JP2006007561A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer supporting a recording roll paper which reduces wasteful consumption of the recording paper by cutting a requisite minimum portion in accordance with an image already formed even if the power once cut off during the operation of the printer is recovered again. <P>SOLUTION: When the power of the printer is turned on (#61), a recording paper transfer control section reads an abnormal stop bit stored in a memory (#62). If the abnormal stop bit is 1 (1 in #62), a transfer distance necessary for moving the terminal end of the image formed on the recording paper to the operating position of a cutter is computed on the basis of image forming area information and leading edge position information stored in the memory (#63) and the recording paper is transferred (#64). The part of the recording paper where the image is formed is cut (#65), and the leading edge of the recording paper is moved to the home position (#66). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer using a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a core, and more particularly to a printer for printing image data taken by a digital camera.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, printers capable of printing images by directly connecting a digital camera or inserting a memory card without using a personal computer have been put into practical use. In order to distinguish from a printer connected to a conventional personal computer, such a printer is referred to as a “digital camera compatible printer”.

  In printers compatible with digital cameras, thermal recording paper is used to obtain prints similar to conventional silver halide photographs using film and photographic paper. Also, since the size of the image to be printed is in accordance with the silver halide photography system, it is necessary to correspond to a particularly long landscape print such as a panorama size in addition to a normal image sensor aspect ratio. For this reason, digital camera compatible printers generally use a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core, and one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the printed image is set to the width of the recording paper. By fixing and changing the cutting length of the recording paper in accordance with the other dimension, images of various sizes are supported.

  In the digital camera compatible printer using the thermal recording paper described above, an image is formed on the recording paper by the thermal recording head, and the formed image is fixed by the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp. Then, the recording paper on which the image has been formed and fixed is cut by a cutter and deposited on a paper discharge tray.

  Near the outer periphery of the loaded recording paper roll and in the vicinity of the thermal recording head, first and second recording paper sensors for detecting the leading edge of the recording paper are provided. When the recording paper is wound around the recording paper roll after the printing operation is completed, the first recording paper sensor has wound the leading edge of the recording paper to a predetermined position (home position) on the outer periphery of the recording paper roll. It is provided to detect The second recording paper sensor is provided to detect the presence or absence of recording paper in the vicinity of the thermal recording head during the printing operation.

  As described above, after the printing operation is completed, the leading edge of the recording paper is wound up to the home position. Therefore, normally, when the printer is turned on, the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the first recording paper sensor. However, for example, if the printer power is interrupted for some reason during the printing operation, the printer operation may stop while the leading edge of the recording paper is positioned downstream of the thermal recording head. Therefore, after that, when the printer is turned on again, the second recording paper sensor detects the presence of the recording paper in the vicinity of the thermal recording head.

  As described above, when the second recording paper sensor detects the presence of the recording paper when the power is turned on, the new recording image is recorded on the recording paper so that a new image is not overlaid on the already printed image before the power is turned off. The area where the image is formed is conveyed downstream and cut, and then the printing operation is started. However, in conventional printers, it is unclear to what area an image has been formed when the power is turned off, so what distance should be conveyed to cut the area where the image is formed? It is unclear whether it is good. Therefore, in order to surely prevent duplication of images, the image is conveyed by the maximum printable image size preset in the printer. Therefore, the area corresponding to the maximum image size described above must be cut even though only a small area is actually formed or no image is formed at all. This leads to useless consumption.

As an image forming apparatus using such a recording paper roll, there is known a copying machine for notifying a user whether or not the recording paper has been cut after the power is restored (for example, a patent). Reference 1). Also, there is known a certificate issuing machine that determines whether a certificate issued after power-on is valid (for example, see Patent Document 2). In addition, printers that convey and cut a recording sheet by a predetermined length when a printed part exists when the power is turned on are known (see, for example, Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4). However, in the printer described in Patent Document 3 or Patent Document 4, since the recording paper is transported by a predetermined length and then cut, the recording paper is wasted like the conventional printer described above. Cannot be avoided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-43919 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-287861 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297061 JP-A-7-276724

