JP2001322305A - Printing method of thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing method of a thermal printer enabling a thermal head to be properly repaired and replaced. SOLUTION: Defective heating elements causing heating failures among heating elements constituting the thermal head are first detected. Whether the defective heating elements are to print a bar code or not is judged on the basis of printing information. When the defective heating elements are to print the bar code, whether or not the bar code is to be printed in a forward direction along a movement direction of the defective heating elements is judged. When the bar code is to be printed in the forward direction, printing is stopped. Printing can be stopped only when reading is impossible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing method for a thermal printer, and more particularly to a printing method for a thermal printer that prints information including a bar code on a label.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a label printer is used to print desired information such as characters, symbols, and bar codes on a label. The label printer abuts the thermal head via the ink ribbon on the label fed to the printing unit,
Desired information is printed on a label by driving the individual heating elements constituting the thermal head.

[0003] In this label printer, if the heating element constituting the thermal head is disconnected or the heating energy is reduced, there is a disadvantage that the portion where the defective heating element has passed cannot be printed.
For this reason, conventionally, when a defect has occurred in a heating element constituting a thermal head, printing is stopped, and repair or replacement of the thermal head is performed as appropriate.

[0004]

However, even when the heating element has a heat generation defect, or in the case of characters or symbols, even if there is some chipping, it does not hinder reading. Often.

On the other hand, when a bar code is printed, as shown in FIG.
There are two types of printing: a bar code printing in a forward direction, and a bar code printing in a direction orthogonal to the printing direction, as shown in FIG. Since the presence or absence and the thickness of each line are significant, in the case of printing in the orthogonal direction, there is often no problem in reading even if there is some chipping.

Therefore, if the heating element causes a heat generation defect as in the prior art, if repair or replacement is performed immediately, handling is extremely troublesome, and the cost is low.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing method of a thermal printer which can appropriately repair and replace a thermal head.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to attain the above object, a thermal head in which heating elements are arranged in a line is moved from an input means while being relatively moved with respect to an object to be printed. In a printing method of a thermal printer that drives individual heating elements based on print information and prints predetermined print information including a bar code on a print target, among the individual heating elements that constitute the thermal head, A step of detecting a defective heating element causing a heating defect, and a step of determining whether or not there is a barcode in a range to be printed by the defective heating element based on print information input from the input means; Determining whether or not the barcode is printed in a forward direction along the moving direction of the defective heating element, if there is a barcode in a range where the defective heating element is printed; and Bar code to provide a method of printing thermal printer characterized by comprising the a step of stopping the printing, if the printing in the forward direction.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention counts the number of the defective heating elements and sets the number in advance when there is no barcode in a range where the defective heating elements are printed. 2. A printing method for a thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising a step of stopping printing when the value is equal to or larger than the allowable value.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method in which the bar code is not printed in the forward direction.
2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising a step of counting the number of the defective heating elements, comparing the number with a preset allowable value, and stopping the printing when the number is equal to or larger than the allowable value. The printing method is provided.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a step of generating a warning when the number of the defective heating elements is less than a preset allowable value. Or a printing method for a thermal printer according to item 3.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for a thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued when printing is stopped to achieve the above object. I do.

According to the present invention, first, among the individual heating elements constituting the thermal head, a defective heating element causing a heating defect is detected, and whether or not the defective heating element prints a bar code is determined. The determination is made based on the print information input from the input means. Then, when the defective heating element prints a barcode, it is determined whether or not the barcode is printed in the forward direction along the moving direction of the defective heating element. To stop. In other words, if the barcode is printed in the forward direction, the presence or absence of the lines constituting the barcode or the thickness of the lines will change,
Printing is stopped to prevent this.

Even when the defective heating element does not print a bar code, if the number of defective heating elements is equal to or more than a predetermined allowable value, the reading is hindered and printing is stopped.

Similarly, even when the defective heating element does not print the bar code in the forward direction, if the number of the defective heating element is equal to or more than a predetermined allowable value, the reading is hindered. Stop.

