EP0486031B1 - Drucker und Verfahren zur Steuerung desselben - Google Patents

Drucker und Verfahren zur Steuerung desselben Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0486031B1
EP0486031B1 EP91119473A EP91119473A EP0486031B1 EP 0486031 B1 EP0486031 B1 EP 0486031B1 EP 91119473 A EP91119473 A EP 91119473A EP 91119473 A EP91119473 A EP 91119473A EP 0486031 B1 EP0486031 B1 EP 0486031B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
paper
record paper
printing
record
printer
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP91119473A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0486031A2 (de
EP0486031A3 (en
Inventor
Masahiro C/O Seiko Epson Corporation Minowa
Yoshikazu c/o Seiko Epson Corporation Ito
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Priority claimed from JP24917891A external-priority patent/JP3350940B2/ja
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Publication of EP0486031A2 publication Critical patent/EP0486031A2/de
Publication of EP0486031A3 publication Critical patent/EP0486031A3/en
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Publication of EP0486031B1 publication Critical patent/EP0486031B1/de
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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
    • B41J11/48—Apparatus for condensed record, tally strip, or like work using two or more papers, or sets of papers, e.g. devices for switching over from handling of copy material in sheet form to handling of copy material in continuous form and vice versa or point-of-sale printers comprising means for printing on continuous copy material, e.g. journal for tills, and on single sheets, e.g. cheques or receipts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a printer and a method of controlling the same.
  • slip printers for printing on slips, which is one type of cut sheet, must generally have a flat recording sheet guide of large area because slips comes in various sizes and may contain many printing lines. Few such printers (generally called “slip printers”) allow the use of a rolled sheet.
  • validation sheet which also is a type of cut sheet, is generally available in a regular size.
  • validation sheets are multiple-layer sheets, that is, each validation sheet includes plural copying sheets behind the front or top sheet.
  • Conventional printers dedicated to rolled sheet printing have not been able to accommodate validation sheets along their recording sheet paths.
  • Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of a conventional record paper control system in which power is switchingly applied by a single drive source by switching the drive force using drive force switching means 501 between cut sheet printing and rolled sheet printing.
  • POS/ECR printers capable of handling various types of recording sheets used in POS markets have been called for.
  • the validation paper in general use consists of many sheets of paper to be copied; for example, some of the sheets may be torn or caught in a record paper passage when the passage is long, which gives rise to troubles.
  • the conventional recording sheet forwarding paths each driven by a separate drive source and a separate clutch, require an expensive and complicated control system involving a large number of parts.
  • a single drive system employs a gear switching mechanism as the drive force switching means.
  • security slip the conventional printer does not provide the necessary functions.
  • An object of the invention therefore is to provide a simply constructed and highly reliable printer capable of printing various types of recording sheets with an integrated printing section, inexpensive and space-saving print mechanisms, and a means and method for optimally controlling the print mechanisms.
  • the invention in particular refers to a structure of a printer suited for POS/ECR applications.
  • Another aspect of the invention is to provide a printer mechanism capable not only of efficiently switching between cut sheet printing and continuous sheet printing, but also of simultaneously printing a cut sheet printing content on a continuous sheet whenever necessary, and a method of controlling such a printer mechanism.
  • a printer including a record paper passage capable of printing at least 2 kinds of record paper by means of a printing part having a printing head, which comprises:
  • the above-mentioned printer which, in addition to the above-mentioned structure, further includes a step motor serving as a common drive source for at least two record paper transfer means, clutch means interposed between the record paper transfer means and step motor and operable by an electric motor, count means for counting the number of drive steps of the step motor, and memory means for storing a given number of steps from the cut-off position of the record paper to a given position in the printing part, there is provided a method comprising the steps of:
  • the host computer designate a selection as to which of a cut sheet of paper and continuous sheets of paper should be printed, and it is possible to drive the record paper transfer means that corresponds to the designated record paper. Also, when two kinds of record paper, that is, the cut sheets and continuous sheets are both designated from the host computer, the two kinds of record paper are both transferred and printed, thereby realizing selectively a function to leave the contents of the cut sheet in the continuous sheets.
  • Record paper used in the distribution industry is, in general, classified into a cut sheet of record paper and continuous sheets of record paper.
  • the cut sheet of record paper includes paper of an unfixed size so called slip paper and paper having a relatively fixed size and a plurality of copying sheets so called validation paper.
  • the continuous sheets of record paper includes journal paper to be kept as a shop's record and receipt paper to be used for issuing a receipt.
