US20120224202A1 - Printer and Printer Control Method - Google Patents
Printer and Printer Control Method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120224202A1 US20120224202A1 US13/408,708 US201213408708A US2012224202A1 US 20120224202 A1 US20120224202 A1 US 20120224202A1 US 201213408708 A US201213408708 A US 201213408708A US 2012224202 A1 US2012224202 A1 US 2012224202A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- slip
- check
- printer
- conveyance
- unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
- G06K15/40—Details not directly involved in printing, e.g. machine management, management of the arrangement as a whole or of its constitutive parts
- G06K15/4065—Managing print media, e.g. determining available sheet sizes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/008—Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
- B41J13/0054—Handling sheets of differing lengths
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
- G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
- G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
- G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
- G06K15/1803—Receiving particular commands
- G06K15/1805—Receiving printer configuration commands
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a printer that records on slips, and to a method of controlling the printer.
- a printer and printer control method enable easily defining the conversion area even when the size of the slips is not constant.
- Such printer comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open; a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction; a control unit that produces converted print data for recording by the recording head; a storage unit that stores data in a storage area; and a conversion area formation unit that creates a conversion area in the storage area for storing the converted print data, determines dimensions of the conversion area in the storage area based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and determines the movement range of the recording head; wherein the control unit writes the converted print data in the conversion area with reference to a position corresponding to the one, guided side
- This aspect of the invention can accommodate slips of different sizes and can appropriately define the range of the recordable conversion area formed in the storage area referenced to a position corresponding to the one side of the slip and can create a conversion area for different size slips, by conveying the slip with one edge against the guide, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement.
- the converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- this aspect of the invention conveys checks and other slips that are recorded in a specific format and have magnetic ink characters recorded thereon along a guide, reading of magnetic ink characters can be referenced to the position of the guide, which is a process applied to such checks and other slips.
- the length detection unit has a media detection sensor that is disposed to a position relative to the reading unit on the conveyance direction and detects if the slip is present; and the length detection unit detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction based on the distance the slip is conveyed by the conveyance unit and output from the media detection sensor.
- This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, thus making processing more efficient.
- the conversion area formed is rectangular area, and of the four vertices defining the rectangle, the control unit converts and writes the converted print data to the conversion area using as the origin the vertex corresponding to a point on the slip that is closest to a trailing edge of the slip in the conveyance direction and closest to the one side of the slip relative to corresponding points on the slip of the other vertices.
- This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same width, and enables easily recording to the desired position.
- control unit writes the converted print data from the origin using the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction as the write direction of the converted print data.
- This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same length in the conveyance direction, and enables easily recording to the desired position.
- the control unit when writing the converted print data for one line of text to the conversion area, if part of the line will not fit in a corresponding line in the conversion area in the write direction, the control unit inserts a line change and continues writing to the conversion area.
- This aspect of the invention writes to the conversion area by automatically changing the line of characters contained in the text string, and can prevent not recording some of the characters in the text string on the slip.
- the recording head is mounted and moved on a carriage; and the direction in which the control unit changes the line is the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- this aspect of the invention enables recording in the conveyance direction, which is the same direction as the MICR line, while appropriately inserting line changes to the text string recorded on the check or other slip.
- control unit writes the converted print data to the conversion area in the direction enabling reading the text from a position at the one side of the slip.
- this aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing and recording in a direction that enables reading referenced to a position on the one side of the slip, and enables easy reading.
- Such printer comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open; a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction; and a control unit that controls (i) the recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device and further to record the received data on the slip with reference to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and (ii) the movement range of the recording head.
- This aspect of the invention can appropriately define the recording position referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip, and can record to an appropriate position reflecting that the slip size is not constant, by conveying the slip with one edge of the slip against a guide extending in the conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement. Because a guide that defines one side is disposed along the conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path and the other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate slips of different sizes, large slips that protrude from the conveyance path can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- the control unit controls the recording unit to record data in the order received, and changes the line in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
- control unit when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, controls the recording unit to record in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- This configuration enables recording with a natural arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
- the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, thereby making processing more efficient.
- Another aspect of the invention is a method of controlling a printer capable of connecting to a control device, including steps of: conveying a slip through a conveyance path that has a guide on one side and is open on the other side, the guide extending in the conveyance direction and arranged to guide one side of the slip as it is conveyed through the conveyance path; detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction as the slip is conveyed through the conveyance path; moving a recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device, the recording being referenced to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the length of the slip detected by the length detecting step; and controlling the movement range of the recording head.
- the method according to this aspect of the invention enables appropriately defining the recording position referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip, and recording to an appropriate position reflecting that the slip size is not constant, by conveying the slip with one edge of the slip against a guide extending in the conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement. Because a guide that defines one side is disposed along the conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path and the other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate slips of different sizes, large slips that protrude from the conveyance path can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- a control method when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line changes, data is recorded in the order received, and the line is changed in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
- this control method enables recording content in a natural arrangement.
- recording when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, recording proceeds in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- This control method enables recording with a natural arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
- the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the magnetic ink characters on the slip are read by a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- the control method enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks, therefore does not need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, and makes processing more efficient.
- the invention enables forming a print data conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same size.
- FIG. 1A is an external oblique view of a printer according to the invention.
- FIG. 1B schematically shows the face S 1 of a check S.
- FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main unit of the printer.
- FIG. 3 shows various parts disposed along the media conveyance path.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the host computer.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart of printer operation.
- FIG. 7A illustrates the relative physical positions of the check S and the recordable area 70 of the second printhead 48 .
- FIG. 7B illustrates the conversion area 81 created in RAM 103 .
- FIG. 8 is a flow chart of printer operation.
- FIG. 9 illustrates steps SD 4 and SC 2 in FIG. 8 in detail.
- FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B describe the operation of the conversion adjustment unit.
- FIG. 1A is an external oblique view showing a printer 1 (recording device) rendering printer system 300 ( FIG. 4 , FIG. 6 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- the printer 1 reads magnetic ink characters S 2 (also called MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) characters) that are recorded on the face S 1 (recording surface) of a check S, and records images on the face S 1 and/or back S 3 of the check S.
- the printer 1 also stores roll paper R, which is thermal paper wound in a roll, inside and records to the roll paper R.
- the printer 1 has a basically box-shaped main case 2 with a media insertion opening 3 for inserting checks S formed with a specific width widthwise to the printer at the front left side of the main case 2 .
- a media exit 4 from which the processed check S is discharged, is formed with a specific width, extending widthwise with respect to the printer, in the top of the main case 2 midway between the front and back ends of the printer.
- a media conveyance path 5 that extends from the media insertion opening 3 towards the back of the printer and then curves upward is formed between the media insertion opening 3 and the media exit 4 .
- the media insertion opening 3 , media exit 4 , and media conveyance path 5 are formed open to the left side of the main case 2 (as seen in FIG. 1A ) so that checks S that are wider than the media insertion opening 3 , media exit 4 , and media conveyance path 5 can also be conveyed.
- a guide 5 d that extends along the media conveyance path 5 is formed on the right side of the media conveyance path 5 , and the right side of the media conveyance path 5 is closed off by this guide 5 d.
- FIG. 1B schematically describes face S 1 of a check S.
- magnetic ink characters S 2 are recorded near the bottom edge S 5 (one side) of the face S 1 of the check S extending along the bottom edge S 5 .
- the size (the length of the long side and the length of the short side (the width herein)) of the checks S processed by the printer 1 is not constant.
- the distance from the bottom edge S 5 of each check S (one side of the slip) to the magnetic ink characters S 2 is determined according to a known standard, and is substantially constant.
- check S is inserted from the right end S 6 with the front and back positioned so that the face S 1 is up and the back S 3 is down, and the right and left positioned so that the top edge S 4 is on the left and the bottom edge S 5 is on the right.
- the check S is inserted along the guide 5 d with the bottom edge S 5 touching the guide 5 d.
- the check S can be conveyed in the conveyance direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y 1 in FIG. 3 ) or the opposite direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y 2 in FIG. 3 ) with the bottom edge S 5 of the check S following the guide 5 d.
- a MICR head 42 for reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 is disposed to a position opposite the position of the magnetic ink characters S 2 on a check S conveyed through the media conveyance path 5 .
- the MICR head 42 is disposed to a position separated from the guide 5 d by the same distance as the distance from the bottom edge S 5 of the check S to the magnetic ink characters S 2 .
- a front cover 6 covers the top of the main case 2 in front of the media exit 4 , and an operating panel 7 for operating the printer 1 is disposed at the front end part of the front cover 6 .
- a roll paper exit 8 of a specific width from which the printed roll paper R is discharged is disposed to the top of the main case 2 widthwise to the printer behind the media exit 4 .
- An access cover 9 is disposed to the top of the main case 2 behind the roll paper exit 8 , and the access cover 9 is pivotably attached at the back end to the main case 2 .
- the access cover 9 opens, the roll paper compartment 10 that holds the roll paper R is exposed, and the roll paper R can be replaced.
- the roll paper R is continuous thermal paper wound around a core into a roll.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the main unit of the printer 1 .
- FIG. 2 shows the main unit with outside parts such as the main case 2 , front cover 6 , and access cover 9 removed.
- the printer 1 has a main unit 11 , and the main unit 11 includes a slip print unit 12 for printing checks S, and a roll paper print unit 13 for printing on roll paper R, rendered in unison.
- the roll paper print unit 13 includes a pair of left and right side frames, left side frame 14 and a right side frame (not shown in the figure), and a roll paper holder (not shown in the figure) that is disposed between these side frames and forms the the floor, front, and back of the roll paper compartment 10 .
- This roll paper holder holds the roll paper R freely rotatable, and enables the roll paper R to roll freely inside the roll paper compartment 10 .
- a platen roller 15 extends freely rotatably between the left and right side frames near the roll paper exit 8 .
- a thermal head 16 is disposed in front of the platen roller 15 at a position opposite the platen roller 15 , and the thermal head 16 has a plurality of heating resistors on the surface opposing the platen roller 15 .
- the leading part of the roll paper R stored in the roll paper compartment 10 is held between the platen roller 15 and thermal head 16 , and is conveyed toward the roll paper exit 8 when the platen roller 15 turns.
- As the roll paper R passes between the platen roller 15 and thermal head 16 text and images are recorded on the roll paper R by heat output from the thermal head 16 .
- a roll paper feed motor 17 is disposed to the left side frame 14 , and rotation from the roll paper feed motor 17 is transferredthroughan intermediate gear 18 to a drive gear 19 disposed coaxially to the platen roller 15 , and the platen roller 15 turns.
- An automatic cutter unit 21 having an internal movable knife 20 and a cutter drive motor 24 (see FIG. 4 ) that advances and retracts the movable knife 20 is disposed above the platen roller 15 , and a fixed knife 22 is disposed behind the automatic cutter unit 21 with the roll paper exit 8 therebetween.
- the leading end part of the roll paper R passes between the movable knife 20 and fixed knife 22 to the roll paper exit 8 , and to cut the roll paper R, the cutter drive motor 24 causes the movable knife 20 to move back towards the fixed knife 22 and cut the roll paper R together with the fixed knife 22 .
- a remaining roll paper sensor 23 that detects how much roll paper R is left inside the roll paper compartment 10 is also disposed to the left side frame 14 .
- the slip print unit 12 includes a base frame 31 , and a main frame 33 including a left side frame 32 and a right side frame (not shown in the figure) that rise vertically from the base frame 31 .
- a pair of top and bottom paper guide members rendering a bottom guide surface 35 and a top guide surface 36 are disposed to the main frame 33 , and the gap between the bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36 is formed as the foregoing media conveyance path 5 .
- the media conveyance path 5 includes a horizontal conveyance path portion 5 a that extends horizontally from the media insertion opening 3 toward the back of the printer, a curved conveyance path portion 5 b that curves upward from the back end of the horizontal conveyance path portion 5 a, and a vertical conveyance path portion 5 c that extends upward from the top end of the curved conveyance path portion 5 b and continues to the media exit 4 .
- a pair of first paper feed rollers 34 is disposed opposite each other on the bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36 where the horizontal conveyance path portion 5 a joins the curved conveyance path portion 5 b, and a pair of second paper feed rollers 37 is disposed to the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c opposite each other on the bottom guide surface 35 and top guide surface 36 .
- the first paper feed rollers 34 and second paper feed rollers 37 rotate as respectively driven by the slip feed motor 38 ( FIG. 4 ) and convey a check S.
- the first paper feed rollers 34 and second paper feed rollers 37 are also constructed so that one roller member can move to and away from the other roller member of the pair, and open and close the media conveyance path 5 as a result of the advance/retraction operation driven by the roller opening motor 39 ( FIG. 4 ) that is connected to the one roller member.
- a control circuit board 40 that controls overall operation of the printer 1 based on a control program is also disposed to the base frame 31 .
- FIG. 3 schematically describes members disposed to the media conveyance path 5 .
- a BOF (bottom of form) sensor 41 media detection sensor
- MICR head 42 reading unit
- first paper feed rollers 34 TOF (top of form) sensor 43
- alignment unit 44 alignment unit 44
- a validation sensor 45 a sensor that detects insertion of a check from the media exit 4 ; used when printing an approximately one line validation
- a first printhead 46 a MOP (middle of paper pass) sensor 47
- the second paper feed rollers 37 , the second printhead 48 and an EJD (slip ejection detection) sensor 49 .
- the BOF sensor 41 , TOF sensor 43 , validation sensor 45 , MOP sensor 47 , and EJD sensor 49 may be transmissive or reflective photodetectors, for example, and contactlessly detect the presence of a check S at respective positions on the media conveyance path 5 .
- the BOF sensor 41 (media detection sensor) detects the trailing end of the check S inserted from the media insertion opening 3 , and is disposed to the bottom guide surface 35 near the media insertion opening 3 .
- the check S is inserted from the right end S 6 to the media insertion opening 3 of the printer 1 , and the trailing end of the check S is therefore the left end S 7 of the check S.
- the BOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from the MICR head 42 at a position K 1 that the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 by the MICR head 42 . More specifically, when the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction and reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 on the check S by the MICR head 42 in conjunction with media conveyance ends, the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S has already passed position K 1 .
- the printer control unit 101 described below detects when the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S is at position K 1 by detecting a change in BOF sensor 41 output from a state in which the check S is positioned at position K 1 to a state in which the check S is not positioned at position K 1 .
- the TOF sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting the leading end of a check S inserted from the media insertion opening 3 .
- the TOF sensor 43 is disposed to the top guide surface 36 near the first paper feed rollers 34 at a position K 2 on the media exit side of the first paper feed rollers 34 .
- the printer control unit 101 described below detects when the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S is at position K 2 by detecting a change from a state in which the check S is not positioned at position K 2 to a state in which the check S is positioned at position K 2 .