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. Even when the power is turned off during the printing operation and then turned on, the minimum necessary amount is set according to the already formed image. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can reduce wasteful consumption of recording paper by cutting only a portion.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a recording method in which a recording sheet fed from a recording sheet roll in which a long recording sheet is wound around a cylindrical core is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof. A paper transport mechanism, a recording head provided downstream of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording paper, and recording in the sub-scanning direction A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the head and cuts an image-formed portion of the recording paper according to the image size, and in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording paper roll to detect the recording paper. The first recording paper detecting means provided, the second recording paper detecting means provided in the vicinity of the recording head for detecting the recording paper, and a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer. An image data reading unit for reading out the total image data, a memory for storing the image data read out by the image data reading unit, and an image formation control unit for driving and controlling the recording head using the image data stored in the memory, A conveyance control unit that drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism using the image data stored in the memory, and a cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting unit using the image data stored in the memory. After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the leading edge of the remaining recording paper Is controlled by the user in the printer that transports the printer to the position of the home position detected by the first recording paper detection means and waits for the next print. On the other hand, a cutting command input means for inputting a command to cut the recording paper, and a command for the user to input a command to return the leading end of the recording paper to the home position to the conveyance control unit. And a leading edge return command input means. When the second recording paper detection means detects the recording paper when the power is turned on, the user is caused to cut the recording paper or the leading edge of the recording paper is set to the home position. When the user operates the cutting command input means, the conveyance control unit drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the recording paper downstream by a predetermined distance. The cutting control unit drives the recording paper cutting unit to cut the vicinity of the leading end of the conveyed recording paper, and when the leading end return command input unit is operated by the user, drives the recording paper conveying mechanism. The leading edge of the recording paper is returned to the home position, and whether or not the portion near the leading edge is to be cut can be determined depending on whether or not an image is formed near the leading edge of the recording paper.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof, The recording head is provided downstream of the recording paper roll in the direction, and forms an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording paper, and provided downstream of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction. The recording paper cutting means for cutting the portion of the recording paper on which the image is formed according to the image size, and the first recording provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll to detect the recording paper. Digital image data is read from the paper detection means, the second recording paper detection means provided in the vicinity of the recording head to detect the recording paper, and a digital camera, memory card or personal computer. An image data reading unit, a memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit, an image formation control unit for controlling drive of the recording head using the image data stored in the memory, and a memory The recording control unit includes a conveyance control unit that drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism using the image data, and a cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting unit using the image data stored in the memory. After the image is formed on the paper and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the transport control unit drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism, and the leading end of the remaining recording paper is subjected to the first recording. In a printer that transports to the position of the home position detected by the paper detection unit and waits for the next print, the user runs the recording paper to the transport control unit. Conveyance command input means for inputting a command for conveying a predetermined distance upstream or downstream in the direction, and a cutting command for the user to input a command to cut the recording paper to the cutting control unit Input means and a leading edge return command input means for the user to input a command for returning the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position to the conveyance control unit, and when the power is turned on, the second recording paper When the detection means detects the recording paper, the user is caused to convey the recording paper upstream or downstream in the sub-scanning direction, cut the recording paper, or return the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position. The recording paper that remains without being cut when the power is turned on by the user operating the conveyance command input means, the cutting command input means, and the tip return command input means. The vicinity of the tip of the head can be accurately cut in accordance with the area where the image is formed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in a sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof, and a sub-scanning The recording head is provided downstream of the recording paper roll in the direction, and forms an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording paper, and provided downstream of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction. Recording paper cutting means for cutting the portion of the recording paper on which the image is formed according to the image size, and recording paper detection means provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll for detecting the recording paper An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer, and image data read by the image data reading unit A memory, an image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using the image data stored in the memory, a conveyance control unit that drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism using the image data stored in the memory, A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory, an image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head, and the portion on which the image is formed is formed by the recording paper cutting means After being cut, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, conveys the leading edge of the remaining recording paper to the home position detected by the recording paper detection means, and waits for the next print The image formation control unit stores the image size information in the memory before driving the recording head to form an image on the recording paper, and the recording paper cutting means removes the recording paper. After the disconnection, the image size information stored in the memory is erased. When the power is turned on, when the memory stores the image size information, the conveyance control unit drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism to remove the recording paper. The cutting control unit drives and controls the recording paper cutting means to cut the recording paper according to the image size, and the conveyance control unit feeds the leading end of the remaining recording paper to the recording paper transport mechanism. When the power is turned on and the memory does not store image size information, the transport controller drives the recording paper transport mechanism to transport the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position. It is something to be made.