JP2000085223A - Printing device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability of a printing device by realizing a function which automatically discriminates the kind of an ink ribbon, and a function which detects and notifies a reverse insertion of an ink ribbon, at a low cost. SOLUTION: A CPU 2 discriminates whether a detection signal level from a ribbon end sensor loaded on a printing head in this printing device 6 is an ON level (transmission region) which becomes a judgement reference for the kind of an ink ribbon, or an OFF level (non-transmission region), prior to the execution of a printing process, and in the case of the ON level, the CPU judges that a set ink ribbon is a multi-color ribbon, and in the case of the OFF level, the printing head is pressed to a printing paper, and a carriage motor which carries a carriage loaded with the printing head, is moved by one step each for a distance of the portion of a marker length(ML), and the number of the steps is counted by an RSC counter which counts the step number, and when the RSC counted value is the marker length(ML) or higher, the CPU judges that the ink ribbon is a monochrome ribbon.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for performing monochrome printing or multicolor printing using an ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink ribbons used in conventional printing apparatuses for performing monochrome printing and multi-color printing include single-color ribbons (red, blue, green, gold, silver, etc.) and fusion-type multi-color ribbons (YMC three colors). , YMCK 4 colors, etc.), sublimation type multi-color ribbon (YMC 3 colors, pre-coat YMC4)
Color).

Conventionally, in order to distinguish these various types of ink ribbons, a user is required to set a ribbon type, and a sensor for detecting the ribbon type is provided in a printing apparatus. Further, the fact that the YMC portion of the multicolor ribbon is translucent has been used to distinguish between a multicolor ribbon and other ribbons.

[0004]

However, in discriminating the type of the ink ribbon used in such a conventional printing apparatus, there is a high possibility that the user mistakes the type of the ribbon when the user sets the type of the ribbon. In addition, the detection of the ribbon type by the sensor has a problem of increasing the cost of the printing apparatus.

When the multicolor ribbon is distinguished from the other ribbons, the marker indicating each color of the multicolor ribbon is black. Therefore, when the marker is located at the position of the ribbon end sensor, the type of the ribbon is not changed. There was a drawback that it could not be distinguished. As a conventional technique for compensating for this disadvantage, for example, there is an apparatus that confirms a ribbon type from a detection signal from a ribbon sensor every time at the beginning of a printing line.
In this case, if the ribbon type cannot be confirmed at the beginning of the first line,
The first line has a disadvantage that wrong printing is performed.

Further, in the conventional ink ribbon detection processing, when the user inserts the ink ribbon in the reverse direction, the reverse insertion state is not detected, so that a wrong printing process is performed. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the reliability of a printing apparatus by realizing, at low cost, a function of automatically determining the type of an ink ribbon and a function of detecting and notifying a reverse insertion of the ink ribbon. .

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A ribbon feeding unit for feeding a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon when performing printing, a detecting unit for detecting a state of the ink ribbon fed by a predetermined amount by the ribbon feeding unit, and a detection state of the ink ribbon detected by the detecting unit And output means for outputting a message corresponding to.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ink ribbon is fed by a predetermined amount by the ribbon feeding means during printing, the detecting means detects the state of the ink ribbon fed by the predetermined amount. The output means outputs a message according to the detected state of the ink ribbon.

Therefore, it is possible to detect and notify that various ink ribbons have been reversely inserted, and to urge the user to re-set the ink ribbons.
The reliability of the printing device can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when printing is performed,
Ribbon feeding means for feeding the ink ribbon by a predetermined amount, detecting means for detecting the state of the ink ribbon fed by a predetermined amount by the ribbon feeding means, and the ink corresponding to the detection state of the ink ribbon detected by the detecting means. Determining means for determining the type of the ribbon.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon is fed by the ribbon feeding means during printing, the detecting means detects the state of the ink ribbon fed by the predetermined amount. The determining means determines the type of the ink ribbon according to the detected state of the ink ribbon.

Therefore, since the set ink ribbon type is automatically determined, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user makes a mistake in setting the ribbon type and executes useless printing processing. The reliability of the printing device can be improved.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing a computer system according to a first embodiment to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a computer system 1 includes a CPU 2, an input device 3, a RAM 4,
Display device 5, printing device 6, storage device 7, and storage medium 8
Each part except the storage medium 8 is a bus 9
It is connected to the.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2
Expands an application program specified from a system program stored in the storage medium 8 and various application programs corresponding to the system into a work memory area 4d in the RAM 4 (see FIG. 2), and Are temporarily stored in the RAM 4 and various processes are executed in accordance with the input instructions and the input data in accordance with the application programs stored in the storage medium 8, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 4. And display it on the display device 5. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 4 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 7 which is instructed to be input from the input device 3.

