JPH06293173A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a printer capable of preventing the leakage of contents of pringing by permitting the releasing of a lock mechanism, locking a mounted ribbon cassette, when the conditions of confirmation of a user and the like are satisfied. CONSTITUTION:A printer, which moves a printing head 6 into a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of a printing medium 1 to transfer the ink of an ink ribbon 70, supplied from a ribbon cassette 7 mounted on the device by a printing head, is provided with a lock mechanism 16, locking the ribbon cassette 7 to the device when the ribbon cassette 7 is mounted on the device, a first detecting means 8, detecting the near end of the ink ribbon 70 received in the ribbon cassette 7 when the ribbon 70 has arrived at the near end thereof, and a confirming means 9, confirming the certification of a user. The releasing of lock of the lock mechanism 16 is controlled on the basis of the AND of the detecting signal of the first detecting means 8 and the confirming signal of the confirming means 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer type thermal printer for passbook printing such as an automatic transaction device and a bookkeeping machine used in a financial institution, and more particularly to a printer capable of managing attachment / detachment of an ink ribbon cassette. It is a thing.

Recently, automatic deposit and payment machines (Aut
Automatic transaction devices such as omatic Teller Machine (ATM) and bookkeeping machines are widely used. These devices incorporate a passbook printer that prints the transaction details on the passbook.
Some passbook printers are equipped with a thermal printer that can provide relatively high-quality printing.In particular, in transfer-type thermal printers, the ink ribbon used has a plastic film coated on one side with a heat-soluble ink. However, since the ink is thermally melted by the thermal head and transferred to the print medium, it can usually be used only once.

Therefore, when the ink ribbon is viewed after printing, the print contents can be discriminated, and the ink ribbon cassette may be removed during use of the ink ribbon to leak important personal information. Therefore, a method for preventing this is desired. ing.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is an internal side view of a passbook printer incorporated in a bookkeeping machine. As shown in the figure, a conveyance path 3 including a feed roller R _{1 to} R ₃ and a pressing roller R _{4 to} R ₆ for transferring a passbook 1a or a slip (which will be described below as a passbook) inserted from an insertion slot 2 and a passbook. A read / write unit 4 for reading / writing data recorded on a magnetic stripe 1a (hereinafter referred to as MS) and a printer unit 5 are provided. Feed roller R ₁
~ R ₃ is connected to the motor M 1.

Accordingly, when the teller presses a book-book mode button on a keyboard (not shown) and inserts the passbook 1a in the direction of arrow A from the insertion slot 2, a sensor (not shown) causes the passbook to pass through.
1a is detected and the feed rollers R _{1 to} R ₃ are driven to start conveyance, and the read / write unit 4 reads the recorded data such as the account number and balance of the MS, and the read data is read by a host computer (not shown). (Hereinafter referred to as a host), and the host responds with print information to be recorded.

A printable line of the passbook 1a is set in the printer unit 5, and transaction data including a deposit balance is printed on the passbook 1a. Here, the transfer type thermal printer of the printer unit 5 will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the outline of a transfer type thermal printer. As shown in the figure, the platen 50, the thermal head 6a, the ink ribbon 70a are connected to the thermal head 6a.
Carrier 51 to which a ribbon cassette 7a to be supplied to the front of the carrier is detachably mounted, a guide shaft 52 that guides the carrier 51, a feed screw 53 that reciprocates the carrier 51, and a near end sensor 8a that detects the near end of the ink ribbon 70a. It is composed of.

Although not shown, an ID card reading section for reading a user identification card (hereinafter referred to as an ID card) is attached to the apparatus frame. The carrier 51 is provided with a thermal head 6a, a near end sensor 8a, and mounting springs SP1 to SP3 described later.

The guide shaft 52 and the feed screw 53 are supported at both ends by a frame (not shown), and the feed screw 53 is connected to the space motor M2 via a gear group or a belt mechanism.

The ribbon cassette 7a is provided with a notch into which the thermal head 6a is inserted and a notch into which the near-end sensor 8a is inserted, and by mounting springs SP1 to SP3 respectively provided on opposite sides of the carrier 51 in the longitudinal direction. It is installed.