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof, The recording head is provided downstream of the recording paper roll in the direction, and forms an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording paper, and provided downstream of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction. Recording paper cutting means for cutting the portion of the recording paper on which the image is formed according to the image size, and recording paper detection means provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll for detecting the recording paper An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer, and image data read by the image data reading unit A memory, an image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using the image data stored in the memory, a conveyance control unit that drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism using the image data stored in the memory, A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory, an image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head, and the portion on which the image is formed is formed by the recording paper cutting means After being cut, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, conveys the leading edge of the remaining recording paper to the home position detected by the recording paper detection means, and waits for the next print In this case, the image formation control unit determines that the printer drive voltage is the minimum power required for writing to the memory when the printer is turned off while the recording head is forming an image. Before descending, the memory stores an abnormal stop signal, image forming area information indicating where the image has been formed from the leading edge of the recording paper, and leading edge position information indicating the leading edge position of the recording paper. When the memory stores an abnormal stop signal when the power is turned on, the conveyance control unit detects the image formed on the recording paper based on the image forming area information and the leading edge position information stored in the memory. Calculate the recording paper transport distance required to move the end to the operating position of the recording paper cutting means, drive the recording paper transport mechanism to transport the recording paper by the calculated distance, and the cutting control unit Drive control of the paper cutting means cuts the recording paper, and the conveyance control unit causes the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the leading edge of the remaining recording paper to the home position, and the memory issues an abnormal stop signal when the power is turned on. When you do n’t remember The conveyance control unit drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in a sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof, and a sub-scanning The recording head is provided downstream of the recording paper roll in the direction, and forms an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording paper, and provided downstream of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction. Recording paper cutting means for cutting the portion of the recording paper on which the image is formed according to the image size, and recording paper detection means provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll for detecting the recording paper An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer, and image data read by the image data reading unit A memory, an image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using the image data stored in the memory, a conveyance control unit that drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism using the image data stored in the memory, A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory, an image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head, and the portion on which the image is formed is formed by the recording paper cutting means After being cut, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, conveys the leading edge of the remaining recording paper to the home position detected by the recording paper detection means, and waits for the next print When the printer is turned off while the recording head is forming an image, and the power is turned on, an image is formed near the leading edge of the recording paper. Cuts the recording paper to fit the image size, conveys the remaining recording paper tip to the home position, and when no image is formed on the recording paper, the recording paper tip is moved to the home position. Is to be conveyed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the second recording sheet detecting means detects the recording sheet when the power is turned on, that is, when the recording sheet exists in the vicinity of the recording head, the user inputs a cutting command. By operating the means or the leading edge return command input means, it is possible to determine whether or not to cut the vicinity of the leading edge of the recording paper. For example, when an image is not formed in the vicinity of the leading edge of the recording paper, the user can move the leading edge to the home position without cutting the recording paper by operating the leading edge return command input means. it can. This makes it possible to suppress wasteful consumption of recording paper.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the second recording paper detecting means detects the recording paper when the power is turned on, that is, when the recording paper is present in the vicinity of the recording head, the user inputs the conveyance command. By operating the cutting means, cutting command input means, and leading edge return command input means, the end of the image forming area that remains without being cut when the power is turned on can be cut after being accurately aligned with the operating position of the recording paper cutting means. . Therefore, it is possible to completely eliminate wasteful consumption of recording paper.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the memory stores the image size information when the power is turned on, the recording paper is conveyed and cut according to the image size, and the memory does not store the image size information. At this time, since the recording paper is not cut, wasteful consumption of the recording paper can be completely eliminated. In addition, since the above operation is automatically executed, the user is not forced to perform an extra operation.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the memory stores an abnormal stop signal when the power is turned on, it is necessary to move the end of the image formed on the recording paper to the operating position of the recording paper cutting means. When the transport distance of the recording paper is calculated and the recording paper is transported and cut by the calculated distance and the memory does not store the abnormal stop signal, the recording paper is not cut. It can be completely eliminated. In addition, since the above operation is automatically executed, the user is not forced to perform an extra operation.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when an image is formed near the leading edge of the recording paper when the power is turned on, the recording paper is cut according to the image size, and the remaining leading edge of the recording paper is positioned at the home position. Therefore, wasteful consumption of recording paper can be suppressed. Further, when no image is formed on the recording paper, the recording paper is transported to the home position without being cut, so that wasteful consumption of the recording paper can be further suppressed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer that drives a thermal head using digital image data and forms an image on color thermal recording paper as a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a paper feed unit 4 for storing a recording paper roll 3 wound around a long color thermal recording paper (hereinafter referred to as recording paper) 21, and a recording paper roll 3. A recording paper transport mechanism 5 that pulls out the leading end of the recording paper 2 and transports it in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper 2 (hereinafter referred to as the transport direction), and is provided downstream of the recording paper roll 3 in the transport direction. A thermal head 6 for forming an image thereon, first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 for irradiating the image forming surface of the recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays of a predetermined wavelength, and the recording paper 2 A cutter 7 for cutting a portion on which an image is formed, and a recording paper piece cut by the cutter 7, that is, a tray 8 for holding a print on which an image is formed.