  • FIGs. 10A and 10B there is shown an explanatory view of the whole mechanisms part of a printer according to the invention, which is constructed to be able to accommodate various kinds of record paper.
  • FIG. 10A there is shown a general appearance view of the present printer
  • Fig. 10B there is shown a schematic view of an embodiment of a print head used in the mechanisms part of the present printer.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a main body of the print head and 1a stands for a plurality of wire pins for printing which are respectively used to form dots.
  • the plurality of wire pins are arranged in a line at a given interval from one another and can be reciprocated in directions of arrows 1A, 1B to print characters, symbols and the like.
  • the mechanisms part has the above-mentioned print head 1 therein and includes mechanisms which are able to shuttle the print head 1 right and left to thereby print three or more kinds of record paper, and description will be given below of the structure of the mechanisms part.
  • FIGs. 7A to 8B are respectively schematic views of the structure of the mechanisms part of a printer according to the invention and the operations of the respective mechanisms according to the kinds of the record paper.
  • FIGs. 7A and 7B there is shown the operation of the present printer when the printer is used as a slip printer.
  • Reference numeral 1 designates the print head on which the print wire pins or print elements 1a are disposed transversely in a line. Printing is executed by means of an ink ribbon (not shown) on the record paper disposed between the print head 1 and a platen 2 arranged opposed to the print head 1.
  • the print head 1 employs, for example, a so called “shuttle printing device” which can be shuttled right and left by a motor (not shown).
  • Reference numeral 1b designates a ribbon cassette which stores an ink ribbon therein.
  • Reference numeral 5 designates a record paper drive roller for transferring the record paper.
  • the record paper drive roller 5 is connected through a transmission system such as gears or the like to a power source (not shown) such as a motor or the like.
  • Reference numeral 6 designates a record paper hold roller disposed at the opposite position to the record paper drive roller 5 and is rotatably supported by an arm 25.
  • the platen 2 is also fixed to the arm 25.
  • the arm 25 is arranged so as to be swingable in directions of arrows 25A and 25B around a supporting point 25a by a plunger 28.
  • a printing part opening/closing mechanism 40 consists mainly of the platen 2, arm 25 and plunger 28.
  • a transfer part opening/closing mechanism 30 consists mainly of the record paper hold roller 6, arm 25 and plunger 28. Further a cut sheet transfer mechanism 50 consists mainly of the above-mentioned components and the record paper drive roller 5.
  • the printing part opening/closing mechanism 40 is used to change a distance between the print head 1 of the printing part and the platen 2.
  • the printing part opening/closing mechanism 40 and the transfer part opening/closing mechanism 30 share in common a drive source and the arm 25 that serves as a transmitting member.
  • Reference numeral 7 designates a record paper drive roller and 8 designates a record paper hold roller which is disposed at the opposite position to the record paper drive roller 7.
  • the record paper hold roller 8 is supported by an arm 19 and is swingable in directions of arrows 19A around a supporting point 19a by a plunger 18.
  • a record paper transfer mechanism 10 consists mainly of the record paper drive roller 7, record paper hold roller 8, arm 19 and plunger 18.
  • a transfer part opening/closing mechanism 20 consists mainly of the plunger 18, arm 19 and record paper hold roller 8.
  • Reference 21 designates a record paper guide which forms a record paper transfer passage.
  • the record paper guide 21 includes a notch portion 21a through which the platen 2 can extend, and a notch portion 21b through which the drive roller 6 can pass.
  • Reference numeral 22 designates a record paper passage through which a slip, that is, a kind of the cut sheet of record paper, is guided, and the record paper passage 22 joins with a record paper passage 23 for validation paper, which will be discussed later, and is then connected to a record paper passage 24.
  • a passage shut-off mechanism 35 consists mainly of these components.
  • Each of the plungers 18, 28, which serve as the power sources for the shuttle movements, is preferably constructed as plunger of a state memory type which incorporates a magnet therein. This is because such type of plunger does not consume power to hold the state thereof wastefully.
  • a drive circuit to drive the plungers there is employed a bipolar type circuit which is able to flow currents in both directions.
  • a record paper detector 26 is an ordinary optical sensor of an opposed arrangement type having an optical axis 26a, which is able to detect the presence or absence of the record paper in accordance with the fact that the optical axis 26a is shut off or not.
  • the record paper 12 such as the slip or the like is guided through the record paper passage extending along arrows 12A and 12B when it is printed.
