JP2007112060A - Dot impact printer and printing method of dot impact printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To economically use an ink ribbon without causing shade irregularities. <P>SOLUTION: The dot impact printer is provided with a plurality of marks 22 to detect the position of the ink ribbon 12 and detects the marks 22 by a sensor 24 and makes areas between the marks 22 records. When printing is performed, the printer counts a print of a digit corresponding to each printed digit (equivalent to one letter of a line) in each of the records of the ribbon 12 by a counter 26, sets whether or not each digit is printable in a printable register 28 on the basis of information of the frequency of printing to each position of the ink ribbon 12. The printer sets whether or not subsequent printing data for each digit exists in a subsequent data register 30, and sets whether or not each digit is printed in a printed register 32. A printing filter logic portion 34 controls a print head 10 so as to perform printing on the basis of the values of the printable register 28, the subsequent printing data register 30 and the printed register 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dot impact printer apparatus and a printing method of the dot impact printer apparatus, and more particularly to a dot impact printer apparatus and a printing method for printing while moving an ink ribbon.

  In the conventional dot impact printer, the ink ribbon is unconditionally fed between the head and the paper, and printing is performed at an arbitrary position on the ink ribbon. The determination of the density of the print density of the dot impact printer apparatus is made by visual inspection by the operator of the apparatus, or by using a counter value indicating the number of print lines incorporated in the apparatus as a guide.

  Actually, the ink ribbon may be printed without distinguishing between the portion where the ink withered due to repeated printing and the portion where the ink still remains. For this reason, light and shade unevenness is likely to occur in the printing result in the sheet. In actual work, in order to prevent the occurrence of uneven shading, the above-mentioned judgment is made based on the experience value of the operator or the expected shading unevenness despite the fact that the ink ribbon is still printable. The ink ribbon was replaced with the counter value. In addition, the actual printed content is rarely printed with a full width with respect to the printable width (for example, 90 characters), and is often biased to the left side. For this reason, as the printing is overlaid on the ink ribbon, the density of the printing becomes visible, resulting in poor printing results. In particular, it has a large effect on printing related to readers such as barcodes, OCR (Optical Character Reader), QR (Quick Response) codes, etc., and errors may occur when printed on the readers, and the contents of printing. In some cases, the printing results were delivered to external customers, etc., with a defect.

  For example, techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 have been proposed as techniques for suppressing such unevenness in printing in such a dot impact printer apparatus.

  In the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is proposed to provide a sensor for detecting the density of the ink ribbon, and determine whether or not the lifetime is based on the density detected by the sensor, thereby preventing density unevenness. Yes.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 3, it has been proposed to improve density unevenness of the thermal transfer ribbon by increasing the rotational speed of the drive source of the pinch roller of the ribbon cassette.

Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 4, it is proposed to provide a configuration for supplying ink to an ink ribbon and to prevent density unevenness by maintaining printing at a constant density.
JP-A-9-109527 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-185487 JP 2001-121728 A JP-A-8-039910

  However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3, when the ink ribbon is replaced in order to suppress density unevenness, a lot of usable areas may remain in the replaced ink ribbon, which is wasteful and economical. There is no problem.

  In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 4 requires a configuration for supplying ink to the ink ribbon, and there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to economically use an ink ribbon without causing uneven density.

  In order to achieve the above object, the dot impact printer apparatus according to claim 1 is a dot impact printer apparatus that performs printing while feeding an ink ribbon, and the ink provided in advance on the ink ribbon at intervals corresponding to a printing width. Based on the detection result of the identifier for detecting the position of the ribbon, and the detection result of the detection means, the area between the identifiers of the ink ribbon is a record, and the position corresponding to each print digit of each record Counting means for counting the number of prints, and determining whether or not printing is possible at a position corresponding to each print digit of each record based on the count result of the count means, and corresponding to the printable print digit according to the judgment result Control means for controlling printing so as to print at the position or the record that can be printed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink ribbon is provided with an identifier for detecting the position of the ink ribbon at intervals corresponding to the printing width (for example, the recording paper width). This identifier is detected.

  Further, the counting means uses the area between the identifiers of the ink ribbon as a record based on the detection result of the detection means, and the number of prints at a position corresponding to each print digit (for example, a portion corresponding to one character) of each record. Counted.

