GB2326497A

GB2326497A - Tape printing system

Info

Publication number: GB2326497A
Application number: GB9713132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bert M J Bulteel
Original assignee: Esselte NV
Current assignee: Esselte NV
Priority date: 1997-06-20
Filing date: 1997-06-20
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Also published as: GB9713132D0

Abstract

A printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape has a printing mechanism for printing text onto the tape as it is fed past the printing mechanism. The printing system has means for defining a plurality of data fields, at least two of them adjacent to one another, means for providing data for each of said data fields, and processing means for moving at least one of the data fields so that the distance between the end of the data in a preceding data field and the beginning of a following data field is of a predetermined value. Cutting means cut said tape to define a label.

Description

A TAPE PRINTING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a tape printing system and particularly but not exclusively to a thermal printing system for printing on tape.

Thermal printing devices of a general type with which the present invention is concerned are known. These printing devices operate with a supply of tape arranged to receive an image and means for transferring an image onto the tape. In one known device, a tape holding case holds a supply of image receiving tape and a supply of image transfer ribbon, the image receiving tape and transfer ribbon being past in overlap through a printing zone of the printing device. At the printing zone, the thermal print head co-operates with the platen to transfer an image from the transfer ribbon to the tape. The printing device operating with a tape holding case of this type is described for example in EP-A-0267890 (Varitronics, Inc.) . Other printing devices have been made in which letters are transferred to an image receiving tape by a dry lettering or dry film impression process. It is also known to use a thermally sensitive image receiving tape to which an image can be directly applied by the thermal print head without the need for transfer ribbon. In all of these printing devices, the construction of the image receiving tape is substantially the same. That is, it comprises an upper layer for receiving an image which is secured to a releasable backing layer by a layer of adhesive.

Once an image or message has been printed on the tape, that portion of the tape is cut off to enable it to be used as a label. The releasable backing layer is removed from the upper layer to enable the upper layer to be secured to a surface by means of the adhesive layer.

In another known tape printing device, described in EP-A0322918 (Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha), a tape holding case houses a supply of transparent image receiving tape and a supply of image transfer ribbon. The tape holding case also houses a supply of backing tape which comprises a carrier layer having an adhesive layer on its underside to which is secured a releasable backing sheet and an adhesive layer on its upper side which can be secured to the image receiving tape after an image has been printed thereon. In this device, the image is printed onto the image receiving tape as a mirror image which, when viewed through the image receiving tape, is the correct way round. With this device, the print is protected when the label is used.

In the printing devices referred to above, the printing mechanism for effecting thermal printing, a feeding mechanism for feeding tape through the printing zone, an input device for entering text data defining characters etc to be printed, a display for displaying text and a processor for controlling printing operations in response to data entered at the input device are all provided in a single body unit. Typically, the input device is a keyboard. The display may be a fairly small liquid crystal display. Some prior art printing devices of this type nevertheless have a display which is relatively sophisticated, for example see EP-574225 which has a so called WYSIWYG display.

Another type of printing system is also known as described for example in EP-A-680010 (Esselte) and US-A-5,538,352 (Brother), and that is a printing system in which the input device and the display are remote from the printing mechanism itself. A conventional PC can supply the display and input device in the form of a keyboard. A stand alone printing unit which communicates with the PC provides the printing mechanism, the feeding mechanism for tape and the cassette bay for housing the tape.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining a plurality of data fields, at least two of said plurality of data fields being adjacent to one another; means for providing data for each of said data fields; processing means for moving at least one of the data fields so that the distance between the end of the data in a preceding data field and the beginning of a following data field is of a predetermined value; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said processing means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

As the processing means arranges so that the distance between the end of the data in one data field and the beginning of the next data field is less than a predetermined value, tape wastage which would otherwise occur can be avoided.

Preferably, the length of said data fields is parallel to the length of said image receiving tape. Preferably, said printing mechanism comprises a print head with a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the length of the image receiving tape.