  • the record paper 12 is positioned based on the form stopper 27 and the presence or absence of the record paper 12 can be detected by the record paper detector 26.
  • the plunger 18 is operated to move the arm 19 in a direction of an arrow 19B to thereby close the record paper transfer part, and at the same time the form stopper 27 is operated in a direction of an arrow 27A to release it from the record paper passage to thereby enable the record paper 12 to be transferred.
  • the printing part opening/closing mechanisms 40 is moved in a direction of an arrow 25A to be left in a closed state.
  • a stepper motor as is usually used as a drive source of forwarding recording sheets, is arranged so that the transfer mechanisms 10 and 50 are connected to a single drive source so that they can be operated in synchronism with each other.
  • the motor (not shown) is rotated, the drive rollers 7 and 5 are rotated in directions of arrows 7A and 5A, respectively, while the slip sheet 12 is forwarded by being interposed between the drive rollers 7 and 5 and the hold rollers 8 and 6 confronting thereto.
  • the record paper 12 is at first sent a predetermined pitch to the printing part, and after the leading end of the record paper reaches a predetermined position in the upper end of the print part, the printing is started.
  • FIG. 8A shows the state of the printer at the time a validation sheet is being inserted
  • Fig. 8B shows the state where the printer is in a printing operation.
  • the same parts as in Fig. 7 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted here.
  • a validation sheet is a type of cut sheet whose size is fixed and which has a number of copying sheets attached thereto for validation purposes.
  • a validation sheet 13 is inserted from the discharge side (or from the top of the printing section) for normal printing as indicated by arrow 13A.
  • the printing part opening/closing mechanism 40 is opened to set the validation sheet 13. This provides a large clearance at the printing section, thereby allowing easy handling of the validation sheet, which is thick due to the attached copying sheets.
  • the record paper passage 23 formed by notching a side frame 17 of the printer guides the validation sheet 13 in a direction different from that of the slip sheet 12.
  • the inserted validation sheet 13 is further guided down to arrive at the dead end stopper 23a to set its tail end.
  • the form stopper 27, being arranged so as to be slidable along the support member 16, will be evacuated in a direction of arrow 27A by the force of the validation sheet 13, thereby not blocking the advance of the validation sheet 13.
  • a portion of the record paper passage between the printing section and the record paper detector 26 is shared in common by the slip sheet 12 and the validation sheet 13.
  • the record paper detector 26, which is an ordinary optical sensor, is disposed at a position that allows detection of both the validation sheet 13 inserted as indicated by arrow 13A and the slip sheet 12 inserted as indicated by arrow 12A.
  • a reflection type optical detector or a mechanical type detector may also be used for detection of both types of recording sheet.
  • the platen 2 and the paper hold rollers 6 evacuated from the record paper passage are driven in the direction of arrow 25A by the plunger 28 in a manner similar to that for the slip sheet 12, with the validation sheet 13 being interposed between the drive rollers 5 and the hold rollers 6.
  • the print head 1 starts printing while rotating the rollers 5 and 6 in directions of arrows 5A and 6A, respectively.
  • the validation sheet Since the validation sheet is of a fixed size, its print starting position is determined when it is set. Upon start of printing, the validation sheet 13 is forwarded in a direction of arrow 13B.
  • the ends thereof can be detected when the record paper is transferred upwardly and passed through the record paper detector 26 and the ends thereof remove the shut-off of the optical axis 26a of the record paper detector 26. Since a printable range just after detection of the ends is equal to the remaining length of the record paper passage, this is calculated by a control device using a CPU and the like to detect a printing limit, thereby allowing printing in a predetermined range.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown an explanatory view of an embodiment of the mechanism part of the printer according to the invention.
  • This mechanism part includes an additional print mechanism for continuous sheet printing in the mechanism previously described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.
  • Fig. 9 the same functions and parts as in the previous embodiment are given the same designations.
  • FIGs. 9A and 9B are respectively schematic views of the printing mechanism part constructed according to the present invention, illustrating the connection between the respective record paper transfer mechanisms and a motor.
  • Intermediate gears 42, 43 and an intermediate gear 44 are rotatably supported by a shaft (not shown) fixed to the side frame 17b, respectively.
  • a drive gear 45 is fixed to a drive gear shaft 45a which is rotatably supported by the right and left side frames 17a and 17b.
  • a drive gear 47 and a drive roller 5 are fixed to a gear shaft 47a, respectively. In the present embodiment, there are shown two drive rollers 5 and two hold rollers 6.
