label L and the tape width (such as tape width “24 mm” for example) via theoperation part402. Until the print data and tape type are inputted, the condition is not satisfied and the control circuit enters a wait loop. Then, once the print data and tape type are inputted, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS10.
• In step SS10, the control circuit acquires the print data and tape type information inputted via theoperation part402 by the operator, and stores the information in memory (not shown) provided by theoperation terminal400.
• Subsequently, in step SS15, the control circuit generates a first interrogation signal (that includes the information of the tape type acquired in the above-described step SS10, such as “Requested tape width: 24 mm”) that specifies the tape type to be used in label production, and outputs the first interrogation signal to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9a.
• Then, in step SS20, the control circuit determines whether or not first tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100 in step SA40 or step SA50 ofFIG. 8 described later was inputted in accordance with the first interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SS15. Until the first tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the condition is not satisfied and the control circuit enters a wait loop. Then, once the first tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS30.
• In step SS30, the control circuit determines whether or not the type of thecover film11 contained in thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27 of the label producing apparatus100 (hereinafter suitably omitted and referred to as “the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100”; for example, “tape width 36 mm”), or the type of thecover film11 contained in thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27 of the label producing apparatus200 (hereinafter suitably omitted and referred to as the “type of thecover film11 of thelabel producing apparatus200”; for example, “tape width 24 mm” or “cartridge not mounted”) matches the tape type acquired in the above-described step SS10, based on the first tape related information inputted in the above-describe step SS20. In a case where neither of the two matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS35.
• For example, assume that the tape width (requested tape width) specified by the first interrogation signal generated and outputted in the above-described step SS15 is 24 mm, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and thecartridge10 is not mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200. In such a case, neither of the tape widths of thecover films11 related to thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200 matches the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SS30 is not satisfied.
• In step SS35, the control circuit outputs a display signal to thedisplay part401, and a predetermined error display [such as, “The correct cartridge is not inserted in either of the label producing apparatuses. (Insert a cartridge having a 24 mm tape width into either of the label producing apparatuses.)”] is displayed. Subsequently, the flow returns to the above-described step SS15, and the same procedure is repeated.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SS30, either the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 or the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200 matches the tape type acquired in the above-described step SS10, the decision is made that the condition of step SS30 is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS40.
• For example, assume that the above-described requested tape width of the first interrogation signal generated and outputted in the above-described step SS15 is 24 mm, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and the tape width of thecover film11 of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24 mm. In such a case, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200 matches the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SS30 is satisfied.
• In step SS40, the control circuit outputs a production instruction signal that includes the print data acquired in the above-described step SS10 and information on the production destination of the print label L determined based on the first tape related information inputted in the above-described step SS20 to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9a. This process then terminates here.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus100 will now be described with reference toFIG. 8.
• InFIG. 8, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of thelabel producing apparatus100, for example.
• First, in step SA10, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus100, causing the cartridge sensory37 to detect the type of thecartridge10 mounted to the above-describedcartridge holder27 and store the detection result (in a case where thecartridge10 is not mounted, that information) in theRAM48, for example. Note that the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 may be continually inputted and then stored in theRAM48 based on this timing. Thus, by having thecartridge sensor37 detect the type of thecartridge10, it is possible to indirectly detect the type of thecover film11 provided to thecartridge10.
• Then, in step SA15, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the above-described first interrogation signal outputted from theoperation terminal400 in the above-described step SS15 ofFIG. 7 was inputted via thecommunication cable9a. Until the first interrogation signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the first interrogation signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA20.
• In step SA20, thecontrol circuit40 generates a second interrogation signal (that includes information on the tape type acquired in step SS10 of the above-describedFIG. 7, such as “requested tape width: 24 mm”) that specifies the tape type to be used in label production, and outputs the second interrogation signal to thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cable9b.
• Subsequently, in step SA25, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not second tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus200 in step SB30 or step SB40 ofFIG. 10 described later was inputted via thecommunication cable9bin accordance with the second interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SA20. Until the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA30.
• In step SA30, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus100) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SA10, or the second tape related information (the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus200, i.e., including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus200) matches the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15. In a case where neither of the two matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA35.
• For example, assume that the above-described requested tape width of the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15 is 24 mm, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and thecartridge10 is not mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200. In such a case, neither of the tape widths of thecover films11 of thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200 matches the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SA30 is not satisfied.
• In step SA35, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30 (in accordance with the second tape related information and the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus100). The first tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal does not match either of the types of thecover films11 related to the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100 and200 (or information indicating the types of the above-describedcover films11 that do not match).
• Then, in step SA40, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the first tape related information generated in the above-described step SA35 (such as “No match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and there is currently no cartridge mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SA30, the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15 matches either the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SA10 or the second tape related information inputted in the above-described step SA25, the decision is made that the condition of step SA30 is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA45.
• For example, assume that the above-described requested tape width of the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15 is 24 mm, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and the tape width of thecover film11 of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24 mm. In such a case, the tape width of thecover film11 of thelabel producing apparatus200 matches the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SA30 is satisfied.
• In step SA45, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30. The first tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal matches one of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100 and200 (or information indicating the type of the above-describedcover film11 that matches).
• Subsequently, in step SA50, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the first tape related information generated in the above-described step SA45 (such as “Match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24 mm.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a.
• Then, in step SA55, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal outputted from theoperation terminal400 in step SS40 of the above-describedFIG. 7 was inputted via thecommunication cable9ain accordance with the first tape related information outputted in the above-described step SA50. Until the production instruction signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the production instruction signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the print data included in the production instruction signal are stored in thetext memory48A and the flow proceeds to step SA60.
• In step SA60, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production destination of the print label L is its own device, i.e., thelabel producing apparatus100, based on the information on the above-described production destination included in the production instruction signal inputted in the above-described step SA55. If the production destination is thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied, and the flow proceeds to step SA65.
• In step SA65, the print data stored in thetext memory48A in the above-described step SA55 are read and subjected to predetermined conversion, for example, to generate the dot pattern data (=print-head driving data) corresponding to the contents to be printed on thecover film11. Then, the dot pattern data are stored in theprint buffer48B.
• Subsequently, in step SA100, thecontrol circuit40 executes the label production process (for the detailed procedure, refer toFIG. 9 described later) for producing the print label L on which desired printing is performed. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where the production destination of the print label L is not its own device, i.e., is not thelabel producing apparatus100, in the above-described step SA60, the decision is made that the condition of step SA60 is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA70.
• In step SA70, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the above-described production instruction signal to thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cable9b. This process then terminates here.
• The detailed procedure of step SA100 of the above-describedFIG. 8 will now be described with reference toFIG. 9.
• First, in step SA110, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to the feedingmotor driving circuit34, and the feedingmotor33 drives the feedingroller driving shaft30 and the ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31. As a result, the feed-out of thebase tape16 from thebase tape roll17 and the feed-out of thecover film11 from thecover film roll12 is started, and the feeding of thebase tape16, thecover film11, and thelabel tape23 with print (hereinafter collectively simply referred to as “base tape16, etc.”) is started.
• Subsequently, in step SA120, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not thebase tape16, etc., have been fed a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is a feeding distance (so-called front margin length) required for the top edge of the print area of thecover film11 to arrive at a position substantially opposite theprint head19. This feeding distance may be determined by simply the detection of a marking provided on thebase tape16, for example, using a known tape sensor (not shown). Until thebase tape16, etc., have been fed the predetermined distance, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once thebase tape16, etc., are fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA130.
• In step SA130, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to the print-head driving circuit32, causing theprint head19 to start printing in accordance with the print-head driving data in the print area of thecover film11.
• Then, in step SA140, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not all of the printing in the above-described print area of thecover film11 is completed. Until all of the printing is completed, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once all of the printing is completed, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA150.
• In step SA150, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not thebase tape16, etc., have been further fed a predetermined distance (such as a feeding distance required for the entire print area to pass thecutter28 by a predetermined length; the so-called rear margin length). At this time, this feeding distance may simply be determined in the same manner as in the above-described step SA120. Until thebase tape16, etc., are fed the predetermined distance, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once thebase tape16, etc., are fed the predetermined distance, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA160.
• In step SA160, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to the feedingmotor driving circuit34, and stops the driving of the feedingroller driving shaft30 and the ribbon take-uproller driving shaft31 by the feedingmotor33, thereby stopping the feed-out of thebase tape16 and thecover film11 from thebase tape roll17 and thecover film roll12 as well as the feeding of thebase tape16, etc.
• Subsequently, in step SA170, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the above-describedcutter driving button38 was manually operated by the operator. Until thecutter driving button38 is manually operated, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once thecutter driving button38 is manually operated, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA180.
• Then, in step SA180, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to thesolenoid driving circuit36 to drive thesolenoid35, causing thelabel tape23 with print to be cut by thecutter28. At this moment, as described above, theentire label tape23 with print, including the above-described print area, sufficiently passes thecutter28, and the cutting of thecutter28 forms a print label L on which printing in accordance with the print-head driving data was performed.
• Subsequently, in step SA190, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to a discharging motor (not shown) configured to drive a discharging roller (not shown) separately provided, and the print label L formed into a label shape in the above-described step SA180 is discharged to outside the apparatus. Note that in a case where the print label L can be manually discharged to the outside without a discharging motor, the step SA190 may be omitted. This routine then terminates here.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus200 will now be described with reference toFIG. 10.
• InFIG. 10, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of thelabel producing apparatus200, for example.
• First, in step SB10, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus200, causing thecartridge sensor37 to detect the type of thecartridge10 mounted to the above-describedcartridge holder27 and store the detection result (in a case where thecartridge10 is not mounted, that information) in theRAM48, for example. Note that, similar to the above, the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 may be continually inputted and then stored in theRAM48 based on this timing.
• Then, in step SB15, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the second interrogation signal outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100 in step SA20 of the above-describedFIG. 8 was inputted via thecommunication cable9b. Until the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB20.
• In step SB20, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including the information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus200) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SB10 matches the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15. In a case where the detection result does not match, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB25.
• Assume, for example, that the above-described requested tape width of the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 is 24 mm, and thecartridge10 is not mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200. In such a case, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200 does not match the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SB20 is not satisfied.
• In step SB25, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20 (in accordance with the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus200). The second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal does not match the type of thecover film11 related to the label producing apparatus200 (or information indicating the type of thecover film11 that does not match).
• Subsequently, in step SB30, the second tape related information (such as “No match. A cartridge is currently not mounted.”) generated in the above-described step SB25 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9b. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SB20, the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 matches the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SB10, the decision is made that the condition of step SB20 is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB35.
• Assume, for example, that the above-described requested tape width of the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 is 24 mm, and the tape width of thecover film11 of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24 mm. In such a case, the tape width of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200 matches the requested tape width, resulting in the decision that the condition of the above-described step SB20 is satisfied.
• In step SB35, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20. The second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal matches the type of thecover film11 related to the label producing apparatus200 (or information indicating the type of thecover film11 that matches).
• Then, in step SB40, the second tape related information (such as “Match. The current tape width is 24 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SB35 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9b.
• Subsequently, in step SB45, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100 in step SA70 of the above-describedFIG. 8 was inputted via thecommunication cable9bin accordance with the second tape related information outputted in the above-described step SB40. Until the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the print data included in the production instruction signal are stored in thetext memory48A and the flow proceeds to step SB50.