  Then, the control means determines whether or not the position corresponding to each print digit of each record can be printed based on the counting result of the counting means, and the position corresponding to the printable print digit or printable according to the determination result. Printing is controlled so that it is printed on a record.

  In other words, the ink ribbon is divided by the concept of records, and the number of print digits of each record is managed and controlled so that printing is performed in a printable area. Can be used for

  For example, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the control means may determine whether or not printing is possible based on the difference in the counting results of the counting means for each print digit of the record. In other words, if the number of prints in each print digit of the record has a difference of a predetermined number or more, it can be determined that printing is not possible, or printing can be performed using a print digit portion with a small number of prints. It is possible to use the ink ribbon economically without occurrence.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, the control means sets the PCS density to a predetermined value of PCS density (= (reflectance% of white part−reflectance% of measurement point) / reflectance% of white part). Whether or not printing is possible may be determined based on the corresponding number of prints. In other words, it is determined that printing cannot be performed for printing digits that are greater than or equal to a predetermined number of prints, and printing can be performed using other printing digits or records. Can be used.

  Further, the control means may determine the life of the ink ribbon when it is determined that printing is not possible for all the records as in the invention described in claim 4. For example, when it is determined that the ink ribbon has reached the end of its life, this may be notified, or it may be determined whether or not to continue printing.

  6. A printing method for a dot impact printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing is performed while feeding the ink ribbon, and the ink ribbon provided in advance on the ink ribbon at an interval corresponding to a printing width. A detection step for detecting an identifier for detecting the position of the ink, and based on the detection result of the detection step, a region between the identifiers of the ink ribbon is used as a record, and a position corresponding to each print digit of each record is printed. A counting step for counting a number, and a position corresponding to a printable print digit according to the determination result by determining whether or not to print a position corresponding to each print digit of each record based on a count result of the count step Or a control step for controlling printing so that printing is performed with the printable record.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the ink ribbon is provided with an identifier for detecting the position of the ink ribbon at intervals corresponding to the printing width (for example, the recording paper width). This identifier is detected.

  In the counting step, based on the detection result of the detection step, the area between the identifiers of the ink ribbon is used as a record, and the number of prints at a position corresponding to each print digit (for example, a portion corresponding to one character) of each record is calculated. Count.

  In the control step, it is determined whether or not the position corresponding to each print digit of each record can be printed based on the count result of the count step, and the position corresponding to the printable print digit or the printable state is determined according to the determination result. Control printing to print on records.

  In other words, the ink ribbon is divided by the concept of records, and the number of print digits of each record is managed and controlled so that printing is performed in a printable area. Can be used for

  For example, as in the invention described in claim 6, the control step may determine whether or not printing is possible based on the difference in the counting results of the counting steps of each print digit of the record. In other words, if the number of prints in each print digit of the record has a difference of a predetermined number or more, it can be determined that printing is not possible, or printing can be performed using a print digit portion with a small number of prints. It is possible to use the ink ribbon economically without occurrence.

  In the control step, the PCS density (= (reflectance% of the white part−reflectance% of the measurement point) / reflectance% of the white part) is set to a predetermined value as in the invention described in claim 7. Whether or not printing is possible may be determined based on the corresponding number of prints. In other words, it is determined that printing cannot be performed for printing digits that are greater than or equal to a predetermined number of prints, and printing can be performed using other printing digits or records. Can be used.

  Furthermore, the control step may determine the life of the ink ribbon when it is determined that printing is not possible for all records, as in the invention described in claim 8. For example, when it is determined that the ink has reached the end of its life, this may be notified, or it may be determined whether or not to continue printing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the ink ribbon is divided by the concept of records, and the number of print digits of each record is managed and controlled so that printing is performed in a printable area. In this case, the ink ribbon can be used economically.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing unit of a dot impact printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the dot impact printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, an ink ribbon is arranged between the print head 10 and the recording paper P, and printing is performed on the recording paper by applying a predetermined pressure to the ink ribbon 12 by the print head 10. Do. At this time, the ink ribbon 12 performs printing by the print head 10 while moving at a constant speed.

  The print head 10 has a plurality of pins, and prints on the recording paper P by tapping the ink ribbon 12 with the plurality of pins. The striking force of printing is received by the platen PL.