  • step motor 9 intermediate gears 42, 43, drive gear 47, drive roller 5, hold roller 6 and the like constitute a record paper transfer mechanism for the slip sheets.
  • the intermediate gear 43 and drive gear 47 are connected with the motor 9 and the record paper drive roller 7 is connected with the drive gear 47 by means of a belt 48, whereby the slip sheet 12 is held by and between the hold roller 6 and drive roller 5 and is then transferred.
  • the structures of the plunger 18, plunger 28 and the respective record paper transfer mechanisms are the same as in Figs. 6 and 7 and the description thereof is omitted here.
  • Reference numeral 29 designates a coil spring which assists the operation of the plunger 28. The coil spring 29 is disposed such that, when not energized electrically, it can hold the printing part in an open state.
  • Reference numeral 45 designates a drive gear which is connected with the intermediate gear 44 and is used to transfer and drive the roll paper 11, and clutch means is interposed between the drive gear 45 and the drive roller 3.
  • FIG. 11 there is shown a detailed view of an electrically operated clutch 80 portion of the above clutch means.
  • the clutch 80 is disposed coaxially with the gear shaft 45a.
  • a clutch electromagnet when a clutch electromagnet is electrically energized, then the clutch electromagnet 71 attracts and fixes a clutch plate 72, which is stably pressed against the clutch electromagnet 71 by a compression spring 73, at an arbitrary position to thereby stop the clutch plate 72 relative to an external member such as the frame 17b forming a mechanism.
  • the clutch plate 72 is neither attracted nor fixed so as to be rotatable and, because the clutch spring 74 is disposed in tightening a grip on the gear shaft 45a, the clutch plate 72 engages with one end of the clutch spring 74 to rotate the drive roller 3, so that the drive power can be transmitted.
  • the hold roller 4 is pressed against the drive roller 3 with a proper pressure to thereby hold the roll paper 11 therebetween.
  • the roll paper 11 is supplied from a roll paper supply part 90 (see Fig. 10a) disposed externally of the record paper passage, is passed inside the arm 25 supporting the platen and through the above-mentioned drive roller 3, is passed through the paper guide 21, and is finally discharged externally.
  • the roll paper 11 When printing is executed on only the roll paper, the roll paper 11 is wound round the drive roller 3, is passed between the platen 2 and the print head, and is set at the printing position thereof.
  • the plunger 28 if the plunger 28 is electrically energized, then there is produced a printable state, that is, the clutch 80 can be connected with the step motor 9.
  • the power of the step motor 9 is converted to the rotational force of the drive roller 3 in a direction of an arrow 3A to thereby feed the roll paper 11, then printing can be executed on the roll paper 11 in synchronism with the driving timing of the print head 1, similarly as in the above-mentioned case.
  • the drive roller 5 and hold roller 6 are rotating but no problem arises because the slip paper 12 is not set.
  • cutter means may be generally provided in the end portion (not shown) of the printer extending in a direction of an arrow 11A and the roll paper printed may be cut to a proper length.
  • winding means for winding the printed roll paper may be provided in the extended portion of the printer extending in the arrow 11A direction so that the printed paper can be recorded and kept.
  • the printer is initialized in the following manner. As shown in Fig. 10, a slip sheet 12 is positioned by a form stopper (not shown) with the hold roller 8 opened; the plunger 18 is energized by a paper presence signal issued when the optical axis of the record paper detector 26 is shut-off; the motor 9 is then driven. As a result, the slip sheet 12 is held between the drive roller 7 and the hold roller 8, and is forwarded along the sheet guide 21 to a position where its head end is past the printing section, which is opened. The slip sheet 12 is then ready to be printed.
  • the printer is initialized in the following manner, when printing on the validation sheet.
  • the validation sheet is set with the hold roller 8 in a closed state, in contrast with the state shown in Fig. 9a. If the optical axis of the record paper detector 26 is shut-off, then a sheet presence signal is generated. The validation sheet 13 is then ready to be printed.
  • the plunger 28 is electrically energized, then the printing part is closed and the platen 2 is set at a predetermined position to thereby provide a printable state as shown in Fig. 8b. In this state, the clutch 80 is then disconnected so that the driving force of the step motor 9 is not transmitted to the drive roller 3. Thus, only the validation paper 13 is transferred by the drive roller 5 and hold roller 6 in the arrow 13B direction in synchronism with the driving timing of the print head 1, so that printing can be executed on the validation sheet 13.