• In step SB50, the print data stored in thetext memory48A in the above-described step SB45 are read and subjected to predetermined conversion, for example, to generate the dot pattern data (=print-head driving data) corresponding to the contents to be printed on thecover film11. Then, the dot pattern data are stored in theprint buffer48B.
• Then, in step SB100, thecontrol circuit40 executes the label production process (for the detailed procedure, refer to the aforementionedFIG. 9) for producing the print label L on which desired printing has been performed. This process then terminates here.
• In the label producing system LS of this embodiment thus described, thefirst connector9H of thecommunication cable9ais mounted to thethird host socket403H of theoperation terminal400, and thesecond connector9T of thecommunication cable9ais mounted to thefirst target socket105T of thelabel producing apparatus100. With this arrangement, theoperation terminal400 functions as a host device, and thelabel producing apparatus100 functions as a target device. Further, thefirst connector9H of thecommunication cable9bis mounted to thefirst host socket105H of thelabel producing apparatus100, and thesecond connector9T of thecommunication cable9bis mounted to thesecond target socket205T of thelabel producing apparatus200. With this arrangement, thelabel producing apparatus100 functions as a host device, and thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as a target device.
• At this time, in thelabel producing apparatus100, when thecartridge10 is mounted to thecartridge holder27, the type of thecover film11 provided in the mountedcartridge10 is detected by thecartridge sensor37, and the first tape related information corresponding to the detection result is generated. Further, similar to the case of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100, in thelabel producing apparatus200 as well, when thecartridge10 is mounted to thecartridge holder27, the type of thecover film11 provided in the mountedcartridge10 is detected by thecartridge sensor37. Then, the second tape related information is generated in accordance with the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus200, and the second tape related information thus generated is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9b(refer to step SB30 and step SB40 ofFIG. 10).
• Then, in thelabel producing apparatus100, the first tape related information is generated based on the aforementioned detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus100) of thecartridge sensor37 and the second tape related information (including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus200) inputted from the above-described label producing apparatus200 (refer to step SA35 and step SA45 inFIG. 8). Then, the first tape related information thus generated is outputted to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a(refer to step SA40 and step SA50 inFIG. 8).
• With the twolabel producing apparatuses100 and200 connected in the order of theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100, and thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cables9aand9b, theoperation terminal400 is capable of aggregating the types ofcover films11 related to thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200. With such a sequential aggregation method oriented toward theoperation terminal400 side, theoperation terminal400 simply needs to recognize only thelabel producing apparatus100 arranged closest to and directly connected with theoperation terminal400. That is, theoperation terminal400 does not need to individually recognize other label producing apparatuses (the singlelabel producing apparatus200 in this example), and can simply display only thelabel producing apparatus100 on thedisplay part401, for example. Then, theoperation terminal400 simply needs to acquire only the information transmitted from thelabel producing apparatus100 and not directly acquire the information from the otherlabel producing apparatus200. Then, based only on the information acquired from thelabel producing apparatus100, theoperation terminal400 can identify if either of the tape types of the above-describedcover films11 is suitable for the label production intended by the operator.
• As a result, in a case where thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100 is suitable, thecover film11 can be used to execute label production (refer to step SA100 ofFIG. 8). In a case where thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200 is suitable, thatcover film11 can be used to execute label production (refer to step SB100 ofFIG. 10). Further, in a case where neither of thecover films11 is suitable, the operator can be reliably made aware of that fact (refer to step SS35 ofFIG. 7). At this time, as a result of the above-described aggregation method, the operator does not need to be separately aware of or individually select or operate the plurality oflabel producing apparatuses100 and200 using theoperation terminal400. Further, the operator does not need to be aware of the number (in this case two) of connectedlabel producing apparatuses100 and200. That is, the operator simply needs to perform operations, such as the label production instruction, only on the onelabel producing apparatus100 that appears on thedisplay part401 of theoperation terminal400. For example, even if thecartridge10 that includes thecover film11 that matches the form desired by the operator is mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200, the operator simply performs operations on the onelabel producing apparatus100 that is displayed on thedisplay part401. The operations performed automatically produce the print label L in a form corresponding to the operator's intentions on thelabel producing apparatus200 as described above.
• As a result of the above, when the operator wants to suitably use the twolabel producing apparatuses100 and200 to produce labels of an intended form, the operator can produce the desired print labels L by simply connecting thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200 via simple connections of thecommunication cables9aand9b. This makes it possible to simply and easily configure the system without use of a network that employs LAN cables or wireless LAN, enabling support of environments that have an intricately constructed network as well. Additionally, without obstacles such as recognition errors or communication errors caused by the effects of the communication environment, which may occur with network connection, the system can be easily operated even by an operator of a normal skill level.
• Thus, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to alleviate the labor burden of the operator and not demand that the operator have the increased skill level required when working with a network system. As a result, operator convenience is improved.
• Particularly, in the embodiment, thelabel producing apparatus100 comprises thefirst host socket105H on thefront surface part109 of thehousing101s(refer toFIG. 1A). With thehost socket105H thus provided on thefront surface part109, it is possible to simply and clearly execute connections on the front surface so that thelabel producing apparatus100 functions as the host device and another apparatus (thelabel producing apparatus200 in this example) functions as the target device.
• Further, particularly in this embodiment, thelabel producing apparatus100 comprises thefirst target socket105T on therear surface part110 of thehousing101s, and thelabel producing apparatus200 comprises thesecond target socket205T on therear surface part210 of thehousing201s(refer toFIG. 1B). With thetarget socket105T thus provided on therear surface part110 of thelabel producing apparatus100, it is possible to execute connections that make thelabel producing apparatus100 function as the target device of another device (theoperation terminal400 in this example) on the device rear side in an inconspicuous manner. Particularly, in the case of thelabel producing apparatus100, the connection that makes thelabel producing apparatus100 function as the host device and the other apparatus (thelabel producing apparatus200 in this example) function as the target device is provided on thefront surface part109 as described above, thereby clearly differentiating the two connection locations (the connection location of the target device and the connection location of the host device). Further, with thetarget socket205T thus provided on therear surface part210 of thelabel producing apparatus200, it is possible to execute connections that make thelabel producing apparatus200 function as the target device of another device (thelabel producing apparatus100 in this example) on the device rear side in an inconspicuous manner.
• Note that various modifications may be made according to the present embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, in addition to the above embodiment. Description will be made below regarding such modifications.
(1-1) When a Plurality of Label Producing Apparatuses is Connected in Series Via the Communication Cable
• While the above-described embodiment has been described in connection with an illustrative scenario in which the twolabel producing apparatuses100 and200 are provided, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, three or more label producing apparatuses may be provided and connected in series via thecable9.
• The configuration of the label producing system of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 11.
• InFIG. 11A andFIG. 11B, the label producing system LS of this exemplary modification comprises thelabel producing apparatus100, thelabel producing apparatus200, alabel producing apparatus300, theoperation terminal400, and the plurality of communication cables9 (threecommunication cables9a,9b, and9cin this example).
• The configurations of thelabel producing apparatus100, thelabel producing apparatus200, theoperation terminal400, and thecommunication cables9aand9bare the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• Thelabel producing apparatus300 comprises an apparatusmain body301, and ahousing301sof an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell comprising anupper surface part308, a lower surface part (not shown), afront surface part309, arear surface part310, and both left and rightside surface parts306 and307.
• On theupper surface part308 is provided an opening/closing lid302 provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner).
• On the front surface part309 (refer toFIG. 11A) are provided a tape discharging exit304 (similar to the aforementioned tape discharging exit104), and afourth host socket305H that detachably mounts thefirst connector9H of thecommunication cable9.
• On the rear surface part310 (refer toFIG. 11B) is provided athird target socket305T that detachably mounts thesecond connector9T of the above-describedcommunication cable9.
• Thecommunication cable9chas the same structure (uses the same articles) as the above-describedcommunication cables9aand9b, and comprises the above-describedfirst connector9H, the above-describedsecond connector9T, and the above-described cablemain body9M (refer to each enlarged view inFIG. 11A andFIG. 11B). In this example, thecommunication cable9cis designed so that thefirst connector9H is mounted to thesecond host socket205H of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200, and thesecond connector9T is mounted to thethird target socket305T of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus300. Thus, the functional relationship between thelabel producing apparatus200 and thelabel producing apparatus300 is one wherein thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as the host device, and thelabel producing apparatus300 functions as the target device.
• All other components are the same as those of the label producing system LS of the above-described embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Note that the functional components of thelabel producing apparatus300 other than those shown in the above-describedFIG. 11 are the same as those of the label-producing apparatus200 (refer to the aforementionedFIG. 2 toFIG. 4), and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• Also note that another second label producing apparatus may be connected to thelabel producing apparatus300 and another second label producing apparatus may be connected in series to the other second label producing apparatus via thecommunication cable9, so that the devices are connected in series as follows:operation terminal400→label producing apparatus100→label producing apparatus200→label producing apparatus300→second label producing apparatus→second label producing apparatus→. . . .
• In the following, the control procedure for executing each operation performed by theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100, thelabel producing apparatus200, and thelabel producing apparatus300 of the exemplary modification will be described with reference toFIG. 12,FIG. 13,FIG. 14, andFIG. 15.
• The control contents executed by the control circuit of theoperation terminal400 of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 12. Note that the steps identical to those inFIG. 7 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be suitably omitted.
• InFIG. 12, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 7 are as follows: step SS20 and step SS30 are replaced with step SS20′ and step SS30′.
• That is, step SS5 to step SS15 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 7 and, after the control circuit determines whether or not the print data and tape type have been inputted by the operator, acquires the inputted print data and tape type information, and outputs the above-described first interrogation signal to thelabel producing apparatus100, the flow proceeds to step SS20′ provided in place of step SS20.
• Then, in step SS20′, the control circuit determines whether or not the first tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100 in step SA40′ or step SA50′ ofFIG. 13 described later was inputted via thecommunication cable9ain accordance with the first interrogation signal outputted in the aforementioned step SS15. Until the first tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the condition is not satisfied and the control circuit enters a wait loop. Then, once the first tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS30′ provided in place of step SS30.
• In step SS30′, the control circuit determines whether or not either the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100, the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200, or the type of thecover film11 provided to thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27 of the label producing apparatus300 (hereinafter suitably omitted and referred to as the “type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus300”; for example “tape width 18 mm”) matches the tape type acquired in the aforementioned step SS10. If none of the types match, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS35. If one of the types matches, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS40.
• Step SS35 and step SS40 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 7, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus100 in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 13. Note that the steps identical to those inFIG. 8 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be suitably omitted.
• InFIG. 13, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 8 are as follows: step SS25 to step SS50 are replaced with step SA25′ to step SA50′.
• That is, step SA10 to step SA20 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 8. In step SA20, after the second interrogation signal is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus200, the flow proceeds to step SA25′ provided in place of step SA25.
• In step SA25′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the second tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus200 in step SB30′ or step SB40′ ofFIG. 14 described later was inputted via thecommunication cable9bin accordance with the second interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SA20. Until the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA30′ provided in place of step SA30.
• In step SA30′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus100) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SA10, or the second tape related information (the detection result of each of thecartridge sensors37 of thelabel producing apparatuses200 and300, i.e., including information related to the type of each of thecover films11 of thelabel producing apparatuses200 and300) inputted in the above-described step SA25′ matches the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the aforementioned step SA15. If none of the types matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA35′ provided in place of step SA35.
• In step SA35′, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30′ (in accordance with the second tape related information and the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus100). The first tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal does not match any of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300 (or information indicating the types of the above-describedcover films11 that do not match).
• Then, in step SA40′ provided in place of step SA40, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the first tape related information generated in the above-described step SA35′ (such as “No match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, a cartridge is currently not mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus300 is 18 mm.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SA30′, the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the aforementioned step SA15 matches either the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SA10 or the second tape related information inputted in the above-described step SA25′, the decision is made that the condition of step SA30′ is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA45′ provided in place of step SA45.
• In step SA45′, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30′. The first tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal matches one of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300 (or information indicating the type of the above-describedcover film11 that matches).
• Subsequently, in step SA50′ provided in place of step SA50, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the first tape related information generated in the above-described step SA45′ (such as “Match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100 is 36 mm, the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus300 is 18 mm.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a.
• The subsequent step SA55 to step SA70 and step SA100 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 8, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus200 in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 14. Note that the procedures identical to those inFIG. 10 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• InFIG. 14, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 10 are as follows: step SB20′ to step SB40′ are provided in place of step SB20 to step SB40, step SB17 and step SB19 are newly provided between step SB15 and step SB20′ provided in place of step SB20, step SB47 is newly provided between step SB45 and step SB50, and step SB55 is newly provided.
• That is, step SB10 and step SB15 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 10. In step SB15, after the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100, the flow proceeds to the newly provided step SB17.
• In step SB17, thecontrol circuit40 generates the above-described second interrogation signal, and outputs the second interrogation signal thus generated to thelabel producing apparatus300 via thecommunication cable9c.
• Then, in the newly provided step SB19, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the second tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus300 in step SC30 or step SC40 ofFIG. 15 described later was inputted via thecommunication cable9cin accordance with the second interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SB17. Until the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus300, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus300, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB20′ provided in place of step SB20.