Further, before executing the printing process, the CPU 2 executes a ribbon type determining process (see FIG. 4) described later according to a ribbon type determining process program stored in the storage medium 8, and initializes the printing device 6. And R set in RAM 4
Initialize an SC (counter) memory area, obtain a detection signal level from a ribbon end sensor (not shown) mounted on a print head in the printing device 6, and determine the ink ribbon type based on the signal level. It determines whether it is a reference ON level (transmissive area) or OFF level (non-transmissive area). If it is ON level, it is determined that the set ink ribbon is a multi-color ribbon and the print mode is set to multi-color. When the print mode is set and the level is OFF, the print head is pressed against the paper, and the carriage motor that conveys the carriage on which the print head is mounted is moved step by step by the length of the marker (ML) formed on the multicolor ribbon. The detection signal is turned off.
The section at the level is counted by an RSC counter that counts the number of steps when the carriage motor is driven.
If the C count value is equal to or longer than the marker length (ML), it is determined that the ink ribbon is a monochrome ribbon, and the print mode is set to monochrome printing. The ribbon end sensor is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that face each other with the ink ribbon interposed therebetween, and a light transmission area provided near the end of the ink ribbon during printing for a certain period of time.
When the light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, the end of the ink ribbon is detected.

Further, the CPU 2 executes a monochrome printing process (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, according to a monochrome printing process program stored in the storage medium 8, reads out the document data to be printed from the storage device 7, and reads the document data in the RAM 4 The document data is stored in the data storage area 4e (see FIG. 2), and this document data is read out one line at a time, output to the printing device 6, and the printing operation is repeatedly performed by the print head one head digit at a time, and mounted on the print head. When it is detected that the detected signal level from the detected ribbon end sensor has reached the ON level, it is notified that the ink ribbon has reached the end position.

The input device 3 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse provided with a cursor key, numeral input keys, various function keys, and the like.
Output to 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4 has an RSC (counter) storage area 4a, M
L (marker length) storage area 4b, SL (winding amount of one step of motor) storage area 4c, work memory area 4
d, and a document data storage area 4e.

The RSC (counter) storage area 4a stores the CP
The count value of the number of steps of the carriage motor driven in the ribbon type determination process executed by U2 is stored. The ML (marker length) stores a value indicating the length of a marker (black area) formed at a boundary portion of each color on the multi-color ribbon. The SL (winding amount per motor step) storage area 4c stores a value indicating the moving amount per step of the carriage motor driven in the ribbon type determination processing executed by the CPU 2.

The work memory area 4d develops various programs, a ribbon type determination processing program, and a monochrome printing processing program when the CPU 2 executes various application programs. The document data storage area 4e stores C
Stores document data to be read, which is read from the storage device 7 during the monochrome printing process executed by the PU 2.

The display device 5 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tub).
e) and a liquid crystal display device, etc., and displays display data (messages at the time of print processing, document data to be printed, etc.) input from the CPU 2.

The printing device 6 includes a carriage (not shown) on which a print head and a ribbon end sensor, which are driven and controlled during ribbon type determination processing and monochrome printing processing, which are executed by the CPU 2, and a carriage motor for moving the carriage. (Not shown), and a ribbon take-up unit (not shown) that sets an in-ribbon such as a monochrome ribbon or a multi-color ribbon and winds the ribbon in accordance with a carriage motor driving operation.

The printing apparatus 6 controls the print head, the carriage motor, and the ribbon winding unit when the ribbon type determination process is executed by the CPU 2, and performs the operation related to the ribbon type determination process set in the ribbon winding unit. In the monochrome printing process executed by the CPU 2, the print head, the carriage motor, and the ribbon winding unit are driven and controlled, and the document data input line by line from the CPU 2 is printed line by line on paper. I do.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of a monochrome ribbon and a multi-color ribbon set in the ribbon winding section of the printing apparatus 6. FIG. FIG. 3A shows a monochrome ribbon. Since the entire ribbon is black, light from the ribbon end sensor mounted on the carriage is not transmitted. FIG. 3B shows a multi-color ribbon in which each color region (yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan:
C) is a transmission area for transmitting light from the ribbon end sensor, and a marker area for preventing light from the ribbon end sensor from being transmitted is formed at the head of each color area. It is configured to be distinguishable. The width of the marker area formed at the head of yellow (Y) is formed wider than the width of the marker area formed at the head of another color, so that the head color can be distinguished. I have.

Therefore, in the non-transmissive region of the ribbon, the detection signal level output from the ribbon end sensor is OF
At the F level, the detection signal level output from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level in the transmission region.

The storage device 7 has a storage medium 8 in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 8 is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 8 is fixedly provided in the storage device 7 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 8 includes the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, and a ribbon type determination processing program. , Monochrome printing processing program, and data processed by each processing program,
Stores document data and the like.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 8 may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device having the storage medium may be provided on the other connected device side, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 8 may be used via a communication line.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the ribbon type determination process executed before the CPU 2 executes the print process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When print processing is designated by a user's input operation on the input device 3, the CPU 2 first reads the ribbon type determination processing program stored in the storage medium 8 and expands it in the work memory area 4 d in the RAM 4. Then, the ribbon type determination process shown in FIG. 4 is started. In FIG. 4, the CPU 2 performs initialization processing of each operation unit (carriage motor, ribbon winding unit, etc.) in the printing apparatus 6 and initializes an RSC (counter) storage area 4a in the RAM 4 (sets it to 0). ) (Step C1).