On the other hand, even when a defective heating element prints a bar code in the orthogonal direction, if the number of the defective heating elements is less than a predetermined allowable value, it is considered that reading will not be hindered. Therefore, only a warning is generated without stopping printing.

Similarly, even when the defective heating element does not print a bar code, if the number of the defective heating element is less than a predetermined allowable value, it is considered that the reading of characters and the like is not hindered. Therefore, only a warning is generated without stopping printing.

By managing the start and stop of printing under the above judgment, the thermal head can be properly repaired and replaced, and printing can be performed economically.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a printing method for a thermal printer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal printer for printing desired information on a label.

As shown in FIG. 1, a label continuous body on which labels 16, 16... Are temporarily attached at a constant pitch to a band-shaped mount 18 is set on a paper holder 20 in a state of being wound in a roll shape. The label continuum set in the paper holder 20 is:
The paper is fed out of the paper holder 20 by the rotation of the platen roller 24, guided by the paper guide 26, and conveyed to the printing unit 28.

The printing unit 28 includes a thermal head 30 and a platen roller 24. The printing unit 28 prints predetermined printing information such as characters, symbols, and bar codes on the surface of the label 16.

Here, the thermal head 30 for printing predetermined print information on the surface of the label 16 is configured by arranging a number of heating elements in a line in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the label 16 is conveyed. By individually heating or cooling the heating elements, predetermined print information is printed on the surface of the label 16.

Although not shown, each heating element is provided with a grace layer (glass layer) on a ceramic substrate, a circuit pattern of electrodes and heating elements is formed on the surface of the grace layer, and the uppermost part is formed of a protective film. Covered and configured.

An eye mark sensor 32 for detecting an eye mark printed on the back surface of the band-shaped backing sheet 18 is provided at a position preceding the printing unit 28. The eye mark sensor 32 detects the eye mark. By the label 16
The printing start position of is determined.

The label 16 printed by the printing unit 28 is peeled off from the band-shaped backing sheet 18 by the reversing conveyance of the band-shaped backing sheet 18 by the peeling bar 34, and the label issuing port 36 is provided.
Issued from On the other hand, the band-shaped backing sheet 18 from which the label 16 has been peeled is taken up by a take-up reel 42 that rotates in synchronization with the platen roller 24.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the thermal printer 10 as viewed obliquely from above. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 46 and a display unit 48 are provided on the upper surface of the thermal printer 10. The operation panel 46 includes a keyboard 50.
The control unit 54 controls the printing unit 28 based on the printing information input from the keyboard 50, and prints the input printing information on the surface of the label 16.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 54. As shown in the drawing, the control unit 54 includes an image editing unit 56, a print control unit 58, a barcode structure determination unit 60,
Heat generation energy detection unit 62 and warning / print stop determination unit 64
It is composed of

First, the print information input from the operation panel 46 is edited by the image editing unit 56 so that the print position of characters and symbols, the print position of the barcode, the print direction, and the like are edited so as to be printed in a predetermined layout. Operated. The print information edited by the image editing unit 56 is output to the print control unit 58 and is also output to the barcode structure determination unit 60.

The barcode structure determining section 60 determines the presence or absence of a barcode and, if there is a barcode, the barcode structure based on the input print information. That is, the position and the printing direction of the barcode printed on the label 16 are determined, and the information is output to the warning / print stop determination unit 64. On the other hand, the print control unit 58 drives the individual heating elements of the thermal head 30 based on the input print information, and prints predetermined information on the label 16.

The heating energy detecting section 62 detects the resistance value of each heating element constituting the thermal head 30, and
When a decrease in heat generation energy and disconnection of the heat generation element are detected, and when a defective heat generation element whose heat generation energy is reduced is detected, the number and position information thereof are output to the warning / print stop determination unit 64.

