Embossing tools and tape printers

1. A tape printer for applying an image onto a tape medium, said tape printer comprising:

input means for allowing a user to select an image to be applied to a tape medium;

means for applying said image to said tape medium;

means for determining whether the tape medium is present;

means for obtaining input image information from said input means; and

sound generation means for using said input image information to generate an audible output associated with said image selected, only when the means for determining whether the tape is present determines that the tape is present.

2. A tape printer adapted to apply an image onto a tape comprising:

a selector adapted to allow a user to select an image to be applied to a tape;

an image applier adapted to apply the image onto the tape;

a determiner to determine the presence of the tape;

a detector configured to obtain selected image information from said selector; and

a sound generator adapted to use said information to generate an audible output associated with said image selected, only when the determiner determines that the tape is present.

3. A tape printer as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said sound generator comprises a speaker.

4. The tape printer of claim 2 , wherein said sound generator comprises a voice generator.

5. The tape printer of claim 2 , further comprising a print key which, when operated, causes the image applier to apply the image onto the tape, and wherein said sound generator is arranged to generate the audible output when said print key is operated.

6. The tape printer of claim 2 , wherein said sound generator is arranged to generate the audible output only after said selector has been operated a plurality of times to select a plurality of characters that together spell a word; and

wherein said audible output comprises an output representative of the word.

7. The tape printer of claim 2 , wherein said image comprises one or more characters, numerals, symbols, or combinations thereof.

8. The tape printer as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said sound generator is arranged to generate voice output for said characters, numerals and/or symbols.

9. The tape printer of claim 2 , wherein said selector comprises a keyboard.

10. A tape printer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said sound generator is arranged to generate the audible output only after said selector has been operated plural times to select plural characters that together spell a word;

wherein said audible output comprises plural outputs representative of each respective character of the word.

11. A method for applying an image to a tape, said method comprising:

operating a selector to select an image to be applied to a tape;

determining the presence of the tape;

operating an image applier to apply said image to said tape when the tape is present;

obtaining selected image information from said selector; and

using said selected image information to generate, with a sound generator, an audible output associated with said image selected, only when it is determined that the tape is present.