JP2018015997A - Printer and printing system comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically dissolve a communication error when the communication error occurs in a printer which can communicate with a terminal.SOLUTION: A control device for a printer comprises a communication part 55 which can communicate with a terminal 80, and a communication control part 53 which is electrically connected to the communication part 55. The communication part 55 and the communication control part 53 are electrically connected to each other by a main communication line 61 which performs exchange of data and an initialization communication line 62 on which the communication control part 53 transmits an initialization signal for initializing the communication part 55 to the communication part 55. The communication part 55 initializes communication when receiving the initialization signal via the initialization communication line 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system including the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a printing apparatus such as a printer that can communicate with a terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The printer (printing apparatus) disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes, for example, a receiving unit that receives data from a terminal, and an output unit that performs output processing such as printing based on data received through the receiving unit. Yes.

  In this type of printing apparatus, a receiving unit receives data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “print data”) such as image data stored in a terminal. Then, based on the print data received by the receiving unit, the printing apparatus can print the print data on, for example, recording paper.

JP 2005-47254 A

  By the way, in a printing apparatus, when a user touches the printing apparatus during printing or during printing standby, static electricity may be generated. Due to this static electricity, a communication error may occur that the receiving unit cannot correctly transmit and receive data. Conventionally, when such a communication error occurs, it is possible to detect that a communication error has occurred on the terminal side because communication with the receiving unit is not possible. Could not be detected. Therefore, when a communication error occurs, the printing apparatus cannot automatically solve the communication error.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of automatically eliminating a communication error when a communication error occurs in a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal, and the same. Is to provide a printing system.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a platen, a recording head, a drive mechanism, and a control device. A recording medium is placed on the platen. The recording head is disposed above the platen and ejects ink toward the platen. The drive mechanism moves the recording head relative to the platen. The control device is electrically connected to the drive mechanism and the recording head. The control device includes a print control unit, a communication unit, and a communication control unit. The print control unit controls the drive mechanism and the recording head. The communication unit can communicate with a terminal. The communication control unit is electrically connected to the print control unit and the communication unit. The communication unit and the communication control unit transmit main communication means for exchanging data, and the communication control unit transmits an initialization signal, which is a signal for initializing the communication unit, to the communication unit. Are electrically connected by initialization communication means. The communication unit performs communication initialization when receiving the initialization signal via the initialization communication unit.

  According to the printing apparatus, when a communication error occurs in the communication unit and data cannot be exchanged between the communication control unit and the communication unit via the main communication unit, the communication control unit passes the initialization communication unit. Thus, an initialization signal can be transmitted to the communication unit. Therefore, the communication unit that receives the initialization signal is initialized, so that the communication error of the communication unit is eliminated. Therefore, when a communication error occurs, the communication error can be automatically resolved.

  According to the present invention, when a communication error occurs in a printing apparatus that can communicate with a terminal, the communication error can be automatically resolved.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a printing apparatus. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of a printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the recording head. It is a block diagram of a printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the exchange of the data of a communication control part and a communication part, when the communication error has not generate | occur | produced. It is a figure which shows the exchange of the data of a communication control part and a communication part, when a communication error generate | occur | produces and a communication part is initialized. It is a top view which shows a terminal. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of communication between a communication control part and a communication part at the time of printing.

  Hereinafter, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in particular. Further, members / parts having the same action are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a printing apparatus 1 and a terminal 80. As will be described in detail later, the printing apparatus 1 and the terminal 80 are connected to each other by wireless communication.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the printing apparatus 1. The printing apparatus 1 is an ink jet printer. However, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to an ink jet printer. For example, the printing apparatus according to the present invention may be a laser printer.

  The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs printing on the recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 is, for example, recording paper. However, the recording medium 5 is not limited to recording paper. The recording medium 5 may be a sheet-like medium other than recording paper. The recording medium 5 may be a resin sheet, for example. The recording medium 5 may have flexibility or may not have flexibility. The recording medium 5 may be a metal plate, for example.