- a length detection unit 202 uses the output of the TOF sensor 43 and the BOF sensor 41 to detect the length in the conveyance direction of the check S being conveyed.
- the EJD sensor 49 detects discharge of a check S processed by the slip print unit 12 from the media exit 4 , and is disposed near the media exit 4 .
- the MOP sensor 47 detects the presence of a conveyed check S approximately in the middle of the media conveyance path 5 , and is disposed to the top guide surface 36 near the second paper feed rollers 37 on the media insertion opening side.
- the slip print unit 12 in this embodiment of the invention is configured to enable validation printing, which prints by the first printhead 46 and second printhead 48 to a check S inserted from the media exit 4 , and after printing is completed discharges the check S again from the media exit 4 .
- a pocket 50 is formed at the top end of the curved conveyance path portion 5 b of the media conveyance path 5 so that the leading end of a check S inserted from the media exit 4 enters the pocket 50 , which thus holds the check S and corrects check alignment.
- the validation sensor 45 detects insertion of the leading end of the check S to the pocket 50 , and is disposed to a position facing the pocket 50 .
- the MICR head 42 (reading unit) is for reading magnetic ink characters S 2 recorded on the face S 1 of the check S, and is disposed to the top guide surface 36 in the horizontal conveyance path portion 5 a of the media conveyance path 5 .
- the validity of a check S is determined based on the data read by the MICR head 42 . Because check S validity is determined before recording on the check S, the length of the check S can also be efficiently detected when reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 with the MICR head 42 while conveying the check S.
- the alignment unit 44 is for pausing and positioning the check S inserted from the media insertion opening 3 , and is disposed near the TOF sensor 43 on the media exit side.
- the alignment unit 44 includes a solenoid or other type of stopper drive unit 44 a, and a stopper 44 b that moves in and out of the media conveyance path 5 according to the operation of the stopper drive unit 44 a, and aligns a check S as a result of the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S contacting this stopper 44 b.
- the first printhead 46 prints the endorsement information required by the business, such as a customer verification number, date, and amount, on the back S 3 of the check S conveyed through the media conveyance path 5 , and is a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) printhead that prints by impelling recording wires against an ink ribbon and transferring ink from the ink ribbon to the slip.
- SIDM serial impact dot matrix
- the first printhead 46 is located at the bottom end of the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c of the media conveyance path 5 , and a first platen 51 is disposed widthwise to the main frame 33 ( FIG. 2 ) at a position opposite the first printhead 46 with the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c therebetween.
- the first printhead 46 is mounted on a first carriage 52 on the back side of the printer from the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c.
- the first carriage 52 is disposed freely slidably on a first carriage shaft 53 extending substantially horizontally between the side frames of the main frame 33 ( FIG. 2 ), and moves bidirectionally along the first carriage shaft 53 when driven by a first carriage drive motor (drive unit: FIG. 4 ) 54 .
- the first carriage 52 is connected to the first carriage drive motor 54 by a timing belt (not shown in the figure).
- the first carriage drive motor 54 is a stepper motor, and can move the first carriage 52 only the distance equal to a desired number of steps as controlled by the control circuit board 40 .
- a first carriage sensor 55 that detects the position of the first carriage 52 is disposed on the bottom of the first carriage 52 .
- This first carriage sensor 55 is a transmissive photodetector, and scans a first scale 56 disposed substantially parallel to the first carriage shaft 53 in conjunction with the bidirectional movement of the first carriage 52 .
- Multiple slits of a specific width are formed in this first scale 56 , and the first carriage sensor 55 detects change in the position of the first carriage 52 and detects the location of the first carriage 52 (first printhead 46 ) by acquiring optical signals passing through these slits while scanning the first scale 56 .
- the second printhead 48 is for printing face information such as the payee, date, and amount on the face S 1 of a check S conveyed through the media conveyance path 5 , and like the first printhead 46 is a SIDM printhead.
- the second printhead 48 is located above and to the front of the printer from the first printhead 46 with the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c therebetween.
- a second platen 57 is disposed extending widthwise to the main frame 33 ( FIG. 2 ) at a position opposite the second printhead 48 with the vertical conveyance path portion 5 c therebetween.
- the second printhead 48 is carried on a second carriage 58 like the first printhead 46 , and the second carriage 58 moves bidirectionally along a second carriage shaft 60 as driven by a second carriage drive motor 59 .
- a second carriage sensor 61 is disposed on the bottom of the second carriage 58 , and this second carriage sensor 61 scans a second scale 62 disposed substantially parallel to the second carriage shaft 60 in conjunction with the reciprocal movement of the second carriage 58 .
- the second carriage drive motor 59 is a stepper motor.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram that shows the functional configuration of a printer system 300 including a printer 1 and a printer system 300 (control device) that controls the printer 1 , and more particularly shows the printer 1 in detail.
- the printer 1 and host computer 200 work together, functioning as a printer system 300 .
- the control system of the printer 1 is composed of drive units including different motors and various sensors connected to the control circuit board 40 .
- the control circuit board 40 also has a printer control unit 101 that includes a CPU, and the CPU runs a control program to control parts of the printer 1 .
- the printer control unit 101 includes a conversion adjustment unit 110 , and the conversion adjustment unit 110 is described further below.
- RAM 103 storage area
- flash ROM 105 that stores the basic control program run by the printer control unit 101 and settings data
- a communication interface 107 for exchanging commands and data with the host computer 200 that controls the printer 1
- a sensor drive circuit 109 that includes an A/D converter 108 and converts the output values of sensors in the printer 1 to digital data, and outputs to the printer control unit 101
- a head drive circuit 111 that drives the printheads of the printer 1
- a motor driver 113 that drives the motors of the printer 1 , and these different parts are connected so that they can communicate with each other.
- control circuit board 40 is packaged as individual semiconductor devices, or the functions of plural functional parts could be combined into a system-on-a-chip (SOC) device, for example.
- SOC system-on-a-chip
- a circuit board temperature sensor 115 that detects the temperature of the motor driver 113 is also mounted on the control circuit board 40 .
- the circuit board temperature sensor 115 is a thermistor disposed to the control circuit board 40 on the back side of where the motor driver 113 is mounted, or near the motor driver 113 .
- a remaining roll paper sensor 23 that detects if the remaining amount of roll paper R stored in the roll paper compartment 10 ( FIG. 1A ) is greater than or equal to a certain level
- a cover open sensor 117 that detects if the access cover 9 is open
- the remaining roll paper sensor 23 is a sensor switch that turns on when the outside diameter of the roll paper R is greater than or equal to a specific level
- the cover open sensor 117 is a sensor switch that turns on when the access cover 9 opens, and both sensors output high/low according to the on/off state of the switch.
- the first carriage sensor 55 and second carriage sensor 61 are photointerrupters, for example, and the output value switches high/low according to whether or not the light detected by the photodetection unit exceeds an internal threshold value.
- the printer control unit 101 controls parts mounted on the control circuit board 40 by reading and running a basic control program stored in flash ROM 105 . Based on the sensor output values input through the sensor drive circuit 109 , and the output values of the remaining roll paper sensor 23 , cover open sensor 117 , first carriage sensor 55 , and second carriage sensor 61 , the printer control unit 101 monitors operation of the printer 1 , drives the heads using the head drive circuit 111 , and operates the motors using the motor driver 113 to print on the face S 1 and back S 3 of the check S, read the MICR line, and perform printing and other operations on the roll paper R.
- RAM 103 provides working memory for temporarily storing programs and data used in the operation of the printer control unit 101 .
- a receive buffer 104 that temporarily stores commands and data received by the communication interface 107 from the host computer 200 is provided in RAM 103 .
- the printer control unit 101 reads and executes the commands stored in the receive buffer 104 in the order received.
- a conversion area 81 into which the images to be recorded on the face S 1 of the check S are converted is formed in RAM 103 . This conversion area 81 is further described below.
- the sensor drive circuit 109 is connected to the BOF sensor 41 , TOF sensor 43 , validation sensor 45 , MOP sensor 47 , EJD sensor 49 , and circuit board temperature sensor 115 , converts the output values from these sensors to digital data, and outputs to the printer control unit 101 .
- the sensor drive circuit 109 is connected to the MICR head 42 , and outputs the output values of the MICR head 42 as digital data to the printer control unit 101 while the magnetic ink characters S 2 recorded on the check S are being read by the MICR head 42 .
- first printhead temperature sensor 75 is mounted on the first printhead 46
- second printhead temperature sensor 76 is mounted on the second printhead 48 .
- the first printhead temperature sensor 75 and second printhead temperature sensor 76 are disposed near the solenoid used to impel the recording wires, and detect the temperature of and around the solenoid.
- the thermal head temperature sensor 77 is disposed near the heat elements of the thermal head 16 , and detect the temperature of the heat elements.
- the first printhead temperature sensor 75 , second printhead temperature sensor 76 , and thermal head temperature sensor 77 are thermistors, and the sensor drive circuit 109 outputs the output values of the first printhead temperature sensor 75 , second printhead temperature sensor 76 , and thermal head temperature sensor 77 as digital data to the printer control unit 101 .
- the printer control unit 101 controls the thermal head 16 , first printhead 46 , and second printhead 48 .
- the printer control unit 101 unconditionally pauses operation of that head. In this case, the printer control unit 101 resumes operation when the temperature of the head that was stopped goes below a set temperature.
- the head drive circuit 111 records on a check S by energizing the solenoid coil that impels the recording wires of the first printhead 46 or second printhead 48 as controlled by the printer control unit 101 .
- the head drive circuit 111 applies heat to and records on the recording surface of the roll paper R by energizing the heat elements (not shown in the figure) of the thermal head 16 as controlled by the printer control unit 101 .
- the motor driver 113 outputs drive power and drive pulses as controlled by the printer control unit 101 to the motors, including the roll paper conveyance motor 17 , cutter drive motor 24 , slip feed motor 38 , roller opening motor 39 , stopper drive unit 44 a, first carriage drive motor 54 , and second carriage drive motor 59 , which are stepper motors.
- the drive power that the motor driver 113 supplies to the motors is the 24-V DC supply power supplied by the power supply unit 120 .
- the printer control unit 101 functions as a conveyance unit that drives the slip feed motor 38 and conveys a check S as controlled by the host control unit 201 .
- the printer control unit 101 that functions as the conveyance unit conveys a check S after aligning the bottom edge S 5 of the check S to the guide 5 d.
- the power supply unit 120 supplies DC power to the drive units of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 4 , including the printheads (first printhead 46 , second printhead 48 , thermal head 16 ), the motors (cutter drive motor 24 , first carriage drive motor 54 , second carriage drive motor 59 , slip feed motor 38 , roll paper conveyance motor 17 , and roller opening motor 39 ), the stopper drive unit 44 a, and the control circuit board 40 . Power from the power supply unit 120 is also supplied to the sensors of the printer 1 through the control circuit board 40 or through the sensor drive circuit 109 mounted on the control circuit board 40 .
- the output voltage of the power supply unit 120 is input to the sensor drive circuit 109 , and the sensor drive circuit 109 outputs the voltage of the power supply voltage from the power supply unit 120 as a digital value to the printer control unit 101 .
- the printer control unit 101 determines based on this digital data if the voltage from the power supply unit 120 is in the normal range.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing in detail the functional configuration of the host computer 200 in this printer system 300 .
- the host computer 200 has a host control unit 201 .
- the host control unit 201 includes a length detection unit 202 , conversion area formation unit 203 , and conversion data generating unit 204 , which are further described below.
- a display unit 206 includes a display panel such as an LCD panel, and presents information on the display panel as controlled by the host control unit 201 .
- the input unit 207 is connected to input devices such as operating switches or a keyboard, detects operation of the input device, and outputs to the host control unit 201 .
- the storage unit 208 is a hard disk drive, EEPROM, or other type of nonvolatile memory, and rewritably stores data.
- the storage unit 208 stores at least device drives, which is a control program group, for controlling the printer 1 .
- the communication interface 210 communicates with the printer using a known communication standard as controlled by the host control unit 201 .
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing the operation of the printer system 300 related to check processing, (A) showing the operation of the printer 1 , and (B) showing the operation of the host computer 200 .
- the functions of the length detection unit 202 , conversion area formation unit 203 , conversion data generating unit 204 , and conversion adjustment unit 110 are achieved by the cooperation of hardware and software, such as by a CPU executing a specific program. More specifically, the functions of the length detection unit 202 , conversion area formation unit 203 , and conversion data generating unit 204 are rendered by a device driver (printer driver) installed on the host computer 200 .
- a device driver printer driver
- the printer 1 When the power turns on, the printer 1 turns on and enters a standby mode. In the standby mode, the printer control unit 101 controls the roller opening motor 39 , moves the first paper feed rollers 34 and secondpaper feed rollers 37 to the open positions, and enables inserting a check S to the media insertion opening 3 . The printer control unit 101 operates the stopper drive unit 44 a to advance the stopper 44 b into the media conveyance path 5 .
- the printer control unit 101 monitors if a check S was inserted based on the output of the BOF sensor 41 (step SA 1 ).
- step SA 1 If insertion of a check S is detected (step SA 1 returns Yes), the printer control unit 101 controls the motor driver 113 to drive the roller opening motor 39 and move the first paper feed rollers 34 and second paper feed rollers 37 to the closed position, and hold the check S with the first paper feed rollers 34 (step SA 2 ).
- the printer control unit 101 operates the slip feed motor 38 to rotationally drive the first paper feed rollers 34 , and performs an operation moving the check S forward and reverse plural times (step SA 3 ). This operation pushes the check S against the stopper 44 b for alignment.
- the printer control unit 101 then checks for the presence of a check S based on BOF sensor 41 output (step SA 4 ), and if a check S is not detected, determines that an error occurred or the check S was removed, and stops the process.
- step SA 4 If the BOF sensor 41 detects a check S (step SA 4 returns Yes), the printer control unit 101 drives the stopper drive unit 44 a to retract the stopper 44 b from the media conveyance path 5 (step SA 5 ).
- the printer control unit 101 controls the slip feed motor 38 and starts conveying the check S in the conveyance direction by the first paper feed rollers 34 (step SA 6 ). If immediately after conveyance starts the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S is detected at position K 2 based on the output of the TOF sensor 43 (step SA 7 ), the printer control unit 101 starts counting the number of steps driven by the slip feed motor 38 (step SA 8 ). Because the slip feed motor 38 is a stepper motor as described above, the number of steps is proportional to the number of rotations, and by counting the number of steps, the number of rotations the slip feed motor 38 has turned and the distance the check S was conveyed by the slip feed motor 38 can be detected.
- the printer control unit 101 then conveys the check S by the first paper feed rollers 34 , and reads the magnetic ink characters S 2 on the check S based on MICR head 42 output during this time (step SA 9 ).