The ink ribbon 70a contained in the ribbon cassette 7a has a tape of a plastic film, for example, a transparent polyester film, coated on one side with a heat-soluble ink containing carbon. The ink is a wax as a winder agent. Is used.

The thermal head 6a is provided with a plurality of resistance heating elements (not shown) arranged so as to form printing by dots. The thermal head 6a is moved forward by a forward / backward mechanism (not shown) to move the ink ribbon 70a by the resistance heating elements. Passbook 1a
When a pulse current is selectively applied to the resistance heating element based on print data, the corresponding resistance heating element generates heat and the ink on the ink ribbon 70a is melted and transferred to the passbook 1a in a dot shape. To be done.

When the ink ribbon 70a is supplied at the same speed as the printing by the thermal head 6a, and the ink is transferred to the passbook 1a, the plastic film is exposed after the transfer portion and can usually be used only once.

The near-end sensor 8a is a reflection type optical sensor and does not reflect the black color of the ink ribbon 70a coated with ink, but when the ink ribbon 70a reaches the near-end, only a transparent plastic film is formed. , The transmitted light is reflected on the white color of the paper of the passbook 1a, and the near end is detected.

With such a configuration, first, the power of the bookkeeping machine is turned on, then the ID card is read by the ID card reading section, ID data is sent to a host (not shown) for inquiry, and a confirmation response is returned. When received, it enters a transaction operation waiting state.

When printing on the passbook 1a as a result of the transaction, the thermal head 6a presses the ink ribbon 70a onto the print line of the passbook 1a conveyed to the position of the platen 50, and presses the space motor.
The feed screw 53 that rotates by the drive of M2 moves in the row direction of the passbook 1a for the carrier 51, and printing is performed by the thermal head 6a. When the printing is completed, the passbook 1a is sent out in the direction of arrow B on the transport path 3.

Thus, as the use of the ink ribbon 70a contained in the ribbon cassette 7a progresses, the ink ribbon 70a
When the line nears the end, the near-end sensor 8a detects the near-end, and the printer stops when the line printing during printing is completed based on the detection signal.

Then, when the operator removes the used ribbon cassette 7a from the carrier 51, mounts the unused ribbon cassette 7a and operates it, printing from the next line is started again.

[0018]

According to the above conventional method, in the ink ribbon in which the plastic film is coated with the heat-soluble ink, the ink in the portion transferred to the passbook is peeled off, and the ink ribbon is seen through. Then, since the printed characters can be read in black and white and read in a negative image, the contents of transactions may be leaked.

For the purpose of discarding the ink ribbon used for this purpose, careful attention such as incineration is taken. However, since the incineration is troublesome and troublesome, as a method for providing a printer with a secret leakage prevention mechanism, (1) A heat roller is provided on the back side of the ink ribbon sent by using, and a knife edge or a brush that comes into contact with the front side via the ink ribbon is provided on the heat roller to remove the ink remaining on the ink ribbon from the back side. Method of collecting by scraping off with a knife edge or brush while heating and melting with (2) Providing a heat roller that is in contact with the ink surface of the used ink ribbon and has a rough surface such as knurls on the outer peripheral surface. The method of destroying the pattern such as characters on the rough surface while melting the ink remaining on the ribbon has been adopted. This is a method for winding the ink ribbon after printing on another spool after it has been used for printing.In this case, there is a space for installing a member such as a heat roller and a space for arranging a tray for collecting the collected ink. However, when a ribbon cassette is used, it cannot be adopted because it is difficult in terms of space, and the ribbon cassette can be attached to and detached from the carrier. Since the ribbon cassette and the unused ribbon cassette may be exchanged, there is a problem that confidential documents or important personal information may be leaked.

According to the present invention, a lock mechanism for locking the mounted ribbon cassette is provided so that the lock mechanism can be released when conditions such as user confirmation are satisfied to prevent leakage of print contents. The purpose is to provide a printer that can.