The cutting means may be arranged to cut the image receiving tape between two adjacent data fields. By ensuring that there is always a predetermined distance between the end of the data in one data field and the beginning of the adjacent data field, it can be ensured that margins having a predetermined size can be provided. In this way, overly large margins can be avoided leading to a reduction in tape wastage.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a single data field is defined on each of a plurality of labels. Thus, the cutting means would be arranged to provide a cut between each adjacent pair of data fields. Additionally, the distance between the end of the data in one data field and the beginning of the next data field would be arranged to be a predetermined distance.

Alternatively, at least two data fields are provided on the or each label and said at least two data fields are movable with respect to each other. As the two data fields on a single label are movable relative to each other, a large gap between the end of the data in one data field and the beginning of the next data field can be avoided thus avoiding problems with tape wastage.

It is preferred that a plurality of labels having at least two data fields be provided. However, it is possible just to have a single label with two or more data fields thereon.

The image receiving tape preferably comprises a first layer on which the image is printed and a second backing layer attached to the first layer, said cutting means being arranged to cut only through the said first layer to provide a strip of separate labels on the backing layer. In other words, the backing layer may remain intact. The cut through the first layer means that the label can easily be removed from the backing label and applied to the appropriate article. The use of a single backing layer to have the separate labels thereon, makes it easier to handle the labels. This is of particular advantage where a large string of labels are printed.

The data fields preferably have at least one label attribute associated therewith, said processing means being operable to ensure that the label attribute is sized to correspond to the data for the respective data field. This label attribute may be boxing, underlining or relative position of a logo. For example, the box can be arranged so as to correspond in size to the data input into data field, even where that data is much shorter than the data field.

Preferably, the system comprises a tape printing device and a control device. The tape printing device preferably includes the printing mechanism and the cutting means whilst the control device preferably comprises the defining means, said data providing means, said processing means and said controlling means. Thus, the tape printing device will be under the control of the control device. The control device may be a PC.

Alternatively, the system may comprise a tape printing device including a printing mechanism, defining means, processing means, controlling means and cutting means. The tape printing device may further comprise input means for receiving data for said data field. That data can be received via a cable from a device such as a computer or the like. Alternatively, the tape printing device may have an input for receiving data from a database cartridge or the like.

Preferably, the data providing means comprises a database.

Preferably, said data base is arranged to store a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of pieces of information which are insertable into the or each data field of a given label, at least two pieces of information of a set of information being combinable so that a plurality of pieces of information can be inserted into a single data field.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining at least one data field, said data field having at least one label attribute associated therewith; means for providing data for said data field; processing means operable to ensure that the label attribute is sized to correspond to the data for the data field; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said processing means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided-a printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining at least one data field in a label; a database for storing a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of separate pieces of information which are insertable into the or each data field of a given label; means for combining at least two separate pieces of information of said set of information, said combined pieces of information of a given set of information being insertable into a single data field; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

It should be appreciated that features of the first, second and third aspects may be combinable with any other of these aspects.

For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of,a tape printing system; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view showing the control circuitry for the tape printing system; Figure 3 shows a prestored label format; Figure 4 shows three examples of data stored in a database; Figure 5 shows a string of labels in which the data of Figure 4 has been inserted into the prestored label format of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows the string of labels of Figure 5 which has been modified to reduce tape wastage; Figure 7 shows the string of labels of Figure 6 which include a box round the data; Figure 8 shows a second prestored label format; Figure 9 shows a string of labels in which data from a database has been inserted into the prestored label format of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows the string of labels of Figure 9 which has been modified to reduce tape wastage; Figures 11 and 12 are side and plan views respectively of a cutting mechanism of the printing device; Figures 13a and 13b are diagrams showing labels which can be produced using the cutting mechanism of Figures 11 and 12; Figure 14 shows a modification of the embodiment described in relation to Figures 3 to 6; and Figure 15 shows an object list for a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows in plan view two cassettes arranged in a printing device 1. The upper cassette 2 is located in the first cassette receiving portion 26 and contains a supply of image receiving tape 4 which passes through a print zone 3 of the printing device 1 to an outlet 5 of the printing device. The image receiving tape 4 comprises an upper layer for receiving a printed image on one of its surfaces and has its other surface coated with an adhesive layer to which is secured a releasable backing layer. The cassette 2 has a recess 6 for apcommodating a platen 8 of the printing device 1, and guide portions 22, 24 for guiding the tape 4 through the print zone 3. The platen 8 is mounted for rotation in a cage moulding 10. As an alterative, the platen 8 could be mounted for rotation on a pin.