- the BOF sensor 41 is disposed to a position (position K 1 ) that the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 by the MICR head 42 .
- the printer control unit 101 therefore detects that the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S has passed the position K 1 while the MICR head 42 is still reading magnetic ink character line.
- the printer control unit 101 therefore monitors the output of the BOF sensor 41 parallel to the MICR head 42 reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 , and if the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S is detected passing the position K 1 (step SA 10 ), the printer control unit 101 stops counting the number of steps driven by the slip feed motor 38 that started in step SA 8 (step SA 11 ), and controls the communication interface 107 to output the count (the number of counted steps, referred to below as the “step count”) to the length detection unit 202 of the host control unit 201 of the host computer 200 (step SA 12 ).
- the length detection unit 202 to which the step count was input detects the length in the conveyance direction of the check S based on the step count (step SB 1 ).
- the length of the check S in the conveyance direction is more specifically the distance between the right end S 6 and left end S 7 of the check S.
- the step count is the total number of steps the slip feed motor 38 is driven from detection of the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S at position K 2 based on TOF sensor 43 output to detection of the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S at position K 1 based on BOF sensor 41 output.
- the conveyance distance of the check S calculated from the number of steps therefore corresponds to the length in the conveyance direction of the part of the check S passing position K 2 when the trailing end of the check S is positioned at position K 1 .
- the length detection unit 202 converts the number of steps to a conveyance distance in step SB 1 .
- the length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction by adding the distance on the media conveyance path 5 between position K 1 and position K 2 (equal to the length in the conveyance direction of the portion of the check S that has not passed position K 2 when the trailing end of the check S is at position K 1 ) to the calculated conveyance distance, and adding an appropriate correction amount.
- the length detection unit 202 uses the output of the BOF sensor 41 to detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction, and provides the following advantage.
- the BOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from the MICR head 42 at a position K 1 that the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 by the MICR head 42 .
- the printer control unit 101 detects when the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S passes position K 1 while the MICR head 42 is reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 , and in conjunction therewith the length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction.
- the length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction simultaneously and parallel to conveying the check S to read the magnetic ink characters S 2 with the MICR head 42 , and conveyance specifically to detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction is therefore not necessary. As a result, processing is more efficient and the length of the process can be shortened. This effect is achieved by disposing the BOF sensor 41 to the position described above.
- step SA 9 when reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 in step SA 9 , and outputting the step count in step SA 12 executed parallel to step SA 9 , are completed, the printer control unit 101 executes the following steps to record an image on the face S 1 of the check S.
- the printer control unit 101 first controls the slip feed motor 38 to convey the check S so that the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S goes to the position K 3 where the MOP sensor 47 is disposed while monitoring the output value of the MOP sensor 47 (step SA 13 ).
- an image is recorded on the face S 1 of the check S (steps SA 14 , SB 2 ) such as by the printer control unit 101 receiving and recording data sent from the host control unit 201 .
- step SA 14 The process related to recording images on the face S 1 in step SA 14 is described next.
- FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B describe the basic operation of the printer system 300 for recording an image on the face S 1 , FIG. 7A describing the relative physical positions of the check S and the recordable area 70 of the second printhead 48 , and FIG. 7B describing the conversion area 81 reserved in RAM 103 .
- the recordable area 70 represents the area where image recording by the second printhead 48 is possible in relation to the check S. Because the second printhead 48 is a serial head that records images while scanning in a primary scanning direction (arrow Y 3 ), the recordable area 70 is defined according to the range of movement in the primary scanning direction of the second printhead 48 . In addition, because the check S is conveyed with the bottom edge S 5 guided by the guide 5 d in this embodiment of the invention, the check S is positioned in the recordable area 70 so that side h 2 of the recordable area 70 (the side corresponding to the foregoing guide 5 d) and bottom edge S 5 overlap in the recordable area 70 .
- the check recording area 71 (recording area) is the area where an image is actually recorded on the face S 1 (recording surface) of the check S. As shown in FIG. 7A , this check recording area 71 is rectangular. The check recording area 71 is created for each check S.
- recordable area 80 is a recording area defined in RAM 103 , and is a storage area corresponding to the foregoing recordable area 70 .
- the recordable area 80 is converted to a virtual coordinate system in RAM 103 .
- the relationship between the origin of the coordinate system, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the recordable area 80 is as shown in FIG. 7B , and the recordable area 80 is located in the fourth quadrant of the coordinate system indicated by the coordinate axes in the top left part of FIG. 7B .
- the direction to the right is positive on the x-axis, to the left is negative on the x-axis, to the top is positive on the y-axis, and to the bottom is negative on the y-axis.
- the recordable area 80 is a storage area where bitmap data can be written, and dots (pixels) are defined according to the resolution of the second printhead 48 .
- the bits defined in the recordable area 80 are uniquely defined as a relative position from the origin.
- the coordinates of the recordable area 80 in RAM 103 are defined so that the shape of the recordable area 80 in RAM 103 corresponds to the shape of the recordable area 70 .
- vertex P 2 is defined so that side H 1 extending in the positive direction on the x-axis from vertex P 1 corresponds to side h 1 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A , which extends in the primary scanning direction and is positioned at the leading end (right end S 6 ) of the check S.
- Vertex P 3 is defined so that side H 2 extending in the negative direction on the y-axis from vertex P 2 corresponds to side h 2 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A , which extends in the conveyance direction and is positioned on the bottom edge S 5 (one side) side (guide 5 d side) of the check S.
- Vertex P 4 is defined so that side H 3 extending in the negative direction on the x-axis from vertex P 3 corresponds to side h 3 of the recordable area 70 shown in FIG. 7A , which extends in the primary scanning direction and is positioned on the trailing end (left end S 7 ) side of the check S.
- Side h 3 is the range of movement of the second printhead 48 mounted on the second carriage 58 , and is set and stored in advance in a recording unit such as flash ROM 105 .
- the conversion area 81 is a storage area corresponding to the check recording area 71 .
- images are recorded to the check recording area 71 based on the data written to conversion area 81 after all image data to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S is converted (to bitmap data in this embodiment of the invention) and written to the conversion area 81 defined in RAM 103 .
- This recordable area 80 may correspond to the storage area to which one page of image data is written in a page mode.
- the host control unit 201 sends commands to the printer control unit 101 and reserves the conversion area 81 in page units.
- the host control unit 201 sends to the printer control unit 101 the data to be printed, coordinate information for storing the data in the conversion area 81 , and information indicating the direction in which to array the data.
- images can be written freely to the conversion area 81 , thus easily enabling processes such as rotating the image 90 degrees, and affording a high degree of freedom in image layout.
- the data is printed by a print command.
- a suitable conversion area 81 is first created in the recordable area 80 defined in RAM 103 , print data for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 is written to the conversion area 81 , and the image is then recorded.
- FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of recording an image on the face S 1 of the check S in detail, (A) indicating the operation of the printer 1 , and (B) indicating the operation of the host computer 200 .
- the host control unit 201 of the host computer 200 first determines the coordinates of vertices P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4 (see FIG. 7B ), which are the four corners of the recordable area 80 to be formed in RAM 103 (step SD 1 ).
- the coordinates of vertex P 1 are predefined as the specific values of the absolute origin of the recordable area 80 .
- the length on the x-axis of the recordable area 80 is uniquely defined according to the range of second printhead 48 movement in the scanning direction, and the coordinates of vertex P 2 are thus uniquely defined in conjunction with the coordinates of vertex P 1 .
- the coordinates of vertex P 3 are defined as follows.
- the length between vertex P 2 and vertex P 3 corresponds to the length of the check S in the conveyance direction as described above.
- the host control unit 201 first acquires the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by the length detection unit 202 in step SB 1 in FIG. 6 .
- the host control unit 201 converts the length of the check S in the conveyance direction to the number of dots on the y-axis of the recordable area 80 created in RAM 103 .
- the host control unit 201 then sets the coordinates of the point offset the converted dot count from vertex P 2 in the negative direction on the y-axis as the coordinates of vertex P 3 .
- the host control unit 201 similarly sets the coordinates of vertex P 4 to the coordinates of the point off set in the negative y-axis direction from vertex P 1 the same number of dots in the conveyance direction of the check S.
- vertices P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 can alternatively be set by the printer control unit 101 using the length detection unit 202 , for example.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 of the host control unit 201 determines the coordinates of the four vertices of the conversion area 81 , that is, vertex T 1 , vertex T 2 , vertex T 3 (first vertex), and vertex T 4 (SD 2 ).
- vertex T 3 is the vertex formed at the opposite end as the end in the conveyance direction of side q 2 , which corresponds to the bottom edge S 5 of the check S (the side guided by the guide 5 d ).
- the conversion area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of the four vertices T 1 to T 4 as follows.
- the function of the foregoing conversion area formation unit 203 can be rendered by a device driver installed on the host computer 200 .
- a specific application previously installed on the host computer 200 outputs information about the image to be recorded to the device driver.
- the image information input by the device driver includes information identifying the position of the check recording area 71 relative to the face S 1 of the check S.
- the information input to the device driver includes information denoting the distance between the sides r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , r 4 of the check recording area 71 and the corresponding right end S 6 , bottom edge S 5 , left end S 7 , and top edge S 4 of the check S.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 calculates distance d 1 from vertex U 3 to the bottom edge S 5 of the check S ( FIG. 7A ), and the distance d 2 ( FIG. 7A ) from vertex U 3 to the left end S 7 of the check S.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 then calculates the length in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction from vertex U 3 to the other three vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 4 based on the input information.
- the information input to the device driver could include information denoting the distance dl from vertex U 3 to bottom edge S 5 of the check S, and the distance d 2 to the left end S 7 of the check S, and could also include information denoting the distance in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction from vertex U 3 to the other three vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 4 .
- the position of vertex U 3 on the check S is determined by the relationship to the bottom edge S 5 and left end S 7 of the check S, and the positions of vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 4 on the check S are determined in relationship to vertex U 3 .
- Information related to vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , U 4 can be received by the printer 1 from the host computer 200 and acquired by the printer control unit 101 .
- information denoting the distances between sides r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , r 4 of the check recording area 71 and the right end S 6 , bottom edge S 5 , left end S 7 , and top edge S 4 of the check S could be received by the printer 1 from the host computer 200 , and distances d 1 , d 2 and the positions of vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , U 4 could be determined by a calculation on the printer control unit 101 side.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 sets the coordinates of vertex T 3 to the coordinates of the point that is separated from vertex P 3 of the recordable area 80 the number of dots corresponding to the above distance d 1 negatively on the x-axis, and the number of dots corresponding to the above distance d 2 from vertex P 3 positively on the y-axis.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 in this embodiment of the invention thus sets the coordinates of vertex T 3 as a position relative to vertex P 3 of the recordable area 80 .
- the conversion area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of vertex T 3 using the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by the length detection unit 202 referenced to a position corresponding to the bottom edge S 5 of the check S (the side against the guide 5 d ) in RAM 103 . Because the length of the check S in the conveyance direction can be detected using the BOF sensor 41 in this embodiment of the invention, the coordinates of vertex P 3 can be determined according to the actual check S, and the coordinates of vertex T 3 can be determined using this vertex P 3 .
- the conversion area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of vertices T 1 , T 2 , T 4 of the conversion area 81 so that the relationship between vertex T 3 and vertices T 1 , T 2 , T 4 of the conversion area 81 matches the relationship between vertex U 3 and vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 4 of the check recording area 71 in the check S.
- the printer control unit 101 could alternatively calculate the vertices T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 of the conversion area 81 based on information related to the vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , U 4 and d 1 , d 2 .
- the coordinates of vertices T 1 to T 4 of conversion area 81 in this embodiment of the invention are determined by positions relative to vertex T 3 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T 3 . This has the following advantages.
- recording a line of text in the check recording area 71 of the check S starts the line at side r 3 at the left end S 7 of the check S and proceeds towards right end S 6 . It is therefore desirable for the distance between the left end S 7 of the check S and side r 3 of the check recording area 71 to be as close as possible to the output of the above application so that the line starts as close as possible to the expected position.
- the distance between side H 3 of recordable area 80 (the side corresponding to the left end S 7 of the check S) and side q 3 of conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r 3 of check recording area 71 ) will correspond to the value (a value related to distance d 2 ) output by the application as the distance between the left end S 7 of the check S and side r 3 of check recording area 71 , and this need can be appropriately met.
- the distance between bottom edge S 5 of the check S and side r 2 of the check recording area 71 is preferably a value as close as possible to the output of the application.
- the distance between side H 2 of recordable area 80 (the side corresponding to the bottom edge S 5 of the check S) and side q 2 of conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r 2 of check recording area 71 ) will correspond to the value (a value related to distance d 1 ) output by the application as the distance between the bottom edge S 5 of the check S and side r 2 of check recording area 71 , and this need can be appropriately met.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 outputs a command to the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 to create recordable area 80 in RAM 103 according to the coordinates of the above vertices P 1 to P 4 , and create conversion area 81 according to the coordinates of the above vertices T 1 to T 4 (step SD 4 ).
- the printer control unit 101 could determine the coordinates of vertices T 1 to T 4 based on information related to vertices U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , U 4 and d 1 , d 2 , and create the recordable area 80 and conversion area 81 accordingly. In this case this command is not needed.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 thus has a function for determining the coordinates of the four vertices of the conversion area 81 , and outputting a command to create the conversion area 81 in RAM 103 according to the coordinates of the four determined vertices.
- the printer control unit 101 creates the recordable area 80 in RAM 103 and creates the conversion area 81 (step SC 1 ).
- the conversion area formation unit 203 of the host computer 200 and the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 thus work together to create a conversion area 81 to which the print data recorded by the recording head (second printhead 48 ) to the recording surface of the slip (check S) is written in the storage space of the storage unit (RAM 103 ).
- the conversion data generating unit 204 of the host control unit 201 outputs to the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 the data to be printed based on information input from an application (information related to the image to be recorded on the check S), and a command for converting the input data to print data for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S and writing the print data to conversion area 81 using a specific conversion method (step SD 4 ).
- the conversion data generating unit 204 sends the data and command, and the printer 1 converts the received data to print data for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S according to a specific conversion method, and writes the resulting print data to the conversion area 81 .
- the printer control unit 101 converts and writes the print data for the image to be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S based on the content of the command in conversion area 81 (step SC 2 ).
- the conversion data generating unit 204 of the host computer 200 and the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 thus cooperate to create and write the print data to the conversion area 81 .
- step SD 4 and step SC 2 A specific example of the operation of step SD 4 and step SC 2 is described below.
- FIG. 9A , FIG. 9B , FIG. 9C are referred to below to describe the operation of step SD 4 and step SC 2 .
- FIG. 9A shows an example of the final image recorded on the check S.
- the operation of step SD 4 and step SC 2 is described below using an example in which a string of four characters ABCD is printed on one line and another string of four characters 1234 is printed on the next line as shown in FIG. 9A .