  In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom, respectively, as viewed from a user in front of the printing apparatus 1. Further, the direction approaching the user from the printing apparatus 1 is defined as the front, and the direction away from the printing apparatus 1 is defined as the rear. Reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. A carriage 30 (see FIG. 3) and a recording head 40 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, are movable leftward and rightward. The recording medium 5 can be conveyed forward and backward. In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the carriage 30 is referred to as a main scanning direction, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium 5 is referred to as a sub scanning direction. In the drawing, Y represents the main scanning direction, and X represents the sub-scanning direction. Here, the main scanning direction Y corresponds to the left-right direction, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction. The main scanning direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the recording medium 5, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the recording medium 5. The main scanning direction Y and the sub scanning direction X are orthogonal to each other. However, the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to the form of the printing apparatus 1 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a main body 10, legs 11, an operation panel 12, and a cover 15. The main body 10 has a casing 10A extending in the main scanning direction Y. The legs 11 support the main body 10. The legs 11 are provided on the lower surface of the main body 10. The operation panel 12 is provided on the right front surface of the main body 10. The operation panel 12 is used by the user for operations related to printing. The operation panel 12 includes a display screen 12a on which information data related to printing such as monochrome printing or color printing, resolution, and ink density is displayed, and an input unit 12b for inputting information data related to printing. Is provided. In the present embodiment, the display screen 12a corresponds to the “display mechanism” of the present invention.

  The cover 15 is provided on the main body 10. Here, the cover 15 is attached to the upper part of the main body 10 so as to be freely opened and closed. A discharge port 13 for discharging the recording medium 5 is formed below the cover 15 and below the main body 10. A guide 14 for guiding the recording medium 5 discharged from the discharge port 13 is provided at a position in front of and below the discharge port 13. The guide 14 extends forward and obliquely downward from the discharge port 13.

  Next, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a guide rail 20, a platen 25, a drive mechanism 28, and a recording head 40. The guide rail 20 is disposed below the cover 15. The guide rail 20 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

  The platen 25 supports the recording medium 5 when printing on the recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 is placed on the platen 25. Printing on the recording medium 5 is performed on the platen 25. The platen 25 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The platen 25 is disposed below and in front of the central portion of the guide rail 20. The platen 25 is continuous with the guide 14.

  The length of the platen 25 in the main scanning direction Y, that is, the length of the platen 25 in the left-right direction is equal to or longer than the lateral width of the A0 size paper (in other words, the length of the short side). The size of the A0 size paper is 841 mm × 1189 mm. Further, the length of the platen 25 in the main scanning direction Y is equal to or longer than the vertical width of the A1 size paper (in other words, the length of the long side). The length of the platen 25 in the main scanning direction Y is also a length greater than the horizontal width of the B1 size paper. In the present embodiment, the length of the main body 10 of the printing apparatus 1 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the length of one arm of the user. The length of the main body 10 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the length from the user's eyes to the fingertips of one arm when the user extends one arm in the main scanning direction Y. The printing apparatus 1 is a so-called large printer that is longer in the main scanning direction Y than a home printer.

  In this embodiment, a pair of upper and lower rollers 26 that convey the recording medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X are shown at the left and right ends of the platen 25 (note that only the upper roller 26 is shown in FIG. The rollers 26 are omitted). However, the number and installation positions of the pair of upper and lower rollers 26 are not particularly limited. One of the pair of upper and lower rollers 26 is a driving roller (also referred to as a grid roller) that rotates by itself. The other roller 26 is a pinch roller for sandwiching the recording medium 5 together with the drive roller. The pinch roller is configured to be movable in the vertical direction.

  The drive mechanism 28 is a mechanism that moves the recording head 40 relative to the platen 25. In the present embodiment, the drive mechanism 28 is a mechanism that moves the recording head 40 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the drive mechanism 28 includes a pulley 21, a pulley 22, an endless belt 23, a servo motor 24, and a carriage 30. The pulley 21 is provided at the right end portion of the guide rail 20. The pulley 22 is provided at the left end portion of the guide rail 20. The belt 23 is wound around the pulley 21 and the pulley 22. Here, the servo motor 24 is connected to the pulley 21, but may be connected to the pulley 22. When the servo motor 24 drives the pulley 21, the belt 23 travels between the pulley 21 and the pulley 22.

  The carriage 30 is attached to the belt 23. Although not shown, the carriage 30 is engaged with the guide rail 20. The carriage 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20 as the belt 23 travels.