  • the roll paper is set as the pressure sensitive paper and the clutch 80 is set in the connected state similarly as in the above-mentioned journal machine. Then, the slip paper 12 is set and the slip paper 12 is printed over the rolled sheet 11 at the printing part. If printing is executed in this state, then the same printing contents can be printed simultaneously on the slip paper 12 by means of the ink ribbon and on the roll paper 11 by means of pressure of the wire pins 1a. Since the amount of feeding of the slip paper 12 is equal to that of the roll paper 11, no problem arises, for example, there is no possibility of the two kinds of paper shifting from each other.
  • Fig. 12 there is shown a block diagram of a record paper control system according to the present invention.
  • transfer means for transferring the slip sheet or validation sheet is always connected to a power source and is also connected by means of clutch means to the continuous paper such as roll paper, journal paper or the like.
  • clutch means of an electrically operated type and, therefore, it is possible to automatically select one of the record paper transferring methods responsive to the operation of means which sets the kinds of printing.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a block diagram of control circuits which are used to realize the present invention, in which reference numeral 100 designates the mechanism part of the printer previously described in connection with Figs. 8, 9 and the like.
  • the mechanism part 100 includes a print head 101, a combined mechanism 102 of printing part opening/closing mechanism and transfer part opening/closing mechanism, a combined mechanism 103 of transfer part opening/closing mechanism and passage shut-off mechanism 103, a step motor 104 which serves as a power source for transferring the record paper, a clutch 105, a record paper detector 106 and the like.
  • reference numeral 60 designates a central processing unit (CPU).
  • CPU central processing unit
  • the CPU 60 includes a ROM 61, a RAM 62, an interface 63, print mode select means 64, a light emitting diode 65 which is a kind of error display means, a head control circuit 71, a plunger control circuit 72, a plunger control circuit 73, a motor control circuit 74, a clutch control circuit 75, a detect circuit 76 connected to a record paper detector which is used to detect the presence or absence of the record paper, and the like.
  • a switch 64 is as the print mode select means for selecting printing modes. In accordance with the states of the switch 64, it is decided whether printing should be executed on the slip paper or the validation paper.
  • Reference numeral 60a shown within the CPU 60 designates a built-in timer; 61a, a memory part for storing the number of steps of the step motor required for drawing out the leading end of the record paper from a form stopper position within the ROM 61; and 62a, a counter, a kind of counting means, for counting the number of drive steps of the step motor.
  • print data is input from the interface 63, then the print data is taken into the RAM 62 once. Then, the CPU 60 decodes the print data, reads out from the ROM 61 the data of character font that corresponds to the data code, and controls the printer mechanism part by means of the motor control circuit, head control circuit and plunger control circuits, thereby executing the printing.
  • the printing mode can be selected by use of a panel switch which is drawn out from a circuit base plate to the case of the printer, or alternatively, by use of the data code that is input from the interface 63.
  • a panel switch which is drawn out from a circuit base plate to the case of the printer, or alternatively, by use of the data code that is input from the interface 63.
  • the data code that is, by use of commands.
  • Fig.1 there is shown a functional block diagram of the whole structure of a printer according to the invention.
  • reference numeral 351 designates a host computer which sends commands, print data and the like to the printer; 352, data receiving means for receiving data codes from the host computer through the interface; and 353, command analysis means which analyses the data codes and discriminates the print data from the command code for setting various commands with respect to the printer.
  • the analyzed data is stored in designated record paper memory means 354, data memory means 355 and the like.
  • Part of the command code is executed by control means 356 to thereby control the functions part 357 of the printer.
  • control means 356 In accordance with the designation of the record paper, one of the above-mentioned kinds of record paper is selected and a transfer mechanism corresponding to the selected record paper is driven by the control means.
  • Reference numeral 358 designates a record paper detect part which is used to detect the record paper. When the record paper detect part 358 transmits information on the record paper to the control means 356, then the control means 356 executes the optimum control that corresponds to the record paper detected.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown an explanatory view of an embodiment of command analysis means according to the invention, illustrating an example of a command, which is included in the command codes, for designating the record paper.
  • Fig. 3A shows the code data that is transmitted from the host computer.
  • Reference numeral 401 represents the code data which represent the record paper being designated, and 402 shows the content of the code data.
  • Fig. 3B designates a data structure of 8 bits in which, for example, the lower 3 bits represent respectively the presence of the record paper designation, absence thereof, and removal of the designation, in the term of 1 or 0.