Next, the CPU 2 obtains a detection signal level from a ribbon end sensor mounted on a print head in the printing device 6 (step C2), and the detection signal level is used as a reference for determining the type of the ink ribbon. It is determined whether the level is a transmission level or a non-transmission level (step C3). When the detection signal level is the ON level, the CPU 2 determines that the set ink ribbon is a multi-color ribbon, sets the printing mode to the multi-color printing mode, and shifts to the multi-color printing process.

If the detection signal level is the OFF level, the CPU 2 lowers the print head so as to press the print head against the paper (step C4), and controls the carriage motor for transporting the carriage on which the print head is mounted. The print head is moved one step at a time on the ribbon by driving one step at a time (step C5), and a detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor is obtained (step C6). It is determined whether the detection signal level is an ON level (transmissive area) or an OFF level (non-transmissive area), which is a reference for determining the type of the ink ribbon (step C7). It is determined that the ribbon is a multi-color ribbon, the print mode is set to the multi-color print mode, and the process proceeds to multi-color print processing.

If the detection signal level is OFF, the CPU 2 increments the RSC counter stored in the RSC (counter) storage area 4a in the RAM 4 by "1" (step C8), The value is compared with a value obtained by dividing the marker length (ML) stored in the ML (marker length) storage area 4b in the RAM 4 by the winding amount (SL) of one step of the motor stored in the SL storage area 4c. Then, it is determined whether or not the RSC count value is equal to or less than the ML / SL value (RSC ≦ ML / SL) (step C9).

That is, in step C9, it is determined whether or not the movement amount of the carriage has been moved by the length of the marker (ML) formed on the multicolor ribbon shown in FIG. 3B. When the RSC count value is equal to or less than the ML / SL value, the CPU 2 returns to the process of step C5, drives the carriage motor for one step, obtains a detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor in step C6, and executes step C7. Is repeatedly executed until the moving amount of the carriage exceeds the marker length (ML).

The ink ribbon is taken up by the ribbon take-up section with the movement of the carriage on which the print head is mounted.

Therefore, even if the amount of movement of the carriage exceeds the marker length (ML), if the detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor is continuously at the OFF level, the set ink ribbon is set to the monochrome ribbon. Is determined, the print mode is set to the monochrome print mode, and the process proceeds to the monochrome print process.

As described above, in the first embodiment,
When performing the printing process, the ink ribbon type determination process is automatically performed in advance using the ribbon end sensor,
The print mode corresponding to the determined ribbon type is automatically set. After the print mode is set by the ribbon type determination process, the CPU 2 shifts to the print process. The case of executing the monochrome print process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The CPU 2 displays on the display screen of the display device 5 to notify the user that the monochrome printing mode has been set by the above-described ribbon type determination processing, and also displays a document data selection screen for prompting selection of document data to be printed. It is displayed on the device 5. When the document data to be printed is selected on the document data selection screen, the document data is read from the storage device 7 and stored in the document data storage area 4e in the RAM 4, and the monochrome printing process of FIG. 5 is started.

In FIG. 5, the CPU 2 reads one line of document data from the document data stored in the document data storage area 4e (step M1), outputs this document data to the printing device 6, and sets the print head to 1 At the same time, the head ribbon is driven, and the monochrome ribbon is wound up by the ribbon winding unit to print one line of document data (step M2).

Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor has become the ON level (step M3). If the detection signal level is the OFF level, it confirms the completion of printing of one line (step M3). Step M4) If the printing of one line has not been completed, a print control signal for instructing the printing of the next digit is output to the printing device 6 in order to print the document data of the next digit (Step M5). Then, the print head is moved by one digit (step M6), and the process returns to the detection signal level determination processing of step M3.

When the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level in step M3, the CPU 2 recognizes that the ink ribbon has been sent to near the end, and proceeds to step M7. By notifying the end of the ribbon, and prompting the user to replace the ink ribbon, the present monochrome printing process ends.

If it is confirmed in step M4 that the printing process for one line has been completed, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the printing of the document data stored in the document data storage area 4e to the last line has been completed. (Step M8) If the printing up to the last line is not completed, the carriage motor is driven so as to move the print head to the head position of the print line (Step M9), and the paper is conveyed by one line (Step M8). M10), returning to the processing of step M1, and
The reading process of the document data for the line is performed again, and the printing process of the document data for each line is repeatedly executed in steps M2 to M6, and it is confirmed that the printing of the last line of the document data is completed in step M8. Then, the monochrome printing process ends.

As described above, in the computer system 1 according to the first embodiment, the ribbon type determining process is executed before the printing process is executed, and the ink ribbon type set in the printing device 6 is changed to the monochrome ribbon type. Or the multi-color ribbon is automatically determined and the monochrome print mode or the multi-color print mode is automatically set, so that the user mistakenly sets the ribbon type and executes useless print processing. Can be avoided beforehand, and the reliability of the printing process can be improved.