  The recording head 40 ejects ink onto the recording medium 5. The recording head 40 is disposed above the platen 25. The recording head 40 ejects ink downward toward the platen 25. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the recording head 40. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a plurality of ejection portions 41 are formed on the bottom surface of the recording head 40. In the recording head 40, ink is ejected downward from the ejection unit 41. Different colors of ink are ejected from the plurality of ejection portions 41. Here, the plurality of ejection units 41 are arranged in the main scanning direction Y. Although not shown in the drawings, the discharge unit 41 includes a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 40 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 20. In the present embodiment, the recording head 40 is attached to the carriage 30 and is slidably engaged with the guide rail 20 via the carriage 30. The recording head 40 is moved in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20 by the drive mechanism 28.

  Here, the recording head 40 is configured to stand by at the home position HP on the right end side of the guide rail 20 when printing is not performed on the recording medium 5 and when the recording head 40 is not moving in the main scanning direction Y. ing. The drive mechanism 28 is configured to move the recording head 40 to the home position HP. The home position HP is a position where the recording head 40 stands by. Note that the position of the home position HP is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the home position HP may be located on the left end side of the guide rail 20.

  In the present embodiment, a cap 43 is disposed at the home position HP below the right end portion in the main body 10. Although not shown, the recording head 40 is positioned above the cap 43 when waiting at the home position HP. At this time, at least the discharge part 41 is covered from below by the cap 43. Thereby, drying of the discharge part 41 is suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, when the ejection portion 41 of the recording head 40 is covered with the cap 43, an operation of sucking ink in the recording head 40 is performed. Here, a suction device 44 that sucks ink in the recording head 40 is connected to the cap 43. Although not shown, the suction device 44 includes an ink reservoir that stores the sucked ink. Here, the suction of the ink in the recording head 40 attached to the cap 43 by the suction device 44 is referred to as “cleaning”.

  Although not shown, an ink cartridge is connected to the recording head 40 via a tube. The ink cartridge contains ink to be supplied to the recording head 40, that is, ink used for printing.

  Next, the control system of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the printing apparatus 1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control device 50. The control device 50 includes a microcomputer and is provided inside the printing apparatus 1. The control device 50 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores programs executed by the CPU, a RAM, and the like. Here, printing control is performed using a program stored in the microcomputer. In the present embodiment, the control device 50 includes a storage unit 51, a print control unit 52, a communication control unit 53, a communication unit 55, a count unit 57, and an error notification unit 59. In the storage unit 51, for example, data of information related to printing is stored.

  The print control unit 52 performs control related to printing on the recording medium 5. here. The print control unit 52 is connected to the servo motor 24 (see FIG. 3) of the drive mechanism 28 connected to the pulley 21, the drive roller 26, and the recording head 40. The servo motor 24, the drive roller 26, and The recording head 40 is controlled. The print control unit 52 controls the servo motor 24 of the drive mechanism 28 to control the rotation of the pulley 21 (see FIG. 3) and the travel of the belt 23 (see FIG. 3). Controls movement in the scanning direction Y. The print control unit 52 controls the conveyance of the recording medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X by controlling the rotation of the driving roller 26. The print control unit 52 controls the timing at which the recording head 40 ejects ink.

  The communication control unit 53 controls the communication state of the communication unit 55. The communication control unit 53 transmits data to be displayed on the terminal 80 to the communication unit 55, and receives data of printing information transmitted from the terminal 80 via the communication unit 55. is there. Here, “information data relating to printing” refers to data of printed matter and information data relating to printing such as monochrome printing or color printing, resolution, and ink density. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data exchange between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 when no communication error has occurred. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating data exchange between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 when a communication error occurs and the communication unit 55 is initialized. As will be described in detail later, the communication control unit 53 is connected to the communication unit 55 through a main communication line 61 and an initialization communication line 62 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 53 is connected to the print control unit 52 via the communication line 65. The communication control unit 53 transmits data of information regarding printing sent from the terminal 80 to the print control unit 52 via the communication line 65. The print control unit 52 performs control related to printing based on information data related to printing sent from the communication control unit 53.

  The communication unit 55 communicates with the terminal 80. The communication unit 55 is a so-called module. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 55 is electrically connected by performing wireless communication with the terminal 80. The type of wireless communication is not particularly limited, and is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, wireless LAN communication, or the like. Note that the communication unit 55 may be electrically connected by communicating with the terminal 80 using a wire. The communication unit 55 can initialize communication.