  Further, the printer 1 is connected to a digital camera 9 directly, a memory card 10 is inserted, or a personal computer is connected via a USB cable or the like, whereby an image data reading unit for reading digital image data therefrom. 11 and the image formation controller 12 that drives the thermal head 6 and the first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 using the image data read by the image data reading unit 11 and the image data reading unit 11 A recording paper conveyance control unit 13 that drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 using the output image data, and a recording paper cutting control unit that drives the cutter 7 using the image data read by the image data reading unit 11. 14 and a memory 1 for storing image data read by the image data reading unit 11 A liquid crystal panel 18 for displaying various types of information, and an operation unit 19 (cutting command input means, tip return command input means, conveyance command input means) for the user to input various commands to the printer 1. ing.

  A pair of shaft units 20 are fitted to both ends of the core 21 of the recording paper roll 3, and are rotatably supported with respect to the frame 40. The diameter of the recording paper roll 3 gradually decreases as the recording paper 2 is consumed. Therefore, the shaft unit 20 that pivotally supports the rotation of the recording paper roll 3 is not driven per se, and is configured to be driven to rotate as the recording paper 2 is conveyed by the recording paper conveying mechanism 5. .

  The recording paper transport mechanism 5 is in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the recording paper roll 3 and is rotated in a predetermined direction to feed the recording paper 2 in the transport direction and feed it back. And driving rollers 52 and 53 for reciprocating and conveying the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 2 drawn out from the recording paper roll 3 at a constant speed in the conveying direction, and a motor (not shown) for rotationally driving them. ing. The drive roller 52 is disposed on the upstream side of the thermal head 6, and the drive roller 53 is disposed on the downstream side of the thermal head 6. The shaft unit 20 is urged by a torsion spring 41 and a pressing lever 42 in a direction in which the outer peripheral surface of the recording paper roll 3 is pressed against the paper feed roller 51.

  The thermal head 6 has a micro heat generating portion array arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, controls heat generation and non-heat generation of the micro heat generating portion array based on digital image data, and is applied to the image forming surface of the recording paper 2. In contrast, an image is formed line by line.

  The first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 irradiate the image forming surface of the recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays having the first and second wavelengths, respectively, and the Y layer and the second layer that react with the ultraviolet rays having the first wavelength. The M layer that reacts with the ultraviolet rays having the wavelength is fixed so as not to develop any further color.

  In the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording paper roll 3, there is provided a first recording paper sensor (recording paper detecting means) 55 for detecting the recording paper 2, particularly the leading end thereof. A second recording paper sensor (recording paper detecting means) 56 for detecting the recording paper 2 is provided at a position upstream of the drive roller 52 and adjacent to the conveyance path of the recording paper 2. Yes. The recording paper sensors 55 and 56 detect the presence or absence of the recording paper 2 by irradiating the recording paper 2 with light and detecting fluctuations in the reflected light, and output a signal to that effect to the recording paper conveyance control unit 13. To do. The leading edge of the recording paper 2 is on standby at a home position that can be detected by the recording paper sensor 55 before printing is started.

  Next, a printing operation by the printer 1 will be described. When the image data is read by the image data reading unit 11, the image formation control unit 12 determines an image size to be printed based on the read image data. In the printer 1, since the width of the recording paper 2 is fixed, the enlargement ratio is calculated so that the short side of the image substantially matches the width of the recording paper 2. Then, the recording paper size in the transport direction of the recording paper 2 is calculated from the calculated enlargement ratio and the ratio of the long side to the short side of the image.

  When the recording paper size is calculated, the recording paper transport control unit 13 drives the recording paper transport mechanism 5 according to the recording paper size, and moves the recording paper 2 downstream in the transport direction according to the image size. Send out only the length. Thereafter, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to convey the recording paper 2 from the initial position to the thermal head 6 side at a constant speed toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction. In parallel with this, the image formation control unit 12 uses the yellow (Y) image data of the read image data to drive the thermal head 6 in the first temperature range, so that the yellow color of the recording paper 2 is detected. A yellow image is formed on the layer (Y layer).

  When a yellow image is formed on the Y layer of the recording paper 2, the recording paper transport control unit 13 drives the recording paper transport mechanism 5 to temporarily return the recording paper 2 to the initial position on the downstream side in the transport direction, The recording paper 2 is conveyed again upstream in the conveyance direction. In parallel with this, the image formation controller 12 drives the first ultraviolet lamp 15 to irradiate the image forming surface of the recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays having the first wavelength, thereby fixing the Y layer.

  When the fixing of the Y layer of the recording paper 2 is completed, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to convey the recording paper 2 from the initial position to the thermal head 6 side at a constant speed. In parallel with this, the image formation control unit 12 drives the thermal head 6 in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range by using magenta (M) image data among the read image data. Thus, a magenta image is formed on the magenta layer (M layer) of the recording paper 2.

  When a magenta image is formed on the M layer of the recording paper 2, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to temporarily return the recording paper 2 to the initial position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, The recording paper 2 is conveyed again upstream in the conveyance direction. In parallel with this, the image formation control unit 12 drives the second ultraviolet lamp 16 to irradiate the image forming surface of the recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays having the second wavelength, thereby fixing the M layer. Subsequently, the image formation control unit 12 drives the thermal head 6 in a third temperature range higher than the second temperature range using cyan (C) image data among the read image data, A cyan image is formed on the cyan layer (C layer) of the recording paper 2.

