JP2003231316A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cut a roll paper at a correct position by easily specifying an error between a setting position on the design of a printer cutter and an actual setting position. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU of the printer receives data on a cutting position adjustment pattern P from a host computer and prints to the roll paper R. The pattern P is provided with numerals N of '1'-'17' sequentially arranged at equal intervals in a horizontal scanning direction of the printer, and squares 44 corresponding to the numerals N respectively. Odd-number ones of the numerals N are positioned to a lower stream side of the roll paper R for the squares 44, and even-number ones are positioned to an upper stream side. The square 44 is divided by a border 45 to an upper part 44a and a lower part 44b, and a ratio of the areas is made different for every numeral N. After the pattern P is printed, the roll paper R is sent by a predetermined paper feed amount and cut, and the numeral N corresponding to the border 45 agreeing with the cutting position is read and inputted as adjustment data to the host computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional printers use roll paper as printing paper. Then, the printing is started from the end portion of the roll paper, and when the printing is completed, the printed portion is automatically separated from the roll paper main body by the cutter provided in the printer.

Further, among such printers, there have been printers capable of performing full-face printing without characters on four sides, in which characters and figures are printed on the entire printed matter. In this case, it is necessary to cut the roll paper at a position that exactly coincides with the print end position.

However, when the printing end position and the cutting position do not coincide with each other, printed characters or figures may be cut off or edges may be formed on the way. This is mainly due to the low accuracy of the printer cutter attachment. That is, it is caused by a slight error between the designed mounting position of the cutter and the actual mounting position stored in the storage unit of the printer.

Therefore, in order to compensate for the accuracy of mounting the cutter, a host computer connected to the printer is used to eliminate the error between the designed mounting position and the actual mounting position, and adjust the cutting position. Was going to be done. More specifically, first, a user operates the host computer, and the host computer transmits print pattern data to the printer. Then, the printer prints the print pattern on roll paper. It should be noted that this print pattern shows a cut position (design cut position) to be cut at the designed attachment position. Then, when printing is completed, the roll paper is cut.

After that, the user confirms by the cut roll paper whether or not the roll paper is cut at the design cutting position. If the roll paper is cut at the designed cutting position, the user determines that the designed mounting position of the cutter matches the actual mounting position, and the cutting position adjustment is unnecessary. The cutting position adjustment work is completed.

On the other hand, when the roll paper is cut at a position deviated from the designed cut position, the user determines that the cut position needs to be adjusted, and the actual cut position and the designed cut position are determined. The amount of deviation from is measured.
Then, the measured displacement amount is input to the host computer, the displacement amount is transmitted from the host computer to the printer, and is stored in the storage unit of the printer as a correction value.

When the printing is completed from the next time, the printer feeds the paper by the paper feed amount based on the correction value stored in the storage unit and cuts the paper. As a result, the roll paper is cut at a position that coincides with the print end position, and the printer can accurately perform borderless whole surface printing.

[0009]

By the way, when a user measures the amount of deviation between the designed cut position and the actual cut position, it is designed to be measured using a tool such as a ruler. Was there. However, the use of tools has been a burden on the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of easily specifying an error between a designed mounting position of a cutter and an actual mounting position and cutting a roll paper at an accurate position.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 prints a cut position adjusting pattern on a print medium by a printing means, and prints the print medium on a predetermined paper. It is possible to specify the adjustment data for obtaining the error between the actual mounting position of the cutting unit and the designed mounting position by cutting the printed cut position adjustment pattern by the cutting unit by feeding the paper by the feeding amount. In the printer, the cut position adjustment pattern is composed of a scale for specifying a cutting position of the print medium in the sub-scanning direction of the printer, and an identifier arranged near the scale. To do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the first aspect, the neighboring positions of the scale are both upstream and downstream of the scale in the sub-scanning direction of the printer. The point is that the position is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the second aspect, the identifiers are plural, and the identifiers are alternately arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the print medium with respect to the scale. That is the summary.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, the cut position adjustment pattern includes a plurality of squares arranged in the main scanning direction of the printer. The scale is a boundary line located on the grid, and the boundary line divides the grid into an upstream side portion and a downstream side portion of the print medium, and the upstream side portion and the downstream side. The gist of the invention is that the area ratio with respect to the section is different for each of the plurality of squares and is provided at different positions in the sub-scanning direction of the printer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the cut position adjustment pattern is printed with a single color of ink provided in the printing means. That is the summary.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the cut position adjustment pattern data is stored in a storage means of a host computer connected to the printer. It is summarized that the data is input to the printer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the cut position adjustment pattern data is stored in a storage unit provided in the printer. That is the summary.