  In this embodiment, the module which comprises the communication part 55 is arrange | positioned at the installation part 45, as shown in FIG. The installation unit 45 is disposed below the home position HP. The installation portion 45 is disposed on the right side of the platen 25 and the guide rail 20. Here, in the main body 10, it arrange | positions at the back surface of the part in which the cap 43 is arrange | positioned. That is, the communication unit 55 is disposed below the home position HP and to the right of the platen 25 and the guide rail 20. The communication unit 55 is located on the back surface of the main body 10 where the cap 43 is disposed.

  As described above, the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 are electrically connected to each other by the main communication line 61 and the initialization communication line 62 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 are connected by wire. The main communication line 61 is for performing normal data transmission / reception between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55. Here, “normal” means that no abnormality has occurred in the main communication line 61 and data can be transmitted and received between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 using the main communication line 61. That means. The main communication line 61 may be configured by a single communication line or may be configured by a plurality of communication lines. In the present embodiment, the main communication line 61 corresponds to “main communication means” of the present invention.

  When the communication unit 55 receives data from the communication control unit 53 via the main communication line 61 as indicated by the arrow D1 in FIG. 6, the data is transmitted via the main communication line 61 as indicated by the arrow D2 in FIG. Is transmitted to the communication control unit 53. Here, the “signal indicating that data has been received” is referred to as an “answerback signal”. The communication control unit 53 can confirm that the communication unit 55 has received data by receiving the answer back signal.

  Incidentally, static electricity may occur in the printing apparatus 1. The static electricity may be generated, for example, when the recording medium 5 and the platen 25 are rubbed when the recording medium 5 is conveyed on the platen 25 (see FIG. 3). Further, static electricity is more likely to be generated in a larger apparatus, such as the printing apparatus 1 in FIG. Due to the static electricity, an abnormality occurs in the main communication line 61 connecting the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 or the communication unit 55, and the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 are connected via the main communication line 61. Data may not be exchanged between the two. Hereinafter, “data cannot be exchanged between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61” is referred to as “communication error”. As described above, when a communication error occurs between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55, the communication control unit 53 initializes the communication unit 55 by transmitting an initialization signal to the communication unit 55. When a communication error occurs, the communication unit 55 is initialized to eliminate the communication error. However, when a communication error occurs, an initialization signal cannot be transmitted from the communication control unit 53 to the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the initialization signal is transmitted from the communication control unit 53 to the communication unit 55, the initialization communication line 62 is used. That is, when a communication error has occurred, the communication control unit 53 transmits an initialization signal to the communication unit 55 via the initialization communication line 62 as indicated by an arrow D3 in FIG. The initialization communication line 62 is a dedicated communication line for sending an initialization signal. The initialization communication line 62 is preferably a shield line covered with an electrostatic shield. This makes it difficult for static electricity to be generated in the initialization communication line 62. In the present embodiment, the initialization communication line 62 corresponds to “initialization communication means” of the present invention.

  The count unit 57 counts the continuous number of times that the communication control unit 53 has transmitted data to the communication unit 55 but has not received an answer back signal and has transmitted an initialization signal to the communication unit 55. . In other words, the count unit 57 counts the number of consecutive times that the communication control unit 53 transmitted the initialization signal to the communication unit 55 while a communication error has occurred between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55. doing. Here, the number of consecutive times is the number of consecutive times that the communication control unit 53 should not receive the answer back signal at the timing at which it should be received. If the answer control signal is received by the communication control unit 53, the counting unit 57 initializes the number of consecutive times to “0”.

  The error notification unit 59 is electrically connected to the display screen 12a (see FIG. 5) of the display panel 12. When the number of consecutive times counted by the counting unit 57 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the error notification unit 59 displays a notification indicating a communication error on the display screen 12a of the operation panel 12. Here, the “communication error” is a message indicating that the communication error cannot be resolved. In the present embodiment, the increase in the number of consecutive times means that a communication error has not been resolved even if the communication control unit 53 transmits an initialization signal to the communication unit 55. Therefore, when the number of consecutive times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the error notification unit 59 displays a message indicating that the communication error cannot be resolved on the display screen 12a.