  • the lower first bit represents the continuous paper
  • the lower second bit represents the slip paper
  • the lower third bit represents the validation paper, respectively.
  • the continuous paper and one of the two kinds of the cut sheet paper can be designated at the same time and, as described above, the record paper transfer mechanism is controlled by the control means to thereby be able to realize the copying printing.
  • the pressure sensitive paper is used as the continuous paper.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a flow chart of steps employed in an embodiment of a method for controlling a printer according to the invention, illustrating a printing controlling method when printing is executed on the cut sheet paper.
  • the print data is written to the RAM 61 (Step 201). Then, the mechanism section of the printer is initialized (Step 202) and the plungers 18 and 28 are set in their extended (pushing) state, thereby both the printing part and the recording paper passage are opened (Step 203).
  • the print mode i.e., the recording sheet type, is selected (Step 204). For ordinary slip sheets, the print mode is set to a slip mode (Steps 205ff), and for validation sheets the print mode is set to a validation mode (Steps 211ff).
  • the level of the detector 26 is checked to confirm that the recording sheet has been set, and the printer waits until the detector 26 turns off.
  • the plunger 18 is set in a retracted (pulling) state and the form stopper 27, which blocks the recording sheet forwarding path, is made ready to forward the recording sheet 12 (Step 206).
  • the recording sheet 12 is forwarded to the printing part and the sheet head is aligned (Step 207).
  • the plunger 28 is set in its retracted (pulling) state to make the printer ready for printing by closing the printing section (Step 208).
  • Step 210 While driving the print head 1 and forwarding the recording sheet 12 (Step 209), the position at which the tail end of the recording sheet 12 passes through the detector 26 is monitored (Step 210).
  • a recording sheet forwarding amount up to the print limit is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 62, and the recording sheet 12 is forwarded and the print head 1 is driven, both continuously, until the print data ends or the print limit is reached while decreasing the sheet forwarding amount in synchronism with the recording sheet forwarding operation (Steps 216, 217, and 218).
  • the printing operation is brought to an end (Step 220).
  • the recording sheet 13 is set (Step 211) and the plunger 18 is set in a retracted (pulling) state (Step 212), similarly as in the slip mode.
  • Sheet head alignment is not necessary for validation sheets, and the recording sheet 13 must be forwarded only by an amount required by a recording sheet forwarding code included in the print data.
  • the recording sheet 13 is forwarded and the print head 1 is driven, both continuously, until the detector 26 is turned on (Steps 213 and 214). The same operation as that in the slip mode then follows.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown a flow chart of steps of a method for controlling a printer according to the invention, illustrating a method for controlling a security mode in which printing is executed on the roll paper, which is a kind of the continuous paper, and on the cut sheet paper.
  • Step 301 Upon receipt of a print command, the print data is written to the RAM 61 (Step 301). Then, the mechanism section of the printer is initialized (Step 302) and the plungers 18 and 28 are set in their extended (pushing) state, thereby the recording paper passage are opened (Step 303). Then, it is checked whether the mode is a security mode or a cut sheet mode. (Step 304) When printing is executed on the cut sheet only, the clutch means is disconnected and the roll paper transfer mechanism is set in the disconnected state thereof. Then, the processing moves to Step 204 in Fig. 4, where the cut sheet printing is executed.
  • Step 305 the processing advances to Step 305.
  • the plunger 18 is pulled (Step 306) and the leading end of the record paper 12 is drawn out (Step 307).
  • the clutch is connected (Step 308) and the printing is executed from Step 208 in the cut sheet printing routine shown in Fig. 4.
  • Step 207 processes the drawing out of the leading end of the record paper, in Fig. 4 and Step 307 in Fig. 5.
  • the record paper detector 26 is used to confirm whether the record paper is set normally in the record paper passage.
  • Step 256 In this case, when the record paper has been detected, then the Step 208 and its following Steps in Fig. 4 are executed. However, if the validation paper is set in error, then the detector turns on because a relationship of L 1 > L 2 is obtained. This means that the kind of the record paper may be wrong, or that although the slip paper is selected, the slip paper may not be transferred correctly. For these reasons, the light emitting diode 65 is turned on to thereby alarm and display the error of the record paper (Step 257) and the printing is stopped. (Step 258)
  • the present invention As has been described hereinbefore, according to the present invention, three kinds of record paper passage systems are employed and a printing part can be used in common. Due to this structure, the invention can provide a printer which alone can cope with various kinds of record paper used in the POS market.