  The ink ribbon 12 is stored in a ribbon cartridge 14, and the ribbon cartridge 14 is stored in a ribbon container 16. The ink ribbon 12 accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 14 has an endless shape, a part is accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 14, a part is exposed from the ribbon cartridge 14, and the ink ribbon 12 accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 14 is It is sent out between the print head 10 and the recording paper P and is accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 14 again. The ink ribbon 12 is sent out by a pair of ribbon feeding rollers 18, and the ink ribbon 12 sent out by the ribbon feeding roller 18 is sent out between the head 10 and the recording paper P by the ribbon guide 20, and the arrow in FIG. As shown, the ribbon cartridge 14 is again stored.

  Further, the ink ribbon 12 applied to the dot impact printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of marks 22 for detecting the position of the ink ribbon 12, as shown in FIG. The space between the plurality of marks 22 has a length corresponding to the width of the recording paper P in the present embodiment. The mark 22 is provided, for example, on the end surface of the ink ribbon 12 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the dot impact printer apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a sensor 24 that detects a mark 22 provided on the ink ribbon 12, and the sensor 24 detects the mark. The dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment reads the mark 22 on the ink ribbon 12 and sets the area between the marks 22 as a record. That is, since the length between the marks 22 corresponds to the width of the recording paper P, each record corresponds to a line when printing is performed. The record has a plurality of records, but in order to specify the record number, an index mark for specifying the reference mark is provided in any of the plurality of marks 22 provided on the ribbon 12. The record number is specified based on the index mark.

  In addition, the dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment prints a digit corresponding to each print digit (position corresponding to one character of each line) in each record of the ribbon 12 when printing is performed. A counter 26 for counting is provided, and the counter 26 counts printing of each digit of each record. Specifically, the counter 26 counts the number of characters printed for each digit.

  In addition, the dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether each digit can be printed based on information on the number of times printing is performed on each position of the ink ribbon 12 by the counter 26. A printable register 28, a next print data register 30 for determining whether or not there is next print data for each digit, and a printed register 32 for determining whether or not each digit has been printed. A print filter logic unit 34 is provided.

  The printable register 28 weights the output of the counter, sets “1” in the printable register 28 for printable digits, and sets “0” data for digits that cannot be printed. More specifically, since the unevenness in density does not occur unless there is a large difference in the number of strikes on the print digit, it is determined that printing is possible if the counter difference for each print digit is within a predetermined difference. For example, if the counter value of a certain digit is N, and the counter difference in which shading unevenness occurs is S, it is determined whether or not the counter difference between N and other print digits is within S. It is determined whether the difference between other digits is within S or not, and the same determination is made for all print digits. If it is determined from the determination result that printing is possible, information is set in the printable register 28. It should be noted that the absolute density, for example, PCS (Print Contrast Signal) density generally defined by a dot impact printer or the like (PCS = (reflectance% of white portion−reflectance% of measurement point) / reflectance of white portion) %) Indicating the print density (representing the relative difference between the reflectivity of the measurement point and the reflectivity of the surrounding white part (paper background color, etc.)). By storing the counter value corresponding to the predetermined value and scanning the counter value of each print digit by the difference between the PCS density and the counter value corresponding to the predetermined value, it is possible to print with a certain density without any density difference. It becomes.

  The next print data register 30 sets “1” when there is next print data for each digit from the print data, and sets “0” when there is no print data.

  The printed register 32 sets “1” when printing for each digit is completed, and sets “0” when printing is not completed.

  The print filter logic unit 34 controls the print head 10 to perform printing based on the values of the printable register 28, the next print data register 30, and the printed register 30. At this time, printing is performed in consideration of the feed amount of the ink ribbon 12 obtained from the ribbon feed motor 36.

  That is, the dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, when printing is performed with the printing digits 1 to 7 of the record corresponding to the mark 1, the printing is counted at each digit of the record 1 corresponding to the printing. Count at 26. Similarly, when printing is performed with a record corresponding to the mark 2, the number of prints of each digit is counted.