• In step SB20′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus200) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SB10, or the second tape related information (the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus300, i.e., including information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus300) matches the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15. If neither of the types matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB25′ provided in place of step SB25.
• In step SB25′, thecontrol circuit40 generates new second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20′ (in accordance with the second tape related information inputted from thelabel producing apparatus300 and the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus200). The new second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 does not match either of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses200 and300 (or information indicating the types of the above-describedcover films11 that do not match).
• Subsequently, in step SB30′ provided in place of step SB30, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the new second tape related information (such as “No match. A cartridge is currently not mounted in thelabel producing apparatus200, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus300 is 18 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SB25′ to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9b. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 matches either the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SB10 or the second tape related information inputted in the above-described step SB19, the decision is made that the condition of step SB20′ is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB35′ provided in place of step SB35.
• In step SB35′, thecontrol circuit40 generates new second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20′. The new second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15 matches one of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses200 and300 (or information indicating the type of the above-describedcover film11 that matches).
• Then, in the step SB40′ provided in place of step SB40, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the new second tape related information (such as “Match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus200 is 24 mm, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus300 is 18 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SB35′ to thelabel producing apparatus100 via thecommunication cable9b.
• The subsequent step SB45 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 10 and, after thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100 was inputted and inputs the production instruction signal from thelabel producing apparatus100, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step SB47.
• In step SB47, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production destination of the print label L is its own device, i.e., thelabel producing apparatus200, based on the information on the above-described production destination included in the production instruction signal inputted in the above-described step SB45. If the production destination is thelabel producing apparatus200, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied, and the flow proceeds to step SB50.
• Step SB50 and step SB100 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• On the other hand, in a case where the production destination of the print label L is not thelabel producing apparatus200 in the above-described step SB47, the decision is made that the condition of step SB47 is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step SB55.
• In step SB55, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the above-described production instruction signal to thelabel producing apparatus300 via thecommunication cable9c. This process then terminates here.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus300 in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 15.
• InFIG. 15, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of thelabel producing apparatus300, for example.
• First, in step SC10, thecontrol circuit40 outputs a control signal to thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus300, causing thecartridge sensor37 to detect the type of thecartridge10 mounted to the above-describedcartridge holder27 and store the detection result (in a case where thecartridge10 is not mounted, that information) in theRAM48, for example. Note that, similar to the above, the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 may be continually inputted and then stored in theRAM48 based on this timing.
• Then, in step SC15, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the second interrogation signal outputted from thelabel producing apparatus200 in step SB17 of the above-describedFIG. 14 was inputted via thecommunication cable9c. Until the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SC20.
• In step SC20, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including the information related to the type of thecover film11 of the label producing apparatus300) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SC10 matches the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-describedstep SC15. In a case where the two do not match, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SC25.
• In step SC25, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SC20 (in accordance with the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus300). The second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal does not match the type of thecover film11 related to the label producing apparatus300 (or information indicating the type of thecover film11 that does not match).
• Subsequently, in step SC30, the second tape related information (such as “No match. The current tape width is 18 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SC25 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cable9c. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SC20, the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SC15 matches the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the above-described step SC10, the decision is made that the condition of step SC20 is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SC35.
• In step SC35, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SC20. The second tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal matches the type of thecover film11 related to the label producing apparatus300 (or information indicating the type of thecover film11 that matches).
• Then, in step SC40, the second tape related information (such as “Match. The current tape width is 24 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SC35 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cable9c.
• Subsequently, in step SC45, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal outputted from thelabel producing apparatus200 in step SB55 of the above-describedFIG. 14 was inputted via thecommunication cable9cin accordance with the second tape related information outputted in the above-described step SC40. Until the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the print data included in the production instruction signal are stored in thetext memory48A and the flow proceeds to step SC50.
• In step SC50, the print data stored in thetext memory48A in the above-described step SC45 are read and subjected to predetermined conversion, for example, to generate the dot pattern data (=print-head driving data) corresponding to the contents to be printed on thecover film11. Then, the dot pattern data are stored in theprint buffer48B.
• Then, in step SC100, thecontrol circuit40 executes the label production process (for the detailed procedure, refer to the aforementionedFIG. 9) for producing the print label L on which desired printing has been performed. This process then terminates here.
• Note that a new second label producing apparatus may be further connected to thelabel producing apparatus300 via thecommunication cable9 as well. In such a case, thelabel producing apparatus300 generates new second tape related information in accordance with the second tape related information outputted from the new second label producing apparatus and inputted via thecommunication cable9, and the detection result of itsown cartridge sensor37. Then, the new second tape related information thus generated is outputted to the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200 via the above-describedcable9c.
• As described above, in the label producing system LS of this exemplary modification, the twolabel producing apparatuses200 and300 are connected in series via thecommunication cable9c. To connect the twolabel producing apparatuses200 and300 to each other, thefirst connector9H of thecommunication cable9cis connected to thesecond host socket205H of thelabel producing apparatus200, and thesecond connector9T of thecommunication cable9cis connected to thethird target socket305T of thelabel producing apparatus200. With this arrangement, thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as a host device, and thelabel producing apparatus300 functions as a target device. As a result, it is possible to reliably realize a system configuration wherein thelabel producing apparatus100 and the twolabel producing apparatuses200 and300 are connected in series via thecommunication cable9 in the order of theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100, thelabel producing apparatus200, and thelabel producing apparatus300.
• In a case such as described above, the second tape related information corresponding to the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus300 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus200 via thecommunication cable9c(refer to step SC30 and step SC40 ofFIG. 15). In thelabel producing apparatus200, the new second tape related information is generated based on the above-described second tape related information (corresponding to the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of the label producing apparatus300) thus inputted and the detection result of itsown cartridge sensor37, and outputted to the label producing apparatus100 (refer to step SB40′ and step SB30′ ofFIG. 14). Thus, the plurality oflabel producing apparatuses200 and300 connected in the order of thelabel producing apparatus200 and thelabel producing apparatus300 via thecommunication cable9care eventually connected to theoperation terminal400 via the label producing apparatus100 (the same holds true for a case where a plurality of second label producing apparatuses are newly connected in series via thecommunication cable9 to the label producing apparatus300).
• As a result, substantially the same advantages as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved according to this exemplary modification as well. That is, with use of the consecutive aggregation method oriented toward theoperation terminal400 as described above, theoperation terminal400 needs to only recognize thelabel producing apparatus100 and not the other individual label producing apparatuses (the twolabel producing apparatuses200 and300 in this example). Further, theoperation terminal400 only needs to acquire the information transmitted from thelabel producing apparatus100 and not directly acquire the information from the otherlabel producing apparatuses200 and300. Further, the operator does not need to be individually aware of, select, or operate the plurality oflabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300 using theoperation terminal400 or be aware of the number oflabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300, but may simply perform operations such as label production instruction operations using only the singlelabel producing apparatus100 that appears on thedisplay part401 of theoperation terminal400. Similar to the above, for example, even if thecartridge10 that includes thecover film11 that matches the form desired by the operator is mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200 or thelabel producing apparatus300, the operator simply performs operations on the onelabel producing apparatus100 displayed on thedisplay part401. The operations performed automatically produce the print label L of the form corresponding to the operator's intentions on thelabel producing apparatus200 or thelabel producing apparatus300 as described above.
• Thus, similar to the above-described embodiment, when the operator wants to suitably use the threelabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300 to produce labels of an intended form, the operator can produce the desired print labels L by simply connecting thelabel producing apparatuses100,200, and300 via simple connections of thecommunication cables9a,9b, and9c. This makes it possible to simply and easily configure the system without use of a network that employs LAN cables or wireless LAN, enabling support of environments that have an intricately constructed network as well.
• Further, similar to thelabel producing apparatus100 of the above-described embodiment, thelabel producing apparatus200 comprises thesecond host socket205H on thefront surface part209 of thehousing201s, making it possible to simply and clearly execute connection on the front surface so that thelabel producing apparatus200 functions as the host device and the other apparatus (thelabel producing apparatus300 in this example) functions as the target device.
• (1-2) When the Label Producing Apparatuses Perform Infrared Communication with Each Other
• While in the above information is transmitted and received between the first label producing apparatus and the second label producing apparatus via thecommunication cable9, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, information may be transmitted and received between the first label producing apparatus and the second label producing apparatus by infrared communication.
• The configuration of the label producing system of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 16.
• InFIG. 16A andFIG. 16B, a label producing system LS′ of this exemplary modification comprises onelabel producing apparatus100′ and at least one (in this example, one)label producing apparatus200′ capable of producing a print label L (refer toFIG. 5) on which desired print has been printed, theoperation terminal400 for operating the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100′, and thecommunication cable9a.
• The configurations of theoperation terminal400 and thecommunication cable9aare the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• Thelabel producing apparatus100′ comprises an apparatusmain body101′, and ahousing101s′ of an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell comprising anupper surface part108′, a lower surface part (not shown), afront surface part109′, arear surface part109′, and both left and rightside surface parts112 and113.
• On theupper surface part108′ is provided an opening/closing lid102′ provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner).
• On thefront surface part109′ (refer toFIG. 16A) is provided atape discharging exit104′. Thetape discharging exit104′ discharges a producedlabel tape23 with print (refer toFIG. 3).
• On therear surface part110′ (refer toFIG. 16B) is provided afourth target socket105T′ that detachably mounts thesecond connector9T of the above-describedcommunication cable9a.
• On the left side surface part112 (refer toFIG. 16B) is provided a firstinfrared communication part111H configured to perform information transmission and reception for the functioning of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200′ as a host device, with a secondinfrared communication part211T (described later) of thelabel producing apparatus200′ by infrared communication.
• Thelabel producing apparatus200′ comprises an apparatusmain body201′, and ahousing201s′ of an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell comprising anupper surface part208′, a lower surface part (not shown), afront surface part209′, arear surface part210′, and both left and rightside surface parts212 and213.
• On theupper surface part208′ is provided an opening/closing lid202′ provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner).
• On thefront surface part209′ (refer toFIG. 16A) is provided atape discharging exit204′ (similar to the above-describedtape discharging exit104′).
• On therear surface part210′ (refer toFIG. 16B) is provided afifth target socket205T′ (may be omitted) that detachably mounts thesecond connector9T of thecommunication cable9.
• On the right side surface part213 (refer toFIG. 16A) is provided a secondinfrared communication part211T configured to perform information transmission and reception for the functioning of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100′ (or anotherlabel producing apparatus200′) as the target device, with the above-describedinfrared communication part111H (or anotherlabel producing apparatus200′) by infrared communication.
• In this example, thecommunication cable9ais designed so that thesecond connector9T is mounted to thefourth target socket105T′ of the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100′, and thefirst connector9H is mounted to thethird host socket403H of theaforementioned operation terminal400. Thus, the functional relationship between thelabel producing apparatus100′ and theoperation terminal400 is one wherein thelabel producing apparatus100′ functions as the target device, and theoperation terminal400 functions as the host device.
• The other components of thelabel producing apparatus100′ are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Additionally, the other components of thelabel producing apparatus200′ are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• The functional configuration of thelabel producing apparatus100′ of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 17. Note that parts similar to parts inFIG. 4 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be suitably omitted.
• InFIG. 17, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 4 are as follows: the above-described firstinfrared communication part111H is connected to the aforementioned input/output interface41, and the aforementioned communication I/F43H is omitted. All other functional configurations are the same as those of the aforementionedFIG. 4, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• The functional configuration of thelabel producing apparatus200′ is the same as that in the above-describedFIG. 17 with the “firstinfrared communication part111H” connected to the input/output interface41 replaced with the “secondinfrared communication part211T” (note that the communication I/F43T may be omitted), and a description thereof will be omitted.
• In the following, the control procedure for executing each operation performed by theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100′, and thelabel producing apparatus200′ will be described with reference toFIG. 18,FIG. 19, andFIG. 20.
• The control contents executed by the control circuit of theoperation terminal400 of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 18. Note that the procedures identical to those inFIG. 7 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• InFIG. 18, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 7 are as follows: step SS15, step SS20, step SS30, and step SS40 are replaced with step SS15′, step SS20″, step SS30″, and step SS40′.
• That is, step SS5 and step S10 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 7 and, after the control circuit determines whether or not the print data and tape type have been inputted by the operator and acquires the print data and tape type once that information is inputted, the flow proceeds to step SS15′ provided in place of step SS15.
• In step SS15′, the control circuit generates the aforementioned first interrogation signal, and outputs the first interrogation signal thus generated to thelabel producing apparatus100′ via thecommunication cable9a.