Further, in the ribbon type determination processing, since a ribbon end sensor mounted on the print head has been conventionally used, it is not necessary to newly provide a sensor for detecting the ribbon type. A judgment processing function can be added.

In the first embodiment, the monochrome printing process has been described, but the end position of the multicolor ribbon is similarly detected by the ribbon end sensor in the multicolor printing process. However, in the case of multi-color printing processing, three colors are printed at the same position for one head digit, and the point of determining the color based on the marker length is as follows.
Different from monochrome print processing.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which the ribbon type determination processing is separately performed before the printing processing is performed. A case where the ribbon type determination processing is performed during the acceleration period (slow-up) of the carriage motor in the printing apparatus during processing will be described.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a computer system according to a second embodiment to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied. The configuration of the computer system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment, so that the illustration and description of the configuration are omitted. However, in the second embodiment, the counter for counting the number of steps when the carriage motor is slowed up is stored in the TUC (counter) storage area 4a in the RAM 4 as shown in FIG. This is a part different from the memory configuration of the RAM 4 shown in the first embodiment.

A printing process executed by the CPU 2 in the computer system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

When a printing process is designated by a user's input operation from the input device 3, first, the printing process program stored in the storage medium 8 is read out, expanded in the work memory area 4d in the RAM 4, and expanded as shown in FIG. Start the printing process. In FIG. 7, the CPU 2 initializes each operation unit (carriage motor, ribbon winding unit, etc.) in the printing apparatus 6 and initializes a TUC (counter) storage area 4a in the RAM 4 (sets it to 0). ) (Step D1).

Next, the CPU 2 obtains a detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor mounted on the print head in the printing device 6 (step D2), and the detection signal level is used as an ON standard for determining the type of the ink ribbon. It is determined whether the level is a level (transmissive area) or an OFF level (non-transmissive area) (step D3). When the detection signal level is the ON level, the CPU 2 determines that the set ink ribbon is a multi-color ribbon, sets the printing mode to the multi-color printing mode, and shifts to the multi-color printing process.

If the detection signal level is the OFF level, the CPU 2 lowers the print head so as to press the print head against the paper (step D4), and controls the carriage motor for transporting the carriage on which the print head is mounted. The print head is driven one step at a time (step D5), the print head is moved one step at a time on the ribbon, and a detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor is obtained (step D6). It is determined whether the detection signal level is an ON level (transmissive area) or an OFF level (non-transmissive area) as a reference for determining the type of the ink ribbon (step D7). It is determined that the ribbon is a multi-color ribbon, the print mode is set to the multi-color print mode, and the process proceeds to multi-color print processing.

When the detection signal level is OFF, the CPU 2 counts up the TUC counter stored in the TUC (counter) storage area 4a in the RAM 4 by "1" (step D8), and counts the TUC. It is determined whether or not the value has reached the number of steps corresponding to the period of slow-down of the carriage motor (step D).
9). That is, the number of slow-up steps is the first
The marker length ML of the multi-color ribbon described in the embodiment and the ribbon winding amount S for one step of the motor
When L is set, a relationship of the number of slow-up steps ≧ ML / SL is established.

If the TUC count value has not reached the number of slow-up steps, the CPU 2 returns to the processing of step D5 to drive the carriage motor for one step.
The process of acquiring the detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor in step D6 and the process of determining the detection signal level in step D7 are repeatedly executed until the moving amount of the carriage exceeds the number of slow-up steps.

Therefore, even if the amount of movement of the carriage reaches the number of slow-ups and exceeds the marker length (ML), the CPU 2 sets the detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor to the OFF level. It is determined that the performed ink ribbon is a monochrome ribbon, the printing mode is set to the monochrome printing mode, and the process proceeds to the monochrome printing process.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
When executing the printing process, the ribbon ribbon sensor is used to automatically determine the type of the ink ribbon while the carriage motor is slowing up, and the print mode according to the determined ribbon type is automatically set. Is done.

As described above, in the computer system 1 according to the second embodiment, when performing the printing process, the ribbon type determining process is executed during the slow-up of the carriage motor, and the computer is set in the printing device 6. It is automatically determined whether the type of ink ribbon is a monochrome ribbon or multi-color ribbon, and the monochrome print mode or multi-color print mode is automatically set. In addition to being able to execute the printing well, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user mistakenly sets the ribbon type and executes a useless printing process, thereby improving the reliability of the printing process.

In the ribbon type determination process, since a ribbon end sensor mounted on the print head has been conventionally used, it is not necessary to newly provide a ribbon type detection sensor, and the ribbon type can be reduced at low cost. A judgment processing function can be added.