The lower cassette 35 is located in a second cassette receiving portion 28 and contains a thermal transfer ribbon 12 (ink ribbon) which extends from a supply spool 30 to a take up spool 32 within the cassette 35. The thermal transfer ribbon 12 extends through the print zone 3 in overlap with the image receiving tape 4. The cassette 35 has a recess 14 for receiving a print head 16 of the printing device 1 and guide portions 34, 36 for guiding the thermal transfer ribbon 12 through the print zone 3. The print head 16 is movable between an operative position, shown in Figure 1, in which it is in contact with the platen 8 and holds the thermal transfer ribbon 12 and the image receiving tape 4 in overlap between the print head 16 and the platen 8 and an inoperative position in which the print head 16 is moved away from the platen 8 to release the thermal transfer ribbon 12 and image receiving tape 4. In the operative position, the platen 8 is rotated to cause image receiving tape 4 to be driven past the print head 16 and the print head 16 is controlled to print an image onto the image receiving tape 4 by thermal transfer of ink from the ribbon 12 as the image receiving tape 4 moves past the print head 16. The print head 16 is a conventional thermal print head 16 having an array of pixels each of which can be thermally activated in accordance with a desired image to be printed. In one embodiment, the print head comprises a column of printing elements one pixel wide and having a height corresponding generally to the width of the image receiving tape 4. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the print head is perpendicular to the direction in which the image receiving tape 4 moves.

The printing device 1 has a lid which is not shown but which is hinged along the rear of the cassette receiving portions 26 and 28 and which covers both cassettes 2 and 35 when in place.

A motor 7 (see Figure 2) drives the platen 8 so that sequential columns of pixels are printed on the image receiving tape 4 as it is fed past the print head 16. The platen 8 drives the image receiving tape 4 through the print zone 3 under the action of its own rotation. The rotation of the platen 8 and the energization of the print head 16 are controlled by a microprocessor as described in our European Patent Application Nos. 0578372 and 580322, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The printing device 1 further includes an interface 50 which receives control data and/or printing data via a cable 52 from a PC 54. The PC 54 includes a microprocessor chip 100 (see Figure 2), a display 108 and a keyboard 106. The printing device 1 and the PC 54 together define a printing system. The keyboard 106 comprises a set of data input keys which are illustrated diagrammatically by the block 56 but will in practice comprise a plurality of lettered and numbered keys. For example, on existing PCs the keyboard may constitute the block 56. The keyboard 106 also includes mode keys 58, 60 for calling up menus on the display to select various options. Additionally, those mode keys 58, 60 can be used for selecting character attributes and label attributes.

The basic circuitry for controlling the printing device is shown in Figure 2. The microprocessor chip (or chips) 100 has read only memory (ROM) 102, a microprocessor 101 and random access memory capacity indicated diagrammatically by RAM 104.

The microprocessor chip 100 is connected to receive data input from a data input device such as the keyboard 106. The microprocessor chip 100 outputs data to drive the display 108 of the PC and also via the cable 52 to drive the print head 16 and the motor 7 for controlling the platen 8. The microprocessor chip 100 may also control via the cable 52 a cutting mechanism 17 to cut off lengths of printed tape to form a label. The cutting mechanism 17 will be described in more detail hereinafter. Alternatively the cutting mechanism 17 may be manually controlled.

The operation of the printing system will now be described.

Data to be printed is input using the data input keys 56 on the keyboard 106. As the data is entered into the keyboard 106, it is supplied to the microprocessor 101 which drives the display 108 to display the data as it is entered. To do this, for each character which is entered, the microprocessor 101 calls up a stored version of the character from the ROM 102. As the character is stored in compressed form, this font data is stored temporarily in RAM 104 and is manipulated by the microprocessor 101 to generate pixel data to form the character. This pixel data is transmitted in one form to the display 108 and in another form to the print head 16 for printing. Character data is not past to the print head 16 for printing until a print operation is executed. In particular, the character data will remain in the RAM 104 until a print operation is executed. When a print operation is executed, the print data is transmitted from thePC 54, via cable 52 to the print head 16 of the printing device 1.