- step SD 4 the conversion data generating unit 204 outputs to the printer control unit 101 based on input from the application data representing the content as shown in FIG. 9B (content indicating recording the string of four characters ABCD starting with the letter A, starting a new line, and recording the string of four characters 1234 starting with the number 1) and a command for converting this data to print data according to a specific method described below and writing the print data to conversion area 81 .
- a new line is determined by detecting a code (CR, LF) indicating a new line.
- the printer control unit 101 to which this data and command are input converts the input data to print data written to conversion area 81 as described below.
- the printer control unit 101 converts the input data and commands to print data by starting from the origin at vertex T 3 of conversion area 81 and writing (converting) the converted print data from vertex T 3 to vertex T 2 (the direction in line with the conveyance direction). More specifically, following the input data and commands, the printer control unit 101 determines the string 1234 to be recorded on the bottom line of the plural text strings, and writes bitmap data for the image of the first character (1) in this string rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to the position at vertex T 3 ( FIG. 9C (C- 1 )). The printer control unit 101 then writes bitmap data for the next character (2) to the position adjacent in the conveyance direction to the bitmap data for the character (1). The printer control unit 101 thus sequentially converts and writes bitmap data for the characters contained in the string 1234 in a specific conversion direction (the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction) ( FIG. 9C (C- 2 )).
- the printer control unit 101 finds the text string ABCD to be recorded on the line above the string 1234 , and converts this string ABCD to the line above the string 1234 in the same conversion direction ( FIG. 9C (C- 3 )).
- Converting the print data from vertex T 3 of the conversion area 81 as described above has the following advantages.
- this embodiment of the invention assumes that a line of text will be recorded in the check recording area 71 of the check S with each line starting at side r 3 corresponding to the left end S 7 of the check S and proceeding toward the right end S 6 side.
- images related to each character in the string will be sequentially converted and written from the left end S 7 side to the right end S 6 side of the conversion area 81 , and images of the text strings can be recorded efficiently to the check recording area 71 regardless of the length of the check S in the conveyance direction.
- text strings can be recorded in the same direction as the line of magnetic ink characters S 2 while automatically changing the line.
- the conversion adjustment unit 110 of the printer control unit 101 runs the following process to write print data to the conversion area 81 .
- FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B describe the operation of the conversion adjustment unit 110 , and schematically show the conversion area 81 and text strings to be written to the conversion area 81 .
- the length of the text string to be converted without inserting a new line may be greater than the length of the conversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction.
- the conversion adjustment unit 110 For each string to be written to the conversion area 81 , the conversion adjustment unit 110 compares the length of the conversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction with the length of the print data related to the string, and if the length of the print data related to the string is greater, inserts a new line at an appropriate position in the string before converting the string to print data so that the print data for the string all fits in the conversion area 81 as shown in FIG. 10B . As shown in FIG. 10B , the direction in which the conversion adjustment unit 110 changes the line is the direction in which the second carriage 58 moves, and is the direction corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. By writing the string in this direction to the conversion area 81 , print data for the string can be appropriately written in the conversion area 81 .
- the printer control unit 101 controls the slip feed motor 38 and conveys the check S while controlling the second printhead 48 to record an image on the check S based on the print data written to the conversion area 81 .
- the printer control unit 101 and host control unit 201 thus work together to record an image on the face S 1 of the check S.
- the printer control unit 101 drives the slip feed motor 38 and discharges the check S from the media exit 4 using the second paper feed rollers 37 (step SA 15 ).
- the printer control unit 101 waits until the operator removes the check S (step SA 16 ), and when the check S is removed and change in the output of the EJD sensor 49 is detected (step SA 17 returns Yes), drives the roller opening motor 39 and stopper drive unit 44 a and resumes the standby mode (step SA 18 ). When a check S is inserted, this operation thus reads the magnetic ink characters S 2 and prints on the face S 1 of the check S.
- the printer system 300 has a conveyance unit (printer control unit 101 ) that conveys a check S with the bottom edge S 5 (one side) of the check S following a guide 5 d that extends in the conveyance direction; a length detection unit 202 that detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction; and a conversion area formation unit 203 that creates a conversion area 81 , which is an area where converted print data for the entire image to be recorded in a rectangular area formed on the recording surface of the check S is written, in RAM 103 used as a storage area.
- the conversion area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of the vertices of the conversion area 81 in RAM 103 referenced to a position corresponding to the bottom edge S 5 (one side) of the check S in RAM 103 by using the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by the length detection unit 202 .
- the range of the conversion area 81 in RAM 103 can be appropriately defined to reflect the actual length of the check S in the conveyance direction, and the conversion area 81 can be created to reflect the fact that all checks S are not the same size.
- magnetic ink characters S 2 are recorded on the check S
- a MICR head 42 (reading unit) reads the line of magnetic ink characters S 2 on the check S conveyed in the conveyance direction
- a BOF sensor 41 (media detection sensor) that is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from the MICR head 42 at a position K 1 that the trailing end (left end S 7 ) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S 2 by the MICR head 42 detects if a check S is present at the position K 1 .
- a length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction based on the distance the check S is conveyed by the conveyance unit (printer control unit 101 ) and BOF sensor 41 output.
- the length detection unit 202 can detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction while the check S is conveyed to read the magnetic ink characters S 2 , conveying the check S specifically to detect the length of the check S is unnecessary, and process efficiency is improved.
- This embodiment also has a conversion data generating unit 204 that writes converted print data to a conversion area 81 referenced to vertex T 3 , which of the four vertices of the conversion area 81 is the vertex on the side corresponding to the bottom edge S 5 (one side) of the check S at the opposite end as the end in the conveyance direction.
- the print data is written to the conversion area 81 from the side corresponding to the bottom edge S 5 of the check S (the side that follows the guide 5 d when the check S is conveyed), and the print data can be efficiently written to the conversion area 81 to reflect that the width of all checks S is not the same.
- the conversion data generating unit 204 in this embodiment writes the print data to conversion area 81 starting from the origin at vertex T 3 and proceeding in a write direction that is the same as the conveyance direction.
- print data can be written to the conversion area efficiently while reflecting that the length of all checks S in the conveyance direction is not the same.
- the printer system 300 also has a conversion adjustment unit 110 that, when writing the print data for one line of text in the write direction of the conversion area 81 and the line will not fit in the conversion area 81 , inserts a new line code so that the entire line will fit in the conversion area 81 .
- Text strings are thus converted character by character in the conversion area 81 , and failure to record a portion of the characters contained in the string on the check S can be prevented.
- the length detection unit 202 , conversion area formation unit 203 , and conversion data generating unit 204 are part of the host control unit 201 of the host computer 200 in the embodiment described above.
- a configuration in which these functions are rendered by the printer control unit 101 of the printer 1 is also conceivable, enabling the printer 1 alone to perform the operation of the invention described above.
- the printer 1 in this case is a device that can connect to the host computer 200 as a control device, and includes a second printhead 48 that records on checks S and other slips; a guide 5 d that extends in the conveyance direction; a conveyance unit that conveys checks S with one side of the check S slip following the guide 5 d; a length detection unit (a unit with the same function as the length detection unit 202 above) that detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction; RAM 103 ; and a conversion area formation unit (a unit with the same function as the conversion area formation unit 203 above) that creates a conversion area in RAM 103 .
- the printer 1 could also store font data corresponding to font codes in flash ROM 105 , read the font data from flash ROM 105 when font codes are received from the host computer 200 , and write print data to the conversion area 81 in the order the font codes were received.
- the printer 1 receives image data from the host computer 200 , the image data can be written as the print data directly to conversion area 81 in the order received.
- the print data can also be data in a form that can be used to directly drive the thermal head 16 .
- the invention can also be used when recording an image on the back S 3 of the check S using the first printhead 46 . More specifically, the invention can be broadly adapted to devices having a function that forms a conversion area 81 in a storage area and records images based on print data written to the conversion area 81 .
Abstract
A print data conversion area can be created to reflect that all printed slips are not the same size. A printer includes a conveyance unit that conveys checks with one edge following a guide extending in the conveyance direction, a length detection unit that detects the length of the conveyed check in the conveyance direction, and a conversion area formation unit that creates a print data conversion area to which print data for the entire image to be recorded on the check is written. The conversion area formation unit determines the range of the conversion area with reference to a position corresponding to a particular position on the check using the detected length of the check in the conveyance direction.
Description
- The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-045451, filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention relates to a printer that records on slips, and to a method of controlling the printer.
- 2. Related Art
- Printers that record (print) images on, while conveying, checks or other slips are known from the literature. See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-H07-244702.
- Checks and similar slips are not all the same size; rather, they come in many different sizes. Setting and resetting the area to be recorded (conversion area) on the recording device in order to record at the desired position on slips of different sizes canbe time-consuming and difficult for the user because complicated settings are required to identify the recording area. Because the size of the conveyed slips is not constant, being able to easily define the conversion area is necessary in a device that records images on slips.
- A printer and printer control method according to the invention enable easily defining the conversion area even when the size of the slips is not constant.
- One aspect of the invention is embodied in a printer. Such printer comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open; a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction; a control unit that produces converted print data for recording by the recording head; a storage unit that stores data in a storage area; and a conversion area formation unit that creates a conversion area in the storage area for storing the converted print data, determines dimensions of the conversion area in the storage area based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and determines the movement range of the recording head; wherein the control unit writes the converted print data in the conversion area with reference to a position corresponding to the one, guided side of the slip and controls the recording head to record the converted print data on the slip.
- This aspect of the invention can accommodate slips of different sizes and can appropriately define the range of the recordable conversion area formed in the storage area referenced to a position corresponding to the one side of the slip and can create a conversion area for different size slips, by conveying the slip with one edge against the guide, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement. The converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- Because this aspect of the invention conveys checks and other slips that are recorded in a specific format and have magnetic ink characters recorded thereon along a guide, reading of magnetic ink characters can be referenced to the position of the guide, which is a process applied to such checks and other slips.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the length detection unit has a media detection sensor that is disposed to a position relative to the reading unit on the conveyance direction and detects if the slip is present; and the length detection unit detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction based on the distance the slip is conveyed by the conveyance unit and output from the media detection sensor.
- This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, thus making processing more efficient.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the conversion area formed is rectangular area, and of the four vertices defining the rectangle, the control unit converts and writes the converted print data to the conversion area using as the origin the vertex corresponding to a point on the slip that is closest to a trailing edge of the slip in the conveyance direction and closest to the one side of the slip relative to corresponding points on the slip of the other vertices.
- This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same width, and enables easily recording to the desired position.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the control unit writes the converted print data from the origin using the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction as the write direction of the converted print data.
- This aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing converted print data to a conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same length in the conveyance direction, and enables easily recording to the desired position.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, when writing the converted print data for one line of text to the conversion area, if part of the line will not fit in a corresponding line in the conversion area in the write direction, the control unit inserts a line change and continues writing to the conversion area.
- This aspect of the invention writes to the conversion area by automatically changing the line of characters contained in the text string, and can prevent not recording some of the characters in the text string on the slip.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the recording head is mounted and moved on a carriage; and the direction in which the control unit changes the line is the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- When recording an image of a text string on a check, this aspect of the invention enables recording in the conveyance direction, which is the same direction as the MICR line, while appropriately inserting line changes to the text string recorded on the check or other slip.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the control unit writes the converted print data to the conversion area in the direction enabling reading the text from a position at the one side of the slip.
- Reflecting that all slips do not have the same length in the conveyance direction, this aspect of the invention enables efficiently writing and recording in a direction that enables reading referenced to a position on the one side of the slip, and enables easy reading.
- Another aspect of the invention is embodied in a printer capable of connecting to a control device. Such printer comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction; a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction; a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open; a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction; and a control unit that controls (i) the recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device and further to record the received data on the slip with reference to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and (ii) the movement range of the recording head.
- This aspect of the invention can appropriately define the recording position referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip, and can record to an appropriate position reflecting that the slip size is not constant, by conveying the slip with one edge of the slip against a guide extending in the conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement. Because a guide that defines one side is disposed along the conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path and the other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate slips of different sizes, large slips that protrude from the conveyance path can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line changes, the control unit controls the recording unit to record data in the order received, and changes the line in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
- By recording characters in the order received and inserting line changes at appropriate locations, content can be recorded in a natural arrangement.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, the control unit controls the recording unit to record in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- This configuration enables recording with a natural arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
- In a printer according to another aspect of the invention, the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- This aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks; therefore, there is no need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, thereby making processing more efficient.
- Another aspect of the invention is a method of controlling a printer capable of connecting to a control device, including steps of: conveying a slip through a conveyance path that has a guide on one side and is open on the other side, the guide extending in the conveyance direction and arranged to guide one side of the slip as it is conveyed through the conveyance path; detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction as the slip is conveyed through the conveyance path; moving a recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device, the recording being referenced to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the length of the slip detected by the length detecting step; and controlling the movement range of the recording head.
- The method according to this aspect of the invention enables appropriately defining the recording position referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip, and recording to an appropriate position reflecting that the slip size is not constant, by conveying the slip with one edge of the slip against a guide extending in the conveyance direction, reflecting the actual length of the slip in the conveyance direction and the length of recording head movement. Because a guide that defines one side is disposed along the conveyance direction on one side of the conveyance path and the other side of the conveyance path is open to accommodate slips of different sizes, large slips that protrude from the conveyance path can also be loaded and conveyed. The converted print data can therefore be recorded to slips of difference sizes referenced to a position corresponding to one side of the slip. Easily recording to a desired position on slips of different sizes is therefore possible.
- A control method according to another aspect of the invention when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line changes, data is recorded in the order received, and the line is changed in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
- By recording characters in the order received and inserting line changes at appropriate locations, this control method enables recording content in a natural arrangement.
- In a control method according to another aspect of the invention, when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, recording proceeds in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
- This control method enables recording with a natural arrangement that is easy to read from the one side of the slip.
- In a control method according to another aspect of the invention, the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and the magnetic ink characters on the slip are read by a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
- The control method according to this aspect of the invention enables detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction using a length detection unit while conveying the slip to read magnetic ink characters, which is a process applied to slips such as checks, therefore does not need to convey the slip specifically to detect the length of the slip, and makes processing more efficient.
- The invention enables forming a print data conversion area reflecting that all slips are not the same size. Other effects, attainments, and attributes are described below with reference to the accompany figures.
-
FIG. 1A is an external oblique view of a printer according to the invention. -
FIG. 1B schematically shows the face S1 of a check S. -
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main unit of the printer. -
FIG. 3 shows various parts disposed along the media conveyance path. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the host computer. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of printer operation. -
FIG. 7A illustrates the relative physical positions of the check S and therecordable area 70 of thesecond printhead 48. -
FIG. 7B illustrates theconversion area 81 created inRAM 103. -
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of printer operation. -
FIG. 9 illustrates steps SD4 and SC2 inFIG. 8 in detail. -
FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B describe the operation of the conversion adjustment unit. - Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures.