  Next, the terminal 80 will be described. The terminal 80 displays a printing state and the like when the printing apparatus 1 performs printing. In the present embodiment, the terminal 80 is a portable device. Therefore, the user can operate the terminal 80 at a favorite place. The size of the terminal 80 is not particularly limited, and is preferably a size that allows the user to carry it with one hand. The terminal 80 is, for example, a smartphone. However, the type of terminal of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the terminal 80 may be a tablet terminal or a personal computer.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the terminal 80. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal 80 includes a display screen 81, an operation input unit 82, and a control unit 85. The display screen 81 displays a printing state when the printing apparatus 1 performs printing. In the present embodiment, the surface of the display screen 81 is a touch panel, and the touch panel serves as the operation input unit 82. Data of information displayed on the terminal 80 can be operated by a touch panel which is the operation input unit 82.

  The control unit 85 is built in the terminal 80 and is composed of a microcomputer. Here, the control unit 85 is electrically connected to the display screen 81 and the operation input unit 82. Based on the input information from the operation input unit 82, the control unit 85 displays data related to printing on the display screen 81. The control unit 85 is connected to the communication unit 55 of the printing apparatus 1 so as to be able to perform wireless communication. The control unit 85 receives data of information related to printing transmitted from the communication unit 55, and displays the received data on the display screen 81.

  The configuration related to the printing system 100 including the printing apparatus 1 and the terminal 80 has been described above. Next, a communication procedure between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is a procedure for communication between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 during printing. At the time of printing, the printing apparatus 1 displays data on information regarding the printing state on the display screen 12a (see FIG. 2) of the operation panel 12, and when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are communicable, The same data as the information on the printing state displayed on the 12 display screens 12 a is displayed on the display screen 81 of the terminal 80. In the following description, the data regarding the print state displayed on the display screen 12a of the operation panel 12 during printing is referred to as “print information data”. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 9 illustrates a series of communication procedures between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55. Actually, a series of procedures in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is repeatedly performed.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the communication control unit 53 determines whether or not the communication unit 55 can communicate with the terminal 80, that is, whether or not the communication unit 55 is connected to the terminal 80. I do. Here, “the communication unit 55 is communicable with the terminal 80” means that there is a terminal 80 that communicates with the communication unit 55. In other words, “the communication unit 55 is communicable with the terminal 80” refers to a state in which communication is established between the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80. Further, “the communication unit 55 is not in a state in which communication with the terminal 80 is possible” means that a communication error has not occurred between the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80, but a terminal capable of communicating with the communication unit 55. 80 means that it does not exist. “The communication unit 55 is not communicable with the terminal 80” refers to a state in which communication is not established between the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80. For example, when the terminal 80 is not powered on, the communication unit 55 cannot communicate with the terminal 80. Such a state is referred to as “the communication unit 55 is not communicable with the terminal 80”. A method of confirming whether or not the communication unit 55 is in a state where it can communicate with the terminal 80 is not particularly limited. For example, the communication control unit 53 transmits a state confirmation signal to the communication unit 55. This state confirmation signal is a signal for causing the communication unit 55 to confirm whether or not the communication unit 55 is communicable with the terminal 80. The communication unit 55 that has received the state confirmation signal transmits a connection signal to the communication control unit 53 when communication with the terminal 80 is possible. And the communication control part 53 determines with the communication part 55 being in the state which can communicate with the terminal 80 by receiving the said connection signal. In this case, the process proceeds to step S102.

  On the other hand, when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are not in a communicable state, that is, when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are not electrically connected, the communication unit 55 that has received the state confirmation signal An unconnected signal is transmitted to the communication control unit 53. And the communication control part 53 determines with the communication part 55 not being in the state which can communicate with the terminal 80 by receiving the said unconnected signal, and it progresses to step S104 next.

  In step S101, when the communication control unit 53 determines that the communication unit 55 is communicable with the terminal 80, in step S102, the communication control unit 53 prints on the display screen 12a of the operation panel 12. Print information data similar to the information data is transmitted to the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61. The communication unit 55 that has received the print information data transmits the print information data to the terminal 80, and the control unit 85 of the terminal 80 that has received the print information data displays the print information data on the display screen 81. If a communication error occurs between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55, the print information data transmitted by the communication control unit 53 is not received by the communication unit 55, and thus the display screen 81 of the terminal 80 is displayed. Print information data is not displayed.