  Thus, when information on the number of times printing has been performed for each position of the ink ribbon 12 is obtained, the output of the counter 26 is then weighted by the print filter logic unit 34 to determine whether printing is possible. Data is set in the printable register 28. The print filter logic unit 34 makes a determination by scanning a counter for each digit of the position of each mark 22. For example, if the frequently used digits 1 to 7 indicate a value of 50,000 counts ± 1000 counts and the other 8 to 136 digit counters indicate 10,000 counts ± 1000 counts, the printing is continued as it is. There may be a difference in print density between the 1-7 digit group and the 8-136 digit group. Therefore, “0” is set in the printable register for the first to seventh digits, and the printable position of the ink ribbon 12 of the record 1 is distinguished from the printable digit. Assuming that the next data to be printed is 1 to 136 digits, printing is performed when the position where the printable data “1” of the previously set printable register 28 is set comes to the position where the print data of the next line is present. “0”, which is a printed mark, is set in the corresponding portion of the corresponding printed register 32. Since the record is in a state where the 7-digit position cannot be printed, the print data for the next line cannot be printed for 7 digits. For this reason, the printed register 32 does not become “0” after the record 1 passes, and the printing of the line is not completed.

  Next, when the mark 2 is read by the sensor 24, the record 2 is judged by the print filter logic unit 34, and “1” is written in the print digit printable in the record 2 in the printable register 28 in the same manner as described above. Preparations are made. Next, when the printable digit of the record 2 reaches the portion where the print data of the next line is not printed, printing is performed, and the printed register 32 is updated. In this way, when all the printed registers 32 are filled with “0”, printing of the print data of the next line is completed. On the other hand, the printed digits of the record 2 are counted in the same manner as described above.

  In this way, by managing the number of printed records identified in the order of the marks 22 on the ink ribbon 12, it is possible to manage printing at each position of the ink ribbon 12, and to prevent printing shading. Is possible.

  Next, an example of an operation performed in the dot impact printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operations performed by the dot impact printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When a print instruction is issued and printing by the print head 10 is started, first, in step 100, information is set from the print data to the next print data register 30, and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, “1” is set for the digit to be printed in the next print data register 30 from the print data, and “0” is set for the digit not to be printed.

  In step 102, the constant speed feeding of the ink ribbon 12 is started, and the routine proceeds to step 104. That is, the ribbon feed motor 36 is driven, and the ink ribbon 12 is fed between the print head 10 and the recording paper P at a constant speed.

  In step 104, the counter 26 corresponding to the current record is read out, and the process proceeds to step 106. Information is set in the printable register 28 from the read counter 26. In other words, the counter 26 of the record corresponding to the current position of the ink ribbon 12 is read from the detection result of the mark 22 including the index mark by the sensor 24, and the value is set in the printable register 28 from the value of the counter 26.

  Next, in step 108, the print filter logic unit 34 determines whether there is an unprintable digit. This determination is made by comparing the next print data register 30 and the printable register 28 to determine whether or not all the digits to be printed are printable. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110. If not, the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 110, the ink ribbon 12 is sent to the printable digit and the process proceeds to step 112. In this embodiment, since the ink ribbon 12 is fed at a constant speed, printing is waited until a printable digit is reached. The waiting until the printable digit may be, for example, waiting for the time until the printable digit, or may be waited by monitoring the driving amount of the ribbon feed motor 36.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the mark 22 is detected by the sensor 24. In the determination, when the mark 22 is detected by the sensor 24 while the ink ribbon 12 is sent while waiting for printing, the ink ribbon 12 moves to the next record, and the counter 26 and the printable register 28 are different. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the mark 22 is detected. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 114, and if the determination is negative, step 112 is looped as it is.

  In step 114, the counter 26 corresponding to the next record is read, the printable register 28 is set, and the routine proceeds to step 116.

  In step 116, it is determined whether there is no printable digit. That is, if there is no print digit in which “1” is set in the printable register 28, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 122, and if the determination is negative, the routine proceeds to step 118.

  In step 118, the print filter logic unit 34 controls the print head 10 to print the printable digits, and the process proceeds to step 126.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 108 is negative and the process proceeds to step 120, there is no unprintable digit, so that the print filter logic unit 34 controls the print head 10 to perform printing, and then a mark is detected in step 121. Until the mark is detected and the routine proceeds to step 126.

  If the determination at step 116 is affirmative and the routine proceeds to step 122, it is determined whether or not all records can be printed. This determination is made when the printable register 28 is scanned for all the records and there is no printable print digit, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 124. Is repeated.