-
FIG. 1A is an external oblique view showing a printer 1 (recording device) rendering printer system 300 (FIG. 4 ,FIG. 6 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Theprinter 1 reads magnetic ink characters S2 (also called MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) characters) that are recorded on the face S1 (recording surface) of a check S, and records images on the face S1 and/or back S3 of the check S. Theprinter 1 also stores roll paper R, which is thermal paper wound in a roll, inside and records to the roll paper R. - As shown in
FIG. 1A , theprinter 1 has a basically box-shapedmain case 2 with amedia insertion opening 3 for inserting checks S formed with a specific width widthwise to the printer at the front left side of themain case 2. Amedia exit 4, from which the processed check S is discharged, is formed with a specific width, extending widthwise with respect to the printer, in the top of themain case 2 midway between the front and back ends of the printer. Amedia conveyance path 5 that extends from themedia insertion opening 3 towards the back of the printer and then curves upward is formed between themedia insertion opening 3 and themedia exit 4. - The
media insertion opening 3,media exit 4, andmedia conveyance path 5 are formed open to the left side of the main case 2 (as seen inFIG. 1A ) so that checks S that are wider than themedia insertion opening 3,media exit 4, andmedia conveyance path 5 can also be conveyed. Aguide 5 d that extends along themedia conveyance path 5 is formed on the right side of themedia conveyance path 5, and the right side of themedia conveyance path 5 is closed off by thisguide 5 d. -
FIG. 1B schematically describes face S1 of a check S. As shown inFIG. 1B , magnetic ink characters S2 are recorded near the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the face S1 of the check S extending along the bottom edge S5. - The size (the length of the long side and the length of the short side (the width herein)) of the checks S processed by the
printer 1 is not constant. However, the distance from the bottom edge S5 of each check S (one side of the slip) to the magnetic ink characters S2 is determined according to a known standard, and is substantially constant. - As shown in FIG 1A, when a check S is inserted to the
media insertion opening 3 of theprinter 1, check S is inserted from the right end S6 with the front and back positioned so that the face S1 is up and the back S3 is down, and the right and left positioned so that the top edge S4 is on the left and the bottom edge S5 is on the right. - The check S is inserted along the
guide 5 d with the bottom edge S5 touching theguide 5 d. As a result, when the check S is conveyed through themedia conveyance path 5, the check S can be conveyed in the conveyance direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y1 inFIG. 3 ) or the opposite direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y2 inFIG. 3 ) with the bottom edge S5 of the check S following theguide 5 d. - As described above, the distance from the bottom edge S5 to the magnetic ink characters S2 is substantially the same for all checks S. Therefore, the length of the right-left separation between the
guide 5 d and the magnetic ink characters S2 of a check S conveyed through themedia conveyance path 5 with the bottom edge S5 following theguide 5 d is substantially constant regardless of the size of the check S. AMICR head 42 for reading the magnetic ink characters S2 is disposed to a position opposite the position of the magnetic ink characters S2 on a check S conveyed through themedia conveyance path 5. TheMICR head 42 is disposed to a position separated from theguide 5 d by the same distance as the distance from the bottom edge S5 of the check S to the magnetic ink characters S2. - A
front cover 6 covers the top of themain case 2 in front of themedia exit 4, and anoperating panel 7 for operating theprinter 1 is disposed at the front end part of thefront cover 6. Aroll paper exit 8 of a specific width from which the printed roll paper R is discharged is disposed to the top of themain case 2 widthwise to the printer behind themedia exit 4. - An
access cover 9 is disposed to the top of themain case 2 behind theroll paper exit 8, and theaccess cover 9 is pivotably attached at the back end to themain case 2. When theaccess cover 9 opens, theroll paper compartment 10 that holds the roll paper R is exposed, and the roll paper R can be replaced. The roll paper R is continuous thermal paper wound around a core into a roll. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the main unit of theprinter 1.FIG. 2 shows the main unit with outside parts such as themain case 2,front cover 6, andaccess cover 9 removed. As shown inFIG. 2 , theprinter 1 has amain unit 11, and themain unit 11 includes aslip print unit 12 for printing checks S, and a rollpaper print unit 13 for printing on roll paper R, rendered in unison. - The roll
paper print unit 13 includes a pair of left and right side frames,left side frame 14 and a right side frame (not shown in the figure), and a roll paper holder (not shown in the figure) that is disposed between these side frames and forms the the floor, front, and back of theroll paper compartment 10. This roll paper holder holds the roll paper R freely rotatable, and enables the roll paper R to roll freely inside theroll paper compartment 10. - A platen roller 15 extends freely rotatably between the left and right side frames near the
roll paper exit 8. Athermal head 16 is disposed in front of the platen roller 15 at a position opposite the platen roller 15, and thethermal head 16 has a plurality of heating resistors on the surface opposing the platen roller 15. The leading part of the roll paper R stored in theroll paper compartment 10 is held between the platen roller 15 andthermal head 16, and is conveyed toward theroll paper exit 8 when the platen roller 15 turns. As the roll paper R passes between the platen roller 15 andthermal head 16, text and images are recorded on the roll paper R by heat output from thethermal head 16. A rollpaper feed motor 17 is disposed to theleft side frame 14, and rotation from the rollpaper feed motor 17 is transferredthroughanintermediate gear 18 to adrive gear 19 disposed coaxially to the platen roller 15, and the platen roller 15 turns. - An
automatic cutter unit 21 having an internalmovable knife 20 and a cutter drive motor 24 (seeFIG. 4 ) that advances and retracts themovable knife 20 is disposed above the platen roller 15, and a fixedknife 22 is disposed behind theautomatic cutter unit 21 with theroll paper exit 8 therebetween. The leading end part of the roll paper R passes between themovable knife 20 and fixedknife 22 to theroll paper exit 8, and to cut the roll paper R, thecutter drive motor 24 causes themovable knife 20 to move back towards the fixedknife 22 and cut the roll paper R together with the fixedknife 22. - A remaining
roll paper sensor 23 that detects how much roll paper R is left inside theroll paper compartment 10 is also disposed to theleft side frame 14. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theslip print unit 12 includes abase frame 31, and amain frame 33 including aleft side frame 32 and a right side frame (not shown in the figure) that rise vertically from thebase frame 31. A pair of top and bottom paper guide members rendering abottom guide surface 35 and atop guide surface 36 are disposed to themain frame 33, and the gap between thebottom guide surface 35 andtop guide surface 36 is formed as the foregoingmedia conveyance path 5. - The
media conveyance path 5 includes a horizontalconveyance path portion 5 a that extends horizontally from themedia insertion opening 3 toward the back of the printer, a curvedconveyance path portion 5 b that curves upward from the back end of the horizontalconveyance path portion 5 a, and a verticalconveyance path portion 5 c that extends upward from the top end of the curvedconveyance path portion 5 b and continues to themedia exit 4. - A pair of first
paper feed rollers 34 is disposed opposite each other on thebottom guide surface 35 andtop guide surface 36 where the horizontalconveyance path portion 5 a joins the curvedconveyance path portion 5 b, and a pair of secondpaper feed rollers 37 is disposed to the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c opposite each other on thebottom guide surface 35 andtop guide surface 36. The firstpaper feed rollers 34 and secondpaper feed rollers 37 rotate as respectively driven by the slip feed motor 38 (FIG. 4 ) and convey a check S. The firstpaper feed rollers 34 and secondpaper feed rollers 37 are also constructed so that one roller member can move to and away from the other roller member of the pair, and open and close themedia conveyance path 5 as a result of the advance/retraction operation driven by the roller opening motor 39 (FIG. 4 ) that is connected to the one roller member. Acontrol circuit board 40 that controls overall operation of theprinter 1 based on a control program is also disposed to thebase frame 31. -
FIG. 3 schematically describes members disposed to themedia conveyance path 5. Disposed to themedia conveyance path 5 in order from themedia insertion opening 3 end are a BOF (bottom of form) sensor 41 (media detection sensor), MICR head 42 (reading unit), firstpaper feed rollers 34, TOF (top of form)sensor 43,alignment unit 44, a validation sensor 45 (a sensor that detects insertion of a check from themedia exit 4; used when printing an approximately one line validation), afirst printhead 46, a MOP (middle of paper pass)sensor 47, the secondpaper feed rollers 37, thesecond printhead 48, and an EJD (slip ejection detection)sensor 49. - The
BOF sensor 41,TOF sensor 43,validation sensor 45,MOP sensor 47, andEJD sensor 49 may be transmissive or reflective photodetectors, for example, and contactlessly detect the presence of a check S at respective positions on themedia conveyance path 5. - The BOF sensor 41 (media detection sensor) detects the trailing end of the check S inserted from the
media insertion opening 3, and is disposed to thebottom guide surface 35 near themedia insertion opening 3. As described above, in this embodiment of the invention the check S is inserted from the right end S6 to themedia insertion opening 3 of theprinter 1, and the trailing end of the check S is therefore the left end S7 of the check S. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theBOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from theMICR head 42 at a position K1 that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by theMICR head 42. More specifically, when the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction and reading the magnetic ink characters S2 on the check S by theMICR head 42 in conjunction with media conveyance ends, the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S has already passed position K1. - The
printer control unit 101 described below detects when the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S is at position K1 by detecting a change inBOF sensor 41 output from a state in which the check S is positioned at position K1 to a state in which the check S is not positioned at position K1. - The
TOF sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting the leading end of a check S inserted from themedia insertion opening 3. TheTOF sensor 43 is disposed to thetop guide surface 36 near the firstpaper feed rollers 34 at a position K2 on the media exit side of the firstpaper feed rollers 34. Based on output from theTOF sensor 43, theprinter control unit 101 described below detects when the leading end (right end S6) of the check S is at position K2 by detecting a change from a state in which the check S is not positioned at position K2 to a state in which the check S is positioned at position K2. - While described in further detail below, a
length detection unit 202 uses the output of theTOF sensor 43 and theBOF sensor 41 to detect the length in the conveyance direction of the check S being conveyed. - The
EJD sensor 49 detects discharge of a check S processed by theslip print unit 12 from themedia exit 4, and is disposed near themedia exit 4. - The
MOP sensor 47 detects the presence of a conveyed check S approximately in the middle of themedia conveyance path 5, and is disposed to thetop guide surface 36 near the secondpaper feed rollers 37 on the media insertion opening side. - The
slip print unit 12 in this embodiment of the invention is configured to enable validation printing, which prints by thefirst printhead 46 andsecond printhead 48 to a check S inserted from themedia exit 4, and after printing is completed discharges the check S again from themedia exit 4. As a result, apocket 50 is formed at the top end of the curvedconveyance path portion 5 b of themedia conveyance path 5 so that the leading end of a check S inserted from themedia exit 4 enters thepocket 50, which thus holds the check S and corrects check alignment. Thevalidation sensor 45 detects insertion of the leading end of the check S to thepocket 50, and is disposed to a position facing thepocket 50. - The MICR head 42 (reading unit) is for reading magnetic ink characters S2 recorded on the face S1 of the check S, and is disposed to the
top guide surface 36 in the horizontalconveyance path portion 5 a of themedia conveyance path 5. The validity of a check S is determined based on the data read by theMICR head 42. Because check S validity is determined before recording on the check S, the length of the check S can also be efficiently detected when reading the magnetic ink characters S2 with theMICR head 42 while conveying the check S. - The
alignment unit 44 is for pausing and positioning the check S inserted from themedia insertion opening 3, and is disposed near theTOF sensor 43 on the media exit side. Thealignment unit 44 includes a solenoid or other type ofstopper drive unit 44 a, and astopper 44 b that moves in and out of themedia conveyance path 5 according to the operation of thestopper drive unit 44 a, and aligns a check S as a result of the leading end (right end S6) of the check S contacting thisstopper 44 b. - The
first printhead 46 prints the endorsement information required by the business, such as a customer verification number, date, and amount, on the back S3 of the check S conveyed through themedia conveyance path 5, and is a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) printhead that prints by impelling recording wires against an ink ribbon and transferring ink from the ink ribbon to the slip. - The
first printhead 46 is located at the bottom end of the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c of themedia conveyance path 5, and afirst platen 51 is disposed widthwise to the main frame 33 (FIG. 2 ) at a position opposite thefirst printhead 46 with the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c therebetween. Thefirst printhead 46 is mounted on afirst carriage 52 on the back side of the printer from the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c. Thefirst carriage 52 is disposed freely slidably on afirst carriage shaft 53 extending substantially horizontally between the side frames of the main frame 33 (FIG. 2 ), and moves bidirectionally along thefirst carriage shaft 53 when driven by a first carriage drive motor (drive unit:FIG. 4 ) 54. Thefirst carriage 52 is connected to the firstcarriage drive motor 54 by a timing belt (not shown in the figure). The firstcarriage drive motor 54 is a stepper motor, and can move thefirst carriage 52 only the distance equal to a desired number of steps as controlled by thecontrol circuit board 40. - A
first carriage sensor 55 that detects the position of thefirst carriage 52 is disposed on the bottom of thefirst carriage 52. Thisfirst carriage sensor 55 is a transmissive photodetector, and scans afirst scale 56 disposed substantially parallel to thefirst carriage shaft 53 in conjunction with the bidirectional movement of thefirst carriage 52. Multiple slits of a specific width are formed in thisfirst scale 56, and thefirst carriage sensor 55 detects change in the position of thefirst carriage 52 and detects the location of the first carriage 52 (first printhead 46) by acquiring optical signals passing through these slits while scanning thefirst scale 56. Note that in this embodiment of the invention power is supplied to thefirst carriage sensor 55 only while the firstcarriage drive motor 54 is driven, and because the power supply to thefirst carriage sensor 55 is interrupted while the firstcarriage drive motor 54 is stopped, power consumption can be reduced while waiting and energy efficiently can be improved. - The
second printhead 48 is for printing face information such as the payee, date, and amount on the face S1 of a check S conveyed through themedia conveyance path 5, and like thefirst printhead 46 is a SIDM printhead. - The
second printhead 48 is located above and to the front of the printer from thefirst printhead 46 with the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c therebetween. Asecond platen 57 is disposed extending widthwise to the main frame 33 (FIG. 2 ) at a position opposite thesecond printhead 48 with the verticalconveyance path portion 5 c therebetween. Thesecond printhead 48 is carried on asecond carriage 58 like thefirst printhead 46, and thesecond carriage 58 moves bidirectionally along asecond carriage shaft 60 as driven by a secondcarriage drive motor 59. Asecond carriage sensor 61 is disposed on the bottom of thesecond carriage 58, and thissecond carriage sensor 61 scans asecond scale 62 disposed substantially parallel to thesecond carriage shaft 60 in conjunction with the reciprocal movement of thesecond carriage 58. Note that, like the firstcarriage drive motor 54, the secondcarriage drive motor 59 is a stepper motor. - A first ink ribbon cassette 63 (
FIG. 2 ) and a second ink ribbon cassette 64 (FIG. 2 ), which hold ink ribbons respectively conveyed between thefirst printhead 46 andfirst platen 51, and thesecond printhead 48 andsecond platen 57, are removably installed to themain frame 33. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram that shows the functional configuration of aprinter system 300 including aprinter 1 and a printer system 300 (control device) that controls theprinter 1, and more particularly shows theprinter 1 in detail. - In this embodiment of the invention the