In the above-described second embodiment, a case has been described in which the process of determining the ribbon type is performed while the number of slow-up steps of the carriage motor reaches the slow-up period, but in the third embodiment, When the number of slow-up steps is smaller than ML / SL, the carriage position at which the print head is pressed against the paper is set to (print start position− (ML + α) / S
By setting L), the ribbon type can be detected without deteriorating the printing speed.

That is, in step D4 of the printing process shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 2 drives the carriage motor so as to move the carriage to the position of (print start I- (ML + α) / SL), and moves the print head to the paper. By lowering the print head so that the print head is pressed, the ribbon type can be detected without deteriorating the printing speed.

In each of the above embodiments, the ribbon type determination processing for determining a monochrome ribbon and a multi-color ribbon has been described. However, in the ribbon type determination processing, if there is an ink ribbon that cannot be determined, the setting by the user is performed. Etc. can be used for the determination.

For example, a monochrome ribbon and YM shown in FIG.
In the case of determining a CK four-color multi-color ribbon, if the ribbon end sensor is applied to the K (black) portion of the multi-color ribbon, the ribbon type determination processing will determine that the ribbon is a monochrome ribbon.

In this case, by setting the ribbon type (monochrome ribbon, YMCK ribbon) currently set by the user, the ribbon type is determined according to the set ribbon type at the time of the ribbon type determination processing according to the ribbon type setting. By changing the moving section of the carriage to change the number of times of determining the detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor, which is the reference for determining the ribbon type, the ribbon type can be accurately determined.

Further, when a sublimation / melting ribbon is mounted and the detection signal level from the ribbon end sensor is turned ON / OFF.
Even when the OFF patterns are the same, the ribbon type that is currently mounted is set by the user, so that the ribbon type can be accurately determined.

Further, the YMCK four-color multi-color ribbon shown in FIG. 8 can be determined by the ribbon type determination processing shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

In the case of a YMCK four-color multi-color ribbon,
Since the determination cannot be made only by the length of the marker, the process of step C9 in the ribbon type determination process of FIG. 4 is changed as follows.

K of YMCK 4-color multi-color ribbon
If the length of (black) is KL and the ribbon winding amount of one step of the carriage motor is SL, and RSC ≦ KL / SL, that is, if the movement amount of the carriage motor is less than or equal to the K length, the process proceeds to step C5. Returning, the carriage motor is moved by one step and the process of determining the ON level of the detection signal acquired from the ribbon end sensor is repeatedly executed.
If C> KL / SL, that is, if the movement amount of the carriage motor exceeds the K length and the detection signal OFF level acquired from the ribbon end sensor continues, it is determined that the monochrome ribbon is currently mounted. Then, set the monochrome print mode.

As described above, by changing the content of the process in step C9, the ribbon type of the YMCK four-color multicolor ribbon and the monochrome ribbon can be accurately determined.

Further, when a ribbon winding motor is mounted in the printing device 6 and the winding of the ribbon can be performed individually, the print head used in the ribbon type determination processing in each of the above-described embodiments is replaced with a paper head. The ribbon type can also be determined by driving the ribbon winding motor one step at a time, instead of pressing the ribbon in the printing direction instead of pressing the carriage in the printing direction.

In the above description, when the above-described sublimation / melting ribbon is mounted, the type of the ribbon is determined by user setting. However, the length of the detected marker and the combination of the markers are changed to determine the type of the ribbon. It is also possible.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of the structure of the ribbon when the ribbon type is determined based on the length of the marker.
(A), (b) has shown the example of a structure of the ribbon at the time of determining the ribbon type by the combination of a marker.

In the case of two types of ribbons having different marker lengths as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the ribbon type is determined to be a multi-color ribbon in the ribbon type determination processing of the first embodiment, the sensor level is continued. Is detected, the ribbon is wound up and the length of the next marker is measured. If the length of the marker is A or B, the multicolor ribbon shown in FIG. ) And the ribbon type of the two types of multi-color ribbons can be determined.

In the case of two types of ribbons having different combinations of markers shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the ribbon type is determined to be a multi-color ribbon in the ribbon type determination process of the first embodiment, the sensor level continues. By detecting the combination of markers by winding the ribbon while detecting, the ribbon type of the two types of multi-color ribbons can be determined.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, a description will be given of a ribbon reverse insertion determining function when an ink ribbon is reversely inserted. FIGS. 11 to 15 are diagrams for explaining a ribbon type / reverse insertion determination process executed by the computer system according to the third embodiment to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied. Since the configuration of the computer system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment, the illustration and description of the configuration are omitted.

In the monochrome ribbon, where the printing is performed, that is, where the ink is transferred to the paper, the base film is depleted of ink, so that the non-transmissive portion and the transmissive portion are similar to the “Aioeo” portion shown in FIG. Formed alternately. Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, also in the multi-color ribbon, non-transmissive portions and transmissive portions exist alternately in the marker portion and the YMC color portion.

By utilizing this fact, in the case where the monochrome ribbon is reused in the normal printing, when the transparent portion of the printed portion and the non-transparent portion of the non-printed portion are alternately present. By detecting the length of each of the transmissive portion and the non-transmissive portion by the ribbon end sensor, it is possible to determine the reverse insertion state of the monochrome ribbon set again by the user.