  When a cyan image as the last color is formed on the C layer of the recording paper 2, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to convey the recording paper 2 downstream in the conveyance direction. To do. The recording paper cutting control unit 14 drives the cutter 7 according to the image size formed on the recording paper 2 to cut the portion of the recording paper 2 where the image is formed.

  As already described, when the printer 1 is turned off once during the printing operation and then turned on again, there is a recording sheet in the vicinity of the thermal head 6. Therefore, in general, in a printer using the recording paper roll 3, in order to avoid a problem that an image is formed by being superimposed on the recording paper 2, the recording paper 2 is conveyed downstream in advance by a predetermined distance so that the image is not transferred. A region that may be formed (including a region where an image is formed and a wider region) is cut. In such a printer, even if no image is formed on the recording paper 2 yet, the leading end area is transported and cut, so that the recording paper 2 is wasted.

  The case where the power supply is temporarily interrupted during the printing operation described above refers to a case where a power failure occurs during the printing operation or a case where the user intentionally shuts off the power supply of the printer 1. It can be thought that the situation is grasped. Therefore, in the present embodiment, whether or not the user uses the area after confirming whether or not an image is formed in the leading end area of the recording paper 2 by opening the cover of the printer 1. It is comprised so that instruction | command according to it can be input.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the operation unit 19 for inputting such a command. The operation unit 19 transports the image forming area of the recording paper 2 to the operating position of the cutter 7 and a cutting button (cutting command input means) 31 for inputting a command for causing the cutter 7 to cut the area including the image forming area. A home position button (tip return command input means) 32 for inputting a command for moving the leading edge of the recording paper 2 to the home position is provided.

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, a print preparation operation when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the printer 1 is turned on (# 1) and the second recording paper sensor 56 detects the recording paper 2 (YES in # 2), the liquid crystal panel 18 “cuts the recording paper” or “home position”. A message is displayed to let the user select “return to“ ”(# 3). The user who sees this message opens the cover of the printer 1 and checks whether an image is formed near the leading edge of the recording paper 2. As a result, when the user selects cutting of the recording paper 2 and the cutting button 31 is pressed (YES in # 4), the recording paper transport control unit 13 drives the recording paper transport mechanism 5 to set the printer 1 The recording paper 2 is moved downstream by the maximum image size, and the recording paper cutting control unit 14 operates the cutter 7 to cut the recording paper 2 (# 5). Thereafter, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to move the leading end of the recording paper 2 to the home position (# 6), and the process is terminated. When the second recording paper sensor 56 does not detect the recording paper 2 (NO in # 2), and when the user selects to return to the home position and the home position button 32 is pressed (NO in # 4). ) Goes to # 6.

  As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the second recording paper sensor 56 detects the recording paper 2 when the power is turned on, the user operates the disconnect button 31 or the home position button 32. It is possible to determine whether or not to cut the vicinity of the leading end of the recording paper 2. For example, when an image is not formed near the leading edge of the recording paper 2, the user operates the home position button 32 to move the leading edge to the home position without cutting the recording paper 2. Thereby, useless consumption of the recording paper 2 can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 automatically aligns the leading edge of the recording paper 2 with the home position, and the user is in the vicinity of the leading edge of the recording paper 2. The recording paper conveyance control unit 13 has a manual mode in which the front end of the recording paper 2 is aligned with the home position after cutting the vicinity of the front end of the second paper as necessary while checking the print state. Accordingly, when the mode of the printer 1 is set to the manual mode, the user manually transports the recording paper 2 by a necessary distance and cuts it in order to cut the area where the image has already been formed. It is configured so that a command to that effect can be input.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of the operation unit 19 for inputting such a command. The operation unit 19 has a forward button (transport command input means) 33 for inputting a command to transport the recording paper 2 downstream, and a backward button (transport command input means) for inputting a command to transport the recording paper 2 downstream. 34, a cutting button (cutting command input means) 31 for inputting a command for cutting the recording paper 2 to the cutter 7, and a home position button (for inputting a command for moving the tip of the recording paper 2 to the home position). Tip return command input means) 32 is provided.