printer 1 andhost computer 200 work together, functioning as aprinter system 300. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the control system of theprinter 1 is composed of drive units including different motors and various sensors connected to thecontrol circuit board 40. - The
control circuit board 40 also has aprinter control unit 101 that includes a CPU, and the CPU runs a control program to control parts of theprinter 1. Theprinter control unit 101 includes aconversion adjustment unit 110, and theconversion adjustment unit 110 is described further below. - Disposed to the
control circuit board 40 are RAM 103 (storage area) for temporarily storing programs executed by theprinter control unit 101 and processed data;flash ROM 105 that stores the basic control program run by theprinter control unit 101 and settings data; acommunication interface 107 for exchanging commands and data with thehost computer 200 that controls theprinter 1; asensor drive circuit 109 that includes an A/D converter 108 and converts the output values of sensors in theprinter 1 to digital data, and outputs to theprinter control unit 101; a head drive circuit 111 that drives the printheads of theprinter 1; and amotor driver 113 that drives the motors of theprinter 1, and these different parts are connected so that they can communicate with each other. Note, further, that the form in which the functional parts of thecontrol circuit board 40 are packaged is not specifically limited, and different functional parts could be packaged as individual semiconductor devices, or the functions of plural functional parts could be combined into a system-on-a-chip (SOC) device, for example. - A circuit
board temperature sensor 115 that detects the temperature of themotor driver 113 is also mounted on thecontrol circuit board 40. The circuitboard temperature sensor 115 is a thermistor disposed to thecontrol circuit board 40 on the back side of where themotor driver 113 is mounted, or near themotor driver 113. - Also connected to the
printer control unit 101 are a remainingroll paper sensor 23 that detects if the remaining amount of roll paper R stored in the roll paper compartment 10 (FIG. 1A ) is greater than or equal to a certain level, a coveropen sensor 117 that detects if theaccess cover 9 is open, and thefirst carriage sensor 55 andsecond carriage sensor 61 described above. The remainingroll paper sensor 23 is a sensor switch that turns on when the outside diameter of the roll paper R is greater than or equal to a specific level, the coveropen sensor 117 is a sensor switch that turns on when theaccess cover 9 opens, and both sensors output high/low according to the on/off state of the switch. Thefirst carriage sensor 55 andsecond carriage sensor 61 are photointerrupters, for example, and the output value switches high/low according to whether or not the light detected by the photodetection unit exceeds an internal threshold value. - The
printer control unit 101 controls parts mounted on thecontrol circuit board 40 by reading and running a basic control program stored inflash ROM 105. Based on the sensor output values input through thesensor drive circuit 109, and the output values of the remainingroll paper sensor 23, coveropen sensor 117,first carriage sensor 55, andsecond carriage sensor 61, theprinter control unit 101 monitors operation of theprinter 1, drives the heads using the head drive circuit 111, and operates the motors using themotor driver 113 to print on the face S1 and back S3 of the check S, read the MICR line, and perform printing and other operations on the roll paper R. -
RAM 103 provides working memory for temporarily storing programs and data used in the operation of theprinter control unit 101. - A receive
buffer 104 that temporarily stores commands and data received by thecommunication interface 107 from thehost computer 200 is provided inRAM 103. Theprinter control unit 101 reads and executes the commands stored in the receivebuffer 104 in the order received. - A
conversion area 81 into which the images to be recorded on the face S1 of the check S are converted is formed inRAM 103. Thisconversion area 81 is further described below. - The
sensor drive circuit 109 is connected to theBOF sensor 41,TOF sensor 43,validation sensor 45,MOP sensor 47,EJD sensor 49, and circuitboard temperature sensor 115, converts the output values from these sensors to digital data, and outputs to theprinter control unit 101. Thesensor drive circuit 109 is connected to theMICR head 42, and outputs the output values of theMICR head 42 as digital data to theprinter control unit 101 while the magnetic ink characters S2 recorded on the check S are being read by theMICR head 42. - Also connected to the
sensor drive circuit 109 are a firstprinthead temperature sensor 75, secondprinthead temperature sensor 76, and thermalhead temperature sensor 77. The firstprinthead temperature sensor 75 is mounted on thefirst printhead 46, and the secondprinthead temperature sensor 76 is mounted on thesecond printhead 48. The firstprinthead temperature sensor 75 and secondprinthead temperature sensor 76 are disposed near the solenoid used to impel the recording wires, and detect the temperature of and around the solenoid. - The thermal
head temperature sensor 77 is disposed near the heat elements of thethermal head 16, and detect the temperature of the heat elements. The firstprinthead temperature sensor 75, secondprinthead temperature sensor 76, and thermalhead temperature sensor 77 are thermistors, and thesensor drive circuit 109 outputs the output values of the firstprinthead temperature sensor 75, secondprinthead temperature sensor 76, and thermalhead temperature sensor 77 as digital data to theprinter control unit 101. Based on the temperature obtained from the output values of the firstprinthead temperature sensor 75, secondprinthead temperature sensor 76, and thermalhead temperature sensor 77, theprinter control unit 101 controls thethermal head 16,first printhead 46, andsecond printhead 48. More specifically, if the temperature of thethermal head 16,first printhead 46, orsecond printhead 48 exceeds a previously set threshold value, theprinter control unit 101 unconditionally pauses operation of that head. In this case, theprinter control unit 101 resumes operation when the temperature of the head that was stopped goes below a set temperature. - The head drive circuit 111 records on a check S by energizing the solenoid coil that impels the recording wires of the
first printhead 46 orsecond printhead 48 as controlled by theprinter control unit 101. In addition, the head drive circuit 111 applies heat to and records on the recording surface of the roll paper R by energizing the heat elements (not shown in the figure) of thethermal head 16 as controlled by theprinter control unit 101. - The
motor driver 113 outputs drive power and drive pulses as controlled by theprinter control unit 101 to the motors, including the rollpaper conveyance motor 17,cutter drive motor 24,slip feed motor 38,roller opening motor 39,stopper drive unit 44 a, firstcarriage drive motor 54, and secondcarriage drive motor 59, which are stepper motors. The drive power that themotor driver 113 supplies to the motors is the 24-V DC supply power supplied by thepower supply unit 120. - In this embodiment of the invention the
printer control unit 101 functions as a conveyance unit that drives theslip feed motor 38 and conveys a check S as controlled by thehost control unit 201. As described above, theprinter control unit 101 that functions as the conveyance unit conveys a check S after aligning the bottom edge S5 of the check S to theguide 5 d. - The
power supply unit 120 supplies DC power to the drive units of theprinter 1 shown inFIG. 4 , including the printheads (first printhead 46,second printhead 48, thermal head 16), the motors (cutter drive motor 24, firstcarriage drive motor 54, secondcarriage drive motor 59,slip feed motor 38, rollpaper conveyance motor 17, and roller opening motor 39), thestopper drive unit 44 a, and thecontrol circuit board 40. Power from thepower supply unit 120 is also supplied to the sensors of theprinter 1 through thecontrol circuit board 40 or through thesensor drive circuit 109 mounted on thecontrol circuit board 40. - The output voltage of the
power supply unit 120 is input to thesensor drive circuit 109, and thesensor drive circuit 109 outputs the voltage of the power supply voltage from thepower supply unit 120 as a digital value to theprinter control unit 101. Theprinter control unit 101 determines based on this digital data if the voltage from thepower supply unit 120 is in the normal range. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing in detail the functional configuration of thehost computer 200 in thisprinter system 300. As shown inFIG. 5 , thehost computer 200 has ahost control unit 201. Thehost control unit 201 includes alength detection unit 202, conversionarea formation unit 203, and conversiondata generating unit 204, which are further described below. - A
display unit 206 includes a display panel such as an LCD panel, and presents information on the display panel as controlled by thehost control unit 201. - The
input unit 207 is connected to input devices such as operating switches or a keyboard, detects operation of the input device, and outputs to thehost control unit 201. - The
storage unit 208 is a hard disk drive, EEPROM, or other type of nonvolatile memory, and rewritably stores data. Thestorage unit 208 stores at least device drives, which is a control program group, for controlling theprinter 1. - The
communication interface 210 communicates with the printer using a known communication standard as controlled by thehost control unit 201. - The operation of the
printer system 300, and particularly operation related to check processing, is described next. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing the operation of theprinter system 300 related to check processing, (A) showing the operation of theprinter 1, and (B) showing the operation of thehost computer 200. - Note that in the following description the functions of the
length detection unit 202, conversionarea formation unit 203, conversiondata generating unit 204, andconversion adjustment unit 110 are achieved by the cooperation of hardware and software, such as by a CPU executing a specific program. More specifically, the functions of thelength detection unit 202, conversionarea formation unit 203, and conversiondata generating unit 204 are rendered by a device driver (printer driver) installed on thehost computer 200. - Note that for brevity in the description of
FIG. 6 an image is recorded to the face S1 of a check S, and an image is not recorded to the back S3 of the check S. - When the power turns on, the
printer 1 turns on and enters a standby mode. In the standby mode, theprinter control unit 101 controls theroller opening motor 39, moves the firstpaper feed rollers 34 andsecondpaper feed rollers 37 to the open positions, and enables inserting a check S to themedia insertion opening 3. Theprinter control unit 101 operates thestopper drive unit 44 a to advance thestopper 44 b into themedia conveyance path 5. - After entering the standby mode, the
printer control unit 101 monitors if a check S was inserted based on the output of the BOF sensor 41 (step SA1). - If insertion of a check S is detected (step SA1 returns Yes), the
printer control unit 101 controls themotor driver 113 to drive theroller opening motor 39 and move the firstpaper feed rollers 34 and secondpaper feed rollers 37 to the closed position, and hold the check S with the first paper feed rollers 34 (step SA2). - With the
stopper 44 b intervening in themedia conveyance path 5, theprinter control unit 101 operates theslip feed motor 38 to rotationally drive the firstpaper feed rollers 34, and performs an operation moving the check S forward and reverse plural times (step SA3). This operation pushes the check S against thestopper 44 b for alignment. - The
printer control unit 101 then checks for the presence of a check S based onBOF sensor 41 output (step SA4), and if a check S is not detected, determines that an error occurred or the check S was removed, and stops the process. - However, if the
BOF sensor 41 detects a check S (step SA4 returns Yes), theprinter control unit 101 drives thestopper drive unit 44 a to retract thestopper 44 b from the media conveyance path 5 (step SA5). - After the
stopper 44 b retracts, theprinter control unit 101 controls theslip feed motor 38 and starts conveying the check S in the conveyance direction by the first paper feed rollers 34 (step SA6). If immediately after conveyance starts the leading end (right end S6) of the check S is detected at position K2 based on the output of the TOF sensor 43 (step SA7), theprinter control unit 101 starts counting the number of steps driven by the slip feed motor 38 (step SA8). Because theslip feed motor 38 is a stepper motor as described above, the number of steps is proportional to the number of rotations, and by counting the number of steps, the number of rotations theslip feed motor 38 has turned and the distance the check S was conveyed by theslip feed motor 38 can be detected. - The
printer control unit 101 then conveys the check S by the firstpaper feed rollers 34, and reads the magnetic ink characters S2 on the check S based onMICR head 42 output during this time (step SA9). - As described above, the
BOF sensor 41 is disposed to a position (position K1) that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by theMICR head 42. Theprinter control unit 101 therefore detects that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S has passed the position K1 while theMICR head 42 is still reading magnetic ink character line. - The
printer control unit 101 therefore monitors the output of theBOF sensor 41 parallel to theMICR head 42 reading the magnetic ink characters S2, and if the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S is detected passing the position K1 (step SA10), theprinter control unit 101 stops counting the number of steps driven by theslip feed motor 38 that started in step SA8 (step SA11), and controls thecommunication interface 107 to output the count (the number of counted steps, referred to below as the “step count”) to thelength detection unit 202 of thehost control unit 201 of the host computer 200 (step SA12). - As shown in (B) in
FIG. 6 , thelength detection unit 202 to which the step count was input detects the length in the conveyance direction of the check S based on the step count (step SB1). The length of the check S in the conveyance direction is more specifically the distance between the right end S6 and left end S7 of the check S. - To describe the operation of the
length detection unit 202 in step SB1 more specifically, the step count is the total number of steps theslip feed motor 38 is driven from detection of the leading end (right end S6) of the check S at position K2 based onTOF sensor 43 output to detection of the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S at position K1 based onBOF sensor 41 output. The conveyance distance of the check S calculated from the number of steps therefore corresponds to the length in the conveyance direction of the part of the check S passing position K2 when the trailing end of the check S is positioned at position K1. - Based thereon, the
length detection unit 202 converts the number of steps to a conveyance distance in step SB1. Next, thelength detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction by adding the distance on themedia conveyance path 5 between position K1 and position K2 (equal to the length in the conveyance direction of the portion of the check S that has not passed position K2 when the trailing end of the check S is at position K1) to the calculated conveyance distance, and adding an appropriate correction amount. - In this embodiment of the invention the
length detection unit 202 uses the output of theBOF sensor 41 to detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction, and provides the following advantage. - More specifically, the
BOF sensor 41 is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from theMICR head 42 at a position K1 that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed in the conveyance direction to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by theMICR head 42. - As a result, the
printer control unit 101 detects when the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes position K1 while theMICR head 42 is reading the magnetic ink characters S2, and in conjunction therewith thelength detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction. - In other words, in this embodiment of the invention the
length detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction simultaneously and parallel to conveying the check S to read the magnetic ink characters S2 with theMICR head 42, and conveyance specifically to detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction is therefore not necessary. As a result, processing is more efficient and the length of the process can be shortened. This effect is achieved by disposing theBOF sensor 41 to the position described above. - Referring to (A) in
FIG. 6 , when reading the magnetic ink characters S2 in step SA9, and outputting the step count in step SA12 executed parallel to step SA9, are completed, theprinter control unit 101 executes the following steps to record an image on the face S1 of the check S. - More specifically, the
printer control unit 101 first controls theslip feed motor 38 to convey the check S so that the leading end (right end S6) of the check S goes to the position K3 where theMOP sensor 47 is disposed while monitoring the output value of the MOP sensor 47 (step SA13). - Next, an image is recorded on the face S1 of the check S (steps SA14, SB2) such as by the
printer control unit 101 receiving and recording data sent from thehost control unit 201. - The process related to recording images on the face S1 in step SA14 is described next.