• Then, in step SS20″ provided in place of step SS20, the control circuit determines whether or not third tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′ in step SA40″ or step SA50″ ofFIG. 19 described later was inputted via thecommunication cable9ain accordance with the first interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SS15′. Until the third tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the condition is not satisfied and the control circuit enters a wait loop. Then, once the third tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS30″ provided in place of step SS30.
• In step SS30″, the control circuit determines whether or not the type of thecover film11 contained in thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27 of thelabel producing apparatus100′ (hereinafter suitably omitted and referred to as “the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100′; for example, “tape width 36 mm”) or the type of thecover film11 contained in thecartridge10 mounted to thecartridge holder27 of thelabel producing apparatus200′ (hereinafter suitably omitted and referred to as the “type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200′; for example, “tape width 24 mm” or “cartridge not mounted”) matches the tape type acquired in the aforementioned step SS10, based on the third tape related information inputted in the above-describe step SS20″. In a case where neither of the two matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS35.
• Step SS35 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 7, and a predetermined error display is displayed. Subsequently, the flow returns to the above-described step SS15′, and the same procedure is repeated.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SS30″, either the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100′ or the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200′ matches the tape type acquired in the aforementioned step SS10, the decision is made that the condition of step SS30″ is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SS40′ provided in place of step SS40.
• In step SS40′, the control circuit outputs the aforementioned production instruction signal based on the print data acquired in the aforementioned step SS10 and the third tape related information inputted in the above-described step SS20″ to thelabel producing apparatus100′ via thecommunication cable9a. This process then terminates here.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus100′ in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 19. Note that the steps identical to those inFIG. 8 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be suitably omitted.
• InFIG. 19, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 8 are as follows: step SA15, step SA20, step SA25 to step SA50, step SA60, and step S70 are replaced with step SA15′, step SA20′, step SA25″ to step SA50″, step SA60′, and step SA70′.
• That is, step SA10 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 8 and, after the type ofcartridge10 is detected, the flow proceeds to step SA15′ provided in place of step SA15.
• In step SA15′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the above-described first interrogation signal outputted from theoperation terminal400 in step SS15′ of the above-describedFIG. 18 was inputted via thecommunication cable9a. Until the first interrogation signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the first interrogation signal is inputted from theoperation terminal400, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA20′ provided in place of step SA20.
• In step SA20′, thecontrol circuit40 generates the aforementioned second interrogation signal by infrared, and outputs the signal thus generated to thelabel producing apparatus200′ by infrared communication, via the above-described firstinfrared communication part111H.
• Subsequently, in step SS25″ provided in place of step SA25, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not fourth tape related information (details described later) outputted from thelabel producing apparatus200′ in step SB30″ or step SB40″ ofFIG. 20 described later was inputted by infrared communication via the above-described firstinfrared communication part111H in accordance with the second interrogation signal outputted in the above-described step SA20′. Until the fourth tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200′, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the fourth tape related information is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus200′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA30″ provided in place of step SA30.
• In step SB30″, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100′) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SA10, or the fourth tape related information (the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus200′, i.e., including information related to the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200′) matches the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15′. If neither of the types matches, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA35″ provided in place of step SA35.
• In step SA35″, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding third tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30″ (in accordance with the fourth tape related information and the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus100′). The third tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal does not match either of the types of thecover films11 of the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′ (or information indicating the types of the above-describedcover films11 that do not match).
• Then, in step SA40″ provided in place of step SA40, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the third tape related information generated in the above-described step SA35″ (such as “No match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100′ is 36 mm, and a cartridge is currently not mounted to thelabel producing apparatus200′.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where the tape type specified by the first interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SA15′ matches either the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SA10 or the fourth tape related information inputted in the above-described step SA25″, the decision is made that the condition of step SA30″ is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA45″ provided in place of step SA45.
• In step SA45″, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding third tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SA30″. The third tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described first interrogation signal matches one of the types of thecover films11 related to the above-describedlabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′ (or information indicating the type of the above-describedcover film11 that matches).
• Subsequently, in step SA50″ provided in place of step SA50, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the third tape related information generated in the above-described step SA45″ (such as “Match. The current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus100′ is 36 mm, and the current tape width of thelabel producing apparatus200′ is 24 mm.”) to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a.
• The subsequent step SA55 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 8 and, after thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal outputted from theoperation terminal400 has been inputted in accordance with the third tape related information outputted in the above-described step SA50″ and the production instruction signal is inputted, the flow proceeds to step SA60′ provided in place of step SA60.
• In step SA60′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production destination of the print label L is its own device, i.e., thelabel producing apparatus100′, based on the information of the above-described production destination included in the production instruction signal inputted in the above-described step SA55. If the production destination is thelabel producing apparatus100′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied, and the flow proceeds to step SA65.
• Step SA65 and step SA100 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 8, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• On the other hand, in a case where the production destination of the print label L is not its own device, i.e., is not thelabel producing apparatus100′, in the above-described step SA60′, the decision is made that the condition of step SA60′ is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SA70′ provided in place of step SA70.
• In step SA70′, thecontrol circuit40 outputs the above-described production instruction signal to thelabel producing apparatus200′ by infrared communication via the above-described firstinfrared communication part111H. This process then terminates here.
• The control contents executed by thecontrol circuit40 of thelabel producing apparatus200′ in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 20. Note that the steps identical to those inFIG. 10 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be suitably omitted.
• InFIG. 20, the differences from the aforementionedFIG. 10 are as follows: step SB15, step SB20 to step SB40, and step SB45 are replaced with step SB15′, step SB20″ to step SB40″, and step SB45′.
• That is, step SB10 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 10 and, after the type ofcartridge10 is detected, the flow proceeds to step SB15′ provided in place of step SB15.
• In step SB15′, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the second interrogation signal based on infrared outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′ in step SB20′ of the above-describedFIG. 19 has been inputted by infrared communication via the secondinfrared communication part211T. Until the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the second interrogation signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB20″ provided in place of step SB20.
• In step SB20″, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the detection result (including information related to the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200′) of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SB10 matches the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15′. If the two do not match, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB25″ provided in place of step SB25.
• In step SB25″, thecontrol circuit40 generates corresponding fourth tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20″ (in accordance with the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 of thelabel producing apparatus200′). The fourth tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal does not match the type of thecover film11 related to the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200′ (or information indicating the type of the above-describedcover film11 that does not match).
• Subsequently, in step SB30″ provided in place of step SB30, thecontrol circuit40 converts the fourth tape related information (such as “No match. Currently a cartridge is not mounted.”) generated in the above-described step SB25″ to a form corresponding to infrared communication and then outputs the converted information to thelabel producing apparatus100′ by infrared communication via the secondinfrared communication part211T. This process then terminates here.
• On the other hand, in a case where, in the above-described step SB20″, the tape type specified by the second interrogation signal inputted in the above-described step SB15′ matches the detection result of thecartridge sensor37 acquired in the aforementioned step SB10, the decision is made that the condition of step SB20″ is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step SB35″ provided in place of step SB35.
• In step SB35″, thecontrol circuit40 generates the corresponding fourth tape related information in accordance with the determination result of the above-described step SB20″. The fourth tape related information includes information indicating that the tape type specified by the above-described second interrogation signal matches the type of thecover film11 related to the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200′ (or information indicating the type of thecover film11 that matches).
• Then, in step SB40″ provided in place of step SB40, thecontrol circuit40 converts the fourth tape related information (such as “Match. The current tape width is 24 mm.”) generated in the above-described step SB35″ to a form corresponding to infrared communication, and outputs the information thus converted to thelabel producing apparatus100′ by infrared communication via the secondinfrared communication part211T.
• Subsequently, in step SB45′ provided in place of step SB45, thecontrol circuit40 determines whether or not the production instruction signal based on the infrared outputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′ in step SA70′ of the above-describedFIG. 19 has been inputted by infrared communication via the secondinfrared communication part211T in accordance with the fourth tape related information outputted in the above-described step SB40″. Until the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the condition is not satisfied and thecontrol circuit40 enters a wait loop. Then, once the production instruction signal is inputted from thelabel producing apparatus100′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the print data included in the production instruction signal are stored in thetext memory48A and the flow proceeds to step SB50.
• The subsequent step SB50 and step SB100 are the same as those in the aforementionedFIG. 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• Thus, as described above, in the label producing system LS′ of this exemplary modification, theoperation terminal400 and thelabel producing apparatus100′ are connected by thecommunication cable9a, and thelabel producing apparatus100′ and thelabel producing apparatus200′ are connected by infrared communication. In thelabel producing apparatus200′, the fourth tape related information is generated based on the detection result (including information on the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus200′) of itsown cartridge sensor37 as described above. Then, the fourth tape related information is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus100′ by infrared communication via the secondinfrared communication part211T (refer to step SB30″ and step SB40″ ofFIG. 20). In thelabel producing apparatus100′, the fourth tape related information outputted from the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200′ is outputted by infrared communication via the firstinfrared communication part111H. Then, the third tape related information is generated in accordance with the fourth tape related information and the detection result (including information on the type of thecover film11 related to thelabel producing apparatus100′) of itsown cartridge sensor37, and the third tape related information is outputted to theoperation terminal400 via thecommunication cable9a(refer to step SA40″ and step SA50″ ofFIG. 19).
• With the plurality of thelabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′ connected in the order of theoperation terminal400, thelabel producing apparatus100′, and thelabel producing apparatus200′ via thecommunication cable9aand infrared communication, theoperation terminal400 is capable of (eventually) aggregating the types of thecover films11 of thelabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′. With this arrangement, similar to the above-described embodiment and exemplary modification (1), when the operator wants to suitably use a plurality (two in the above-described example) of thelabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′ to produce intended labels, the operator can execute the desired label production by simply connecting only the required plurality oflabel producing apparatuses100′ and200′ that need to be connected via simple cable connection and infrared communication connection.
• This exemplary modification can also provide similar advantages to those of the above-described embodiment and exemplary modification (1). Further, with the communication between thelabel producing apparatuses100 and200 performed by infrared communication, the work of connecting the apparatuses using communication cables is no longer required. As a result, operator convenience is further improved.
• Further, at this time, thelabel producing apparatus100′ comprises the firstinfrared communication part111H on the leftside surface part112 of thehousing101s′, and thelabel producing apparatus200′ comprises the secondinfrared communication part211T on the rightside surface part213 of thehousing201s′. With this arrangement, as shown inFIG. 16, it is possible to align the front-back orientation of thelabel producing apparatus100′ and thelabel producing apparatus200′ that transmit and receive information between each other by infrared communication and arrange the apparatuses side by side (that is, align both label producing apparatuses so that they are facing forward).
• Note that, in this exemplary modification, the above-describedlabel producing apparatus200′ may perform infrared communication with another label producing apparatus via the secondinfrared communication part211T. In this case, thelabel producing apparatus200′ outputs the above-described fourth tape related information to the other fourth label producing apparatus via the secondinfrared communication part211T in step SB30″ and step SB40″ of the above-describedFIG. 20.
• The following describes the second embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the above-describedlabel producing apparatus100 has a function that determines whether or not the connection to the connected target device is suitable when thelabel producing apparatus100 is used as a printer with a USB host function.
• The system configuration of a print label producing system LS″ that includes thelabel producing apparatus100 according to this embodiment will now be described with reference toFIG. 21.
• InFIG. 1, the print label producing apparatus LS″ comprises thelabel producing apparatus100 connected to thefirst connector9H (described later) of the above-described communication cable9 (hereinafter referred to as USB cable9) comprising a USB cable, and a target device500 (a barcode reader in this example; hereinafter suitably referred to as “barcode reader500”) connectable to thesecond connector9T (described later) of the above-describedUSB cable9.
• Thelabel producing apparatus100 comprises thehousing101sof an overall rectangular shape as an outer shell of the apparatusmain body101, and the opening and closinglid102 provided in a manner that enables opening and closing (or in a detachable manner) to the upper surface part of thehousing101s.
• On thefront surface part109 are provided an LED (Light Emitting Diode)103, thetape discharging exit104, thefirst socket105H configured to detachably mount thefirst connector9H (described later) of the above-describedUSB cable9, and thecutter driving button38.
• TheLED103 is provided in the vicinity of the above-describedfirst socket105H of thehousing101s(on the upper part of thefirst socket105H in this example), and performs illumination notifications in predetermined forms [for example, on (green), flickering (green), flickering (red), etc.; details described later].
• Thetape discharging exit104 discharges thelabel tape23 with print (refer toFIG. 3 described above) produced within thehousing101sto outside thehousing101s.
• Thecutter driving button38 is for driving the cutter28 (refer toFIG. 3 described above) disposed in a predetermined position within thehousing101sbased on a manual operation of the operator.
• Thebarcode reader500 comprises a second socket505 configured to detachably mount thesecond connector9T (described later) of the above-describedUSB cable9, and optically performs information reading from a plurality of barcodes BC provided on aprint sampler600. On theprint sampler600 are displayed information such as characters and typeface, for example, and the corresponding barcodes BC. The information read by thebarcode reader500 is outputted to thelabel producing apparatus100 via the above-describedUSB cable9.