In the case of the multicolor ribbon shown in FIG. 12A, the length of the marker formed at the head of the Y color, which is the head color of the YMC ink ribbon, is detected by the ribbon end sensor. Ribbon is YMC
By detecting whether the ribbons are arranged in order or in CMY order, reverse insertion of the multi-color ribbon can be detected.

In the third embodiment, the CPU 2 in the computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs a ribbon reverse insertion determining process at the time of the printing process to execute the ribbon setting of the ink ribbon set by the user. After it is determined whether or not it is in the reverse insertion state with respect to the type, the mode is shifted to the print mode corresponding to the type of the ink ribbon.

In the ribbon reverse insertion determining process shown in FIG. 13, the ribbon end sensor continuously detects each YMC marker on the multi-color ribbon at least about three times as shown in FIG. 12B, for example. The elapsed time when
Set to the ribbon sensor detection timer stored in M4.

In the ribbon type / reverse insertion determination process of FIG. 13, the marker area and the ink area on the multicolor ribbon are detected and output by the ribbon end sensor within the time set in the ribbon sensor detection timer. Each detection time of each detection signal is represented by OF OF as shown in FIG.
F1 time, ON1 time, OFF2 time, a value indicating each marker length reference time corresponding to each marker length, Y
It is assumed that a value indicating each YMC length reference time corresponding to the length of each MC color is stored in the RAM 4 in advance.

A flag for monitoring the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer is stored in the RAM 4 as a flag TF after the ribbon sensor detection time has elapsed, and this flag TF is automatically set to "1" when the ribbon sensor detection timer times out. become.

Further, in the third embodiment, the detection signal level output from the ribbon end sensor is determined when the non-printing portion of the monochrome ribbon or the marker portion of the multi-color ribbon, which is the non-transmitting region of the ribbon, is detected. Is that the detection signal level is at the OFF level, and the detection signal level is at the ON level when the printing portion of the monochrome ribbon or the YMC ink portion of the multicolor ribbon, which is the transmission region of the ribbon, is detected.

A timer for measuring a marker length is stored in the RAM 4 to measure the OFF time and the ON time of the detection signal level output from the ribbon end sensor, and the sensor OFF time measurement processing shown in FIG. , FIG.
It is used for the sensor ON time measurement processing shown in FIG.

First, the ribbon type / reverse insertion determining process executed by the CPU 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that a ribbon winding motor for individually winding the ink ribbon is mounted in the printing device 6.

When a printing process is designated by an input operation of the input device 3 by the user, first, the ribbon type / reverse insertion determining program stored in the storage medium 8 is read out and expanded in the work memory area 4d in the RAM 4. Then, the ribbon type / reverse insertion determination process of FIG. 13 is started. In FIG. 13, the CPU 2 performs initialization processing of each operation unit (carriage motor, ribbon winding unit, etc.) in the printing apparatus 6, initializes a ribbon sensor detection timer stored in the RAM 4, and sets a flag TF. Initialization (TF = 0), a marker length measurement timer is initialized (step E1).

Next, the CPU 2 starts driving the ribbon winding motor in the printing device 6 to start winding the ink ribbon, and sets the ribbon sensor detection time in the ribbon sensor detection timer stored in the RAM 4. Then, the flag TF is enabled after the elapse of the ribbon sensor detection time (step E2). Then, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the flag TF is “1” to check whether the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out (step E).
3) After the winding of the ink ribbon is started, it is confirmed that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level (step E4).

When the CPU 2 confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer before the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level, the ribbon type set is a monochrome ribbon, and the ribbon type is set normally. It is determined that the print job is in the monochrome print mode, and the process proceeds to the monochrome print process.

Further, when the CPU 2 confirms that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the ON level before confirming the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer, the CPU 2 determines whether the flag TF is "1". It is checked (step E5) whether or not the detection signal level inputted from the ribbon end sensor becomes OFF level (step E6).

If the CPU 2 confirms that the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out before the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes the OFF level, the CPU 2 turns on the timer.
It is determined that the monochrome ribbon has been reversely inserted because the level section, that is, the transmission area is too long, and a monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

Further, before confirming that the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out, the CPU 2 confirms that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the OFF level.
The processing for measuring 1) is executed (step E7). The sensor OFF 1 time measurement process executed by the CPU 2 in step E7 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, the CPU 2 first sets the RA
The marker length measuring timer stored in M4 is started (step F1), and it is checked whether or not the flag TF is "1" to check the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer (step F2). It is confirmed that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes ON level (step F3).

If the CPU 2 confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer before the detection signal level inputted from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level, the CPU 2 terminates the sensor OFF 1 hour measurement processing and proceeds to step E8 in FIG. Move to the processing of.