(Operation) According to the invention described in claim 1,
The cut position adjustment pattern printed on the print medium is constituted by a scale for specifying the cut position of the print medium in the sub-scanning direction of the printer and an identifier arranged in the vicinity thereof.

Therefore, in order to specify the adjustment data, the user only needs to observe the scale located at a position overlapping the cut position of the print medium and read the identifier arranged in the vicinity of the scale. It is possible to easily specify the adjustment data without feeling the trouble of using the above. As a result, it becomes possible to easily identify the error between the designed mounting position of the cutter and the actual mounting position,
The print medium can be cut at the correct position.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the cut position adjustment pattern identifiers are arranged on both sides of the scale in the sub-scanning direction of the printer. Then, the print medium on which the cut position adjustment pattern is printed is fed by a predetermined amount and cut to specify the adjustment data for obtaining the error between the actual mounting position of the cutting means and the designed mounting position. I made it possible.

Therefore, if the print medium is cut in the vicinity of the scale, the identifier will be displayed on both of the print medium pieces divided into two by the cutting, and thus which of the divided print media is seen. However, it is possible to specify on which scale the print medium is cut. As a result, the adjustment data can be easily obtained, and the error between the designed mounting position of the cutter and the actual mounting position can be easily specified. Then, the print medium can be cut at an accurate position.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a plurality of identifiers are provided and are arranged alternately on the upstream side and the downstream side of the print medium with respect to the scale. Therefore, the number of identifiers printed on the print medium can be reduced, and the cut position adjustment pattern data itself can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the cut position adjustment pattern is provided with a plurality of squares arranged in the main scanning direction of the printer. The grid is divided into an upstream side portion and a downstream side portion of the print medium with the scale as a boundary line, and the area ratio of the upstream side portion and the downstream side portion is configured to be different for each grid. did.

Therefore, when the print medium on which the cut position adjustment pattern is printed is cut by the cutting means, the cut position can be easily grasped by checking which grid boundary line the cut position coincides with. be able to. Then, the adjustment data can be easily obtained by reading the identifier corresponding to the boundary line that matches the cutting position.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cut position adjustment pattern is printed with a single color of ink provided in the printing means. Therefore, the data of the cut position adjustment pattern itself can be kept small.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the data of the cut position adjustment pattern is stored in the storage means of the host computer connected to the printer, and is input from the host computer to the printer.

Therefore, in the printer for printing the print data sent from the host computer, the error between the designed mounting position of the cutting means and the actual mounting position can be easily specified to cut the print medium at the correct position. You will be able to.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the data of the cut position adjustment pattern is stored in the storage means provided in the printer. Therefore, even in a printer that is not connected to a host computer or the like, such as a stand-alone printer, the error between the designed mounting position of the cutting means and the actual mounting position can be easily specified, and the printing medium can be accurately measured. You will be able to cut in position.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 11 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 11 as well. 3A and 3B are partial front views of the roll paper R on which the cut position adjustment pattern P of the present embodiment is printed, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the normal print control of the printer 11. 5 shows a flow chart of the cut position adjustment control of the printer 11 as well.

The printer 11 is an ink jet printer compatible with roll paper, and as shown in FIG. 1, a case 12 covering the entire apparatus, a paper feed device 13 for supplying roll paper R as a print medium, and a roll. A printing unit 14 that prints on the paper R is provided.

The paper feeding device 13 is provided on the back side of the case 12 and includes a holder (not shown) fixed to the case 12 and a roll paper shaft 15. The base end (end) of the roll paper R is connected and wound around the roll paper shaft 15, and in this state, the roll paper R is rotatably supported by the holder. When the user grips both ends of the roll paper shaft 15 and rotates the roll paper shaft 15 in the forward or reverse direction, the roll paper R is fed from the paper feeding device 13 or wound. ing.