• TheUSB cable9 comprises thefirst connector9H (a USB connector that is a so-called series A plug) for connecting thelabel producing apparatus100 as a host, thesecond connector9T (a USB connector that is a so-called series B plug) for connecting an arbitrary target device (thebarcode reader500 in this example) as a target, and the cablemain body9M disposed between thefirst connector9H and thesecond connector9T, shown in an enlarged figure in theFIG. 21.
• Then, thefirst connector9H of theUSB cable9 is mounted (connected) to thefirst socket105H of thelabel producing apparatus100, and thesecond connector9T of the above-describedUSB cable9 is mounted to thesecond socket205T of thebarcode reader500, thereby connecting thelabel producing apparatus100 and thebarcode reader500 to each other in a manner that enables information transmission and reception.
• Note that the above-describedUSB cable9 may be integrated with the target device (thebarcode reader500 in this example). In such a case, thesecond socket205T is omitted from thebarcode reader500, thesecond connector9T is omitted from theUSB cable9, theUSB cable9 is integrated with thebarcode reader500, and thefirst connector9H provided at the end of theUSB cable9 is detachably installable to thefirst socket105H of thelabel producing apparatus100. Conversely, theUSB cable9 may be designed so that it is integrated with thelabel producing apparatus100. In such a case, thefirst socket105H is omitted from thelabel producing apparatus100, thefirst connector9H is omitted from theUSB cable9, theUSB cable9 is integrated with thelabel producing apparatus100, and thesecond connector9T provided at the end of theUSB cable9 is detachably installable to thesecond socket205T of thebarcode reader500. In either case, theUSB cable9 connects thelabel producing apparatus100 as a host and thebarcode reader500 as a target.
• As a feature of this embodiment, the target device connectable via theUSB cable9 to thelabel producing apparatus100 is not limited to thebarcode reader500, allowing connection to various target devices (a different type of barcode reader, mouse, keyboard, etc.). (Note, however, that this does not necessarily mean that all target devices connected will be bootable, as described later.)
• The configurations of thecartridge holder27, the surrounding area thereof, and thecartridge10 of this embodiment are the same as those in theaforementioned embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Further, the functional configuration of thelabel producing apparatus100 is also the same as that inFIG. 4 of theaforementioned embodiment 1, excluding the following point.
• In this embodiment, driver software corresponding to specific types of the target device500 (required for operating the specific types of the target device500) is stored in advance in theaforementioned EEPROM47. That is, specific types of thetarget device500 for which the corresponding driver software is stored within theEEPROM47 can be immediately operated (booted) by the host function of thelabel producing apparatus100.
• Further, a type information list470 (refer toFIG. 23, etc., described later) that lists the type information (described later) of the specific types of thetarget device500 for which the above-described driver software has been stored, i.e., the specific types of thetarget device500 that are bootable by thelabel producing apparatus100, is stored in advance in theEEPROM47.
• The input/output interface41 is connected to the print-head driving circuit32 for driving the above-describedprint head19, the feedingmotor driving circuit34, thesolenoid driving circuit36, the above-describedLED103, and the above-describedcutter driving button38.
• In the control system that has thecontrol circuit40 shown in the aforementionedFIG. 4 at its core, print data are stored in thetext memory48A when the print data are inputted from the specific types of the target device500 (thetarget device500 for which the driver software is already stored within the EEPROM47) to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9. Then, the stored print data are read once again and subjected to predetermined conversion by the converting function of thecontrol circuit40, thereby generating dot pattern data. These data are then stored in theprint buffer48B. Theprint head19 is driven via the print-head driving circuit32 and the above-described heat-emitting elements are selectively driven to emit heat in accordance with the print dots of one line, thereby printing the dot pattern data stored in theprint buffer48B. At the same time, the feedingmotor33 controls the feeding of the above-describedcover film11, etc., via the feedingmotor driving circuit34, eventually producing the print label L.
• The type information of thetarget device500 will now be described with reference toFIG. 22.
• FIG. 22 shows the above-described specific types of thetarget device500 that is connected via theUSB cable9 to an operation terminal (not shown; a general-purpose personal computer that is generally commercially available, for example) wherein driver software corresponding to thetarget device500 is already stored in this example, and an example of aproperties screen150 related to the above-describedtarget device500 displayed on a display part (not shown) of the operation terminal.
• The properties screen150 is provided with aname display area151 for thetarget device500, a vendor ID (VID)display area152 for thetarget device500, a property ID (PID)display area153 for thetarget device500, and the like.
• The name of the target device500 (“OxΔ barcode reader” in this example) is displayed in the above-describedname display area151.
• The vendor ID related to the target device500 (“1111” in this example) is displayed in the above-describedVID display area152. The vendor ID is identification information corresponding to a corporation or company.
• The property ID related to the target device500 (“2111” in this example) is displayed in the above-describedPID display area153. The property ID is identification information assigned so that a corporation or company having the above-described vendor ID does not have duplicate IDs for each of its products or models.
• That is, the combination of the above-described vendor ID and property ID is unique for eachtarget device500. Once the vendor ID and property ID are known, it is possible to identify the target device500 [the manufacturing company (corporation) and product (model) of thetarget device500, etc.].
• In this embodiment, the above-described vendor ID and product ID, which are identification information related to thetarget device500, are used as the above-described type information of thetarget device500. In the example shown inFIG. 22, the vendor ID and product ID of the target device500 (OxΔ barcode reader) are “1111” and “2111”.
• An example of thetype information list470 stored in theEEPROM47 will now be described with reference toFIG. 23.
• InFIG. 23, thetype information list470 includes specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs of the specific types of thetarget device500, and a suitable identifier indicating that thetarget device500 is a genuine product for which operation is guaranteed with the label producing apparatus100 (a star in the example shown).
• Of the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs recorded in thetype information list470, the above-described genuine product mark is associated with each specific vendor ID and specific property ID corresponding to an above-described genuine product (hereinafter suitably referred to as “first vendor ID and first product ID”). In the example shown inFIG. 23, the vendor ID and product ID combinations that fall under the category of the above-described first vendor ID and first property ID include “1111” “2111”, “3333” “4111”, and “4444” “5111”.
• On the other hand, of the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs recorded in thetype information list470, the above-described genuine product mark is not associated with each specific vendor ID and specific property ID (hereinafter suitably referred to as “second vendor ID and second property ID”) corresponding to a non-genuine product that is actually bootable from thelabel producing apparatus100 but not operation guaranteed in terms of the manufacturer. In the example shown inFIG. 23, the vendor ID and product ID combinations that fall under the category of the above-described second vendor ID and second property ID include “2222” “3111”, “5555” “6111”, and “6666” “7111”.
• Thus, the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs of the specific types of the target device500 (a target device that is bootable with the label producing apparatus) recorded in thetype information list470 are distinguishably stored (by associating first vendor IDs and first product IDs with the above-described genuine product mark) as first vendor IDs and first product IDs corresponding to genuine products and second vendor IDs and second product IDs corresponding to non-genuine products. Then, the driver software corresponding to these specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs is stored in the above-describedEEPROM47. Note that thetarget device500 having a vendor ID and product ID not recorded in thetype information list470 is a non-compliant product for which the driver software is not stored in theEEPROM47. Thus, thetarget device500 corresponding to a non-compliant product is not bootable from thelabel producing apparatus100 since the driver software is not stored.
• With such a basic configuration, the greatest features of this embodiment are as follows: when thelabel producing apparatus100 and thearbitrary target device500 are connected via theUSB cable9, the system (1) determines whether or not the connectability of thetarget device500 to thelabel producing apparatus100 is suitable, and (2) controls theLED103 so that illumination notifications of predetermined forms are performed in accordance with the determination result.
• An example of such illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by theLED103 will now be described with reference toFIG. 24.
• InFIG. 24, when there is notarget device500 connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, theLED103 is in an off state and does not perform any illumination notification [state (1) in the figure].
• When thetarget device500 that is an above-described genuine product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, theLED103 changes to “on (green)” in this example as notification that a genuine product is connected [state (2) in the figure]. Subsequently, this “on (green)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• When thetarget device500 that is a non-genuine product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 in the above-described state (1) via theUSB cable9, theLED103 changes to a different illumination form using the same color (green) as the above-described state (2), i.e., “flickering (green),” as notification that a non-genuine product is connected [state (3) in the figure]. Subsequently, this “flickering (green)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• When thetarget device500 that is an above-described non-compliant product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 in the above-described state (1) via theUSB cable9, theLED103 changes to a different color than the illuminated or flickered color (green) of the above-described states (2) and (3), i.e., “flickering (red)” in this example, as notification that a non-compliant product is connected [state (4) in the figure]. Subsequently, the “flickering (red)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• Then, when the connection between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thetarget device500 via theUSB cable9 ends in the above-described states (2), (3), and (4), theLED103 ends the above-described notification and changes to an off state [state (5) in the figure]. That is, the state of theLED103 returns to state (1) in the figure.
• The notification processing function of theCPU44 of thelabel producing apparatus100 that realizes such forms of notification will now be described with reference toFIG. 25.
• InFIG. 25, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of thelabel producing apparatus100, for example.
• First, in step S10, theCPU44 determines whether or not thearbitrary target device500 has been connected via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H. Specifically, theCPU44 determines whether or not thefirst connector9H of theUSB cable9, whereby thesecond connector9T is mounted to thesecond socket205T of thearbitrary target device500, is mounted to the above-describedfirst socket105H. Until thearbitrary target device500 is connected, the condition is not satisfied and theCPU44 enters a wait loop. Then, once thearbitrary target device500 is connected, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S20.
• In step S20, theCPU44 acquires the vendor ID and product ID (refer toFIG. 22) of thetarget device500 from thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10, via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H. Specifically, theCPU44 outputs a standard request based on USB standards to thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 via the communication I/F43H and theUSB cable9. Then, theCPU44 waits until a device descriptor based on USB standards is inputted via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H from thetarget device500 that responded to the above-described standard request. Then, once the above-described device descriptor is inputted, theCPU44 acquires the vendor ID and product ID of the above-describedtarget device500 based on the device descriptor.
• Subsequently, in step S30, theCPU44 respectively compares the vendor ID and product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 with the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs recorded in the above-described type information list470 (refer toFIG. 23).
• Then, in step S40, theCPU44 determines whether or not both the vendor ID and product ID match in the comparison of the above-described step S30, i.e., determines whether or not the connectability of thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 is suitable for thelabel producing apparatus100. If both the vendor ID and product ID match (if the above-described connectability is suitable), that is, if the vendor ID and product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 match those that exist in the above-describedtype information list470, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S50.
• In step S50, theCPU44 determines whether or not the vendor ID and product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 are a first vendor ID and a first product ID corresponding to an above-described genuine product (associated with the above-described genuine product mark). If the vendor ID and product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 are a first vendor ID and a first product ID, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied, theconnected target device500 is regarded as a genuine product, and the flow proceeds to step S60.
• In step S60, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to “on (green)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100 described later is executed. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S90 described later. In this manner, when thetarget device500 that is a genuine product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100, thetarget device500 is bootable by the corresponding driver software stored in advance in theEEPROM47 as described above.
• On the other hand, if the vendor ID and product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 are a second vendor ID and a second product ID corresponding to the above-described non-genuine product, the decision is made that the condition of step S50 is not satisfied, theconnected target device500 is regarded as a non-genuine product, and the flow proceeds to step S70.
• In step S70, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to “flickering (green)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100 described later is executed. Then, the flow proceeds to step S90 described later. In this manner, even when thetarget device500 that is a non-genuine product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100, thetarget device500 is bootable by the corresponding driver software stored in advance in theEEPROM47 as described above. Note that, in this case, unlike the above-described case where the genuine product is connected, operation is not guaranteed.
• On the other hand, when the vendor ID and/or the product ID does not match in the comparison of the above-described step S30 (when the above-described connectability is unsuitable), i.e., when the vendor ID and/or the product ID acquired in the above-described step S20 does not exist in the above-describedtype information list470, the decision is made that the condition of step S40 is not satisfied, theconnected target device500 is regarded as a non-compliant product, and the flow proceeds to step S80.
• In step S80, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to “flickering (red)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100 described later is executed. In this manner, when thetarget device500 that is a non-compliant product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100, thetarget device500 is not bootable since the corresponding driver software is not stored in theEEPROM47 as described above.
• Then, in step S90, theCPU44 determines whether or not thetarget device500 connected via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H in the above-described step S10 is still connected. If the above-describedtarget device500 is still connected, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied and theCPU44 enters a wait loop. Then, when the connection with the above-describedtarget device500 ends, that is, when thefirst connector9H of theUSB cable9 is disconnected from the first socket105 of thelabel producing apparatus100, or when thesecond connector9T of theUSB cable9 is disconnected from thesecond socket205T of thetarget device500, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S100.
• In step S100, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, and ends the notification of the above-described step S60, step S70, or step S80 (turns off the illuminated or flickering light). This process then terminates here. Note that this flow is continuously repeated during the period in which the power of thelabel producing apparatus100 is ON or until a predetermined exit operation is executed, for example.
• As described above, in this embodiment, thelabel producing apparatus100 is connected to thefirst socket9H of theUSB cable9H, andvarious target devices500 are connectable to thesecond socket9T of theUSB cable9. Then, when thearbitrary target device500 is connected to theUSB cable9, the connectability of theconnected target device500 is determined (refer to step S30 to step S50). In a case where the decision is made that the above-described connectability is suitable, a notification corresponding to the suitable state is performed by the LED103 [“on (green) or flickering (green) in the above-described example; refer to step S60 and step S70]. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that thetarget device500 is suitable for connection with thelabel producing apparatus100. Conversely, in a case where the decision is made that the above-described connectability is unsuitable, a notification corresponding to the unsuitable state is performed by the LED103 [“flickering (red)” in the above-described example; refer to step80]. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that thetarget device500 is unsuitable for connection with thelabel producing apparatus100.
• As described above, by simply connecting thetarget device500 to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, the operator can visually recognize at a glance whether thetarget device500 is suitable or unsuitable for connection (specifically, whether or not thetarget device500 is bootable) without performing any further special operations. As a result, operator convenience is improved.
