JP2002283604A - Split print controller and method for controlling split print in thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a split print controller and a method for controlling split print in thermal printer in which generation of white streak due to generation of a level difference is suppressed and print quality can be enhanced when a label or a tag is printed onto a print medium. SOLUTION: While noticing the fact that printing is performed while setting the number of split blocks of heating elements to a specified value (fixed set value) regardless of the print rate when the print rate of one dot line is not higher than a specified value, heating elements of a thermal head are split up into a specified number of blocks in correspondence with the print rate in one dot line and printing is performed for each split block. In such a split print controller in thermal printer, print rate is operated in one dot line of print data and when it is not higher than a specified value, printing is performed while setting the number of split blocks to the fixed set value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a divided printing control device and a divided printing control method in a thermal printer, and particularly to printing on a price tag such as a label or a tag, a predetermined number of heating elements of a thermal head in a width direction. The present invention relates to a divided print control device and a divided print control method in a thermal printer driven by being divided into divided blocks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional thermal printer,
In particular, when printing one line (one dot line) by driving a battery, etc., the driving part of the thermal head is divided into a predetermined number of divisions corresponding to the printing rate of the print data, and furthermore, according to the printing rate. In some cases, the number of divisions is made variable to suppress battery consumption. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a main part of the printing unit 2 of the thermal printer 1, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the main part of the printing unit 2. The printing unit 2 has a thermal head 3 and a thermal head 3 at a predetermined pressure. The platen roller 4 includes an abutting platen roller 4 and a drive motor 5 that drives the platen roller 4 to rotate. A print medium such as a label L is sandwiched between the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 4, the platen roller 4 is rotationally driven at a predetermined timing and a predetermined pitch by a drive motor 5, and a power supply ( The print data of a predetermined print pattern is printed by applying a predetermined voltage from the battery 7).

[0003] The heating element 6 is, as shown in FIG.
The labels are provided at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the label L, for example, at a predetermined density of, for example, eight labels per mm. However, it is difficult to drive the heating elements 6 simultaneously or uniformly depending on a printing pattern or a printing rate to be printed on the label L. In particular, simultaneously applying a voltage to the heating elements 6 for one dot line requires a battery. 7 is heavy, and there is a problem that its wear is severe.
The printing rate is defined as the heating element 6 in one dot line.
Is the ratio of the number of heating elements 6 requiring voltage application to the total number of heating elements.

Therefore, the heating element 6 is divided into predetermined divided blocks, the platen roller 4 is intermittently driven and stopped, and divided printing is performed with a time difference between the divided blocks. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing, in an enlarged and exaggerated manner, the division state of the heating elements 6 when printing is performed in divided blocks. When the printing rate is small, printing is performed in one division (that is, virtually without division). As the printing rate increases, the number of divisions of each divided block
For example, by increasing the number of divisions into two, four, six, and twelve, the burden on the heating element 6 and the battery 7 is reduced.

However, as shown in FIG. 6, if the printing rate changes every dot line, the step generated between the dot lines changes every dot line. For example, in the illustrated example, if the step between one division and two divisions or the pitch of the unit dot line printed by division is p (minimum step), 3p between two divisions and four divisions, and four divisions and six divisions A step occurs between the respective dot lines, such as 5p between the divisions, and white streaks due to the step may occur in printing on the label L.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing a white stripe 9 when a bar code 8 is printed. When the occurrence rate of the white stripe 9 is large, not only the problem that the appearance of the printing is reduced but also the problem is caused. In addition, there is a problem that trouble may occur in machine reading.

[0007] The division printing control is described in
-270037 and JP-A-7-323597.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has been developed in consideration of the above-described problems. It is an object to provide a control device and a divided print control method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a divided print control device and a divided print control method in a thermal printer capable of improving the print quality on a print medium such as a label or a tag.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a divided print control device and a divided print control method in a thermal printer which improve the print quality of each bar code, especially when printing a bar code, so as not to hinder the machine reading. Make it an issue.

[0011]