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, a print preparation operation when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. First, the printer 1 is powered on (# 11), and when the second recording paper sensor 56 detects the recording paper 2 (YES in # 12), the operation mode of the printer 1 is confirmed (# 13). When the operation mode of the printer 1 is the automatic mode (automatically in # 13), the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to the maximum image size set in the printer 1. The recording paper 2 is conveyed downstream (# 14), and the recording paper cutting control unit 14 drives the cutter 7 to cut the recording paper 2 (# 15). Thereafter, the recording paper transport control unit 13 drives the recording paper transport mechanism 5 to move the leading end of the cut recording paper 2 to the home position (# 16), and the process is terminated. When the operation mode of the printer 1 is the manual mode (manual in # 13), a message prompting the user to input an operation command from the operation unit 19 is displayed (# 17). An input from the operation unit 19 is accepted. That is, if the forward button 33 is pressed (YES in # 18), the recording paper 2 is conveyed in the forward direction (downstream) (# 19), and if the backward button 34 is pressed (YES in # 20). Then, the recording paper 2 is conveyed in the reverse direction (upstream side) (# 21). By the processing from # 18 to # 21, the end of the image formed on the recording paper 2 is moved to the operating position of the cutter 7, and when the user presses the cutting button 31 (YES in # 22), # 15 Then, the recording paper 2 is cut. On the other hand, also in this manual mode, when the home position button 32 is pressed by the user (YES in # 23), the process proceeds to # 16 without cutting the recording paper 2. The processing from # 18 to # 23 is repeated until the required time elapses (NO in # 24). When the required time elapses (YES in # 24), the process proceeds to # 15 and the recording paper 2 is cut. .

  According to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the second recording paper sensor 56 detects the recording paper 2 when the power is turned on, the user presses the forward button 33, the backward button 34, the cutting button 31, and the home position button 32. By operating, the end of the image forming area remaining without being cut when the power is turned on can be cut after being accurately aligned with the operating position of the cutter 7. Therefore, useless consumption of the recording paper 2 can be completely eliminated.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not an image is formed on the recording paper 2 with reference to the memory 17. The memory 17 stores image size information before printing is started, but this image size information is erased after printing is completed. Therefore, when the image size information is stored in the memory 17 when the power is turned on, it can be considered that the power of the printer 1 is cut off for some reason during the printing operation. At this time, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 calculates a conveyance distance necessary for moving the end of the image formed on the recording paper 2 to the operating position of the cutter 7 based on the image size information, and the recording paper. The transport mechanism 5 is driven to transport the recording paper 2 by the calculated distance, and the formed image portion is cut by the cutter 7.

  Operations before and after printing of the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the print command is received from the user (# 31), the image formation control unit 12 stores the image size information in the memory 17 (# 32). When the thermal head 6 is driven and printing is finished (# 33), the image formation control unit 12 deletes the image size information from the memory 17 (# 34), and the processing is finished.

  Next, the print preparation operation when the power is turned on in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the printer 1 is powered on (# 41), the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 determines whether image size information is stored in the memory 17 (# 42). If the image size information is stored in the memory 17 (YES in # 42), the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to convey the recording paper 2 according to the image size information ( # 43). Then, after the recording paper cutting control unit 14 drives the cutter 7 to cut the recording paper 2 (# 44), the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 moves the leading end of the recording paper 2 to the home position ( # 45) The process is terminated. If image size information is not stored in the memory 17 (NO in # 42), the process proceeds to # 45.

  According to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the memory 17 stores image size information when the power is turned on, the recording paper 2 is conveyed and cut according to the image size, and the memory 17 stores the image size information. Is not stored, the recording paper 2 is not cut, so that wasteful consumption of the recording paper 2 can be completely eliminated. In addition, since the above operation is automatically executed, the user is not forced to perform an extra operation.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, when it is considered that an image is formed on the recording paper 2 with reference to the memory 17 when the power is turned on, recording is performed for a necessary distance. The paper 2 is conveyed and cut. The memory 17 includes an abnormal stop bit for storing that the printer 1 has abnormally stopped during the printing operation, image forming area information indicating where the image has been formed from the leading edge of the recording paper when the abnormal stop has occurred, The leading edge position information indicating the leading edge position of the recording paper when the abnormal stop is stored. These pieces of information are stored in the memory 17 immediately after the printer 1 is turned off. Normally, the drive voltage of the thermal head 6 and the drive voltage of the recording paper transport mechanism 5 are around 36 volts, whereas the voltage required for writing to the memory 17 is about 3 to 5 volts. Even if the power is shut off, the information can be written in the memory 17 within a time of about 200 to 300 milliseconds.

  When the printer 1 is operating normally, “0” is stored in the abnormal stop bit in the memory 17. However, when the power of the printer 1 is cut off during the printing operation for some reason, “1” is stored in the abnormal stop bit. Therefore, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 refers to the memory 17 when the power is turned on, and determines whether the abnormal stop bit stored therein is “0” or “1”, so that the printer 1 It can be determined whether an abnormal stop has occurred during the printing operation. When the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 determines that the printer 1 has stopped abnormally, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 determines the image formed on the recording paper 2 based on the image forming area information and the tip position information stored in the memory 17. A transport distance necessary to move the end to the operating position of the cutter 7 is calculated, and the recording paper 2 is transported by the calculated distance. Then, the recording paper cutting control unit 14 drives and controls the cutter 7 to cut the portion of the recording paper 2 where the image is formed.