The characters selected for the label are entered using keys 56 and edited using function keys 58, 60 on the keyboard 106 in conjunction with the display 108.

One mode of operation of the tape printing system will now be described. This mode of operation will be referred to as the database mode of operation and is selected by operating one of the mode keys 58 or 60. In particular, where the respective mode key is operated, the database mode of operation is displayed on the display 108 of the PC. The various different label formats which are available in the database mode of operation may be displayed. Additionally or alternatively the information displayed may also permit the user to specify what information available on the database is to be used in the selected label format. It should be appreciated that the options as to the label formats and/or information on the database may be displayed when the associated mode key is activated. Alternatively, this information may be displayed when an option on the initial menu, provided when the associated mode key is first activated, is selected.

The PC 54 is provided with a database 110 which is connected to the microprocessor 100. Typically, the database will store information such as a list of names and address or a similar set of information. The database 110 generally stores a number of entries. The information comprising each entry is defined by a plurality of different pieces of information defining a set of information. For example each entry may be defined by the following four pieces of information: name; position; address; and telephone number.

Each piece of information can be inserted into a respective data field. It should be appreciated that not all of the pieces of information need to be used. One or more pieces of each set of information can be used.

The database 110 can be provided on a hard disk of the PC 54 or alternatively can be provided by means of a floppy disk.

In one embodiment of the invention, the database is :provided in the RAM 104. It is desirable that a user of the system be able automatically to print out a series of labels having generally the same format but using information from the database. For example, it may be desirable to print a series of labels each of which includes a respective one of the names from the database.

&num;In order to be able to do this automatically, a suitable format for each label is prestored in RAM 104 or ROM 102. This format may be stored in the PC or may be programmed in by the user.

Reference is made to Figure 3 which illustrates one prestored format for a series of three labels 50. In each label 50 a data field 52 is defined. The data field 52 has a predetermined length x which is equal to the maximum number of characters which can be included in the respective data field 52.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3, x may be equal to for example 20 characters. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the data field 52 is spaced by a predetermined distance y from the beginning and end of its label. In the embodiment shown, the distance between the beginning of the data field and the beginning of the label is equal to the distance between the end of the data field and the end of the label. However, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, these distances may differ. Each label thus has a length of x + 2y.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 which illustrates a list of three names stored in the database 110. As can be seen, the names are not of all the same length. Accordingly, if the label format stored in the ROM 102 or RAM 104 is rigidly adhered to, a string of labels as illustrated in Figure 5 would be provided, each label including one of the names from the database 110. In the first label 150a, the distance y' between the end of the name and the end of the label is very much greater than the distance y between the beginning of the label and the beginning of the name. This is because the name only occupies seven character spaces (including the space between the first and second names) out of the twenty available character spaces. Thus, with the first label 150a, the name will no longer be in the centre of the label and additionally, there will be a large blank margin between the end of the name and the end of the label. This leads to an undesirable appearance and more particularly is also wasteful of tape. With the second label 150b, the name occupies fourteen characters out of the twenty available character spaces.

Accordingly, even with the second label 150b, the distance y between the end of the name and the end of the label is greater than the distance y" between the beginning of the tape and the beginning of the name. This again leads to unnecessary tape wastage and unattractive labels. However, with the third label 150c, the name occupies eighteen spaces out of the twenty available spaces. Accordingly the distance y''' between the end of the name and the end of the label is approximately the same as the distance y between the beginning of the label and the beginning of the name. There is thus little tape wastage with the third label 150c and the label has a satisfactory appearance.

The prestored label format, if rigidly adhered to thus only provides satisfactory labels if the data to be inserted into the data field is approximately the same size as the data field. As shown in Figure 5, this may not always be the case. Accordingly, the microprocessor 101 is arranged to determine the length of the data to be inserted into the data field and to compare the determined length of the data with the length of the data field.