  • the invention it is possible to construct a printer which is able to execute not only a slip mode for printing on slip paper of an irregular size but also a validation mode for printing on validation paper by use of a single print head, and also which can be made compact in space. That is, the invention can provide a printer of high utility value.
  • the record contents on the cut sheet paper can be left on the continuous paper as need arises and, therefore, the present printer can be used in a site which requires security such as keeping of the record contents and the like.
  • the record paper shut-off mechanism detects such error insertion and prevents the slip paper from being printed. Also, when the slip mode is designated, if the validation paper is inserted in error, the trailing end of the record paper is detected before the leading end of the record paper is guided to the printing start position of the record paper, due to the structure of the record paper passages elaborately employed in the invention, that is, such mis-insertion can be detected as an error. This means that various kinds of record paper can be detected by a single detector and thus the present invention can provide a printer which is very useful in costs as well.

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Claims (5)

  1. Drucker mit der Fähigkeit zum Bedrucken von mindestens zwei Arten von Aufzeichnungspapier (11, 12, 13) an einem Druckteil hiervon mit einem Druckkopf (1) mit:
    ersten Aufzeichnungspapierdurchlässen (22, 24) und ersten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmitteln (20, 50) zur Übertragung eines geschnittenen Blatt Papiers (12);
    zweiten Aufzeichnungspapierdurchlässen und zweiten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmitteln (3, 4) zur Übertragung von Endlospapierblättern (11);
    einer Schnittstelle (63) zur Übertragung und zum Empfangen von Datencodes zur Information des Druckers mit einem Steuerbefehl, Druckdaten von und zu einem Hostcomputer (351);
    Datenempfangsmitteln (352) zum Empfangen der Datencodes von dem Hostcomputer (351);
    gekennzeichnet durch
    Befehlsanalysemittel (353) zur Interpretation des Steuerbefehls des Hostcomputers (351) und zur Erkennung, ob ein geschnittenes Blatt Papier, ein Endlosblattpapier oder gleichzeitig ein geschnittenes Blatt und ein Endlospapierblatt bestimmt ist;
    einen Schrittmotor (9) als gemeinsame Antriebsquelle für die ersten und die zweiten Papierübertragungsmittel;
    ein Kupplungsmittel (80) zwischen den zweiten Papierübertragungsmitteln (3, 4) und dem Schrittmotor (9)
    Speichermittel (354) zum Speichern der Bestimmung jeder der Aufzeichnungspapierarten, welche durch die Befehlsanalysemittel erkannt wurde;
    Steuermittel (356, 74, 75) zur Steuerung der ersten und der zweiten Übertragungsmittel (3, 4, 20, 50) und des Kupplungsmittels (80) gemäß der gespeicherten Bestimmung des Aufzeichnungspapiers (11, 12, 13).
  2. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1, bei dem, wenn die Aufzeichnungspapierbestimmung sowohl das geschnittene Blatt und die Endlosblätter des Aufzeichnungspapiers (11, 12, 13) auswählt, die ersten und die zweiten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmittel gleichzeitig betrieben sind, um jeweils das geschnittene Blatt und die Enlosblätter des Aufzeichnungspapiers zu übertragen.
  3. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, mit des weiteren einem dritten Aufzeichnungspapierdurchlaß und dritten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmitteln zur Übertragung eines weiteren geschnittenen Blatt Papiers zusätzlich zu dem geschnittenen Blatt Papier.
  4. Drucker gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, der des weiteren folgendes umfaßt:
    das elektrisch betätigbare Kupplungsmittel (80);
    Zählmittel zum Zählen der Antriebsschrittzahl des Schrittmotors (9); und
    Speichermittel zum Speichern einer vorbestimmten Anzahl an Schritten von einer oberen Endposition des Aufzeichnungspapiers zu einer vorbestimmten Position in dem Druckteil.