• Further, particularly in this embodiment, the driver software corresponding to the specific types of the target device500 (corresponding to the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs in the above-described example) and the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs associated with the specific types of thetarget device500 are stored in advance in the EEPROM47 (refer toFIG. 23). Then, when thearbitrary target device500 is connected via the USB cable, the vendor ID and the product ID of theconnected target device500 are acquired (refer to step S20). Then, the above-described acquired vendor ID and product ID and the specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs (corresponding to the types of stored driver software) stored in advance in thetype information list470 of theEEPROM47 are compared.
• When the above-described comparison indicates a match (when both the vendor ID and the product ID match), theLED103 executes notification that corresponds to that match [“on (green)” or “flickering (green)” in the above-described example]. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that the driver software corresponding to theconnected target device500 had been stored in advance in thelabel producing apparatus100, and that theconnected target device500 can be immediately booted. Conversely, when the above-described comparison indicates a mismatch (when the vendor ID and/or the product ID does not match in the above-described example), theLED103 executes notification corresponding to the mismatch [“flickering (red)” in the above-described example]. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that the driver software corresponding to theconnected target device500 is not provided in thelabel producing apparatus100, and that theconnected target device500 is not bootable as is. Note that detailed booting and non-booting settings may be set for each model of thetarget device500 in thelabel producing apparatus100 by using the vendor ID and product ID to identify whether thetarget device500 is bootable or not bootable, as described above.
• Further, particularly in this embodiment, when the above-described comparison indicates that both the vendor ID and product ID match (when the decision is made that the condition of step S40 is satisfied), theCPU44 determines whether the acquired vendor ID and product ID are a first vendor ID and a first product ID corresponding to an above-described genuine product, or a second vendor ID and a second product ID corresponding to an above-described non-genuine product (refer to step S50). Then, theCPU44 controls theLED103 so that notifications are executed in different forms (on or flickering in the above-described example) according to whether the above-described acquired vendor ID and product ID are a first vendor ID and a first product ID or a second vendor ID and a second product ID (in accordance with the determination of step S50). With this arrangement, theCPU44 distinguishes and enables the operator to visually recognize whether thebootable target device500 for which driver software is provided is a genuine product that is operation guaranteed or a non-genuine product that is not operation guaranteed. As a result, operator convenience is further improved.
• Further, theCPU44 controls theLED103 so that a common color (green in the above-described example) is used with different forms of illumination (on and flickering in the above-described example) to notify the operator when the above-described acquired vendor ID and product ID are a first vendor ID and a first product ID (when the condition of step S50 is satisfied) or a second vendor ID and a second product ID (when the condition of step S50 is not satisfied). With this arrangement, the common color (green in the above-described example) makes it possible for the operator to first quickly recognize that theconnected target device500 is bootable. Subsequently, the operator can secondarily recognize whether theconnected target device500 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product by discerning the illumination form of that color. As a result, operator convenience is reliably improved.
• Further, particularly in this embodiment, theCPU44 controls theLED103 so that a color (red in the above-described example) different from the above-described common color (green in the above-described example) is used for notifying the operator that a non-compliant product for which driver software is not stored in the EEPROM47 (the vendor ID and product ID are not recorded in the type information list470) is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100. With this arrangement, the different color (red in the above-described example) makes it possible for the operator to immediately recognize that theconnected target device500 is not bootable as is. As a result, operator convenience is reliably improved.
• Further, particularly in this embodiment, the above-describedfirst socket105H and theLED103 are provided on thefront surface part109 of thehousing101s, and the above-describedLED103 is provided in the vicinity (upper part in the above-described example) of the above-describedfirst socket105H of thehousing101s(refer toFIG. 21). With this arrangement, after the operator connects thesecond connector9T of theUSB cable9 to thesecond connector205T of thetarget device500, the operator can easily mount thefirst connector9H of theUSB cable9 to the front surface side of thelabel producing apparatus100. Then, when thefirst connector9H of theUSB cable9 is thus mounted to thefirst socket105H, the operator can easily recognize whether the connectability of thetarget device500 is suitable or unsuitable (specifically whether or not thetarget device500 is bootable) by viewing theLED103 near (in this example, on the upper part of) the mounted location on the front surface side thereof. As a result, operator convenience is further improved.
• Note that various modifications may be made according to the present embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, in addition to the above embodiment. Description will be made below regarding such modifications.
(2-1) When Class Information, Sub-Class Information, and Protocol Information are Used as Type Information
• While a vendor ID and product ID, which are identification information, were used as the type information in the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of the class, sub-class, and protocol grouped for each function of thetarget device500 based on USB standards may be used as the type information.
• The classes of thetarget device500 will now be described with reference toFIG. 26.
• As shown inFIG. 26, a class code (“1” to “9”), corresponding class name (“Audio”, “Communication,” and the like; refer to the table), and corresponding class information (“0x01” to “0x09”) are established for each function of thetarget device500 based on USB standards. For example, the class code “3”, the class name “Human Interface Device (HID)”, and the class information “0x03” are established for each of thetarget devices500 that is operated by a human, such as the barcode reader500 (refer toFIG. 21), keyboard, mouse, or the like.
• Note that, while not shown, for sub-classes as well, a sub-class code, corresponding sub-class name, and corresponding sub-class information are established for each function of thetarget device500 that is more detailed than the function related to the above-described class, based on USB standards. Further, for the protocol as well, a protocol code, corresponding protocol name, and corresponding protocol information are established for each function that is more detailed than that related to the above-described class and sub-class, based on USB standards. An example of such class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of thetarget device500 will now be described with reference toFIG. 27.
• FIG. 27 shows the respective class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of a keyboard and mouse as examples of thetarget device500 in this example. That is, for the keyboard, the class information is “0x03” (class name: “HID”), the sub-class information is “0x01”, and the protocol information is “0x01”. Further, for the mouse, the class information is “0x03” (class name: “HID”), the sub-class information is “0x01”, and the protocol information is “0x02”. This class information, sub-class information, and protocol information are the same for each of thetarget devices500 having identical functions based on USB standards, even if the manufacturers and models differ (for example, even for a mouse that is a new model manufactured by Company A and a mouse that is an existing model manufactured by Company B).
• In this exemplary modification, as shown inFIG. 28, atype information list470′ that includes specific class information (“0x03” in the example in the table), specific sub-class information (“0x01” in the example in the table), and specific protocol information (“0x01” in the example in the table) is stored in advance as the type information of the specific types of thetarget device500 in the EEPROM47 (refer toFIG. 4).
• Further, the driver software corresponding to the above-described specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information, i.e., required for operating the specific types of thetarget device500, are stored in theEEPROM47.
• That is, thetarget device500 that has class information, sub-class information, and protocol information that all match the specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information recorded in thetype information list470′ is a compliant product for which driver software is stored in theEEPROM47. Each of the specific types of thetarget device500 that is a compliant product is immediately bootable by the host function of thelabel producing apparatus100 using the corresponding driver software stored in the above-describedEEPROM47.
• On the other hand, thetarget device500 that has class information, sub-class information, and/or protocol information that does not match the specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information recorded in thetype information list470′ is a non-compatible product for which driver software is not stored in theEEPROM47. Thus, thetarget device500 of a type that is a non-compliant product is not bootable by thelabel producing apparatus100 since the corresponding driver software is not stored.
• In this exemplary modification, a standard request based on USB standards is outputted to thetarget device500 when thetarget device500 is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9. Then, when the interface descriptor based on USB standards is inputted from thetarget device500 in response to the above-described standard request, the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of thetarget device500 are acquired based on this interface descriptor. A comparison is then performed to see if the acquired class information, sub-class information, and protocol information correspond to the above-described specific class information, the above-described specific sub-class information, and the above-described specific protocol information included in thetype information list470′ of the above-describedEEPROM47. Then, an illumination notification by theLED103 is performed in a form corresponding to the comparison result.
• An example of the illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by theLED103 in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 29. In this example, an illustrative scenario based on thetype information list470′ shown in the aforementionedFIG. 28, i.e., only the specific class information “0x03”, specific sub-class information “0x01”, and specific protocol information “0x01”, is described.
• InFIG. 29, when there is notarget device500 connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, theLED103 is in an off state and does not perform any illumination notification [state (1) in the figure].
• At this time, a specific type of thetarget device500 that is an above-described compliant product corresponding to the above-described specific class information “0x03”, specific sub-class information “0x01” and specific protocol information “0x01” is sometimes connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9. In such a case, theLED103 changes to “on (green)” as described above as notification that a compliant product is connected [state (2)′ inFIG. 29]. Subsequently, this “on (green)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• In the above described state (1), thetarget device500 of a type that is an above-described non-compliant product not corresponding to the above-described specific class information “0x03”, specific sub-class information “0x01”, and specific protocol information “0x01” is sometimes connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9. In such a case, theLED103 changes to a color that differs from the color (green) illuminated in the above-described state (2)′ as notification that a non-compliant product is connected. In this example, theLED103 therefore changes to “flickering (red) (fast),” repeatedly flickering the color red based on a 1.2-second cycle (red 0.6seconds→off 0.6 seconds) [state (4)′ inFIG. 29]. Subsequently, this “flickering (red) (fast)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• Further, in the above-described state (1), thetarget device500 of a type that is an above-described non-compliant product particularly of the “Hub” class, i.e., thetarget device500 that has “0x09” (class name “Hub”; refer toFIG. 26) as its class information, is sometimes connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9. In such a case, theLED103 changes to a color that differs from the color (green) illuminated in the above-described state (2)′ and to a form that differs from “flickering (red) (fast)” of the above-described state (4)′. In this example, therefore, theLED103 changes to “flickering (red) (slow),” repeatedly flickering the color red based on a two-second cycle (red 1 second→off 1 second) [state (4)″ inFIG. 29]. Subsequently, this “flickering (red) (slow)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• Then, when the connection between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thetarget device500 via theUSB cable9 ends in the above-described states (2)′, (3)′, and (4)′, theLED103 ends the above-described notification and changes to an off state [state (5) in the figure]. That is, the state of theLED103 returns to state (1) in the figure.
• The notification processing function of theCPU44 of thelabel producing apparatus100 which realizes such forms of notification in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 30. Note that sequences similar to those inFIG. 25 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• InFIG. 30, unlike the aforementionedFIG. 25, step S20′, step S30′, and step S100′ are provided in place of step S20, step S30, and step S100. Further, inFIG. 30, step S40, step S50, step S70, and step S80 of the aforementionedFIG. 25 are omitted, and step S42, step S44, step S46, step S48, step S82, and step S84 are newly provided.
• That is, step S10 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 determines whether or not thearbitrary target device500 is connected and the decision is made that the condition is satisfied once thearbitrary target device500 is connected, the flow proceeds to step S20′ provided in place of step S20.
• In step S20′, theCPU44 acquires the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information (refer toFIG. 27) of thetarget device500 from thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10, via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H. Specifically, theCPU44 outputs a standard request based on USB standards to thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 via the communication I/F43H and theUSB cable9. Then, theCPU44 waits until an interface descriptor based on USB standards is inputted via theUSB cable9 and the communication I/F43H from thetarget device500 that responded to the above-described standard request. Then, once the above-described interface descriptor is inputted, theCPU44 acquires the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of the above-describedtarget device500 based on the interface descriptor.
• Subsequently, in step S30′ provided in place of step S30, theCPU44 respectively compares the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information acquired in the above-described step S20′ with the specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information recorded in above-describedtype information list470′ (refer toFIG. 28).
• Then, in the newly provided step S42, theCPU44 determines whether or not the class information matches in the comparison of the above-described step S30′. If the class information matches, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S44.
• In step S44, theCPU44 determines whether or not the sub-class information matches in the comparison of the above-described step S30′. If the sub-class information matches, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S46.
• In step S46, theCPU44 determines whether or not the protocol information matches in the comparison of the above-described step S30′. If the protocol information matches, that is, if the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information all match in the comparison of the above-described step S30′, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (that the aforementioned connectability is suitable), and the flow proceeds to step S60.
• Step S60 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103, causing theLED103 to change to the above-described “on (green)” as the corresponding notification, the flow proceeds to step S90.
• On the other hand, if the class information does not match in the comparison of the above-described step S30′, the decision is made that the condition of step S42 is not satisfied (the aforementioned connectability is unsuitable), and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S48.
• In step S48, theCPU44 determines whether or not the class information acquired in the above-described step S20′ is “0x09” (refer toFIG. 26), in other words, whether or not the above-describedconnected target device500 is atarget device500 of the “Hub” class. If the class information acquired in the above-described step S20′ is “0x09” (if theconnected target device500 is atarget device500 of the “Hub” class), the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S82.
• In step S82, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to the above-described “flickering (red) (slow)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100′ described later is executed. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S90. In this manner, when thetarget device500 of the “Hub” class is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100, thetarget device500 is an above-described non-compliant product and therefore is not bootable since the corresponding driver software is not stored in theEEPROM47, as described above.
• On the other hand, if the sub-class information does not match in the comparison of the above-described step S30′ and the decision is made that the condition of step S44 is not satisfied (if the decision is made that the aforementioned connectability is unsuitable), and if the protocol information does not match in the comparison of the above-described step S30′ and the decision is made that the condition of step S46 is not satisfied (if the decision is made that the aforementioned connectability is unsuitable), and if the class information acquired in the above-described step S20′ is not “0x03” and the decision is made that the condition of step S48 is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S84.
• In step S84, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to the above-described “flickering (red) (fast)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100 described later is executed. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S90. In this manner, when thetarget device500 of a type that is a non-compliant product is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100, thetarget device500 is not bootable since the corresponding driver software is not stored in theEEPROM47, as described above.
• Step S90 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 determines whether or not thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 is still connected and the decision is made that the condition is satisfied when the connection with the above-describedtarget device500 ends, the flow proceeds to step5100′ provided in place of step S100.