-
FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B describe the basic operation of theprinter system 300 for recording an image on the face S1,FIG. 7A describing the relative physical positions of the check S and therecordable area 70 of thesecond printhead 48, andFIG. 7B describing theconversion area 81 reserved inRAM 103. - The basic operation for recording an image on the face S1 is described first with reference to
FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B . - In
FIG. 7A therecordable area 70 represents the area where image recording by thesecond printhead 48 is possible in relation to the check S. Because thesecond printhead 48 is a serial head that records images while scanning in a primary scanning direction (arrow Y3), therecordable area 70 is defined according to the range of movement in the primary scanning direction of thesecond printhead 48. In addition, because the check S is conveyed with the bottom edge S5 guided by theguide 5 d in this embodiment of the invention, the check S is positioned in therecordable area 70 so that side h2 of the recordable area 70 (the side corresponding to the foregoingguide 5d) and bottom edge S5 overlap in therecordable area 70. - In addition, in
FIG. 7A , the check recording area 71 (recording area) is the area where an image is actually recorded on the face S1 (recording surface) of the check S. As shown inFIG. 7A , thischeck recording area 71 is rectangular. Thecheck recording area 71 is created for each check S. - In
FIG. 7B ,recordable area 80 is a recording area defined inRAM 103, and is a storage area corresponding to the foregoingrecordable area 70. - Note that in the following description the
recordable area 80 is converted to a virtual coordinate system inRAM 103. The relationship between the origin of the coordinate system, the x-axis, the y-axis, and therecordable area 80 is as shown inFIG. 7B , and therecordable area 80 is located in the fourth quadrant of the coordinate system indicated by the coordinate axes in the top left part ofFIG. 7B . InFIG. 7B the direction to the right is positive on the x-axis, to the left is negative on the x-axis, to the top is positive on the y-axis, and to the bottom is negative on the y-axis. - The
recordable area 80 is a storage area where bitmap data can be written, and dots (pixels) are defined according to the resolution of thesecond printhead 48. The bits defined in therecordable area 80 are uniquely defined as a relative position from the origin. - The coordinates of the
recordable area 80 inRAM 103 are defined so that the shape of therecordable area 80 inRAM 103 corresponds to the shape of therecordable area 70. - More specifically, vertex P2 is defined so that side H1 extending in the positive direction on the x-axis from vertex P1 corresponds to side h1 of the
recordable area 70 shown inFIG. 7A , which extends in the primary scanning direction and is positioned at the leading end (right end S6) of the check S. - Vertex P3 is defined so that side H2 extending in the negative direction on the y-axis from vertex P2 corresponds to side h2 of the
recordable area 70 shown inFIG. 7A , which extends in the conveyance direction and is positioned on the bottom edge S5 (one side) side (guide 5 d side) of the check S. - Vertex P4 is defined so that side H3 extending in the negative direction on the x-axis from vertex P3 corresponds to side h3 of the
recordable area 70 shown inFIG. 7A , which extends in the primary scanning direction and is positioned on the trailing end (left end S7) side of the check S. - Side h3 is the range of movement of the
second printhead 48 mounted on thesecond carriage 58, and is set and stored in advance in a recording unit such asflash ROM 105. - In
FIG. 7B , theconversion area 81 is a storage area corresponding to thecheck recording area 71. In this embodiment of the invention, images are recorded to thecheck recording area 71 based on the data written toconversion area 81 after all image data to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 of the check S is converted (to bitmap data in this embodiment of the invention) and written to theconversion area 81 defined inRAM 103. - This
recordable area 80 may correspond to the storage area to which one page of image data is written in a page mode. In the page mode thehost control unit 201 sends commands to theprinter control unit 101 and reserves theconversion area 81 in page units. Next, thehost control unit 201 sends to theprinter control unit 101 the data to be printed, coordinate information for storing the data in theconversion area 81, and information indicating the direction in which to array the data. When operating in the page mode, images can be written freely to theconversion area 81, thus easily enabling processes such as rotating the image 90 degrees, and affording a high degree of freedom in image layout. When all print data has been written to the page range of theconversion area 81, the data is printed by a print command. - After a
conversion area 81 is created for each check S and converted data for the entire image to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 is written to theconversion area 81, the image is recorded on the check S while maintaining the correlation between thecheck recording area 71 in therecordable area 70 and theconversion area 81 in therecordable area 80. - When recording an image on the face S1 of a check S in this embodiment of the invention, a
suitable conversion area 81 is first created in therecordable area 80 defined inRAM 103, print data for the image to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 is written to theconversion area 81, and the image is then recorded. -
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of recording an image on the face S1 of the check S in detail, (A) indicating the operation of theprinter 1, and (B) indicating the operation of thehost computer 200. - As shown in
FIG. 8 (B), thehost control unit 201 of thehost computer 200 first determines the coordinates of vertices P1, P2, P3, and P4 (seeFIG. 7B ), which are the four corners of therecordable area 80 to be formed in RAM 103 (step SD1). - The coordinates of these four vertices are determined as follows.
- More specifically, the coordinates of vertex P1 are predefined as the specific values of the absolute origin of the
recordable area 80. The length on the x-axis of therecordable area 80 is uniquely defined according to the range ofsecond printhead 48 movement in the scanning direction, and the coordinates of vertex P2 are thus uniquely defined in conjunction with the coordinates of vertex P1. - The coordinates of vertex P3 are defined as follows.
- More specifically, the length between vertex P2 and vertex P3 corresponds to the length of the check S in the conveyance direction as described above.
- As a result, to define the coordinates of vertex P3, the
host control unit 201 first acquires the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by thelength detection unit 202 in step SB1 inFIG. 6 . - Next, the
host control unit 201 converts the length of the check S in the conveyance direction to the number of dots on the y-axis of therecordable area 80 created inRAM 103. Thehost control unit 201 then sets the coordinates of the point offset the converted dot count from vertex P2 in the negative direction on the y-axis as the coordinates of vertex P3. - The
host control unit 201 similarly sets the coordinates of vertex P4 to the coordinates of the point off set in the negative y-axis direction from vertex P1 the same number of dots in the conveyance direction of the check S. - Note that vertices P1, P2, P3, P4 can alternatively be set by the
printer control unit 101 using thelength detection unit 202, for example. - Next, the conversion
area formation unit 203 of thehost control unit 201 determines the coordinates of the four vertices of theconversion area 81, that is, vertex T1, vertex T2, vertex T3 (first vertex), and vertex T4 (SD2). - Note that of the four corners of the
conversion area 81, vertex T3 is the vertex formed at the opposite end as the end in the conveyance direction of side q2, which corresponds to the bottom edge S5 of the check S (the side guided by theguide 5 d). - The conversion
area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of the four vertices T1 to T4 as follows. - More specifically, the function of the foregoing conversion
area formation unit 203 can be rendered by a device driver installed on thehost computer 200. To record an image on a check S, a specific application previously installed on thehost computer 200 outputs information about the image to be recorded to the device driver. The image information input by the device driver includes information identifying the position of thecheck recording area 71 relative to the face S1 of the check S. For example, the information input to the device driver includes information denoting the distance between the sides r1, r2, r3, r4 of thecheck recording area 71 and the corresponding right end S6, bottom edge S5, left end S7, and top edge S4 of the check S. - Based on this information, of the four vertices, vertex U1, vertex U2, vertex U3, and vertex U4, of the
check recording area 71, the conversionarea formation unit 203 calculates distance d1 from vertex U3 to the bottom edge S5 of the check S (FIG. 7A ), and the distance d2 (FIG. 7A ) from vertex U3 to the left end S7 of the check S. - The conversion
area formation unit 203 then calculates the length in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction from vertex U3 to the other three vertices U1, U2, U4 based on the input information. - Note that the information input to the device driver could include information denoting the distance dl from vertex U3 to bottom edge S5 of the check S, and the distance d2 to the left end S7 of the check S, and could also include information denoting the distance in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction from vertex U3 to the other three vertices U1, U2, U4.
- By thus determining distances d1 and d2, and the distances in the conveyance direction and the primary scanning direction fromvertex U3 to vertices U1, U2, U4, the position of vertex U3 on the check S is determined by the relationship to the bottom edge S5 and left end S7 of the check S, and the positions of vertices U1, U2, U4 on the check S are determined in relationship to vertex U3.
- Information related to vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 can be received by the
printer 1 from thehost computer 200 and acquired by theprinter control unit 101. In addition, information denoting the distances between sides r1, r2, r3, r4 of thecheck recording area 71 and the right end S6, bottom edge S5, left end S7, and top edge S4 of the check S could be received by theprinter 1 from thehost computer 200, and distances d1, d2 and the positions of vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 could be determined by a calculation on theprinter control unit 101 side. - Of the four vertices T1, T2, T3, T4 of the
conversion area 81 to be formed inRAM 103, the conversionarea formation unit 203 sets the coordinates of vertex T3 to the coordinates of the point that is separated from vertex P3 of therecordable area 80 the number of dots corresponding to the above distance d1 negatively on the x-axis, and the number of dots corresponding to the above distance d2 from vertex P3 positively on the y-axis. The conversionarea formation unit 203 in this embodiment of the invention thus sets the coordinates of vertex T3 as a position relative to vertex P3 of therecordable area 80. Because the coordinates of vertex P3 of therecordable area 80 are determined using the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by thelength detection unit 202, the conversionarea formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of vertex T3 using the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by thelength detection unit 202 referenced to a position corresponding to the bottom edge S5 of the check S (the side against theguide 5 d) inRAM 103. Because the length of the check S in the conveyance direction can be detected using theBOF sensor 41 in this embodiment of the invention, the coordinates of vertex P3 can be determined according to the actual check S, and the coordinates of vertex T3 can be determined using this vertex P3. - In addition, after setting vertex T3, the conversion
area formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of vertices T1, T2, T4 of theconversion area 81 so that the relationship between vertex T3 and vertices T1, T2, T4 of theconversion area 81 matches the relationship between vertex U3 and vertices U1, U2, U4 of thecheck recording area 71 in the check S. - The
printer control unit 101 could alternatively calculate the vertices T1, T2, T3, T4 of theconversion area 81 based on information related to the vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 and d1, d2. - The coordinates of vertices T1 to T4 of
conversion area 81 in this embodiment of the invention are determined by positions relative to vertex T3 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3. This has the following advantages. - More specifically, in this embodiment as shown in
FIG. 1B , recording a line of text in thecheck recording area 71 of the check S starts the line at side r3 at the left end S7 of the check S and proceeds towards right end S6. It is therefore desirable for the distance between the left end S7 of the check S and side r3 of thecheck recording area 71 to be as close as possible to the output of the above application so that the line starts as close as possible to the expected position. By setting the coordinates of vertices T1, T2, T4 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3 (first vertex), the distance between side H3 of recordable area 80 (the side corresponding to the left end S7 of the check S) and side q3 of conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r3 of check recording area 71) will correspond to the value (a value related to distance d2) output by the application as the distance between the left end S7 of the check S and side r3 ofcheck recording area 71, and this need can be appropriately met. - In addition, because magnetic ink characters S2 are recorded between the bottom edge S5 of the check S and side r2 of
check recording area 71 as shown inFIG. 1B , the distance between bottom edge S5 of the check S and side r2 of thecheck recording area 71 is preferably a value as close as possible to the output of the application. By setting the coordinates of vertices T1, T2, T4 referenced to the coordinates of vertex T3 (first vertex), the distance between side H2 of recordable area 80 (the side corresponding to the bottom edge S5 of the check S) and side q2 of conversion area 81 (the side corresponding to side r2 of check recording area 71) will correspond to the value (a value related to distance d1) output by the application as the distance between the bottom edge S5 of the check S and side r2 ofcheck recording area 71, and this need can be appropriately met. - Returning to
FIG. 8 , after the coordinates of vertices U1 to U4 ofconversion area 81 are determined in step SD2, the conversionarea formation unit 203 outputs a command to theprinter control unit 101 of theprinter 1 to createrecordable area 80 inRAM 103 according to the coordinates of the above vertices P1 to P4, and createconversion area 81 according to the coordinates of the above vertices T1 to T4 (step SD4). Note that theprinter control unit 101 could determine the coordinates of vertices T1 to T4 based on information related to vertices U1, U2, U3, U4 and d1, d2, and create therecordable area 80 andconversion area 81 accordingly. In this case this command is not needed. - The conversion
area formation unit 203 thus has a function for determining the coordinates of the four vertices of theconversion area 81, and outputting a command to create theconversion area 81 inRAM 103 according to the coordinates of the four determined vertices. - When this command is input, the
printer control unit 101 creates therecordable area 80 inRAM 103 and creates the conversion area 81 (step SC1). - The conversion
area formation unit 203 of thehost computer 200 and theprinter control unit 101 of theprinter 1 thus work together to create aconversion area 81 to which the print data recorded by the recording head (second printhead 48) to the recording surface of the slip (check S) is written in the storage space of the storage unit (RAM 103). - Next, the conversion
data generating unit 204 of thehost control unit 201 outputs to theprinter control unit 101 of theprinter 1 the data to be printed based on information input from an application (information related to the image to be recorded on the check S), and a command for converting the input data to print data for the image to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 of the check S and writing the print data toconversion area 81 using a specific conversion method (step SD4). - More specifically, the conversion
data generating unit 204 sends the data and command, and theprinter 1 converts the received data to print data for the image to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 of the check S according to a specific conversion method, and writes the resulting print data to theconversion area 81. - When this data and command are input, the
printer control unit 101 converts and writes the print data for the image to be recorded in thecheck recording area 71 of the check S based on the content of the command in conversion area 81 (step SC2). - The conversion
data generating unit 204 of thehost computer 200 and theprinter control unit 101 of theprinter 1 thus cooperate to create and write the print data to theconversion area 81. - A specific example of the operation of step SD4 and step SC2 is described below.