  Next, the operation at the time of abnormal stop of the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the power of the printer 1 is cut off during the printing operation, the image formation control unit 12 stores “1” in the abnormal stop bit of the memory 17 (# 51), and stores the image formation area information in the memory 17 (# 51). # 52). Then, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 stores the current tip position information of the recording paper 2 in the memory 17 (# 53), and ends the processing. The series of processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed when the printer 1 is turned off and the drive voltage of the thermal head 6 or the recording paper transport mechanism 5 drops below a predetermined threshold (for example, about 30 volts). Shall start.

  A print preparation operation when the printer 1 of the present embodiment is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the printer 1 is turned on (# 61), the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 reads the abnormal stop bit stored in the memory 17 (# 62). If the abnormal stop bit is 1 (1 in # 62), based on the image forming area information and the leading edge position information stored in the memory 17, the end of the image formed on the recording paper 2 is operated by the cutter 7. A transport distance necessary to move to the position is calculated (# 63). Then, the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism 5 to convey the recording paper 2 by the calculated distance (# 64). Then, the recording paper cutting control unit 14 drives and controls the cutter 7 to cut the portion of the recording paper 2 where the image is formed (# 65), and the recording paper conveyance control unit 13 sets the leading end of the recording paper 2 at the home. After moving to the position (# 66), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the abnormal stop bit is 0 (0 in # 62), the process proceeds to # 66.

  According to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, when “1” is stored in the abnormal stop bit in the memory 17 when the power is turned on, the end of the image formed on the recording paper 2 is determined as the operation position of the cutter 7. When the recording paper transport distance required to move the recording paper is calculated, the recording paper is transported and cut by the calculated distance, and the memory 17 does not store the abnormal stop signal, the recording paper 2 is not cut. Therefore, useless consumption of the recording paper 2 can be completely eliminated. In addition, since the above operation is automatically executed, the user is not forced to perform an extra operation.

  In the above embodiment, a printer that forms an image on color thermal paper has been described as an example of a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to all printers that form an image on recording paper. Needless to say. For example, an ink jet printer may be used, and in this case, the ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 are unnecessary.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a print preparation operation when power is turned on in the printer. The figure which shows the structure of the operation part of the printer by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a print preparation operation when power is turned on in the printer. 9 is a flowchart showing operations before and after printing by a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a print preparation operation when power is turned on in the printer. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of abnormal stop of a printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a print preparation operation when power is turned on in the printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Color thermal recording paper 3 Recording paper roll 5 Recording paper conveyance mechanism 6 Thermal head (recording head)
7 Cutter (Recording paper cutting means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image data reading part 13 Recording paper conveyance control part 12 Image formation control part 13 Recording paper conveyance control part 14 Recording paper cutting | disconnection control part 17 Memory 19 Operation part 31 Cutting | disconnection button (cutting command input means)
32 Home position button (tip return command input means)
33 Forward button (transport command input means)
34 Back button (Transport command input means)
55 Recording paper sensor (first recording paper detection means)
56 Recording paper sensor (second recording paper detection means)

Claims (5)