The warning / print stop judging section 64 judges whether or not printing is possible based on the bar code structure outputted from the bar code structure judging section 60 and the position information of the defective heating element outputted from the heating energy detecting section 62. Judge. And
If it is determined that printing is possible, a print start signal is output to the print control unit 58. If it is determined that printing is not possible, a print stop signal is output to the print control unit 58 and a warning signal is output to the warning device 66. Is output.

The warning device 66 is, for example, a buzzer or a voice guide, and a message may be displayed on the display unit 48.

Next, an embodiment of a printing method according to the present invention using the thermal printer 10 configured as described above will be described.

First, the user inputs information to be printed on the label 16 from the operation panel 46. Then, a print switch (not shown) is pressed as a print start command.

When the print switch is pressed, first, the input print information is input to the image editing unit 56. And
Here, the image is edited so as to be printed in a predetermined layout. The print information edited by the image editing unit 56 is output to the print control unit 58 and to the barcode structure determination unit 60.

The barcode structure judging section 60 first judges the presence or absence of a barcode based on the input print information. If there is a barcode, the barcode structure is determined. That is, the position and the printing direction of the barcode printed on the label 16 are determined, and the information is output to the warning / print stop determination unit 64.

On the other hand, when the print switch is pressed, the heat generation energy detecting section 62 detects the resistance value of each heat generation element constituting the thermal head 30 to detect a defective heat generation element. Outputs the number and position information to the warning / print stop judging section 64.

As described above, when the barcode structure and the number and position information of the defective heating elements are input to the warning / print stop judging unit 64, the warning / print stop judging unit 64
It is determined whether or not printing is possible as follows according to the flow shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not there is a barcode in the print information to be printed on the label 16 (step S1).

As a result of this determination, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that there is no bar code, the number of defective heating elements is counted, and it is determined whether or not the number is equal to or more than an allowable value. (Step S3).

Here, the user inputs this allowable value to the warning / print stop judging section 64 in advance and stores it. This allowable value is determined based on experiments, past experiences, and the like, and is set in a range where the printed label 16 can be read. That is, when printing is performed in a state where there is a defective heat generating element equal to or larger than the allowable value, the value is set to a value that is determined to hinder reading.

If it is determined that there is a defective heating element equal to or larger than the allowable value, the reading will be hindered. Do not run. At the same time, a warning generation signal is output to the warning device 66, and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S6).

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no defective heating element exceeding the allowable value, it is next determined whether there is a defective heating element (step S4). If it is determined that there is no defective heating element, a warning is issued. The print stop judging section 64 outputs a print start signal to the print control section 58 to execute printing (step S
5).

On the other hand, if the number of defective heating elements is one or more and less than the permissible value, reading will not be hindered, but a printing failure will occur. After the generation signal is output and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S7), the printing control unit 5
Then, a print start signal is output to 8 to execute printing (step S5).

The above is the case where there is no bar code in the print information to be printed on the label 16. If it is determined that there is a bar code, first, the bar code is moved in the forward direction, that is, in the direction along the printing direction. Is determined (step S2).

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when it is determined that the barcode is to be printed in the forward direction, the presence or absence of a defective heating element is determined (step S8).

Here, when it is determined that the thermal head 30 has a defective heating element, the defective heating element is determined as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not to print the barcode portion A as shown in FIG. 7. If it is determined that the barcode portion A is to be printed, the reading / reading is hindered. A print stop signal is output to the control unit 58 so that printing is not executed. At the same time, a warning signal is output to the warning device 66, and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S8).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the bar code portion A is not to be printed, the number of defective heating elements is counted, and it is determined whether or not the number is equal to or larger than an allowable value (step S1).
0). If it is determined that there is a defective heating element equal to or larger than the allowable value, reading will be hindered. Therefore, the warning / print stop determination unit 64 outputs a print stop signal to the print control unit 58 to prevent printing. To At the same time, a warning signal is output to the warning device 66,
Is issued (step S6).