• In step S100′, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, ending the notification of the above-described step S60, step S82, or step S84 (turning off the illuminated or flickering light). This process then terminates here.
• As described above, in this exemplary modification, when thetarget device500 is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, class information, sub-class information, and protocol information are acquired from thetarget device500. Then, the acquired class information, sub-class information, and protocol information are respectively compared with the specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information recorded in advance in thetype information list470′ (refer toFIG. 28) of theEEPROM47. Then, in a case where all of the class information, sub-class information, and protocol information match in the comparison, theLED103 executes the corresponding notification [“on (green)” in the above-described example]. Further, in a case where at least one of the class information, sub-class information, or protocol information does not match in the comparison, theLED103 executes the corresponding notification [“flickering (red) (fast)” or “flickering (red) (slow)” in the above-described example].
• In this manner, in this exemplary modification, general-purpose class information, sub-class information, and protocol information grouped and standardized by the function of thetarget device500 are used to identify whether thetarget device500 is bootable or not bootable. With this arrangement, it is possible to distinguish thetarget devices500 that are bootable from those that are not bootable for each of the above-described functions (for example: a barcode reader is bootable, but all others are not bootable), and distinguish thetarget devices500 that are bootable from those that are not bootable for each model, thereby eliminating the need to store such information in advance in thelabel producing apparatus100. As a result, operator convenience is further improved.
• (2-2) When Corresponding Notifications are Performed in Accordance with Overcurrent Detection/Non-Detection
• While in the above theCPU44 determined whether or not the connectability to thelabel producing apparatus100 was suitable in accordance with the type information of thetarget device500 and executed notification accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, theCPU44 may determine whether the above-described connectability is suitable or unsuitable and execute notification in accordance with a detection result of overcurrent flowing to theUSB cable9 when thetarget device500 is connected.
• The detailed configuration of the communication I/F43H (refer toFIG. 4) of thelabel producing apparatus100 of this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 31.
• InFIG. 31, the communication I/F43H of this exemplary modification comprises anovercurrent detecting part51, apower source52, a field effect transistor (FET)switch53, aswitch control part54, a ground (GND)55, and a host controller57 comprising anOC terminal64, aD+ terminal65, and a D−terminal66.
• Thefirst socket105H comprises a V_BUSterminal60, aD+ terminal61, a D−terminal62, and a GND terminal63.
• Thepower source52 supplies power current (so-called USB bus power) to thetarget device500 via theFET switch53, thefirst socket105H (specifically, the V_BUSterminal60 of thefirst socket105H), and the USB cable9 [specifically, a V_BUSline (not shown) of the USB cable9] when the above-described FET switch53 changes to an ON state (described later). Note that, in USB standards, the supplied voltage is defined as 5±5% [V] and the current consumption is defined as up to 500 [mA].
• TheFET switch53 switches the supply of the above-described power current ON (conduction) and OFF (shutoff). With theFET switch53 in an ON state, power current flows to thetarget device500. With theFET switch53 in an OFF state, the power current that flows to thetarget device500 is shut off.
• Theswitch control part54 controls the ON/OFF switching of the above-describedFET switch53.
• When thearbitrary target device500 is connected via theUSB cable9, theovercurrent detecting part51 detects whether or not the power current that flows to the USB cable9 (specifically the above-described V_BUSline) exceeds a predetermined permissible value (500 [mA] for example). That is, thepower detecting part51 detects whether or not overcurrent deviant from the normal range is flowing to the above-described V_BUSline.
• TheUSB host controller56 controls the communication I/F43H in general. Further, theUSB host controller56 controls the input and output of information between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thetarget device500 via the input/output interface41, thedata bus42, the D+terminal65, the D− terminal66, theD+ terminal61 and D−terminal62 of thefirst socket105H, and the D+ line (not shown) and D− line (not shown) of theUSB cable9.
• With such a structure of the above-described communication I/F43H, when thearbitrary target device500 is connected via theUSB cable9, thepower source52 supplies power current to thetarget device500 via theFET switch53, the above-described V_BUSterminal60, and the above-described V_BUSline. At this time, when power current (overcurrent) exceeding the above-described permissible value flows to the above-described V_BUSline, theovercurrent detecting part51 detects the above-described overcurrent. Then, a predetermined overcurrent detection signal is outputted from theovercurrent detecting part51 to theswitch control part54.
• When the overcurrent detection signal is thus inputted to theswitch control part54, theFET switch53 is turned OFF by theswitch control part54 once a predetermined amount of time (20 [ms] for example; the so-called overcurrent blanking time) has elapsed since the above-describedtarget device500 was connected [or since the power source (not shown) of thelabel producing apparatus100 was turned ON]. When theFET switch53 is thus turned OFF, the power current that flowed to thetarget device500 from thepower source52 via theFET switch53, the above-described V_BUSterminal60, and the above-described V_BUSline is shut off. Note that, during the period in which the above-described overcurrent blanking time is not satisfied, the above-described overcurrent detection signal outputted to theswitch control part54 is masked and the above-described power current shutoff is not performed.
• Further, when the overcurrent detection signal is thus inputted to theswitch control part54 and theFET switch53 changes to a shutoff state, a predetermined overcurrent notification output for notification of the detected overcurrent state is outputted from theswitch control part54 to theUSB host controller56 via the above-describedOC terminal64. Then, when this overcurrent notification output is inputted to theUSB host controller56, the above-described overcurrent notification output is outputted to theCPU44 via thedata bus42 and the input/output interface41, and the corresponding notification is executed by theLED103.
• Note that the system may be recovered from the above-described power current shutoff state by, for example, removing the above-describedconnected target device500, turning OFF the power source of thelabel producing apparatus100, and then turning back ON the power source of the label producing apparatus100 (i.e., rebooting) [and notification may be made accordingly by the display part, etc., (not shown), for example].
• An example of the illumination notifications of predetermined forms performed by theLED103 in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 32.
• InFIG. 32, when there is notarget device500 connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, theLED103 is in an off state and does not perform any illumination notification [state (1) in the figure].
• At this time, when thearbitrary target device500 is connected to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9, theovercurrent detecting part51 detects whether or not overcurrent is flowing to the V_BUSline of theUSB cable9, as described above.
• If the above-described overcurrent is not detected, the decision is made that the above-described connectability is suitable. That is, in this example, theLED103, changes to “on (green)” [state (2)″ inFIG. 32], which is similar to state (2) in the aforementionedFIG. 24 and state (2)! in the aforementionedFIG. 29, as notification that the connectability is suitable. Subsequently, this “on (green)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• Then, when the connection between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thetarget device500 via theUSB cable9 ends in the above-described state (2)″, theLED103 ends the above-described notification and changes to an off state [state (5) in the figure]. That is, the state of theLED103 returns to state (1) in the figure.
• On the other hand, if the above-described overcurrent is detected, the decision is made that the above-described connectability is unsuitable and theLED103 changes to a color different from that in the above-described state (2)″ as notification that the connectability is unsuitable. In this example, therefore, theLED103 changes to “flickering (red)”, repeatedly flickering red based on a 0.6-second cycle (red 0.3 seconds→off 0.3 seconds) [state (4)′″ inFIG. 32]. Subsequently, the “flickering (red)” notification continues until state (5) described later.
• Then, when the connection between thelabel producing apparatus100 and thetarget device500 via theUSB cable9 ends in the above-described state (4)′″, theLED103 ends the above-described notification and changes to an off state [state (5) in the figure]. In this case, when the power source is turned ON once again, the state returns to state (1) in the figure.
• The notification processing function of theCPU44 of thelabel producing apparatus100 which realizes such forms of notification in this exemplary modification will now be described with reference toFIG. 33. Note that sequences similar to those inFIG. 25 are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
• InFIG. 33, similar to the aforementionedFIG. 25, the flow is started (“START” position) when the operator turns ON the power of thelabel producing apparatus100.
• Step S10 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 determines whether or not thearbitrary target device500 is connected and the decision is made that the condition is satisfied once thearbitrary target device500 is connected, the flow proceeds to step S15.
• In step S15, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theovercurrent detecting part51 via the input/output interface41 and theUSB host controller56, causing theovercurrent detecting part51 to determine whether or not overcurrent is flowing to the above-describedUSB cable9. Specifically, theovercurrent detecting part51 detects whether or not the power current that flows to the V_BUSline of theUSB cable9 exceeds the above-described permissible value (500 [mA] for example).
• Then, in step S17, theCPU44 determines whether or not the aforementioned overcurrent blanking time has elapsed. If the overcurrent blanking time has not elapsed, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied, the flow returns to the above-described step S15, and the same procedure is repeated. If the overcurrent blanking time has elapsed, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S25.
• In step S25, theCPU44 determines whether or not theovercurrent detecting part51 detected an overcurrent state in the above-described step S15. This decision may be simply made by determining whether or not the above-described overcurrent notification output was inputted via theswitch control part54, theUSB host controller56, and the input/output interface41. If an overcurrent state was not detected (if the overcurrent notification output was not inputted), the decision is made that the condition of step S25 was not satisfied, the aforementioned connectability is regarded as suitable, and the flow proceeds to step S60
• Step S60 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103, causing theLED103 to change to the above-described “on (green)” as the corresponding notification, the flow proceeds to step S90.
• Step S90 is the same as that in the aforementionedFIG. 25 and, after theCPU44 determines whether or not thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 is still connected and the decision is made that the condition is satisfied when the connection with the above-describedtarget device500 ends, the flow proceeds to step S100″ described later.
• On the other hand, if an overcurrent state was detected (if the overcurrent notification output was inputted) in the above-described step S15, the decision is made that the condition of step S25 is satisfied, the aforementioned connectability is regarded as unsuitable, and the flow proceeds to step S80′.
• In step S80′, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, causing theLED103 to change to “flickering (red)” as the corresponding notification. Note that this notification continues until the procedure of step S100″ described later is executed.
• The subsequent step S92 is the same as the above-described step S90 in which theCPU44 determines whether or not thetarget device500 connected in the above-described step S10 is still connected. If the above-describedtarget device500 is still connected, the decision is made that the condition is not satisfied, and theCPU44 enters a wait loop. Then, when the connection with the above-describedtarget device500 ends, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S94.
• In step S94, theCPU44 determines whether or not the power source of thelabel producing apparatus100 has been turned OFF. Until the power source is turned OFF, the condition is not satisfied and theCPU44 enters a wait loop. Then, once the power source is turned OFF, the decision is made that the condition is satisfied and the flow proceeds to step S100″.
• In step S100″, theCPU44 outputs a control signal to theLED103 via the input/output interface41, ending the notification of the above-described step S60 or step S80′ (turning off the illuminated or flickering light). This process then terminates here.
• Thus, as described above, in this exemplary modification, when thearbitrary target device500 is connected to theUSB cable9, theovercurrent detecting part51 detects whether or not the power current that flows to the V_BUSline of theUSB cable9 exceeds the above-described permissible value (500 [mA] for example) (whether or not overcurrent is flowing to the V_BUSline). Then, if the power current value is less than or equal to the permissible value (if overcurrent is not detected), the decision is made that the above-described connectability is suitable. And, if the power current value exceeds the above-described permissible value (if overcurrent is detected) the decision is made that the above-described connectability is unsuitable.
• At this time, if the decision is made that the connectability is suitable, the corresponding notification [“on (green)” in the above-described example] is performed by theLED103. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that, with theconnected target device500, current that is in the normal range is flowing to theUSB cable9 in the connected state and no excessive load is being applied to thelabel producing apparatus100. Conversely, if the decision is made that the connectability is unsuitable, the corresponding notification [“flickering (red)” in the above-described example] is performed by theLED103. With this arrangement, the operator can recognize that, with theconnected target device500, overcurrent that has deviated from the normal range is flowing to theUSB cable9 in the connected state and excessive load is being applied to thelabel producing apparatus100, making connection as is not preferable.
• As a result, according to this exemplary modification is well, similar to the above-described embodiment, the operator can simply connect thetarget device500 to thelabel producing apparatus100 via theUSB cable9 and visually recognize at a glance whether or not the current conduction characteristics are suitable for connection to the target device500 (without performing any other special operation). As a result, operator convenience is improved.
• Further, according to this exemplary modification, the communication I/F43H comprises theFET switch53 configured to shut off the power current that flows to thetarget device500 via theUSB cable9 when the above-describedovercurrent detecting part51 detects overcurrent. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the overcurrent from continuously flowing to theconnected target device500, thereby preventing residual damage to thelabel producing apparatus100.
• Note that while the above first and second embodiments have been described in connection with illustrative scenarios in which thelabel tape23 with print on which printing has been completed is cut by thecutter28 to form the print label L, 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 thecutter28 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 thetape discharging exit38 so as to form the print label L.
• Further, while the above has been described in connection with an illustrative scenario of a method where printing is performed on thecover film11 separate from thebase tape16 and then the two are bonded together, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, allowing for a (non-bonding) method where printing is performed on a print-receiving tape layer (a thermal layer comprising a thermal material capable of producing color when heated and forming print, an image-transferring layer comprising an image-transferring material capable of forming print by heat transfer from the ink ribbon, or an image-receiving layer comprising an image-receiving material capable of forming print by applying ink).
• Furthermore, while the above has been described in connection with an illustrative scenario in which thebase tape16, etc., are wound around a spool so as to form a roll, and the roll is disposed within thecartridge10 so as to feed out thebase tape16, etc., the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an arrangement can be made as follows. Namely, a long-length or rectangular tape or sheet (including tape cut to a suitable length after being supplied from a roll) is stacked (laid flat and layered into a tray shape, for example) in a predetermined housing part so as to form a cartridge. The cartridge is then mounted to the cartridge holder provided to thelabel producing apparatus100. Then, the tape or sheet is supplied or fed from the above-described housing part, and printing is performed so as to produce print labels L.
• Further, a configuration in which the above-described roll is directly detachably mounted to thelabel producing apparatus100, etc., or a configuration in which a long-length or rectangular tape or sheet is fed by a predetermined feeder mechanism one sheet at a time from outside thelabel producing apparatus100, etc., and supplied to inside thelabel producing apparatus100, etc., are also conceivable. In each of these cases as well, the same advantages are achieved. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to a device such as thecartridge10 that is detachably mounted to the main body side of thelabel producing apparatus100, etc., allowing for the provision of a roll as a so-called installation type or integrated type that is not detachably mounted to the main body side. In such a case as well, the advantage that the system can be simply and easily configured without use of a network that employs a LAN cable or wireless LAN is achieved.
• Note that the arrow shown in each figure, such asFIG. 4 andFIG. 17, in the above 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 procedures shown in the flowcharts ofFIG. 7 toFIG. 10,FIG. 12 toFIG. 15,FIG. 18 toFIG. 20,FIG. 25,FIG. 30,FIG. 33, etc., and procedure additions and deletions as well as sequence changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
• Additionally, other than those previously described, methods according to the above-described embodiment and modification examples may be utilized in combination as appropriate.