A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof;
A recording head provided on the downstream side of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper;
A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and cuts a portion of the recording paper on which an image is formed according to the image size;
A first recording paper detecting means provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll for detecting the recording paper;
A second recording paper detecting means provided in the vicinity of the recording head for detecting the recording paper;
An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer;
A memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit;
An image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using image data stored in the memory;
A transport control unit that drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism using the image data stored in the memory;
A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory;
After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the remaining recording In the printer that transports the leading end of the paper to the position of the home position detected by the first recording paper detection means and waits for the next print,
A cutting command input means for the user to input a command to cut the recording paper to the cutting control unit;
A front end return command input means for allowing the user to input a command for returning the front end of the recording paper to the home position to the transport control unit;
When the second recording paper detecting means detects the recording paper when the power is turned on,
Output a message to the user to select whether to cut the recording paper or return the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position,
The conveyance control unit
When the cutting command input means is operated by a user, the recording paper transport mechanism is driven to transport the recording paper downstream by a predetermined distance, and the cutting control unit drives the recording paper cutting means Then, cut the vicinity of the tip of the conveyed recording paper,
When the user operates the leading edge return command input means, the recording paper transport mechanism is driven to return the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position,
A printer characterized in that it is possible to determine whether or not to cut the vicinity of the leading edge depending on whether or not an image is formed in the vicinity of the leading edge of the recording paper. A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof;
A recording head provided on the downstream side of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper;
A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and cuts a portion of the recording paper on which an image is formed according to the image size;
A first recording paper detecting means provided near the outer periphery of the recording paper roll for detecting the recording paper;
A second recording paper detecting means provided in the vicinity of the recording head for detecting the recording paper;
An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer;
A memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit;
An image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using image data stored in the memory;
A transport control unit that drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism using the image data stored in the memory;
A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory;
After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the remaining recording In the printer that transports the leading end of the paper to the position of the home position detected by the first recording paper detection means and waits for the next print,
A transport command input means for a user to input a command to transport the recording paper to the transport controller by a predetermined distance upstream or downstream in the sub-scanning direction;
A cutting command input means for the user to input a command to cut the recording paper to the cutting control unit;
A front end return command input means for allowing the user to input a command for returning the front end of the recording paper to the home position to the transport control unit;
When the second recording paper detecting means detects the recording paper when the power is turned on,
Outputs a message to the user to select whether to transport the recording paper upstream or downstream in the sub-scanning direction, to cut the recording paper, or to return the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position And
When the user operates the transport command input means, cutting command input means, and leading edge return command input means, the portion near the leading edge of the recording paper that remains uncut when the power is turned on is aligned with the area where the image is formed. A printer characterized by being able to cut accurately. A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof;
A recording head provided on the downstream side of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper;
A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and cuts a portion of the recording paper on which an image is formed according to the image size;
In order to detect the recording paper, recording paper detection means provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording paper roll,
An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer;
A memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit;
An image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using image data stored in the memory;
A transport control unit that drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism using the image data stored in the memory;
A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory;
After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the remaining recording In the printer that transports the leading end of the paper to the position of the home position detected by the recording paper detection means and waits for the next print,
The image forming control unit stores image size information in the memory before driving the recording head to form an image on the recording paper, and after the recording paper cutting means cuts the recording paper, the memory Delete the image size information stored in the
When the memory stores image size information when the power is turned on, the conveyance control unit drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the recording paper according to the image size, and the cutting control unit The recording paper cutting means is driven to cut the recording paper according to the image size, and the conveyance control unit causes the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the leading edge of the remaining recording paper to the home position. ,
When the power is turned on and the memory does not store image size information, the conveyance control unit drives the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position. Printer. A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof;
A recording head provided on the downstream side of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper;
A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and cuts a portion of the recording paper on which an image is formed according to the image size;
In order to detect the recording paper, recording paper detection means provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording paper roll,
An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer;
A memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit;
An image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using image data stored in the memory;
A transport control unit that drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism using the image data stored in the memory;
A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory;
After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the remaining recording In the printer that transports the leading end of the paper to the position of the home position detected by the recording paper detection means and waits for the next print,
When the recording head is turned off while the recording head is forming an image, the image formation control unit detects that the memory has an abnormality before the printer drive voltage drops to the minimum voltage required for writing to the memory. Storing stop signal, image forming area information indicating where the image is formed from the leading edge of the recording paper, and leading edge position information indicating the leading edge position of the current recording paper;
When the memory stores an abnormal stop signal when the power is turned on, the conveyance control unit detects the image formed on the recording paper based on the image forming area information and the leading edge position information stored in the memory. Calculate the recording paper transport distance required to move the end to the operating position of the recording paper cutting means, drive the recording paper transport mechanism to transport the recording paper by the calculated distance, and the cutting control unit Is configured to drive the recording paper cutting means to cut the recording paper, and the conveyance control unit causes the recording paper conveyance mechanism to convey the leading end of the remaining recording paper to the home position.
When the memory does not store an abnormal stop signal when the power is turned on, the transport control unit drives the recording paper transport mechanism to transport the leading edge of the recording paper to the home position. Printer. A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting a recording paper fed from a recording paper roll in which a long recording paper is wound around a cylindrical core in the sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction thereof;
A recording head provided on the downstream side of the recording paper roll in the sub-scanning direction and forming an image on the recording paper line by line in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper;
A recording paper cutting means that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and cuts a portion of the recording paper on which an image is formed according to the image size;
In order to detect the recording paper, recording paper detection means provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the recording paper roll,
An image data reading unit for reading digital image data from a digital camera, a memory card or a personal computer;
A memory for storing image data read by the image data reading unit;
An image formation control unit that drives and controls the recording head using image data stored in the memory;
A transport control unit that drives and controls the recording paper transport mechanism using the image data stored in the memory;
A cutting control unit that drives and controls the recording paper cutting means using the image data stored in the memory;
After the image is formed on the recording paper by the recording head and the portion where the image is formed is cut by the recording paper cutting means, the conveyance control unit drives and controls the recording paper conveyance mechanism, and the remaining recording In the printer that transports the leading end of the paper to the position of the home position detected by the recording paper detection means and waits for the next print,
When the printer is turned off during image formation by the recording head and then turned on, if an image is formed near the leading edge of the recording paper, the recording paper is cut to fit the image size. A printer which transports the leading end of the remaining recording paper to the position of the home position, and transports the leading end of the recording paper to the position of the home position when no image is formed on the recording paper.

Images