  In step S102, after the communication control unit 53 transmits print information data to the communication unit 55, in step S103, the communication control unit 53 waits until a predetermined first time elapses. The first time is a waiting time for the communication control unit 53 to receive an answer back signal. The first time is a predetermined numerical value and is stored in the storage unit 51 in advance. Although the specific value of this 1st time is not specifically limited, For example, it is 0.2 second. In the present embodiment, the first time corresponds to the “predetermined time” of the present invention. In step S103, after the first time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S106.

  If the communication control unit 53 determines in step S101 that the communication unit 55 is not communicable with the terminal 80, in step S104, the communication control unit 53 communicates with the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61. Send dummy data. This dummy data is data used to determine whether or not a communication error has occurred for the main communication line 61 and the communication unit 55. The dummy data is data used when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are not in a communicable state, that is, when communication between the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 is not established. The specific configuration of the dummy data is not particularly limited. Here, the size of the dummy data is preferably smaller than the size of the data related to the print information data. At this time, since the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are not in a communicable state, the communication unit 55 that has received the dummy data does not transmit the dummy data to the terminal 80.

  In step S104, after the communication control unit 53 transmits the dummy data to the communication unit 55, in step S105, the communication control unit 53 waits until a predetermined second time elapses. The second time is a waiting time for the communication control unit 53 to receive an answer back signal, as in the first time. The second time is a predetermined numerical value and is stored in the storage unit 51 in advance. Although the specific value of this 2nd time is not specifically limited, For example, it is 0.2 second. Here, the second time and the first time used in step S103 are the same time. However, the second time may be longer than the first time or shorter than the first time. In step S105, after the second time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S106.

  By the way, when no communication error occurs in the main communication line 61 or the communication unit 55, the print information data is transmitted to the communication unit 55 in step S102, and the first time elapses (see step S103). An answer back signal is transmitted from the communication unit 55 to the communication control unit 53. Similarly, if no communication error has occurred, dummy data is transmitted to the communication unit 55 in step S104, and the communication unit 55 transfers to the communication control unit 53 while the second time elapses (see step S105). In response to this, an answer back signal is transmitted. On the other hand, if a communication error has occurred in step S102 or step S104, the answer back signal is not transmitted from the communication unit 55 to the communication control unit 53. Therefore, next, in step S106, the communication control unit 53 determines whether or not a communication error has occurred by determining whether or not an answer back signal has been received from the communication unit 55. When receiving an answerback signal from the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61, the communication control unit 53 determines that no communication error has occurred, and then proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, the communication control unit 53 stands by until a predetermined third time has elapsed. The third time is a predetermined numerical value and is stored in the storage unit 51 in advance. The third time is an interval for displaying the print information data on the terminal 80. Although the specific value of 3rd time is not specifically limited, For example, it is 2 second. Here, the third time is longer than the first time and the second time. In step S107, after the third time has elapsed, the series of procedures ends.

  On the other hand, if the communication control unit 53 does not receive an answerback signal from the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61 in step S106, a communication error occurs between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55. It is determined that If the communication control unit 53 determines that a communication error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the communication control unit 53 transmits an initialization signal to the communication unit 55 as indicated by an arrow D3 in FIG. 7 in order to eliminate the communication error. Since communication cannot be performed using the main communication line 61 when a communication error occurs, the communication control unit 53 sends an initialization signal to the communication unit 55 via the initialization communication line 62. Send. The communication unit 55 that receives the initialization signal performs initialization. By initializing the communication unit 55, data can be exchanged between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 using the main communication line 61. If an initialization signal is transmitted to the communication unit 55 in step S108, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the count unit 57 counts the number of continuous transmissions of the initialization signal transmitted to the communication unit 55 in step S108. The counting unit 57 counts the number of consecutive times that the communication control unit 53 did not receive the answer back signal in step S106. Next, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the number of consecutive times counted in step S109 is a predetermined number or more. Here, the predetermined number of times is a value stored in advance in the storage unit 61. This predetermined number of times may be a value arbitrarily set by the user. If the number of consecutive times is less than the predetermined number, the series of procedures in the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends. On the other hand, if the number of consecutive times is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S111, the error notification unit 59 displays a message indicating that the communication error cannot be resolved on the display screen 12a (see FIG. 2) which is an example of a display mechanism. For example, when the display mechanism of the present invention is an LED, the error notification unit 59 may notify the communication error by turning on an LED that is an example of the display mechanism. When the process of step S111 ends, a series of procedures in the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends.