  In step 124, since there is no print digit that can be printed over all records, the fact that the ink ribbon is at the end of its life is notified, a series of processing is terminated, and other processing is performed. The notification that the ink ribbon is at the end of life may be made, for example, by sounding a buzzer or by displaying on the display device or the like that the ink ribbon is at the end of life. Further, in the present embodiment, printing is stopped by notifying that the ink ribbon is at the end of its life, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may be asked whether or not to continue printing. Good.

  On the other hand, in step 126, the counter 26 is counted up with respect to the print digit, the printable register 28 and the printed register 32 are updated, and the process proceeds to step 128.

  In step 128, the print filter logic unit 34 determines whether printing of the current line is completed. That is, it is determined whether or not all digits of the printed register 32 are “0”. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 108 and the above processing is repeated, and the determination at step 128 is completed. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 130.

  In step 130, the print filter logic unit 34 determines whether or not printing is finished. That is, it is determined whether or not printing of all the print data has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to the above-described step 104 and the above-described processing is repeated, and the determination at step 130 is affirmed. A series of processing ends and other processing is performed.

  As described above, the dot impact printer apparatus according to the present embodiment provides the ink ribbon 12 with the mark 22 and counts the number of strikes (number of prints) of each print digit of the record corresponding to the mark 22. By managing the position of the ribbon 12 and controlling the printing by managing the number of strikes at each position, it is possible to perform printing so as not to cause uneven density. As a result, the ink ribbon 12 can be used economically without waste, and printing can be performed while preventing uneven density.

  In the above embodiment, the number of strikes for each digit is counted in units of characters. However, the number of strikes may be counted in units of pins provided in the print head 10, or for multiple digits. May be counted as one block, and the number of hits may be counted in units of blocks.

  In the above embodiment, each register (printable register 28, next print data register 30, printed register 32, etc.) is provided with only one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of registers corresponding to a plurality of rows may be provided to prefetch data.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing unit of a dot impact printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a dot impact printer apparatus according to an embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation performed in the dot impact printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print head 12 Ink ribbon 22 Mark 24 Sensor 26 Counter 28 Printable register 30 Next print data register 32 Printed register 34 Print filter logic part 36 Ribbon feed motor

Claims (8)

A dot impact printer that prints while feeding an ink ribbon,
Detecting means for detecting an identifier for detecting a position of the ink ribbon provided in advance on the ink ribbon at an interval corresponding to a printing width;
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the area between the identifiers of the ink ribbon is a record, and the counting means for counting the number of prints at a position corresponding to each print digit of each record;
Based on the counting result of the counting means, it is determined whether or not the position corresponding to each print digit of each record can be printed, and the position corresponding to the printable print digit or the record that can be printed is determined according to the determination result. Control means for controlling printing so as to print;
A dot impact printer apparatus comprising:   The dot impact printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not printing is possible based on a difference in counting results by the counting unit for each print digit of the record.   The control means determines whether or not printing is possible based on the number of prints corresponding to a predetermined value of PCS density (= (reflectance% of white part−reflectance% of measurement point) / reflectance% of white part). The dot impact printer apparatus according to claim 1.   The dot impact printer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit determines that the life of the ink ribbon is reached when it is determined that printing is not possible for all of the records. . A printing method of a dot impact printer for printing while feeding an ink ribbon,
A detection step of detecting an identifier for detecting a position of the ink ribbon provided in advance on the ink ribbon at an interval corresponding to a printing width;
Based on the detection result of the detection step, the area between the identifiers of the ink ribbon is a record, and a counting step for counting the number of prints at a position corresponding to each print digit of each record;
Based on the counting result of the counting step, it is determined whether or not the position corresponding to each print digit of each record can be printed, and the position corresponding to the printable print digit or the record that can be printed is determined according to the determination result. Control steps for controlling printing to print,
A printing method for a dot impact printer apparatus, comprising:   6. The printing method for a dot impact printer according to claim 5, wherein the control step determines whether or not printing is possible based on a difference in counting results of the counting steps for each print digit of the record.   The control step determines whether or not printing is possible based on the number of prints corresponding to a predetermined value of PCS density (= (reflectance% of white part−reflectance% of measurement point) / reflectance% of white part). The printing method of the dot impact printer apparatus of Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned.   8. The dot impact printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control step determines that the life of the ink ribbon is in a case where it is determined that printing is not possible for all of the records. 9. Printing method.

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