-
FIG. 9A ,FIG. 9B ,FIG. 9C are referred to below to describe the operation of step SD4 and step SC2. -
FIG. 9A shows an example of the final image recorded on the check S. The operation of step SD4 and step SC2 is described below using an example in which a string of four characters ABCD is printed on one line and another string of four characters 1234 is printed on the next line as shown inFIG. 9A . - In this case in step SD4, the conversion
data generating unit 204 outputs to theprinter control unit 101 based on input from the application data representing the content as shown inFIG. 9B (content indicating recording the string of four characters ABCD starting with the letter A, starting a new line, and recording the string of four characters 1234 starting with the number 1) and a command for converting this data to print data according to a specific method described below and writing the print data toconversion area 81. Note that a new line is determined by detecting a code (CR, LF) indicating a new line. - The
printer control unit 101 to which this data and command are input converts the input data to print data written toconversion area 81 as described below. - More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 9C , theprinter control unit 101 converts the input data and commands to print data by starting from the origin at vertex T3 ofconversion area 81 and writing (converting) the converted print data from vertex T3 to vertex T2 (the direction in line with the conveyance direction). More specifically, following the input data and commands, theprinter control unit 101 determines the string 1234 to be recorded on the bottom line of the plural text strings, and writes bitmap data for the image of the first character (1) in this string rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to the position at vertex T3 (FIG. 9C (C-1)). Theprinter control unit 101 then writes bitmap data for the next character (2) to the position adjacent in the conveyance direction to the bitmap data for the character (1). Theprinter control unit 101 thus sequentially converts and writes bitmap data for the characters contained in the string 1234 in a specific conversion direction (the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction) (FIG. 9C (C-2)). - The
printer control unit 101 then finds the text string ABCD to be recorded on the line above the string 1234, and converts this string ABCD to the line above the string 1234 in the same conversion direction (FIG. 9C (C-3)). - Converting the print data from vertex T3 of the
conversion area 81 as described above has the following advantages. - As noted above, all checks S are not the same size, and the width of the check S is not constant. Referring to
FIG. 7A , the position of top edge S4 in therecordable area 70 is therefore not constant. However, because the check S is conveyed with the bottom edge S5 following theguide 5 d in this embodiment, the position of the bottom edge S5 of therecordable area 70 always overlaps side h2 of the recordable area and is constant. Therefore, by writing the converted print data from the origin at vertex T3, plural lines of text will be sequentially converted to an image of that text from the bottom edge S5 side to the top edge S4 side of theconversion area 81, and the text string images can be efficiently recorded in thecheck recording area 71. - As described above, this embodiment of the invention assumes that a line of text will be recorded in the
check recording area 71 of the check S with each line starting at side r3 corresponding to the left end S7 of the check S and proceeding toward the right end S6 side. As a result, by converting the print data starting from the origin at vertex T3, images related to each character in the string will be sequentially converted and written from the left end S7 side to the right end S6 side of theconversion area 81, and images of the text strings can be recorded efficiently to thecheck recording area 71 regardless of the length of the check S in the conveyance direction. In addition, text strings can be recorded in the same direction as the line of magnetic ink characters S2 while automatically changing the line. - The
conversion adjustment unit 110 of theprinter control unit 101 runs the following process to write print data to theconversion area 81. -
FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B describe the operation of theconversion adjustment unit 110, and schematically show theconversion area 81 and text strings to be written to theconversion area 81. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , the length of the text string to be converted without inserting a new line may be greater than the length of theconversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction. - For each string to be written to the
conversion area 81, theconversion adjustment unit 110 compares the length of theconversion area 81 in the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction with the length of the print data related to the string, and if the length of the print data related to the string is greater, inserts a new line at an appropriate position in the string before converting the string to print data so that the print data for the string all fits in theconversion area 81 as shown inFIG. 10B . As shown inFIG. 10B , the direction in which theconversion adjustment unit 110 changes the line is the direction in which thesecond carriage 58 moves, and is the direction corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. By writing the string in this direction to theconversion area 81, print data for the string can be appropriately written in theconversion area 81. - Referring again to
FIG. 8 (A), after the print data is written to theconversion area 81 in step SC2, theprinter control unit 101 controls theslip feed motor 38 and conveys the check S while controlling thesecond printhead 48 to record an image on the check S based on the print data written to theconversion area 81. - The
printer control unit 101 andhost control unit 201 thus work together to record an image on the face S1 of the check S. - Returning to
FIG. 6 , after recording an image to the face S1 of the check S in step SA14, theprinter control unit 101 drives theslip feed motor 38 and discharges the check S from themedia exit 4 using the second paper feed rollers 37 (step SA15). - The check S has reached a position protruding from the
media exit 4 at this time, but the trailing end of the check S is inside themedia exit 4 and the presence of a check S is detected by theEJD sensor 49. Theprinter control unit 101 waits until the operator removes the check S (step SA16), and when the check S is removed and change in the output of theEJD sensor 49 is detected (step SA17 returns Yes), drives theroller opening motor 39 andstopper drive unit 44 a and resumes the standby mode (step SA18). When a check S is inserted, this operation thus reads the magnetic ink characters S2 and prints on the face S1 of the check S. - As described above, the
printer system 300 according to this embodiment of the invention has a conveyance unit (printer control unit 101) that conveys a check S with the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S following aguide 5 d that extends in the conveyance direction; alength detection unit 202 that detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction; and a conversionarea formation unit 203 that creates aconversion area 81, which is an area where converted print data for the entire image to be recorded in a rectangular area formed on the recording surface of the check S is written, inRAM 103 used as a storage area. The conversionarea formation unit 203 determines the coordinates of the vertices of theconversion area 81 inRAM 103 referenced to a position corresponding to the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S inRAM 103 by using the length of the check S in the conveyance direction detected by thelength detection unit 202. - Because the check S is conveyed with the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S against a
guide 5 d extending in the conveyance direction, the range of theconversion area 81 inRAM 103 can be appropriately defined to reflect the actual length of the check S in the conveyance direction, and theconversion area 81 can be created to reflect the fact that all checks S are not the same size. - In this embodiment of the invention magnetic ink characters S2 are recorded on the check S, a MICR head 42 (reading unit) reads the line of magnetic ink characters S2 on the check S conveyed in the conveyance direction, and a BOF sensor 41 (media detection sensor) that is disposed upstream in the conveyance direction from the
MICR head 42 at a position K1 that the trailing end (left end S7) of the check S passes before the check S is conveyed to the completion of reading the magnetic ink characters S2 by theMICR head 42 detects if a check S is present at the position K1. Alength detection unit 202 detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction based on the distance the check S is conveyed by the conveyance unit (printer control unit 101) andBOF sensor 41 output. - As a result, the
length detection unit 202 can detect the length of the check S in the conveyance direction while the check S is conveyed to read the magnetic ink characters S2, conveying the check S specifically to detect the length of the check S is unnecessary, and process efficiency is improved. - This embodiment also has a conversion
data generating unit 204 that writes converted print data to aconversion area 81 referenced to vertex T3, which of the four vertices of theconversion area 81 is the vertex on the side corresponding to the bottom edge S5 (one side) of the check S at the opposite end as the end in the conveyance direction. - As a result, the print data is written to the
conversion area 81 from the side corresponding to the bottom edge S5 of the check S (the side that follows theguide 5 d when the check S is conveyed), and the print data can be efficiently written to theconversion area 81 to reflect that the width of all checks S is not the same. - The conversion
data generating unit 204 in this embodiment writes the print data toconversion area 81 starting from the origin at vertex T3 and proceeding in a write direction that is the same as the conveyance direction. - As a result, print data can be written to the conversion area efficiently while reflecting that the length of all checks S in the conveyance direction is not the same.
- The
printer system 300 according to this embodiment of the invention also has aconversion adjustment unit 110 that, when writing the print data for one line of text in the write direction of theconversion area 81 and the line will not fit in theconversion area 81, inserts a new line code so that the entire line will fit in theconversion area 81. - Text strings are thus converted character by character in the
conversion area 81, and failure to record a portion of the characters contained in the string on the check S can be prevented. - The foregoing embodiment is one example of an embodiment of the invention, and can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention.
- For example, the
length detection unit 202, conversionarea formation unit 203, and conversiondata generating unit 204 are part of thehost control unit 201 of thehost computer 200 in the embodiment described above. However, a configuration in which these functions are rendered by theprinter control unit 101 of theprinter 1 is also conceivable, enabling theprinter 1 alone to perform the operation of the invention described above. More specifically, theprinter 1 in this case is a device that can connect to thehost computer 200 as a control device, and includes asecond printhead 48 that records on checks S and other slips; aguide 5 d that extends in the conveyance direction; a conveyance unit that conveys checks S with one side of the check S slip following theguide 5 d; a length detection unit (a unit with the same function as thelength detection unit 202 above) that detects the length of the check S in the conveyance direction;RAM 103; and a conversion area formation unit (a unit with the same function as the conversionarea formation unit 203 above) that creates a conversion area inRAM 103. - The
printer 1 could also store font data corresponding to font codes inflash ROM 105, read the font data fromflash ROM 105 when font codes are received from thehost computer 200, and write print data to theconversion area 81 in the order the font codes were received. When theprinter 1 receives image data from thehost computer 200, the image data can be written as the print data directly toconversion area 81 in the order received. The print data can also be data in a form that can be used to directly drive thethermal head 16. - The foregoing embodiment describes the invention using an example in which the
second printhead 48 records an image on the face S1 of the check S, but the invention can also be used when recording an image on the back S3 of the check S using thefirst printhead 46. More specifically, the invention can be broadly adapted to devices having a function that forms aconversion area 81 in a storage area and records images based on print data written to theconversion area 81. - The invention having been thus described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art based on such disclosure that the invention may be varied in many ways. Any such variation is intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention to the extent such variation falls within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (16)
1. A printer comprising:
a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction;
a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction;
a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open;
a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction;
a control unit that produces converted print data for recording by the recording head;
a storage unit that stores data in a storage area; and
a conversion area formation unit that creates a conversion area in the storage area for storing the converted print data, determines dimensions of the conversion area in the storage area based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and determines the movement range of the recording head;
wherein the control unit writes the converted print data in the conversion area with reference to a position corresponding to the one, guided side of the slip and controls the recording head to record the converted print data on the slip.
2. The printer described in claim 1 , wherein:
the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and
the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
3. The printer described in claim 2 , wherein:
the length detection unit includes a media detection sensor that is disposed to a position relative to the reading unit on the conveyance direction and detects if the slip is present; and
the length detection unit detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction based on the distance the slip is conveyed by the conveyance unit and output from the media detection sensor.
4. The printer described in claim 1 , wherein:
the conversion area is a rectangular area, and
of the four vertices defining the rectangle, the control unit converts and writes the converted print data to the conversion area using as the origin the vertex corresponding to a point on the slip that is closest to a trailing edge of the slip in the conveyance direction and closest to the one side of the slip relative to corresponding points on the slip of the other vertices.
5. The printer described in claim 4 , wherein:
the control unit writes the converted print data from the origin using the direction corresponding to the conveyance direction as the write direction.
6. The printer described in claim 5 , wherein:
when writing the converted print data for one line of text to the conversion area, if part of the line will not fit in a corresponding line in the conversion area in the write direction, the control unit inserts a line change and continues writing to the conversion area.
7. The printer described in claim 6 , wherein:
the recording head is mounted and moved on a carriage; and
the direction in which the control unit changes the line is the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
8. The printer described in claim 6 , wherein:
the control unit writes the converted print data to the conversion area in the direction enabling reading the text from a position at the one side of the slip.
9. A printer capable of connecting to a control device, the printer comprising:
a conveyance unit that conveys a slip through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction;
a recording head that records on the slip while moving in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction;
a guide that extends in the conveyance direction and is arranged on one side of the conveyance path, the guide being configured to guide one side of the slip through the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path being open;
a length detection unit that detects the length of the slip in the conveyance direction; and
a control unit that controls (i) the recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device and further to record the received data on the slip with reference to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the detected length of the slip in the conveyance direction, and (ii) the movement range of the recording head.
10. The printer described in claim 9 , wherein:
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line changes, the control unit controls the recording unit to record data in the order received, and changes the line in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
11. The printer described in claim 9 , wherein:
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, the control unit controls the recording unit to record in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
12. The printer described in claim 9 , wherein:
the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and
the printer further comprises a reading unit that reads the magnetic ink characters on the slip, the reading unit being disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
13. A method of controlling a printer capable of connecting to a control device, comprising steps of:
conveying a slip through a conveyance path that has a guide on one side and is open on the other side, the guide extending in the conveyance direction and arranged to guide one side of the slip as it is conveyed through the conveyance path;
detecting the length of the slip in the conveyance direction as the slip is conveyed through the conveyance path;
moving a recording head to record on the slip based on data received from the control device, the recording being referenced to a position on the one, guided side of the slip in a range that is defined based on the length of the slip detected in the length detecting step; and
controlling the movement range of the recording head.
14. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13 , wherein:
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip and the line changes, data is recorded in the order received, and the line is changed in the direction of carriage movement in the direction away from the one side of the slip.
15. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13 , wherein:
when recording the received data in the conveyance direction of the slip, recording proceeds in the direction enabling reading the text from a position corresponding to the one side of the slip.
16. The method of controlling a printer described in claim 13 , wherein:
the slip has magnetic ink characters recorded a specific distance from the one side; and
the magnetic ink characters on the slip are read by a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path at a position separated a specific distance from the guide.
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/681,986 US9460374B2 (en) | 2011-03-02 | 2015-04-08 | Printer and printer control method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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JP2011045451A JP2012179853A (en) | 2011-03-02 | 2011-03-02 | Electronic device, control device, method for controlling electronic device, and program |
JP2011-045451 | 2011-03-02 |
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US14/681,986 Continuation US9460374B2 (en) | 2011-03-02 | 2015-04-08 | Printer and printer control method |
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US20150053756A1 (en) * | 2013-08-26 | 2015-02-26 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Media Processing Device, Media Processing System, and Control Method of a Media Processing Device |
US20150197107A1 (en) * | 2014-01-12 | 2015-07-16 | Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation | Printers having a stationary print head and related methods |
US9596371B2 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2017-03-14 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Image forming apparatus having an improved residual sheet estimation with toner development and sheet transportation modes |
US20170249107A1 (en) * | 2016-02-29 | 2017-08-31 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Printer |
US11401123B2 (en) * | 2018-01-30 | 2022-08-02 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Print device and method of controlling print device |
US11465867B2 (en) | 2019-07-22 | 2022-10-11 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Image forming apparatus capable of detecting length of sheet in conveying direction |
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US10809949B2 (en) * | 2018-01-26 | 2020-10-20 | Datamax-O'neil Corporation | Removably couplable printer and verifier assembly |
CN110936726A (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2020-03-31 | 深圳市格致微芯科技有限责任公司 | Novel self-driven thermal printing head |
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US9596371B2 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2017-03-14 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Image forming apparatus having an improved residual sheet estimation with toner development and sheet transportation modes |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2495104A3 (en) | 2014-05-14 |
US20150213348A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
EP2495104B1 (en) | 2019-01-23 |
US9460374B2 (en) | 2016-10-04 |
EP2495104A2 (en) | 2012-09-05 |
JP2012179853A (en) | 2012-09-20 |
CN102653188A (en) | 2012-09-05 |
CN102653188B (en) | 2015-04-08 |
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