The printing unit 14 includes a paper feed roller 16, a paper feed roller 17, a paper discharge roller 18, a paper feed motor 19, a paper feed motor 21, a printing mechanism 22 as a printing means, and a cutter 23 as a cutting means. There is. The paper feed roller 1
6, the paper feed roller 17 and the paper discharge roller 18 constitute a paper feed means.

The rollers 16 to 18 are roll paper shafts 15.
They are arranged at a predetermined interval along a paper path for guiding the roll paper R delivered from and are rotatably supported with respect to the case 12. Then, the rollers 16 to
18 parallel to the drive rollers 16a, 17a,
18a is provided, and the roll paper R includes rollers 16 to
18 and the drive rollers 16a to 18a are sandwiched between the upper side and the lower side.

Then, these drive rollers 16a to 18a
Are rotatably supported with respect to the case 12, and when the drive rollers 16a to 18a rotate, the rollers 16 to 1
8 is driven to rotate, and the roll paper R moves in the left-right direction in FIG.

The paper feed motor 19 and the paper feed motor 21
Are fixed to the case 12. The output shaft of the paper feed motor 19 is connected to the drive roller 16a via a gear mechanism (not shown). Therefore, when the paper feed motor 19 rotates in the normal direction, the drive roller 16a rotates in the normal direction, and the paper feed roller 16 is driven to rotate so that the roll paper R is fed toward the paper feed roller 17. When the paper feeding motor 19 rotates in the reverse direction, the drive roller 16a rotates in the reverse direction, and the paper feeding roller 16 is driven to rotate, so that the roll paper R is returned to the paper feeding device 13.

The output shaft of the paper feed motor 21 is connected to the drive rollers 17a, 18a via a gear mechanism (not shown). Therefore, when the paper feed motor 21 rotates in the normal direction, the drive rollers 17a and 18a rotate in the normal direction, and the paper feed roller 17 and the paper discharge roller 18 are driven to rotate and the roll paper R
Will be sent out in the direction of the discharge port 12a. When the paper feed motor 21 rotates in the reverse direction, the drive roller 17
The a and 18a rotate in reverse, the paper feed roller 17 and the paper discharge roller 18 rotate in reverse, and the roll paper R is returned toward the paper feed roller 16.

In this embodiment, the paper feed motor 19 is used.
The paper feed motor 21 and the paper feed motor 21 are controlled in the same rotation direction, and are also rotation-controlled so that the paper feed amount of the roll paper R in the rollers 16 to 18 becomes equal. That is, the paper feed motor 19 and the paper feed motor 21 cooperate to feed the roll paper R or return the roll paper R.

A paper feed motor 19 and a paper feed motor 21
When the roll paper R is fed by and, the paper feeding device 13
The roll paper shaft 15 is driven to rotate in the forward rotation direction to send out the roll paper R. Also, the paper feed motor 1
The roll paper R is returned by 9 and the paper feed motor 21,
When the roll paper R becomes loose between the paper feed device 13 and the paper feed roller 16, the user rolls the roll paper shaft 15
The roll paper shaft 15 is reversely rotated by grasping both ends of the roll paper shaft. As a result, the roll paper R is wound around the roll paper shaft 15 and the slack is eliminated.

The printing mechanism 22 includes a platen 24, a carriage 25, and a carriage motor 26. Platen 24
Are arranged between the paper feed roller 16 and the paper feed roller 17. A carriage 25 is provided above the platen 24 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the main scanning direction of the printer 11 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing).

On the lower surface of the carriage 25, the print head 2
7 is provided. Further, the carriage 25 has ink cartridges (for color ink and black ink).
28 is mounted.

The carriage motor 26 is the case 12
The output shaft is connected to the carriage 25 via a timing belt (not shown). Then, with respect to the roll paper R guided between the paper feed roller 16 and the paper feed roller 17, the carriage 25 moves in the main scanning direction by the drive of the carriage motor 26.

During the movement of the carriage 25, the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 28 is ejected from the print head 27, and the upper surface of the roll paper R is printed. A cutter 23 is arranged between the paper feed roller 17 and the paper discharge roller 18. The cutter 23 is a movable blade 23
a, a fixed blade 23b, and a cutter motor 29.
The movable blade 23a is supported so as to be movable in the main scanning direction of the printer 11 with respect to the case 12.