For each label, the size of the data field is then modified to match the length of the data. Instead of modifying the length of the data field, the microprocessor 101 may instead determine where the end of the data occurs and then ensure that the end of the label occurs a predetermined distance from the end of the data. Using of either of the above two methods will result in the string of labels such as shown in Figure 6. As can be seen from this figure, the data or name is in the centre of each label 150a, 150b and 150c and the margins y on either side of the data have the same value and are equal to the predetermined value included in the prestored format. As can be seen from Figure 6, the labels 150a', 150b' and 150c' have in general a more attractive appearance as compared to the corresponding labels of Figure 5. Additionally, as the labels vary in size according to the length of the data included thereon, the amount of tape which is wasted can be reduced.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the margins are selected so as to vary in accord with the length of the data.

The margins at the beginning and the end of the label may differ in certain embodiments of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in relation to Figure 14, the label is arranged to have a fixed length. The prestored format shown in Figure 3 may be used in relation to this embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the data which is inserted into the data field 152 is arranged so that the distance between the beginning of the label and the beginning of the data is the same as the distance between the end of the data and the end of the label. This is shown in Figure 14 wherein for the first name JOE DOE in the database, the distance between the beginning of the label and the beginning of the name is y' as is the distance between the end of the data and the end of the label. With second name, those distances are y'' whilst with the third name, the distances are In In general y' > y', > y',, as the first name is the shortest name and the third name is the longest. This embodiment is advantageous in a number of situations, particularly those which require fixed length labels with the data centred. For example, when the data field is placed in a circle, it is often desired that the data be centered in that circle.

In another modification to the above described embodiments, the data included in the data field is enclosed in a box, underlined, has a logo in a particular position or similar. This modification will be described in the context of a label format which provides a box around the data. The box information is stored as part of the label format together with the data field 52 information in the ROM 102 or RAM 104. The box information is such that the size of the box which is prestored has the same or a similar size as the data field. When the microprocessor compares the length of the data field with the length of the actual data, it also calculates the size of the box. The size of the box is thus modified in order to suit the length of the data contained in the data field. Figure 7 illustrates a string of labels 150" where the data of each data field is enclosed in a box. In the case where a logo is provided, that will be moved so that it has the required relative position and/or size with respect to the data. It should be appreciated that a distinction needs to be made between label attributes which form part of the input text and attributes which form part of the prestored label format. The above described embodiment relates to attributes which are prestored along with the data field. It is of course possible to include various attributes with the input text which is included in the respective data fields. This modification is applicable to embodiments of the present invention which use one or more data fields and can be used in combination with any of the other embodiments described herein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, each label is provided with more than one data field 150. Figure 8 shows an example of a second prestored label format. The first data field 152' of each label has in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the same size as the second field 152' of each label 150'''.

However, the size of the first and second data fields 152' may of course differ. The label format defines a predetermined distance y between the beginning of the label and the beginning of the first data field 152' and that same predetermined distance y between the end of the second data field 152 and the end of the label 1sot'''. The label format also defines a predetermined distance between the end of the first data field 152' and the beginning of the second data field 152'. The first and second data fields are arranged to receive data from the database 110.

For example the first data field 152' might include a name whilst the second data field 152' might include the title of the person named in the first data field 152'. There is of course no limitation as to what information may be included in the first and second data fields. It will be appreciated that the embodiment can be modified as described in relation to Figure 7 so that the data field of each label also includes label format information.

Figure 9 illustrates the label string which results if the label format, illustrated in Figure 8 is rigidly adhered to. As can be seen, if the data which is included in the first field is much shorter than the maximum length of the data field, there is a large distance between the end of the first data and the beginning of the second data. This gives rise to an unattractive label and also leads to tape wastage. The problems which occur with tape wastage at the end of the label described in relation to the embodiment illustrated in relation to Figures 5 and 6 also occur in relation to this second label format shown in Figure 8.