  5. Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Druckers mit der Fähigkeit zum Bedrucken von mindestens zwei Arten von Aufzeichnungspapier an einem Druckteil hiervon mit einem Druckkopf, wobei der Drucker folgendes aufweist:
    erste Aufzeichnungspapierdurchlässe (22, 24) und erste Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmittel (20, 50) zur Übertragung eines geschnittenen Blatt Papiers (12);
    zweite Aufzeichnungspapierdurchlässe und zweite Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmittel (3, 4) zur Übertragung von Endlospapierblättern (11);
    einer Schnittstelle (63) an dem Drucker zum Empfangen von Datencodes mit einem Steuerbefehl und Druckdaten von einem Hostcomputer (351);
    Datenempfangsmitteln (352) zum Empfangen der Datencodes des Hostcomputers (351);
    Befehlsanalysemittel (353) zur Analyse der Datencodes des Hostcomputers (351) und zur Unterscheidung der Druckdaten von dem Befehlscode, so daß eine Bestimmung eines Papiers ausgewählt aus dem ersten Aufzeichnungspapier und dem zweiten Aufzeichnungspapier erkannt wird;
    Speichermittel (354) zum Speichern der Bestimmung des Aufzeichnungspapiers, welche durch die Befehlsanalysemittel erkannt wurde;
    Steuermittel (356) zur Steuerung der ersten und der zweiten Übertragungsmittel gemäß der gespeicherten Aufzeichnungspapierbestimmung (11, 12, 13);
    einen Schrittmotor (9) als gemeinsame Antriebsquelle für die ersten und die zweiten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmittel;
    ein Kupplungsmittel (80), das zwischen dem zweiten Aufzeichnungspapierübertragungsmechanismus und dem Schrittmotor (9) angeordnet und durch einen Elektromotor betätigbar ist;
    Zählmittel (252-255) zum Zählen der Antriebsschrittzahl des Schrittmotors (9); und
    Speichermittel (61a) zum Speichern einer gegebenen Anzahl (K) von Schritten von der Abschneideposition des Aufzeichnungspapiers zu einer gegebenen Position in dem Druckteil;
    wobei das Verfahren, wenn sowohl das geschnittene Blatt als auch das Endlosblatt des Aufzeichnungspapiers bestimmt ist, folgende Schritte umfaßt:
    Setzen des Kupplungsmittels in einen nichtverbundenen Zustand;
    Erfassung, daß das erste Aufzeichnungspapier an einer gegebenen Position gesetzt ist;
    Übertragung des ersten Aufzeichnungspapiers zu einer gegebenen Druckstartposition nach Erfassung des ersten Aufzeichnungspapiers;
    Verbindung des Kupplungsmittels nach Beendigung des Übertragungsschritts; und
    Durchführung eines gegebenen Druckens nach Verbindung des Kupplungsmittels.
EP91119473A 1990-11-14 1991-11-14 Drucker und Verfahren zur Steuerung desselben Expired - Lifetime EP0486031B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP307861/90 1990-11-14
JP30786190 1990-11-14
JP249178/91 1991-09-27
JP24917891A JP3350940B2 (ja) 1990-11-14 1991-09-27 印刷装置
JP10804192 1992-04-27
JP2141793 1993-02-09

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0486031A2 EP0486031A2 (de) 1992-05-20
EP0486031A3 EP0486031A3 (en) 1992-07-29
EP0486031B1 true EP0486031B1 (de) 1997-05-07

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Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH09323463A (ja) * 1996-06-05 1997-12-16 Seiko Epson Corp 通信端末およびその制御方法
JP3250718B2 (ja) * 1996-10-22 2002-01-28 セイコーエプソン株式会社 プリントシステム
JP3711677B2 (ja) * 1997-01-14 2005-11-02 セイコーエプソン株式会社 プリンタ
US6185478B1 (en) 1997-05-29 2001-02-06 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus, control method for a printing apparatus, and recording medium for recording a control program for a printing apparatus
US5988904A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-11-23 Hewlett-Packard Company Removable rollfeed apparatus for a desk-mountable printer

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0297567A2 (de) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-04 Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. Etikettendrucker
EP0311584A2 (de) * 1987-10-09 1989-04-12 Lexmark International, Inc. Vorrichtung zum Zuführen eines Endlosformulars und abgeschnittener Formulare

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3211843A1 (de) * 1982-03-31 1983-10-13 Olympia Werke Ag, 2940 Wilhelmshaven Steuerung fuer den aufzeichnungstraeger-vorschub einer schreib- oder aehnlichen maschine
JP2697276B2 (ja) * 1989-11-14 1998-01-14 セイコーエプソン株式会社 プリンタ

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0297567A2 (de) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-04 Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. Etikettendrucker
EP0311584A2 (de) * 1987-10-09 1989-04-12 Lexmark International, Inc. Vorrichtung zum Zuführen eines Endlosformulars und abgeschnittener Formulare

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EP0486031A3 (en) 1992-07-29

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