  In addition, after it determines with NO by the process of step S107 or the process of step S110, and a process is complete | finished, the process of step S101 may be performed again. However, since the communication error has occurred when the process of step S111 is completed, it is better not to perform the process of step S101 again. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a primary power switch (not shown). A series of procedures in the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be repeated as long as the user does not operate so that the primary power source switch of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off.

  As described above, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when a communication error occurs in the communication unit 55 and data cannot be exchanged between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61, The communication control unit 53 can transmit an initialization signal to the communication unit 55 via the initialization communication line 62. Therefore, the communication unit 55 that has received the initialization signal initializes itself, thereby eliminating the communication error of the communication unit 55. Therefore, when a communication error occurs, the communication error can be automatically resolved.

  In the present embodiment, in the printing apparatus 1, the length of the platen 25 in the main scanning direction Y is equal to or longer than the horizontal width of the A0 size paper. That is, the printing apparatus 1 is a large printer. Large printers are more likely to generate static electricity than, for example, household printers. For this reason, communication errors are more likely to occur in large printers than in home printers. Therefore, it is particularly useful to automatically eliminate communication errors in the printing apparatus 1 which is an example of such a large printer.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the communication control unit 53 is in a state where the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 can communicate with each other, the communication control unit 53 communicates with the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61. Print information data, which is information data related to printing, is transmitted. When the communication unit 55 receives the print information data transmitted by the communication control unit 53, the communication unit 55 transmits the print information data to the terminal 80 and sends the print information data to the communication control unit 53 via the main communication line 61. An answer-back signal is sent to inform that it has been received. When the communication control unit 53 transmits the print information data and does not receive the answer back signal before the predetermined first time (the first time in Step S103) elapses, as shown in FIG. In addition, an initialization signal is transmitted to the communication unit 55 via the initialization communication line 62. Then, the communication unit 55 performs initialization when receiving the initialization signal. Thus, in this embodiment, the communication control part 53 can confirm that the communication error has not generate | occur | produced by receiving an answer back signal. On the other hand, the communication control unit 53 can confirm that a communication error has occurred when the answer control signal is not received although the data is transmitted to the communication unit 55. As described above, the communication control unit 53 can easily determine whether or not a communication error has occurred depending on whether or not an answerback signal has been received.

  In the present embodiment, when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 are not communicable, the communication control unit 53 transmits dummy data to the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61. When the communication unit 55 receives the dummy data transmitted by the communication control unit 53, the communication unit 55 transmits an answer back signal to the communication control unit 53 via the main communication line 61. The dummy data has a smaller capacity than the print information data and is simple data. Even when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 cannot communicate, a communication error may have occurred. Therefore, even when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 cannot communicate, the communication control unit 53 transmits dummy data to the communication unit 55 via the main communication line 61 and determines whether or not an answerback signal is received. Whether or not a communication error has occurred can be determined. Therefore, even if a communication error occurs when the communication unit 55 and the terminal 80 cannot communicate, the communication error can be automatically resolved.

  In the present embodiment, the counting unit 57 transmits data to the communication unit 55 by the communication control unit 53 and until a predetermined time (here, the first time or the second time) elapses. In addition, the number of consecutive times that the initialization signal is transmitted to the communication unit 55 without receiving the answerback signal is counted. When the number of consecutive times counted by the counting unit 57 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the error notification unit 59 displays a notification indicating a communication error on the display screen 12a. For example, an abnormality may occur in the initialization communication line 62, and the communication control unit 53 may not be able to transmit an initialization signal to the communication unit 55 via the initialization communication line 62. In this case, since the communication unit 55 cannot receive the initialization signal, the communication error between the communication control unit 53 and the communication unit 55 is not eliminated. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, it is determined as NO in step S106, and the process of transmitting the initialization signal in step S108 is repeatedly executed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of times that the process of step S108 is continuously performed is a predetermined number or more, a message that the communication error is not eliminated is displayed on the display screen 12a (see FIG. 2). A series of procedures in the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends. Therefore, the user can know that the communication error has not been resolved by looking at the message displayed on the display screen 12a. Even if a communication error occurs due to an abnormality in the initialization communication line 62, the user can be notified that a communication error has occurred.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the installation part 45 in which the communication part 55 is installed is arrange | positioned under the home position HP. At the home position HP, the recording head 40 is cleaned. The cap 43 used for cleaning may be touched by the user. At this time, there is a possibility that static electricity may be generated when the user touches the communication unit 55 installed in the installation unit 45. Thus, when the communication part 55 is arrange | positioned in the position where a user can touch, a communication error often occurs. However, in the present embodiment, since the communication error can be automatically resolved, even if the communication unit 55 is disposed at a position where the user can touch the user, the user does not have to worry about the communication error. .