Accordingly,

In a modification to the embodiment described in relation to Figures 8 to 10, a plurality of data fields can be combined to form a single data field or object. The single data field or object could then be treated in the same manner as the single data field of the embodiment described in relation to Figures 3 to 6. The combining of the data fields is, in one embodiment of the present invention achieved by manipulating the information contained in the database. In particular different pieces of a set of information stored in the database are combined to form a single piece of information which is to be in the single data field. For example, if the data base stores the name of a company as a first piece of information and the address of the company as the second piece of information, then in this embodiment of the present invention the first and second pieces of information could be combined to define a single piece of information which would then be inserted in the single data field. The pieces of information of the database are combined such that there is always a suitable spacing between the first and second pieces of information. It should be appreciated that any number of data fields and hence pieces of information can be combined. For example, two, three or even more data fields can be combined.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the database mode is selected, the different categories of information making up each data entry are displayed. In the case of the database described hereinbefore the following would be displayed.

Name Position Address Telephone Number In the case where two or more data fields are to be combined, the two or more categories of information to be combined are selected. Tha two or more selected categories of information may be separated by a symbol which is indicative that the categories of information are to be combined to form a single object. This method can also be used to select two data fields which are not to be combined. In those circumstances, the symbol indicative of the combination of categories would be omitted. The selection of the categories of information and the use of the symbol causes respective pieces of information from the respective entries to be combined. In other words, data from the database is manipulated so that the combined pieces of information effectively become a single piece of information.

This may involve for example the combining of columns of data, if the database is regarded as being a table of information with one row constituting one set of information and each column representing a different category of information such as name, position etc. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the database itself is not modified. Instead information on which pieces of information are to be combined are stored in the list of object (or combined data field) properties in the RAM and/or disc memory. Figure 15 illustrates the typical contents of the object list. Three field numbers 160 are shown which indicates, in this particular embodiment, that up to three data fields can be combined. Also included in this list is an indication as to the font, justification, character height, the left coordinate (i.e. where the beginning of the data is in relation to the labels), the line colour, the top coordinate (i.e. where the top of the beginning of the data is in relation to the label), width, and orientation of text relative to the label. When the object list contains an indication that the respective pieces of information are to be combined, the microprocessor 100 is arranged to ensure that the relevant pieces of information are read from the database and inserted into the single data field with a suitable spacing between the pieces of information.

It should be appreciated that in embodiments of the invention, more than one combined data field may be provided in a label. In other words, each data field could contain a plurality of pieces of information from the database. In those circumstances, the layout shown in Figure 9 or Figure 10 could be achieved but with the combined pieces of information replacing the single pieces of information which are illustrated in those Figures.

In a modification to the previously described embodiments, each label could have a predetermined length. In the case where each label has more than one data field, the data fields would then be moved relative to one another depending on the length of data in the respective field and where appropriate relative to the ends of the respective label. Where only one data field is provided, that data field may be moved relative to the beginning and end of the label in dependence on the length of the data.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the tape printing apparatus is in the database mode of operation, the PC thus automatically processes the selected data from the database and the appropriate label format stored in the ROM 102 or RAM 104 to provide print information which is output to the tape printing device 1. That information is also used to generate the information which can be displayed on the display 108.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the database mode of operation, a strip of labels is provided where the layer of the image receiving tape on which the image is printed is cut between adjacent labels. However, the backing sheet to which the image receiving layer is adhered remains uncut. Thus, a series of labels are provided adjacent one another on the backing layer and which can easily be peeled off.

In an alternative mode of operation, separate labels can be provided in the database mode of operation. In that case, a full cut would be provided between adjacent labels so that not only is the layer on which the image is printed cut but also the backing layer.