If the CPU 2 confirms that the level of the detection signal input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the ON level before confirming that the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out, the CPU 2 starts measuring the marker length at step F1. The time measured by the timer is read, and the marker time detection value (OFF) is stored in the work memory area 4d in the RAM 4.
1) (step F4), and the process proceeds to step E8 in FIG.

The OFF1 time measured by the above OFF1 time measuring process is used to determine the position of the marker length on the multi-color ribbon and whether or not it is correct.

Next, the CPU 2 detects that the flag TF is "1" in step E8, and confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer. In the OFF level section, that is, since the non-transmission area is too long, the monochrome ribbon is inverted. It is determined that the operation has been performed, and a monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

If the CPU 2 does not detect that the flag TF is "1" at step E8, the CPU 2 executes a process for measuring the ribbon sensor ON time (ON1) (step E9). In this step E9, the CPU 2
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 15, the CPU 2 first sets the RA
The marker length measurement timer stored in M4 is started (step G1), and it is checked whether the flag TF is "1" to check the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer (step G2). It is confirmed that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes the OFF level (step G3).

If the CPU 2 confirms that the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out before the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor goes to the OFF level, the CPU 2 terminates the sensor ON1 time measurement process and proceeds to step E10 in FIG. Move to the processing of.

Further, before confirming that the ribbon sensor detection timer has timed out, the CPU 2 confirms that the level of the detection signal input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the OFF level. The time measured by the timer is read, and the YMC time detection value (ON1) is stored in the work memory area 4d in the RAM 4.
(Step G4), and stored in step E in FIG.
Move to the process of 10.

The ON1 time measured by the above ON1 time measuring process is used to determine the position and correctness of the ink color on the multi-color ribbon.

Next, in step E10, the CPU 2 detects that the flag TF is "1", and confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer. When it is determined that the monochrome ribbon has been set, the monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

If it is confirmed that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the OFF level before confirming the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer, the process for measuring the ribbon sensor OFF time (OFF2) is performed. Execute (Step E11). This step E1
1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 14.

In FIG. 14, CPU 2 first sets RA
The marker length measuring timer stored in M4 is started (step F1), and it is checked whether or not the flag TF is "1" to check the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer (step F2). It is confirmed that the detection signal level input from the ribbon end sensor becomes ON level (step F3).

If the CPU 2 confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer before the detection signal level inputted from the ribbon end sensor becomes the ON level, the CPU 2 terminates the sensor OFF 2 time measurement processing and proceeds to step E12 in FIG. Move to the processing of.

If the CPU 2 confirms that the level of the detection signal input from the ribbon end sensor has reached the ON level before confirming the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer, the CPU 2 starts measuring the marker length at step F1. The time measured by the timer is read, and the marker time detection value (OFF) is stored in the work memory area 4d in the RAM 4.
2) (step F4), and the process shifts to the process of step E12 in FIG.

The OFF2 time measured by the above-described OFF2 time measurement processing is used to determine the position of the marker length on the multi-color ribbon and whether it is correct or not.

Next, the CPU 2 detects in step E12 that the flag TF is "1" and confirms the timeout of the ribbon sensor detection timer. When the OFF level section, that is, the non-transmission area is too long, the monochrome ribbon is reversed. It is determined that the operation has been performed, and a monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

If the CPU 2 does not detect that the flag TF is "1" in step E12, the CPU 2 compares the OFF1 time measured in step E7 with each marker length reference time value stored in the RAM 4 in advance. Then, it is determined which marker position on the multi-color ribbon corresponds (step E13), and whether or not the marker length matches the marker length is determined (step E14). If they do not match, it is determined that the monochrome ribbon has been reversely inserted, and a monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

When the marker length determined to correspond to the OFF1 time matches the marker length reference time value,
The ON1 time measured in step E9 is stored in RAM4
By comparing with the YMC length reference time value stored in advance in the Y, it is determined which color position of the YMC on the multi-color ribbon corresponds (step E15), and it is determined whether or not it matches the color length. (Step E16). If they do not match, it is determined that the monochrome ribbon has been reversely inserted, and a monochrome ribbon reverse insertion message is displayed on the display device 5 to urge the user to set the monochrome ribbon again.

If the ON1 time coincides with the YMC color length reference time value of the color determined to be applicable, step E
By comparing the OFF2 time measured at 11 with each marker length reference time value stored in the RAM 4 in advance, it is determined which marker position on the multi-color ribbon corresponds (step E17). It is determined whether or not the length is a regular marker length (step E18).
If the OFF2 time is not the regular marker length, the CPU2
Determines that the color order of YMC is reversed, displays a multi-color ribbon reverse insertion message on the display device 5, and urges the user to set the multi-color ribbon again.

If the OFF2 time is not the regular marker length, the CPU 2 determines that the set ribbon type is a multi-color ribbon and is set normally, and sets the color printing mode. Shift to multi-color printing processing.