[0021]

1 to 3 are principle diagrams of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is corresponding to claim 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a principle configuration diagram corresponding to claim 3 of the present invention.

1) Means corresponding to claim 1 In FIG. 1, 1 is a print medium, 6 is a print head, 70 is an ink ribbon, and 7 is a ribbon cassette that is detachably mounted in the apparatus and accommodates the ink ribbon 70. 16 is a lock mechanism for locking the ribbon cassette 7 to the apparatus when the ribbon cassette 7 is mounted on the apparatus, 8 is a first detecting means for detecting the near end when the ink ribbon 70 reaches the near end, 9
Is a confirmation means for confirming the authentication of the user.

Therefore, the printer which moves the print head 6 in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the print medium 1 to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 70 supplied from the ribbon cassette 7 to the print medium 1 by the print head 6. At
The lock release of the lock mechanism 16 is controlled based on the logical product of the detection signal from the first detection means 8 and the confirmation signal from the confirmation means 9.

2) Means corresponding to claim 2 In FIG. 2, 1 is a print medium, 6 is a print head, 70 is an ink ribbon, and 7 is a ribbon cassette that is detachably mounted in the apparatus and accommodates the ink ribbon 70. 16 is a lock mechanism for locking the ribbon cassette 7 to the device when the ribbon cassette 7 is mounted on the device, 9 is confirmation means for confirming user authentication, and 14 is an instruction to unlock the ribbon cassette 7 by the lock mechanism 16. Is an instructing means.

Therefore, the printer which moves the print head 6 in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the print medium 1 to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 70 supplied from the ribbon cassette 7 to the print medium 1 by the print head 6. At
When the power source of the device is turned on, the unlocking of the lock mechanism 16 is controlled based on the logical product of the confirmation signal of the confirmation means 9 and the instruction signal of the instruction means 14.

3) Means corresponding to claim 3 In FIG. 3, 1 is a print medium, 6 is a print head, 70 is an ink ribbon, and 20 is a second detection means for detecting the attachment / detachment of the ribbon cassette 7 to / from the apparatus. is there.

Therefore, the print head 6 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the print medium 1 so that the ink of the ink ribbon 70 supplied from the ribbon cassette 7 is transferred to the print medium 1 by the print head 6. In a printer that detects the near end and replaces the ribbon cassette 7 when the ink ribbon 70 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 7 reaches the near end, the ribbon cassette 7 is removed before the ink ribbon 70 reaches the near end. When it is detected by the second detection means 20, the fact that the ribbon cassette 7 is unmounted before reaching the near end is notified.

[0028]

[Action]

1) Operation corresponding to claim 1 When the near end of the ink ribbon 70 is detected by the first detecting means 8, the confirmation means 9 confirms the user's authentication, thereby detecting the detection signal of the first detecting means 8. The lock release of the ribbon cassette 7 by the lock mechanism 16 is controlled based on the theoretical product of the confirmation signals from the confirmation means 9.

Therefore, the ribbon cassette 7 can be replaced with an unused one at the near end of the ink ribbon 70 by only a user who has been verified, and an outsider other than the user who has been verified and other than the near end. That is, since the ribbon cassette 7 cannot be removed while the ink ribbon 70 is being used, the ribbon cassette 7 can be thoroughly managed, and leakage of important information remaining in the ink ribbon 70 and its misuse can be prevented.

2) Action corresponding to claim 2 When the power source of the apparatus is turned on, the confirmation means 9 confirms the authentication of the user, and the instruction means 14 instructs the unlocking. The lock release of the ribbon cassette 7 by the lock mechanism 16 is controlled based on the logical product of the confirmation signal and the instruction signal from the instruction means 14.

Therefore, only when the device power is turned on,
The ribbon cassette 7 is unlocked by the confirmation signal from the confirmation means 9 and the instruction signal from the instruction means 14, and the ribbon cassette 7 can be removed only by the user whose authentication has been confirmed. However, it is possible to prevent leakage of important information remaining in the ink ribbon 70 and its misuse.