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no defective heating element equal to or larger than the allowable value, the reading is not hindered.
Since a printing failure occurs, the warning / print stop determination unit 64
Once a warning signal is output to the warning device 66 and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S7), a print start signal is output to the print control unit 58 to execute printing (step S5).

The above is the case where the barcode is printed in the forward direction. When the barcode is printed in the orthogonal direction (the direction orthogonal to the printing direction) as shown in FIG. The number of heating elements is counted, and it is determined whether or not the number is equal to or larger than an allowable value (step S3).

If it is determined that there is a defective heating element exceeding the allowable value, the reading is hindered. Therefore, the warning / print stop judging section 64 outputs a print stop signal to the print control section 58 and prints. Do not run. At the same time, a warning generation signal is output to the warning device 66, and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S6).

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no defective heating element exceeding the allowable value, it is next determined whether there is a defective heating element (step S4). If it is determined that there is no defective heating element, a warning is issued. The print stop judging section 64 outputs a print start signal to the print control section 58 to execute printing (step S
5).

On the other hand, if the number of defective heating elements is one or more and less than the permissible value, the reading is not hindered, but a printing failure occurs. After the generation signal is output and a warning is generated from the warning device 66 (step S7), the printing control unit 5
Then, a print start signal is output to 8 to execute printing (step S5).

As described above, according to the printing method of the present embodiment, printing is not stopped immediately when a heating element causes heat generation failure as in the prior art, but is printed in accordance with print information. Since it is determined whether printing is possible or not and printing is stopped only when reading is not actually possible, it is possible to know the appropriate repair and replacement time of the thermal head. In addition, economical operation can be performed.

In the present embodiment, whether or not printing is possible is determined based on a certain allowable value. However, since the range in which bar codes and characters cannot be read is different,
Permissible values may be individually set for barcodes and characters.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to a thermal printer for label printing.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a thermal printer that prints on other printing objects.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Judgment is made as to whether or not printing is possible according to the printing information to be printed on the printing object, and printing is stopped only when reading is not actually possible.
The replacement time can be grasped. In addition, economical operation can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal printer.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a thermal printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a warning / print stop determination unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a label without a barcode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a label including a barcode printed in a forward direction.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a label including a barcode printed in an orthogonal direction.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a printing direction of a barcode.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Thermal printer, 16 ... Label, 18 ... Strip mount, 20 ... Paper holder, 24 ... Platen roller, 26 ...
Paper guide, 28 printing section, 30 thermal head, 3
2 ... eye mark sensor, 34 ... peeling bar, 36 ... label issuing port, 42 ... take-up reel, 46 ... operation panel, 48 ...
Display unit, 50 keyboard, 54 control unit, 56 image editing unit, 58 print control unit, 60 barcode structure determination unit, 62 heat generation energy detection unit, 64 warning / print stop determination unit, 66 ... Warning device

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the heating elements is driven based on print information input from an input unit while moving a thermal head in which the heating elements are arranged in a line relative to the printing object. In a printing method of a thermal printer that prints predetermined print information including a barcode on a printed matter, a step of detecting a defective heating element that is causing a heating failure among individual heating elements constituting the thermal head, Determining whether there is a barcode in the range where the defective heating element prints based on the printing information input from the input means, and if there is a barcode in the range where the defective heating element prints, Judging whether or not the barcode is printed in a forward direction along the moving direction of the defective heating element; and, if the barcode is printed in a forward direction, printing the barcode. The method of printing a thermal printer, wherein the step of stopping, in that it consists of. 2. When there is no barcode in a range where the defective heating element is printed, the number of the defective heating elements is counted, and the number is compared with a preset allowable value. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of stopping printing. 3. When the bar code is not printed in the forward direction, the number of the defective heating elements is counted, and the number is compared with a preset allowable value. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of stopping.
Printing method of the thermal printer described in 1. 4. The printing method for a thermal printer according to claim 2, further comprising a step of issuing a warning when the number of defective heating elements is less than a preset allowable value. 5. A printing method for a thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued when printing is stopped.