Figures 11 and 12 are side views and plan views respectively of the cutting mechanism of the tape printing device 1. For clarity, the cutting mechanism of the printing device 1 is not shown in Figure 1. However, the cutting mechanism 17 would lie downstream of the print head 16. A cutter motor 236 drives a worm gear 238. This drives a gear train comprises three gears, 240, 242, 244, the last gear 244 then driving a cam 246. The cam 246 has in its surface a cam track 248 extending circumferentially and asymmetrically. A tab cut lever arm 250 runs in the cam track 248 via a pin 252. The tab cut lever arm 250 is pivotally mounted about a pivot point 254 and is arranged so that it can be brought into contact with a spring loaded blade holder designated generally by reference numeral 256 to bring a blade into contact with an anvil 260. The blade holder 252 is biased by a spring 257. In an alternative arrangement, the anvil 260 could be biased by the blade holder 256. The blade 258 is not designed to cut entirely through the tape but is designed to cut only through the image receiving layer of the image receiving tape 4 and not through the releasable backing layer. A cut is made through all of the layers of the image receiving tape to cut off a portion of tape once printed by two co-operating blades 262, 264 operating as scissors. The blade 262 remains stationary while the blade 264 is pivoted about the pivot point 254. The pin 256 secures the blade 264 to the tab cut lever arm 250 so that the blade moves with the lever arm 250. In this way, upward movement of the blade 254 occurs in response to movement of the tab cut lever arm 250 in the cam track 248. The pin 266 can be disengaged from the tab cut lever arm 250 by use of a disengagement lever 268. The disengagement lever causes a cam 270 to rotate, the surface of the cam 270 being such that its rotation allows the pin 266 to move out of contact with the tab cut lever arm 250 under the action of a spring 272.

The cutting mechanism 17 can operate in two ways. In the first mode, the pin 266 secures the blade 264 to the tab cut lever arm 250. As the cam rotates, the tab cut lever arm 250 is caused to move in the track 248 into a cutting position where it brings the blade 258 into contact with the anvil 260. At the same time, the blade 264 is brought into contact with the blade 262 to perform a scissor cut. Thus, a portion of a printed tape is cut off while a tab cut 300 (see Figure 13a) is made a short distance from the main cut. In the second, strip label mode, the disengagement lever has been rotated so that the pin 268 no longer secures the blade 264 to the tab cut lever arm 250. In these circumstances, the scissors do not operate as the cam rotates but instead only a tab cut 302 is performed at a series of locations. This provides a facility to have a continuous tape printed with a series of labels separated by individual tab cuts (as shown in Figure 13B).

It should be appreciated that the strip label mode of operation is preferred when the database mode of operation is selected. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be implemented so as to use the first mode of operation of the cutting mechanism. Additionally, in embodiments of the present invention, the first mode of cutting may be modified to provide only a full cut and no tab cut.

In order to achieve the strip label mode, the scissor cutter is disabled by the disengagement lever 268. The movement of the lever can be automatically sensed by a sensor on the lever connected to the microprocessor 101 to implement the strip label mode, or alternatively, the strip label mode can be selected by use of a key on the keyboard 106.

It should be appreciated that any other suitable cutting mechanism can alternatively be used with embodiments of the present invention.

In one modificationto the above described embodiment, the tape printing device is not controlled by a PC. Rather, the elements shown in Figure 2 are all incorporated in the tape printing device, including the database. Alternatively the database information may be stored on an external cartridge which is connected to an input of the tape printing device. In a further modification, only the database is provided on an PC and a cable connects together the tape printing device and the PC to allow the database information to pass from the PC to the tape printing device.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising: a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining a plurality of data fields, at least two of said plurality of data fields being adjacent to one another; means for providing data for each of said data fields; processing means for moving at least one of the data fields so that the distance between the end of the data in a preceding data field and the beginning of a following data field is of a predetermined value; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said processing means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each field has a predetermined length and the data for said data fields has a length less than or equal to the predetermined length of the respective data field, wherein said processing means moves at least one of the data fields so that the distance between the end of the data in a preceding data field and the beginning of a following data field is of a predetermined value, if the data for the preceding data field has a length less than the predetermined length of that preceding data field.

3. A printing system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein length of said data fields extend parallel to the length of said image receiving tape.

4. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said printing mechanism comprises a print head with a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the length of the image receiving tape.

5. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said cutting means is arranged to cut said image receiving tape between two adjacent data fields.

6. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a single data field is defined on each label.