3) Operation corresponding to claim 3 When the ribbon cassette 7 is detached before the ink ribbon 70 reaches the near end and is detected by the second detecting means 20, the ribbon cassette 7 is reached before reaching the near end. By notifying that the ink ribbon 70 has been removed, it is immediately known that the ink ribbon 70 accommodated in the ribbon cassette 7 has been removed during use.
It is possible to prevent the leakage of important information remaining in and the abuse thereof.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first, second and third embodiments in which the present invention is applied to the thermal printer described in the prior art will be described below.

1) First embodiment (corresponding to claim 1)
Description of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a main part configuration diagram of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The passbook 1a, the thermal head 6a, the near-end sensor 8a, and the ID reading section 9a shown in FIG. 4 are the print medium 1, the print head 6, the first detection means 8, and the confirmation means 9 shown in FIG.
It corresponds to.

In the block diagram of FIG. 4, 10 is a CPU,
11 is a ROM, 12 is a RAM, 13 is an interface section, and 14a
Is a management panel, 15 is a print control unit, 16a is a lock mechanism, 17
Is a magnet driver, and 18 is a sensor amplifier. The device power supply D is commonly turned on by turning on the power switch of the bookkeeping machine.

The ID reading section 9a reads the identification code from the ID card by inserting the ID card recording the identification code of the operator. The identification code of the user is registered in the host.

The CPU 10 controls each part based on the control program stored in the ROM 11. In addition to the print control program for the printer and the control program for stopping the device when the near-end sensor 8a is detected, the ROM 11 stores the I / O data read by the ID reading unit 9a when the near-end is detected.
The user data read from the D card is sent to the host to request authentication, and the lock mechanism 16 is sent based on the response signal.
A program for controlling a is provided.

The RAM 12 temporarily stores the print data received by the interface unit 13 from the host. Management panel
The reference numeral 14a includes an instruction button 140 for instructing to lock the ribbon cassette 7a mounted on the carrier 51, and a near-end lamp 141 for lighting and notifying when the near-end sensor 8a detects the near-end of the ink ribbon 70a.

The print control unit 15 controls print drive in the printer unit 5. That is, printing is performed by controlling the drive of the space motor M2 and the thermal head 6a. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 5 (a), the lock mechanism 16a is a carrier.
The ribbon cassette 7a mounted on the 51a is designed to be locked / unlocked by three L-shaped lock levers 19a to 19c on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction, as shown in the side view of FIG. 5 (b). , Lock levers 19a to 19c, plunger magnets (hereinafter referred to as PM) 20a to 20c provided at the bottom of the carrier 51a, and springs 21a to 21c.

Therefore, in the normal state, the L-shaped short sides of the lock levers 19a to 19c are engaged with the upper surface of the ribbon cassette 7a mounted on the carrier 51 by the elastic force of the springs 21a to 21c so that the ribbon cassette 7a cannot be removed. Locked in
When the PMs 20a to 20c are excited, the ribbon cassette 7a can be removed upward by opening in the arrow direction.

When the device power supply D is OFF, PM20a ...
Since 20c is naturally in the deenergized state, the lock mechanism 16a is not released. PM20a to 20 when the device power supply D is ON
The demagnetization of c is performed by pressing the lock instruction button 140 of the management panel 14a after the ribbon cassette 7a is mounted.

Having such a structure and function, the operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the device power supply D is turned on, and then the operator inserts the ID card into the ID reading unit 9a, the identification code is read and transmitted to the host to inquire whether or not it has been registered in the registration file. If so, the corresponding identification code is flagged as the immediate operator. Next, when a registered (OK signal) response is obtained from the host, the host computer enters the operable state and the transaction operation of the bookkeeping machine is started. When the identification code is not registered, the device cannot be used because the use disable (NO signal) is returned.

The transaction operation is started by the OK signal, and the passbook 1a
When the printable line is set in the printer unit 5, the print data sent from the host is received by the interface unit 13 and stored in the RAM 12, and immediately read out to drive the space motor M2 by the print control unit 15. Starting, the ink of the ink ribbon 70a is transferred by the thermal head 6a and printing is performed.