The fixed blade 23b is fixed to the case 12 so as to extend in the main scanning direction. The cutter motor 29 is supported by the case 12, and its output shaft is connected to the movable blade 23a via a drive mechanism (not shown). Therefore, the cutter motor 2
When 9 is driven, the movable blade 23a crosses over the roll paper R guided between the movable blade 23a and the fixed blade 23b. Then, the roll paper R is cut in the main scanning direction of the printer 11 by the respective blade surfaces of the movable blade 23a and the fixed blade 23b.

Next, the printer 11 configured as described above.
The electrical configuration of will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 11 includes a printer control device 31 for printing and cutting the roll paper R.

The printer control device 31 includes a CPU 32, R
An OM 33, a RAM 34, an EEPROM 35, motor drive circuits 36 to 39, a head drive circuit 41, and an interface section (I / F section) 42 are provided. And these are mutually connected through the internal bus 31a.

The CPU 32 has motor drive circuits 36 and 37.
It is connected to the paper feed motor 19 and the paper feed motor 21 of the printer 11 via, and outputs a drive control signal for drive control. Further, the CPU 32 is connected to the carriage motor 26 of the printer 11 via the motor drive circuit 38 and outputs a drive control signal for drive control to the carriage motor 26.

Further, the CPU 32 has a motor drive circuit 39.
It is connected to the cutter motor 29 of the printer 11 via the, and outputs a drive control signal for drive control to the cutter motor 29. Furthermore, the CPU 32 is connected to the print head 27 of the printer 11 via the head drive circuit 41, and outputs a nozzle drive signal to a nozzle drive body for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles provided in the print head 27. Output.

The CPU 32 is adapted to be connected to the host computer H from the I / F section 42 via a cable (not shown). That is, the CPU 32 controls the I / F unit 4
It is possible to send and receive various data to and from the host computer H via the communication port 2.

The CPU 32 operates according to various programs stored in the ROM 33, and temporarily stores the arithmetic processing result and the like in the RAM 34. More specifically, the ROM 33 includes a normal print program, a cut position adjustment pattern print program, a correction value update program, and other various programs.

The normal print program is a program for the CPU 32 to print and cut based on the print data received from the host computer H via the I / F unit 42.

That is, when the CPU 32 receives the print data from the host computer H, it prints on the roll paper R according to the normal print program. Then, when printing is completed, the CPU 32 feeds the roll paper R by the paper feed amount A, cuts the roll paper R, and provides the printed matter to the user.

The paper feed amount A is calculated by the CPU 32 by the following equation. Paper feed amount A = gap G + correction value OS The gap G is a value stored in advance in the ROM 33, and is a value at the time of designing regarding the distance between the print head 27 and the cutter 23. Further, the correction value OS as an error is E
The value is rewritably stored in the EPROM 35, and when the cutter 23 is actually attached to the case 12,
This is the error between the actual mounting position and the designed mounting position. Then, the error of the gap G is corrected by this correction value OS.

Therefore, the paper feed amount A is equal to the actual distance between the print head 27 and the cutter 23, and after the printing is completed, the roll paper R is fed by the paper feed amount A and cut. The printed matter can be cut at a position that exactly matches the print end position. As a result, an extra edge is not generated on the printed matter and a picture or a character is not cut off in the middle.

In the cut position adjustment pattern printing program, the CPU 32 executes I / O from the host computer H.
It is a program for printing and cutting based on the data of the cut position adjustment pattern P received via the F section 42.

That is, when the CPU 32 receives the data of the pattern P from the host computer H,
Printing is performed on the roll paper R according to the cut position adjustment pattern printing program. When printing is completed, the CPU 32 causes the paper feed amount B as a predetermined paper feed amount.
Only the roll paper R is fed and the roll paper R is cut.

When the pattern P is printed on the roll paper R, it becomes as shown in FIG. Pattern P
Is a number N as an identifier in which “1” to “17” are sequentially arranged at equal intervals in the main scanning direction of the printer 11, and a rectangular shape of equal size provided corresponding to each number N. And squares 44. And, regarding the odd number among the numbers N, with respect to the square 44,
The roll paper R is arranged at the position on the downstream side, and even-numbered ones are arranged at the position on the upstream side. That is, the numbers N are alternately provided so as to sandwich the squares 44.