7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least two data fields are provided on the or each label and said at least two data fields are movable with respect to one another.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said image receiving tape comprises a first layer on which an image is printed and a second, backing layer, attached to said first layer, said cutting means being arranged to cut only through said first layer to provide a strip of separate labels on the backing layer.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said data fields have at least one label attribute associated therewith, said processing means being operable to ensure the label attribute is sized to correspond to the data for the respective data field.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said label attribute comprises at least one of the following attributes: box, underline, relative position of a logo.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said system comprises a tape printing device, said printing mechanism and said cutting means being in said printing device, and a control device comprising said defining means, said data providing means, said processing means and said controlling means.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said control device is a PC.

13. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said system comprises a tape printing device comprising a printing mechanism, defining means, processing means, controlling means and cutting means.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said tape printing device comprises input means for receiving data for said data fields.

15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said data providing means comprises a database.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said data base is arranged to store a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of pieces of information which are insertable into the or each data field of a given label1 at least two pieces of information of a set of information being combinable so that a plurality of pieces of information can be inserted into a single data field.

17. A printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising: a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining at least one data field, said data field having at least one label attribute associated therewith; means for providing data for said data field; processing means operable to ensure that the label attribute is sized to correspond to the length of data for the data field; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said processing means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said label attribute comprises at least one of the following attributes: box, underline, relative position of a logo.

19. A printing system as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein length of said data fields extend parallel to the length of said image receiving tape.

20. A printing system as claimed in claims 17, 18 or 19, wherein said printing mechanism comprises a print head with a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the length of the image receiving tape.

21. A system as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, wherein said cutting means is arranged to cut said image receiving tape between two adjacent data fields.

22. A system as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, wherein a single data field is defined on each label.

23. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein at least two data fields are provided on the or each label and said at least two data fields are movable with respect to one another.

24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein said image receiving tape comprises a first layer on which an image is printed and a second, backing layer, attached to said first layer, said cutting means being arranged to cut only through said first layer to provide a strip of separate labels on the backing layer.

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein said system comprises a tape printing device, said printing mechanism and said cutting means being in said tape printing device, and a control device comprising said defining means, said data providing means, said processing means and said controlling means.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said control device is a PC.

27. A system as claimed in any of claims 17 to 23, wherein said system comprises a tape printing device comprising a printing mechanism, defining means, processing means, controlling means and cutting means.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said tape printing device comprises input means for receiving data for said data fields.

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein said data providing means comprises a database.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said data base is arranged to store a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of pieces of information which are insertable into the or each data field of a given label, at least two pieces of information of a set of information being combinable so that a plurality of pieces of information can be inserted into a single data field.

31. A printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising: a printing mechanism for printing text onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism; means for defining at least one data field in a label; a database for storing a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of separate pieces of information which are insertable into the or each data field of a given label; means for combining at least two separate pieces of information of said set of information, said combined pieces of information of a given set of information being insertable into a single data field; means for controlling said printing mechanism to print an image in accordance with an output from said combining means; and cutting means for cutting said image receiving tape to define a label.

32. A printing system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said combining means is arranged to read from said database said at least two separate pieces of information and to subsequently combine those pieces of information for insertion into a single data field.

33. A method of printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of data fields, at least two of said plurality data fields being adjacent to one another; providing data for each of said data fields; moving at least one of the data fields so that the distance between the end of the data of the preceding data field and the beginning of the following data field is of a predetermined value; printing text onto image receiving tape as it is fed past a printing mechanism, the image printed on said image receiving tape being in accordance with the provision of the data fields after the movement of said at least one data field; and cutting the image receiving tape to define a label.

34. A method of printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising the steps of: defining at least one data field in a label; using a database which stores a plurality of sets of information, each set of information comprising a plurality of separate pieces of information which are insert able into the or each data field of the given label; combining at least two separate pieces of information of the set of information, said combined pieces of information of a given set of information being insertable into a single data field; printing an image on image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past the printing mechanism, said combined pieces of information being printed in a single data field; and cutting the image receiving tape to define a label.

35. A method of printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising the steps of: defining at least one data field, said data field having at least one label attribute associated therewith; providing data for said data field; processing the label attribute to ensure that it is sized to correspond to the length of data for the data field; controlling the printing mechanism to print an image onto the image receiving tape as the image receiving tape is fed past a printing mechanism, the size of the label attribute corresponding to the data; and cutting the image receiving tape to define a label.