As described above, in the computer system 1 according to the third embodiment, the ribbon type / reverse insertion determining process is executed before the printing process is executed, and the monochrome ribbon or the ribbon set in the printing device 6 is executed. The reverse insertion of the multi-color ribbon is automatically determined and notified,
It is automatically determined whether the type of ink ribbon is a monochrome ribbon or a multi-color ribbon, and the monochrome printing mode or multi-color printing mode is automatically set. It is possible to avoid a situation in which a wrong print setting is executed due to a wrong setting, and the reliability of the print processing can be improved.

In the above embodiments, the type of the ink ribbon is determined based on whether the detection signal detected by the ribbon end sensor is level OFF (non-transmission) or level ON (transmission). A reflection plate may be attached to the light emitting device to reflect the irradiation light from the ribbon end sensor, and the ribbon type may be determined according to the state of receiving the reflected light.

Further, the present invention is applicable to all apparatuses using an ink ribbon, and is applicable to, for example, a photo printer.

[0115]

According to the printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention and the storage medium of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect and notify that various kinds of ink ribbons have been reversely inserted, etc. The user can be urged to perform the setting of the ribbon again, and the reliability of the printing apparatus can be improved.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention and the storage medium of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the type of the set ink ribbon is automatically determined, so that the user can incorrectly set the ribbon type. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which useless printing processing is executed, and to improve the reliability of the printing apparatus.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect,
The process of notifying the reverse insertion of the ink ribbon and the process of discriminating the ribbon type can be efficiently executed before shifting to the printing process.

According to the printing apparatus of the invention described in claim 6,
By using the ribbon end sensor as the detecting means for detecting the state of the ink ribbon, the state of the ink ribbon can be detected without providing a new sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a computer system 1 according to a first embodiment to which a printing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory configuration in a RAM 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a monochrome ribbon (FIG. 1A) and a multi-color ribbon (FIG. 2B) as ink ribbons set in the printing apparatus 6 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a ribbon type determination process executed by a CPU 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a monochrome printing process executed by a CPU 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory configuration in a RAM 4 of a computer system 1 according to a second embodiment to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a monochrome printing process executed by a CPU 2 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional YMCK four-color multicolor ribbon.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a ribbon when a ribbon type is determined based on the length of a marker.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a ribbon when a ribbon type is determined based on a combination of markers.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monochrome ribbon in which reverse insertion is determined in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-color ribbon in which reverse insertion is determined in the third embodiment (FIG. 12A) and an example of marker detection of the multi-color ribbon (FIG. 12B). is there.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a ribbon type / reverse insertion determination process executed by a CPU 2 in a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a sensor OFF time measurement process executed by a CPU 2 in a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a sensor ON time measurement process executed by a CPU 2 in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 computer system 2 CPU 3 input device 4 RAM 4a RSC (counter) storage area, TUC (counter) storage area 4b ML storage area 4c SL storage area 4d work memory area 4e document data storage area 5 display device 6 printing device 7 storage device 8 Storage medium 9 Bus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C068 AA02 AA06 AA15 AA16 AA22 BD03 BD04 BD23 BD31 KK12 KK15 MM02 MM15 MM17 NN02 NN11 NN17 NN28

Claims (8)

[Claims] When printing is performed, a ribbon feeding means for feeding a predetermined amount of an ink ribbon, a detecting means for detecting a state of the ink ribbon fed by a predetermined amount by the ribbon feeding means, and a detecting means for detecting a state of the ink ribbon. A printing device comprising: an output unit that outputs a message according to a detection state of an ink ribbon. 2. A printing apparatus, comprising: a ribbon feeding means for feeding a predetermined amount of an ink ribbon when performing printing; a detecting means for detecting a state of the ink ribbon fed by a predetermined amount by the ribbon feeding means; Determining means for determining the type of the ink ribbon according to the detection state of the ink ribbon; andprint control means for performing printing control according to the state of the ink ribbon detected by the detection means, Printing device. 3. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein said ribbon feeding means feeds said ink ribbon by a predetermined amount when a driving motor for moving a print head is started during said printing. apparatus. 4. When a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon is fed and the detecting means detects the non-transmitting area continuously, the detecting means determines that the ink ribbon is a monochrome ink ribbon. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing is performed. 5. When a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon is fed and the detecting means detects a transparent area and a non-transmissive area, it is determined that the ink ribbon is a multi-color ink ribbon. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination is made. 6. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means uses a ribbon end sensor for detecting an end of the ink ribbon. 7. A computer-executable program code for causing a predetermined amount of an ink ribbon to be fed during printing, and a computer-executable program for detecting a state of the ink ribbon sent by a predetermined amount. A storage medium storing a program including: a code; and a computer-executable program code for outputting a message corresponding to the detected state of the detected ink ribbon. 8. A computer-executable program code for causing a predetermined amount of ink ribbon to be fed during printing, and a computer-executable program for detecting the state of the ink ribbon sent by a predetermined amount. A computer-executable program code for determining the type of the ink ribbon according to the detected state of the ink ribbon, and a print code for controlling printing in accordance with the detected state of the ink ribbon. A storage medium storing a program including: a computer-executable program code;