The squares 44 are divided into an upper portion 44a as an upstream side portion of the roll paper R and a lower portion 44b as a downstream side portion of the roll paper R by a boundary line 45 parallel to the main scanning direction of the printer 11. Separated and filled with different colors. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 28 is filled with a single color of ink, that is, the upper portion 44a is filled with magenta ink and the lower portion 44b is filled with black ink. The ratio of the areas of the upper portion 44a and the lower portion 44b is different for each number N. Furthermore, the number N is also printed with black ink.

More specifically, the area of the upper portion 44a is the number N.
Is quantitatively increased from “1” to “17”. On the other hand, the area of the lower portion 44b is quantitatively reduced as the number N goes from "1" to "17". Then, in "9" where the number N is in the middle of "1" to "17", the areas of the upper portion 44a and the lower portion 44b are equal. That is, the position of the boundary line 45 in the sub-scanning line direction of the printer 11 is different for each number N, and as the number N goes from “1” to “17”, the stairs are placed downstream of the roll paper R. It is designed to shift in shape.

After printing the pattern P, the roll paper R
Is fed by the paper feed amount B and is cut as shown in FIG. The paper feed amount B is calculated by the CPU 32 by the following equation.

Paper feed amount B = gap G-length L The length L is a pattern P as shown in FIG. 3 (a).
The number N is the length from the print end position P1 to the boundary line 45 at "9". That is, when the roll paper R is fed by the paper feed amount B after the printing is completed, if the correction value OS is zero, the roll paper R is at a position where the number N of the pattern P coincides with the boundary line 45 at "9". Is cut by.

The correction value update program is executed by the CPU 32.
Using the data of the new correction value NOS received from the host computer H via the I / F unit 42, the EEPR
It is a program for updating the data of the correction value OS of the OM 35.

That is, when the CPU 32 receives the data of the new correction value NOS from the host computer H, the EEPROM 35 follows the correction value updating program.
The data of the correction value OS of is updated.

Next, the printer 11 configured as described above.
The operation of the printer control device 31 for driving and controlling the printer will be described. First, the case where the printer 11 prints the image data stored in the host computer H will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user desires to print the image data created by a digital camera or the like, and the image data is stored in the host computer H. Then, the user operates the host computer H to convert the image data into print data, and the I / F unit 42
It is transmitted to the printer control device 31 via (step S11).

Then, the CPU 3 of the printer control device 31
2 is a paper feed motor 19 according to a normal printing program,
The paper feed motor 21, the carriage motor 26, the print head 27, etc. are driven to print on the roll paper R based on the received image data (step S12).

When the printing is completed, the CPU 32
Drives the paper feed motor 19 and the paper feed motor 21 in accordance with the normal print program to set the roll paper R to the paper feed amount A.
Paper feed only (step S13), cutter motor 29
Is driven to cut the roll paper R (step S14).
As a result, the printed matter cut at the position corresponding to the print end position is provided to the user.

Next, a case where the cutting position is adjusted in the printer 11 will be described with reference to FIG. When the cut position adjustment of the printer 11 is desired by the user, the host computer H is operated, the print data of the pattern P previously stored in the storage means of the host computer H is read, and the I / F unit 42 is read. Is transmitted to the printer control device 31 via the printer (step S1).
5).

When the CPU 32 of the printer control device 31 receives the print data of the pattern P, the paper feed motor 19, the paper feed motor 21, the carriage motor 26, and the print head 27 according to the cut position adjustment pattern print program.
Drive. Then, as shown in FIG.
The pattern P as shown in (a) is printed (step S16). When printing is completed, the CPU 32 drives the paper feed motor 19 and the paper feed motor 21 to feed the roll paper R by the paper feed amount B (step S17), and drives the cutter motor 29 to feed the roll paper R. Cut (step S18).

After that, the state of the cut roll paper R is confirmed by the user, the host computer H is operated, and the adjustment data is input. The adjustment data is any one of the numbers N from “1” to “17” of the pattern P.
It is information including one. For example, when the number N is cut at the boundary line 45 at "11" as shown in FIG. 3B, the user inputs "11" to the host computer H as adjustment data.