That is, according to the present invention, when the printing rate of one dot line is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of divided blocks for dividing the heating element is set to a predetermined number (set and fixed) regardless of the printing rate. The first aspect of the present invention focuses on printing by setting the print medium to a predetermined value, and the print medium is sandwiched between a thermal head having a predetermined number of heating elements in the width direction of the print medium and the thermal head. And a platen roller for transferring the print data by one dot line for the print data in the thermal printer, wherein the print data has a voltage corresponding to the total number of the heating elements in the one dot line. The heating elements of the thermal head are divided into a predetermined number of divided blocks in the width direction corresponding to a printing ratio which is a ratio of the number of heating elements that need to be applied. Tsu divided into click, and sequentially applying a voltage to each of the heating elements for each of the divided blocks,
A divided printing control device in a thermal printer configured to perform printing on each dot line, wherein a printing rate calculation unit for calculating the printing rate on the one dot line of the printing data, and wherein the printing rate is a predetermined value. In the following case, there is provided a divided printing control device for a thermal printer, comprising: a control unit that controls the printing unit so as to perform printing while setting the number of the divided blocks to a set fixed value.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing section having a thermal head having a predetermined number of heating elements in a width direction of a printing medium, and a platen roller for nipping and transferring the printing medium between the thermal heads. Accordingly, in a thermal printer configured to perform printing for one dot line of print data, the ratio of the number of heating elements requiring voltage application to the total number of the heating elements in the one dot line for the print data. The heating elements of the thermal head are divided into a predetermined number of divided blocks in the width direction in accordance with the printing ratio, and a voltage is sequentially applied to each heating element for each divided block, and the one dot line is applied. A method of controlling divisional printing in a thermal printer adapted to perform printing of
Calculate the printing ratio of the print data in the one dot line, and when the printing ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value, control the printing unit to perform printing by setting the number of the divided blocks to a set fixed value. A method for controlling divisional printing in a thermal printer.

By adjusting the voltage applied to the heating element according to the number of the divided blocks, it is possible to adjust the print density in the one dot line.

The set fixed value can be set to a half of the maximum value of the number of divided blocks preset for the thermal printer. Of course, it can be set to an arbitrary ratio, for example, a value such as 1/3, 2/3, or 1/4 of the maximum value according to the printing pattern.

The set fixed value can be set to a value which is half of the number of divided blocks corresponding to the maximum value of the print ratio for each dot line in each character of the print data. Of course, an arbitrary ratio can be set according to the print pattern, for example, a value such as 1/3, 2/3, or 1/4 of the number of divided blocks corresponding to the maximum value.

When the printing rate exceeds a predetermined value, the heating element is divided into a predetermined number of divided blocks set in advance corresponding to the printing rate instead of the set fixed value as the number of divisions. Printing can be performed for each dot line.

If the printing speed does not matter, the number of the divided blocks (fixed value)
Can be set based on the average value of the printing ratio for each one-line character of the printing data. Also, the number of the divided blocks (set fixed value) can be set based on the average value of the print ratio of the print pattern for each print format of the print medium.

In the divided printing control device and the divided printing control method in the thermal printer according to the present invention,
When the printing rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of divisions into which the heating elements are divided is set to a predetermined fixed value regardless of the printing rate. As far as possible, the steps between the respective dot lines are constant. For example, by adjusting the print density at each of the dot lines at this time, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of white stripes due to the steps. If the number of divisions exceeds the set fixed value, printing is performed with the number of divisions according to the respective printing rates, as in the conventional case.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A divided printing control device in a thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, the same parts as those in FIGS. 4 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a thermal printer 10. The thermal printer 10 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a ROM 12,
It has a RAM 13, the thermal head 3, a platen roller 4, a drive motor 5 and a battery 7, a communication interface 14, a lamp 15, and a function key 16. Print data can be input from an external personal computer (not shown) or the like via the communication interface 14. If necessary, a numeric keypad or other input unit 17 can be provided to key in the print data. The control unit 11 performs overall control based on a program stored in the ROM 12 and functions as a divided print control device 18.

That is, the control unit 11 (CPU) calculates the print rate of print data for one dot line in the print rate calculation unit, and sets the number of divided blocks (the number of divisions) according to each print rate. I do. However, when the printing rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the printing unit 2 (thermal head 3 and platen roller 4) is controlled so that the number of divided blocks is set to a fixed value and printing is performed.

FIG. 2 is a chart showing an example of the relationship between the printing rate and the number of divisions corresponding thereto, as shown in the chart.
For example, when the printing rate is 0 to 8%, the number of divisions is "1", that is, virtually no pear, and when the printing rate is 9 to 16%, the number of divisions is "2",. However, in the present invention, for example, up to 50% of the printing rate, regardless of the printing rate, "6" is set as a set fixed value of the number of divisions, and 6
It is divided. As a method of setting the number of divided blocks (set fixed value), for example, a value that is half of the maximum value (“12” in the example shown in FIG. 2) of the number of divided blocks preset in the thermal printer 10 is used. (I.e., "6"), or it could be a third of the number "4",
It is also possible to set this empirically. Or,
The set fixed value is the number of divided blocks (for example, “12”) corresponding to the maximum value of the printing rate (51 to 100% in the example shown in FIG. 2) for each dot line in each character of the print data. Can be set to half the value ("6"). If the number of divided blocks corresponding to the maximum value of the printing rate is “18”, it can be set to “9” which is half of the number.