When the use of the ink ribbon 70a progresses and the near-end sensor 8a detects the near end of the ink ribbon 70a, the printer is stopped when the line being printed is completed based on the detection signal and the management panel The near end lamp 141 of 14a is turned on.

Then, the operator IDs the ID card.
When inserted in the reading unit 9a, the recognition code is read and transmitted to the host, and it is checked whether or not the corresponding identification code has a flag. If there is a flag, an OK signal is returned, and if there is no flag, a NO signal is responded.

When the OK signal is responded, PM20a to 20c are excited and the lock mechanism 16a is released by the output of the AND signal of the detection signal of the near end sensor 8a. Therefore, the operator removes the used ribbon cassette 7a that has been mounted, replaces it with an unused ribbon cassette 7a, and mounts it.

The ribbon cassette 7a mounted by pressing the lock instruction button 140 is locked to the carrier 51a. When the operation start button is pressed to enable the operation, and if the printer is stopped and there is a printing line left in the passbook 1a, the remaining printing is performed.

When the NO signal is replied above, the lock of the lock mechanism 15a is not released and the ribbon cassette 7a
Cannot be exchanged. In this way, when the device power supply D is ON, the lock mechanism 16a is unlocked on condition that the near end is detected and the operator's authentication is confirmed, and when the device power supply D is OFF,
When the ink ribbon 70a is in use (that is, the near end is not detected) or the operator's registration is NO, the lock mechanism 16a is not unlocked, so the ribbon cassette 7a mounted on the printer can be removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of important personal information.

2) Second embodiment (corresponding to claim 2)
Description of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the second embodiment. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The passbook 1a, the thermal head 6a, the ID reading section 9a, and the unlock instruction button 142 shown in FIG. 7 correspond to the print medium 1, the print head 6, the confirmation means 9, and the instruction means 14 shown in FIG. 2, respectively. There is.

In the block diagram of FIG. 7, 10a is CP
U and 11a indicate a ROM, and 14b indicates a management panel. CPU10
The a controls each part based on the control program stored in the ROM 11a.

The ROM 11a stores the operator's identification code read from the ID card by the ID reading unit 9a, in addition to the print control program for the printer and the control program for stopping the device when the near-end sensor 8a is detected as described in the conventional example. A program is provided for controlling the lock mechanism 16a based on a response signal transmitted to the host to request authentication and a release instruction signal by pressing the lock release instruction button 142 of the management panel 14b.

The management panel 14b includes a lock instruction button 140 for instructing locking of the ribbon cassette 7a mounted on the carrier 51a by the lock mechanism 16a, a lock release instruction button 142 for instructing unlocking, and an ink ribbon 70a for the near end sensor 8a. A near-end lamp 141 that lights up and notifies when the near-end is detected is provided.

Since it has such a configuration and function, its operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the device power D is turned on, and then the operator inserts the ID card into the ID reading unit 9a, the identification code is read and transmitted to the host, and it is inquired whether or not it has been registered in the registration file. If it has been registered, an OK signal response is obtained and the system is in an operable state. If no identification code is registered and a NO signal is returned, the device cannot be operated.

When the OK signal is responded and the operation is ready, the operator looks at the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 70a in the ribbon cassette 7a, and the remaining amount is small (although the near end is not detected), and the ribbon is small. It is determined whether or not the cassette 7a needs to be replaced, and if necessary, the lock release instruction button 142 on the management panel 14b is pressed.

Then, the operational state is suspended,
The lock mechanism 16a is released by the output of the AND of the OK signal and the lock release instruction signal. Therefore, the operator removes the used ribbon cassette 7a that has been mounted, replaces it with an unused ribbon cassette 7a, and mounts it.

The ribbon cassette 7a mounted by pressing the lock instruction button 140 is locked to the carrier 51a. When the operation start button (not shown) of the management panel 14b is pressed, the operation becomes possible, the operation of the apparatus is started, and the passbook 1a is printed.