When the adjustment data is input, the host computer H calculates a new correction value NOS according to the following equation based on the number N of the input adjustment data. New correction value NOS = number N-9 of the adjustment data That is, if the number N of the adjustment data is "9" which is an intermediate value between "1" and "17", the new correction value NOS becomes zero. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the number N is cut at the boundary line 45 at "11", the new correction value NOS becomes "2" (step S21). afterwards,
The host computer H sends the data of the new correction value NOS to the printer controller 31 via the I / F unit 42.
To the CPU 32 (step S22).

When the CPU 32 of the printer control device 31 receives the data of the new correction value NOS, it updates the data of the correction value OS of the EEPROM 35 according to the correction value update program. That is, the data of the correction value OS is “2”
(Step S23). Then, from the next time, when the printer 11 prints, the data of the new correction value OS is used, the roll paper R is fed by the proper paper feed amount A, and the print end position and the correct position are obtained. Will be cut at the position corresponding to.

According to the above embodiment, the following features can be obtained. (1) In the above embodiment, the cut position adjustment pattern P is printed on the roll paper R, and the pattern P forms the boundary line 45 for specifying the cut position of the roll paper R in the sub-scanning direction of the printer 11. The boundary line 45 has a plurality of numbers N located on both sides of the printer 11 in the sub-scanning direction. And this pattern P
By feeding the roll paper R on which is printed by the paper feed amount B and cutting the roll paper R, the number N that is the adjustment data for obtaining the correction value OS can be specified.

Therefore, if the roll paper R is cut near the boundary line 45, the number N is displayed on both of the roll paper R divided into two by the cutting. Then, which boundary line 45 the roll paper R is cut on can be specified by looking at either of the divided roll paper R. As a result, the number N can be easily specified, and the error between the designed mounting position of the cutter 23 and the actual mounting position can be easily specified.
Then, the roll paper R can be cut at an accurate position.

(2) The plurality of numbers N are arranged alternately on the upstream side and the downstream side of the roll paper R with respect to the boundary line 45 as the numerical value changes. Therefore, the number of the numbers N printed on the roll paper R can be reduced, and the data of the pattern P itself can be reduced.

(3) The pattern P is provided with a plurality of squares 44 arranged in the main scanning direction of the printer 11. Then, the boundary line 45 is used to separate the squares 44 from the upper part 44a and the lower part 4a.
4b, and the area ratio of the upper portion 44a and the lower portion 44b is different for each square 44.

Therefore, when the roll paper R on which the pattern P is printed is cut by the cutter 23, the cut position is
The cutting position can be easily grasped by seeing which square 45 the boundary line 45 coincides with. Then, by reading the number N corresponding to the boundary line 45 that coincides with the cutting position, the number N that is the adjustment data can be easily obtained.

(4) The pattern P is printed with a single color of ink in the ink cartridge 28 provided in the printing mechanism 22. Therefore, the data itself of the pattern P can be suppressed small.

(5) The data of the cut position adjustment pattern P is stored in the storage means of the host computer H connected to the printer 11, and the data of the pattern P is transferred from the host computer H to the printer 11 to the I / F section 42, etc. So that it can be input via.

Therefore, in the printer that prints the print data sent from the host computer H, the cutter 23
The error between the designed mounting position and the actual mounting position can be easily specified, and the roll paper R can be cut at an accurate position.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, the cut position adjustment pattern P
The number N as an identifier of is arranged alternately on both sides of the boundary line 45 in the sub-scanning direction of the printer 11 as the numerical value changes. However, if it is arranged near the boundary line 45, the number N as an identifier may be arranged by another arrangement method.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the number N may be arranged only on the downstream side in the paper feed direction of the roll paper R. Of course, the number N may be arranged only on the upstream side in the paper feed direction of the roll paper R.

In the above embodiment, among the numbers N of the pattern P, odd ones are arranged downstream of the roll paper R with respect to the squares 44, and even ones are upstream. I arranged it on the side.
As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the numbers may be arranged in the same manner on both the upstream side and the downstream side of all odd and even numbers.

In the above embodiment, the printer 11
Is configured to print only print data transmitted from the host computer H. This may be a stand-alone printer. Then, in this case, the printer 11 has a storage unit (for example, the EEPROM 35, which stores the data of the cut position adjustment pattern P).
ROM 33 or dedicated ROM), input means for inputting adjustment data, new correction value NOS based on the adjustment data
You may make it provide the calculating means which calculates.