The control unit 11 adjusts the voltage applied to the heating element 6 in accordance with the number of divided blocks so that the print density in one dot line can be adjusted. Fill the part from the print,
The generation of white stripes can be prevented. That is, when the printing rate is equal to or less than the predetermined printing rate, the number of divisions is a set fixed value. By adjusting the print density, the dots printed on the respective dot lines can uniformly fill the steps, and the steps between the dot lines can be prevented from appearing as white stripes.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the divided printing control method. In step S1, the printing rate of each dot line is calculated, and this does not exceed a predetermined printing rate (for example, 50%). It is determined whether the value is set as a value (for example, “6”) (step S2). If the print rate is a set fixed value, the set fixed value "6" is set in step S3, and printing in six divisions is performed in step S4 at a predetermined print density suitable for printing in six divisions. Therefore, only a uniform step occurs between each one dot line, and the voltage applied to the heating element 6 is adjusted in accordance with the number of divided blocks so that the print density can be adjusted, so that uniformity can be achieved. It is possible to improve the print quality by producing spaces between the white stripes that may occur.

Next, it is determined whether printing is completed (step S).
5) If not finished, return to step S1.

If the set fixed value is not set beyond the predetermined printing rate in step S2, the set fixed value "6" is not set in step S6 in the same manner as in the prior art (in this case, the number of divisions). (12) Divided printing control is performed.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the printing rate of each dot line is equal to or less than a predetermined printing rate, the number of blocks to be divided is set to a fixed value, so that the distance between each dot line is reduced. And the generation of white stripes can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a division printing control apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a thermal printer 10 including a printer 8;

FIG. 2 is a chart showing an example of a relationship between a printing ratio and a corresponding division number.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a divided print control method.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a printing unit 2 of the thermal printer 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a main part of the same.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing, in an enlarged and exaggerated manner, a divided state of the heating element 6 in the case where printing is performed in divided blocks.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing a white stripe 9 when a bar code 8 is printed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal printer (FIG. 4) 2 Printing part 3 Thermal head 4 Platen roller 5 Drive motor 6 Heating element of thermal head 3 Battery 8 Barcode (FIG. 7) 9 White stripe (FIG. 7) 10 Thermal printer (FIG. 1) 11 Control unit (CPU, divided print control device) 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Communication interface 15 Lamp 16 Function key key 17 Numeric keypad and other input units 18 Split print control device of thermal printer 10 (embodiment, FIG. 1) L Label (print medium) ) P Step between one and two divisions (pitch of unit dot line printed by division, minimum step, Fig. 6)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A print unit comprising: a thermal head having a predetermined number of heating elements in a width direction of a print medium; and a platen roller for nipping and transporting the print medium between the thermal head. In a thermal printer configured to perform printing for each dot line, the print data corresponds to a printing rate which is a ratio of the number of heating elements requiring voltage application to the total number of heating elements in the one dot line. Then, the heating elements of the thermal head are divided into a predetermined number of divided blocks in the width direction, and a voltage is sequentially applied to each heating element for each divided block to perform printing of the one dot line. A divided printing control device in the thermal printer, wherein the one dot of the printing data A printing ratio calculating unit for calculating the printing ratio in a line, and a control unit for controlling the printing unit to perform printing by setting the number of the divided blocks to a fixed value when the printing ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value. A split printing control device for a thermal printer, comprising: 2. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein a voltage applied to the heating element is adjusted in accordance with the number of the divided blocks so that a print density in the one dot line can be adjusted. Division print control device. 3. The thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the fixed value is set to a half of a maximum value of the number of divided blocks preset for the thermal printer. Printing control device. 4. The setting fixed value is set to a value which is a half of the number of divided blocks corresponding to the maximum value of the printing ratio for each dot line in each one-line character of the printing data. The divided printing control device in the thermal printer according to claim 1. 5. A printing unit comprising: a thermal head having a predetermined number of heating elements in a width direction of a printing medium; and a platen roller for nipping and transferring the printing medium between the thermal head. In a thermal printer configured to perform printing for each dot line, the print data corresponds to a printing rate which is a ratio of the number of heating elements requiring voltage application to the total number of heating elements in the one dot line. Then, the heating elements of the thermal head are divided into a predetermined number of divided blocks in the width direction, and a voltage is sequentially applied to each heating element for each divided block to perform printing of the one dot line. A divided print control method in a thermal printer as described above, wherein the one dot of the print data is Calculating the printing ratio in a line, and when the printing ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value, controlling the printing unit to perform printing by setting the number of the divided blocks to a fixed value. Method for controlling divided printing.