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 55 and the communication control unit 53 are connected by a wired main communication line 61 and a wired initialization communication line 62. The main communication means and the initialization communication means of the present invention correspond to the main communication line 61 and the initialization communication line 62, respectively. However, the main communication means of the present invention is not limited to the wired main communication line 61, and may be one that wirelessly and electrically connects the communication unit 55 and the communication control unit 53. The initialization communication means of the present invention is not limited to the wired initialization communication line 62, and may be one that wirelessly and electrically connects the communication unit 55 and the communication control unit 53. Here, wireless refers to wireless communication that is not a physical signal line. Note that either one of the main communication unit and the initialization communication unit may be configured by wire, and the other may be configured by radio, or both may be configured by radio.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 12 Operation panel 12a Display screen 25 Platen 28 Drive mechanism 40 Recording head 50 Control apparatus 52 Print control part 53 Communication control part 55 Communication part 57 Count part 59 Error notification part 61 Main communication line (main communication means)
62 Initialization communication line (initialization communication means)
80 terminal 81 display screen 85 control unit 100 printing system

Claims (10)

A platen on which a recording medium is placed;
A recording head disposed above the platen and ejecting ink toward the platen;
A drive mechanism for moving the recording head relative to the platen;
A control device electrically connected to the drive mechanism and the recording head;
With
The controller is
A print control unit for controlling the drive mechanism and the recording head;
A communication unit capable of communicating with the terminal;
A communication control unit electrically connected to the print control unit and the communication unit;
With
The communication unit and the communication control unit transmit main communication means for exchanging data, and the communication control unit transmits an initialization signal, which is a signal for initializing the communication unit, to the communication unit. Electrically connected by the initialization communication means,
The printing apparatus, wherein the communication unit performs communication initialization when receiving the initialization signal via the initialization communication unit. The main communication means is a main communication line for connecting the communication unit and the communication control unit by wire,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initialization communication unit is an initialization communication line that connects the communication unit and the communication control unit by a wire. The communication control unit transmits the data to the communication unit via the main communication unit,
When the communication unit receives the data transmitted by the communication control unit, the communication unit transmits an answer back signal notifying that the data has been received to the communication control unit via the main communication unit,
When the communication control unit does not receive the answer back signal until a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the data, the communication control unit sends the initialization signal to the communication unit via the initialization communication unit. Send
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs initialization when receiving the initialization signal. When the communication unit and the terminal are communicable,
The communication control unit transmits print information data, which is information data related to printing, to the communication unit via the main communication unit,
When the communication unit receives the print information data transmitted by the communication control unit, the communication unit transmits the print information data to the terminal and also sends the answer information to the communication control unit via the main communication unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus transmits a back signal. When the communication unit and the terminal are not communicable,
The communication control unit transmits dummy data to the communication unit via the main communication unit,
The said communication part transmits the said answer back signal to the said communication control part via the said main communication means, when the said dummy data transmitted by the said communication control part are received. Printing device. It has a display mechanism that displays information about printing,
The controller is
The communication control unit transmits the data to the communication unit, and the initialization signal is transmitted to the communication unit without receiving the answer back signal before the predetermined time elapses. A counting unit that counts the number of consecutive times;
When the number of consecutive times counted by the counting unit is a predetermined number or more, an error notification unit that displays a notification of a communication error on the display mechanism;
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, comprising: The drive mechanism is configured to move the recording head to a home position that is a position where the recording head stands by,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an installation unit in which the communication unit is installed below the home position. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
The terminal;
With a printing system.   The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit of the printing apparatus and the terminal can communicate wirelessly. The drive mechanism is configured to move the recording head in the main scanning direction,
10. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein a length of the platen in the main scanning direction is equal to or longer than a lateral width of an A0 size sheet.

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