In the above embodiment, the number N is used as the identifier, but other characters such as hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabets and symbols are used as long as they can be identified from each other. You may do it.

In the above embodiment, the squares 44 and the number N of the pattern P are printed with magenta ink and black ink. This may be printed with a single color of other ink, for example, cyan ink, yellow ink, or the like. Further, instead of a single color of ink, it may be filled with a mixed color such as orange or brown.

In the above-described embodiment, the squares 44 of the pattern P are filled with the single color of the two colors of ink. However, only one single color may be used, and the upper portion 44a may be filled up so that the lower portion 44b is surrounded by a frame so that the upper portion 44a and the lower portion 44b can be distinguished from each other. Of course, the lower portion 44b may be filled with the upper portion 44a as a box-shaped box surrounded by a frame. Moreover, both the upper part 44a and the lower part 44b are
You may make it a white square.

In the above embodiment, the boundary line 45
The position of the printer 11 in the sub-scanning direction differs for each number N, and as the number N goes from "1" to "17", it shifts in a stepwise manner. This may be shifted linearly instead of stepwise.

By doing so, the cutting position of the roll paper R can be grasped with higher accuracy. In the above-described embodiment, the pattern P includes the grid 44, the boundary line 45 on the grid 44, and the number N. However, only the boundary line 45 and the number N may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the paper feed amount B is the difference between the gap G and the length L, but the paper feed amount B is calculated by reflecting the correction value OS currently stored in the EEPROM 35. You may do it. For example, paper feed amount B = gap G−length L + correction value OS may be used.

In this case, the host computer H calculates a new correction value NOS assuming that the paper feed amount B is a value in which the correction value OS is reflected.

[0091]

As described above in detail, according to the inventions described in claims 1 to 7, the adjustment data can be easily obtained, and the cutter installation design position and the actual installation position can be determined. The error of can be specified easily. Then, the roll paper can be cut at an accurate position.

In addition, according to the invention described in claims 3 and 5, the data capacity of the cut position adjustment pattern can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is likewise a block circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the roll paper on which the cut position adjustment pattern is printed, FIG.
(B) is after cutting.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of normal printing control of the printer as well.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of cut position adjustment control of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of a roll paper on which a cut position adjustment pattern is printed, in another example, (a) before cutting and (b) after cutting.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of the roll paper on which the cut position adjustment pattern is printed, FIG.
(B) is after cutting.

[Explanation of symbols]

B Paper feed amount as a predetermined paper feed amount H host computer Number as N identifier Correction value as OS error P cut position adjustment pattern R Roll paper as print medium 11 Printer 22 Printing mechanism as printing means 23 Cutter as cutting means 44 squares 44a Upper part as upstream part 44b Lower part as downstream part Boundary line as 45 scale

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printing unit prints a cut position adjustment pattern on a print medium, the print medium is fed by a predetermined paper feed amount, and the printed cut position adjustment pattern is cut by a cutting unit, In a printer capable of specifying adjustment data for obtaining an error between an actual attachment position of the cutting means and a design attachment position, the cut position adjustment pattern is a cut of the print medium in a sub-scanning direction of the printer. A printer comprising a scale for specifying a position and an identifier arranged in the vicinity of the scale. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the position near the scale is both upstream and downstream of the scale in the sub-scanning direction of the printer. And a printer. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the identifiers are provided, and the identifiers are alternately arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the print medium with respect to the scale. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cut position adjustment pattern includes a plurality of squares arranged in a main scanning direction of the printer, and the scale is on the squares. The boundary line is a boundary line, and the boundary line divides the square into an upstream side portion and a downstream side portion of the print medium, and an area ratio between the upstream side portion and the downstream side portion. The printers are provided at different positions in the sub-scanning direction of the printer so as to be different for each of the plurality of squares. 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cut position adjustment pattern is printed with a single color of ink included in the printing unit. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cut position adjustment pattern data is stored in a storage unit of a host computer connected to the printer and input to the printer. A printer characterized in that 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cut position adjustment pattern data is stored in a storage unit included in the printer.