When the NO signal is responded, the lock mechanism 16a is not unlocked even if the lock release instruction button 142 is pressed, and the ribbon cassette 7a cannot be replaced.
The ribbon cassette 7a attached to the carrier 51a
The near end of the ink ribbon 70a of the near end sensor 8a
When is detected, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

In this way, when the device power supply D is ON,
If the lock of the lock mechanism 16a is released on condition that the operator's authentication is confirmed and the lock release button 142 is pressed and the device power supply D is OFF, or the device power supply D is ON and the operator registration is NO, the lock release instruction is issued. Since the lock of the lock mechanism 16a is not released even if the button 142 is pressed,
The ribbon cassette 7a attached to the printer cannot be removed, and leakage of important personal information can be prevented.

3) Third embodiment (corresponding to claim 3)
Description of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the third embodiment.
11 is a flow chart of the third embodiment. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The passbook 1a, the thermal head 6a, and the microswitch (hereinafter referred to as MSW) 20a in FIG. 9 correspond to the print medium 1, the print head 6, and the second detecting means 20 in FIG. 3, respectively.

In the block diagram of FIG. 9, 10b is CP.
U, 11b, 23 ROM, 14c management panel, 22 MPU,
24 indicates a battery. The CPU 10b performs control based on the control program stored in the ROM 11b.

The ROM 11b is provided with a printing control program for the printer described in the conventional example and a control program for stopping the device when the near-end sensor 8a is detected. MPU22
Performs control according to the control program stored in the ROM 23.

When the ribbon cassette 7a is removed from the carrier 51b during the use of the ink ribbon 70a (before reaching the near end) and the MSW 20a detects this, the ROM 23 turns on the alarm lamp 143 and the alarm buzzer of the management panel 14c. A drive control program is provided.

The management panel 14c lights up when the near-end sensor 8a detects the near end of the ink ribbon 70a and notifies the near end lamp 141, and when the MSW 20a detects that the ink ribbon 70a is removed during use. An alarm lamp 143 and an alarm buzzer 144 for notifying the user.

The MPU 22, ROM 23, and management panel 14c
And MSW20a, when the device power supply D is ON, the device power supply D
Is supplied, and when the device power supply D is OFF, power is supplied by switching to the battery 24. Therefore, the control by the MPU 22 operates regardless of whether the device power supply D is ON or OFF.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the ribbon cassette 7a
Is the same as the method explained in the conventional example.
It is detachably attached to the carrier 51b by SP3. As shown in FIG. 10 (b), the MSW20a is a carrier
The actuator 21 is attached to the carrier 51b in a state in which the actuator 21 projects from the surface of the ribbon cassette 7a on which the ribbon cassette 7a is attached, and when the ribbon cassette 7a is attached, the actuator 21 is pushed to operate.

Having such a structure and function, the operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the ribbon cassette 7a attached to the carrier 51b is removed while the device power supply D is ON, the MSW 20a detects and sends a detection signal.

At this time, it is determined whether the near end sensor 8a has detected the near end. If it is near end, the detection signal is invalidated and an unused ribbon cassette 7a is mounted.

If it is not near end, the alarm lamp 143 of the control panel 14c is turned on based on the detection signal of the MSW 20a, and the alarm buzzer 144 sounds, and the ribbon cassette
Notify that 7a was removed during use.

If the device power supply D is OFF and the power supply to the control range of the MPU 22 is switched to the battery 24, that is, when the printer is not in use (there should be no near end detection signal). (See)
When the ribbon cassette 7a attached to the carrier 51b is removed, the MSW 20a detects and sends a detection signal.

A flow based on the detection signal is performed. In this way, when the ribbon cassette 7a is removed from the printer regardless of whether the device power source D is ON or OFF,
Since an alarm is issued, it is possible to immediately take measures by a security guard or the like, and prevent leakage or misuse of important personal information or the like.

In each of the above examples, the ribbon cassette 7a is mounted on the carriers 51a and 51b. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the ribbon cassette 7a is mounted on the printer frame, and the same effect can be obtained. .