Claims (25)

1. A printer comprising:

a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of a target device; and

a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device.

2. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein:

said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device via a USB bus; and

said target processing portion further includes:

a suitability determination portion configured, in a case where an arbitrary USB target device is connected as said target device to a target side of said USB bus, to determine whether or not the connectability of said USB target device to said printer is suitable;

a notification device that performs illumination notification of a predetermined form in accordance with a determination result of said suitability determination portion; and

a notification control portion that controls said notification device so that a corresponding first notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable, and a corresponding second notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is unsuitable.

3. The printer according toclaim 2, wherein:

said target processing portion further includes:

a driver storage device that stores in advance driver software corresponding to specific types of a USB target device that is connectable to a target side of said USB bus;

a type information storage device that stores in advance type information of said specific types of the USB target device for which said driver software is stored in said driver storage device; and

a type information acquisition portion that acquires type information of an arbitrary USB target device via said USB bus when the USB target device is connected to said USB bus;

said suitability determination portion includes a type information comparison portion that compares type information acquired by said type information acquisition portion with type information stored in advance in said type information storage device; and

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when a comparison performed by said type information comparison portion indicates a match, and said second notification is performed when a comparison performed by said type information comparison portion indicates a mismatch.

4. The printer according toclaim 3, wherein:

said type information storage device stores specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information, as type information of said specific types of the USB target device;

said driver storage device stores the driver software corresponding to said specific class information, said specific sub-class information, and said specific protocol information;

said type information acquisition portion acquires class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of said connected USB target device as said type information;

said type information comparison portion respectively compares said class information, said sub-class information, and said protocol information acquired by said type information acquisition portion with said specific class information; said specific sub-class information, and said specific protocol information stored in advance in said type information storage device; and

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when all of the class information, the sub-class information, and the protocol information match, and said second notification is performed when at least one of class information, sub-class information, and protocol information does not match, as a result of a comparison of said type information comparison portion.

5. The printer according toclaim 3, wherein:

said type information storage device stores specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs, as type information of said specific types of the USB target device;

said driver storage device stores the driver software corresponding to said specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs;

said type information acquisition portion acquires a vendor ID and product ID of said connected USB target device as said type information;

said type information comparison portion respectively compares said vendor ID and said product ID acquired by said type information acquisition portion with said specific vendor IDs and said specific product IDs stored in advance in said type information storage device; and

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when both vendor ID and protocol ID match, and said second notification is performed when at least one of vendor ID and protocol ID does not match, as a result of a comparison of said type information comparison portion.

6. The printer according toclaim 5, wherein:

said type information storage device distinguishably stores said specific vendor IDs and said specific product IDs as first vendor IDs and first product IDs for operation guaranteed genuine products, and second vendor IDs and second product IDs for other products;

said type information comparison portion includes a type information determination portion that determines whether or not said acquired vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID or said second vendor ID and said second product ID when both vendor ID and product ID match as a result of said comparison; and

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed in different forms in accordance with whether the vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID or said second vendor ID and said second product ID.

7. The printer according toclaim 6, wherein:

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed using a common color but different illumination forms for a case where the vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID, and a case where the vendor ID and product ID are said second vendor ID and said second product ID.

8. The printer according toclaim 7, wherein:

said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said second notification is performed using a color that differs from said common color.

9. The printer according toclaim 2, wherein:

said target processing portion further includes an overcurrent detecting device that detects whether or not a power current that flows to said USB bus exceeds a predetermined permissible value when an arbitrary USB target device is connected to said USB bus; and

said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable when overcurrent is not detected by said overcurrent detecting device, and unsuitable when said overcurrent is detected by said overcurrent detecting device.

10. The printer according toclaim 9, wherein:

said target processing portion further includes a current shutoff device that shuts off the power current that flows to said USB target device via said USB bus when said overcurrent is detected by said overcurrent detecting device.

11. The printer according toclaim 2, further comprising:

a housing that constitutes an outer shell; and

a host connecting device as said host communication device provided to said housing that detachably mounts another end connection part of a USB cable as said USB bus, said USB cable connected to said USB target device by one end connection part thereof; wherein:

said notification device is provided in the vicinity of said host connecting device of said housing.

12. The printer according toclaim 11, wherein:

said host connecting device and said notification device are provided to a front surface part of said housing.

13. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein:

said printer is a first label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a first label tape, and

said first label producing apparatus comprises:

a first cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a first tape cartridge having a first label tape roll around which is wound said first label tape, a first tape detecting device that detects a type of said first label tape of said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, a first feeding device that feeds said first label tape supplied from said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, and a first printing device that performs desired printing on said first label tape fed by said first feeding device, wherein:

said host communication device is a first host connecting device that detachably mounts one end connection part of a communication cable having said one end connection part that causes a connected device to function as a host and another end connection part that causes a connected device to function as a target, and that performs information transmission and reception with at least one second label producing apparatus as said target device that is capable of producing a print label using a second label tape, said second label producing apparatus comprising: a second cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a second tape cartridge having a second label tape roll around which is wound said second label tape, a second tape detecting device that detects a type of said second label tape of said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second feeding device that feeds said second label tape supplied from said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second printing device that performs desired printing on said second label tape fed by said second feeding device, a second target connecting device to which is mountable said other end connection part of said communication cable whereby said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus, and a second output portion that outputs second tape related information based on a detection result of said second tape detecting device via said communication cable mounted to said second target connecting device;

said target processing portion includes:

a first information generating portion that generates said first tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said first tape detecting device; and

a first output portion that outputs said first tape related information to an operation terminal that operates said first label producing apparatus.

14. The printer according toclaim 1 wherein:

said printer is a third label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a third label tape, and

said third label producing apparatus comprises:

a third cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a third tape cartridge having a third label tape roll around which is wound said third label tape, a third tape detecting device that detects a type of said third label tape of said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, a third feeding device that feeds said third label tape supplied from said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, and a third printing device that performs desired printing on said third label tape fed by said third feeding device, wherein:

said host communication device is a host infrared communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a host device of said target device by infrared communication with the target device, and performs information transmission and reception with at least one fourth label producing apparatus as said target device capable of producing a print label using a fourth label tape, said fourth label producing apparatus comprising: a fourth cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a fourth tape cartridge having a fourth label tape roll around which is wound said fourth label tape, a fourth tape detecting device that detects a type of said fourth label tape of said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth feeding device that feeds said fourth label tape supplied from said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth printing device that performs desired printing on said fourth label tape fed by said fourth feeding device, a target infrared communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a target device of said third label producing apparatus by infrared communication with said host infrared communication device, and a fourth output portion that outputs fourth tape related information based on a detection result of said fourth tape detecting device to said third label producing apparatus via said target infrared communication device; wherein:

said target processing portion includes:

a third information generating portion that generates said third tape related information in accordance with said fourth tape related information outputted from said fourth output portion of said fourth label producing apparatus and inputted via said infrared communication and a detection result of said third tape detecting device; and

a third output portion that outputs said third tape related information via a communication cable to an operation terminal that operates said third label producing apparatus.

15. A printing system comprising a printer which is a host device of a target device, and said target device, wherein:

said printer comprises:

a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of said target device; and

a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device; and

said target device comprises a target communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a target device of said printer.

16. The printing system according toclaim 15, wherein:

said printer is a first label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a first label tape, said first label producing apparatus comprising: a first cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a first tape cartridge having a first label tape roll around which is wound said first label tape, a first tape detecting device that detects a type of said first label tape of said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, a first feeding device that feeds said first label tape supplied from said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, and a first printing device that performs desired printing on said first label tape fed by said first feeding device;

said target device is at least one second label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a second label tape, said second label producing apparatus comprising: a second cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a second tape cartridge having a second label tape roll around which is wound said second label tape, a second tape detecting device that detects a type of said second label tape of said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second feeding device that feeds said second label tape supplied from said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, and a second printing device that performs desired printing on said second label tape fed by said second feeding device;

said printing system further comprises:

an operation terminal that operates said first label producing apparatus; and

a plurality of communication cables comprising one end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a host, and another end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a target;

said first label producing apparatus further comprises:

a first target connecting device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said operation terminal; and

a first host connecting device as said host communication device that detachably mounts said one end connection part of said communication cable by which said other end connection part thereof is connected to said second label producing apparatus;

said second label producing apparatus further comprises:

a second target connecting device as said target communication device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus; and

a second output portion that outputs second tape related information based on a detection result of said second tape detecting device via said communication cable mounted to said second target connecting device;

said first label producing apparatus comprises as said target processing portion:

a first information generating portion that generates said first tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said first tape detecting device; and

a first output portion that outputs said first tape related information generated by said first information generating portion to said operation terminal via said communication cable mounted to said first target connecting device.

17. The printing system according toclaim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of said second label producing apparatuses, wherein:

each of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses further comprises a second host connecting device that detachably mounts said one end connection part of said communication cable, wherein:

said one end connection part of said communication cable is mounted to said second host connecting device of one second label producing apparatus, and said other end connection part of said communication cable is mounted to said second target connecting device of another second label producing apparatus, thereby connecting said plurality of second label producing apparatuses in series via said communication cable; and

said second target connecting device provided to one said second label producing apparatuses of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus; and

each of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses further comprises a second information generating portion that generates new second tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of the other said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said second tape detecting device, wherein:

said second output portion outputs said new second tape related information generated by said second information generating portion.

18. The printing system according toclaim 16, wherein:

said first label producing apparatus further comprises as said target processing portion:

a first signal input portion that inputs from said operation terminal a first tape interrogation signal configured to specify a tape type to be used for label production; and

a first tape determination portion that determines whether or not said tape type specified by said first tape interrogation signal inputted from said first signal input portion matches a detection result of said first tape detecting device or said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable; wherein:

said first output portion outputs said first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of said first tape determination portion to said operation terminal.

19. The printing system according toclaim 18, wherein:

said second label producing apparatus further comprises:

a second signal input portion that inputs a second tape interrogation signal configured to specify a tape type to be used for label production from said first label producing apparatus or another second label producing apparatus; and

a second tape determination portion that determines whether or not said tape type specified by said second tape interrogation signal inputted by said second signal input portion matches a detection result of said second tape detecting device of said second label producing apparatus or said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of another second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable; wherein:

said second output portion outputs said second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of said second tape determination portion to said first label producing apparatus.

20. The printing system according toclaim 16, wherein:

said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus is provided to a front surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.

21. The printing system according toclaim 17, wherein:

said second host connecting device of said second label producing apparatus is provided to a front surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.

22. The printing system according toclaim 16, wherein:

said first target connecting device of said first label producing apparatus or said second target connecting device of said second label producing apparatus is on a rear surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.

23. The printing system according toclaim 15, wherein:

said printer is a third label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a third label tape, said third label producing apparatus comprising: a third cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a third tape cartridge having a third label tape roll around which is wound said third label tape, a third tape detecting device that detects a type of said third label tape of said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, a third feeding device that feeds said third label tape supplied from said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, and a third printing device that performs desired printing on said third label tape fed by said third feeding device;

said target device is at least one fourth label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a fourth label tape, said fourth label producing apparatus comprising: a fourth cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a fourth tape cartridge having a fourth label tape roll around which is wound said fourth label tape, a fourth tape detecting device that detects a type of said fourth label tape of said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth feeding device that feeds said fourth label tape supplied from said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, and a fourth printing device that performs desired printing on said fourth label tape fed by said fourth feeding device;

said printing system further comprises:

an operation terminal that operates said third label producing apparatus; and

a communication cable having one end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a host, and another end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a target;

said third label producing apparatus comprises:

a third target connecting device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said operation terminal; and

a host infrared communication device as said host communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a host device of said fourth label producing apparatus by infrared communication with the fourth label producing apparatus;

said fourth label producing apparatus comprises:

a target infrared communication device as said target communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a target device of said third label producing apparatus or another fourth label producing apparatus by infrared communication with said host infrared communication device or said other fourth label producing apparatus; and

a fourth output portion that outputs fourth tape related information based on a detection result of said fourth tape detecting device to said third label producing apparatus or said other fourth label producing apparatus via said target infrared communication device; and

said third label producing apparatus further comprises as said target processing portion:

a third information generating portion that generates said third tape related information in accordance with said fourth tape related information outputted from said fourth output portion of said fourth label producing apparatus and inputted by said infrared communication and a detection result of said third tape detecting device; and

a third output portion that outputs said third tape related information generated by said third information generating portion to said operation terminal via said communication cable mounted to said third target connecting device.

24. The printing system according toclaim 23, wherein:

said host infrared communication device of said third label producing apparatus is provided on a side surface part of one side in a horizontal direction of a housing constituting an apparatus outer shell; and

said target infrared communication device of said fourth label producing apparatus is provided on a side surface part of another side in the horizontal direction of a housing constituting an apparatus outer shell.

25. The printing system according toclaim 15, wherein:

said printer is a printer with a USB host function connected on a host side of a USB bus via said host communication device; and the printer further comprises as said target processing portion:

a suitability determination portion that determines whether or not the connectability of an arbitrary USB target device to said printer is suitable when that USB target device is connected as said target device to a target side of said USB bus;

a notification device that performs illumination notification of a predetermined form in accordance with a determination result of said suitability determination portion; and

a notification control portion that controls said notification device so that a corresponding first notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable, and a corresponding second notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is unsuitable.

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