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, in claim 1, the unlocking of the ribbon cassette by the lock mechanism is controlled based on the theoretical product of the near end detection signal and the user authentication confirmation signal. The ribbon cassette can be replaced with an unused one at the near end of the ink ribbon only by a user who has been certified, and the ribbon cassette can be used by anyone other than the certified user or while the ink ribbon is in use. Since the tape cassette cannot be removed, it is possible to thoroughly manage the ribbon cassette and prevent leakage of important information remaining on the ink ribbon and its misuse.

According to the second aspect, when the power source of the apparatus is turned on, the lock release of the ribbon cassette is controlled by the lock mechanism based on the logical product of the confirmation signal of the user's authentication and the lock release instruction signal. The ribbon cassette is unlocked only when the device power is turned on, and the ribbon cassette can be removed only by the user whose authentication has been confirmed.
It is possible to prevent leakage of important information remaining on the ink ribbon and its misuse.

According to the third aspect, when it is detected that the ribbon cassette is unmounted before the ink ribbon reaches the near end, the fact is notified. Therefore, leakage of important information remaining in the ink ribbon and its Abuse can be prevented in advance. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram corresponding to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a principle configuration diagram corresponding to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of main parts of a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the third embodiment.

[Figure 12] Internal side view of the passbook printer

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an outline of a transfer type thermal printer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the ribbon cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a print medium, 1a is a passbook, 6
Is a print head, 6a is a thermal head, 7,7a is a ribbon cassette, 8 is a first detecting means, 8a is a near end sensor, 9 is a confirming means, 9a is an ID reading section, 14 is an indicating means, and 14a, 14b are Management panel, 16,16a
Is a lock mechanism, 20 is a second detecting means, 20a is MSW,
70 and 70a are ink ribbons, 140 is a lock instruction button, 141 is a near end lamp, 142 is a lock instruction button, 143 is an alarm lamp, 144 is an alarm buzzer,

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ink ribbon (7) that is supplied from a ribbon cassette (7) that is detachably attached to an apparatus by moving a print head (6) in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of a print medium (1). A printer for transferring the ink of 70) to the print medium (1) by the print head (6), wherein the ribbon cassette (7) is locked to the device when the ribbon cassette (7) is installed in the device. Locking Mechanism (16)
A first detecting means (8) for detecting the near end of the ink ribbon (70) housed in the ribbon cassette (7) when it reaches the near end, and a confirming means (9) for confirming user authentication. And the first detecting means (8) when the power source of the apparatus is turned on.
A printer which controls unlocking of the lock mechanism (16) on the basis of a logical product of a detection signal by the confirmation means and a confirmation signal by the confirmation means (9). 2. An ink ribbon (7) supplied from a ribbon cassette (7) detachably attached to the apparatus by moving a print head (6) in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of a print medium (1). A printer for transferring the ink of 70) to the print medium (1) by the print head (6), wherein the ribbon cassette (7) is locked to the device when the ribbon cassette (7) is installed in the device. Locking Mechanism (16)
And an instructing means (14) for instructing unlocking of the ribbon cassette (7) by the lock mechanism (16) and a confirming means (9) for confirming the user's authentication. The printer is characterized by controlling the unlocking of the lock mechanism (16) based on the logical product of the confirmation signal of the confirmation means (9) and the instruction signal of the instruction means (14) during the operation. 3. An ink ribbon (7) which is supplied from a ribbon cassette (7) detachably attached to the apparatus by moving a print head (6) in a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of a print medium (1). The ink of 70) is transferred to the print medium (1) by the print head (6), and when the ink ribbon (70) housed in the ribbon cassette (7) reaches the near end,
A printer for detecting the near end and replacing the ribbon cassette (7), the printer detecting the attachment / detachment of the ribbon cassette (7) to / from the apparatus.
Detecting means (20) for detecting when the second detecting means (20) detects that the ribbon cassette (7) is removed before the ink ribbon (70) reaches the near end. A printer characterized by notifying that the ribbon cassette (7) has been unloaded before reaching the near end.